Chapter 75: The Selection Tournament (3) – Greasy Tactics

The arena was shrouded in silence. The audience watched as Li Mei was struck by the cascade of water, only then realizing Artoria’s presence.

“Um, everyone’s attention was just captured by Li Mei’s spectacular performance, so let’s replay that moment,” the burly master of ceremonies said, still bewildered.

There was no helping it—Li Mei’s dramatic posture had been so astonishing that people instinctively overlooked Artoria altogether.

On the giant screen, the replay revealed Artoria swept into the spray by Katata’s fist, but she was not engulfed. She crouched and curled herself tight, spinning like a surfer, emerging deftly from the side of the wave. Not a drop of water marred her; she had never been hit by the wave at all.

“And so, the final victor is Artoria Pendragon! Let’s congratulate the champion of our second match!” The burly MC led the applause, but the response from the stands was sparse. Most spectators had yet to recover from the shock of Li Mei’s split.

“Good, she won, but at least didn’t draw too much attention,” Zhao Tianhe breathed a sigh of relief in the VIP section.

Beside him, the staff member wiped his nosebleed with an expressionless face.

“After this fierce swimsuit battle, contestants may take a brief rest. The next event will begin in ten minutes. Additionally, the air seating and facilities for this round are provided by…” Familiar advertisements rolled on; audience members rose, stepping onto air stairs marked with blue mist to leave the hall for the restroom.

Ten minutes later, the red ball exploded again.

Greasy Wrist Wrestling

“This is a simple contest: arm wrestling in a greasy environment. The champion is the one who defeats the most opponents. The scoring is the same as last round, but emphasizes number of victories, not endurance. That is, whoever defeats the most is champion—not necessarily the last standing,” the MC explained. “Unlike the survival match, here strategy lies in choosing opponents and pacing battles. Managing stamina to topple more rivals is key.”

“Also, since this event isn’t friendly to magic-based competitors, Mirison Corporation has provided professional enhancement suits.”

On the big screen, several tight suits of varying colors appeared—looking much like latex, with effects obvious once worn…

“Hmm… Isn’t this just selling skin?” Zhao Tianhe eyed the infamous suit rumored to balloon from flatulence and couldn’t help but ask.

“Well, times are changing!” The staff member stood up, excitement lighting his face. “This round will be even more spectacular!”

“The ‘Soft Glow’ enhancement suit from Mirison features a unique magical structure modeled after the Hero system, effectively boosting the wearer’s strength and agility. As long as the suit remains intact, its enhancements match the wearer’s attributes…” The burly MC continued his earnest introduction, holding up a suit.

“It can compensate for my basic stats? I wonder if it boosts agility too.” Zhao Tianhe mused. The suit was certainly tempting.

Of course, it was impossible for him—its enhancement cap was 15 agility and 20 strength; if your own stats exceeded this, the suit was useless. Moreover, its internal magical structure could also be reversed to decrease attributes.

Katata, Artoria, and others had stats far above the limit, so their suits were adjusted accordingly.

Meanwhile, giant clouds of cooking oil appeared overhead.

“Meitian Vegetable Oil—Healthy Every Day, the official oil of the tournament. Contains…”

“Enough chatter! I want to see the match!” “I’ll buy all this oil afterwards!” “You’re so shameless—split half with me!” “I want in on the business!” “Hey! Where’s the water from before?!” “Brother, you spotted the loophole!”

The audience’s imagination was thoroughly stirred by the suits and oil, and they began to heckle boisterously.

The MC recited the advertisement with a deadpan expression, while backstage staff pressed the emergency button. A warning for public order flashed on the screen, finally calming the crowd.

Under magical control, the massive oil clouds slowly flowed into the arena, spreading a thick, gleaming layer of grease everywhere.

As with the swimsuit water gun battle, many competitors forfeited instantly—the mere scent in the air was enough to make most feel ill.

“Even more are forfeiting than last time,” the elder beside the MC sighed. “Though the event seems sleazy, it’s actually a true test of skill, mind, and body. With the suits closing the attribute gap, melee advantage comes down to physical mastery. Though this grants some edge, everyone’s weaknesses are magnified in such conditions. If tactics are right, even mages stand a chance; it’s a pity to give up so easily.”

Many would-be quitters, hearing the elder’s words, suddenly felt the urge to give it a try.

The MC looked at the elder with admiration.

“No wonder he’s a veteran—managing to win back so many contestants even now.”

However, Artoria was not easily swayed, and she genuinely detested such a greasy environment.

“I’d thought it’d just be oil applied to the hands, but ‘greasy environment’ actually means the whole place is oily…” Artoria eyed the ever-dripping oil with distaste.

Just as she turned, she felt several scorching gazes upon her…

Katata, Li Mei, and Ling stared at Artoria with fierce determination.

