Gray smoke filled the air, and a sickly sweet scent tickled my nostrils.
The clatter of a roulette wheel echoed, and a tepid din seeped into my ears.
Lights crafted from magic stones illuminated the ceiling.
However, their brilliance was skillfully limited, failing to fully illuminate the entire space. In the shadowed corners, beyond the reach of the light, adults hid their expressions as they drank.
It was a large underground chamber.
But, perhaps due to the lack of windows, it felt overwhelmingly confined. Without even needing to confirm with Dimension, I could tell it was a place where unsavory humans gathered.
This was a “gambling den,” beyond the reach of the country’s public order. A place of its nature, it was overflowing with people who, despite their fine appearances, harbored dark intentions.
At one of the gambling tables, I was now seated.
It was not a place I wished to linger. Part of it was due to my own gentle values, but more pressingly, my “Sensation” mercilessly picked up on human malice, which was excruciating.
Still, I wasn’t overtly using Dimension. In high-class casinos, magic use is prohibited to prevent cheating. Magic stones that detect magic were placed everywhere. If even one of those stones glowed, I would be kicked out.
I gambled without using any magic power.
My eyes alone followed the ball as it spun within the roulette, making a rattling sound. I analyzed and predicted its destination.
With superhuman visual acuity, I measured the ball’s momentum. Then, I calculated its kinetic energy, speed, and estimated travel distance. My experience manipulating dimensional magic, combined with my Status’s “Technique” and “Intelligence,” and the skill “Parallel Thinking,” made this possible.
Of course, that wasn’t all. The skill “Sensation” provided minute adjustments within the theoretically predicted range, which was also significant.
With conviction, I declared,
“I bet on ‘Yang,’ number 3 of 2. The amount is—”
The rules of roulette were not so different from my world.
Just the names and numbers were a little different. With the banker taking all winnings, there was time to add bets during the ball’s rotation.
Fortunately, it was a game I could understand. With this game, I could maximize my abilities and reach my target amount in the shortest time.
“—All of it.”
The dealer, who held the role of banker, winced. It was understandable to fear a customer who repeatedly went all-in, continuously doubling their stakes.
Instead, the surrounding customers grew excited. They initially thought I was a fool gambling his entire fortune, but realizing I was a possessor of rare luck, they began to watch as spectators. Most likely wanted to see my ruin, but even so, the atmosphere was undeniably on my side.
The luxurious roulette, adorned with gem magic stones, gradually lost its spinning momentum. And then, the ball rolling within fell, as if drawn, to the spot I had declared.
“‘Yang,’ number 3 of 2… For the all-in customer, it will be 72 times… ”
The dealer declared with a trembling voice. Simultaneously, the cheers of the surrounding crowd erupted.
In an instant, they praised the lucky man who had joined the ranks of the wealthy, with both admiration and envy. And finally, a voice from the establishment addressed me.
“Sir. Are you perhaps able to continue playing…?”
“Yes, I’ll bet. I intended to bet all of it again, but is that not permitted?”
“It is not forbidden, but… First, it seems someone from above wishes to speak with you…”
Generally, dealers stick to business-related remarks. That statement was equivalent to him admitting defeat.
Prompted by the dealer, I looked behind me. The establishment’s staff, who had been watching me intently as I won big in the latter half of the game, now had their heads bowed. They had likely been observing to see if I was cheating, but they hadn’t found any evidence.
I was treated as an important guest and led to a separate room. After some checks, the establishment indirectly informed me of my prohibition from using their services. I readily agreed without resistance. I had already anticipated this and had no intention of returning.
As I checked my Possession, I exited the separate room. At the same time, a beast-person woman, elegantly dressed, approached from a distance. Her enchanting beauty was such that even now, I would mistake her if I didn’t confirm her name with a “Gaze.” Her name was Sera Radiant.
“How much do you have now?”
Sera didn’t concern herself with my well-being, only my Possession.
“Still not enough. …They said to settle it among the customers.”
“…This is problematic. There aren’t many gambling dens larger than this. If this continues, we’ll run out of time to get the ‘Ship’.”
—The ‘Ship’.
