The morning of the tournament, Ah You woke at 5 AM.
He hadn't set an alarm. His body just knew. Three weeks of brutal training, three Foundation Strengthening Pills, and more pressure than he'd ever experienced in his life had rewired something fundamental in him.
Sleep was lighter now. Awareness sharper. Even unconscious, part of him stayed alert.
[DAILY QUEST: Tournament Day Preparation]
[Complete: 30 minutes meditation, light exercise, mental preparation]
[Bonus: Extra +50 HP/MP for tournament matches today]
[Time Remaining: 13 hours until registration]
Ah You sat cross-legged on his bed and began the meditation routine from Datuk Ismail's cultivation manual.
Breathe in. Feel the energy flow through the meridians. Breathe out. Release tension and doubt.
His Nature Sense activated automatically during meditation now, a passive background process. He could feel the plants in his apartment – the oversized cactus that had cracked its pot, the vines growing through the window frame, even the wooden furniture that had started sprouting leaves after his pill-induced energy overflow.
Mrs. Lim had complained three times about the vines. Ah You had promised to trim them after the tournament.
If he survived the tournament.
[MEDITATION COMPLETE]
[MP regeneration rate increased by 20% for next 12 hours]
[Mental clarity enhanced]
His phone buzzed. Linda:
Consortium meeting tonight after your matches. Win or lose, we need to discuss the Ong family situation. They've escalated.
That was ominous. But it would have to wait.
Another text from Zara:
Arena, 7 AM. Final equipment check and last-minute strategy session. Don't be late.
And one from Ivy:
Nervous. Can't sleep. Want to grab breakfast before Arena prep?
Ah You smiled despite the tension. At least he wasn't alone in this.
Meet at Chong Choon Cafe, 6:30?
See you there.
---
Chong Choon Cafe was one of the oldest kopitiam in Kuching, operating since the 1950s. The kind of place where old uncles read newspapers and argued about politics over kopi-o and half-boiled eggs.
Ivy was already there when Ah You arrived, sitting at a corner table with two cups of coffee and a plate of kaya toast.
"You look terrible," she said as he sat down.
"Thanks. You too."
She laughed, but it was strained. "I've been in tournaments before. Local competitions, Arena rankings matches. But this... this is different."
"Because people actually die?"
"Because we're out of our depth and we know it." Ivy stirred her coffee absently. "I'm Level 15. You're Level 15. Most participants are 16 or 17. And then there's Victor Chen at 19. We're the underdogs in a tournament where underdogs get killed."
"So why are we doing this?"
"Because sitting on the sidelines doesn't get us anywhere." She met his eyes. "I've been a Nature-type for five years. You know how many times people took me seriously? How many times I got offered real opportunities instead of 'support role' positions? Zero. This tournament is a chance to prove we're not just plant-growers and vegetable-sensors."
Ah You understood that completely. He'd spent nineteen years being dismissed, overlooked, treated as insignificant.
The tournament was dangerous. But irrelevance was its own kind of death.
"We're going to make top eight," Ah You said. "Both of us. Show everyone that Nature-types can compete."
"Ambitious. I like it." Ivy raised her coffee cup. "To not dying stupidly."
"To not dying stupidly."
They clinked cups and drank.
---
The Arena at 7 AM was already bustling.
Fighters preparing for various matches, trainers running drills, administrative staff coordinating logistics. The tournament might be underground and quasi-illegal, but the Arena still operated its normal functions.
Kenneth met them in his office, looking unusually serious.
"Before we do equipment check, you both need to understand something." He pulled up news articles on his computer. "The Ong family has filed formal complaints with the Esper Commerce Guild about Arena safety standards. They're also spreading rumors about 'dangerous unregulated fighters' – specifically targeting you, Ah You."
"Let me guess, trying to get the tournament shut down?"
"No. They can't touch the Shadow Tournament – it's run by organizations way above their level. But they're creating negative PR that could affect your future opportunities." Kenneth clicked to another article. "They've also hired private investigators to dig into your background. Your grandmother, your father's death, your employment history, everything."
Ah You's fists clenched. "They're looking for ammunition."
"Or leverage. If they find anything they can use – debts, legal issues, anything compromising – they'll exploit it." Kenneth closed the articles. "I'm telling you this so you're prepared. Win or lose today, the Ong family isn't going away."
"Can the Arena help?"
