Chapter 120: Winner
Nicholas felt a strange surge of energy flow through his body. In an instant, every muscle went stiff, his body petrifying like a statue.
A second later, he felt a presence behind him.
"For a moment, I was really pissed I’d have to settle for second if that Star guy passed you. But I was right to pick you as my ride."
Bullseye walked past Nicholas with a satisfied smile.
"Thanks for carrying me, Phantom." He added as he made his way for the end of the track.
"What are we seeing?! A last-minute stunt from the Australians?! When did this happen? Is this the end of the line for America?"
[DaylithNight: Goodness, I didn’t see that coming]
[Corey_Fulmore: That was a swift turn of events]
[Don_raDjinn: I can imagine how pissed Phantom has to be right now. Bro had a freeloader on him all this time. Lmao!]
[Marypaz13: Fuck! I placed a bet on Phantom! Screw that Australian brat!]
[AuraNova: Australia to the win. Hehehe]
Watching from the theatre, Selena’s fist curled in anger.
’They got us good, no one saw that coming’ Selena thought staring at Jackson who had a playful smile on his face as he watched the race.
Two times, the Australians had taken everyone by surprise, they came off second in the first race and now with the trick they pulled off, they were definitely stealing the first place.
It wasn’t just Selena—Dana, Nectron, and Vixen were all furious at how suddenly the race had turned.
No one would’ve expected an ability that allowed its user to place a tracker on someone and instantly appear beside them whenever they chose.
’They already knew they’d win right from the start... Those sly foxes’ Dana bit her lips at the thought of it.
"It was a fun race, you tried your best. I mean I didn’t expect Phantom to have such speed"
Jackson said from his seat, his eyes fixed on Nicholas.
’We really need to watch out for him... Is his ability similar to Mercury’s? Even she doesn’t possess that kind of speed. Or is it something else entirely? I can’t tell. Whatever it is, he’ll be a serious problem during the combat event.’ Jackson kept a mental note on Nicholas.
They’d witnessed him use more than one ability, and they still couldn’t tell what exactly his ability was.
’We’ll find a way to deal with him when the time comes, we’re taking that emblem home this year’ Jackson thought, his gaze fixed solely on Phantom.
The tension was palpable. Mixed with the frustration of their imminent loss.
Selena couldn’t help but grit her teeth as she saw Bullseye running ahead to reach the end of the race.
’Nicholas, please do something’
She’d seen Nicholas perform miracles before, surpassing every expectation she’d ever placed on him. Right now, she desperately wanted him to do it again.
In contrast to the turmoil surrounding him, Nicholas stood perfectly calm on the track, with the ability deactivated, Bullseye was reduced to normal human speed, and had to use that to reach the finish line that was only mere meters away.
But as he ran for this, he could hear Nicholas calm voice behind him.
"Don’t lump me with you lots, I have no bad intentions for anyone... If I’m not wrong you made that statement not too long ago"
Bullseye had no intention of replying him, right now, his major priority was winning the race. Without his ability, he definitely couldn’t stand a chance against all the other players, but even so, his thoughts couldn’t help but drift on what Nicholas said.
’So, what if I said that? What does it matter? This is a race for crying out loud, if you want to sulk you can do that after the race is over’ he thought, letting out a mockful laughter.
"It’s sad that of all the people in the race, the person whom you chose to tag along with was me"
’What the heck is he going on about? Shut up, loser’ Bullseye thought, a wicked grin climbing up his face.
"What’s this?! Kite is catching up!" Julie’s voice rang, a few meters behind Nicholas, Kite was gliding through the earth at an amazing speed. As he moved, the earth seemed to move with him, forming a gliding path before falling back after he passed.
’Shit, I should stop listening to this brat’ Bullseye gritted his teeth as he stepped up his pace.
The finish line was only a few inches away from where he stood, he was going to make it through.
"...I was wondering when you’d eventually decide to show yourself"
Nicholas’ words made him freeze mid-step, but only for a second.
’Huh? He knew I was with him?’ Bullseye thought for a moment, he wanted to shove it off as Nicholas bluffing, but Star flashed in his mind.
He was there with Nicholas when it all happened and that moment alone made him realize just how terrifying Nicholas was, but he felt safe cause he wasn’t directly on the track.
But to think that Nicholas had known he was there from the start, the thought was terrifying.
"Of all animals, I detest the rats the most" Nicholas cold voice rang behind him and, in that instant, just when he was mere inches away from reaching the end of the race.
A crushing pressure descended across the entire track.
He felt it in an instant, as though a mountain had been placed on top of his back. His legs halted in its position, his knees buckling under the intense pressure.
’What...what is this?’ Bullseye thought gritting his teeth as the force of gravity pulled down on him. It felt like he was carrying a thousand times his weight, and He knew without being told... If he moved an inch further, the pressure could get worse, possibly crushing him into paste.
It wasn’t just him, Kite felt it too, his earth platform that rose to support his glide broke apart under the pressure and he immediately fell face flat to the earth.
"What’s going on?! All the racers are down! Bullseye isn’t moving? What the hell is happening on that track!"
"Why isn’t he moving?" Mercury muttered, her voice carrying a hint of annoyance.
Tianzun, who had been sitting next to her chuckled, "Did you really think he would have won? You underestimate Phantom a bit too much. That otherworlder is far more interesting than you’d imagine"
Mercury turned to Tianzun surprised, they both talked from time to time as rivalries, but even then, Tianzun never said anything out of context or just suddenly comment on someone.
’What does he mean by Otherworlder? Did i really underestimate Phantom too much?’ Mercury thought gritting her teeth as she turned her eyes back to the screen.
{Void}
Nicholas calmly broke free from Bullseye’s mark, the paralysis fading from his body as he resumed walking toward the finish line.
"It’s unfortunate that this is only a friendly game, I usually love to kill rats"
Bullseye felt a cold shudder run down his spine.
It wasn’t just from his words.
He could feel it as Nicholas walked closer to him, murderous intent leaking off him.
’This guy’s not a hero...’ Bullseye thought swallowing nervously.
"Is this really how the race ends?! What sort of comeback do we call this?"
Nicholas had a grin on his face as he reached Bullseye, giving him a pat on the shoulder.
"Perhaps, if you picked someone else, you would’ve been lucky" Nicholas whispered into his ear as he took the last few steps towards the finish line.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"WE HAVE OUR WINNER!!!"