With less than a minute remaining, including overtime, a two-goal lead made a comeback impossible for the opposing team.
The three selected players had lost their will to fight and no longer had the desire to continue the match. After restarting the game, they kicked the ball past midfield and showed no intention of continuing.
And then...
Time expired!
Bai Ye and Jin Sha high-fived, smiling.
It was done!
A white light enveloped everyone for about thirty seconds before gradually dissipating. Bai Ye and Jin Sha found themselves back in the lobby of the Honor Arena.
"Iron Slime," Jin Sha stated to the counter attendant, firmly requesting the Iron Slime as a reward. She then turned to Bai Ye, "Haven't you decided yet?"
Bai Ye scratched his head. He didn't want the Floating Beast or the Gem Body. The former was for beast taming, and he felt his Gengar and Goodra were sufficient; he wasn't a pure beast tamer. The Gem Body was troublesome to collect, and while a gem offering one effect per gem meant versatility, it lacked distinctiveness. Versatility was a positive trait, but it could also signify mediocrity.
Bai Ye desired the power of the stars and the Demon-Breaking Red Rose.
He had witnessed the power of the stars in his previous life. As for the Demon-Breaking Red Rose, he aimed for easier collection. While a red-quality weapon had less potential than others, it greatly boosted immediate combat effectiveness.
"I want an Iron Slime too!"
After a moment of deliberation, Bai Ye ultimately made the same choice as Jin Sha.
Jin Sha chuckled, "I thought you would choose something you were familiar with."
"That was my initial thought," Bai Ye shrugged. "But the power of the stars requires growth, and the Iron Slime needs to devour. Both are investments in the future. Since that's the case, I want to experience the unknown. Sometimes, the unknown is also a source of enjoyment."
Jin Sha smiled, "That makes sense!"
Soon, the attendant handed them two transparent glass boxes.
Bai Ye held up his glass box, looking at a mass of black, muddy substance within. More accurately, it resembled a paste that continually wriggled.
Iron Slime (Item) (White): A rare mutant slime capable of devouring any object, integrating its characteristics, and transforming to use them. Effect: Devour (As it continuously devours, the Iron Slime's magic will strengthen, thus increasing its quality).
Bai Ye glanced at the Iron Slime's effect displayed on the light screen and prepared to open the glass box, "Let's see how this little guy works."
But at that moment...
Jin Sha nudged Bai Ye with her elbow and gestured forward with her chin.
Bai Ye looked up and saw the three selected players they had faced in the death soccer match.
Yes, three of them...
The one Bai Ye had tackled was still receiving medical attention.
The Honor Arena's protection mechanism only prevented fatalities, not injuries.
The three approached Bai Ye. One of them gritted his teeth and said, "Kid, don't you have anything to say?"
Bai Ye smiled, "What should I say?"
One of the selected players retorted coldly, "Using such despicable and shameless tactics..."
Bai Ye interrupted him directly, "Did I commit a foul? If I had, I would have been disqualified. Since I wasn't, everything I did was permissible, correct?"
The three were rendered speechless. His words were indeed irrefutable.
"Enough of this pointless talk," one of the selected players pointed at Bai Ye, "A one-on-one duel, dare you?"
Bai Ye thought for a moment, then smiled and shook his head, "I dare not."
"You..."
The three were instantly dumbfounded. Even if he refused, why so abruptly?
And he stated his refusal with such righteous conviction?
"Forget it!" another selected player sneered, "He's a coward. There's no point in dwelling on this. Besides, why bother with a coward?"
The other two nodded and let out cold laughter.
The selected player who had wanted a one-on-one duel pointed at Bai Ye and said, "Remember not to cross my path again. Let's go!"
After speaking, the three turned and walked towards the exit of the Honor Arena.
Watching them leave, Jin Sha looked at Bai Ye, "That doesn't seem like your style."
Bai Ye looked at Jin Sha, "What is my style?"
Jin Sha replied, "I thought, given your temperament, you would definitely not refuse a duel."
"It seems you don't understand me at all," Bai Ye smiled. "Am I that kind of person? I am so gentle, friendly, benevolent, and peace-loving."
Jin Sha looked him up and down, finding it hard to believe.
Bai Ye chuckled, "Anyway, the matter is settled, and I should be going."
"Alright, see you later." Jin Sha high-fived Bai Ye and watched him leave. Suddenly, she remembered something and called out to Bai Ye, "You have an invitation ticket, you can teleport back directly..."
Unfortunately, Jin Sha called out too late.
Bai Ye had already walked out of the Honor Arena's main gate.
...
Beast Taming Area, Pallet Town.
Pallet Town was the location of the Honor Arena and a neutral zone. Leaving Pallet Town led into the Beast Taming Area.
The three selected players left the Honor Arena and immediately exited Pallet Town.
Their target was the Safari Zone in Celadon City.
There were still two days left until the death soccer match officially concluded. Obtaining another ticket within two days was clearly not an easy task.
However, given the circumstances, the three decided to try their best regardless of the outcome.
"It's all that damn guy's fault," one of the selected players cursed bitterly. "If he hadn't used underhanded tactics, we wouldn't have lost."
Another selected player sighed, "Forget it, stop cursing. It's useless. What we can do now is hurry to the Safari Zone and complete the mission to get three tickets. Time is tight, but that zone has been thoroughly explored. With effort, it's possible to complete the Safari Zone mission within a day."
"That's all we can do!"
The previous selected player agreed, but still seemed resentful. He cursed Bai Ye again in frustration to vent his anger.
Then...
*Bang!*
A gunshot suddenly rang out, followed by a spray of blood from the selected player's head. His eyes widened, then gradually glazed over as his consciousness faded. His body swayed and he eventually fell forward.
Blood stained the surrounding grass a deep crimson.
A faint scent of blood wafted through the air, slightly pungent.
...