"Legally, my hands are tied. We're a combat sports organization, not a law firm. But..." Kenneth pulled out a business card. "This is my sister. She's a lawyer specializing in esper-related legal issues. If the Ong family tries anything official, call her. She owes me favors."
Ah You pocketed the card. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me yet. Just survive today." Kenneth stood. "Let's check your equipment."
The Arena's equipment vault was more impressive than Ah You had realized.
Weapons, armor, talismans, enhancement items – decades worth of accumulated gear from fighters, donations, and confiscated materials.
Kenneth pulled out the items he'd promised:
[COMBAT ENHANCEMENT GLOVES]
[Effect: +30% physical strike damage, hand protection from basic attacks]
[Duration: Until removed]
Ah You slipped them on. They fit perfectly, lightweight but reinforced. He threw a test punch – his fist felt heavier, more impactful.
[JADE PROTECTION TALISMAN]
[Effect: One-time automatic shield activation when lethal damage detected]
[Cooldown: Single use, then item is consumed]
The pendant was cool against his chest, hanging on a simple cord. Hopefully he wouldn't need it. But having a literal life-saver was reassuring.
[BATTLE STIMULANT (ALCHEMICAL)]
[Effect: +40% reaction speed, pain tolerance for 30 minutes]
[Side Effect: Severe exhaustion afterward, possible nausea]
The vial of silver liquid went into his pocket. Emergency use only.
"And one more thing," Kenneth said. He handed Ah You a small leather pouch. "Seeds. Specifically selected for combat use. Fast-growing, high-energy-absorption, hardy. Better than scattering random seeds from your pocket."
Ah You opened the pouch. Dozens of seeds, each one radiating faint energy that his Nature Sense could detect.
[COMBAT SEED COLLECTION]
[Contains: Rapid Vine Seeds x20, Explosive Pod Seeds x10, Toxic Thorn Seeds x15, Iron Bark Seeds x10]
[All seeds are energy-enhanced for faster growth and stronger effects]
"This is expensive gear," Ah You said.
"Consider it an investment. Arena-sponsored fighters who do well in the Shadow Tournament bring prestige. And prestige brings money." Kenneth smiled slightly. "Plus, I genuinely want you to survive. You've got potential."
They ran equipment checks for another thirty minutes. Tested the gloves' enhancement effect. Verified the talisman was charged. Discussed optimal timing for the battle stimulant.
By 9 AM, Ah You felt as ready as he could be.
Ivy had similar equipment from her own sponsors – a defensive charm, enhancement items, specialized seeds.
"We're as prepared as we're going to be," Zara said. "Now it's just execution. Remember your training. Stay calm. Assess opponents before engaging. Don't take stupid risks."
"What if we draw Victor Chen in the first round?" Ivy asked.
"Forfeit immediately. No shame in that. He's Level 19 and Shadow Manipulation is specifically designed for killing. You can't win, so don't try." Zara's expression was dead serious. "Pride isn't worth your life."
Marcus and Aisha arrived for the final pre-tournament meeting.
"The Coalition is backing both of you," Marcus said. "We've put money on you reaching at least the quarterfinals. Don't make us lose our bets."
"No pressure," Ah You muttered.
"Oh, there's pressure. But you thrive under pressure." Aisha handed them each a small package. "Energy bars. High-grade, MP-restoration focused. Eat them between matches. You'll need every edge."
The packages contained six bars each, wrapped in silver foil.
[SPIRIT ENERGY BAR]
[Effect: Restores 30 MP over 10 minutes]
[Note: Can consume maximum 2 per hour]
These would be crucial. Tournament matches came fast – barely an hour between rounds sometimes. Natural MP regeneration wouldn't be enough.
By noon, there was nothing left to do but wait.
Ah You spent the afternoon in meditation, reviewing mental scenarios, visualizing successful fights.
[MENTAL PREPARATION COMPLETE]
[Bonus activated: +50 HP, +50 MP for tournament duration]
[Current Stats:]
[HP: 330/330]
[MP: 230/230]
At 4 PM, Ah You went home to change into proper combat clothes.
He'd bought new gear specifically for this – black reinforced pants, a dark green shirt that wouldn't restrict movement, his best (only decent) shoes. The Arena gloves fit over everything. The jade pendant hung hidden under his shirt.
He looked at himself in the mirror.
