Chapter 33: Celebration
"Shit, you’re heavy," Belk gasped, his breath coming in sharp, ragged bursts as he struggled to regain his footing on the cliffside. His hands dug into the mud, fingers clawing desperately at the earth for leverage. After a moment of struggle, he finally pushed himself to his feet, swaying slightly. "Woah! That was too close..."
A nervous laugh slipped from his lips, his heart still pounding in his chest a million miles a minute as the adrenaline surged through his veins.
"You did well..." Tanaka murmured, stepping closer, a hint of admiration in his voice. "I’m proud to call you chief—huh?"
His words were abruptly cut off by the sharp flash of the boy’s scowl, dark eyes narrowing with frustration.
"Are you serious!?" the boy snapped, his voice rising, making the hunters around them flinch. His anger was raw, unfiltered, as he stared Tanaka down with unblinking intensity.
"There’s no way I’m accepting that!" He turned his gaze toward one of the hunters, fury boiling in his eyes as he pointed a trembling finger. "That fight was beyond rigged!"
"Huh—" Everyone muttered in unison, Astra hiding her face in her palm from his annoying honesty letting out a soft groan of frustration.
The young scientist turned to the crowd, his hands balled into fists.
"Give him another spear!" He demanded his brows furrowed over his eyes.