FORTUNE FAVOURS HER

Episode 7

As I stand at the edge of the stage, the weight of the challenge ahead settling heavily on my shoulders, I take a moment to steel myself for the fight to come. The tight, stretchy shorts cling to my body, serving as a stark reminder of the spectacle I've been unwittingly thrust into. But there's no room for hesitation or self-doubt now—I have a goal to achieve, and I'll do whatever it takes to see it through.

The rules are clear: I must win three fights in a row to proceed. It's a daunting task, but one I'm determined to accomplish. With a deep breath, I focus my thoughts on strategy, scanning the arena for any potential weaknesses in my opponents.

I've been given a choice of weapons—wooden implements that offer a distinct advantage in their reach and versatility. The objective isn't necessarily to knock out my opponent, but to strike with precision, targeting fatal points that will incapacitate them and secure my victory.

But as I observe the other fighters, it becomes clear that not everyone is playing by the same rules. Those using bare hands are going all out, their punches and kicks raining down with brutal force as they aim to knock their opponents unconscious.

As my name echoes through the arena, I steel myself for the challenge ahead, stepping into the ring with a sense of determination. My opponent—a young, masculine man with a Japanese appearance—awaits me on the other side, his gaze steady and focused. It's my first fight, and already I can feel the weight of the moment bearing down on me.

Clutching the scarf from my earlier outfit tightly in my hand, I wait for the bell to ring, my heart pounding with anticipation. And when it finally does, I waste no time in springing into action. With lightning speed, I launch myself forward, delivering a powerful kick straight to his face.

I've studied his moves carefully, analyzing his skills from previous fights. I know his weaknesses, and I'm determined to exploit them to my advantage. He may be skilled in martial arts, but I refuse to let that intimidate me.

Despite my best efforts, he proves to be a formidable opponent, landing blow after blow with precision and skill. But I refuse to back down, my determination unwavering as I press on, searching for any opening I can find.

And then, just as I'd hoped, I see it—the opportunity I've been waiting for. His defenses are slow, his movements sluggish as he attacks. I seize the moment, landing a well-placed hit that sends him reeling, his eyes fluttering shut as he crumples to the ground.

The crowd erupts into cheers as the referee declares me the victor, my heart pounding with adrenaline as I realize I've done it—I've won my first fight. And as my opponent is carried off the stage, defeated but not broken, I allow myself a moment of quiet satisfaction before turning my attention to the challenges that lie ahead.

As the next opponent strides confidently into the ring, wielding a wooden sword with a practiced ease, I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, my muscles tensing in anticipation of the impending battle. He's slim and agile, his stance betraying years of training and discipline. But I refuse to be intimidated, standing my ground with a defiant glare.

As I make my way to the end of the stage to select my weapon, his words cut through the tension like a knife. "That was just a lucky fight," he taunts, his voice dripping with arrogance as he tightens his grip on the sword.

I meet his gaze head-on, refusing to let his words shake my resolve. "You all just feel bad that a woman started on the fifth stage," I retort, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. Despite the gravity of the situation, I can't help but feel a surge of pride at the thought of defying expectations and challenging the status quo.

With a sense of determination, I select my weapon—a staff, sturdy yet versatile in its design. Gripping it tightly in my hands, I prepare myself for the battle ahead, my focus unwavering as I size up my opponent.

"Let's summarize this fight," I declare, my voice ringing out with confidence. "I need to sleep."

With that, the tension in the arena reaches its peak as the bell rings, signalling the start of the next round. And as I square off against my opponent, I know that victory is within my grasp—I just have to reach out and seize it.

With a swift motion, I twirl the staff in my hands, my movements fluid and precise as I prepare to face my opponent head-on. The air crackles with tension as we circle each other, both keenly aware of the stakes at hand.

As he lunges forward, brandishing his wooden sword with deadly intent, I react instinctively, parrying his blows with expert precision. His attacks are swift and relentless, but I refuse to falter, my determination fueling every move I make.

Despite his skill and agility, I quickly discern a flaw in his technique—a slight hesitation in his movements, a split-second delay that leaves him vulnerable to counterattacks. With a calculated strategy in mind, I bide my time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

And then, just as he moves in for what he believes will be the decisive blow, I see my opening. With a lightning-quick maneuver, I sidestep his attack and deliver a powerful strike to his midsection, the impact reverberating through the arena.

He staggers back, his grip on the sword faltering as he struggles to regain his footing. Sensing an opportunity, I press forward with renewed vigor, raining down a flurry of blows upon him with unrelenting force.

The crowd watches in stunned silence as the tide of the battle begins to turn, their murmurs of disbelief growing louder with each passing moment. And then, with one final, decisive strike, I deliver the finishing blow, sending my opponent crashing to the ground in defeat.

As the referee raises my hand in victory, a sense of exhilaration washes over me, the adrenaline coursing through my veins as I bask in the glow of my triumph. But even as the cheers of the crowd echo around me, I know that my journey is far from over.

With two victories under my belt and one step closer to my ultimate goal, I steel myself for the challenges that lie ahead, knowing that with each fight, I grow stronger, more determined than ever to emerge victorious in this deadly game of survival.