The night air was cool and crisp as Tina and Anuver walked the quieter streets after leaving the 333 Inn.
Lanterns flickered overhead, casting soft orange glows on the cobblestones.
Tina suddenly stopped, her ears swiveling backward. Her tail stiffened, and she whipped around toward the shadows trailing them.
"So we're already out. Enough. How long are you gonna follow us?" she snapped, voice sharp and challenging.
Four figures in worn adventurer clothes stepped out from a nearby alley, blocking the path ahead.
Their gear was patched and dirty, faces rough and scarred clearly no good intentions.
One of the younger thugs whispered nervously to the leader a bearded man around thirty, heavy-set with a rusty axe slung over his shoulder.
"Boss, you sure he has more money left?"
The boss grinned greedily, eyes raking over Anuver's fine robes and Tina's equipment.
"Of course they would have more money. If we just get our hands on the money…"
He stepped forward, voice rough and full of menace.
"Hey, hand over all the money you have if you don't wanna get wrecked by our boss."
Tina's ears flattened completely. A dangerous, fanged smirk spread across her face as she cracked her knuckles.
"Huh? You weaklings are gonna rob us? Seriously?"
She glanced sideways at Anuver.
"Hey, Sora wait here."
In an instant, she exploded into motion.
A blur too fast for the thugs to track fists flying, legs kicking.
The first thug took a brutal punch to the gut and doubled over, gasping.
The second got a spinning kick to the chest, slamming into the alley wall with a thud.
The third swung a dagger desperately Tina caught his wrist, twisted hard, and he dropped it with a yelp of pain before she flipped him onto the ground.
The boss roared and charged with his axe raised high.
Tina ducked low, swept his legs out from under him, and finished with a sharp elbow to the back of his head as he fell.
All four hit the cobblestones groaning, defeated in seconds.
Tina dusted her hands off casually, then bent down and rifled through their pockets without a second thought. She pulled out a bulging coin pouch, weighing it in her palm with satisfaction.
She straightened up, holding the pouch high with a loud, triumphant laugh.
"Hahah! This is what happens when you move without thinking, dumbass!"
She turned to Anuver, tail swishing confidently.
"Let's go. We got some money for the inn. Let's rest for today and we will join the team battles."
They reached a quiet inn just a short walk away, the streets now empty behind them.
In the room, Tina flopped onto one bed and was snoring softly within minutes.
Anuver sat by the window, gazing out at the moonlit city rooftops.
I did get a room… but can I even sleep? I don't think so.
He leaned back against the sill.
Hm. If I'm a god… can I get a game console?
With a casual thought, divine energy shimmered in his palm.
A familiar game console materialized sleek design, controllers included, just like the ones from his old life.
Oh… this really works.
A genuine grin spread across his face as he settled in.
I should just play the games from my memory then.
He spent the night recreating and playing old favorites pixel-perfect from memory.
No need for sleep.
Next morning.
The stadium thrummed with energy as team battles were about to begin.
Tina stretched and yawned, spotting Anuver already up and ready by the window.
"Ohhh, Sora, you woke up early."
Anuver thought, Who slept in the first place? I don't get tired or anything. Can't even sleep. Being in a god's body is tough…
But thanks, God I mean, thanks me I at least got to play games.
Down in the arena, the commentator's voice boomed over the roaring crowd, recapping the previous day's highlights.
"And the winner of the final solo match yesterday the one many missed is the rising hero Alto from the Crimson Kingdom!"
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers "Alto! Alto!" chants echoing everywhere. After all, it was the hero.
Tina's ears perked up, eyes widening in surprise.
"Huh? When did he become champion?"
Anuver answered calmly.
"Yesterday. The last match we didn't see was his against the werewolf."
The cheers swelled louder.
Team battles were officially starting.
The morning sun beat down on the massive stadium, the air thick with the roar of thousands of spectators.
Banners fluttered in the wind, and the scent of sweat, grilled food, and excitement hung heavy.
Tina stretched her arms high, tail swishing as she scanned the waiting area with a confident grin.
"Ughh, we only have two people to fight in a team battle," she muttered, then threw her head back with her signature laugh. "Whatever! I'm already enough. Let's crush them!"
Anuver glanced at her, one eyebrow raised.
"But before that… shouldn't we have to register for the matches? It's already late. They won't even accept it now."
Tina's grin widened, fangs glinting as she leaned in close, ears perked proudly.
"Muhahahah! You're here early, but I wasn't. I went to the registration office first thing and signed us up already. Team Tina and Sora cool, right?"
Anuver blinked, keeping his expression neutral.
Hm. So she registered us, huh. She's a bit intelligent for an cat NPC.
But fuck… why that name? Tina and Sora. It's literally just our names.
He spoke calmly.
"So when is our battle, and against whom?"
Tina pointed down toward the center of the arena floor, her tail flicking excitedly.
Anuver followed her finger.
There he was Alto.
Standing tall in the sand, sword at his side, looking every bit the classic hero.
Beside him stood his two teammates: Nano, the quiet-looking girl with dangerous eyes a mage who could level buildings if the game lore held true.
And Yuuki, the tank-type knight in heavy armor, shield gleaming.
Anuver thought, So he's our opponent, huh. And if he's in a team… means he's already got his party ready. Those two girls beside him.
The start of his harem already. Fuck, he works fast.
Tina tilted her head, studying the trio below.
"That's the hero of the Crimson Moon Kingdom, right? He looks like he's a bit strong."
The crowd's cheers swelled as the announcer introduced the next match.
Team Tina and Sora… versus Alto and his party.
The bell rang.
The fight was on.