The chat room exploded in surprise. This was a bold gamble. Although Seeker managed to earn a few thousand more credits through gambling with the newbies in the room, 70,000 amounted to almost all of his current earnings.
Seventy thousand credits were enough money to purchase two new cars. This was not a gamble that you would do. Unlike his previous gambles, Seeker would bet with his solely his skills on the line. Now he was betting something that involved the decision of other people. Who knew how the company which sponsored the Covenant of the Strongest would react?
Kristine had a curious look on her face. She was still smiling but her surprise was clearly seen.
Precision is not only their team leader but he is the best player in the Covenant of the Strongest. He is a world-renowned player not only in Piercing but several other games. Because of this, whoever held Precision held a paragon gamer of several famous competitive games. As such, his price was normally twice as much than other e-sport players. Even among those who could rival Precision in skill, none of them could rival his compensation.
"That's quite a bold gamble." Kristine smiled.
"And I assume you'll be threatening us that you will join other teams?" Kristine controlled her face to not reveal the anger inside. This was quite an insult.
"Well, I can't promise that I would reserve myself for you. I am sure that by the time this Sunday ends, other international teams will be offering me that same pay. And of course, although I love my country, I can still represent it as an individual. Think about it, Let's say the team I join in, and will ultimately be the captain of, manages to steal the championship from you guys. It's a win-win for the country. A Pangean native would still hold the title." Seeker smirked.
Kristine's charming and pleasant attitude disappeared. She gazed straight at her screen and watched the casual glances that Seeker gave as he waited for her answer. Of course, despite glancing now and then to Kristine, Seeker has yet to receive one hit from any enemies.
"You are very confident that they will rush to you."
"Well, I am pushing my luck. I estimate that I should be able to get an offer me that is at least twice of yours. However, it wouldn't be a gamble. Doctor Lindmitt said to keep those adrenaline pumping. Having this threat of losing 70,000 credits for the next two days should do the trick." Seeker smiled.
Kristine frowned. If she was the world's most popular streamer, at the top of the e-sports paychecks were the best players of every country. Precision who has successfully led The Covenant of the Strongest into 3 world championship in Piercing and held several championships on other e-sport games was the highest paid e-sport player in the world.
The Prometheus of Games was someone who could visit any country in their world including the enemy countries of the Pangean Nations. And Seeker claimed that before four days will pass, he will receive that compensation.
Kristine's eyes went wide. But a devilish smile appeared.
"So let me get this straight, you want to gamble 70,000 credits that before Sunday ends, you will receive an offer that could reach twice of what I'm being paid at? So something that would match or top Precision's paycheck?"
"That's right."
"And you won't join other teams during this period who is unwilling to pay you that same amount."
"You're two for two." Seeker nodded once more.
"Interesting gamble." Kristine smiled a cute smile again.
"This will be a bet that will span four days. Meryl set it up. Set buy-in to 500 credits."
Meryl made the necessary configurations and a Gambling Den room was opened. She was not afraid or hesitant. Her blind faith in Seeker caused her to move swiftly as if Seeker was asking her to pass him some ketchup.
Kristine was the first to wager against Seeker on the Den.
People were shocked. Seeker was at it again. Betting on himself against the whole world. How will that happen? What could Seeker do that could shake and move people to even offer Seeker such payments! He had the fame, but his reputation was far from the Prometheus of Games.
"You're on. Not only will I bet against that, but I want to bet that if you do win, I'll immediately be your girlfriend. In fact, I'll treat you to a high classy date on a hotel of your choosing in any country in the world. A two-night all-expense paid trip." Kristine smirked. Somehow, Seeker's bold and daring actions made her feel a jolt of attraction towards this Casual Carlean.
The chat room went wild. Several males were cursing at the obscene luck that Seeker had. A two-night trip with one of the most attracted women in the world? And everything would be paid for by Kristine?
"What a generous offer Kristine." Seeker smiled. He wasn't affected by such a tempting offer.
"You are gambling something which you probably have no chance of winning. Might as well make this a sensational thing. After all, this could easily increase your viewership. Think of it as help from one streamer to another." Kristine smiled cutely.
"Before I accept that, can I add another clause? I would add 10,000 or more credits to my wager depending on my future earnings."
"Oh? Another clause? As long as it's not anything that will physically harm me, I'm all for it." Kristine smiled.
The chat room burned with angry comments. People were calling Seeker a hacker and was in no way worthy of this. Others were making obscene jokes about how they were willing to pay that amount to get Kristine for two nights.
Kristine ignored everyone. She knew that she would win this bet. Once Seeker lost, she would prove that his worth was far from his actual estimation. And with that crushing blow and the fact that he would lose more than 70,000 credits, she would then offer Seeker the discussed price that her sponsors asked her to offer.
Kristine was also sure that since she would ultimately win, she deliberately spiced up the bets to make Seeker greedy. For someone as famous as her, she knew how debauched men could become. She took a sip through a straw and happily drank the milkshake she had nearby her computer. Oh, the sweet taste of victory.
