Rebirth: The Universe's Hidden Heiress-Chapter 55: Becoming Top 10 (2)

[The match begins.]

Yuka made the first move, aiming her blade straight at the opponent’s cockpit.

Morris raised his arm, blocking Yuka’s blade, and then threw a punch towards Yuka’s mecha’s shoulder.

Yuka stepped back and made an upward diagonal slash.

However, Morris had already lifted his heavy sword, which he had been dragging on the ground, and swung it in a black arc through the air, blocking Yuka’s downward strike.

The force of the heavy sword was immense; it hit Yuka’s blade, causing her arm to go numb. Yuka quickly withdrew her sword and stepped back.

Morris also retracted his sword, standing his ground as they faced each other in a tense standoff.

In the commentary booth, Roukujou was intently watching the screen. "Pinky just made a probing attack against the eighth-ranked ’Knight’, and now both sides have a clear idea of each other’s capabilities. Personally, I believe Pinky’s strength is on par with ’Knight’, but his mastery of the heavy sword is extraordinary. So far, I haven’t seen anyone defeat ’Knight’ with melee weapons."

"They’ve moved!" Roukujou stood up quickly, narrating, "Pinky strikes first again, aiming for ’Knight’s’ mechanical legs... but ’Knight’ dodges swiftly. He swings his sword, leaving a trail in the air, but it’s too slow, and Pinky evades!"

"Pinky raises her long sword, targeting a gap in ’Knight’s’ left arm," Roukujou’s expression changed, "Oh no! ’Knight’ did that on purpose!"

"He takes advantage of Pinky’s immobility and strikes her mecha with his heavy sword!"

On the field, Yuka had just landed her blade in the black mecha’s left arm when she felt an attack on her back. The heavy sword’s blow made her step forward, and the black mecha seized the opportunity to punch towards her cockpit.

Yuka quickly decided to let go of her sword and block the punch with her right arm, then extended her mechanical leg to try and trip the black mecha.

Anticipating her move, Knight brought his heavy sword down further.

Hearing her mecha’s back deform, Yuka knew she couldn’t delay any longer. She transformed her left arm into a long sword and thrust it into the black mecha’s cockpit.

The sword penetrated half an inch, and the black mecha immediately released Yuka, withdrawing the sword from her body. If he hadn’t, Yuka’s sword would have been quicker in causing fatal damage.

With the heavy sword retracted, Yuka felt relieved.

As the black mecha prepared to retreat, Yuka pulled out her long blade stuck in its left arm.

They quickly separated, but only paused for a second before engaging in another round of combat.

Yuka, with a sword arm and a blade in her right hand, clashed against the heavy sword of the black mecha, the sounds of their weapons colliding echoing continuously.

Neither could overpower the other, making it difficult to determine a winner.

"Up to now, both competitors have sustained injuries," Roukujou commented. "It’s impossible to tell with the naked eye which one has more severe damage. Both still have their weapons, and they’ve just finished the second round of attacks. They’re about to start the third charge."

"Remember, folks," Roukujou suddenly reminded, "the solo ring match has a time limit. If no winner is decided in five minutes, the system will determine the winner based on the extent of damage to each mecha. The one with more severe damage will lose."

The live stream chat was tense:

[Less than two minutes left in the match!]

[It looks like Knight has more damage, especially since his cockpit was hit.]

On the ring, after a brief pause, the black and pink mechas moved again.

This time, it was the black mecha, piloted by Morris, who initiated the attack. He raised his heavy sword high and swung it horizontally at the pink mecha.

Yuka transformed her left arm back into a mechanical arm and leaped high off the ground, evading Morris’s heavy sword strike while simultaneously swinging her long sword downward.

Morris’s sword hit the arena floor with a loud clank, but he quickly maneuvered it upward to block Yuka’s descending blade.

The collision of the blade and sword produced a piercing grating sound.