After the Dance Battle Tournament, we, having escaped Laura Via, headed for the southern country of Griad. However, as we were about to set sail, we paused. Rustiara suggested that if we just boarded a ship honestly, we would be easily pursued. And then, in an excited manner, she proposed that we get our own ship.
It wasn’t a bad idea. Being able to securely install Connection within our own ship would be beneficial for the future. Of course, it was also true that it was Rustiara’s hobby.
Afterward, we discovered that finding a special ship that we could operate ourselves would require an exorbitant amount of Money. But we didn’t have the Time to leisurely save up Money by delving into labyrinths. So, Rustiara had said, “Go and do some gambling den raiding to earn some. Oh, and you absolutely mustn’t lose,” and left me and Sera here.
—And so, we arrived at the present.
It hadn’t even been Several hours since our escape from the Dance Battle Tournament. But if we could just obtain the Ship, we could rest as much as we wanted. Repeating this in my mind, I pushed my tired Body.
I led Sera to a corner of the gambling den. Then, at the tavern within the establishment, I ordered drinks. We sat down for a strategy meeting. By the way, I only ordered and didn’t drink. Or rather, according to the laws of my world, I couldn’t drink alcohol. It was just a Pose.
“It’s a waste of time to travel. Let’s find an individual opponent here and continue the bets.”
“But you’ve been winning so overwhelmingly. Don’t you think it’s unlikely anyone will want to gamble with you?”
“No, I think it’ll be fine. There should be many people in this casino in the same position as I was just now…”
“The ones who were observing you from afar while you were winning?”
“You’re as sharp as ever, Sera. It’s them. Let’s just wait for them to approach us. They probably think I’m just some cocky rookie.”
“If you say so, I’ll go along with it. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just sell you to Fuziaze and get some money.”
“Huh? Do I have a bounty on me…?”
“Even if you don’t, if you take me to the right place, I can be turned into money. If you hand me over to the Walker family or Fuziaze, you’d get enough reward money to play for the rest of your life.”
“I’ve got permission from both of them… I should probably check if there’s a bounty on me later…”
Sera and I continued our conversation as we counted the gold coins we’d won from gambling.
Then, as Sera ordered her third glass of fruit wine, a man approached us.
He was a middle-aged man, slightly plump with small eyes. He was adorned with flashy ornaments and wore clothes made of fine silk. His attire alone could probably build a mansion.
The man sat at the table opposite ours and ordered a superior alcoholic beverage. I immediately focused my attention on him. Of course, I also observed the burly men guarding him from behind.
[Status]
Name: Fei Ailes HP 33/33 MP 0/0 Class: Merchant
Innate Skill:
Acquired Skill: Deception 1.33 Negotiation 1.06
Finally, the opponent I’d been waiting for had arrived. I waited for the man to speak, careful not to betray my inner joy.
“You’ve earned quite a bit. For someone so young, you have remarkable courage.”
I responded to the man who spoke to me in a friendly manner, with similar friendliness.
“…No, it was just luck. I was gambling all my chips out of desperation, and it seems I’ve used up a lifetime’s worth of luck. Honestly, I was truly fortunate today.”
“Hahaha, luck, you say? If luck could do that, the establishment would be ruined. …However, from what I see, you don’t look like you’ve had enough fun yet?”
“You notice that? …Were you perhaps listening to our conversation?”
“Yes, I’m afraid I overheard a small part. It seems you’re in need of a large sum of money by a deadline.”
“Haha, I’m ashamed to admit it, but I have debts. And the repayment is due today. However, I’m just a little short. I was in a bind.”
The conversation progressed smoothly, as if it were just a greeting. We both already knew. Neither the man nor I had any use for this trivial small talk; our sole objective was gambling.
The man, with a laugh, began to wrap up the charade.
“Fufu, fufufufu, you truly are lucky. And I am lucky as well. On my travels as a merchant, I just happened to stop by on a whim and found someone in the same predicament as myself. Perhaps it’s fate.”
Then, he got to the main subject.
“—How about this? Will you make a bet with me?”
Without losing my smile, I replied instantly.
“Yes, I’m willing.”
“O-oh, an immediate acceptance! Just as I expected from the young man I had in mind…!”