"The other clause is that instead of you going with me on that trip, I'd like Precision to go with me on a two-night all-expense paid trip to any country I want." Seeker casually remarked as he focused on the game.
Kristine spat out the milkshake and some of it was now running through her nose. The desk was now drenched with the milkshake as Kristine instinctively aimed for it to avoid drenching her beloved computer.
Charles Lindmitt spat out his coffee as he heard Seeker's added clause. The piles of paper and research notes surrounding him were drenched in his coffee.
General Harker Cipril spat out his wine as he heard Seeker's request. The monitor on the front of him was now drenched with expensive wine.
Alean Cipril spat out the bourbon she drank from a small glass. Her phone was now drenched with the pale yellow drink she had and even the bed sheets that were, wrapped around her legs had spray marks of her drink.
Meryl and Lynd had a strange look at Seeker. Cliff, on the other hand, had a fearful look. There was the terror that pierced through his heart like never before. Would Seeker soon pierce him with fear on a different and far more terrifying method?
The chat room suddenly went quiet. No one knew what to say. Viewers around the world felt as if their world stopped.
On the other room in the building where Kristine was viewing Seeker's stream. A small teen with thick glasses was holding a practice game against two other members of the Covenant. While the three were fighting, Seeker's stream was playing on a huge screen hung high on the wall.
Arthur Humphrey continued to mumble random numbers as if he was counting something or several things. Just then Seeker's revision to Kristine's offer was broadcasted.
The three stopped playing. Arthur frowned with a look that surpassed his already rude appearance and stared angrily at the television. Even the random counting he did was stopped.
His two opponents immediately logged off the game and quietly left the room. If they continued to play they would lose their dignity as Arthur Humphrey would end his training mode and start massacring them leaving them less confident as a pro-player and even as a human being.
"I-I'm sorry. You want what?" Kristine felt fear like never before.
The Covenant of the Strongest was a happy and friendly team in general. They were quite close as a team and even if the team would be dissolved it was unquestionable that their friendship would remain. However, throughout their career, they never dared to do anything that would make Arthur Humphrey angry. It wasn't because he was strict or impatient as a leader. Despite his cold exterior and somewhat rude looks, he treated his team members with respect and patience. The reason why no member would dare irritate Arthur was simply because they didn't want to see Arthur angry. Who knew what he could do if ever he got angry.
Cold beads of sweat started to surface on Kristine's back. She was willing to be her own body for fun but then Seeker made a hasty change of preference. Some strange teen was professing his love and his preference on the internet. While this would normally have been fun or romantic, in this particular scenario, it wasn't. Not when Arthur Humphrey's the recipient of this love. She could already see the headlines. "Arthur Humphrey to spend a two-night romantic getaway with Medical Wonder, Seeker Carlean."
"Well, you could join us if you like, Kristine."
The fear in Kristine's heart took a deeper and scarier dive. At the back of her mind, she just wished for Seeker to shut up.
"So, is the bet on?"
Kristine couldn't answer she was flustered. Just then the door opened. Arthur Humphrey walked in. Kristine was petrified. She dared not moved and simply looked at the approaching person. She slowly slid her chair backward.
Arthur pushed Kristine's seat away while dragging another. He sat down right in front of the computer. His gaze was strict and angry.
"Wow! Arthur Humphrey himself! That's nice."
"I appreciate your sentiments but I refuse to take part in such a stupid gamble," Arthur spoke rigidly.
"Ehh? Ok. It was worth a shot. Then I'm fine with the original conditions. But if you have time, I would love to talk to you." Seeker smiled casually.
Arthur gazed angrily at Seeker but suddenly he stood up and walked away. Moments after Arthur left the room, Kristine slowly dragged her chair back to face the monitor. She looked as if she saw a ghost.
Seeker smiled at her as she reentered the screen.
"Anyways guys, this is all the time I have for you today. Two more sessions and I should be able to complete the entire game. Please join me on my stream tomorrow for more of this action-packed and mind-boggling walkthrough. Also, if you are confident that I will lose, the room remains open! I might increase the bet again tomorrow! So feel free to donate- I mean to bet against me!" Seeker casually remarked and immediately motioned for Meryl to end the stream.
Just like that, the stream ended. Most of the viewers were caught off-guard from the sudden turn of events and remained in shock at what just happened. Several even went online to ask what just happened. Those who would read the news late at night were befuddled and also asked what just happened. It was chaos. One article spoke of how Dr. Lindmitt partnered with Seeker for a program that could shape Neuro-Alterations. Another article spoke of the gambling and overnight success of a rising star and another article which talked about how LordChokeMeSenpai, the world's most successful streamer placed her own body as a bet. And finally, a news article pertaining to Seeker's actions started spreading online. It only asked one simple question.
"What just happened?"