Another Stupid Isekai

[0)ᴠʟ In the first few moments, everybody was quite surprised because of the sudden change of the surroundings, despite the fact that they literally knew it was going to happen. My friends, on the other hand, just went straight to the bunker. The rest have me few nods of appreciation.

The agents assigned to the people were in the most shock, as for them the ‘supernatural’ things were still kinda new.

The day was very hot. You could see the air moving over the desert sand, so I faked a smile or two, grabbed Vikram who was about to publicly announce that I’m just simply awesome, and went to the stairs, leading underground.

The air was a bit cooler there, but in the rooms, it was even better. There was a guy, who tried to lead me to mine, but I just told him that I know the way, since I already have been there. Besides, there was my name and team number on the freaking door, so even without such knowledge finding the right door wasn’t rocket science.

Inside waited for us cool air, a fridge full of food and drinks, plus the giant couch with big-ass TV screen, where they were already showing the studio, filled with people.

Despite the fact that I’ve seen them for a few days already, I didn’t even know their names.

– The Chinese team is fighting first, and you are the second – Vikram informed me, as he went straight to drinks.

– I know – I said and went to sit in front of the screen.

He grabbed a can of soda, opened it, and turned to face me, as he took the first sip.

– You seem quite relaxed – he pointed out.

– I am – I admitted. – But you… You on the other hand seem to be worried. Al the staff that he hotel, and now this questions. Be honest with me, man. Are you worried about me, or not?

He sighed and came closer, to also take a sit on the couch.

– Before the gate next to Dwarka appeared, India wasn’t in a position it got to after you guys showed up. We suddenly became a country everybody, and I mean everybody, wanted to have close ties with, and we were the ones to dictate the terms. Do you know how much money was invested into my country from outside? Billions of dollars. People’s lives became way better than they used to be, and we only had a good prediction of the future. It changed after the other gates showed up, and the information hit the public domain. So yeah… I am concerned. I am concerned because if you win, it means better lives for my people.

– Don’t worry. I will win.

– And I also borrowed money from my relatives and bat it all on your win, so there is also that… – he added after a moment.

I just sighed, which turned into a laugh.

– What? It seemed like a good investment.

– Sure… Whatever you say.

We kept bickering about his bullshit for a moment longer, but then the countdown to the first match officially started, so we stopped. The host and the guest kept fiding bullshit to the people that both teams would put on a good show, but for me, it was obvious, that it wasn’t not happening.

You couldn’t even compare the Chinese, team two, to Americans, team four. I saw both of those teams in action, and you had to be blind to even consider that westerners had any chances. Asians outclassed them in every aspect I could think of.

Vikram asked me about my opinion on the matter, and I told him my thoughts. Half an hour later we saw the class, and the situation repeated itself. The randoms, despite getting to the second round, got just smashed. It wasn’t falsy, or anything, but the domination was obvious.

Still, it was kept quite civil, as nobody didn’t get any serious injuries.

– Ok, champion. It’s your time. Show that fucker who is the boss – sadi my assistant as soon as the studio appeared on the TV screen. – I want to see domination, ok?

– You don’t need to hype me up, man – I responded, getting up from the couch.

Just as I said those words, somebody knocked on the door to the room.

– Please prepare for your match – they said.

– I’m ready!

I gave the last look to Vikram and left the room.

The first thing that hit me, was the music being blasted outside, which could be heard very well in the bunker. Then there also was the light at the end of the tunnel, where the stairs were leading to the outside. The corridor was obviously quite bright, with plenty of light provided by the lamps in the ceiling, but still, the sun was way more powerful, especially in our geographical position.

Despite my confidence, I could feel tingling in my back and arms. There was a bit of tension, but the broadcasting staff looked plainly scared. Perhaps they were worried that some incident might happen since Gavriil almost killed two people during his last match, or maybe somebody informed them, that the two of us were big shots. I didn’t know, but I smiled at them, thinking that this might brighten their moods. I was mistaken.

– This way – some man pointed me in the direction of stairs.

The corridor was straight, so there were only two possible ways there, but I didn’t point out how stupid his words were, and just started walking.

The music got quiet, and the announcer introduced me again to the viewers, but I could barely hear him, that’s how focused I became. It was like being underwater. The voices were muffled, and my own thoughts very loud.

I was thinking quite a lot actually, as I started taking down the seals on my body. I climbed the stairs and emerged into the arena. The sun blinded me for a second, but then the eyes got used to the light.

Somewhere in the background, I heard the announcer introducing Gavriil. The match was about to start very soon. One glance at the large screens on the walls surrounding me told me that the audience was also nervous. All of them, around the world, observed in silence.