Chapter 72: Frank

Vivian looked at the gold coins and the fist on the table, hesitating to speak.

After thinking for a moment.

She extended her slender finger, pointing at the bald man’s fist and said:

“I choose power.”

Since she was the one asking for a favor, choosing the gold coins would likely mean having to pay for the debt of gratitude.

Thinking of the few gold coins in her own pocket, Vivian, after consideration, chose the option she was most confident in—strength.

A fight?

That’s something I’m fairly good at.

As soon as her words fell, the Mage nearby suddenly looked up.

With a playful grin, he leaned closer to their table.

“Taking bets, taking bets! I’ll wager one gold coin.”

“I bet on Frank winning!”

The Mage excitedly took out a gold coin and placed it on top of the bald man’s coin.

Bald Frank glanced at the Mage, then turned back to Vivian and said:

“Your turn, also one gold coin.”

Vivian, full of confusion, took out a gold coin and placed it on the pile as well.

“What exactly are we doing? Don’t make it so mysterious.”

Bald Frank moved the three gold coins aside and rolled up his sleeve.

“Power means arm wrestling. If you win, you can take all the gold coins.” “And I’ll answer your question.”

Frank placed his thick arm on the table and spoke.

“Fine.”

Vivian agreed. Wasn’t it just about who was stronger?

I’ve never lost at this…

She gathered her skirt, about to sit down.

At that moment, Vivian was suddenly pulled back.

She turned to look.

It was Nolan, holding her from behind, shaking his head at her.

“What? Changed your mind?”

“You won’t get the gold coin back then.”

Frank snorted a puff of hot air from his nose, sounding somewhat displeased.

“No, I’ll compete with you.”

Nolan pulled out the chair opposite Frank and sat down, saying calmly.

“And who the hell are you?”

“Is there someone like you in the city?”

Frank’s tone instantly became aggressive.

He knew all the capable people in Ma’en City.

Faced with a pretty boy who came out of nowhere, his attitude wasn’t as polite as it had been with Vivian.

“I’m the new knight from the Church, Miss Vivian’s husband.”

“After all, Miss Vivian is different from us rough men. Something like arm wrestling should be done by me on her behalf.”

Nolan placed his right hand over his chest, performing a noble gesture towards Frank.

Frank looked up at Vivian, seeing she didn’t say anything.

Frank tacitly approved of Nolan’s action.

“Hope you don’t embarrass your wife….”

Frank grinned fiercely, gripping Nolan’s extended arm.

The three Adventurers chatting quietly in the corner noticed the commotion here.

They immediately started making noise and crowded over.

“Take it easy, Frank, don’t make this guy call the Church people over.” “If they tear this place down, we’ll be on the streets.” “Yeah, Frank, you might as well just admit defeat.”

“Never mind the Church, if you dare win against him, Miss Vivian will beat us all up in a moment.”

Hearing someone mention her, Vivian sharply turned her head.

She glanced at these onlookers with her crimson eyes.

That person immediately covered his mouth, not daring to continue.

He then looked guiltily to both sides.

His two companions were shrewd; after exchanging a glance, they took action.

Each threw a punch, instantly knocking the companion who spoke out of turn to the ground.

“I’ve had it with you for a long time, today I’ll teach you a lesson for your insolence.” The two proceeded to give him a thorough beating.

In the blink of an eye, the man was bruised and swollen, dragged back to the corner.

Seeing this, Vivian felt it was inappropriate to pursue the matter further.

She turned her head, her gaze returning to the two men arm wrestling at the table.

Bald Frank made the first move, his arm suddenly exerting force.

The muscles on his arm bulged, veins popping out, making him look like a beast from the wilderness.

He applied tremendous force onto Nolan’s arm.

But Nolan’s arm was as steady as cast iron.

Frank’s eyebrows furrowed upward, his expression growing more serious.

Nolan smiled slightly, tightening his fingers.

The next second.

Power erupted from his arm!

Frank’s arm began to be visibly pressed down bit by bit.

A puff of white steam instantly shot from his nose.

The color of his arm actually began to slowly turn crimson!

Hiss—

Frank’s entire body surged with blood energy.

White steam continuously rose from his forearm.

Sweat evaporated before it could even form.

The initially disadvantageous situation was gradually being turned around by him.

Nolan snorted coldly, a pale golden holy light swirling around his wrist.

Bam!

The moment the two struggled.

The overloaded wooden table let out a low groan.

And collapsed with a crash.

“Hey, you two, be careful.”

Vivian, watching from the side, was quick. She reached out with her small hand.

Steadily catching the wooden tabletop, allowing their contest to continue.

“Alright.”

Nolan softly replied to Vivian.

Then, an even brighter holy light burst from his hand, the flagstones beneath his feet cracking with fine lines.

Under Frank’s unwilling gaze, his arm was rapidly pressed down.

Slap.

He lost.

Nolan calmly withdrew his hand, straightening his sleeve.

His expression was as indifferent as if he had merely opened a door, nothing worth mentioning.

Frank stood frozen in place, his left hand clutching his numb right arm.

His right arm hung limp, trembling slightly.

He lowered his head, the ferocity from earlier completely gone from his face, replaced only by utter disbelief.

Vivian raised her chin high, her dark crimson pupils filled with triumph.

“I knew it would be like this~”

She chuckled lightly, releasing the wooden table in her hand.

The table instantly turned into a pile of wood splinters, three shiny gold coins falling to the ground, rolling twice.

Vivian conjured a ball of red energy in her hand and tossed it onto Frank’s hanging arm.

The whole room fell silent for a moment.

Frank moved his healed arm.

He bent down, picked up the scattered gold coins from the ground.

Then took fifty copper coins from his own pocket, handing them all to Vivian.

“Hmm, not bad.”

Vivian nodded approvingly.

This bald guy was quite understanding, even knowing to pay for her healing.

One could tell he was doing well in Ma’en City.

“This guy’s gold coin is stolen goods.”

Frank suddenly pointed at the Mage and said.

“That gold coin of his was ‘borrowed’ from the City Lord’s mansion.”

“Once you spend that coin, Miss Vivian, you’ll attract official investigation.”

He mercilessly exposed his old colleague’s secret.

“Damn it! Frank, you lost and now you’re taking it out on me, huh?”

“Don’t think I’m scared of you!”

The Mage flew into a rage, rolling up his sleeves as if to step forward and argue with Frank.

“So, what he said is true.”

Vivian played with the gold coin in her hand, raising her eyes to look at the Mage.

“Uh…”

The Mage instantly shrank like a quail, guiltily lowering his head, unable to speak for a long while.

“Wealth, or power.”

Vivian held the gold coin out to him, while making a fist with her other hand.

She decided to use the Scavenger’s Guild’s rule too, to see what the Mage would choose.

“Wealth! Wealth!”

The Mage immediately took out a new gold coin and placed it in Vivian’s hand.

“This one is definitely not stolen goods, I swear.” “I earned this from my time as a court jester.”

He lowered his head, speaking in a fawning manner.

Vivian snorted coldly, not intending to give him a harder time.

Then, she tossed the stolen gold coin back to him, asking at the same time:

“Why did you pour the stuff into that big box?”