Chapter 827: You Would Lose [GT Ranking Bonus Chapter]
As Asher was done pouring the wine, Arianna took the glass and drank it in one gulp without a care. She seemed to have missed the taste of something so exquisite. Asher didn’t mind; he simply poured her another. He had tens of bottles within his system inventory.
"You know, for someone who was cautious, you sure are drinking my wine without hesitation," Asher began to speak again. "Aren’t you afraid that I might have poisoned the drink and the food while I have already taken the antidote?" he asked, genuinely curious about her change in attitude.
Arianna smiled for a moment, then replied, "If it was poisoned, I would have known from the beginning when I touched the glass, and besides, I’m immune to all poisons or poisonous substances in existence," her tone calm.
Asher arched an eyebrow, impressed by the ability. After all, no matter how overpowered his physique was, it didn’t make someone immune to poison. It could only slow it down. And besides, Arianna didn’t say she was resistant to some, but immune to all poisons in existence... definitely an overpowered ability.
"Well, that’s some overpowered ability you’ve got there, but are you sure that is something you want to announce to the world? It would have been better to keep that hidden," Asher spoke calmly as he began to eat.
Arianna shook her head as she replied, "Anyone who had to resort to poison instead of fighting me head-on was definitely not strong enough to defeat me," her tone flat and devoid of arrogance or hubris, as though she was merely stating a random world fact.
Asher nodded and said nothing else. The both of them simply ate with noble etiquette as the world watched the two most talented and most attractive people simply eat in silence.
The last four hours of the competition seemed to turn into a slice of life at this moment as the spectators no longer watched any action but simply the rank one and rank two sit together and talk and dine as though they weren’t opponents.
Within a few minutes, both of them were done eating.
"Although I know I could have eaten these within the next four to five hours, it was still better having them now. So, thanks for the meal," Arianna spoke as she leaned into her seat.
She hadn’t exactly found any proper food in the past four days; she was just surviving on fruits. But she wasn’t exactly hungry as she hadn’t encountered any being that forced her to go all out.
"I’m glad you loved it. My personal maid, Lyra, made them," Asher replied, giving credit to who deserved it.
Arianna nodded her head. She was quite the chef herself. Although she wasn’t on this level yet, she was getting there. After all, Lyra had over two decades of experience.
"If I may ask, how did you acquire such a number of points in one go?" Arianna asked as she simply couldn’t hold back her curiosity.
Asher waved his hand, and the plates vanished, leaving only the wine.
"From a Special Negative Zone," Asher began to speak.
"Special Negative Zone?" Arianna replied as she arched an eyebrow in confusion.
Asher nodded, then explained to Arianna how he had found the Shallow, the announcement, and the hidden reward.
"Sigh... I envy you," Arianna couldn’t help but murmur.
Asher couldn’t help but chuckle and ask, "By your tone, I’m guessing you didn’t find the Special Positive Zone," his question rhetorical.
"I’m not even sure one exists, as it may be exclusive to the Negative Zone," Arianna replied. "And if it did, surely no one found it, as it would have given even more insane rewards than the Special Negative Zone," her tone calm as she analyzed the possibility.
Asher nodded and said nothing. After all, if someone had found the Special Positive Zone, it would have been trending online.
"So, you use the rapier," Arianna spoke, her eyes shifting toward the sword on Asher’s waist.
At her words, Virelass unsheathed herself and rose into the air with a low, vibrant hum.
"I do," Asher replied, his eyes shifting toward the swords hanging on both sides of Arianna’s waist.
"Although I’ve heard men hardly use the rapier as it’s regarded as a girly weapon," Arianna added with a light smile.
Asher couldn’t help but sigh as he replied, "It’s a soul-bound weapon, I’m stuck with it." He paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides, I wouldn’t trade it for the so-called manly weapons."
After all, Virelass could heal, teleport, and store Astra Energy. Those three things were something anyone would trade a limb for.
The both of them continued to discuss various topics as the hours counted down, both of them growing familiar with each other’s presence ever so slowly. Although this was only their second meeting, surprisingly, they had plenty to talk about as the hours passed.
Asher was tempted to ask Arianna about their fathers’ friendship; he was simply too curious... but alas, he couldn’t. The whole world was listening at this moment, so they had to be careful about the topics they chose to discuss.
"It seems only thirty minutes are left on the clock," Asher spoke as he gazed at the timer on his bracelet.
"It was nice to finally have somewhere to relax for a bit. Although I can survive and sleep in the forest or on any battlefield, it doesn’t mean I would choose that over the comfort of a bed," Arianna spoke as she gazed at her own bracelet.
"Can’t deny that," Asher replied as he rose to his feet.
Arianna mirrored his motion.
Asher simply arranged the bed and a few things before both of them stepped out of the tent.
Although they weren’t told how they would be brought back to the Coliseum, Asher and Arianna could already guess that when the timer hit zero, they would be automatically teleported through their bracelets.
Asher waved his hand, and the luxury tent vanished back into his system inventory. With that done, both of them began to walk forward with calm steps through the night as they watched the trees sway gently beneath the moonlight.
"Thank you for hosting me," Arianna spoke. After all, she had gotten food, water, and drinks for free.
"Well, I guess I should say thanks for being a good acquaintance," Asher replied with a smile. "It was nice talking to someone after two days," he added.
The timer continued to count down until it came to the last five minutes. Both of them had already come to a halt at this moment.
"Although I don’t know what the next round will be, I look forward to having a battle with you," Arianna stated as her amber-gold eyes left the moon and shifted toward Asher.
Asher smiled and replied with a shake of his head, "I would advise against that," his tone calm.
"Hoo!!! Why?" Arianna asked.
Asher stayed silent for a moment, then replied, "You would lose."
Arianna stayed silent for a moment before replying, "That would be a first, then." She shifted her gaze away, breaking eye contact with Asher.
The next moment, their bracelets beeped as a five-second countdown began.
"I wonder if our next meeting will be as gentle as this, or maybe as teammates... or as enemies," Arianna stated sweetly with a smile.
"I look forward to any of those scenarios," Asher replied.
The moment those words left his lips, an unknown white light flashed and swallowed both of them whole, leaving the forest in silence as the gentle atmosphere that had lingered between them remained for a fleeting moment before dissipating in their absence.
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AUTHOR’S NOTE: And with this, the first round finally comes to an end.
Also, as a pure action reader and author, romance isn’t really my strong suit, so I would need your evaluation based on the last two Chapters. I tried not to force things like having Arianna have a bath in Asher’s tent, as he is still just a random acquaintance at the moment.
If there are any areas where I lacked in these sort of romance Chapters, correct me. This Greedy and Shameless Author is always ready to learn.
Also, need your Golden Tickets, the other guy behind us is closing in fast.
