The next day, the bustle was heard outside the 5x5 meter tent occupied by my two colonists. I have to admit the preparation from Redtooth was quite amazing. They even provided this private room, complete with water, food, exercise equipment, and other necessities. It's like a prep room for real-world MMA fighters but a more primitive version. historical

"Are you nervous?" Eric asked. He was wrapping Leva's hands with long cloths.

Leva, who had been unfocused all this time, sighed. "Well, for this tournament, I'm actually very excited. I really like fighting, you know. Moreover, it involves money. I have more motivation to become a champion."

"So, what's on your mind." Eric made the final knot on his fellow colonist's left hand.

It took a while before Leva finally answered. "Can you imagine your ex-crush being of the same gender as you?

Well, that's a bizarre situation, indeed.

A small chuckle escaped Eric's mouth. "People say love doesn't look at gender."

"Honestly, I was a little excited when I came back here. At least I got to see Bryan again... Arggghhh!" Leva scratched her hair with an annoyed expression. "There's no point in thinking about it! I have to focus on this tournament! This is for our tribe!"

Eric nodded. "Well, as we talked about earlier, I'm going to go find someone from Acornhull who can teach me how to make animal traps. I'm not of much use here. You are more skilled in close combat than I am. My advice will be useless."

"Take care." Leva shrugged. "Your mission is also important to us."

"I'll be back before your fight." Eric waved, then left the tent.

Leva started beating up the training dummy, and I pressed the fast-forward button. However, only a few moments later, someone opened the tent door and went inside.

"It seems we are destined to meet again, Leva." That woman with curly hair looks quite muscular, with tan skin and a body taller than Leva. She walked over to the red-haired woman with her arms crossed over her chest. "Do you know how much I waited for this day?"

Leva stopped beating the training dummy. She studied the woman while raising an eyebrow.

From her attire which was quite similar to that of a cave-dweller, the uninvited guest was clearly from Acornhull.

So, she has a history with Leva.

"Who?" And that's the question that came out of Leva's mouth.

The woman who spoke to Leva froze. Slowly her mouth opened, and her eyes widened. "I'm Naomi!"

[Naomi, 27 years old. (Acornhull's Tribe Member)]

Ranged Attack: -/100

Melee attack: -/100

I see, before the match, the stats of Leva's opponents were censored.

"Oh..." Leva blinked a few times. "Hi, Naomi. Pleased to meet you. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"You really forgot about me?" The woman named Naomi snorted, then pointed to my colonist. "A few years ago, I went with a merchant group to come here. When I brought things, you nudged me, and instead of apologizing, you scolded me. I got angry, and we fought."

"Is that so?" Leva rubbed her chin. "Then forgive me. At that time, I was rude. Now, excuse me."

And after answering like that, Leva hit the training dummy again.

Naomi shook her head, then sat down on a wooden bench. "You may have forgotten now, but at that time, you amazed me, Leva. At first, we did fight because we were both upset. However, as time went on, I became fascinated by your fighting style. Your attacks are fast and on target. Well, I lost, and after that incident, I practiced a lot to beat you. Unfortunately, our chance to fight again never came."

Leva paused a second time, drank from a clay bottle for a few sips, then smiled at the woman. "So, you're also in the tournament? Good luck then."

Leva's words sounded relaxed, and that made Naomi look even more irritated. "I hope you keep winning, so we can have an epic showdown in the finals."

"What's your name? Naomi, huh?" Leva turned her head to the board with the charcoal inscribed tournament chart on it. "Well, we won't be meeting in the final."

"What?" Naomi got up and pounded the table. "Just like that!? You give up!? You just want to participate in this tournament with no desire to be the champion!?" The woman's voice rose. "Huh! I misjudged you, Leva!"

Leva froze and blinked again. "Err... It's not like that. We're in the third and fourth matches..."

"So what? That won't stop us from getting to the finals! I don't want to hear your excuses! You have to fight all the way to the final, and we will fight there!"

"Well.." Leva grimaced, pointing at the tournament chart. "The winners of the third and fourth matches will meet in the semifinals."

"What? How did you know that!?" Naomi walked up to Leva with her face red with anger. "You want to distract me, huh!? It turns out that you like doing things like this!? Let the fighting skills do the talking! I don't like mind games!"

Leva looked at Naomi with her mouth agape, then started walking back to the training dummy. "I still need to train so that my body doesn't stiffen. Please do not bother me. Let me concentrate before fighting so that later I can perform to the maximum. You want us to fight in the final, right?"

Well, it seems my female colonist has given up on explaining.

"Good then." Naomi snorted again. "Before I leave, I have to tell you something about your opponent later. He was no ordinary person... Well, let's just say he's agile and has some unexpected moves. However, I still feel that he is not a match for you. Good luck."

Leva shook her head when Naomi finally came out of the tent. I thought maybe the old Leva would get mad at Naomi's stupidity.

Just as Leva had started beating the training dummy again, Eric burst in breathlessly.

"What's wrong, Eric?" For the third time, Leva stopped her activities.

Eric held his knees while catching his breath. "I-I was chatting with a male member of Acornhull about how to set a trap. But, suddenly, a group of women came up to me. I had a hard time getting away from them."

"Eric! Where are you!"

"We still want to be with you, Eric!"

"Hey, I'm not done talking, Eric!"

Leva narrowed her eyes at Eric, who got goosebumps at the voices of several women from outside.