Wildness and Masks

"Gourmet... Ogre, huh, interesting." The chubby spokesperson rubbed his hands and asked, "Are you really confident?"

He wouldn't let Ogre die on stage, but if he lost too quickly, there wouldn't be much to see.

"I'm here as a challenger, so of course, I'm confident." Ogre pulled out a gold coin from his waist and placed it on the table. The crisp clinking of the coins always caught the attention of the upright apes.

"If I lose, this money of mine can serve as collateral." Ogre pushed the money bag forward.

The opening would surely attract bets.

But with such a reckless challenge, no matter how high the odds, it's unlikely anyone would bet on an apprentice.

The arena needed a gimmick, but it wasn't about giving away money.

As for match-fixing... do you really think those noble spectators are just there to watch?

To verify authenticity, often all it takes is another challenger.

"I can only try my best to keep you alive," the chubby spokesperson emphasized repeatedly, implying there would be no cheating, and it all depended on skill.

"Hasn't there been someone who, at the apprentice level, defeated a professional?" Ogre said with a confident smile.

Not to mention, in the story of the Dragon Slayer Knight, there was such a segment.

"Let's just follow the rules. I just want to give it a try, that's all." Ogre untied the string of the money bag, revealing the gold coins inside.

According to the odds, this would be his most profitable bet.

So Ogre brought along half of his fortune—eighty gold coins in total.

The money for the betting pool must have an opposing side's wager; if the gap is too large (over ten percent), the pool will be locked.

You might make a big profit, but the arena often won't lose.

The main source of income for the arena actually comes mostly from the inconspicuous fees during betting.

This ensures that even if the arena occasionally loses, it won't lose too much, and this money will eventually flow back through subsequent betting pools.

"Alright, I'll arrange it for you." The chubby spokesperson couldn't figure out where Ogre's confidence came from.

So this time, he didn't plan to help add funds to the betting pool, to avoid any real losses.

These eighty gold coins, plus the ticket money for these two matches, were definitely enough to open a gap.

"This time, the odds are likely to be quite touching..."

...

"The betting is open, the betting is open!"

Outside the arena, besides the nobles who bought tickets for seats, it was quite lively.

However, unlike the nobles who were mainly concerned with the duel, most of the gamblers gathered here were reluctant to spend money to watch the match.

They only cared about what the odds for this betting pool were.

After all, in the city, there were few places as 'fair' as the arena. In the minds of many, this was still their only chance to earn a large sum of money from the noble lords!

Most gamblers were hoping to make a big profit this time.

However, making this money was actually quite difficult.

Because they could only buy the leftovers after the noble lords inside and the professionals watching the match had placed their bets.

To make this money, they had to watch the faces of the nobles in the arena.

"Oh my, by the truth above, what kind of odds are these!"

Ogre versus Bear.

Ogre wins 1:48 (bet one gold coin to earn forty-eight gold coins.)

Bear wins 1:1.02 (bet one gold coin to earn two silver coins.)

Draw 1:100 (bet one gold coin to earn one hundred gold coins.)

(Note: A five percent fee will be deducted from the winnings.)

The terrifying odds almost instantly caught the attention of the gamblers.

"I know this Bear, he's lost quite a few rounds, considered weak among the professionals."

An 'insider' began to reveal.

"But who is this Ogre? Never heard of him, could it be they really caught an Ogre Marauder?"

Humans versus demon beasts was also a feature in the arena, but such matches usually wouldn't have these odds.

"Who cares."

At this moment, the young gamblers couldn't resist starting to buy chips for Ogre's victory.

The terrifying odds overwhelmed their minds, and now they only worried about not being able to grab the remaining chips.

Once the chip ratio imbalance exceeds ten percent of the single ticket + one side's investment, no more purchases will be allowed until the other side catches up.

(Note: The investment is calculated after converting according to the odds ratio.)

So the young gamblers were so anxious.

However, the older, more experienced gamblers mostly restrained their momentary desires, waiting for the latest information.

"Rumor has it, he's an apprentice!" Finally, someone revealed the identity of the 'Ogre.'

This made the gamblers who had previously bought chips turn pale.

"Damn it, give me my money back!" Someone shouted excitedly.

But the arena guards would teach these gamblers to behave.

"Forget it, let's gamble!" Even knowing the truth, some gamblers would still place a bet.

They hoped for a miracle that could grant them a windfall!

Such people, even if they gained temporary wealth, would lose it for various reasons.

"The minimum bet is one silver coin, one gold coin can only earn two silver coins... but a copper coin fee will be deducted, the earnings are a bit low." Some gamblers were scared off by this meager return.

Of course, if the earnings don't exceed five copper coins, the arena wouldn't collect the fee.

This rule would encourage the commoners to bring in more people to spread the bets 'to help,' which equaled free publicity.

"What are you afraid of, it's obviously a sure win, earning a little less is still better than nothing." Some gamblers said and placed their fortunes on the line.

Earning less is better than not earning at all.

"Exactly, exactly."

Some self-proclaimed rational gamblers placed their money on the Bear, hoping to earn some from the odds this time.

These people, seemingly rational, still didn't have control over their fate.

If nothing unexpected happened, they would eventually become like the former group.

...

The excitement outside the arena didn't affect the nobles inside.

Unlike the gamblers outside the arena.

The nobles inside were far more restrained than the gamblers imagined.

At least this group of nobles wouldn't really bet most of their fortunes; the arena was just a place for leisure and entertainment for them.

Watching the people in the arena fight each other was the fun the nobles wanted.

As for money, as long as their family estates and noble titles were intact.

Even if they lost everything else, it wouldn't take long to recover.

So the nobles weren't that enthusiastic about betting.

Most of their enthusiasm was directed towards their favorite 'crickets,' and occasional bets were just to reward their favorite 'crickets.'

This also led to the fact that the vast majority of arena challengers were actually servants and slaves sent by this group of nobles.

So apprentice-level duels were so common.

But this didn't mean they didn't like watching higher-level, more exciting matches.

"The next challenger to take the stage is! An apprentice-level martial artist—Ogre!"