Chapter 18 Suspicious Individuals

The ground shook as Dogo's 'Lariat' connected with the Wrestling Raccoon, sending him hurling through the air. The impact was so tremendous that the raccoon flipped mid-air, performing an astonishing acrobatic feat before crashing down to the ground with an earth-shattering slam.

"Dogo unleashes a cataclysmic 'Lariat'! The force of that blow is unbelievable, folks! The ground quakes with the aftermath of that devastating move!" Lumi yelled, her voice filled with thrill.

I watched how without wasting a moment, Dogo swiftly pinned the Wrestling Raccoon to the ground, while Lumi, agile referee, dropped down to the ground, sliding towards the competitors, ready to commence the count. Slapping the ground with fervor, initiating the countdown.

"One!"

Before Lumi could reach the count of two, the Boss Cat interrupted, executing a swift 'Back Paw Kick' that stopped the pinfall. 

Dogo rolled to the side, swiftly evading the Boss Cat's onslaught. Undeterred, the Boss Cat retaliated by ruthlessly stomping on Dogo with his soft paw, each strike resounding through the arena. However, the Wrestling Raccoon, displaying an indomitable spirit, sprang back to his feet, delivering a jaw-dropping dropkick to the Boss Cat's head, sending him sprawling to the side.

"Crowd, can you believe the incredible agility of the Wrestling Raccoon? He refuses to stay down and keeps coming back with these astonishing counterattacks!" Lumi yelled, her voice filled with excitement.

As the match escalated to new heights, Dogo seized the opportunity, locking the Wrestling Raccoon's hand and launching him toward the fence with tremendous force. The raccoon rebounded off the fence, sprinting back towards Dogo, but before he could react, Dogo unleashed a snappy 'Heel Kick' that connected with precision, knocking the raccoon to the ground.

Dogo wasted no time, immediately pouncing on the fallen raccoon and pinning him down for the count. Lumi, sliding on her knees to get a better view, began the countdown.

"One... two!" Lumi counted, her voice reverberating through the habitat.

However, the Boss Cat refused to accept defeat, summoning his inner strength for a spectacular comeback. He launched himself into the air, propelling his chonker body with incredible force and delivering a devastating 'Atomic Elbow Slam' onto Dogo interrupting the countdown.

Dogo rolled off to the side, dazed by the overpowering attack, while the Boss Cat seized the opportunity to unleash a relentless flurry of open-paw strikes on his opponent. Lumi, fulfilling her role as the referee, closely observed the action, counting each hit with precision.

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven," Lumi called out, her voice echoing through the habitat.

However, Dogo, fueled by his indomitable spirit, countered with a powerful backhand chop to Boss Cat's chest, staggering the feline and turning the tables once again. Meanwhile, the Wrestling Raccoon, having caught his breath, rose to his feet.

In a moment of brilliant strategy, the Wrestling Raccoon sensed the opportunity before him. Seeing that Boss Cat and Dogo had unwittingly surrounded him, he got ready for his strategy. 

Boss Cat summoned all his remaining strength and executed his ultimate move, 'Feline Fury,' charging forward with his chonker body acting as a ram. Simultaneously, Dogo unleashed his ultimate move, the 'Corgi Headbutt,' hurling himself like a spear toward the raccoon.

But, in a display of breathtaking flexibility, the Wrestling Raccoon evaded the impending collision, ducking out of harm's way, and quickly scaled the fence. Dogo's headbutt struck Boss Cat with such force that even the chonker defense couldn't fully protect him, leaving him momentarily stunned. It was the perfect moment for the Wrestling Raccoon to strike.

With astonishing agility, the Wrestling Raccoon leaped from the fence, delivering a devastating 'Double Straight-Hand Lariat' that knocked both Boss Cat and Dogo to the ground. With both opponents down, the Wrestling Raccoon wasted no time and pinned them both, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion.

Lumi, filled with anticipation, jumped into action, her voice resounding through the habitat. "One... Two... Three! The Wrestling Raccoon is the winner of this incredible wrestling match!"

Lumi imitated the crowd erupting in thunderous applause and cheers, their excitement reaching its peak. 

The Wrestling Raccoon reveled in the adoration of the imaginary audience, his triumph radiating throughout the habitat. With a triumphant scuttle, he swiftly retreated to his habitat, his agile paws grabbing hold of the champion belt displayed among an array of gleaming trophies. Bursting back onto the scene, he raised the belt high above his head, basking in the imaginary cheers of the roaring crowd.

