Chapter 249: See You in the Arena

Chapter 249: Chapter 249: See You in the Arena

Rex Shaw’s proposal was already a concession, but she was still unwilling to share.

It was a feeling, like an instinct to reject anyone who might take away a piece of this "opportunity."

She grew more and more curious about the ticket’s Description. What was it that made even Rex Shaw so reluctant to let it go?

Seraphina Sinclair chose not to humor him:

[Blacktiger Ford]: I refuse your proposal. I have no interest in cooperating, only in this entry ticket. I’ll ask one last time: what are your terms for a trade?

Shortly after she sent the message, Seraphina saw him spewing even more frantic insults in the Zone channel. He was clearly furious with her.

Seraphina shrugged. She was a little annoyed by his bad habit of airing everything out in the Zone channel.

But ultimately, it didn’t have much to do with her, so she couldn’t be bothered to say anything more.

After waiting patiently for a bit, Rex Shaw’s reply arrived.

It wasn’t the submission Seraphina had been hoping for, just more boring threats.

[Rex Shaw]: I think I’ve already been very generous. If you’re going to keep pushing your luck like this, then there’s no need for us to talk.

’How strange.’

’When did this guy ever try to talk things out with me?’

Seraphina only wanted to buy the entry ticket, while he only wanted her as free muscle.

With both of them stubbornly sticking to their guns, a deal was naturally impossible.

Not only did Seraphina clearly recognize this, but she also realized he wasn’t being honest at all.

Rex Shaw kept talking about how they would share the rewards, but he wouldn’t even send over the ticket’s detailed rules, nor did he mention a single risk beforehand.

’It’s... really hard to trust him.’

Seraphina frowned slightly, retrieving the arena proof she had gotten from the bystander, Zeke, from her Silver Moon Earrings.

Rex Shaw had been right about one thing. Killing people was indeed the fastest way to get supplies.

And seeing how arrogantly he acted in the Zone channel, if she took him out, it would be like doing a public service.

Seraphina gave him one last warning:

[Blacktiger Ford]: I’m giving you one last choice. Give me the entry ticket, and I’m willing to trade you supplies for it. Otherwise, let’s settle this in the arena.

The reply came with exceptional speed:

[Rex Shaw]: The arena? You dare challenge me to the arena?!!

[Rex Shaw]: Blacktiger Ford, are you insane?! Let me say it again, I’m not like that trash you killed in the arena before! I’m Rex Shaw, number one in our Zone!

[Rex Shaw]: I just wanted to make a deal with you. Even if the deal falls through, we can still be civil. You can’t just attack me because I don’t want to sell the entry ticket, can you? We’re all in the same group chat. If I post about this, do you think you’ll be able to get by in this circle anymore?!

’Still with the threats.’

’But he was right about one thing.’

Of course, Seraphina wouldn’t attack him just because he didn’t want to sell the ticket. What truly made up her mind were his repeated threats and the malice she faintly sensed he was hiding.

Rex Shaw might not have known the ticket’s true value, nor what it could bring.

His goal had been the same from the very beginning: to team up with Blacktiger Ford.

As for why he wanted to team up...

’For the rewards? Seraphina didn’t buy that excuse for a second.’

If it were for the rewards, he wouldn’t be willing to just hand them all over. Since she didn’t want to cooperate, Rex Shaw could just as easily find someone else in the group.

They were all strong players, so why was Rex Shaw so fixated on her?

Unless... he was after something only Seraphina possessed—runes, weapons...

’Whatever it is, he dares to covet my things, so he deserves to die!’

Watching Rex Shaw’s consecutive messages, the last trace of hesitation in Seraphina’s eyes vanished.

He seemed furious, yet his words were still an attempt to blackmail her with public opinion and the so-called "circle." There was even a faint arrogance, a sense of ’I’m doing you a favor by asking you to cooperate, so don’t be ungrateful.’

[Blacktiger Ford]: Circle? Civility? You think I care? You’ve threatened me time and again. Do you really think I don’t have a temper?

[Blacktiger Ford]: Enough bullshit. See you in the arena.

Seraphina used the arena proof without hesitation. Once she entered the name, the announcement board next to the Zone channel immediately refreshed with the news.

The blood-red announcement was like a thunderclap, instantly throwing the entire Zone channel into an uproar.

"Who and who?! Master Blacktiger is playing for keeps!"

"My god! It’s only the first day in the new Zone, and one of the top players is going to die?"

"What on earth did Rex Shaw do to provoke Master Blacktiger?"

"I’ve been sick of Rex Shaw for ages! Master Blacktiger is taking out the trash for us!"

"Place your bets, place your bets! Bet on Master Blacktiger on the left, bet on Rex on the right!"

The channel was in chaos. There was shock, excitement, speculation, and even troublemakers eager to watch the world burn starting to place bets.

Chrona’s small group chat also exploded.

"What’s going on? Why are they fighting?"

"Didn’t someone just say Rex was gay? Did he confess his love and get rejected?"

"Is love and romance all you guys think about? I said earlier that Rex Shaw was acting weird, like he was up to no good, but a bunch of you ganged up on me, saying I was just a bitter single person who can’t stand to see a happy couple."

"And now you dare to say it in the group chat?"

"Heh~ One of them is definitely going to die, Rex Shaw or Master Blacktiger. Guess which one I think will survive."

Did that even need guessing?

One he called by their full name, the other he addressed as "Master."

It was way too obvious.

The group was buzzing with chatter, but no one refuted him.

They could tell how formidable Blacktiger Ford’s strength was just from the ratings. In their eyes, the outcome of this arena match was all but certain. The only uncertainty was the reason these two were suddenly trying to kill each other.

"We’ll know when Master Blacktiger comes out, won’t we?"

[Frostleaf]: Master Blacktiger isn’t the bloodthirsty type. His motto has always been ’I won’t attack unless attacked.’

[Artemis]: Let’s wait patiently. When Blacktiger comes out, we’ll find out what dirty tricks Rex Shaw was planning.

[Chrona]: Sigh, another one bites the dust~

...

「Meanwhile」

The user of the arena proof and the one it was used on entered the stage in succession.

The scene before Seraphina Sinclair’s eyes blurred, and she found herself on the familiar white arena stage.

Across from her, Rex Shaw’s figure solidified at the same time. His face was so dark it looked like it could drip water, and his fierce gaze was locked onto Seraphina.

"Blacktiger Ford!" Rex Shaw gritted out. "You... you actually dared to use an arena proof on me!"

But more than anger, his words were clearly filled with terror.

But since things had come to this, all he could do was adopt an air of desperate, do-or-die courage. Gripping an axe with both hands, he roared, "I gave you a chance! You’re the one who came looking for death!"

Seraphina couldn’t be bothered to trade barbs with him. A long blade slid silently into her hand, and the cold touch of the hilt calmed her mind.

She just looked at Rex Shaw calmly, her gaze like she was observing a lunatic in the middle of a fit.