back in the sprawling city, the sun was beginning to set, casting long amber shadows across the bustling streets. Vikas was walking down a crowded cobblestone alley, still nursing his bruised ego after getting completely shut down by the runway-model cashier at the quiet restaurant.
What Vikas did not know was that he was not alone.
A few yards behind him, hiding behind a fruit stall, was Ayush. A deeply mischievous, downright creepy smile was plastered across Ayush's face. He was wearing his hood up, keeping his distance, moving like a shadow in a stealth mission.
Ayush: (Whispering to himself, chuckling softly) "Look at him. Look at this guy walking around like a lost puppy. He really thinks he is about to find a high-tier companion in a random alleyway. Little does he know, I am the ultimate shadow. I am going to stay glued to his tail. The moment he even breathes near a girl, I am jumping in to ruin the vibe. Nobody is winning that 1,000 coins. If I have to be single in this world, we are all staying single. It is called being a supportive friend."
Vikas stopped in front of a potion shop, looking around awkwardly. Ayush instantly ducked behind a wooden barrel, pretending to inspect a highly overpriced magical vegetable. Vikas turned around, feeling a strange gaze on the back of his neck, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Vikas: (Muttering, scratching his head) "Man, why does it feel like some low-level mob is targeting me? Whatever. I need to find another spot. Maybe a library? No, libraries are too quiet, I cannot use my verbal charm there. A park? Too generic."
He kept walking, entirely oblivious to the fact that Ayush was literally tip-toeing behind him like a cartoon villain, stifling his giggles every time Vikas tripped on an uneven cobblestone. This cat-and-mouse game continued for hours, with Ayush successfully sabotaging any potential interaction by just giving Vikas creepy glares from a distance, making Vikas look entirely unhinged to the local populace.
One full day had passed.
The twenty-four-hour deadline for the ultimate challenge had officially expired. The sun was shining brightly over the kingdom, casting a warm glow over the massive stone outcrop where the three friends had sat just two days prior, lamenting their past life.
Vikas was the first to arrive. He looked completely drained, his hair slightly messy, his pockets noticeably lighter from buying terrible food just to talk to cashiers. He sat on the edge of the stone, swinging his legs, staring at the dirt.
A minute later, Ayush walked up, looking incredibly smug, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He did not have a girl with him, but he looked like he had just won a major victory.
Finally, Aryan approached. He was walking a bit stiffly—his health stats had saved his life, but his body was still recovering from the brutal combat he had faced in the dungeon. He looked tired, slightly annoyed, and very single.
The three of them stood in a triangle, looking at each other's empty sides. There were no mythical healers, no high-tier mages, no cafe waitresses. Just three guys on a rock.
Vikas broke the silence, raising his hands in a shrug, letting out a loud, dramatic sigh.
"Huh. So... literally none of us pulled this off? No one has a girl?" Vikas asked, a sudden wave of relief washing over his face. He let out a goofy laugh. "Bro, that means it is a literal draw! The bet is null and void. Nobody loses their 1,000 coins! Thank goodness, because I am completely broke. We will just have to try again next time, boys."
Ayush smirked, crossing his arms. "Speak for yourself, Vikas. I did not even try because I knew you guys would fail. It was a tactical calculation."
Aryan just rolled his eyes, leaning against a nearby boulder. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I literally almost died, so excuse me for not prioritizing a dating competition."
"Hey! Wait up!"
A clear, sweet voice echoed from the path leading up to the stone outcrop.
The three boys froze. Aryan blinked, turning his head toward the sound. Ayush and Vikas stiffened, their heads turning in slow motion like broken animations.
Running up the hill, her breathing a bit heavy but a bright, genuine smile on her face, was the girl from the dungeon. Her pale, sky-blue hair caught the sunlight, looking absolutely stunning. She had completely healed from her injuries, wearing clean, light adventurer armor. She was sprinting directly toward their location.
Ayush and Vikas's jaws literally dropped to the floor. Their eyes went wide, their brains completely short-circuiting as they looked at the gorgeous girl, then looked at Aryan, then back at the girl.
Ayush & Vikas: (Internal screaming, completely shocked) "What?! Is that... is that his girl?! No way! How did this man pull a top-tier companion in less than twenty-four hours?! He was literally dying yesterday! Did he cheat?! How is he this fast?!"