Chapter 159: Potion

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Potion

Seraphina Sinclair gave it a quick look-over. Once she confirmed there were no issues, she promptly submitted the 10,000 Black Fog Coins.

Before the results were announced, all items wagered in this bet were temporarily held by the system, so it was extremely secure.

[Blacktiger Ford]: It’s done.

[Bluebird]: ...Roger! Good luck to you, boss.

Seraphina Sinclair’s lips curled slightly when she saw the message. ’It’s not luck I’m counting on to win this bet.’

People who rely solely on luck will lose everything, down to their last pair of shorts.

Humming a little tune, Seraphina Sinclair went to tease her Sunflower.

In the Zone Channel, Fortunefalls’s booming voice rang out again: "Latest news! Big news! A mysterious whale has placed a heavy bet on Pretty Guardian! A full 10,000 Black Fog Coins! The betting continues, place your wagers while you can!"

The message was like a giant stone dropped into a calm lake, instantly creating massive waves.

"What? How much? Ten thousand Black Fog Coins?"

"Are they insane? Someone actually bet on Pretty Guardian? Isn’t the difference in strength obvious?"

"Is it a shill? Trying to trick us into following their bet?"

"Are you stupid? It’s a system-notarized bet, how could there be a shill? If you lose, the money is really gone!"

"Maybe they know some inside information? Is Pretty Guardian actually really strong?"

"Strong my ass! They’re probably just an idiot with too much money! I’m sticking with Leo Lowell! It’s a sure win!"

After some debate, the people talking still chose Leo Lowell.

However, some of the smarter, quieter ones realized that things weren’t that simple.

That was 10,000 Black Fog Coins! A full 10,000!

And this kind of bet had to be placed within the same Zone, which meant the person had to be a top player from their Zone.

So why call them a ’mysterious whale’? In this Zone, who else had that many Black Fog Coins—enough to casually drop 10,000—besides Blacktiger Ford, the big shot who just made a killing processing things for other survivors?! Who else could it be?!

Thus, the message morphed into: "Blacktiger Ford thinks Pretty Guardian will win!"

What else was there to say?

Follow the bet!

...

When Seraphina Sinclair opened the Zone Channel again, the results were already out.

["Pretty Guardian" has defeated "Leo Lowell" in the arena duel.]

The announcement was concise and cold, but it was enough to plunge the entire Zone Channel into a dead silence.

All those who had hyped up Leo Lowell and mocked Pretty Guardian and the so-called mysterious whale went completely quiet.

A few seconds later, the channel exploded.

"HOLY SHIT?! She won? She really won?"

"Pretty Guardian won?! How is that possible!"

"Leo Lowell was on a fifteen-win streak! He actually lost?"

"Hahaha! An upset! It’s a real upset! I won! Even though I only bet a little!"

"That whale who bet 10,000 Black Fog Coins... my god, they must have made a fortune!"

"@Fortunefalls, I f***ing quit! Give me my money back! Money back!"

A slight smile touched Seraphina Sinclair’s lips.

’She didn’t disappoint.’

Almost at the same time, two messages arrived one after the other.

One was from Pretty Guardian. It was a thank-you message, but it was so long it was practically a thank-you letter.

Seraphina Sinclair skimmed it for a few seconds before switching to the other message.

It was from Bluebird. He had also sent a voice message, his tone a complex mix of emotions. "...Boss, you won. Twenty thousand Black Fog Coins have been transferred to your account. Please check. I’m impressed."

After sending the message, Bluebird couldn’t help but sigh again.

’Good thing we set the odds low,’ he thought. ’Someone had even suggested 3-to-1 odds. If it had been 3-to-1, I really would have lost my shorts.’

Fortunately, smart people were in the minority, as were those who bet on Pretty Guardian. Coupled with Leo Lowell’s built-in popularity, he hadn’t lost too much this time.

Seraphina Sinclair replied to Bluebird first.

[Blacktiger Ford]: A pleasure doing business with you.

She smiled as she accepted the 20,000 Black Fog Coins. Her account balance was now over 27,000 Black Fog Coins!

’This is a really fast way to make money,’ she thought, ’but unfortunately, I can’t do this often.’

Her giving Pretty Guardian the rune first and then placing a bet was, in fact, borderline cheating.

Although Bluebird didn’t know the specifics of what she did, he knew she must have done *something*.

He didn’t say anything and still honored the bet. This was a show of respect, but fundamentally, it was because her power was undeniable.

Doing it once was fine. But if she did it a second or third time, even if Bluebird himself didn’t come after her, the people who followed him would.

Or, they could simply refine the betting rules by adding a clause: "Survivors who have had prior contact with the arena contestants are not allowed to participate in the betting." That would directly prevent her situation from happening again.

That was what Seraphina Sinclair was thinking on her end, and it was exactly what Bluebird was doing on his.

He could only perfect the rules on his side; he couldn’t pin his hopes on Blacktiger Ford’s conscience, even if she had one.

Only then did Seraphina Sinclair open her chat with Pretty Guardian.

[Blacktiger Ford]: You’re welcome. Did the rune work well?

[Pretty Guardian]: It worked great. What was that flashy one called? I didn’t even have time to look, I just glanced at the grade. When I tore that rune, it nearly blinded his dog eyes, and then I finished him off with one slash. If it weren’t for the rune you sent, boss, I would’ve really taken a fall this time. That guy was a lot stronger than I expected.

The effect of the rune she had provided was much greater than Seraphina Sinclair had imagined.

’Good,’ she thought. ’Now the favor is completely repaid.’

As Seraphina thought this, she had no intention of replying further, but the other party sent over a few vials of E-level Healing Potions.

[Pretty Guardian]: Boss, you were collecting Solar Flame Powder before, so you must know what it’s for, right? My Skill is Potion making. I didn’t understand why you wanted it before, because I thought you were a Daoist who knew rune painting before entering this world. It wasn’t until I saw that E+ Level rune that I figured it out. Your Skill must be rune making, right?

’She thought I was a Daoist?’

Seraphina Sinclair: "..."

’So much for compulsory education.’

’But...’

Seraphina Sinclair raised an eyebrow slightly. She felt like the other person was building up to something.

[Blacktiger Ford]: So?

Not long after she sent the message, a reply came. It was direct and frank.

[Pretty Guardian]: So, boss, are you interested in a long-term partnership? I can provide various Potions in exchange for any spare runes you have! Our Skills are different, so the functions of the things we make should also be different. An exchange would definitely be beneficial for both of us.

[Pretty Guardian]: Of course, if you look down on my humble craft, boss, then just pretend I never said anything. The Potions are a gift, just a small token of my gratitude.

Whether it was actually beneficial wasn’t something to be decided just because Pretty Guardian said so.

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t even know what kinds of Potions the other woman could make, so she naturally wouldn’t agree rashly.

’Besides...’ she thought, ’this person seems frank, but she hasn’t said a single thing that’s actually important.’