“He knows,” Silk spoke, her voice carrying a hint of certainty.
“What?” Bolge asked, his confusion evident.
“Anon has been aware from the beginning of the race that the girl from the witch house is using a stacking spell. He’s been counting down the seconds, waiting for her to reach thirteen stacks. That’s when he plans to make his move,” Silk explained, her words laced with intrigue.
“What exactly does he plan on doing?” Bolge inquired.
“I cannot say,” Silk replied cryptically.
“Hmm, perhaps he intends to eliminate her?” Bolge suggested.
“No, if he were to do that, he would become a target for every bounty hunter in the black market. It’s something else, but what exactly?” Silk pondered, her gaze fixed on the live telecast.
[Skill <Stamina Boost> will go on cooldown in 30 seconds.]
“Cease the skill,” Anon commanded.
In an instant, the crimson flames enveloping Anon’s body dissipated, causing him to gradually slow down.
“Ladies and gentlemen, as you can see, Anon has once again come to a halt. Is he out of stamina, or is he simply taunting Samantha at this point?” Seraphina inquired.
[Skill <Stamina Boost> will be available again in 4 minutes and 59 seconds.]
Upon seeing this notification, Anon stopped and promptly sat down on the ground.
“Look, Seraphina, Anon has halted his run and taken a seat on the ground. Samantha’s speed continues to increase with each passing second, and it seems she has surpassed Anon’s running speed. Could she win this round?” Landon speculated.
“I cannot say, Landon. Anything can happen in this race, but I believe Samantha has a higher chance of emerging victorious,” Seraphina responded. .𝒄𝒐𝒎
Suddenly, Samantha appeared, sprinting from the same direction Anon had come from earlier, her speed astonishingly fast.
“Oh, your sister has arrived,” Frank remarked, pointing at the screen.
“I am aware. Now that commoner will suffer; my sister will crush him,” Jake gloated, his laughter tinged with malice.
‘Hmm, I still find it hard to believe that a girl like her, with a face like a dishwasher, can defeat someone like Anon.’ Frank thought to himself as he observed the screen.
“Come on, girl. Defeat that piece of shit. Once I win this bet, I’ll receive a precious Blank Mana Contract. I’ll make this bitch’s life a living hell once I obtain that contract,” Seti chuckled, her gaze fixed on the screen.
Dragon House of Flames…
“He stopped, just as you predicted,” Bolge remarked.
“Yet something feels amiss. The witch girl is closing in, yet his expression grows more confident by the moment. What are you planning, Anon?” Silk murmured, her mind racing with possibilities.
“Hmm, I believe he has accepted his defeat,” Bolge stated, wearing an air of confidence.
“No, that look on his face doesn’t belong to someone who has accepted defeat. It’s as if he’s playing chess, but he’s playing it from both sides. That smile on his face suggests that something is about to happen, but what?” Silk wondered, her features tense with anticipation.
Samantha raced toward Anon with incredible speed, and he simply waited for her.
“How are you?” Anon shouted.
“Did he just ask me ‘How are you?'” Samantha wondered, trying to make sense of Anon’s strategy.
“What is he doing?” Jake pondered, his eyes fixed on the screen.
“Seraphina, did you witness Anon asking Samantha how she is?” Landon asked.
“I did, but I cannot fathom why he would do such a thing,” Seraphina replied, her attention focused on the screen.
As Samantha passed by Anon, she defiantly showed him her middle finger and retorted, “Fuck off, loser. That’s how I am,” leaving Anon behind.
Zzzzz….Click
Suddenly, something occurred that left everyone utterly surprised.
A wave of purple energy emanated from Samantha’s body, instantly purging all her shadow stacks and removing the black hie from her body.
Her speed returned to normal.
“Huh…? What the fuck?” Samantha exclaimed, scanning her body in bewilderment.
“Something amiss, darling?” Anon asked, rising to his feet.
Samantha fixed her gaze on Anon and interrogated him, her anger apparent. “What did you do?”
“Me? I did nothing. I’m just here resting,” Anon replied with a feigned smile, his face innocent.
“Don’t toy with me! Just tell me, what did you do to me?” Samantha demanded, her voice escalating.
Dragon House of Flames…
“Hahahahaha! That was a brilliant move,” Silk burst into laughter.
Bolge looked at Silk, perplexed, as he asked, “What just happened? I don’t understand.”
“He used a purging skill. Anon purged every single stack from the witch girl, instantly reverting her speed back to normal. Now it all makes sense. He waited for her to accumulate a specific number of stacks before purging them.
They thought they were the masters of the game and he was playing, but it turns out Anon was the true master all along. Incredible,” Silk explained, unraveling the events.
“But aren’t purge skills incredibly rare to come by?” Bolge inquired.
“Indeed, purge skills are exceedingly hard to find. That’s why purgers are highly valued members of raiding parties. Yet, he used such a skill effortlessly, signifying his exceptional abilities. This proves it that he needs no help with his skills.” Silk remarked.
“So, will you marry him now?” Bolge joked.
“I wish to observe him further before making a decision,” Silk responded.
“Of course, take your time. I’ll wait for your answer until tomorrow at noon,” Bolge declared.
“Why tomorrow at noon?” Silk questioned, her expression filled with confusion.
“We must propose the marriage before any other house does,” Bolge clarified.
“What are the other houses offering?” Silk inquired.
“The leader of the Martial House offered their daughter because Anon saved her life. Witnessing this, the House of Justice also presented their less-than-impressive daughter for the marriage proposal. The House of Witch, always envious of the House of Justice, hastily put forth this Samantha girl up for the purposal. I thought if the lad is so remarkable, why not wed you to him?” Bolge explained.
“What about the House of Alchemist?” Silk asked.
“They have yet to make any moves.” Bolge spoke.