Chapter 19: Rapid Leveling, The Street Tennis King
Can you even win like this?
For the first time witnessing such a scenario, the onlookers stared at Ishikawa in stunned silence.
"This guy… X… He’s way too strong!"
After the initial shock, the overwhelming dispy of strength from Ishikawa in the st match turned into deep respect in the hearts of the crowd.
This was the unspoken rule of the tennis court— The strong are meant to be revered!
"Now it’s our turn!"
However, not everyone was intimidated by Ishikawa’s performance.
Another pair of challengers stepped forward. They were confident in their own abilities and believed that Ishikawa had already expended a significant amount of stamina, creating an opportunity to strike.
Yet...
Reality was cruel.
Just like the previous duo, Yoshida and Kijima, this new team went from being full of confidence to having their mental fortitude completely shattered in just five minutes.
"How… how could this happen?"
Outside the court, Fukawa and Izumi exchanged gnces, both seeing the disbelief reflected in each other’s eyes.
Three consecutive matches.
Three doubles teams. Six pyers.
All defeated by this mysterious pyer called ‘X’.
While the others were mentally crushed, Ishikawa remained as energetic as ever.
"This can’t continue…"
Watching yet another exhausted challenger leave the court, Izumi pondered for a moment before speaking up.
"We need to change the rules. Since he’s pying alone, he should also handle all the returns."
"Huh? That would be…" Fukuwa instinctively wanted to object, but then he suddenly realized something. "Wait… I get it!"
Fukawa was no fool.
Ishikawa had been using the natural break between the opponent’s serves to secretly recover his stamina.
On the other hand, the challengers, who had to serve continuously, had no time to rest and were being worn down instead.
Immediately, the two voiced their proposal.
Some people objected, arguing that it would give ‘X’ an unfair advantage. But many others stopped them, believing that as top pyers from Gyokurin Middle School, Izumi and Fukawa must have a strategy in mind.
"Not bad."
Seeing that his tactic had been exposed, Ishikawa gnced at the two from Gyokurin Middle School.
In the original story, these two were barely more than minor background characters. But now, it seemed they weren’t as simple as they appeared.
However…
This outcome was well within Ishikawa’s expectations.
He was here to grind levels—the faster the matches ended, the faster he could level up. So, without hesitation, he accepted the new rule.
Bang!
A few moments ter, the match resumed.
This time, instead of scoring with volleys, Ishikawa used the opportunity to refine his spin shots in real combat.
The level of his opponents? At best, they barely matched the lowest-ranked second-year pyers from Hyotei.
In other words…
Ishikawa could fully control the match at his own pace.
After several rounds of challengers, he still held onto the king’s seat, undefeated.
And the experience points he gained from these matches? They were equivalent to completing two sets of daily missions back at Hyotei!
Once Ishikawa entered grind mode, exhaustion became a foreign concept to him.
And so…
For five whole hours, pyers from the street tennis court—including Izumi and Fukawa—took turns challenging him, yet no one could dethrone him.
Finally…
Even with Ishikawa controlling the match pace, his stamina reached its limit.
Of course…
His opponents were in even worse shape. At this point, the entire street tennis court was littered with exhausted middle schoolers lying on the ground.
Bang!
Then—
With a final smash, the tennis ball smmed into the court like a cannonball, sending dust flying.
On the other side, Izumi and Fukawa were bent over, gasping for air, their bodies drenched in sweat.
"M-match over!"
"X wins!"
Even the referee’s voice trembled. Part of it was due to sheer shock.
The other part? He had been holding in his bdder for five hours, afraid to leave his post and provoke the challengers’ wrath.
"N-no more…"
"We… we surrender."
On the other side of the net, Izumi and Fukawa colpsed onto the ground.
By this point, any sense of unwillingness had long since vanished. Ishikawa’s final smash had obliterated even their st bit of hope.
"What about the rest of you?"
Dripping with sweat, Ishikawa pointed his racket at the other boys sprawled across the court.
"N-no more…"
"We give up…"
"From now on, you’re the boss here."
The moment Ishikawa’s gaze nded on them, the remaining pyers turned pale, their faces full of defeat.
[Ding!]
[You have defeated your opponents at the street tennis court. +5 EXP]
[Ding!]
[You have gained the recognition of all street tennis pyers. Hidden condition met! You have obtained a special title: "Street Tennis King."]
[Street Tennis King: A special title symbolizing your domination of the street tennis court. Effect: Gain +20 EXP when pying at this court.]
"Now this… is a nice reward!"
Seeing the special title, Ishikawa’s eyes lit up. For a moment, he even felt like he could go another five hours!
Of course…
That was just a thought. His stamina was completely drained.
Not to mention, the pyers around him? At this point, even if he whipped them, they wouldn’t get up for another match.
"That’s it for today."
Putting away his racket, Ishikawa slung his tennis bag over his shoulder and left.
As he walked away, the crowd heaved a collective sigh of relief.
"F-finally… he’s gone."
Izumi and Fukawa exchanged a look, both showing bitter smiles.
Who would have thought…
That their street tennis court would be completely dominated by someone their own age?
But…
No one could deny the absolute dominance Ishikawa had dispyed.
If anything, if they ever faced him again…
They might not even have the courage to resist.
However…
Just as the exhausted pyers started to rex—
Tap.
Tap.
The sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs above.
"No way…"
"Is he coming back?!"
The color drained from their faces.
But when Izumi and Fukawa looked up, they didn’t see Ishikawa.
Instead…
Standing at the top of the stairs was a petite girl in a blue-gray uniform.
"Excuse me…"
Frowning, the girl—Tachibana An, captain of the Fudomine Girls’ Tennis Team—spoke up.
"What exactly happened here?"
She was confused.
Why was the normally lively street tennis court suddenly reduced to this…?
As if a monster had just rampaged through it!
(End of Chapter 19)
