Ellen, dragged over against her will, looked a little helpless.
She wanted to beat Sol Mercer in the game, but not through co-op mode—only single-player, where scores decided victory.
Facing Sol directly, this Void Hunter-level powerhouse she didn't truly understand, always felt like it would be a huge hassle.
But Ruby and the others were so excited, she could only go along half-heartedly.
"Little sisters, if your skills aren't up to par you really shouldn't jump in. The competition here is on a very high level." Belle, watching the high schoolers come over to sign up, earnestly tried to persuade them.
Everyone here was a veteran gamer, with at least a few years of experience.
The only exception was Sol, who had shattered records in just two weeks.
Letting these little sisters join in would probably just ruin their fun.
"Don't underestimate us, I'm a veteran Snake Duel player! And my friend Ellen—she's the ace of Snake Duel!" Ruby tugged Ellen forward proudly.
Ellen said nothing, but her eyes sharpened slightly.
She had originally wanted to use Belle's excuse to stay out of co-op, avoiding being tangled up with Sol.
But Ruby's attitude left her no choice but to accept.
So be it—cards on the table, no more hiding. She was also a Snake Duel master, known as Ice Shark, with a single-player high score of 180 million.
In single-player, she wasn't Sol's equal, but in co-op, things might be different.
In Snake Duel's multiplayer mode, one could use their snake to block other snakes' paths. If a snake's head collided with another's body, the one that hit would instantly disappear and have to start over.
Single-player required only patience and sharp eyes, while multiplayer added strategy and intellect, countering deliberate sabotage from others.
Movement control, spiked traps that could reset a snake—these were all part of the tactical battlefield.
In the deadly dance of snakes chasing and cornering each other, victory was far from certain.
"Since you're both so confident, let's allow you in."
Seeing their determination, Belle no longer objected.
Soon, these little sisters would experience the power of adults. Before Sol arrived, she herself had held the top record in Godfinger Arcade.
"Bullying high school girls… I have to admit, it's a little exciting."
Sol looked at Ellen and Ruby with a gentle smile.
He really wanted to see Ellen snap, to watch her tilt. He wondered if making her snake die the moment it spawned would be enough to push her there.
A girl tilting was the best kind of entertainment.
"Bring it on, idol! Ellen and I definitely won't lose that easily!"
Ruby pulled Ellen close, brimming with energy.
"Defeat the Ultimate Chaosedramon!"
Lynn and Monna cheered from the side, eyes full of expectation.
"Mhm, I won't lose," Ellen replied seriously. Fresh chapters posted on novel⁂fire.net
Since there was no avoiding it, she would give it her all.
Sol took the arcade machine nearest to him, while Ellen simply chose the one beside him. The others each picked their machines as well.
The group officially entered Snake Duel's multiplayer battle.
It was a six-player free-for-all, each with only one life—making pure skill all the more critical.
Yet as soon as the match began, five small snakes all moved in unison to encircle one in the middle, trying to snuff it out before it could even grow.
"Hey, isn't this a bit much?"
Sol watched the five snakes closing in, speechless.
None of them had discussed anything beforehand, but the moment the game started they all cooperated against him.
Ellen the shark-girl—what happened to her cool aloofness?
Belle—was screwing you over with zero-light bombs a few times really worth this?
And Anby—you serious? Teaming up with outsiders to bully him?
"Sol, boss, you're just too strong." Billy chuckled. "If we don't take you out first, we'll be the unlucky ones later."
"Billy, you've grown, huh?" Sol raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you're dead set on winning this time."
"Of course. Doesn't matter who among us wins in the end—what's certain is you'll lose." Belle, thinking of Sol's previous brutal treatment, ground her teeth. "Serves you right for always bullying me. This is payback!"
In-game, Sol was a hardcore sadist, tormenting her mercilessly—not the teasing central-heater he usually acted like.
Too much! Absolutely unbearable!
"Catch the king first—Sol, I won't hold back."
Anby's hands moved steadily on the joystick, her voice calm.
Anything she decided to do, she gave her all. Games were no exception.
"You asked for this, idol!" Ruby grinned, eyes locked on Sol.
Ellen said nothing, but she focused harder than anyone, pressing him the most.
She had to take the game seriously—especially against a Void Hunter and gaming legend like him.
"Well then, since you're all against me… it's time I got serious too." Sol's gaze sharpened, his joystick moves precise and agile. "A true champion faces every hardship head-on—and claims total victory!"
His attention stayed on the whole battlefield, but especially on Belle's snake.
Among them, Ruby was the weakest, and exploiting her would have been the fastest way out.
But Belle had been far too smug. He would start with her.
Twenty-seven seconds in, Sol's stubby little snake was still circling the center.
Meanwhile, the others had already grown fat from eating orbs, boxing him in tightly.
They even poked and prodded, testing for chances to completely trap him.
If not for Sol's lightning reactions and blazing hand speed, he would've already burned a life.
"Sol, looks like you're doomed today." Belle smirked with satisfaction. "Once our snakes grab a few more orbs, we'll lock you down completely. You'll have no way out."
Watching her long snake slither alongside his stubby one filled her with deep vindication.
"Sol boss, that high-tech gadget's practically mine now. Don't you dare back out!" Billy's fighting spirit burned hot—he could already see himself wielding dual pistols with infinite bullets.
"Almost there… almost about to defeat the Ultimate Chaosedramon. So exciting!"
Ruby's eyes gleamed with exhilaration, unblinking as she stared at her screen.
Ellen couldn't help smiling faintly. The strongest player was about to be caged, unable to escape—soon, she would surpass Sol in the game.