Chapter 299: Panic

Chapter 299: Chapter 299: Panic

Seraphina Sinclair had imagined this scene. She’d even looked forward to something like this happening.

’But isn’t this happening a little too fast?!’

’In such a short time, could Artemis really be sure that Seaview was the one behind it all?’

But the system announcement in the regional channel couldn’t be fake, and neither could the Arena Challenge. It was true: only one of them, Artemis or Seaview, would make it out alive.

Seraphina Sinclair blinked, still feeling the pace was a bit too fast.

But since Artemis had already made her move, all Seraphina had to do was watch how things unfolded.

In any case, she wasn’t the one getting her hands dirty.

Some rejoice while others worry. While Seraphina Sinclair was enjoying the show from the sidelines, Zane Pierce was on pins and needles.

He stared intently at the cold, brief announcement in the regional channel, a cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

’What is going on?’

’How could something like this happen?!’

’Wasn’t Blacktiger Ford supposed to use the Arena Challenge on Artemis or Cloudmute?!’

’At worst, no one should have used it at all! How could this be?’

Zane Pierce read the two IDs in the announcement over and over. After confirming it really was Artemis and Seaview, he took a deep breath, suppressing the tremor in his heart and trying to calm himself.

’What does this outcome mean?’

’It means I’ve failed!’

’A complete and utter failure!’

He hadn’t accomplished a single thing Seaview had asked of him.

Now, Artemis and Seaview were both in the arena. And after the duel ended...

Zane Pierce sucked in a sharp breath. No matter who came out alive, he was screwed.

He had a trade contract with Seaview. Back then, thinking it was a sure thing, he had demanded a hefty reward.

In response, Seaview, who was no pushover, saw his outrageous demands and refused, wanting to find someone else.

Zane Pierce had to apologize profusely and swear on his life. Seaview didn’t argue; he just wrote it all into the trade contract.

Zane Pierce was stunned when he saw the contract, but he had said those words himself. He couldn’t even think of not signing, let alone denying it.

On one side was the trade contract he had to fulfill. On the other was Artemis...

Several drops of cold sweat trickled down Zane Pierce’s forehead. He had plotted against her with Seaview!

’Now Artemis is dealing with Seaview. Once she’s free, won’t I be next?!’

’And... if that day comes, it means Artemis is even stronger than Seaview.’

The reason Zane Pierce had tolerated those terms being written into the contract was, fundamentally, because he lacked the confidence to face Seaview directly. He couldn’t even match Seaview, let alone an Artemis who could kill him.

Zane Pierce shot to his feet and paced anxiously inside his mobile cabin. Perhaps he was just grasping at straws, or perhaps he truly had no other ideas, but he actually went back to Seraphina Sinclair.

[Zane Pierce]: Master! Master, help me! Something’s happened! Something huge!

The moment the private message popped up, Seraphina Sinclair knew things had gone just right.

As for why Zane Pierce was contacting her, she was crystal clear on that.

She looked at the frantic, rambling plea for help on the screen, the corner of her mouth curling into a faint, distinctly cold smile.

All his previous scheming, his inducements, even his urgent attempts to force her hand—it had all melted away into this picture of utter, day-destroying dread.

Seraphina Sinclair didn’t reply immediately. She rested her chin in her hands, staring at the message for a long while, as if admiring her opponent’s ugly, death-throes struggle.

A full half-minute passed. Just when Zane Pierce probably thought she was ignoring him, or was about to go mad with anxiety, Seraphina Sinclair leisurely replied with a single word:

[Blacktiger Ford]: Oh?

A single word, delivered so casually, was like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing Zane Pierce’s panicked urge to vent, leaving only a bone-chilling cold and immense pressure.

He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He forced himself to calm down. ’I have no way out!’

With that thought, the storm of emotions in his mind calmed considerably, but his fingers still trembled slightly as he typed:

[Zane Pierce]: Master... you saw it, right? The regional channel... Artemis used the Arena Challenge on Seaview! This... this is completely different from what I told you! Seaview is the leader of that group! I was tricked by him! He wanted to use you to get rid of Artemis and Cloudmute, then take all the benefits for himself, or maybe pin the blame on you! I was deceived by him too!

Zane Pierce’s typing grew smoother as he unhesitatingly absolved himself of all blame, pushing all responsibility and conspiracy onto Seaview, who was currently fighting for his life in the arena.

His words were earnest, filled with the regret of a man who had seen the light and the anger of being used.

Seraphina Sinclair could almost picture his performance now—blubbering while pointing to the heavens and swearing oaths.

Her eyes were icy as she typed another short reply:

[Blacktiger Ford]: So?

Zane Pierce was about to break down from her cold attitude.

"So?!"

He repeated Seraphina Sinclair’s word, growling at the empty air.

But in the chat box, he didn’t show the slightest disrespect.

Besides, this was his last lifeline. Humiliating as it was, he could only grit his teeth and send an even more humble and earnest plea:

[Zane Pierce]: Master! I know I was out of my mind before, believing Seaview’s lies, and I almost... almost dragged you into it! I was wrong! I truly know I was wrong! But you’re the only one who can save me now! No matter who wins the duel, I’m finished! If Seaview wins, I can’t bear the penalty of the trade contract! If Artemis wins... she knows I plotted against her, she definitely won’t let me go!

He paused, then, as if making a great resolution, threw out his final bargaining chip:

[Zane Pierce]: Master, as long as you’re willing to protect me, or... or just show me a way to survive! I’m willing to give you all the supplies I have! We can sign a trade contract, with the system as a witness. Master, if I die, you get nothing, but if I live, all my supplies will be yours! Don’t you want them?

As for other people’s supplies, Seraphina Sinclair didn’t really have that strong of a desire for them.

Her own assets had already reached a level that many survivors couldn’t achieve in a lifetime. Given this, it was hard for Seraphina Sinclair to feel any strong emotions about someone else’s supplies.

Unless...

[Blacktiger Ford]: Do you have an Unsealing Hammer?

Other than that item, nothing else could truly tempt her.

When Zane Pierce saw the three words "Unsealing Hammer," his finger twitched violently, and his heart nearly skipped a beat.

He did have one.

It was also his only B-level item, one he had treasured immensely.

Plus, since he had never quite figured out how to use it, he had kept it safe.

Countless thoughts flashed through Zane Pierce’s mind. ’Is this a blessing or a curse? If I give it to her, will she really protect me? If I don’t... do I have any other choice right now?’