[110]
“Check.”
“Call.”
“Call.”
“Raise.”
“All in.”
At Yuri’s declaration, the last gambler said in an irritated tone:
“Fold.”
He threw down the cards he was holding. It would have been a decent hand under normal circumstances, but unfortunately, the person who had just declared “all in” was “John Doe.”
The participants in the game revealed their cards in turn. As expected, John Doe swept the table.
The man with purple eyes, despite having accumulated a considerable pile of chips in front of him, lit a cigar with an expressionless face that showed little excitement.
Acrid smoke spread thickly through the air.
“Next round?”
“I’m done.”
Two people got up with disgusted expressions.
One made an excuse about needing to use the bathroom, but everyone present knew it was a lie.
The dealers could be seen collecting the chips and crediting them to the terminals.
The gambler observed John Doe carefully.
Behind the hand of cards of the man who had already started a new game, purple eyes moved back and forth.
Though his appearance was rather ordinary, those eyes kept drawing people’s attention.
Even without employing any particular psychological tactics, looking into his opponent’s eyes was enough to get them entangled.
‘Having these thoughts about another man. Have I gone crazy?’
The gambler inwardly clicked his tongue.
Just then, John Doe put down his cards.
“I’ve lost.”
The hand he threw on the table wasn’t particularly terrible.
If luck had been just a little better.
‘Or maybe the others were holding the cards he needed.’
Surely he had a brilliant mind that memorized all the card patterns.
Curiosity piqued, the gambler waited until John Doe was alone.
Once the attention had somewhat dispersed, he stealthily approached John Doe and spoke:
“You… you’re counting cards, aren’t you?”
Even though he didn’t win consecutively, he never seemed to lose much either.
He maintained just enough of a margin to appear like a gambler simply enjoying the game.
And then, at certain moments, he would sweep the table.
‘With a hand that no one could beat, a sure win.’
This was what convinced the gambler about the card counting.
However, right after winning a big pot, he would spend the money lavishly as if it held little significance.
As a result, quite a few people flocked to John Doe.
‘That’s his real business.’
Everyone rushed to the generous winner to borrow chips.
In reality, John Doe wasn’t such a generous person.
But those who cared more about the immediate game than the fact that he would definitely collect what was owed flocked to him like moths to a flame.
By the time John Doe made a round of the gambling den, his pockets would be bulging not with chips, but with a list of debtors.
There were rumors that this ruthless man had cut off the wrist of someone who had tried to attack him for his chips. People said they saw the person being carried out on a stretcher.
How could someone who had appeared so recently already be surrounded by such rumors?
‘Of course I’m curious.’
The gambler, who had been meticulously observing by deliberately joining the same games as him, realized something.
This damn loan shark, John Doe, wasn’t enjoying the game.
‘Rather…’
He seemed to be thoroughly examining the psychology of those at the table.
At this sudden realization, the gambler frowned.
‘Have I been caught up in the atmosphere too?’
That’s just how these places were.
Those who lose every time seem to bring bad luck just by being nearby. On the other hand, someone like John Doe, who wins consistently, is viewed as a deity with an unparalleled golden touch.
“Well…”
Yuri’s eyes curved slightly.
Although his face was hidden behind an illusion, there was an irresistible magnetism that made it impossible to look away.
Though he was smiling, it was hard to see it as a complete smile.
It seemed subtly suggestive of some ingenious trap, while simultaneously conveying a silent pressure, as if asking if one could handle the interrogation.
The gambler gulped.
“If that’s all you have to say, I’d appreciate it if you’d leave.”
Yuri nodded upwards toward the ceiling.
“Wolf’s” match was just beginning to be broadcast.
“That fighter, they say he’s yours. Is that true?”
“If your business is as dull as talking about what everyone already knows, I’m not interested.”
The color of the lips drawing on the cigar that again expelled words of dismissal seemed particularly intense.
“No, I also placed some chips on Wolf. Can’t we watch together?”
The gambler mumbled awkwardly.
John Doe, glancing at him, gestured to the seat opposite.
After ordering a drink, the gambler felt his face flush hot after just one sip.
The purple eyes that seemed to penetrate his thoughts were staring directly at him.
The drink seemed stronger than what he had ordered.
‘Did he slip the server some money? He’s really crazy.’
As the gambler flinched, John Doe crossed his legs and asked:
“So. Why did you approach me?”
The gambler startled, having unconsciously glanced at the ankle revealed as the pant leg rode up.
“I’m not looking to pick a fight. But… I’d like us to have some fun together.”
The words inside him came out surprisingly smoothly.
“Fun?”
While responding, John Doe’s gaze was directed at the jumbotron.
“Wolf only seems to win in matches where victory is absolutely necessary.”
The gambler lowered his voice slightly and whispered.
