The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 57: On Route (Part 2)

**

Veranvanter:

The round of 32 ended and with that the main convention came to stop. Like before the convention hall was still alive with activity, but the main show was over and preparation for the final day was underway. The girls were currently resting back at the hotel. Vanter however couldn't sit still, his mind burning with who this A.Friend was. He did as he usually did when troubled and searched for a nice bar to drink at. He was tempted to invite Ana, but with how their other outings had ended up recently... he felt he didn't deserve that kind of respite.

Not far from the convention centre in a city alley, Vanter found his target. An underground but tastefully set up bar. There was quite the crowd, many from the convention and some in clear cosplay. Regardless Vanter found a seat at the bar easily enough. He waved his hand and ordered a simple gin and tonic to get him started. As his drink arrived however, it came with an extra shot.

"Sorry I didn't order this," Vanter said to the bartender.

The bartender smiled, "It's from the man over there."

"Ah...," Vanter smirked. It wasn't the first time he had received a free drink due to his handsome face and not even the first time from another guy. As he looked to the sender however his expression firmed, and his teeth clenched together. The man's beard had been trimmed neatly but still covered most of his face. Like before he was covered from head to toe and sported a mass of hair that went down to neck. What stood out however was the sharp green eyes that targeted Vanter like he was prey. The man smiled and raised his glass, gesturing to the free seat beside him.

Vanter picked up his drinks and headed over. He sat down beside the man, facing him sternly,

"I'll get straight to the point, are you the one hijacking my friends' character?" Vanter waited but the man didn't reply. "You invite me over and don't even answer the question?"

The man lightly hit his chest and swallowed, "Sorry, my mouth was full." He pointed to the assortment of side dishes in front of him. A selection of fried goods with various accompaniments. "You should try some. They go well with the drinks here."

The man's easy going and casual demeanour cut into Vanter's tension like a hot knife, and he sighed before chuckling, "Sure, I'll order some for myself." He signalled the bartender who smiled and nodded.

"About your question," the man took a sip from his glass, "there's really no point in me hiding it. Yes, I am the one using your friend's account."

Vanter couldn't help but frown at the implications of what that meant.

The man continued, "You're probably thinking, who the hell is this guy then? For him to use the account he would either need to be closely related enough to fool the system, or he's working with Areithia's management." He smirked, "Now one is much more likely than the other. For all you know I could be working with your mother."

Vanter grit his teeth, the man clearly knew a lot about Areithia. He forced himself to pause and clear his mind, downing the shot that the man had ordered for him. The strong clean taste burned down his throat, pulling him back to reality. He observed him closer, using not just Aura but mana as well. An immediate response came back. The man wasn't bothering to hide it. He was full of mana and his Aura was incredibly refined beyond that of a master. As for his body, it was in perfect shape, all except his right arm, which had been replaced by something else.

"Are you going to tell me or just gloat about it?" Vanter pushed the man with his eyes.

The man returned the stare, with a smile, "No, not yet. It's a bit more fun this way. I'll tell you what, you win the tournament and I'll answer your questions. I'm sure that will light a fire in you to go for the big V."