Becoming the Strongest as a Game Dev

Sam, Yuna, Adder, Cedric, and Edgar observe as Aria enters the bar, her eyes scanning the room. She leans over the counter, speaking a name - Vinny Moretti. Instantly, the chatter dies down, and all eyes turn to her. The group exchanges a tense glance, wondering how Aria will handle the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

Sam turns to Yuna, his voice low. "Looks like everyone here knows this Vinny Moretti. Aria's surrounded, and I don't like the vibe."

"I hope she knows what she's doing. This could get messy fast." She glances back at Aria, watching the hunter's movements carefully, ready to intervene if necessary.

Cedric turns to Adder, his brow furrowed. "This place—who does it belong to?"

Adder's lips curl into a smirk. "Vinny Moretti. The very same one Aria's looking for." He pauses, tilting his head. "Guess she's either incredibly lucky or just stumbled into a hornet's nest."

Cedric considers this, his gaze drifting back to Aria. "A risky move, but she seems prepared. We'll have to see how this plays out."

Edgar observes the tense situation unfolding, his expression calm and assured. "Miss Aria is more than capable of handling this," he murmurs to Cedric. "She has faced far greater challenges and emerged victorious."

Cedric nods, a hint of pride in his voice. "Indeed. My daughter is a force to be reckoned with. I have no doubt she will prevail." He turns to the others, his gaze steady. "We would do well to trust in her abilities. This is her domain, after all."

Adder's lips curled into a smirk. "I admit that Ms. Silverstone is powerful, but my simulation is no slouch. I believe she will at least lose once before she can take down Vinny Morreti."

"I wouldn't be so sure. I don't know how powerful Aria is, but she's no amateur. In fact, I'll make you a bet." He paused, his gaze hardening. "I bet that Aria will be able to complete this simulation easily and won't lose once."

"A wager, you say? Well, now you've piqued my curiosity. And what, pray tell, would the stakes be? What's the reward for the victor?"

"The loser has to hand over one of their most powerful simulation skills to the winner. A fair trade, don't you think?"

Adder chuckles, rubbing his chin contemplatively. "Hmm, that does sound intriguing. Very well, I accept your challenge." He turns to Cedric, who has been observing the exchange. "Mr. Silverstone, would you be so kind as to witness our little wager?"

"I suppose I can lend my services as an impartial arbiter." He nods, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Very well, let's see how this plays out."

The air crackles with anticipation as Adder and Sam shake hands, sealing the deal.

"You better start preparing my reward, Genesis. I've let some B-Rank Hunters test the simulation, and even they couldn't beat it without losing once."

"Then those B-Rankers must not be that impressive, Caliban. We all know Aria is a cut above the rest."

The air crackled with an intense, underlying tension as the two exchanged a charged look, each certain of their own convictions.

Yuna glances back and forth between Sam and Adder, their heated exchange crackling with intensity. "Those two are really going at it, aren't they?"

Cedric observes the scene, a hint of amusement playing on his features. "Ah, the passion of youth..."

…

(In the simulation)

I can sense the evil intentions of the people in this bar. Their eyes are fixed on me, filled with caution and malice. I remain unfazed, my posture relaxed as I survey the room, cataloging every potential threat. This isn't the first time I've found myself in a hostile environment, and it likely won't be the last.

The bartender's eyes narrow as he leans in, his gruff voice cutting through the tense atmosphere.

"Where'd you hear that name?"

"I have my sources." My gaze remains steady, unwavering. "Does it concern you?"

The bartender pauses, sizing me up. The other patrons in the bar have grown silent, all eyes on us. I can practically feel the weight of their stares.

"I'm looking to meet with Vinny. Do you know where I can find him?"

The bartender's brow furrows, his expression guarded. "What business do you have with him?"

I pause, considering my words carefully. "That's a private matter. I'd prefer to discuss it with him directly."

"Vinny's a busy man. Not just anybody can meet with him."

"Do you know him?" I ask, my tone measured.

The bartender shakes his head. "Nah, just hear some rumors, you know? Guy's real careful about who he sees."

I don't believe the bartender's claim of not knowing Vinny. His evasive responses and tense demeanor suggest he's hiding something. I can sense there's more to this than he's letting on. Clearly, he has some connection to this Vinny character, and I intend to uncover it.

I grip my pistol tightly, leveling it at the bartender's head. "I don't believe you. Now tell me where I can find Vinny Moretti."

The bartender's eyes widen, and he raises his hands slowly. "Whoa, take it easy. I already told you, I don't know where he is."

I narrow my eyes, my finger tightening on the trigger. "I think you're lying."

Suddenly, I sense movement behind me. Glancing over my shoulder, I see the other patrons in the bar have drawn their own weapons, all aimed in my direction. A tense silence fills the air as we face off in a Mexican standoff.

"Put the gun down, old man," a gruff voice calls out from the back of the room. "You're outnumbered here."

I keep my gaze steady, weighing my options. The odds aren't in my favor, but I'm not about to back down.

I narrow my gaze, my grip tightening on my twin pistols. "You have no idea who you're messing with."

The air is thick with tension, the scent of gunpowder lingering in the stale atmosphere. I can feel the eyes of the patrons burning into me, their fingers poised on the triggers of their weapons.

///

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