With less than a minute left, accounting for overtime, it was just over a minute. They were leading by two goals, and there was no way the opponents could turn it around.
The three chosen ones had also lost their will to fight and had no desire to continue playing. After restarting the game, they kicked the ball past the halfway line and showed no intention of continuing.
Then…
Time ran out!
Bai Ye and Jin Sha high-fived, smiling.
It was done!
A white light appeared, enveloping everyone. After about thirty seconds, the white light gradually dispersed, and Bai Ye and Jin Sha found themselves back in the lobby of the Honor Arena.
"Iron Slime," Jin Sha said to the counter attendant, firmly requesting the Iron Slime as a reward. She then looked at Bai Ye and asked, "Haven't you decided yet?"
Bai Ye scratched his head. He didn't want either the Floating Beast or the Gemstone Body. The former was a beast companion, and Bai Ye felt he had enough with Gengar and Goodra; he wasn't a pure beast tamer. The Gemstone Body was troublesome to collect, and while each gem had a different effect, making it versatile, it lacked uniqueness. Versatility was a positive trait, but it could also signify mediocrity.
Bai Ye wanted 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, it was a weapon of red quality, which, while having less potential than others, offered a significant boost to immediate combat power, and it was also easier to collect.
"I want an Iron Slime too!"
After a moment of deliberation, Bai Ye finally made the same choice as Jin Sha.
Jin Sha smiled, "I thought you would choose something you know."
"I did consider that," Bai Ye spread his hands. "But the power of the stars needs to grow, and the Iron Slime needs to devour. Both are gambles on the future. Since that's the case, I want to try something unknown. Sometimes, the unknown is also a form of enjoyment."
Jin Sha smiled, "Makes sense!"
Soon, the attendant handed them two transparent glass boxes.
Bai Ye raised his glass box and took a look. Inside was a lump of black, gooey mud. To be precise, it was more like a paste that was constantly wriggling.
Iron Slime (Item) (White): A rare mutated slime capable of devouring all objects and integrating their characteristics, thereby transforming and utilizing 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, saying, "Let's see how this little guy works."
But just then…
Jin Sha suddenly nudged Bai Ye with her elbow and pointed forward with her chin.
Bai Ye looked up and saw the three chosen ones they had faced during the death football match.
Yes, three of them…
The one Bai Ye had taken down with a tackle was still receiving medical treatment.
The Honor Arena's protection mechanism only prevented death, not injuries.
The three approached Bai Ye. One of them gritted his teeth and said, "Kid, nothing to say?"
Bai Ye smiled, "What should I say?"
One of the chosen ones said coldly, "Using such despicable and shameless methods…"
Bai Ye interrupted him directly, "Was I breaking the rules? If I were breaking the rules, I would have been disqualified. Since I wasn't, it means everything I did was permissible, right?"
The three were speechless. His words were indeed irrefutable.
"Don't talk nonsense," one of the chosen ones pointed at Bai Ye and said, "One-on-one duel, dare you?"
Bai Ye thought for a moment, then smiled and shook his head, "I don't dare."
"You…"
The three were immediately speechless. Even if he didn't dare, he refused so readily?
And he said it so matter-of-factly?
"Forget it!" another chosen one sneered, "He's chickened out, so there's no point in us pestering him further. Besides, why bother with a coward?"
The other two chosen ones echoed with cold laughter.
The one who had wanted to duel Bai Ye pointed at him 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 and said, "This doesn't seem like you."
Bai Ye looked at Jin Sha, "What is my style?"
Jin Sha replied, "I think, with your temper, you definitely wouldn't refuse a duel with them."
"It seems you don't know me at all," Bai Ye smiled. "Am I that kind of person? I'm so gentle, friendly, benevolent, and peace-loving."
Jin Sha sized Bai Ye up. She found it hard to believe.
Bai Ye smiled, "In any case, the matter is settled, and I should be going."
"Alright, see you," Jin Sha high-fived Bai Ye. Then, as she watched Bai Ye leave, she suddenly remembered something and called out, "You have an invitation ticket, you can teleport back directly…"
Unfortunately, Jin Sha called out a moment too late.
Bai Ye had already walked out of the main entrance of the Honor Arena.
…
Beast Taming Area, Pallet Town.
Pallet Town was the location of the Honor Arena and a neutral zone. Leaving Pallet Town meant entering the Beast Taming Area.
After leaving the Honor Arena, the three chosen ones immediately exited Pallet Town.
Their destination was the Beast Taming Forbidden Zone in Cerulean City.
There were still two days left before the death football match officially ended. Obtaining another ticket within two days was clearly not an easy feat.
However, given the circumstances, the three decided to give it their best shot, regardless of the outcome.
"It's all that damned guy's fault," one of the chosen ones grumbled, cursing. "If he hadn't used underhanded tactics, we wouldn't have lost."
Another chosen one sighed, "Forget it, stop cursing. It's useless. What we can do now is to hurry to the forbidden zone, complete the mission, and get three more tickets. It's a bit tight on time, but that zone has already been explored quite a bit. If we work hard, there's a chance we can complete the zone mission within a day."
"That's the only way!"
The first chosen one agreed but still seemed resentful. He grumbled about Bai Ye again to vent his emotions.
Then…
Bang!
A gunshot suddenly rang out. Immediately afterward, a spray of blood bloomed on the chosen one's head. His eyes widened, then gradually lost focus as his body swayed and he eventually fell forward.
The blood stained the surrounding grass a deep red.
A faint smell of blood slowly wafted through the air, slightly pungent.
…