Three weeks ago, he'd been a restaurant worker who could barely do twenty push-ups.
Now he was a Level 15 esper preparing to fight in an underground tournament where death was a real possibility.
The transformation was surreal.
His phone buzzed. A message from Ah Ma:
Ah You, Datuk Ismail's people came today. Very nice compound! Got garden, got fish pond, very peaceful. You don't worry about Ah Ma. You focus on your work. Ah Ma pray for you every day.
Relief washed over him. At least she was safe.
He texted back:
Glad you like it there, Ah Ma. I'll visit soon. Love you.
Love you too, boy. Be careful.
Another message, this one from Melissa:
Equipment checked? Strategy prepared? Good. Remember – top 8 gets prizes. Top 4 gets serious prizes. Champion gets life-changing prizes. Push as far as you can. The debt you owe me? Win this tournament and it's cut in half.
That was new information.
Seriously?
Seriously. A tournament champion is worth more to me than 75,000 ringgit in debt obligations. Win and you only owe two expeditions with 75K total minimum harvest value instead of 150K. Consider it motivation.
Ah You stared at the message.
Winning the tournament could cut his debt in half.
That changed everything.
Another text came through immediately after:
But don't be stupid. If you're clearly outmatched, forfeit and survive. A living debtor is more valuable than a dead champion. - M.C.
At 5 PM, Ah You met Ivy at the bus stop.
They didn't talk much on the ride to Jalan Pending. Just sat together, both lost in their own thoughts, mentally preparing for what was coming.
The warehouse complex looked exactly as described – abandoned, decrepit, the kind of place you'd pass without a second glance.
But Ah You's Root Network ability, which had become passive and always-on at Level 15, told him there were hundreds of people underground.
"Here we go," Ivy said quietly.
They walked through the rusted gate at exactly 6 PM.
And descended into the Shadow Tournament.
---
The underground complex was overwhelming.
Ah You had been to the Arena plenty of times, but this was different. Bigger. More professional. More dangerous.
The main arena space was massive – multiple fighting rings, stadium seating, medical stations with actual doctors and healing-type espers, vendor booths selling everything from energy drinks to illegal enhancement drugs.
And the fighters.
Forty-two of them, scattered throughout the preparation areas, each one radiating power.
Ah You's Nature Sense and Root Network were working overtime, trying to assess threats. His system was throwing up notifications constantly:
[THREAT DETECTED: Level 17 - Lightning Manipulation]
[THREAT DETECTED: Level 16 - Blood Control]
[THREAT DETECTED: Level 18 - Gravity Manipulation]
[WARNING: Multiple Level 17+ opponents present]
[Recommendation: Proceed with EXTREME caution]
"This is insane," Ivy whispered. "Half these fighters could kill us without breaking a sweat."
"Then we avoid those ones and fight the ones we can actually beat," Ah You said, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
Registration was efficient. They provided their information, signed the medical waivers acknowledging they might die, received their fighter numbers.
Ah You: Fighter #27
Ivy: Fighter #33
The registration clerk, a bored-looking woman who'd probably seen hundreds of fighters come through, gave them the same warning she probably gave everyone:
"If you're outmatched, forfeit. Pride isn't worth your life. We have healers but they can't fix everything. Dead fighters are bad for business."
Cheerful.
They found spots in the preparation area. Ah You immediately activated his Root Network to its full range, mapping the entire complex through the plant life scattered around.
Decorative plants in pots. Moss growing in corners. Even wooden structural supports. All of it connected to his awareness now.
[ROOT NETWORK: Complex mapped]
[267 total presences detected]
[42 have significant esper energy (fighters)]
[Remaining are spectators, staff, organizers]
He could sense fighters moving around, could track their positions through the disturbances they created in the ambient energy.
And one presence stood out above all others.
In the far corner of the preparation area, surrounded by what looked like professional handlers and trainers, was a darkness that his senses struggled to penetrate.
Victor Chen.
Even from fifty meters away, even just as a presence in his Root Network, Victor felt wrong. Like a void where a person should be. Shadows that existed independent of light.
[EXTREME THREAT: Victor Chen - Level 19]
[Power Assessment: BEYOND CURRENT CAPABILITY]
[Recommendation: AVOID]
Ah You made a mental note: if he drew Victor in any round, he was forfeiting immediately. No heroics. No testing his luck.
Some fights you just couldn't win.
