"Yet you were the only one who was able to stall me. You were the only one who took the chance to try."

A chance to try something so outlandish. Of course. Why would Riddle ever entertain the thought that any of that had been anything more than words to placate a monster?

His gaze goes distant for a moment, and then he gives a slight start, straightening up and trying to play it off.

"Ah, yes. Agreed." He flourishes with a hand. "It was no small achievement."