Chapter 102: The Championship Battle [Highly Recommended Explosive Fourteenth Update]

As expected by everyone, Ma Wei and Zhao Shilei ultimately stood on the final stage, both filled with excitement and nerves.

The final match was far livelier than anyone had imagined, even Yang Tian himself was taken aback. His plan had been to set up a massive open-air stage in the square in front of the Hongyu Internet Cafe headquarters. On the stage was a giant screen displaying a special PC for the finals. The big screen was sponsored by Siemens, while other hardware was provided by Founder Group.

Besides hosting the final, the stage would also be used for the awards ceremony and game performances afterward. The lighting design was generously provided by the city’s most renowned theater, the Parisian Style Theater.

In front of the stage, there were over four thousand plastic chairs for the audience, all supplied by Siemens’ Binhai branch, each adorned with their advertising posters.

The first two rows were reserved for judges and guests, equipped with long tables specially made at Yang Tian’s request by Siemens, complete with bottled water, teacups, and nameplates for judges and guests, lending a very formal and dignified atmosphere.

Earlier, Zhang Zhi and Zhou Bing had worried there were too many chairs—almost filling the entire square—and feared it would be embarrassing if no one showed up.

But in the end, they were amazed. Not only were all the seats filled, but the surrounding areas were packed with standing spectators, mostly students and gaming enthusiasts, whose enthusiasm matched those seated.

What surprised Yang Tian even more was that during the finals, Zhang Xiuxiu had once again invited Vice Mayor Lang Ping and other officials. The guest seats were filled with high-ranking government officials of Binhai City, and Director Kong Lei was still in charge of maintaining order. The event had taken on the grandeur of a major municipal affair.

“Don’t be nervous; just treat it like regular practice!” Yang Tian managed the scene while Chen Ming and others sat beside Zhao Shilei, cheering him on.

“Nervous? I’m more worried about Yagami not beating the scruffy guy,” Zhao Shilei said casually, showing no signs of tension, maintaining his usual carefree attitude.

Though, there was a hint of excitement in his expression. After all, the event was huge, and standing at the edge of the stage made his heart race. The roar of the crowd was overwhelming and thrilling.

“Just do your best; don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Who comes first isn’t that important!” Chen Ming smiled, trying to ease Zhao Shilei’s mind.

“That won’t do. I have to win first place! It’s important, just like you always come first in English in class. Whenever you don’t, you feel uncomfortable inside!” Zhao Shilei replied urgently, hitting a nerve with Chen Ming, who was momentarily speechless.

Both were determined individuals, each with their own goals, unwilling to give up easily.

Though Yang Tian was overseeing the entire event, he watched Zhao Shilei’s match attentively. The battle was intense.

Yagami and Chen Guohan's duel was gripping. Yagami is well-known in the King of Fighters community as a balanced character—both offensive and defensive. His powerful kicks, dazzling combos, and elusive ghost steps drew cheers from fans.

Chen Guohan, with his big head, big feet, and massive iron ball, was equally beloved by gamers. His jd and jcd moves revealed his scruffy nature. His “Devastating Throw” and 5a attacks were nearly flawless, but he had a fatal flaw: slow movement and sluggish reactions.

As Chen Guohan’s player, Ma Wei seemed fully aware of this weakness. He chose to stand his ground, repeatedly unleashing “Rampaging Iron Ball.” When he closed in, he immediately followed up with 5a. Since in the finals players could choose either keyboard or controller, Ma Wei opted for the keyboard, which gave him greater flexibility.

Zhao Shilei’s Yagami was no slouch either. He seemed to notice that Ma Wei was trying to catch him off guard during brief openings to strike hard.

But Zhao Shilei’s personality was well-known to Yang Tian and the others: straightforward and seeking pure enjoyment from the fight.

He immediately launched a big combo, “Rampaging Yagami,” which took away nearly half of Chen Guohan’s health.

Cheers erupted from the crowd, with Zhao Shilei’s supporters waving flags and shouting. Chen Ming and the others were happy for him as well.

However, Yang Tian furrowed his brow. Earlier, during the quarterfinals and semifinals, he had quietly observed both Zhao Shilei’s and Ma Wei’s matches.

Zhao Shilei was straightforward, but Ma Wei was adaptable, preferring to strike when the opponent least expected it—a more cunning style. So, after Zhao Shilei’s Yagami drained half of Chen Guohan’s health, he didn’t launch a wild counterattack immediately.

If he had, Yang Tian wouldn’t have been worried. The key was that Ma Wei acted as if nothing was wrong, sitting calmly and operating skillfully, clearly waiting for Zhao Shilei to make a mistake.

King of Fighters is an improvisational game. Oversights and openings are inevitable. Seeing Chen Guohan at half health, Zhao Shilei pressed the advantage, unleashing a barrage of moves—Light Sunflower, Lily Fold, and Eight Young Ladies—bombarding the opponent and preparing to launch “Rampaging Yagami” again.

Sure enough, Ma Wei was holding back. When Yagami launched a projectile, Chen Guohan dodged with a small jump and immediately countered with the “Devastating Throw.”

When Yagami approached, he used 5b, followed by another “Devastating Throw.” After the earlier onslaught, Yagami’s energy was low, giving Ma Wei the opening to rush in, land ten 5b attacks consecutively, then finish with “Devastating Throw,” quickly depleting Yagami’s health.

Though Zhao Shilei’s counterattack was fierce and nearly ended Chen Guohan with “Rampaging Yagami,” Ma Wei’s skillful use of 3a surprise attacks prevailed. After a fierce tug of war, Ma Wei’s sneak attack succeeded, and Chen Guohan knocked down Yagami. The giant screen echoed with Chen Guohan’s rough laughter.

The audience, who had been holding their breath, finally exhaled—some cheered loudly, others sighed in regret. Yagami had been defeated, but no one complained because the match had been truly thrilling.

Seeing Zhao Shilei a bit downcast, Yang Tian personally went to escort him off the stage. This outcome was not unexpected. Zhao Shilei was straightforward and lacked Ma Wei’s cunning, so even if his skill was higher, victory eluded him.

“What’s wrong? Can’t accept defeat?” Yang Tian teased Zhao Shilei, hoping to encourage him.

The audience hadn’t left, the atmosphere still electric, all waiting eagerly for the awards ceremony. Meanwhile, Ma Wei and his team were already hugging in excitement, congratulating him on earning the supreme King of Fighters title.

“Win or lose, life’s about boldness. Worst case, start over! It’s not that I can’t accept losing, I’m just a bit unwilling. Yang Tian, I really don’t think I’m worse than him!” Zhao Shilei glanced toward Ma Wei defiantly.

“I believe that. Your skills surpass his!” Yang Tian nodded with a smile.

“But I still lost to him! Why am I telling you this? You don’t even play King of Fighters!” Zhao Shilei sighed, then stood up, a look of disdain on his face as he said this.

Yang Tian shook his head with a smile, relieved to see Zhao Shilei was okay. Yet inwardly amused—he had been playing King of Fighters for over ten years.