"Do you really think you can reach Level 80 in just a year and a half?" Jade Walker said with a slight smile, glancing over at Lucas. "That's already knocking on the door of Level 100 — the Fourth Tier Awakening!"
Her tone was casual, but the statement itself wasn't. Level 80 was no joke.
Lucas scratched his head and gave her a wry smile. "Yeah… I probably can't keep up with you."
He wasn't being modest — just honest.
In a year and a half, with his current momentum, he'd probably reach Second Tier with ease, maybe even Third Tier if things went well. But Fourth Tier? That felt like a mountain far in the distance.
He knew that every level up came with a cost. The higher you went, the more time, experience points, and effort it required. After reaching Transcendent Level, wouldn't the required experience double or even triple?
"Catching up to her is unrealistic," he thought.
After all, Jade had a four-year head start. That wasn't just time — that was difference in knowledge, equipment, network, and battle experience. Even with all the boosts he had from the guild and his natural leveling pace, he didn't dare imagine he could pass her. He would be lucky to close the gap a bit.
But Jade took his comment differently.
"Haha, I'm not asking you to catch up to me," she said, laughing softly. "Just do your best."
She stood up and walked toward the massive floor-to-ceiling windows of the guild building. Outside, the main city of Kyoto stretched endlessly, its lights flickering like a sea of stars. Her voice turned softer, more distant.
"Don't worry… there's still plenty of time. I'll wait for you at Level 100."
Her words struck a strange chord in Lucas's chest.
Jade stared at her reflection in the window. She noticed her leather riding suit looked a bit too snug and restricting — probably not the best for a casual conversation. With a swipe of her hand, she removed the combat outfit and stored it in her space backpack, instantly switching back to her relaxed teahouse attire.
Her figure, now clearly outlined in the casual clothes, stood graceful and elegant.
Lucas's eyes instinctively fell on her curves. He looked away quickly, but his heart gave a guilty thump. "Control yourself, man…"
Of course, Jade noticed his momentary slip.
A flicker of embarrassment flashed across her face, but she didn't let it show for long. Instead, she made a mental note to get back at a certain someone — a certain little girl who had suggested she wear the "Battle Temptation Outfit" today.
But two could play this game.
She tilted her head, stretched her figure slightly, and smiled with teasing intent.
"So?" she asked, spinning around gracefully and placing one hand on her hip. "How do I look?"
Lucas was caught off guard. But instead of shrinking away, he smiled. "Nice."
He said it boldly and even took another quick glance.
He had been suspicious before — like the time she made him sit behind her on the heavy-duty motorcycle, wondering if she was testing him to see if he'd take the chance to wrap his arms around her waist. But now he was sure — she was definitely teasing him on purpose!
And the outfit today? Way too suspicious.
Lucas narrowed his eyes playfully. "You're playing with fire, Jade. How long do you think I'll stay patient?"
Jade noticed his gaze and blushed slightly. "Looks like Emily Frost was right after all. You really are a… White Rabbit maniac!"
She smirked and boldly pushed her chest forward. "Well then, do you want to touch them with your own hands?"
Lucas's brain froze.
Did she really just say that?
If it was a trap, it was a beautiful one.
But Lucas didn't back down.
"I do," he said simply, nodding.
That left her speechless.
Jade's eyes widened. She hadn't expected him to agree. At all. Most guys would've blushed, looked away, stuttered some excuse. Not Lucas.
She composed herself quickly, raising her chin. "Alright then. If you can surpass my level… I'll let you do it. Once."
Lucas laughed. "That's a unique way of saying 'no,' President."
But he understood her meaning perfectly. She was currently Level 73 and heading straight for Fourth Tier. There was almost no chance he could surpass her within a year and a half.
"Unless she gets stuck at Level 80…" he thought. "But that's basically impossible."
Jade crossed her arms. "Hmph!"
She wasn't worried. She was an SS-level Talent, a record-setting guild president, and on the brink of a solo clearance of the Fourth Tier Trial Dungeon. No way she'd get stuck. History hadn't seen it happen, and she wasn't about to be the first.
She was invincible — and she knew it.
But Lucas raised his chin, unwilling to back down. "Well, I like impossible challenges."
His voice held no trace of joking. "You said it yourself. Deal?"
She blinked. "Huh?"
That confidence threw her off. Where did it come from?
Did he really believe he could catch up?
"Are you… serious?" she asked, a little uneasy now.
Lucas's eyes didn't waver. "I'm not joking."
His gaze was steady, firm. His voice carried weight.
Jade paused. "You're trying to trick me, aren't you?"
She narrowed her eyes, trying to read him. But Lucas just smirked.
"Alright," she said, folding her arms with an exaggerated sigh. "I'll wait. Show me what you've got."
It was meant to be sarcastic. But deep down, a tiny part of her wondered — could he?
Could he really surpass her?
If he did… then… she'd be a woman of her word.
"Oh my god," she thought suddenly. "What if this pig actually wins the bet? I'd be doomed!"
"Okay," Lucas said simply, his tone full of confidence.
He wasn't pretending anymore. In his mind, a new possibility had formed.
"I can't beat her by normal leveling speed," he thought. "But what if I don't need to?"
He had a trump card — the Mysterious Tower.
If he could conquer the 100th floor, he would unlock Level 100 — the cap most people couldn't break. And if he reached it, he'd stand on the same level as Jade.
They'd both be starting from the Fourth Tier.
From there, if he could just gain even one level faster than her — he'd win.
Sure, he didn't have an S-rank talent… But what he did have was a hidden SSS-level class, insane solo combat abilities, and the ability to grind levels alone at speed no one else could match.
He smirked.
"If I beat the tower… she'll have to honor her promise. And she'll have no one to blame but herself."
Lucas imagined it: Jade, digging her own trap with pride, only to fall in with a shocked expression.
The thought made him almost laugh out loud.
But he controlled himself.
"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "You're planning something weird, aren't you?"
Lucas shook his head quickly. "Just remembered something funny."
Yeah… like you realizing too late that you made the worst bet of your life.
He cleared his throat and added, "Don't worry, President. I'll work hard… just like you said."
Jade narrowed her eyes again, unsure if he was being sincere or scheming.
But she had no idea that Lucas wasn't just planning to catch up.
He was planning to win.
And if he did… he'd make sure she remembered this moment forever.
The bet was on.
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