Out of the Shadows: Tilda’s Brilliant Second Life
Chapter 356 Pick Any Game
“Tilda, you’ve gone way too far. Do you even know how much Santiago put into that game design software? He poured his heart into it! This bet isn’t fair! Santiago, you don’t have to go through with this!”
Harry jumped in, trying to talk some sense into Santiago. Most people wouldn’t understand, but Harry did. He’d seen how much Santiago had sacrificed for that software.
“I accept!” Santiago said without hesitation.
Harry nearly lost it. “Santiago, are you insane?! You’re seriously agreeing to this crazy bet?”
“As long as I win, nothing else matters,” Santiago said confidently.
When it came to gaming, he was untouchable. He’d played every game in The Eighteenth Hell, studying them inside and out. That was his territory! Even if Tilda could beat Harry, there was no way she could take Santiago down. He was certain of that.
“You… Ugh!” Harry let out a long, helpless sigh. Honestly, he couldn’t predict the outcome between Santiago and Tilda. But deep down, he felt Santiago had the edge. Santiago’s gaming instincts and skills were just on another level–right up there with Tilda’s.
Santiago had one more advantage. He was the one who brought Harry to The Eighteenth Hell first. He’d already mastered every game here before Tilda even started. In terms of experience and raw talent, he definitely had her beat. Yet Harry couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling gnawing at him. He had no idea where that feeling came from.
Tilda clapped twice. “I gotta admit you’ve got guts. Fine, I’ll waste a little of my precious time and play with you, mutt.”
Santiago gritted his teeth. “Can you watch your damn mouth?”
“Sorry, that’s just how I talk. Want me to be nicer? Beat me first. In the game or in a fight, if you win, I’ll even get down on my knees and beg for mercy. But… do you truly have what it takes?”
Tilda shot him a look full of contempt, dripping with arrogance. Everyone around swallowed hard. Now that was what they called arrogant. Back then, they thought their actions were flashy, arrogant, and impressive. But compared to Tilda’s trash talk, they realized what they did before was just downright lame! Now that was pure trash talk, full–on teasing, and top–level provocation! Nobody could stand that kind of humiliation.
“Fight! Fight! Fight!”
The crowd cheered, hyped up, and egged them on. How could they not when it was so entertaining? Or they would lose the fun!
“In fighting, maybe you beat Howard. Fine, I’ll give you that. But in gaming? I’ve never lost! Pick any game here, and I’ll take you on!”
“Oh, you look so confident. Fine. Let’s play a live–action fighting game. This is the game I used to beat your precious apprentice. As his mentor, isn’t this the perfect chance to reclaim some pride?”
“Fine! Let’s settle it with this game!”
Harry’s heart skipped a beat. Santiago was fired up and impossible to talk down. All Harry could do was pray for him. If it were any other game, Santiago would surely win. But the live–action fighting game was the one Harry had lost to Tilda before. Tilda’s skills were insane. She was at least platinum level. She knew the game so well that it was like her second nature. Santiago also knew the game well, but that didn’t give him much advantage.
He’d already given up too much ground. Even if he was confident, losing now would be humiliating and awkward.
When Santiago and Tilda sat down at the arcade machine, the crowd quickly formed a circle around them. They kept a respectful distance, not wanting to distract the players. After all, a tense match like that needed full focus to be exciting.
Before the game started, Santiago said coldly, “You’ve told me what you want if you win. Now it’s time to discuss what happens if you lose.”
“Go ahead,” Tilda replied, short and casual.
She looked completely at ease, like the outcome didn’t matter at all. Seeing her so calm, Santiago felt a sharp sting in his chest, like a thorn had been driven right in.