NOVPUBAfter the mechas, regarded as ultimate weapons, were easily cut down, Jialai City's warriors lost all confidence in securing victory.
Defeated, they stared unwillingly yet greedily at the deep blue armor worn by the Blackwater City warriors, thinking, 'What a waste of such good gear!'
During the post-match encounter, Jialai City's captain regretfully said to Blackwater City's squad leader, "I'd rather hope you win final command than let those maniacs take it."
These Blackwater City folks may look cowardly, but if they were leaders, it might actually benefit all cities in the region.
If those maniacs from Grey Iron City obtained leadership, Jialai City's captain feared they'd skew the entire regional alliance dynamic.
In this world, madness is no blessing.
As the final match unfolded in the region, something no one expected happened—
"We surrender."
Before the fighting even began, Grey Iron City's maniacs loudly announced their surrender to the imperial referee on the sidelines.
"???"
The referee clearly didn't understand, scratching his ears and asking again, "What did you say?"
"I said we surrender! Surrender! Did you hear?" Grey Iron City's captain repeated again and again, increasingly impatient, "We're giving up! Can't win!"
Everyone here knew each other well. After all, those Blackwater City warriors often used Grey Iron City's death squads as sparring partners post-modification.
Though unclear why Blackwater City had gone easy during prior matches, Grey Iron City's troops still knew where they stood.
The Blackwater City warriors, enhanced with both genetic optimization and physical reconstruction, far exceeded these "test subjects" in adaptability. In truth, Blackwater City's modified warriors embodied the scientist's true ideal prototype.
Aside from bullying them briefly when they were first modified, Grey Iron City's death squads soon lost any chance of winning as Blackwater City warriors became attuned to their enhanced bodies.
As for fighting spirit...
Perhaps encountering weak opponents before dulled the Blackwater City warriors' enthusiasm.
Only Grey Iron City's death squads truly understood how ruthless they were in real combat.
With or without their exclusive storm armor, Blackwater City's warriors were far stronger than anyone imagined.
If they wanted to spar back home, that was easy enough—why bother risking life and limb here?
The referee froze for what felt like ages before finally reacting, "Are you really surrendering?"
If the competitors' roles had been reversed, the referee might find this surrender somewhat reasonable.
If facing maniacs, who could predict whether the fight might actually result in injuries or worse?
Although the pre-match rules forbade excessive violence, maniacs fought with utter disregard, and even outside intervention might fail to ensure competitors' safety.
Against such an opponent, backing down seemed logical. 𝖓𝖔𝖛𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝖔𝔪
But having made it all the way to the regional finals and not putting up a fight—this, the referee couldn't fathom.
Especially considering that the ones surrendering were the maniacs!
What kind of twisted logic was at play?
"I must remind you: match rules allow surrender, but once you concede, there's no going back! Furthermore, you must strictly adhere to all treaty terms agreed upon. Remember, you're not fighting for yourselves but for your city!" The referee sternly warned, hoping to prevent any needless post-match alliance turmoil, "I could let you consult your diplomatic team now to decide carefully. But if you choose surrender, the result will be finalized immediately!"
"There's no need!" Grey Iron City's diplomat strode out of the preparation area, shouting to the referee, "We surrender! Can't win!"
"..."
"..."
"Very well." The referee nodded stiffly, giving Grey Iron City a long, hard look before loudly announcing the region's final victor, "From District 41, the ultimate champion is Blackwater City's warriors! Let's extend them our sincerest applause."
Grey Iron City broke into applause first, from top to bottom.
"Clap clap clap clap clap!"
Anyone unaware might think they'd been crowned champions instead.
The representatives of the other twenty-two cities in District 41, who had watched the entire process, were now completely stupefied.
"What's going on?"
"They just… surrendered?"
"What the hell! This reeks of corruption!"
"Turns out Grey Iron City was bought off by Blackwater City all along! I demand a rematch!"
"Don't be ridiculous! Sure, they bribed Grey Iron City, but not you—you couldn't win anyway, so what's the point?"
Jialai City was the only one filled with remorse. "Had we known Grey Iron City could be bribed so easily, we should've fought tooth and nail to reach the finals ourselves!"
Thinking back to how they only needed to defeat weak Blackwater City to secure District 41's regional leadership, Jialai City's captain now felt utterly crushed, struggling to breathe.
"So close to leadership..."
And once he returned home with regional command under their city's name, he'd undoubtedly become an instant superstar!
"Damn it!"
But no matter how much they cursed, the outcome couldn't be changed.
The news of District 41's first champion spread across the alliance like wildfire. Every city discreetly jotted down one name—Blackwater City.
