A Wonderful Aspect of Autumn: Action (33)

The two fighters who had been engaged in their final exchange at the center of the arena turned into particles of light at the exact same moment. The timing really was simultaneous, leaving the arena completely empty. In other words, it was a double KO.

Huh? What's going to happen? I wasn't the only one confused. Our companions in the viewing stands were reacting the same way, as were the players in the audience. Seriously, what is going to happen?

"A double KO? Then... what happens?"

"Will it count as a draw? Does the rulebook say anything about that?"

"Give me a moment... Ah! Found it!"

We were all confused, but Nenashi quickly navigated the menu and checked the rules. Apparently, they included provisions for how a double KO was handled.

"In the event of a double KO, the basic rule is a rematch. However, in the final and the third-place match, the result is a tie for first or third place, respectively. In other words..."

"So Jigoro wins."

I sank back into the sofa in relief. If there had been a rematch, I didn't think I could have won. Jigoro possessed incredible combat ability, but participating alone was a fatal disadvantage. It went without saying that he was at a numerical disadvantage, but the real problem here was tactics.

Since the two sides had already fought once, they would surely prepare countermeasures if there were a rematch. At the very least, I certainly would. Preparing for each other's tactics could lead to an entirely different match. If it had been an ordinary party match, a rematch would probably have been thrilling to watch...