At 7 PM, the fighters gathered in the main arena for the opening ceremony.
The announcer – a middle-aged Chinese man in an expensive suit – stood on a raised platform.
"Welcome to the Borneo Shadow Tournament," his voice boomed through hidden speakers. "Forty-two fighters from across Southeast Asia. Six rounds of elimination. One champion."
Screens around the arena lit up, displaying all forty-two fighter profiles:
Names, levels, ability types, home cities.
Ah You saw himself listed:
Li Ah You - Level 15 - Nature Manipulation - Kuching, Sarawak
And Ivy:
Ivy Chen - Level 15 - Wood Manipulation - Kuching, Sarawak
"The rules are simple," the announcer continued. "Matches end when one fighter surrenders, is incapacitated, or dies. Killing is discouraged but not prohibited. Intentional rule-breaking results in disqualification and consequences."
The way he said "consequences" made it clear they weren't talking about legal penalties.
"Prize distribution begins at the quarterfinal round. All fighters reaching top eight receive base prizes. Top four receive enhanced prizes. The champion receives the grand prize – items worth over one million ringgit and recruitment offers from organizations across the region."
The crowd murmured with excitement. One million ringgit in prizes. That was serious money.
"Betting is now open. Medical services are available. May the strongest survive."
The screens changed, displaying the tournament bracket.
Forty-two names arranged in a traditional elimination tree.
Ah You found his name immediately:
Round 1, Match 7: Li Ah You (15) vs. Marcus Teo (16) - Fire Generation
Level 16. Fire user. Not ideal – fire was naturally strong against plant abilities.
But manageable. He'd beaten fire users before.
He checked Ivy's match:
Round 1, Match 3: Ivy Chen (15) vs. Rachel Wong (14) - Wind Manipulation
Level 14. That was favorable. Ivy should win that.
And Victor Chen's match:
Round 1, Match 1: Victor Chen (19) vs. Ah Beng (13) - Earth Manipulation
"That's a massacre waiting to happen," someone nearby muttered. "Level 13 versus Level 19? Poor guy probably drew the worst possible first match."
Ah You agreed silently. Whoever Ah Beng was, he was about to have a very bad day.
The bracket also showed the potential path to finals:
If Ah You won Match 7, he'd face the winner of Match 8 in round two.
If he somehow made it to quarterfinals, he'd be in the same bracket section as... he traced the lines... potentially Victor Chen in the semifinals.
So he'd need to win three matches to even have a chance at facing Victor.
Which meant three matches to prepare, to level up, to get strong enough.
Or three matches before being eliminated and going home.
"Fighters, you have one hour before matches begin," the announcer said. "Use it wisely."
The crowd dispersed. Some fighters meditated. Others warmed up physically. Some reviewed notes on opponents.
Ah You and Ivy found a quiet corner.
"Fire user first round," Ivy said. "That's rough."
"I've got strategies. The Guardian's Territory ability gives me an advantage in sustained combat. I just need to survive the initial assault and drain his energy."
"What about me? Wind Manipulation?"
"Wind is all about range and mobility. She'll try to keep distance and pepper you with air blades. You need to close the gap, use wooden barriers to block attacks, then overwhelm her with sustained offense."
They spent the next thirty minutes reviewing tactics, running through mental scenarios, preparing for every contingency they could think of.
At 7:45 PM, Ah You consumed one of the Spirit Energy Bars.
[MP: 230/230 → Temporary Max: 260/260]
[MP regeneration enhanced for next 2 hours]
His phone buzzed one last time. Kenneth:
Good luck. Remember your training. Stay alive. We're all rooting for you.
At 7:55 PM, the announcer's voice boomed again:
"Round 1 begins in five minutes. Fighters for Match 1, please report to Ring A."
Victor Chen stood and walked toward the ring. His movements were casual, unhurried. Like he was going to do some light exercise, not fight for his life.
Ah Beng, his opponent, looked terrified but determined. He followed Victor to the ring.
"This is it," Ivy said. "Once it starts, it doesn't stop until there's a winner."
Ah You nodded. "Good luck. Don't die."
"You too."
They bumped fists – a gesture they'd started doing during training.
The lights dimmed. The crowd quieted.
The tournament was about to begin.
---
Match 1 started at exactly 8 PM.
Victor Chen versus Ah Beng.
