Chapter 81: The Eve of the Gambling Duel (Fifth Chapter—Ten Thousand Words, Please Subscribe!)

Arriving outside the inner city, the driver, Dart, once again got out and reported to the guards. After their identities were confirmed, the off-road vehicle finally received permission to continue. It passed through the city gates, rumbling slowly into the inner district of Pano City.

Compared to the outer district, the inner city was much less populated, but the environment was far superior. Most buildings here were stand-alone villas with gardens; even the smallest covered several hundred square meters, and some even boasted swimming pools. Along the streets, numerous trees stood sentinel, with benches, streetlights, and trash bins lining the sidewalks. Dedicated workers kept the area clean, evoking a glimpse of peaceful city life from a bygone era.

The residents of this district were almost exclusively core members of the Pano family. Every one of them was at least a level 3 Evolver, with some even reaching level 6 or beyond, holding the true reins of power in the Pano family domain. Unlike the Black Hawk Corporation, which boasted more “Hunters,” the Pano territory was guarded by only three such Evolvers, but all three were direct descendants of the family. Thus, the Pano family’s dominance over their domain was absolute and unshakable.

At the very heart of the inner city stood a ten-story building of reinforced concrete, sprawling over a thousand square meters—its modern lines unmistakable. The family’s emblem was carved in grand relief at its center. This was the City Lord’s Mansion, the Pano equivalent to the Black Hawk Corporation’s headquarters.

In truth, given the technological prowess of both the Black Hawk Corporation and the Pano family, it would have been easy to build their headquarters to twenty or thirty stories. But such heights would only attract the attention of large mutant beasts, especially flying ones, and bring endless trouble. Thus, both factions had chosen restraint.

After about two minutes driving through the inner city, the off-road vehicle halted before the imposing City Lord’s Mansion. On either side of the entrance, two rows of guards stood at attention—burly men in camouflage uniforms, cradling automatic rifles, grenades at their belts, the Pano family crest on their armbands. Each guard was an Evolver of at least level 1, among the elite, their skin almost unmarred by dirt or radiation. As the vehicle approached, they raised their weapons and stamped their feet in a show of welcome.

When the vehicle stopped, the captain of the guard personally stepped forward, opened the door, and ushered Link respectfully into the mansion.

Although conflict had arisen between the Black Hawk Corporation and the Pano domain, neither side had torn up the facade of civility; instead, they agreed to resolve their dispute with a relatively peaceful wagered contest. Thus, the Pano family maintained every courtesy.

Link was invited alone into the City Lord’s Mansion. The driver, Dart, and the five contestants—including Zhang Ran—waited in the vehicle. About half an hour later, Link returned. Simultaneously, a squad of guards from the mansion jogged ahead, clearing the path for the off-road vehicle.

Led by this escort, the vehicle arrived at an impressive row of townhouses. Above the entrance hung a grand sign: "Moonwater Hotel." On the steps stood two young women dressed in office attire and short skirts, their complexions fair, playing the role of greeters. Both were level 1 Evolvers, their looks considered above average in the wasteland world.

This was the most luxurious hotel in the Pano family domain. A single night’s stay cost as much as several months’ salary for a level 1 Evolver; even the more advanced would balk at such an expense. Yet the interior matched its price: every room was lavishly appointed with extravagant furnishings; the air was purified of radiation and perfumed with special fragrances, creating a sense of peace and refreshment. Every guest room was supplied with electricity, fans, and lighting, and even the water in the showers was filtered of radiation, cleaner than most drinking water.

The squad of guards escorted Link inside. Zhang Ran, the other four contestants, and Dart followed.

"Honored guest, welcome to the Moonwater Hotel. We are delighted to serve you!" The two attendants, well informed of their visitor, bowed respectfully as Link entered.

Link was provided with a premium suite for himself. Zhang Ran, the other four contestants, and Dart were assigned a standard room together. Yet even the "standard" room spanned eighty square meters and featured every amenity, fully justifying its steep price.

At six that evening, the two attendants knocked on their door, pushing a cart laden with a sumptuous meal for six. Dart, however, immediately refused the food. The contest was to be held the next day, and there was always a risk that the Pano family might have tampered with the food, potentially influencing the outcome. Link had tasked Dart with supervising the contestants to prevent any mishap.

After the attendants left, Dart opened his portable suitcase and distributed five tubes of high-energy rations of varying grades to the contestants.

The night passed without incident.

The next morning, after breakfast, Zhang Ran and the other five contestants boarded the off-road vehicle and were taken to the coliseum outside Pano City. Once an entertainment venue for gladiatorial bouts, it had hosted matches for the amusement of Evolvers. The combatants were often slaves, criminals, bankrupts, or mutant beasts from the wild.

Entering the coliseum, at its center lay a circular platform a hundred meters across, ringed by tiered seating. On normal duel days, these seats would be packed. Today, the contest was not open to the public; only a handful of Pano family representatives sat scattered among the seats, including one of the three leaders—a level 1 Hunter.

This Hunter was an elderly man in a scarlet robe, his face lined with age, his skin wrinkled. At seventy, he was old even by the standards of a Hunter, whose lifespan could reach a hundred years. Yet, as the chip’s sensors revealed, despite his aged appearance, his vitality remained robust. His attributes and cellular activity showed no signs of decline; his fighting strength was still at its peak.