Rak watched the battle with wide eyes. "That weapon's insane."
Khun muttered, "Using an Ignition Weapon in this game? That's cheating. She shouldn't even have that."
Suddenly, Baam gasped.
"Aaah!" he cried, clutching his weapon as it vibrated violently in his hands.
"It's acting strange… Please calm down," he whispered to it.
---
Meanwhile, Anaak stood atop the throne. "This ends now."
Just when it seemed like her enemies were done for, something shifted.
Anaak froze. Her weapon retracted on its own, shrinking back into its original three-meter form. She turned suddenly, staring at one of the waiting rooms, expression blank—entranced.
The other team didn't waste the opportunity. They bolted, making a mad dash back toward their cage.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Lauroe shouted.
Serena didn't even glance back. "What does it look like? We're running."
"We'll be disqualified if we go back!" Lauroe said.
Serena replied coolly, "Fine by me. I've run away enough times to know when it's time to bail."
Lero Ro's voice rang out. "Team Serena, Hoh, and Lauroe has retreated to their waiting room. They are disqualified."
Shibisu pumped a fist. "Way to go!"
But before he could finish celebrating, Anaak moved.
She jumped from the throne—Boom!—and smashed through a waiting room door.
Inside, Baam and Khun looked up in surprise as Anaak stepped in.
"Why?" she asked coldly. "Why do you have that weapon?"
Baam blinked. "What?"
The Black March stopped trembling in his hands.
"You're not worthy of it," Anaak said, eyes narrowing.
Khun stepped forward. "She's more dangerous than we thought."
Anaak snapped, "Stay out of this."
Shibisu ran in after her. "Anaak! You left the throne—and barged into another team's waiting room! We're disqualified!"
But Anaak's eyes were still fixed on Baam. "Give it back."
Shibisu stared. "You left… because of that thing?"
Anaak said sharply, "That 'thing' is one of the 13 Month Series. Forged by master craftsman Ashul Edwaru."
Shibisu's eyes widened. "You mean… the legendary weapons King Jahad gives his princesses?"
Anaak nodded. "Exactly."
"How do you know that?" he asked.
She raised her blade. "Because this weapon—Green April—is part of the series. And I… am a Princess of Jahad."
Silence fell.
Khun's thoughts churned. A Princess of Jahad? No wonder she's so strong. But how does a Regular have a 13 Month weapon?
Anaak stepped toward Baam. "You're Baam, right? Hand it over. You shouldn't have that weapon."
Baam stood his ground. "No. I borrowed it. I can't just give it away."
Then he pointed at her and said bluntly, "Lizard girl. Get lost."
Rak burst out laughing. "That's the spirit, Black Turtle! Don't back down from a lizard!"
Anaak's face darkened. "I'm not a lizard."
"Is that so?" she said coldly—and raised her weapon to strike.
Khun and Rak stepped in, standing between her and Baam, ready to fight.
Anaak lunged—
But her weapon was suddenly caught mid-swing.
"Aaah," she gasped, looking up.
Lero Ro held the blade. "That's enough. I won't allow any more of this."
He turned to her sternly. "You've been disqualified. Return to your waiting room."
Shibisu pleaded, "Anaak, don't fight the administrator."
Hatz added, "Come on. Let's just go back."
Anaak didn't move.
Instead, she stared at Baam. "Baam, let's make a bet."
"A bet?" he asked cautiously.
She nodded. "Yeah. My Green April… versus your Black March."
Lero Ro raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. As long as the crown game continues, I'll allow it."
Anaak continued, "If your team wins the game, I'll give you the Green April. But if you lose, I get your weapon."
Baam shook his head. "No way. I don't need your weapon. Why would I agree to that?"
Anaak's voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Because once this game ends… I'm going to kill you and take it anyway."
Baam narrowed his eyes. She won't stop. Even if the rules protect me now, she'll just come after me later.
Anaak smirked. "Well? It's not a bad deal. At least this way, you have a chance—"
Khun cut her off. "Princesses, rules, bets… I don't care about any of that."
He turned to Rak with a grin. "Let's go, Gator. It's finally time we had some fun."
Baam looked at Anaak. "Alright. I agree to your bet."
Lero Ro nodded. "Then the bet is officially settled."
He held up the crown. "The crown game will now resume."
Anaak's team exited the stage. As they walked, another girl silently mouthed something to her—Fake princess.
Anaak froze. Fury flashed across her face, but her teammates held her back before she could retaliate.
---
Meanwhile, Baam lowered his head. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault."
Khun shrugged. "It's fine. We got what we wanted—we dragged that lizard off her throne. And besides… you were incredible."
"Huh?"
"You didn't hand the Black March over to her."
Baam smiled faintly. "Rachel once told me, Never betray others. No matter what happens… especially not girls."
"But… in the end, it was my choice. I'm still weak."
Khun looked at him. "Yeah, you are. And that's exactly why you're amazing. Even when your life was on the line, you kept your word. I could never do that."
Just then, a voice echoed across the arena.
"Participants have been selected. Round three will now begin."
Rak grinned. "Let's go, double turtles!"
Baam's team stepped into the center of the arena. Doors slid open as other teams emerged.
Rak cracked his knuckles. "I don't care who comes first. Bring it on!"
Khun drew his knife. "Now that the lizard's out, everyone's feeling brave."
The moment the round began, chaos erupted—teams charged toward the throne.
But a sudden gust of wind knocked them back.
When the dust settled, Khun stood before the throne, crown in hand.
"Okay, game over," he said, raising it—then paused.
"…But that'd be boring."
With a smirk, he dropped the crown into his bag and beckoned. "Come on. Beat me, and it's yours."
A black rubbery monster attacked first, launching a stretching headbutt.
Khun blocked with his bag.
Next, a girl fired a Shinsu blast with her wand.
Khun opened his bag midair—fwoomp—and absorbed the attack inside.
Then a squirrel-like girl leapt at him. Khun dodged smoothly and backed away.
"This is way too much work," he muttered—and suddenly tossed the crown into the air.
While everyone scrambled for it, Khun casually sat down on the throne.
"Fight amongst yourselves."
Mayhem broke out as teams fought over the tossed crown.
Then—amid the chaos—Khun chuckled.
"You still haven't noticed?"
"What?!"
Everyone turned to the throne in confusion—only to see Baam sitting on it, wearing another crown.
"Two crowns?!"
Khun smirked. "You thought I was serious?"
He reached into his bag—and dozens of crowns tumbled out.