It was the kind of humbling that hit harder than any punch he'd ever taken—back when he was just a guy with a dream and no system to cheat with.
"Again," he growled, already walking back to the line. "Let's run it."
ARIA's grin split wide. "Atta boy."
They ran for two straight hours.
Back and forth. Kilometer after more kilometers. Peter redlining everything—muscles screaming, lungs burning, sweat pouring like he'd jumped in a pool. Eros Mode cranked past safe limits, veins glowing under his skin, heart hammering like it wanted out.
ARIA made it look like a casual stroll.
She lapped him.
Ten times.
Twenty.
Fifty.
In not more than two seconds.
Every pass was a new roast.
First lap after those fifty laps: she started running backwards, hands behind her head, smirking. "C'mon, Master! Pick up the pace! You're embarrassing the species!"
