Chapter 16: What a Coincidence, I'm Also Heading to the Hell-Level Dungeon

A voice filled with arrogance and disdain rang out amidst the crowd.

Everyone’s expressions froze in surprise before they turned to look.

Who could it be?

How dare they speak to Gu Chen like that?

At that moment, a handsome young man clad in a rare-grade knight’s armor stepped up in front of Gu Chen.

Li Wenhui.

The class monitor of the elite class at Lin City No. 1 High School, from a wealthy family, who had transferred to the rare profession of Retribution Knight.

Whether it was profession, background, or wealth, he completely overshadowed Gu Chen in every aspect.

He approached Gu Chen with an air of superiority, and indeed, he had the capital to be arrogant.

“Although I’m allowing you to join my team, don’t get too excited. If you underperform and hold back our progress, I’ll blacklist you immediately,” Li Wenhui declared, his tone dripping with unhidden superiority.

Though he said it was an invitation to form a team, it felt more like an act of charity, as if he was bestowing a great favor.

Gu Chen raised an eyebrow, not angry but instead wearing a strange smile.

So he’s showing off his superiority right in my face?

He really thinks highly of himself.

Li Wenhui was from the Li family of Lin City, a prominent clan.

What did that mean?

Money, of course!

A fat sheep delivered on a silver platter!

A flash of sharp light appeared in Gu Chen’s eyes; if he didn’t take this chance to profit off this arrogance, it would be a waste.

“What are you waiting for? Follow me,” Li Wenhui tilted his head, motioning for Gu Chen to follow.

Gu Chen responded with disdain, “Look, buddy, I just soloed the hard-level dungeon this morning. Now you want me to be your lackey? Are you crazy, or am I?”

Li Wenhui snorted coldly. “Hard-level? That’s nothing. I’m leading a team into the Hell-level dungeon. Hell-level! Do you get it?”

Hell-level!

At those words, the noisy crowd suddenly quieted, and their gazes toward Li Wenhui shifted.

So far, there had been no record of anyone clearing the Hell-level novice dungeon in Lin City.

Given Li Wenhui’s profession and background, if he dared to say this, it was almost guaranteed success.

Countless eyes then turned to Gu Chen, filled with envy and admiration.

That was the Hell-level dungeon!

Though Gu Chen had soloed the hard-level, compared to Hell-level, it was child’s play.

Right now, following Li Wenhui into a dungeon was an incredible opportunity.

Yet Gu Chen remained nonchalant. “So what?”

“So what? Hmph! In all of Lin City, teams capable of tackling the Hell-level dungeon are few and far between. If you don’t join my team, that’s your loss, got it?”

“Funny enough,” Gu Chen smiled slyly, “I happen to be heading into the Hell-level dungeon as well.”

“You?!” Li Wenhui scoffed in disbelief, his tone dripping with contempt.

“What, you don’t believe me?” Gu Chen said casually. “Since we’re all doing Hell-level, why not make a bet?”

“A bet?”

“Whoever gets the higher completion rating wins.”

Li Wenhui laughed as if hearing a joke. “Haha, are you sure? I’m afraid you’ll lose miserably!”

At that moment, one of Li Wenhui’s followers whispered, “Young Master Li, Gu Chen must have some backing to say that. It’s best not to gamble with him.”

“Afraid of him?” Li Wenhui’s eyes flashed cold. “He’s just a commoner from an ordinary class who got lucky soloing a dungeon once. Does he really think he’s some kind of god?”

Gu Chen grew impatient. “Enough chatter. If you’re not willing to bet, just say so.”

Who was Li Wenhui?

Privileged, arrogant, transferred to a rare profession, and hailed as a genius.

Could he tolerate this insult?

“I’m not afraid? What a joke!” Li Wenhui sneered. “I’m just worried you can’t even put up a bet.”

Gu Chen remained calm and collected. “I’ll wager five hundred thousand. Is that enough?”

“What? Five hundred thousand?” Li Wenhui furrowed his brows, suspicion flashing across his face. “You’re just an ordinary student. Where would you get that kind of money?”

He was taken aback. Though his rare-grade knight armor was worth over a million, it was family resources.

He himself had saved tens of thousands for upgrading and skill books.

If he lost...

Ridiculous!

He was a Retribution Knight, a rare profession, with rare-grade armor — how could he lose?

With that thought, Li Wenhui’s eyes revealed undisguised contempt. “Fine, I’ll bet with you, but it must be done through the trading platform.”

Among professionals, betting was not forbidden; in fact, the trading platform had developed a dedicated system to facilitate bets and prevent cheaters.

Li Wenhui’s insistence on the platform was out of concern that Gu Chen might be unable to pay up if he lost.

Without a word, Gu Chen took out his phone, logged into the trading platform, and created a bet.

He first transferred five hundred thousand into the system, then set the betting terms and evaluation criteria, sending it to Li Wenhui.

“Okay.” Li Wenhui confirmed and nodded with satisfaction, transferring his five hundred thousand as well.

With the stakes deposited, the bet was officially on.

There was no turning back now.

“Gu Chen, you can’t back out now,” Li Wenhui said with a triumphant grin.

Who would have thought betting with a commoner would net him five hundred thousand? A pleasant surprise.

“Wow! They actually bet for real!” someone exclaimed.

“A summoner versus a Retribution Knight — how dare he?” another murmured.

“Guessing Gu Chen will lose,” another commented.

“Don’t forget, Li Wenhui’s teammates are all top students from various high schools.”

“And Gu Chen’s teammates? Never heard of them. Rumor has it they’re actors.”

“Actors?”

...

The crowd was full of skepticism, yet on Gu Chen’s face was an unmistakable smile.

At this moment, his mood mirrored Li Wenhui’s — who would have thought a bet could earn fifty thousand!

What a surprise!

Just then, three figures appeared outside the dungeon plaza: Lin Qingqing, Su Ran, and Wu Ziyi.

Lin Qingqing’s delicate features were strikingly beautiful, but it was her commanding and sturdy figure that carved a path through the crowd. Su Ran and Wu Ziyi followed closely behind.

Before reaching them, Lin Qingqing’s eyes caught sight of Li Wenhui standing next to Gu Chen.

“Oh no!”

Her expression suddenly changed. “Why is Gu Chen standing with Li Wenhui? Are they teaming up?”

Hearing this, Su Ran behind her suddenly looked flustered.

They had painstakingly borrowed two hundred thousand and already transferred it to Gu Chen. Was he about to join Li Wenhui’s team?

What about the money?

That was two hundred thousand!

Wu Ziyi also noticed the situation ahead and frowned slightly.

Though one hundred thousand was valuable, what concerned him more was following Gu Chen into the Hell-level dungeon.

Missing out on this expert would be a far greater loss than one hundred thousand.

“Quick, let’s go,” Wu Ziyi said gravely, and the three quickened their pace.