The man grinned, his face contorting, and clasped both my hands. He then continued to shower me with praise, ensuring I couldn’t escape.
After effusive flattery that felt like it could make my teeth ache, we began to decide the terms of the gamble. I had no particular conditions. It was precisely because I was confident in my victory that I accepted the terms of the bet proposed by the man.
“—However, even with what you’ve earned today, it likely won’t reach the amount of chips I possess. It’s a rude question, but would it be alright to discuss what happens if you run out of chips?”
“We’re gambling. Such things can happen. Please don’t hesitate to ask.”
The difference in our possessions was stark. From his perspective, having likely won at this casino for years, I was merely a newly rich person who had made a fortune in a single day. The man, maintaining his smile, stated calmly.
“If you don’t have enough money, you’ll have to pay with an alternative… You two are young and beautiful… And I also deal in handling such individuals… In other words, you’ll have to pay the difference with your bodies.”
“I see. However, such a confirmation is unnecessary. Since we are gambling here, that is only natural. In fact, I’m relieved that you’re being so considerate.”
“Fufufu, natural, you say? That’s true. I apologize for stating the obvious, fufufu.”
I replied to the man with a smile. However, my heart was not at peace. ‘Dealing in handling such individuals’ meant he was also involved in the slave trade. I re-checked the ‘Class’ of the people standing behind the man. Most of them were listed as slaves. That alone grated on my heart.
But for now, I had to suppress it. I mustn’t show it on my face.
In fact, I should consider myself fortunate. No matter how prettily he might word it, I would be the one to bring about his misfortune. Therefore, people like him are easier to deal with. It makes my heart feel lighter. For me, who possesses the skill ‘???’, that is very important.
“—However, I cannot bet this woman. She is not mine.”
Finally, I made sure to convey that Sera was not involved. At that, a shadow passed over the man’s face, which had been cheerful until then.
“Hmm… That’s regrettable…”
The man put his hand to his mouth and began to ponder. From his obvious reaction, I understood that his objective was Sera. The man’s gaze, which seemed to cling, turned towards Sera. He was now contemplating how he could get Sera into his possession.
I’m in a hurry. If this continues without involving Sera, I might not be able to engage in the high-stakes gambling. If the man’s only objective was Sera, he would likely cut the gambling short at some point. That would be problematic; a waste of time.
I try to think of a way to capture the man’s attention with something else.
“—It’s fine, Kanami. I’ll bet too.”
However, before I could come up with an answer, Sera courageously offered herself. The man smirked, praising Sera this time.
“Oh, this is good. It seems you have the same courage as the young man.”
Immediately, I get up to talk with Sera alone.
“Fufu, I was surprised too. However, may I speak with her for a moment? —Excuse me for a bit.”
We move away and speak in hushed tones with our backs turned.
“Sera, is this okay?”
“He’s a notorious villain, known even in Fuziaze. He’s a dark merchant who bribes the country heavily and commits evil deeds everywhere.”
“Ah. So you knew about him…”
“I dislike those kinds of people. Until now, I was serving the country, so I couldn’t act, but… now I can openly and without hesitation punish him. I won’t let him get away with it.”
“So that means—”
“Just do it, and quickly bring about his downfall.”
“…I’m going.”
It seems to have been the result of a strange sense of justice running wild. However, I heard something useful. The man before me is apparently a villain officially recognized by Sera. That means I can fight him with full power. I turn around and declare with a smile.
“Our conversation is over. Let’s do this. You and I, one-on-one—”
The man responds with a smile.
“Then, shall we change locations? The casino will provide a referee and dealer, so you don’t need to worry. We have a private room.”
Following the man’s guidance, we begin to move to another room through the casino staff. Along the way, as the one entrusted with Sera’s well-being, I convey my intention to win.
“Leave it to me. I’ll do my best, given your trust.”
“Hmph… I don’t trust you, not really…”
Sera denies it with a faint smile. Then, she brings up Rustiara, whom she trusts.
“…It’s just that I don’t believe someone recognized by that young lady would lose to someone like him.”
There was an oddly shaped trust there. For Rustiara’s honor, I absolutely couldn’t afford to lose. As we enter the separate room, hidden in the shadows of the large casino, I vow to win.
