Becoming the Strongest as a Game Dev

Sam grins, pleased that his confidence in Aria's abilities was well-placed.

"Looks like I win our little wager, Adder." He turns to the disgruntled developer, a hint of smugness in his tone.

Adder scowls, his jaw clenching as he begrudgingly accepts the loss. "Tch, pure luck. Don't think this changes anything between us, Genesis."

Yuna glances between the two, an awkward smile tugging at her lips. "Come on, you two. No need to act like children." She tries to diffuse the tension, but the competitive energy in the room is palpable.

Cedric chuckles, shaking his head at the display. "Ah, the passion of youth."

Adder grits his teeth, his pride stinging from the defeat. He knows he'll have to give an ability from his simulations to Sam. Extracting an ability is going to cost a lot of Mana and is going to set him back for months.

Sam, basking in his victory, turns to Adder with a confident smirk. "So, Adder, what simulation skill will you be giving?" He crosses his arms, eager to claim his prize.

Yuna intervenes, placing a hand on Sam's arm. "Sam, let's not make this any more contentious than it needs to be." Her voice is gentle but firm, trying to defuse the situation.

Cedric nods approvingly at Yuna's actions, impressed by her diplomacy. "She's right, you two. This is a competition, not a schoolyard brawl." He levels a stern gaze at both developers.

Aria removes the virtual reality helmet, her golden eyes sweeping over the tense exchange between Sam and Adder. She clears her throat, drawing their attention.

"What happened?" Aria asks, her tone measured.

Adder scowls, glancing away. "Nothing," he mutters.

Adder then turns to Aria, a hint of desperation in his voice. "So, Ms. Silverstone, what did you think of my simulation? Was it up to par?"

Aria's expression remains neutral as she considers his question. "It was... okay."

Adder's shoulders sag slightly, his confidence shaken. "Just okay? I put my heart and soul into that creation."

Aria arches a brow, her gaze unwavering. "It had potential, but the execution fell short in certain areas. The city felt disjointed, and the bounty hunter's abilities were a bit one-dimensional."

Sam watches the exchange with a barely suppressed smirk, while Yuna fidgets uncomfortably, sensing the tension.

Cedric clears his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Well, Aria has certainly provided her assessment. Now, shall we move on to the next simulation?"

Adder clenches his jaw, frustration is evident in his posture. He steals a glance at Sam, who meets his gaze with a subtle challenge.

Adder's eyes narrow as he turns to Sam, his voice laced with a tinge of bitterness. "Don't get too cocky, Genesis. Even if Ms. Silverstone's review is not as stellar as I had hoped. My simulation will still be better than yours!"

Sam's lips curl into a confident smile. "We'll see about that, Caliban. I'm just getting started."

The tension in the room thickens as the two developers engage in a silent battle of wills, each determined to outshine the other. Yuna shifts uncomfortably, while Cedric and Aria observe the exchange, their expressions unreadable.

Aria turns to Sam, her golden eyes betraying a hint of curiosity. "Shall we move on to your simulation then?"

Sam nods, a confident grin spreading across his face. "By all means, go ahead. I'm sure you're going to like what I've created."

Aria arches a brow, intrigued by Sam's unwavering self-assurance. She steps forward, slipping the virtual reality helmet back on and activating the simulation. As the world around her comes to life, her expression shifts, revealing a subtle appreciation for Sam's work.

Sam turns to Adder, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How about we make this a little more interesting, Adder?"

Adder narrows his eyes, already sensing where this is going. "What do you have in mind, Genesis?"

"Let's make another bet," Sam proposes. "Same conditions as before, but this time, if Aria loses even once, I win." He leans in, his confidence unwavering. "You think you can handle that?"

Adder's jaw tightened, his pride clearly stung by the implication. "You're on, Genesis. Ms. Silverstone will beat your simulation easily! Seeing your previous works, at most, C-Rank Hunters will have trouble against them."

Adder's lips curled into a confident smirk. He was certain that Sam's simulation would not pose as much of a challenge as his own. The stakes were high - if he emerged victorious, they would both contribute an ability from their simulations to each other. However, should he lose, Adder would have to surrender two abilities to Sam. It was a considerable risk, but his pride as a seasoned developer refused to let him back down.

Yuna glances at Sam, concern etching her features. "Sam, is this bet really necessary? I mean, Aria is skilled, but your simulation is..."

Sam raises a hand, his gaze unwavering. "Relax, Yuna. I know what I'm doing." A confident smile spreads across his face. "Aria may be good, but she's never faced anything like the Bayonetta simulation before." He chuckles, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Clearing that on the first try? It's practically impossible."

Yuna bites her lip, and her worry is evident. She's well aware of the challenges the Bayonetta simulation poses, having witnessed its unforgiving difficulty firsthand. Still, she can't help but admire Sam's self-assurance, even if it borders on recklessness.

Yuna nods, her expression shifting to one of trust. "Okay, Sam. I believe in you." She offers him a reassuring smile, her confidence in his abilities palpable.

Sam's lips curl into a grateful grin. "Thanks, Yuna. I know what I'm doing." He turns his attention back to the simulation, eager to see Aria's reaction.

Cedric, observing the exchange, arches a brow. He had heard the wager between the two developers and couldn't help but be intrigued by the challenge. Curiosity etched on his face, he watches as Aria steps into the simulation, her eyes narrowing with focus.

The world around Aria comes to life, and her expression shifts, revealing a subtle appreciation for Sam's work. Cedric leans forward, his interest piqued, as the simulation unfolds before them.

///

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Advance chapters in my P@|r$0n/Najicablitz