Just as the Wrestling Raccoon struck a pose of absolute victory, a sudden burst of red erupted from the bushes, startling both the raccoon and Lumi. With lightning speed, a crafty figure known as Foxy the Snout emerged, wielding a miniature folding chair with nefarious intent. In one swift, treacherous move, Foxy slammed the chair onto the Wrestling Raccoon's back, knocking him out cold.

Lumi, wide-eyed and shocked by the sudden turn of events, gasped in disbelief.

 "No way! It can't be! Foxy the Snout, the cunning fox, has ambushed them from the shadows! This devious act of treachery is beyond belief! A true twist in this wrestling match!"

Foxy the Snout put the belt on his shoulder and taunted the raccoon with a gesture.  

As Foxy the Snout flaunted a taunting gesture, Lumi, with a mischievous grin, began clapping her hands, her applause filling the habitat. Turning to me, she nudged me gently, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

"Kazuki, Kazuki! Join in the applause! Let's show them our appreciation for their incredible performance," Lumi whispered eagerly, urging me to follow suit. 

"Their play may be over, but they certainly know how to charm the audience."

Caught up in the excitement, I followed Lumi's lead, clapping my hands together with enthusiasm. The sound of applause filled the habitat, resonating through the air as a resounding ovation for the wrestlers' stunning display.

In response to the applause, the wrestling performers rose to their feet, a collective bow of gratitude and acknowledgment. Each competitor, Wrestling Raccoon, Boss Cat, Corgi the Dogo, and Foxy the Snout, exhibited grace and elegance as they bid farewell to the audience. With a final nod of respect, they began to disperse, each going their separate ways.

I couldn't help but express my surprise, still in awe of the spectacle I had just witnessed. 

"So, this was all just a performance? An act for the visitors?"

Lumi paused for a moment, reflecting on my question.

 "Today it was a show, an orchestrated performance to entertain the visitors. But don't be mistaken, Kazuki. There are times when these little guys engage in genuine contests, giving their all in fierce battles. Today, they wanted to showcase their skills and put on a memorable show, especially for a newcomer like you."

I smiled at Lumi's enthusiasm, captivated by the spectacle we had just witnessed. 

"Indeed, they put on an incredible show! The way they moved and performed, it felt so real and intense. They truly have a talent for entertaining," I remarked, a sense of awe in my voice.

Lumi beamed with delight, her eyes sparkling with passion. 

"I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it, Kazuki! This pet sanctuary holds a special place in my heart, and the wrestling matches are just a glimpse of the incredible experiences it has to offer. But we still have more to explore, so let's continue our tour!"

With Lumi leading the way, we embarked on the next leg of our adventure through the magical pet sanctuary. We wandered through lush gardens adorned with vibrant flowers, passed by enclosures housing mythical creatures and rare species, and even encountered a few magical beings that dazzled us with their enchanting abilities.

Time seemed to fly by as we immersed ourselves in the wonders of the sanctuary, marveling at the diversity of creatures and the dedication of the caretakers who nurtured them. With every step, Lumi shared her vast knowledge and deep love for each resident of the sanctuary, painting a vivid picture of their unique qualities and captivating stories.

As the day gradually transitioned into dusk, the warm hues of the setting sun cast a golden glow across the landscape. We found ourselves standing before the grand gate, its ornate design symbolizing the end of our extraordinary journey through the magical pet sanctuary.

Looking at the darkening sky, I realized that it was time for us to bid farewell to this enchanting place. Although parting was bittersweet, we had to leave.

"Lumi, I had an incredible time. I'm grateful for the opportunity to explore this magical sanctuary with you," I said, a hint of wistfulness in my voice. "But the sun is setting, and we should make our way back. I am positive that Alitia will grind our behinds for leaving her without saying anything."

Lumi nodded, her expression reflecting a mix of joy and fear. "You're right, Kazuki. The sanctuary will always be here, and we can return whenever we want. Let's return, Alitia will be extra clingy if I don't get back before dark."

As we strolled down the street, my attention was drawn to three suspicious individuals approaching us. They appeared to be adventurers, blending in with the usual crowd of adventurers found in this town. However, there was an air of ill intent surrounding them.

As we neared each other, the man positioned in the middle purposefully stepped closer to Lumi, causing her to bump into him. The man wasted no time in launching his demand, his voice dripping with entitlement.

"Ow ow ow! Little girl! What's the big idea? You just bumped into me! And what's this? Not even an apology?! Huh? How about you make it up to me with a bit of fun? Maybe then we'll forgive you!" he sneered, his gaze filled with a malicious glimmer.