Chapter 28: The Finals (1)
"Finalist number 1119," the host called out. Ria Zhang tilted her head, slowly letting go of Anna Ling's small hand.
"Good luck, Anna," she murmured before stepping forward, not waiting for Anna Ling's response.
She picked up the tablet marked with her number before getting one firecracker, placing it inside her pocket. The other four people also got their own tablets and firecrackers.
"You can go in," the host told them.
With decisive steps, Ria Zhang started walking. The ground was littered with dried leaves, creating a crunch sound as she stepped on them. Although it was a forest, this part was with little trees and more grasses. It was a good thing that she wore pants.
Gradually, she lost sight of the entrance as she turned her head back. Ria Zhang remained calm. When she examined the area, she saw the surveillance cameras propped up against the branches of the trees.
She halted her steps, listening intently. She walked further, going deeper into the forest before it came to her view.
She approached with vigilance. It was a stream with clear water flowing. The pebbles glittered against the sun. Occasional fingerlings swam. Despite the lack of shade, this was a good area to write poems.
Ria Zhang sat down on the ground, placing the tablet on her lap before putting her hand inside the pocket of her jacket, grasping the firecracker. She stared at the water from the distance before swiping on the screen of the tablet.
No particular theme was set so everyone can delve into any topic available.
-@-
At the control room of Feng Royal Cultural Hall, there was a monitor occupying one side of the wall. It was split into fifty small screens.
"All of the finalists have already taken positions," the voice announced.
"Do it, now," another voice commanded.
"Roger that."
-@-
The stillness of the surroundings was disrupted by the static coming from a speaker.
"Greetings, finalists," a modulated voice float into the air. "Welcome to the finals of Literary Olympiad with theme 'Literature under Siege.' Please don't forget to use your signal firecracker should you deem your safety is compromised. Good luck, participants."
Ria Zhang curled her lips. She just finished submitting her piece when the voice was heard. After the announcement, she stood up but halted her steps when a scream torn the silence. It was followed by the firecracker bursting in the sky.
Then, another scream was heard. This time, it was coming from the right side of the forest. Not before long, another firecracker burst in the sky.
'What's going on?' Ria Zhang asked inwardly. She wrinkled her forehead as she walked faster, back again, deeper inside the forest.
Another earth-shattering scream reached her ears. It was nearer than the previous ones. She almost ran. The first thing she thought was Anna Ling's safety. The child was the first person who initiated a conversation with her without prejudice when she came into this world. What a nuisance, she thought. She didn't expect that earning money was this hard.
Ria Zhang widened her eyes as two men scrambled towards her.
"Run!"
She was rooted to the ground. Her heart beat faster as her mind processed the situation in front of her. "Oh my goodness," she exclaimed under her breath.
In front of her was a mammal on all fours, growling. It was a tiger! Its teeth were showing. She can just imagine the pain if the animal would sink its teeth to her skin. She shuddered at the thought.
Before she can move, another firecracker sounded in the air. Ria Zhang shook her head. No wonder a lot of firecrackers shoot up to the sky. "Damn, as far as I am concerned, I signed up for a literary contest, not this one," she blurted out.
How could she continue looking for Anna Ling? Before she found Anna Ling, she might as well be a dead meat under that animal. The tiger took a step back, still growling, poised to attack Ria Zhang at any given moment.
The tiger leapt towards her. Ria Zhang's breath was caught in her throat. The sharp paws of the tiger dug on her jacket, piercing the cloth and then, finally on her skin. The impact threw her on the ground; her glasses were also knocked off. "Ouch," she groaned.
The tiger growled before leaning closer, baring its fangs. It has a rusty smell, assaulting her senses.
-@-
At the monitoring room, the people screamed when the screen displayed the situation of Ria Zhang.
"Why don't she just use her signal firecracker?"
"Should we send help now?"
Suddenly, the door opened. "No one is allowed to intervene. This is the order of Master Feng," the man who entered the room informed them.
"But what if she died?" Someone voiced out her concern.
"The order of Master Feng is absolute. If the finalist has not use the signal firecracker, the organizer will not send help," he declared before going out of the room.
-@-
Ria Zhang closed her eyes tightly. Her brother will definitely kill Lulu if she died here, she thought. Just as the tiger decided to sink its fangs to Ria Zhang's face, a howl was heard.
"Goddamn it," she cursed under her breath. Previously, it was a tiger. Now, there was even a wolf? Couldn't she even have an intact corpse?
A while later, the paws that pierced and held down her arms were removed. She winced.
Ria Zhang slowly opened her eyes. She gasped for air as she caught sight of the animal at her side. It stand majestic with its white fur. It howled towards the tiger before jumping towards the animal with its tail hanging behind its legs. Before the wolf can put its mouth on the tiger's body, the tiger leapt to the opposite direction, leaving Ria Zhang in a daze.
She propped herself up using her arms. She took a deep breath before exhaling slowly. The blood started to seep on her jacket. Good thing it was black or it would become noticeable. The hoodie come undone, exposing her hair and slender neck.
The wolf turned around, slowly walking towards Ria Zhang. She smiled bitterly. After getting away from the tiger, there was a wolf, seemingly ready to pounce on her. It stopped beside her, sniffing her neck. Ria Zhang held her breath.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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