C13 CHAPTER13

Gaining access to a level-2 pill supply channel was a definite boost to his income, and Sam was elated. Yet, a question lingered in his mind: "Could he now purchase Experience Pills directly... or would there be other types of pills available?"

With only 1,000 reputation points to his name, Sam pondered the feasibility of amassing another 99,000 in just three days. The task seemed daunting, and the stakes were high this time; failure could mean losing a supply channel and waiting an entire year to advance.

"In the next three days, I need to stock up as much as possible, just in case. I've also got to come up with a marketing strategy, but how?" he mused.

While Sam was wrapped up in his mission, another individual was on a quest of his own.

In the Central Area, at the Battle Pet Club, Blake was on a mission to reclaim his pride and the properties he'd lost in a bet to one of the affluent youths from a rival family. His father's words echoed in his memory: "You must start earning the respect befitting your status."

As Blake strode through the club, snickers and sneers from the nouveau riche trailed him. "There's Blake. Can't believe he's got the nerve to show his face after that embarrassment," one whispered.

"Do you think he's here to grovel to Tod for his deeds back?" another speculated.

Under the weight of their curious stares, Blake approached Tod with an amiable grin. "Hi Tod, I'd like to—"

"I'm sorry, Blake. I'd love to give back the deeds you lost, but my family really needs them," Tod interjected, seizing the chance to twist the knife of Blake's defeat.

Despite their animosity and underlying resentment, these wealthy young men were adept at maintaining a veneer of civility, even when seething with hostility beneath the surface.

"Ha! Sorry, Tod, but you're mistaken. I let you win those two stores, understanding the plight of a family teetering on bankruptcy," Blake retorted with a chuckle.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Tod snapped back, his tone turning grave.

"I'm not here to reclaim anything. On the contrary, I've acquired 20 new properties, and I'm ready to wager..." Blake revealed, producing a stack of documents from his coat. "However, I doubt your family is in a position to accept such a gamble. So, I'm here to find out if you know anyone who can match my level?"

After a brief hush, with fingers now pointing his way, Tod couldn't help but chuckle.

"Come on, you know my battle pet outclasses yours. Competing with you is just dull."

"Sure, your magic thunder beast trumps my black beast, but let's not pretend you're brave enough to take my bet," Blake taunted, casually waving the title deeds like a fan.

"Tod, take the bet. If you win those properties for your family, your father's rewards will be even more generous this time," someone murmured into his ear.

"It's a real shame the wager's with you, Tod. Otherwise, I'd have already called forth my beast to snatch up this tempting prize," another onlooker jeered.

Despite knowing his beast would never lose to Blake's, Tod felt an inexplicable urge to walk away... Yet for a young man of his standing, pride and reputation were everything.

"It seems a fool steps out onto the street every day, and the Vaughn family must leave their doors wide open," Tod sneered.

Once they had drawn up and signed a contract for the twenty properties, the challenge was official.

Blake was confident that, with the store's new boss in play, he'd reclaim not just the few properties he'd lost but gain a hefty bonus to boot.

"Magic thunder beast, go ahead and school that pathetic black beast. Feel free to have it for lunch..." Tod's smile was smug as his nine-starred, magnificent beast materialized in the arena.

While the crowd marveled at Tod's battle pet, Blake simply nodded in appreciation.

"Snow leopard, time to make friends," he said, placing a tiny cat in the arena.

The small feline, roused from slumber, looked around with wide-eyed wonder.

Laughter erupted around them.

"Has Blake lost his mind, bringing a stray cat into the arena?"

"This is your grand plan? A stray cat? I was almost fooled into thinking you had a real gift for me," Tod mocked.

But then, with a thunderous "Roar!" the snow leopard swelled to its true, majestic size, its roar silencing the crowd.

"A beast that can alter its size is no ordinary creature."

Realization dawned on everyone that Blake had laid a cunning trap, and they turned to Tod with looks of sympathy.

"Don't be scared, magic thunder beast, attack!" Tod's voice was frantic as he watched his trembling creature attempt to take cover.

The snow leopard's presence had not only hushed the crowd but also asserted its dominance over the magic thunder beast.

"If you don't attack, I'll kill you to feed the others!" Tod's face was flushed with anger as he bellowed the threat.

The Forde family was no match for the Vaughns, and Tod knew the bet would likely lead to severe consequences from his own kin.

"Roar!"

With a second roar, the magic thunder beast made its decision to attack—but, shockingly, it lunged at Tod instead.

"Damn it, the beast has lost its mind!"

Club employees quickly intervened before Tod could be harmed, restraining the beast that had chosen to turn on its master rather than face a deadly confrontation.

Tod's complexion turned ashen; he slumped to the ground, his backside hitting the floor with a thud. In that moment, reality seemed like a distant dream—or rather, a damn nightmare.

"Whew! You're lucky to be in one piece, Tod. It would've been awful if your own creature had injured you," Blake remarked, scooping up his pet, which had transformed back into an adorable cat.

"I'll send someone to collect the debt from your family tomorrow," Blake stated, then strode out of the club, leaving Tod to grapple with the aftermath.