NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1357: Betting Pool!
As Max waited calmly in the arena, his posture relaxed and his expression unreadable, the announcer finally received the order he had been waiting for, and when his voice rang out across the Divine Colosseum, it carried a weight that immediately set every nerve on edge.
"Everyone, the order has been given," the announcer declared loudly, his voice echoing through every corner of the colossal structure. "Max will fight the Grim Gladiator right here and now."
For a brief moment, the words seemed too heavy for the crowd to process, and then the Divine Colosseum exploded into absolute madness. Spectators leapt to their feet, screams and roars colliding into a deafening storm as excitement surged uncontrollably.
People shouted Max's name, others screamed the title of the Grim Gladiator, and many simply laughed hysterically, unable to contain themselves at the thought that the legendary battle they had only dared to imagine was about to become reality.
Just as the frenzy reached its peak, the announcer raised his hand, and his next words cut through the chaos like a blade, stunning everyone into sudden silence.
"For this final battle," he continued, his tone deliberately slow and emphatic, "the Heron Family, who governs the Divine Colosseum behind the scenes, will open a special betting pool exclusively for this match."
The reaction was instantaneous and overwhelming. Gasps rippled through the crowd as disbelief spread across countless faces, because this was something that had never been done before. Until now, the Divine Colosseum had only ever allowed general betting pools that covered all contestants collectively, with no distinction made for individual duels. A betting pool dedicated solely to a single battle between two warriors was unheard of, a privilege reserved only for something considered extraordinary beyond measure.
"A special betting pool, just for these two," someone shouted in shock, their voice trembling with excitement.
"This is insane, they have never done this before, not even for the greatest legends," another spectator yelled, clutching the railing as if afraid they might fall over.
The announcer did not stop there. "Anyone who wishes to place a bet on this battle should immediately register at the Divine Colosseum betting pool," he said clearly, his voice carrying authority and urgency. "The battle between Max and the Grim Gladiator will begin in three hours. You all have exactly three hours to place your bets before this battle commences."
Those final words sent the crowd into a new wave of chaos, different from before but no less intense. People began shouting to companions, calculating odds, arguing heatedly about who would win, and rushing toward the betting halls with frantic energy.
The Divine Colosseum buzzed like a living organism, fueled by anticipation, greed, fear, and awe, because everyone present understood one undeniable truth.
This was no longer just a battle for freedom or fame, but an event so monumental that even the rules of the Divine Colosseum itself had bent to accommodate it, and whatever happened after those three hours would echo throughout the Verdant Sky Realm for a very long time.
And soon the Divine Colosseum descended into controlled chaos, as spectators began standing up from their seats almost simultaneously, the sound of stone steps and hurried footsteps echoing in every direction.
What had been a sea of seated figures only moments ago transformed into a restless tide of people moving with singular purpose, because nearly everyone had reached the same conclusion at once. They were going to bet on Max.
Voices rose everywhere as people shouted to companions, urged friends to hurry, and argued loudly while pushing their way toward the exits that led to the betting halls.
"I am betting everything on Max, I do not care what the odds are," someone yelled as he rushed down the stairs, nearly tripping over himself in his haste.
"There is no way he loses after what we just saw, this is free profit," another person shouted back, pulling his friend along by the arm.
"You are crazy if you bet on the Grim Gladiator now, did you not see what Max did to those four," a woman exclaimed as she squeezed through the crowd, her eyes blazing with certainty.
Within moments, the walkways and staircases were packed shoulder to shoulder, people moving so tightly together that tempers flared and arguments broke out, yet even in that disorder, there was a strange sense of unity.
The majority of the crowd was flowing in the same direction, driven by the same belief, convinced that Max was an unstoppable force and that this betting pool was an opportunity that would never come again.
Despite the sudden surge, the Divine Colosseum did not fall into true disorder, because the Heron Family's management reacted with astonishing speed and precision. Hidden gates slid open along the walls, revealing additional passageways leading directly to auxiliary betting halls that most spectators did not even know existed.
Rows of uniformed attendants appeared almost instantly, their movements practiced and disciplined as they guided the crowd with firm voices and clear instructions.
"Keep moving forward, no pushing, there is enough space for everyone," one attendant called out calmly, his presence steady enough to prevent panic from spreading.
"Additional betting counters are now open on the east and lower wings, please proceed in an orderly manner," another announced, amplifying his voice through a mana infused device that carried his words far and wide.
Magical arrays flickered to life above the entrances, displaying clear directions and real time updates on queue lengths, which allowed many spectators to reroute themselves without causing further congestion.
Even those who were shouting moments ago began to slow down, realizing that the system in place was far more efficient than brute rushing ever could be. Within minutes, what could have become a dangerous stampede was transformed into long but orderly streams of people moving steadily toward their destinations.
Inside the betting halls, counters multiplied as temporary stations unfolded from the walls, clerks already seated and prepared as if they had anticipated this exact scenario. Slips of light formed in the air as people registered their bets, names and amounts flashing briefly before vanishing into secured arrays, while guards stood watch with calm expressions, ensuring that no disputes escalated beyond words.
"Heron Family really came prepared for this," someone muttered while waiting in line, glancing around in surprise at how smoothly everything was being handled.
"They were always waiting for chaos like this, you can tell," another replied, nodding slowly. "This is not their first time controlling madness."
By the time the initial rush subsided, the Divine Colosseum had settled into a tense but organized hum, the betting pools overflowing with wagers favoring Max, and conversations everywhere revolving around odds, speculation, and certainty.
The chaos had not vanished, but it had been tamed, shaped into a structured frenzy under the firm and efficient control of the Heron Family.
"Who are you betting for?" Jaden asked as she turned toward Lucia, her expression serious as she watched the long streams of people moving toward the betting halls below.
"Of course I am betting on Max to win this battle," Lucia replied without the slightest hesitation, her tone so natural that it sounded as if there was never any other option to consider.
"How can you be so sure?" Jaden asked, frowning as she tried to understand Lucia's unwavering confidence. "You should know what it means for the Heron Family to open a betting pool specifically for this battle. They would not do something like this unless they were confident that their Grim Gladiator would win against Max."