Mahō no Dai-Konran: Yumi no Bōken

After the intense adventure in the labyrinth of illusions, the group barely had time to rest. With the magical artifact in hand, they finally believed they were on the right path to finding their way out of that strange dimension. But, as always, nothing is as simple as it seems.

While walking through the busy streets of the mystical city, full of bizarre creatures and eccentric vendors, Yumi, with her always curious and energetic spirit, came across a large sign that said in bright letters:

''TOURNAMENT OF STRENGTH - PRIZE: MAGIC GOLD!"

— Ohhh! Look here! — Yumi exclaimed, her eyes shining with the possibility of adventure. — A tournament of strength! Let's participate!

Kenji chuckled as he munched on a strange cake he bought from a local vendor. — Yumi, you know that tournaments of strength are... well, of strength, right? Sakura, always with her fan in hand, shook her head, already anticipating trouble.

— Yumi, tournaments of strength can be dangerous. They're not just friendly competitions. But Yumi, being Yumi, was already filling out the application form before anyone could stop her.

Hours later, the group was sitting in the stands of a large coliseum, surrounded by a noisy crowd. The magical sun shone brightly in the sky, and the air was thick with excitement.

Ryo, sitting next to Kenji and Sakura, looked nervously at the battlefield. — I have a bad feeling about this. — he muttered. — She's always getting into trouble, — Kenji laughed, but there was a hint of concern in his voice. — But I'm sure she'll have fun... until she realizes what she's gotten herself into.

The coliseum door opened, and Yumi excitedly entered the arena. Dressed in her street clothes and with a big smile on her face, she waved to the crowd.

- Hey guys! I'm here to show that it's not all about muscles!

But the moment she entered, the host announced in a booming voice: — Welcome to the GLADIATORS TOURNAMENT! Only the strongest and most fearless warriors will survive! And the next fight is... YUMI VERSUS GORAX, THE MOUNTAIN DESTROYER!

The crowd roared in approval, and Yumi froze. — G-gladiator tournament? — she stuttered, looking around.

A huge door at the other end of the field opened, and Gorax, a muscular giant ten feet tall with arms like tree trunks, came out dragging an enormous stone sledgehammer. He looked at Yumi with a cruel smile.

— You... little one... will be easy to crush! Yumi blinked, her nervous smile returning. — I think... I signed up for the wrong competition...

The moment Ryo saw Gorax, he jumped from his seat. — This is too much for Yumi! She can't face that monster!" he shouted.

Sakura and Kenji looked at him, but before they could say anything, Ryo was already running towards the arena. The presenter, noticing Ryo's arrival, smiled widely.

— Looks like we have a new competitor! The mysterious warrior enters the arena to defend his friend! A noble act, but... does he have the strength to defeat Gorax?

The crowd roared again, and Ryo came face to face with Gorax. Yumi sighed in relief.

 — Ryo, you came to save me! Thank you, thank you! — she said, hiding behind him.

Ryo, trying to appear confident, raised his hand towards Gorax.

 — You won't hurt my friend! Gorax just laughed, his deep voice echoing through the coliseum.

- You? You're nothing but a stick compared to me!

Ryo swallowed hard, realizing that perhaps he had made a mistake.

Gorax charged forward with his sledgehammer raised, ready to crush Ryo with a single blow. Ryo, always sensitive and introspective, wasn't exactly the type of person to rely on his physical strength. But he knew he needed to protect Yumi.

— Come on, Ryo, think, think... — he muttered to himself, while nimbly dodging Gorax's first attacks.

The crowd was in a frenzy as Ryo danced around the giant, desperately trying to find an opening. — Do you only know how to run away, damn you? — Gorax sneered, swinging the sledgehammer harder.

Kenji, watching from afar, couldn't help but scream. — Ryo, use your head! He may be big, but he's not fast! Sakura shook her head.

Ryo finally saw an opportunity. Gorax, overconfident, raised his sledgehammer for a decisive blow, but this left him exposed. Ryo, with all his strength, kicked Gorax's leg, knocking the giant off balance.

BOOM!

Gorax fell to the ground with a crash, his sledgehammer rolling. The crowd was silent for a second before bursting into applause.

Yumi, impressed, shouted:

- Ryo, you did it! But as they celebrated, Gorax slowly stood up, enraged.

— You... will pay for this, bastard!

Ryo felt sweat running down his forehead. He knew he couldn't keep dodging and attacking indefinitely. I needed something more.

It was then that Yumi, who was watching carefully, shouted:

— Ryo! The labyrinth artifact! Use it!

Ryo, confused, took the small golden artifact out of his pocket. He still didn't know exactly how it worked, but he had no choice.

 He held the artifact above his head and suddenly felt a surge of power flow through his body. It was as if his physical strength had increased tenfold!

Gorax charged again, but this time Ryo was ready. With a cry of determination, he grabbed the sledgehammer that Gorax had dropped and lifted it with ease, as if it were made of paper.

— Now… it's my turn! — shouted Ryo, swinging the sledgehammer in the air and hitting Gorax with all his might.

The giant was thrown across the arena, colliding with the coliseum wall with a crash. The crowd was stunned.

The entire coliseum was silent for a few seconds, until the presenter spoke: — And... the... winner is...Ryo!

The crowd erupted in cheers and cheers, applauding the unlikely hero. Ryo, panting, smiled shyly as Yumi ran to hug him.

 — Ryo, you were amazing! I knew you could do it! — she said, jumping excitedly.

Kenji and Sakura joined them.

— Well, Ryo, it looks like you have more strength than you thought. — said Kenji, patting him on the back.

Sakura, always analytical, smiled.

— The artifact has increased your strength.

Ryo blushed, embarrassed by all the attention.

— I just... did what needed to be done.

 If you want to see more of Yumi, Kenji, Sakura, and Ryo's adventures, check out my Patreon. 

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