Free Web NovelChapter 2497: Chapter 2497: Can’t Swallow This Humiliation
Xu Huo had already learned the itinerary from the Wan Family. Since the number of people traveling together had increased, although there were some minor scuffles along the way, everyone was fine. Wen Xin even teamed up with a few players to capture one of their opponents, extracting some useful information from that player’s mouth.
Actually, the seemingly random and elusive attacks along the way were related to an underground casino.
The casino sets up gambling events, selecting suitable Outer Zone player teams from the tourist special line route, and categorizing them with numbers. Those wealthy third- and fourth-generation people place bets, choosing which team to support and wager on. Participants can interfere with other teams’ progress within the rules, thereby increasing their chances of winning.
This type of gambling is known as "new-style horse racing."
Horse racing?
When they heard these words from that player’s mouth, Wen Xin and the others laughed angrily. This was not just about thwarting their mission; it was utterly disrespectful to the Outer Zone players. In the eyes of these wealthy young people, they might be little more than livestock!
Originally intending to kill in frustration, unexpectedly, the captured player suddenly sobered up from the effects of the Truth Serum and fled directly into the station.
No matter what, they couldn’t swallow this insult, so Wen Xin and the others motivated other players to show District 001 players a lesson.
Realizing their efforts to clear the mission were merely entertainment for the people in District 001, everyone was angry. However, most players still felt it better to settle the score after clearing the mission to avoid causing trouble and being held up for extended periods.
Ling Ling and the others shared this sentiment.
Wen Xin, however, was not as cautious. He persuaded a few players traveling with him and tried to convince Xu Huo and the Girl in the painting.
Disguised as the Wan Family duo, they didn’t relent until they reached Pharmaceutical City.
"Do you have a plan?" Xu Huo asked directly upon returning.
"I knew I wasn’t wrong about you!" Wen Xin patted his shoulder, smiling, "I have an idea. Anyway, that bunch of people have arranged players to monitor us. I estimate there are several groups scattered around. They won’t appear at the station, so they can only act along the road."
He opened the map, "Before reaching the next station, we must pass through a tunnel. This mountain is large. If spatial teleportation devices are restricted, they can only hike over the mountain, so we can wait for them there in advance."
"What if they’re using a relay mode?" Xu Huo asked, "To save time, those participating in the gambling event might arrange different people in different sections."
"That’s indeed a problem," Wen Xin said, "So I prepared a backup plan, which is to make the train stop in the tunnel."
"Blowing up the tunnel is definitely unrealistic, as everyone still needs to clear the mission, so just damage the train."
Xu Huo paused for a moment before asking, "Did that player mention the timing of the gambling event?"
"Didn’t get the chance to ask," Wen Xin regretted, "The pharmaceutical industry in District 001 is too advanced. Players there may have had special training, so they recover faster."
"I guess there must be a time limit," Xu Huo said, "Otherwise, players clearing the mission could lengthen the time on the special line. A gambling event can’t last thirty days."
"Players aiming to clear the mission will move quickly along the special line to reach the endpoint, avoiding failure and lacking a second chance. That’s why people block ahead."
"Are you suggesting we spend two days here?" Wen Xin pondered, "That’s not very secure. If it differs from what you said and the trailing teams are directly eliminated, we might not encounter anyone."
"That’s not necessarily true." Xu Huo looked at a thin line that extended from himself into the sky. It was his characteristic "Lock-on Target," which can lock onto opponents in the same zone. He used it on one of the players during the forest confrontation earlier, initially planning to follow the trail to find the people behind them... now it’s just right using it here.
"We can wait for a day and see." He continued, "If it doesn’t work, we’ll catch up."
Wen Xin thought for a moment, then sought the opinions of the other players, finally agreeing to wait.
Delaying time is best done with other teams that have been attacked. If the gambling event is truly timed, players staying at the station without leaving will make the bettors anxious.
Conversely, if those people truly disregard the trailing teams, Ling Ling and the others running ahead will still face attacks. The problem lies in whether they can block the opponents or not.
After finalizing the plan with Wen Xin and others, Xu Huo exchanged positions with the Wan Family members and returned to the old lady’s side.
Nothing happened on the hotel side. Xu Huo observed the direction of the characteristic chains; the players who intercepted him earlier were still following the Wan Family duo and had now entered Pharmaceutical City, probably to understand the movements of Wen Xin and the others. They were not far from the place where Wen Xin and Ling Ling stayed.
Acting in the city carries some risk. Ideally, it’s to lure them outside the city, while also bringing over those trailing the old lady.
The room was filled with constant chewing sounds. He turned around and looked at the excessively boisterous Bubble Bean, "Didn’t you eat yesterday?"
"Didn’t we eat together?" Bubble Bean was stuffing food in his mouth, "I don’t know what happened, but I woke up starving and have been eating continuously until now."
He finished with a satisfied burp, rubbing his protruding belly, "Now I’m comfortable."
Xu Huo observed he seemed off, "Did you drink this morning?"
The somewhat free-spirited Bubble Bean laughed, "Who drinks in the morning, especially in an instance? Are you looking for trouble? It was just pure hunger, nothing wrong."
The street lamps sprayed another dose of medicine mist. The weather wasn’t great today, the sky looked gray and seemed like it might rain.
The long-haired Player was continually in touch with the Wan Family and occasionally provided Xu Huo with a bit of information about District 001.
By afternoon, he and another Wan Family member proposed to leave first.
Not knowing what happened, seeing their anxious expressions, Xu Huo promised to take good care of the old lady and said, "You should take the two disguised people with you."
The long-haired Player hesitated for a moment, "You don’t need them anymore?"
Xu Huo nodded slightly.
"Alright," the long-haired Player said, "This time, the Wan Family owes you a favor. Come find us anytime if you need something."
After saying that, he led the people to leave the hotel.
"Can they get out?" Bubble Bean asked.
Someone was watching them nearby. As soon as they left Pharmaceutical City, players would intercept them. Even though the long-haired Player and others didn’t take the old lady away, there’s no guarantee he didn’t take the Cat Whisker Fruit.
"That’s none of our business now." Xu Huo casually remarked, then went over to the old lady, "Ma’am, let’s chat."