***
The private room has no windows. As we —my opponent and I— sit at the table, the casino dealer deals out the cards. The new game is a card game. The elegance of the cards, uncharacteristic of this world, suggests the high Rank of this game. The cards are mixed with fragments of magic stones, making them durable and also preventing cheating.
However, the inclusion of magic stones means there’s an opening for the casino to incorporate magic formulas into the cards. If the enemy and the casino are in league, cheating would be rampant. And I knew for a fact that cheating would occur. It’s impossible for someone who bribes the country and earns the resentment of knights to have no ties to the casino. It’s impossible for them not to cheat.
Indeed, as soon as we started the game in the separate room, I found a cheat. Although I was initially ahead, the game gradually tipped, and my money began to dwindle. There was no doubt that the man controlled the outcome of the game.
Still, I pretended not to notice and continued to play honestly. This is similar to the matches in the Dance Battle Tournament. Just like in the battles against the Seven Knights of Heaven, I retained everything. I memorized the man’s every word, emotion, habit, and gaze, constantly trying to predict his next move. Without Dimension, I couldn’t grasp the straining of his muscles. But now, I have Sensation. With that alone, it’s possible to grasp the flow of the situation.
As cards are dealt, the man continues to cheat. Most of his cheating isn’t pre-arranged; it’s almost entirely pure technique. He distracts with conversation and gestures, successfully hiding and switching cards. Perhaps he thinks I’m an opponent not worth deceiving.
—I continue to watch it.
Of course, just watching doesn’t allow for a counterattack. As expected, I keep losing by a narrow margin.
“It seems I’ve lost again… Hmm, this is troublesome. My money is starting to disappear…”
“Fufu, it seems my luck has turned a bit… Will you continue? Or will you stop?”
The man asks what is already obvious. The man knows that we need a substantial amount of money by the deadline. There’s no way I can stop now.
“No, I’ll continue a bit longer.”
The man greets my decision to continue with a smile. The cards are dealt again. In the midst of it, Sera whispers to me from behind. The table is wide, and we are far from the opponent, so there’s no worry of being overheard.
“Hey, aren’t you being cheated?”
It seems Sera has noticed too.
“Yes, I am.”
As soon as I answer immediately, Sera’s expression contorts.
“Tch, I knew it. In that case, this is no game. There’s no need to continue, Kanami.”
“No, Sera. It’s meaningless to accuse without evidence. Please let me play a little longer. It’s quite a good cheat, this one.”
“What’s good about it? At this rate, you’ll lose all your money!”
“No, this is just the setup stage right now. I intend to use the fact that I’m being cheated to cheat back.”
“Hmm, is that so? Then hurry up and win. If you end up losing while we’re watching, it won’t even be funny.”
“That will absolutely not happen. It’s a good skill, I watched it closely… I pretty much understand it now.”
Since Sera was urging him on, he couldn’t just watch anymore.
With no other choice, he activated his status display one last time for confirmation.
【Status】
Innate Skill: Swordsmanship 4.89, Ice Magic 2.58+1.10
Acquired Skill: Martial Arts 1.56, Dimensional Magic 5.25+0.10, Sensation 3.56, Parallel Thinking 1.46
Knitting 1.07, Deception 1.02
The skill “Deception” had increased.
It was just as Rowen had said.
As long as he was conscious of it, there was nothing he couldn’t learn.
Having acquired the skill “Deception,” he held the card he was given and smirked.
“I’m confident in my manual dexterity. …Watch this.”
He retaliated.
By doing exactly what the man had done with his cheating, he would bring this game to a draw.
The moment the dealer declared a draw, the atmosphere in the room shifted slightly.
For the man, this game was supposed to be a sure victory. He could tell that the man was contemplating whether there was any flaw in his own “Deception.”
He smiled, sensing he had grasped the mood of the place.
“—From here on, this is my game.”
He whispered this in a voice only Sera could hear.
And so, the game with the man entered its mid-game phase.
The skill copying was complete.
Now, all that was left was to take all his money without hesitation.
However, he couldn’t let the man realize that he was controlling the flow of the game.