“What do you think of my theory?”
“That theory.”
The purple eyes left the jumbotron for the first time and turned to the gambler.
“Seems about as useful as your suspicion that I’m counting cards.”
It was all circumstantial evidence, without any concrete proof.
There was a sense of pressure. However, the gambler felt things were going well.
“I love gambling. So I can read the flow of a game.”
Rolling his eyes, Yuri checked his neatly trimmed beard and nails.
At least in appearance, he seemed normal.
The fact that he took care of himself suggested he hadn’t completely lost his grip.
While others were looking at the chips Yuri was throwing around, the gambler was observing what Yuri was doing.
‘Would he make a good primary collaborator?’
Regardless of Yuri’s true intentions, the gambler gradually made his move.
“I came because it seems like you’ve got a good fighter and are pursuing efficient matches.”
A different hue settled in the purple eyes looking his way.
It was hard to tell whether it was curiosity or hostility.
‘Such an ambiguous color.’
Though he thought he was adept at reading people, it was difficult to understand what kind of person John Doe was.
Swallowing dryly, the gambler whispered:
“If you join hands with me, I can provide useful information.”
“I can find what I need on my own.”
The answer came immediately.
“Well… but you know too.”
The gambler puffed out his chest.
“Sometimes, there’s information only one person can provide.”
For the first time, John Doe fell silent.
‘It worked!’
Intuitively realizing he had succeeded, the gambler smiled brightly and extended his hand.
“I’m Edgar, also working as a broker. I’m after interesting matches.”
He smiled, showing his teeth.
Meanwhile, Yuri, playing the role of John Doe, observed the other’s smile without taking his hand.
His teeth were all properly in place, with no signs of discoloration from drugs.
“John Doe. Loan shark.”
Though it was an alias and occupation everyone knew, Edgar felt proud to receive the introduction directly.
“I’ll determine and notify you of the transaction details at a later date.”
“Without even a handshake? How prim.”
Though offered as a joke, a cold wind blew across the other’s face.
It was Edgar who first cowered under the gaze staring at him.
“If you’re done talking, I’d appreciate it if you could move aside.”
The purple eyes turned to the jumbotron.
“The match isn’t over yet.”
Suddenly, Edgar remembered what his friend, who had disappeared with a severed hand, had been doing in the gambling den.
He had been bribing fighters to fix matches.
‘Oh no. Could it be?’
His mouth went dry.
Images of the decent cards Yuri had discarded flashed through his mind.
“Was that why you ended the last round?”
Driven by curiosity stronger than the thought that he shouldn’t ask this, his tongue moved on its own.
“Because Wolf’s match was starting?”
Yuri did not answer the question.
***
– It seems our Wolf has met his match!
Loud commentary blared overhead.
Chris wanted to accumulate enough points to advance to the next rank, but now the number of required match participations was holding him back.
This Colosseum must have specifically studied how to keep its contestants trapped.
“Ptui.”
Chris pulled his front paws back to avoid the spit from the opposing fighter.
– This map is the Iron Forest! There are exciting traps hidden among the vegetation!
– Unfortunately, his match luck doesn’t seem good today!
“They say you’ve been doing well lately, but disrespecting your senior like this?”
The woman with the hammer growled.
Regardless, Chris was busy analyzing his opponent.
‘Excessively curly hair. And goggles.’
Perhaps she manipulated light or lightning?
After facing various Espers, it had become easier than before to gauge what abilities someone might possess.
‘The jungle has spikes protruding everywhere, so be careful when retreating.’
Chris formulated his strategies one by one.
‘That hammer is concerning.’
“I’ll teach you a proper lesson.”
The opponent smiled, baring her teeth.
As if this wasn’t her first time in this arena, she skillfully cornered Chris.
She activated traps that Chris didn’t know were on the ground by striking them with her hammer, sending shockwaves and electrical currents.
‘Her movements are big.’
Chris noticed his opponent’s weakness.
Additionally, she couldn’t attack from a distance. It seemed she could only send electrical currents through conductors.
Her ability to utilize a modest power was quite impressive.
‘I guess that’s what it takes to survive in the Colosseum.’
– Our Wolf has truly fallen into a dilemma!
A dilemma?
Chris laughed inwardly.
He spotted a handle in the wall. Though covered by leaves, how could he miss it?
After tearing and breaking it with his teeth, a waterway that had been connected to supply water to the arena’s plants opened up.
Chris quickly jumped onto a tree.
“How stupid! Do you think I’d be electrocuted by my own ability?”
The commentator added to the opponent’s shout:
– That’s right! Has Wolf become as stupid as a beast just because he runs on four legs?
It was mockery filled with pleasure.
But then.
The camera captured the wolf’s face.
The beast was clearly “smiling” for anyone to see.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
