Chapter 1232:

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This time, the wager was ten territories.

Ten was the most Jovanni could put up. Since he’d already lost four, even if he managed to win five back, that would only leave him one territory ahead. That would never satisfy his boss. If he was going to risk it all, he figured he might as well go for the biggest win possible. A true comeback would be something to brag about.

Orlando had no objections. The more at stake, the greater the reward.

“No way! They only risked three last time, and now it’s ten! They’re really throwing everything in!”

“If either side loses ten territories, the Dark Hills and the Axe Gang will both be crippled. They might even be barred from joining the next Underground Fighter Combat.”

The other gangs buzzed with disbelief.

Delley had more gangs than anyone could count, but only the big players had a seat at the Underground Fighter Combat.

Those in the middle and at the bottom had no place at the table.

𝘍𝗼𝘭lo𝗐 u𝗌 𝗼𝘯 𝘨𝘢lո𝗼𝗏𝗲l𝗌.c𝘰𝗺

Should either the Dark Hills or the Axe Gang lose ten territories, the heavy blow to their resources could easily push them down to the level of a medium-tier gang.

This was a true roll of the dice—one that would decide their fate.

Once the announcer declared the match underway, both Maren and the old man stood their ground, neither rushing in.

“You’re finished already!” the old man called out, unable to hide his smugness. “That was what your friend claimed, too. Let’s not drag this out. I’ll end this in no time.”

With everything on the line in this last showdown against the Axe Gang, Maren had no reason left to hold back.

She charged at the old man with unrestrained force.

“How is this possible?” The old man’s eyes widened in disbelief. Before he could react, Maren’s kick sent him sprawling to the floor. Panic flooded him as he realized he was completely outmatched.

“Did you honestly believe you were the only one with something to hide?” Maren drove her heel down with brutal precision, shattering his ribs. The broken bones pierced his heart in an instant.

Death came so swiftly, the old man never even got the chance to cry out.

The crowd sat frozen for a few seconds, struggling to process what had just happened. Then, a wave of excitement swept through the arena as cheers exploded from every direction.

“She’s not injured at all! That woman was never hurt!”

“It all makes sense now! The Dark Hills tricked the Axe Gang into thinking they could win, so they raised the stakes!”

“This is wild—I can’t believe how clever they were!”

Most people had assumed that with her injuries, Maren wouldn’t last a minute against the old man. To everyone’s shock, she brought him down in just two swift moves. That was when the truth finally sank in. Laughter broke out across the field without restraint.

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