What was important here wasn’t just winning.
It was also important to not let him leave the table until he had taken all of his money.
As the number of games surpassed fifty, their respective fortunes fluctuated.
An amount of money that a citizen would earn in a lifetime was changing hands every few seconds.
—On the surface, the match continued to be close.
Accompanying this, the man grew increasingly impatient.
His cheating was working on me.
However, due to an unforeseen accumulation of good fortune, my money wasn’t decreasing.
He must have seen me as a surprisingly tenacious opponent.
It was all my performance.
The skill “Sensation” had completely grasped the flow.
Just like in a real match, the longer it dragged on, the more secure my victory would become.
【Status】
Innate Skill: Swordsmanship 4.89, Ice Magic 2.58+1.10
Acquired Skill: Martial Arts 1.56, Dimensional Magic 5.25+0.10, Sensation 3.56, Parallel Thinking 1.46
Knitting 1.07, Deception 1.34
It took time because “Dimensional Magic” was not present.
However, he had finally plundered the man’s “Deception 1.33,” bringing his own “Deception” to 1.34.
He had been confident in his victory from the start, but now he had also gained numerical assurance of his victory.
Now, he just needed to lull him into a false sense of security and then seal the deal.
“—Tch! I lost again! Damn it!!”
He acted as if he were losing control, banging on the table in frustration.
He moved his eyes restlessly, pretending to be concerned about time and money.
Behind him, Sera was looking at his exaggerated act with a deadpan expression. It fit the performance, but he couldn’t help but wish she’d cooperate a little more.
However, the man in front of him, thanks to this long performance, was completely fooled.
“Oh my, it seems I’ve won…”
The man declared calmly.
He repeatedly opened and closed his hands, pretending to remain calm.
The man observed him with a leering gaze and spoke to him.
Of course, he didn’t miss any of the man’s movements as he himself observed.
“Your money seems to have dwindled considerably… At this rate, you won’t be able to achieve your initial goal…”
“I’ll still play…”
“However, if you continue as before, you won’t be able to see a way to repay your debts. How about it? Why not bet big here?”
“Bet big…?”
He confirmed his victory internally.
His whole strategy was to wait for him to lose his composure due to his unwavering demeanor. He would then strike.
“We are prepared to accept such a wager. It’s a matter of senior’s prerogative. However, I won’t force you. It’s your choice whether to accept or withdraw… What will you do…?”
He had no choice but to accept.
Knowing this, the man nonchalantly offered him a choice.
“—I’ll do it… I’ll do it. I’ll turn this around!!”
He continued his act with glee.
The man smiled and started the next game.
The highest amount of the night was wagered, and the cards were dealt.
The man in front of him accepted them with a composed demeanor, his face full of confidence in his sure victory.
He was employing the most sophisticated form of cheating with the utmost care, so it was only natural. However, unfortunately, he was one step above even that sophisticated cheating.
The game had already ended before it began.
As the high-value chips were broken down, their cards were revealed.
The cards indicated that the man had lost most of his fortune, and his own fortune had multiplied several times over.
Judging that the game was over, he stopped his act.
“…By this, it seems I’ve won this crucial match.”
He let out a breath, freed from the tension.
No, it was a relief.
Even after doing all this, he hadn’t been confident until the very end. He had constantly considered the possibility of failure with the skill “Parallel Thinking.”
“Wh-what is this…! What happened…?! What’s going on–!!”
Seeing the result, the man’s veins bulged on his forehead.
He repeatedly asked himself questions and examined the scattered chips and cards. He seemed to have no idea what had happened.
In other words, Fei Ailes’ Skill “Deception” could not see through my Skill “Deception.”
As a result, the man refused to accept the reality before him and stood up from his seat roughly.
At the same time, the burly men who had been standing by in the back stepped forward.
I remained seated and spoke to the casino supervisor in the room.
“Dealer-san. Isn’t this a violation of the rules…?”
“I apologize, esteemed customer. Our role is to ensure that gambling proceeds normally. That is all. We cannot interfere in any disputes between customers outside of the table.”
“I think that means the gambling is not proceeding normally… But I understand. You can’t move. You have no choice but to side with this man…”
The dealer nodded.
