Chapter 438
Chapter 439 Arena Challenge
Lyra swung her serpent tall in surprise and circled around him.
“Even you can get defeated p>
Specter let out a bittersweet laugh. “I’m not a god p>
“But you can cheat the system,” Lyra typed.
The whole game belonged to him. Wouldn’t maintaining an unbeatable record be simple?
Specter fell quiet for a beat.
“Where’s the fun in that p>
Lyra sent another text bubble. “Who’s the top–ranked player right now p>
Specter paused to think.
“Can’t recall. I haven’t logged into this game in ages p>
“You don’t care about your own business p>
Finished
“I originally built it out of boredom, just something to pass the time,” Specter mumbled softly, looking sheepish.
Lyra stared.
“You’re way too humble. You casually made a smash–hit game with stunning visuals, tons of content, huge player numbers, and it turns a profit–and you call it a time–killer p>
Praise made heat creep across Specter’s face. He ducked his head, the corners of his mouth tugging upward.
Lyra felt a strange tickling sensation.
Glancing down, she spotted one of his tentacles slipping out from beneath his cloak, gently brushing against the tip of her tail.
A mischievous thought crossed her mind.
She curled her tail tip and coiled it tight around his tentacle, squeezing with brutal force.
Specter let out a quiet gasp.
‘Did I hurt you?” Lyra typed, feigning perfect innocence,
Specter quickly shook his head.
“Sorry, Lyra wrote. “Tin still getting used to these controls. I thought it would feel just like holding hands p>
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Chapter 439 Arena Challenge
Specter’s pulse jumped.
“It’s fine… I’m still adjusting too p>
You could hear the faint strain in his voice as he bit back pain.
Lyra smiled inwardly.
“Good. Come on, show me where the duel arena is p>
Specter nodded.
The pair wandered onward, tentacle and serpent tail still tangled together.
When they arrived, a match was already underway, with a challenger stepping onto the arena floor.
Lyra and Specter stood off to one side and watched for a while.
“Are these all consecutive survivor–style matches?” Lyra typed.
Specter nodded.
“How many rounds did you win back then p>
“Seventeen,” Specter answered.
Lyra raised an eyebrow.
“What about the player who beat you p>
“Twenty, I think,” Specter recalled.
Lyra’s lips pressed together, impressed.
Finished
No spirit animals could be summoned inside the arena; every fight depended purely on raw strength.
To take down 20 opponents in a row meant that player was far above average in every respect.
She clapped him lightly on the shoulder in consolation. “Don’t feel bad. You were already amazing p>
Specter did not know whether to laugh or sigh.
He had never cared much about the loss; he had only played for fun. Yet her sympathy made it feel as though he ought to be disappointed.
Two players clashed violently up on the platform, drawing a sizable crowd of onlookers.
Lyra typed out her curiosity. “They’re giving it their all. I wonder what the actual rewards for winning look like p>
Specter turned toward her. “Do you want to find out p>
“I’d really like to,” Lyra replied with a smile.
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Chapter 439 Arena Challenge
Finished
Specter threaded his fingers through hers, led her through the crowd, and stopped before the non–player character handling registrations.
“Sign me up p>
Lyra showed her surprise. You’re really going to compete p>
Specter grinned. “Since you want to see it, I’ll give it my best shot p>
He added quietly, “Just hope I don’t run into that same opponent from before p>
“No confidence?” Lyra teased.
“I trust my own skill,” Specter said seriously. “But there’s always someone stronger out there p>
He lowered his voice further. “Besides, if I stay logged in too long, those guys will probably discover that I secretly brought you into the game p>
“Then why sign up at all p>
“Because I want to make you happy more p>
Lyra froze for a moment, then smiled with quiet satisfaction, like a fisherman watching bait get taken.
“Go ahead and fight. If anyone gives you grief, I’ll whip them with this p>
She flicked her glittering serpent tail.
Warm softness flooded Specter’s chest, leaving him short of breath.
He stared at Lyra’s unfamiliar virtual face, his heart fluttering.
“…Alright p>
A shout boomed down from the arena platform. “Any more challengers? If not, I’m taking the championship right now p>
Lyra patted Specter’s shoulder. “Go on. Good luck p>
Specter nodded firmly. “Wait for me here p>
“Got it p>
Specter tore his gaze away and walked calmly toward the duel platform.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed text messages popping up rapidly above Lyra’s avatar.
“Good luck!
“Good luck!
“Good luck!
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Chapter 439–Arena Challenge
“Good luck p>
Messages streamed fast and thick, drawing the attention of many nearby spectators.
Everyone saw the display name attached to the spamming texts.
Specter felt warm and touched watching Lyra cheer him on from below, and his earlier resolve strengthened.
Finished
Meanwhile, aboard a patrol ship, Federation Sentinels had been searching continuously for traces of the rebel forces and trying to recover Lyra.
Nonstop searching wore down even their enhanced bodies. The unit commander ordered rotating rest shifts to let the troops recuperate.
When Harlan passed the recreation lounge, he heard noise spilling out. Instead of resting, the soldiers inside were arguing loudly, chattering about something completely unrelated to their current mission.
His expression turned cold, and he pushed the door open without knocking.
“Is that guy even any good? How does someone that bad have the nerve to get up there p>
“I’m so annoyed by that weird spammer. Those texts keep blocking my view of the fight p>
“The one named Snowfield Painter, right? Total nuisance p>
“Looks like he’s with the guy competing on stage p>
“Hilarious. No wonder a beginner account has verified premium status. Must be some shameless flirt. Who knows how many naive guys he milked before ditching his old accounts p>
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.