Ah You watched from the stands with Ivy, studying Victor's technique, learning everything he could about the Level 19 fighter who might be his future opponent.
The referee checked both fighters. "This is an elimination match. Surrender, incapacitation, or death ends the fight. Understood?"
Both nodded.
"Fighters ready?"
Victor looked bored. Ah Beng was visibly shaking but held his ground.
"Begin!"
Ah Beng immediately raised walls of stone, creating barriers between himself and Victor. Smart defensive opening.
Victor didn't move.
The shadows did.
They rose from the ground beneath Ah Beng's feet, passing through the stone walls like they weren't even there. Wrapped around his legs, his arms, his throat.
Lifted him into the air effortlessly.
Ah Beng tried to summon more earth to break free, but the shadows were draining his energy faster than he could gather it. His earth constructs crumbled before forming.
Twelve seconds in, Ah Beng choked out: "I yield!"
The shadows dropped him immediately. He collapsed, gasping, alive but completely dominated.
The crowd roared approval.
Victor walked out of the ring without even looking back. His expression never changed. Bored. Disinterested.
Like he'd just swatted a mosquito.
"Jesus," Ivy breathed. "He didn't even try. That was casual."
Ah You's mind was racing, analyzing every detail:
- Shadow abilities that could pass through physical barriers
- Energy drain effect on contact
- Seemingly limitless range within the ring
- Absolute control and precision
- Zero wasted movement
Victor Chen wasn't just strong. He was on a completely different level.
If Ah You faced him, forfeiting was the only smart option.
Match 2 began immediately after – two Level 15 fighters, one with enhancement abilities, one with electricity.
The fight was competitive, lasting fourteen minutes. The enhancement user won by sheer endurance, outlasting his opponent's energy reserves.
Then Match 3. Ivy's match.
Ah You watched tensely as she entered the ring.
Rachel Wong looked confident – wind constantly swirling around her body, already creating air currents that would give her mobility advantages.
The referee gave the signal.
"Begin!"
Rachel attacked first, sending compressed air blades at Ivy.
But Ivy had clearly studied the matchup. She grew wooden shields from her arms, deflecting the air blades, then immediately countered with vine whips.
Rachel generated a wind burst to blow the vines away, but Ivy had anticipated that. She'd scattered spores into the air earlier – tiny seeds that the wind actually helped spread throughout the ring.
When the spores landed, they grew rapidly into sticky moss and entangling vines.
Rachel found her mobility compromised. Every time she moved, she had to burn energy clearing plants from her path.
Ivy pressed the advantage, creating multiple attack angles. Vines from the floor, wooden projectiles from her hands, even acidic sap that she launched through pitcher plant constructs.
Rachel's wind abilities were purely offensive. She had no good defense against sustained multi-directional assault.
After eight minutes, Rachel was exhausted, barely able to maintain her wind shields.
Ivy created a cage of hardened wooden vines, closing in from all sides.
"I yield!" Rachel called out.
The crowd applauded. It had been a technical, well-executed victory.
Ivy returned to the stands, barely winded, grinning.
"Nice work," Ah You said. "Textbook Nature-type tactics."
"Felt good. Now it's your turn to show them what we can do."
Matches 4, 5, and 6 played out while Ah You prepared mentally.
Then the announcer called: "Match 7: Li Ah You versus Marcus Teo!"
This was it.
Ah You stood. Checked his equipment one final time. The gloves were secure. The pendant was in place. The combat seeds were in his pouch. The Spirit Energy Bar had his MP at maximum.
He walked to the ring, filtering out the crowd noise, focusing only on the opponent.
Marcus Teo was already there. Mid-twenties, muscular, confident. Flames dancing on his hands.
They faced each other across the ring.
The referee checked both fighters. "This is an elimination match. Surrender, incapacitation, or death ends the fight. Understood?"
Both nodded.
Ah You activated his abilities:
[NATURE SENSE LV4: ACTIVE]
[ROOT NETWORK: ACTIVE]
[GUARDIAN'S TERRITORY: Ready - Will activate when optimal]
[MP: 260/260]
[HP: 330/330]
The referee raised his hand.
"Fighters ready?"
Ah You took a deep breath. Centered himself.
This was everything. Win here, advance. Lose here, go home.
Three weeks of hell training. Three Foundation Pills. Massive debt. Dangerous obligations.
All for this moment.
"Begin!"
---
[To Be Continued]