Chapter 143: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
"What do you usually bet?" the King of Ants looked at Komugi and asked.
"My life."
Komugi's expression remained unchanged, as if she were talking about the simplest thing.
But that single, softly spoken word struck the King of Ants' ears with immense shock.
This was the first time he had experienced such a feeling since his birth.
"If I lose, please take my life. But this might be too disrespectful to you..." Komugi scratched her head, somewhat at a loss.
"I don't understand what you mean. Explain it clearly from the beginning," the King of Ants remained silent for a moment before speaking.
This was the first time he actively wanted to listen.
Komugi slowly explained, "There are twelve people in my family, but currently I'm the only one who can earn money to support them. If I lose, I would become a burden to my family."
"All professional players believe in one motto: once the King of Military Arts loses, they're just an ordinary person."
"If I lose, I would become worthless."
Perhaps sensing the emotional fluctuation in the King of Ants sitting opposite her, Komugi waved her hand and smiled lightly, 'It's okay.'
"This is something my parents have been reminding me since childhood. So on the day I decided to become a professional player, I made a Zetsu resolution. If I ever lose in Military Arts, I will end my own life."
To speak of such a heavy matter so lightly and calmly—very few people in this world could do that.
"But then, there's one problem..."
"What is it?" the King of Ants asked.
"Because from the moment I lose, I become worthless. To hand such a worthless person over to you, I think that would be too disrespectful to you..." Komugi said seriously.
"..." The King of Ants looked at the blind girl before him and said, "That's nothing. The important thing is, if you win, what do you want?"
Hearing the King of Ants' words, Komugi fell into serious thought again, and finally said,
"Actually, besides Military Arts, I rarely think about other things. I'll think about that after I win."
"Is that so..." the King of Ants said softly.
This blind girl before him had overturned his understanding of humans—without fear of death, and simultaneously without desires or wants.
Desireless and fearless!
"Life, huh..."
"It seems I'm the one who hasn't completely awakened."
"Haven't you thought about taking my life as the prize for victory?"
Hearing the King say such words truly shocked Shaiapouf who was standing nearby. He was about to speak, but was directly interrupted by the King of Ants.
"Enough!"
On the other side, Komugi had never even considered such a thing. Waving her hands repeatedly, she flusteredly said: "The Supreme Leader's life... how could that be acceptable! I've never thought of such a thing!"
"I know, this is my own problem," the King of Ants spoke with anger—not directed at others, but at himself. "No more bets! This behavior of mine is too childish."
No sooner had the words fallen than he directly tore off his own left arm.
"Please forgive me."
Crimson blood splattered across Komugi's face on the opposite side, scorching hot.
"Your Majesty! Why would you do this!"
Shaiapouf shouted loudly, immediately reacting by tearing fabric from his right sleeve to bandage the wound on the King's left arm.
"You need treatment, please come inside..."
The King paid no attention, remaining seated as he spoke: "Continue the game."
"Supreme Leader, what happened to you?" Though Komugi couldn't see, she could smell the blood.
"Your move," the King said.
"Your Majesty! At least we must stop the bleeding first..."
As Shaiapouf tried to persuade further, the King directly swatted him away with his tail.
"Don't make me repeat myself. Continue the game."
"Initially, I was the one who said we wouldn't rest. Do you think I haven't lost enough face?" The King's expression darkened.
His dignity as a monarch didn't permit such behavior.
Kings have their dignity, subjects have their duties.
"This subordinate will summon Neferpitou. Given your physical strength, you can continue playing while receiving suturing treatment. This is the maximum concession I can make," Shaiapouf said, rising from the ground and kneeling on one knee.
"If you won't even agree to this, then please kill this subordinate with your own hands."
The King turned to look at Shaiapouf and said: "Fine, come here. I'll make it quick for you."
Royal authority brooks no doubt.
But at that moment, the young girl spoke.
"If the Supreme Leader doesn't accept treatment, I won't play chess."
In the next instant, the tip of the King's tail was already pressed against Komugi's throat, icy cold.
"Don't make me repeat myself. Play chess!"
"I refuse! If you want to kill me, then use Gungi to take my life..."
Komugi didn't yield an inch.
Their eyes met.
The King looked at the person before him, remaining silent for a long time before withdrawing his tail and shouting: "Summon Neferpitou immediately!"
Though this was the outcome Shaiapouf had wanted to achieve.
The manner in which this outcome was obtained was something he couldn't accept.
He took a deep look at the young girl in the distance before turning and walking out of the room.
Facing the monarch, she hadn't shown the slightest retreat or hesitation.
Without doubt, Komugi was a true master.
Komugi's achievements in Gungi were like the Chairman's accomplishments in martial arts—every game played with the conviction of certain death, persisting day after day for ten years.
Their absolute pursuit was purer than anyone else's.
Facing the King, they similarly never showed fear, possessing only the thrill of battle and the joy of competing with strong opponents.
Many people might think that no matter how strong Komugi was, what use was being good at chess?
In fact, her strength wasn't simply confined to so-called Gungi.
All methods share the same origin.
She just hadn't yet found the method for fighting.
In another world, there was also such a scholar.
Day after day, he knew nothing but reading, mocked by everyone around him who considered him worthless.
And all he did was one thing: read.
He read the great principles of the Spring and Autumn Annals.
He read the Buddhist teachings of compassion.
In the end, he cultivated into a terrestrial immortal!
That scholar, whom they saw as utterly useless and too weak to even truss a chicken, killed the invincible patriarch.
Komugi was the same—all she needed was an opportunity.
...
Meanwhile, Morel and Knuckle, who had successfully infiltrated the capital of the East Gorteau, suddenly discovered that the puppet soldiers in the city had vanished.
"Could it be that the selection has started again?" Morel wondered.
"No, probably not," Knuckle shook his head and continued, "Neferpitou has already detected our entry into the capital. The guards, who prioritize the King of Ants' safety above all, wouldn't take such risks. In other words, we can interpret this as... something more critical than the current situation has occurred around the King of Ants, or perhaps to the King himself..."
"It's finally here..." A smile spread across Morel's face. "This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"