Chapter 237: Discretion Is the Better Part of Valor

Chapter 237: Chapter 237: Discretion Is the Better Part of Valor

"LMAO, you made that up so well it sounds almost real."

"How much did Blacktiger Ford pay you? You’re really hyping him up."

"Look, it’s true that Blacktiger Ford killed that guy, but this isn’t over. Our Seawatch is magnanimous and doesn’t want to argue with you, but you people from Zone 888 are really pushing your luck, aren’t you? You have no respect for us at all!"

"If you’re going to brag, at least get your story straight! No one’s ever seen someone with an SSS-level Evaluation. Making such a huge claim right off the bat, aren’t you afraid of pulling something?"

Just as the doubts in the Zone channel were escalating, a message suddenly appeared, freezing all arguments in their tracks.

[Artemis]: He’s probably right. SSS-level Evaluations do exist. (Image)

She had attached a screenshot of her own Evaluation. Under Survival Ability, the letters ’SSS’ were clearly visible.

Seraphina Sinclair had initially thought this person had a helpful persona, but now it seemed she simply followed her own principles. She definitely wasn’t the type of garbage who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong and naively wanted everyone to survive.

First impressions can change. Seraphina had to admit that in this moment, her opinion of Artemis had shifted.

Her thoughts were soon interrupted by an even more heated discussion in the Zone channel.

The screenshot Artemis posted was like a silent hammer blow, striking all the doubters speechless.

The crisp ’SSS’ in the image could not be faked.

After a moment of dead silence, the channel erupted with an even greater uproar.

"HOLY SHIT! For real?! SSS actually exists?"

"SSS in Survival?! Just how good at... uh, not hiding... but at surviving are you?!"

"So SSS-level really does exist! I honestly thought that person from Zone 888 was just making it all up!"

"So does that mean it’s also true that the great Blacktiger Ford has Triple S in all three categories? What kind of monster is this guy?!"

But some were still stubborn:

"I still don’t buy it! Who could be that badass on the very first leaderboard?!"

"Same here. Unless you shove the proof in my face, I’ll never believe it."

The next to speak was a survivor from Zone 888. Seraphina didn’t recognize the ID, but this person seemed to enjoy giving the doubters exactly the proof they were asking for. He said nothing, simply posting an image: a screenshot of Seraphina Sinclair’s Evaluation.

As soon as the image appeared, the stubborn holdouts in the Zone channel were struck dumb.

"My apologies to the expert from Zone 888! I was blind! Are you looking for a tagalong?"

"I declare that from this day forward, Blacktiger Ford is my idol!"

"+1! Triple S in three categories, the prestige is off the charts!"

"Where are all the loudmouths from before? Why so quiet now? Does your face sting?"

The tide turned in an instant. Those who had mocked Seraphina Sinclair and Zone 888 either went silent or rushed to apologize, terrified of earning the enmity of this ridiculously high-rated expert.

Seraphina watched the rapid-fire apologies fill the channel, finding the whole thing rather ironic.

She couldn’t be bothered with such pointless fawning. Though the names had changed, their chatter was no different from that of the previous crowd.

However... Seraphina’s gaze fixed on the ID of the last survivor to speak. It was Seaview.

[Seaview]: SSS-level?

’Just a rhetorical question?’

’Is this a challenge? Or does he want to prove himself in The Coliseum?’

Whatever it was, Seraphina Sinclair was ready.

This person had been uniquely arrogant and brazen ever since the Zones merged, but she had stolen his thunder time and time again. It wouldn’t be surprising if he held a grudge.

Seraphina felt a little exasperated, but her lips curved into a soft smile.

’That’s just how it is for the strong,’ she thought. ’Even when you do nothing, people think you’re showing off.’

The moment Seaview’s name appeared, the boisterous Zone channel was as if put on mute.

Who doesn’t love a good show, especially one between two titans?

Before the Zones merged, they never would have had the chance to even see this. Now that it was suddenly happening live, how could the survivors, bored out of their minds every day, not pull up a chair and watch closely?

Everyone held their breath, waiting to see what would happen next. As far as they were concerned, it would be best if these two experts came to blows. As for who survived...

Who cared?

But Seaview’s next words took everyone by surprise.

[Seaview]: Impressive. I apologize for my previous offense, Blacktiger Ford. My perspective was too narrow; I didn’t realize there are always greater heights to reach.

The moment this message appeared, the entire Zone channel was in an uproar.

"??? I’m not seeing things, am I? Did Seaview just apologize?"

"Holy crap, just like that? I thought we were in for a flame war!"

"He knows when to bend and when to stand tall. Now that’s a true expert!"

"Indeed. It’s not hard to admit someone else is strong, but to publicly apologize after a conflict... that shows real class."

Seraphina also raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

She had expected him to be resentful, or at least offer a few stubborn parting words. She never imagined he would back down and apologize so decisively.

This ability to judge the situation and act decisively made him far more difficult to deal with than a simple brute.

’He’s survived this long for a reason,’ she thought.

Coincidentally, Seraphina had no interest in pointless conflicts either. Since he had taken the initiative to back down, there was no need for her to press the issue.

’Fewer enemies are better than more,’ she reasoned.

She was quite magnanimous:

[Blacktiger Ford]: It’s in the past.

Her response was met with a chorus of cheers in the Zone channel, though there were undoubtedly many who were disappointed.

But with that, the matter was well and truly over.

Seraphina watched the Zone channel for a little while longer. Confirming there was nothing else worthy of her attention, she closed the window.

Inside the mobile cabin, it was warm and quiet. The Sunflower swayed its head, basking in the sun, while grumbling to itself every now and then. ’Not enough sunshine... too weak...’

Despite its complaints, Seraphina found the sight of it sunbathing to be exceptionally pleasant.

She smiled, paid it no more mind, and turned her focus back to herself.

She was a Rune Master. Besides her own useful profession, she also knew that Pretty Guardian was a Pharmacist. In addition to these two, there was another profession capable of setting and removing seals—though she didn’t know its name—and the Engraving Master mentioned by the waiter that morning.

So far, these were the only four professions Seraphina Sinclair knew of.

The last time she was in The Coliseum, she had overheard some of the spectators’ shouts, especially when she had used the Potions given to her by Pretty Guardian.

’From the way they were talking...’

’Can each survivor have more than one profession?’

Seraphina Sinclair furrowed her brow, wondering how she could go about obtaining a second profession.

The Inheritance Stone Plate seemed to be quite rare. The only thing Seraphina was sure of was that they could occasionally be found in the special areas brought about by Guiding Grass. As for anything more...

Seraphina looked up. After confirming that the Sunflower would need some more time to produce sunshine, she decided to open a private chat and message Pretty Guardian.