Chapter 1231:

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Their mood was light and easy, but the situation for the Axe Gang was anything but.

Jovanni could hardly contain his anger. “Four territories gone, just like that! Three of those losses were completely avoidable. The damage is enormous. How am I ever going to explain this to our boss?”

He had volunteered to lead their fighters during this Underground Fighter Combat.

At first, snatching a territory from the Dark Hills had seemed like a triumph, but that small win now looked meaningless compared to losing four all at once. The scale of defeat meant there would be hell to pay. Not even his rank could protect him from punishment.

“You’re worried about what you’ll say? I lost a friend!” the old man snapped, his voice edged with fury.

Jovanni had nothing to say. Bitter resentment filled him. Those two had boasted endlessly about being world-class professionals. So this was what they delivered? A woman had brought them down.

“She’s hurt. My strength surpasses my friend’s. When she stands in front of me, I’ll end her,” vowed the old man, his voice steely.

“Oh, you think so?” Jovanni’s eyes brightened.

𝖱𝖾а𝖽 𝗳r𝘰m y𝗈u𝘳 𝗉𝗵on𝖾 𝗼n 𝗀𝘢𝗹𝘯о𝘷е𝘭𝘴.𝘤o𝗆

“Absolutely. If you want those territories back, just raise the stakes,” the old man suggested.

“Fine, we’ll go with your idea,” said Jovanni, not missing a beat.

He saw no other option. Walking away empty-handed would lead to severe punishment anyway, so he figured he might as well take a risky chance to recover what they had lost—or maybe win even more.

He’d noticed Maren’s injury earlier, too.

In Jovanni’s mind, along with everyone else’s, Maren’s earlier victory against the young man had looked like pure luck. Their abilities seemed close, and the young man appeared to be stronger than Maren.

Since the old man claimed to be more powerful than his friend, and Maren was already hurt, this round shouldn’t be a problem.

The stage was soon set for the last clash between the Dark Hills and the Axe Gang.

This time, Maren was matched against the old man.

“We want to raise the stakes,” Jovanni said before Orlando could speak. “Orlando, if you’ve got any courage at all, put your money where your mouth is. Don’t think you can quit after just one win.”

Deep down, he was worried Orlando would lose his nerve and refuse the bet.

If Orlando chose not to keep betting, even a win would only get the Axe Gang a single territory back, leaving them deep in the red. He’d still have no excuse to offer once he returned.

“Let’s bet, then. Who’s scared?”

Knowing Maren’s plan, Orlando was thinking the same thing as Jovanni. With a chance like this, he saw no reason to refuse. Honestly, he felt like he hadn’t won enough yet.

Both gangs agreed to raise the stakes.

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