There were likely various factors involved, such as pressure from the country and bribes.
Having confirmed this, I slowly raised my voice in criticism.
“This is terrible, Fei Ailes-san… You intended to exploit me from the very beginning…”
I regretfully murmured the man’s name, which I had confirmed through the “Display.”
Half of it was an act, and half was genuine.
Faced with my expression and Words, the man, Fei Ailes, who had never revealed his name, became flustered and retorted as if shouting.
“Of course…! A match begins before it starts and ends before it begins! It’s the basic of games! Don’t think a mere brat who doesn’t understand this basic can get by on sheer luck!!”
He admitted it.
And he called my victory sheer luck.
In other words, he hadn’t realized the deception in the current match until the very end.
No, come to think of it, perhaps he couldn’t have realized it.
Before the match, as he said, I was just a brat who didn’t understand the basics of the Skill “Deception.” And within the few dozen minutes of the match, I surpassed Fei Ailes’ “Deception,” which he had cultivated over many decades.
Frankly, it was insane.
It was so unfair that I felt sick.
For Fei Ailes, who was on the receiving end, it must have been unbelievable, even if he had understood.
“…Yes. …That is correct.”
“A gamble between individuals is only established when their positions and strength are balanced! Now, you only have the woman there! Ah, I have not lost! I cannot lose!!”
The utterly flustered Fei Ailes explained the game’s Rule to me very carefully.
While I appreciated it, I felt increasingly apologetic.
I decided to wrap things up.
“So, no matter what happens here, the establishment has no choice but to remain silent. Is that right?”
I made a final confirmation with the dealer.
The dealer silently nodded again.
Having made up my mind, I bowed my head to Sera.
“Sera-san, please. Do you need your sword?”
“…Hey. I’m in a dress right now, you know? Do it yourself.”
“My game with him isn’t over yet. I’m sorry.”
“Hmph, then I suppose I have no choice. I don’t need my sword.”
Sera herself tore a slit in her skirt and advanced towards the burly men bare-handed.
Fei Ailes roared in fury.
“Hey, you guys! Restrain that woman and the brat–”
–Immediately after, the burly men were sent flying and crashed into the wall.
Fei Ailes’ jaw dropped.
Sera’s fist, honed to the highest human Level, had merely struck the burly man’s face. However, with the added strength of a beastman, it easily sent the 100kg man’s body soaring.
The men whose comrades had been taken down attacked Sera with roars.
However, Sera calmly met their assault.
She grabbed the arms reaching for her and slammed the men onto the ceiling and floor.
It was overwhelming.
The men Fei Ailes had prepared were indeed strong.
They possessed the strength to restrain most warriors.
But Sera was not “most warriors.” She was “the greatest Knight.”
As the men flew through the air before Sera’s overwhelming power, I spoke.
“Let’s continue.”
Fei Ailes’ shoulders trembled.
My resolve was already made.
The moment he admitted his malice, I could no longer back down.
“Please take your seat, Fei-san. I haven’t heard that the game is over yet?”
I urged Fei Ailes to continue the game.
Fei Ailes was taking a huge loss right now. And I knew he was a merchant. That loss would not be contained to himself and would likely affect his future trade.
Knowing this, I taunted him.
All the men Fei Ailes had prepared collapsed. The chips scattered on the table all remained mine.
While displaying the devastation with my hands, I invited him.
“If you are not satisfied with this, you can try to win it back in a game. Yes, if you bet everything you have, you can still turn things around. Unlike you, we do not break our promises. We vow to accept your challenge until the end.”
A complete lie.
But the man before me sat back down, as if clinging to something.
The Skill “Deception” had worked as intended.
There was no longer “any possibility of a turnaround.” Yet, he had no choice but to sit. Even if he knew he was being deceived–
And so, the game entered its final stages.
There were several altercations along the way.
However, the casino side remained silent.
From the start, Fei Ailes and the casino had such an agreement.
Furthermore, with me revealed as the winner of the “Dance Battle Tournament,” they would also receive bribes and favors, so the casino had no reason to interfere.
Half an hour later, Fei Ailes lost all his assets.
