Chapter 248: Snatching the Opportunity

Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Snatching the Opportunity

Rather than two people attempting the challenge, it would be better for Rex Shaw to just give up the spot.

[Blacktiger Ford]: Since it’s a fixed reward, wouldn’t we be losing out if we split it between two people? Why don’t you sell me the entry ticket instead.

Rex Shaw’s mouth twitched when he saw the message.

’This master really is direct, not beating around the bush at all.’

But he had been working so hard these past few days to raise his affinity with Blacktiger Ford, all so they would carry him!

Just sell it?

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

He’d already lost face; he couldn’t lose the reward, too.

[Rex Shaw]: Blacktiger, it’s not that I don’t want to sell. This entry ticket is bound to me; it can’t be traded.

’Untradable?’

Seraphina Sinclair had seen untradable items before, but entry tickets were definitely not among them.

The items in this world all had similarities. Take entry tickets, for example. It made no sense that an entry ticket to The Golden Auction House could be traded, but one for this special Zone couldn’t be.

Seraphina Sinclair figured that Rex Shaw was just making up a high-sounding excuse, hoping she would do all the work and carry him through.

[Blacktiger Ford]: If it’s bound, then never mind.

Her reply was so crisp and decisive that Rex Shaw’s heart sank on the other end.

He quickly sent another message, afraid to lose this connection.

[Rex Shaw]: Wait, Blacktiger! Even though it’s untradable, we can cooperate! The rewards may be fixed, but the Description mentions that based on our combat Evaluation, there’s a chance to get an extra treasure chest! With a master like you, and me assisting from the side, we have a good chance of getting the highest Evaluation! The basic reward can be all yours, and we’ll split the extra treasure chests based on contribution. How about it?

’How about it?’

’Not a chance.’

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t want to share with anyone, not even ten percent.

The thought surprised even Seraphina Sinclair herself when it popped into her head.

’Strange.’

’Someone like me, a profit maximizer, shouldn’t be like this.’

’Even if it meant cooperating, it shouldn’t be a big deal, right?’

’Why am I so resistant this time, just at the thought of having to share the reward with someone else...’

Seraphina Sinclair furrowed her brow in thought, then suddenly understood.

’The Moonlight Jellyfish’s Blessing is kicking in. It seems this entry ticket will definitely lead to something good.’

That being the case, Seraphina Sinclair wanted the entry ticket even more.

She stared at their private chat window in silence for a moment, thinking about how to get her hands on that ticket.

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t rush to do anything. Instead, she closed her eyes to feel it out.

The guidance from the Moonlight Jellyfish’s Blessing was practically urgent. Whatever this entry ticket led to had to be something extremely important and extremely good.

A trace of determination flashed in Seraphina Sinclair’s eyes. Since she’d decided to get it, she would try the soft approach first, and then the hard one.

If she could buy it, she would. If not...

She’d take it by force!

Having made up her mind, Seraphina Sinclair took action.

[Blacktiger Ford]: I’m not very interested in cooperating, but I am very interested in the entry ticket you’re holding. Since it’s untradable, perhaps there’s another way to transfer it? You can name your conditions, as long as it’s within my power.

After sending the message, Seraphina Sinclair waited patiently.

She knew Rex Shaw wouldn’t give up easily, but she also believed that in the face of sufficient profit or threat, nothing was non-negotiable.

Sure enough, Rex Shaw’s reply came quickly, his tone laced with a hint of difficulty and probing.

[Rex Shaw]: Blacktiger, this... I really did have a hard time crafting this entry ticket, and it really is bound. Isn’t a win-win cooperation better? I promise I won’t hold you back. I have a few trump cards of my own.

That last sentence claimed he wouldn’t hold her back, but it was also a veiled warning to Seraphina Sinclair.

Seeing him act like this, Seraphina Sinclair became even more straightforward. A smile played on her lips as her fingertips tapped on the virtual screen.

[Blacktiger Ford]: My time is limited. Let’s be direct. What will it take for you to give up this opportunity and transfer the right to use the entry ticket to me? Black Fog Coins, weapons, or other materials—you can name your price. Or... do you need me to "persuade" you?

The private chat window fell silent for a full minute.

Seraphina Sinclair wasn’t in a hurry. She even had time to glance at the Zone channel, where people were fervently discussing "The Untold Story of Rex Shaw and Blacktiger Ford," which she found rather amusing.

Finally, Rex Shaw’s reply popped up.

[Rex Shaw]: Blacktiger, don’t you underestimate me. I’m willing to cooperate with you because I respect you. You really think I’m afraid of you? I’m a rank one player, after all. I’m not like those nobodies you’ve dealt with before. If you really piss me off, taking a pound of flesh from you won’t be a problem.

Rank one? Seraphina Sinclair typed back:

[Blacktiger Ford]: I’m the one who’s rank one in the Zone now.

Those few understated words were like a basin of ice water, instantly extinguishing the bravado Rex Shaw had mustered.

He was suddenly reminded that this person’s Evaluations were all Triple S! That was the very reason he’d taken an interest in this person in the first place and decided to seek them out for cooperation.

Rex Shaw was a little flustered. He subconsciously opened the Zone channel and took a look. After seeing all the bizarre comments, his dark face immediately flushed red with anger!

’I can’t do anything about Blacktiger Ford, but that doesn’t mean I can’t do anything about these people, right?’

Holding in a bellyful of fire, Rex Shaw switched directly to the Zone channel, his fingers typing furiously, like a storm.

[Rex Shaw]: Everyone shut the ** fuck up! Anyone who spreads rumors about me and Master Blacktiger again, don’t blame me for getting rough! Is Master Blacktiger a man or a woman? None of your damn business! If I see anyone making wild-ass guesses again, and we meet in the wild later, don’t blame me for being ruthless!

His murderous declaration instantly silenced the Zone channel for a moment.

Immediately after, a mix of sarcastic and submissive comments started popping up.

"Ooh, is Rex angry?"

"Break it up, break it up. You can’t joke with the masters."

"Rex is mighty! We were wrong!"

"So Rex really is gay..."

"You’re bold, person above."

Rex Shaw was in no mood to read any more of the toxic discussion. He took a deep breath and switched back to the private chat with Seraphina Sinclair.

Still choking on Seraphina Sinclair’s "I’m the one who’s rank one now," most of the bravado he had managed to muster had dissipated. But he was absolutely unwilling to just hand over an opportunity that had fallen into his lap.

[Rex Shaw]: Blacktiger, I know you’re powerful. But this special Zone entry ticket is just as important to me. How about this, we both take a step back. We cooperate on the exploration. For the basic rewards, it’s a seventy-thirty split, your favor. The extra treasure chests will be divided by combat contribution. If there’s only one extra chest, it’s yours. This is the most sincerity I can offer.

[Rex Shaw]: I admit you’re strong, but I, Rex Shaw, am no pushover. If things get ugly, it won’t be good for either of us.

Seraphina Sinclair looked at the message, her fingertips tapping gently on her knee.

The feeling of longing from the Moonlight Jellyfish’s Blessing grew even clearer, almost urging her to get her hands on that entry ticket immediately.