Artoria, who’d planned to forfeit, suddenly felt her fighting spirit ignite!

“Though this is a thoroughly boring match in every sense…,” Artoria turned to face her challengers, her expression grave. “But I accept your challenge!”

As a knight who highly valued honor and dignity, she would not refuse a challenge—at least, not one in this match.

Wearing the enhancement suit, certain parts changed shape, and runes and patterns appeared on its surface, making it less garish than expected.

But the effect of accentuating curves was undeniable; whether illusion or reality, everyone felt the women entering looked even more shapely.

Li Mei’s figure barely changed, for she was already at the peak.

“Wait, does this suit have that function…?” Zhao Tianhe didn’t ogle as wildly as the staff, but he observed closely. He’d scanned and estimated every contestant’s measurements.

He was certain: all the women, including Artoria, had gained at least a cup size!

On the field, the contestants entered, the countdown began.

At the MC’s signal, Artoria approached a table and sat down.

To prevent slipping, this round used the backs of hands, not palms. Thus, the loser’s wrist would curl inward, making them collapse onto the table without falling.

Above the table, oil dripped ceaselessly; both table and seat were slick with grease.

“Heh, I don’t care about the championship, as long as I defeat you!” Katata sat opposite Artoria, grinning as she set her wrist on the table.

The oil was guided onto her hand by staff.

Artoria placed her hand without hesitation. Both gripped the table edge and began to exert force!

Though their strength was equal, Katata was a full two heads taller than Artoria, her massive frame granting her an advantage in leverage.

Both had comparable combat experience and mastery over their muscles. After a few seconds, Artoria was thoroughly suppressed, her wrist trembling and bending downward…

“Heh, sorry…” Katata chuckled. “Can’t help being big, little one.”

“I should apologize,” Artoria smiled slightly and gave a sharp pull backward.

On the greasy table, neither could brace their elbows properly, so the center of struggle shifted—drawn toward Artoria!

The rules only required elbows to stay on the table and hips on the seat, making this maneuver perfectly legal.

Normally, such a move would be suicidal—ruining your posture and inviting instant defeat.

But in this oily environment, friction was nearly zero, making Artoria’s gambit effortless.

Katata froze in surprise as a flood of oil smeared her face.

Smack!

The sound of hand meeting grease echoed; Katata had lost.

“Ah, got distracted…” Katata wiped the oil from her face with a rueful smile. “You really are formidable! I hope we can spar for real someday!”

“I’d like that too,” Artoria nodded with a smile. “You’re strong.”

“Next, it’s my turn!” Ling strode up confidently.

Ten seconds later, Ling was defeated.

Ten minutes later, Artoria faced Li Mei; the two shared a smile.

Both had defeated seven opponents. This match would decide the champion.

Feeling the power in Li Mei’s arm and wrist, Artoria was astonished. She’d known from Li Mei’s splits last round that her physical abilities were formidable, but how had a mage trained herself so?

Artoria’s earlier trick against Katata was useless; against Li Mei, the battle was a tug-of-war with no flaws exposed.

“It’s been two minutes. Artoria is registered as an archer and swordswoman—such endurance is expected. But Li Mei, a mage, holding out this long is surprising,” the burly MC commented, eyeing the screen where Li Mei’s items rested on the table. He privately felt this was a bit over the line. “Using her chest to support her arm—well, that’s talent, not against the rules.”

Li Mei was already at her limit. Arm wrestling drained stamina quickly; her specialty was magic and martial arts, so constitution remained her weak point.

But just as the MC had thought, her chest became her last line of defense!

Artoria attempted several finishing moves, but each time Li Mei blocked with her chest, then counterattacked!

“You…” Artoria was growing irked.

She looked at the pile on the table, her anger rising.

“Don’t…”

Artoria bowed her head, eyes tightly shut; the cowlick atop her head slowly drooped and vanished…

“Damn! Is she… turning dark? Provoked by the chest?!” Only Zhao Tianhe noticed this detail.

“Don’t go too far!” Artoria roared, her pupils narrowing into slits. Her golden hair dulled, seeming to turn grayish-white.

A potent aura erupted, sending ripples through the greasy floor from Artoria’s center.

“That’s… beast power?” Katata stiffened, her expression grave. “Is she a half-beast from my homeland?”

Clearly, she misunderstood.

Li Mei, facing this, was stunned—and was instantly finished by Artoria!

Li Mei’s arm pushed past her chest’s resistance and slammed onto the table.

“Ah, that hurts…” Li Mei sat up, rubbing her chest, tears brimming.

Needless to say: nine out of ten score.

But a perfect ten still belonged to Artoria.

“Sorry, I lost control…” Artoria sighed, returning to normal, her face apologetic.