"I have to admit, you have an amazing backyard."
"...Thanks."
The air almost whistled with how barren and empty the land Rhys and Esme were standing on.
The Danger Zone is vast, a desert of nothing but ruins that reminded one of the violent war that permanently scarred the Surface; the traces of the gods, as well as the ancient people, could still be seen there — perhaps the most fitting battlefield for one who is considered to be the most powerful person in Amerka.
"I never thought something like this would ever happen in my lifetime, but here we are," Esme looked at her opponent, and by all accounts, her total opposite. She had black skin and glowing white hair, while Rhys had jet-black hair and extremely perfect fair skin,
"I thank you for this opportunity, Mr. Rhys Wilder."
"No, I should be the one thanking you," Rhys just raised his palm and smiled, "Even during the very first time we met, you haven't shown me any signs of prejudice... or maybe you're just good at hiding it."
"Look at me, Mr. Rhys Wilder," Esme let out a small but deep sigh as she gestured to herself, "Maybe in another dystopian world, I would be the one that is being discriminated against with the way I look."
"Why would you be discriminated against...?" Rhys squinted his eyes as he looked a Esme from head to toe, "Because you're beautiful?"
"Boo!" And as soon as he said that, Lina, who was watching along with the others from far away, raised her hands and gave Rhys a thumbs down. How she was hearing their conversation even though they were meters away; well...
...there was a drone hovering above Rhys and Esme, currently streaming their upcoming fight — this was the condition Rhys gave to agree with Esme's request.
"Oh...?" Esme raised an eyebrow, "Be careful, Mr. Rhys Wilder — you don't want me in your harem, too much trouble."
"I have a feeling you won't be at all," Rhys just let out a breath as he looked above Esme's head, the Hearts, nowhere to be seen at all.
"Don't sell yourself short, Mr. Rhys Wilder..." Esme covered her mouth as she giggled, "...You're a very attractive man — one could say even more beautiful than the gods."
"...Thank you, but I'm sure I'm not," Rhys shook his head.
"You are," Esme smiled.
"You sound so sure that it looks like you've actually met them, Ma'am," Rhys also let out a soft chuckle as he once again shook his head.
"Trust me, Mr. Rhys Wilder... If I wasn't the way I am, then I would have already fallen head over heels for you."
"Boo!" And once again, Lina placed her thumbs down as she raised her voice, "Are you guys fighting or flirting!? Just start it already!"
"One of your girlfriends is very impatient," Esme shook her head and smiled as she looked at the people watching them, "Well then, shall we give them what they want now?"
"He got him!" And as Rhys's hand went straight toward Esme's neck, Lina could not help but cheer.
"No," as for Ayesha, who was keeping quiet the entire time and had her arms crossed, she shook her head and sighed.
"What do you—"
And before Lina could even finish her words, she watched as Rhys's hand just went through Esme's neck. Lina gasped for a few seconds as she thought Rhys killed her... but then Esme's silhouette just turned into sparkling dust and faded away,
"Did... did he kill her!? We... we should turn off the drone!"
"Princess..." Ayesha closed her eyes and sighed, "...The strongest Explorer in Amerka isn't just a title, one needs to have massive balls to have it. And that woman has lots of balls to spare. But of course...
...Rhys has even bigger balls for stepping into the ring with her."
"I'm confused, why is she always talking about balls?" Vicky commented. Someone else was about to open their mouth, but then a violent sizzle started to whisper in the air as Agatha's body starting letting off some steam.
"Oh my... this is embarrassing," Agatha covered her cheeks as everyone started looking at her. They did not have to wonder for long why it was happening, however, as they soon felt something cold touching their skin.
"This..." Lina blinked a couple of times as she raised her palm, "...Snow?"
"Ranked No. 2 in the entire world," Cillian let out a small giggle as he moved closer to Agatha for some heat, "I am finally seeing her in action in person... and against a total eye candy at that."
And while Lina and the others were warming themselves up with a Noble's heat, Rhys was currently turning his eyes everywhere trying to search for Esme, who turned into some sort of elemental wisp and just disappeared from his sight.
And soon, snowflakes also started dropping on him from above.
"!!!" And before any of it could touch his skin, he remembered what happened in Mankappan and quickly blasted all the snow threatening to fall on him — and fortunately for Rhys, he was able to do so...
...before the snowflakes exploded and turned into giant violent fractals; sharp enough to pierce the ground.
Rhys then started to run while blasting away the snow raining down upon him; diving into the shadows from time to time — but alas, he could not escape at all as the violent storm seemed to stretch at a great area; completely covering the entire battlefield.
Rhys emerged from the shadows once more; this time, however, Esme also suddenly emerged from one of the snowflakes that exploded, and in her hand was a large lance made of ice; its sharp end, already touching the side of Rhys's neck.
"Wow..." Rhys could really only close his eyes and raise his hand,
"...This wasn't even close. I guess I'm still... too weak."
"Weak...?" Esme let out a soft giggle as her lance melted away and she retracted her arm, "Not at all, Mr. Rhys Wilder. But...
...there are levels to this."