Chapter 23: The Gamble

“You think you have me in the palm of your hand?”

Zhao Jie narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint curve appearing on his lips as he scrutinized Wang Jun, who stood outside the arena. He and Liu Cheng had only come here for the first time, complete novices who knew nothing, while this man had clearly been haunting this place for a long while. After defeating that DigiMaster with multiple Road Beasts, he had come straight here. Once he’d won his spar with Liu Cheng, this man had immediately challenged him, eager and insistent. If Wang Jun didn’t think he could take advantage of him, Zhao Jie would be the first to disbelieve it.

Otherwise, with so many matches going on in this gym, why would this man choose him, and only him, by pure coincidence?

“Ajie.”

Liu Cheng tugged at Zhao Jie’s sleeve, his eyes pleading silently for him to refuse the challenge. He had seen the strength of that Fox Demon Beast—it was formidable. Neither his own Bit Beast nor Zhao Jie’s Agumon could possibly stand against it; accepting the challenge would be nothing but handing over their money.

“Wang Jun, these two are my friends. If you want to gamble on a match, find someone else.”

Brother San’s narrow brows furrowed together. He knew Wang Jun, as did many here. This was a man who loved to make bets, always targeting those who had just reached the Mature stage and come here to train their Digimon. Zhao Jie and Liu Cheng had now become his new prey.

“Oh, Brother San, I recall that staff aren’t allowed to interfere in these matters, right?”

A faint smile played on Wang Jun’s face, but his words showed not the slightest respect for Brother San. When he’d first started, he’d been wary of the staff, but after several months, he’d learned the lay of the land.

“Kid, are you a man or not? If you are, accept my bet! Of course, if you admit you’re not, pretend I never said anything.”

Wang Jun deliberately raised his voice, letting it echo across several nearby arenas. Curious eyes turned toward Zhao Jie’s area.

“That’s right, are you a man or not? If you are, take the challenge!”

In any crowd, two kinds of people are never in short supply: the silent ones, who stay out of it as long as they’re not the target, and the instigators, who love to stir the pot.

“All right then, let’s bet!”

Zhao Jie’s expression scarcely changed. He truly hadn’t expected to encounter something like this, but on reflection, it was inevitable.

Wang Jun always worked his schemes this way. The DigiMaster with the Road Beasts had likely been goaded into a match the same way. Even if Zhao Jie hadn’t met him today, eventually he would have run into Li Jie, or Wang Jie.

“But since we’re betting, why not raise the stakes? However much money you have, let’s wager it all.”

Wager it all?

Liu Cheng stared, stunned. Had his best friend lost his mind? Agumon couldn’t possibly beat that Fox Demon Beast.

“Deal!”

Wang Jun agreed readily. He’d really met a golden goose today. He’d just watched Agumon fight—it was clever, but cleverness was useless against absolute strength.

“Here’s eight hundred!”

With a slap, Wang Jun produced eight hundred yuan. All of it spoils won by his Fox Demon Beast, and the thought of doubling it put him in an even better mood.

“Liu Cheng, how much do you have? Lend me some.”

His own mother had only given him two hundred when he left home—he was still short.

“Ajie, no need to say ‘lend.’ I’ve got four hundred; I’ll sponsor you. Even if we lose, we can’t swallow this insult.”

Liu Cheng’s eyes blazed as he glared at Wang Jun.

A true brother!

A wave of warmth surged in Zhao Jie’s heart.

“We’re still short two hundred. Brother San, lend me two hundred—I’ll pay you back four hundred later!”

Zhao Jie turned to Brother San.

“Are you crazy? Your Agumon can’t possibly beat his Fox Demon Beast. Sometimes you need to endure and let things go. He’s setting you up.”

Brother San leaned in and whispered.

“Brother San, please help us out. If we lose, we’ll fetch the money right away. We won’t default. We just can’t let this go.”

Liu Cheng spoke up before Zhao Jie.

“All right, if you insist, I’ll consider this two hundred my investment in two friends. If we lose, I’ll chalk it up to bad luck. You two don’t owe me a thing.”

Brother San sighed. Young men, so concerned about pride—after today, who here would even remember their faces?

Soon, the eight hundred was assembled.

News of their wager spread quickly through Chaoyang Gymnasium, drawing a crowd who looked on Zhao Jie with pity. Wang Jun’s Fox Demon Beast was a killer against rookie DigiMasters; that Agumon seemed doomed.

“A wager of sixteen hundred, Fox Demon Beast versus Agumon. Winner takes all. Any objections?”

A thousand-yuan bet was rare here, so a senior staff member came to oversee, ensuring no one could cheat as both sides’ money was handed over.

“No problem,” Wang Jun sneered. At his command, the Fox Demon Beast entered the arena while he took his place as commander.

“No problem,” Zhao Jie echoed, glancing at his Agumon, who looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

“Agumon, if you win, I’ll give you a hundred yuan to buy snacks.”

A hundred yuan?!

Agumon’s eyes widened. With that much, he could buy whatever he wanted—no more acting cute for others.

“I’ll make sure to win!”

Agumon marched eagerly onto the platform. The Fox Demon Beast across the ring was bewildered. Was this guy really so happy to get beaten? Maybe he actually liked it?