Chapter 34: Insane Odds!

Upon hearing Dio’s announcement, Alisa, leaning against the wall, nearly fainted from shock.

Judging by the "monkey-man's" earlier actions, he had clearly been bribing the referee. But why would the result of a bribe turn a standard competitive match into a fight to the death? And a hundred consecutive matches at that!?

In Alisa’s understanding, even a god from the higher planes couldn't possibly win a hundred consecutive battles in the arena. This was a reverse-operation of the highest order!

"What was I expecting? In the end, I can't escape the fate of death..." Alisa smiled bitterly. She had contemplated death before, but she never imagined she would die in such an absurd manner. A combat-useless "cat-person" choosing the hundred-match gladiator mode upon entering the arena for the first time. She would become a joke, passed down through generations of Palu people.

"Lu Li? What a madman..."

However, just as Alisa sank into despair, Lu Li was thinking about something else entirely. He was wondering if he had given the referee too much refined gold, given how readily the man had agreed. If he had known, he would have asked for two hundred matches...

The reason for such a risk was not that Lu Li lacked prudence. It was a carefully considered decision. In standard arena matches, participants do not truly die regardless of the outcome. Even if killed on the spot, they are merely kicked out of the Hub Arena temporarily. After seven days, if they used another ticket, they could return to compete. Because it wasn't true death, Lu Li’s "Soul Devour" ability could not function. Winning only yielded small rewards and a meager amount of Hub Points, offering negligible improvement to his strength.

The gladiator mode, however, was different. Players truly died during the matches, and the rewards provided by the arena after victory were far more generous. Moreover, there was one crucial point: those who dared to participate in gladiator mode were players confident in their own strength. In other words, they were geniuses! Only by plundering their talents could Lu Li propel his own strength forward in a very short time.

As for safety, Lu Li had considered that as well. Since this was his first time competing, even if the Hub Arena’s evaluation of his strength was high, he still carried the title of a "newcomer." Newcomers naturally had a protection period. Therefore, even with the gladiator mode activated, he would not be matched against god-tier veteran players.

In the Hub Arena, the passage of time varies between different zones. By the time Lu Li and Alisa stepped out of the long corridor, numerous billboards had already been hung in the center of the arena. Four giant screens played footage of Lu Li and Alisa on a loop, displaying one eye-catching headline after another:

"An Arrogant Challenger from the Dust World."
"An Unimaginable Number of Gladiator Matches!"
"Is This a Tombstone for the Reckless, or the Roar of a Buried Genius?!"
"Unprecedented Epic Odds!"
"An Incomparable Gladiatorial Feast—Let Us Wait and See!!!"

Looking at the flamboyant slogans, the corners of Lu Li’s mouth twitched. It was no wonder the Hub Arena was the center connecting all star sectors; their marketing was truly impressive! Even he began to look forward to the matchups ahead.

At this moment, various discussions erupted in the spectator stands surrounding the arena. Derision and disdain naturally made up the majority. After all, those sitting in the stands had mostly participated in arena matches themselves. Even the pure newcomers could glean plenty of inside information from the veterans.

"I can't believe it. I’ve used over a hundred blue tickets, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen a newcomer challenge a hundred consecutive gladiator matches."

"Who wouldn't say so? Even newcomers who win three in a row are rare..."

"Didn't you see the ads? They’re from the 'Dust World.' Players from those backwater corners are like frogs in a well, not knowing how vast the sky is! They don't understand the cruelty of the arena, which is why they spout such nonsense."

"Hahaha, it’s hilarious. I want to see what kind of ability these two have to be so courageous..."

"But you have to wonder, the arena referee isn't stupid. Why would he grant a newcomer a hundred-match gladiator challenge?"

"Probably to build hype and attract attention. This newcomer might have some skill, but a hundred matches is just too exaggerated..."

"I’m starting to look forward to the betting. Since the arena is the house, betting on the newcomer to lose is basically guaranteed money, right?!"

"Forget it, the odds will be so low you won't earn much."

"Small gains are still gains! Besides, for a sure-fire bet like this, I’m definitely going all in!"

"Wow, betting that big? Don't lose the shirt off your back."

"Quit talking. Do you believe a newcomer can win a hundred in a row?!"

"Hurry up and follow my lead, brother. I’m inviting you to get rich with me—don't say I didn't warn you..."

As the atmosphere in the arena grew increasingly heated, Referee Dio, standing in the center awaiting the start of the match, quietly contacted the croupier running the books.

"Darling, help me place a bet. Put it on Lu Li and Alisa winning a hundred matches. Stake: 700 kilograms of refined gold."

A moment later, a query came from the croupier: "Referee Dio, a friendly reminder: this hundred-match gladiator challenge has already caught the attention of the High Heavens. Are you sure you want to play with fire under their noses?"

"Of course not, darling. I am the embodiment of absolute fairness! Participating in this bet is merely a small expression of my optimism for this newcomer."

"By the way, what are the odds for a hundred-match winning streak?"

The croupier replied: "They haven't been finalized yet, but the preliminary odds are 1 to 500,000. If you bet 700 kilograms of refined gold, you would win 350,000 tons of refined gold."

"Such a massive amount might be impossible for the Hub Arena to pay out immediately. Are you sure you want to bet?"

Dio shook his head. "Of course, darling. We all know the arena never defaults on a debt! Besides, it can always be converted into Hub Points, can't it?"

The croupier looked at the message and offered one final piece of advice: "But that’s 700 kilograms of refined gold—that's not chump change."

Dio’s reply was simple and arrogant: "It’s a bribe from a newcomer anyway; why fear losing what you picked up for free!"

The croupier gasped, feeling a sudden surge of temptation. Although a hundred-match winning streak was an impossible task, the 1-to-500,000 odds were simply too insane. Even if she bet just one Hub Point, she could walk away with 500,000.

"Should I throw a little in too?"

After all, betting in the Hub Arena was handled entirely by supercomputers. As a beautiful croupier, her role was, in a sense, limited to verifying bets and registering wagers. With a "just for fun" mentality, she placed 10 Hub Points on Lu Li’s victory.

At that very moment, a resounding bell echoed throughout the arena. The hundred-match gladiator challenge had begun.