Yuka, with a slight smile, shifted the direction of her blade, letting it slide along the surface of Morris’s sword. As his heavy sword continued upward due to inertia, Yuka landed from the air, stepping firmly on the wide blade of Morris’s sword.

Feeling the weight, Morris’s mechanical arms sagged. He was about to let go, hoping to drop Yuka and his sword together, but before he could release his grip, Yuka punched him in the shoulder.

Thrown off balance, Morris stepped back and quickly released his sword.

Yuka, capitalizing on his movement, jumped back to the ground and, while crouching, swept her leg out, hitting Morris’s right leg.

Already unsteady, Morris wobbled more intensely after Yuka’s kick. He narrowly dodged her next punch as he stood up and attempted to retrieve his weapon.

Predicting his move, Yuka swiftly kicked his heavy sword out of the ring.

Excitedly, Roukujou shouted from the commentary booth, "Here it comes! Pinky’s signature move – disarming the opponent! Now it’s time for a one-sided domination!"

The chat exploded: [Yes! Pinky is about to reach the eighth rank!]

[Go Pinky, mom loves you!]

[Hold on, folks, don’t celebrate too soon. Have you noticed the time? Less than a minute left.]

On the field, after disarming Morris, Yuka raised her long sword, launching an attack. Morris, with his arm not fully transformed, blocked Yuka’s sword, pushing it upward to change its trajectory. He then moved closer to Yuka and threw a punch toward her cockpit.

Yuka skillfully leaned back, her long sword rising and then plunging into the arena floor, supporting her body while evading Morris’s attack. Using her sword as leverage, she kicked up her mechanical legs, propelling Morris away.

Continuing her momentum, Yuka executed a smooth backward roll and quickly stood up, withdrawing her long sword from the ground.

Morris, sent to the edge of the ring by Yuka’s kick, quickly stabilized his mecha and stood firm. He transformed his mechanical arm into a heavy sword identical to the previous one and swung it at Yuka.

As their weapons were about to clash, the system’s announcement abruptly sounded:

[Match over.]

Both mechas paused in their motion.

[As no winner was determined, the system will now judge based on the damage to both players’ mechas. Scanning complete. Damage level of the eighth-ranked player’s mecha: 35%.]

The system’s verdict was public, ensuring transparency and fairness to all viewers. freewёbnoνel.com

In the commentary booth, Roukujou, nervously rubbing his chin, muttered, "It has to be less damage than the eighth-ranked player..."

In the hall, Mr. Bald rubbed his head, echoing Roukujou’s sentiment, hoping for less damage than the eighth-ranked player. Many had bet on the eighth-ranked player, and a win for the forty-eighth-ranked pink mecha would mean a significant payout.

Philip, who had left the ring, watched the outcome with Lory. He confidently stated, "The eighth-ranked player surely won."

Lory glanced at him, "I wouldn’t be so sure."

Everyone held their breath, eyes glued to the screen, ears keen for the system’s decision.

[Damage level of the forty-eighth-ranked player’s mecha: 34%.]

[Forty-eighth-ranked player wins, ascending to the eighth rank.]

In the hall, shouts of frustration and cheers erupted simultaneously, while Mr. Bald heaved a sigh of relief.

Lory, after enjoying Philip’s astonished expression for a moment, hummed and left the underground arena. Before leaving, he advised Philip, "Don’t underestimate ’Lady’. She’s a formidable opponent."

Back in the commentary booth, Roukujou patted his chest and took a sip of tea to calm his nerves.

"Just a one percent difference, that was too close."

[I always knew Pinky was the best of the best!]

[I love ya, Pinky!]

[She’s now a top-ten and a favorite one to win this year’s last match!]

[I followed her from the very beginning and saw her grow. She has such great potential!]

Unaware of the widespread attention and support she was receiving, Yuka got out of the holographic pod, rubbing her slightly aching temples.

As she stepped out of the room, she heard a familiar voice.

"Yuka?"