The atmosphere inside the casino, already boisterous, suddenly turned stagnant. Every gaze-from bloodthirsty gamblers to waiters weaving through the betting tables-simultaneously locked onto a pot-bellied man radiating an aura of opulence and arrogance.
At the bar, drunks began to set down their glasses as a tide of whispers rose like a surging river. The "hunters," who had been relentlessly scouring for the true owner of this establishment, froze in their tracks, their sharp eyes piercing into this newly emerged target. It was as if every entity in the room ran on the same operating system and had just received a synchronized command; eight letters burned clearly into everyone's mind:
( This must be the Casino Boss! )
Amidst the breathless crowd, Yashu shifted slightly, closing the gap between us. She didn't look at me directly, giving my shoulder a subtle, meaningful nudge. Her sharp glance flickered past-fast enough to go unnoticed by others, but clear enough for me to decode the message: It's time.
The boss moved sluggishly, his beer belly protruding as if leading the way for its master. He leisurely took his place in a tiger-skin armchair-the most luxurious and vantage position at the heart of the casino. The way he sat down, expansive and domineering, was a silent declaration of his absolute sovereignty-a king in a realm reeking of money and deceit.
Immediately, a swarm of attendants gathered like ants to sugar. One deftly uncorked a bottle of expensive red wine, another bowed low to pour it into a crystal goblet, their lips incessantly spilling syrupy flattery that made one's skin crawl:
-"You look magnificent today, sir!"
-"Rare wine is only fit for a titan like yourself!"
He didn't bother to reply, merely grunting in contentment, his beady eyes scanning the room as if taking inventory of the flock under his thumb
Yashu and I exchanged a decisive nod. We couldn't afford to linger; in a casino thick with pretense, staying still only invited exposure. Ignoring the curious stares of dozens of players, we wove through the noisy betting tables and headed straight toward where he sat.
With every step we took, the fawning attendants were forced to part ways. The real game was beginning now.
We came to a halt right in front of him.
In that moment, I felt the collective gaze of the entire casino crash down upon Yashu and me. That sensation of being scrutinized and judged by hundreds of eyes... it felt uncannily familiar, like the tension of stepping into a climactic boss battle.
The boss hadn't bothered to look up yet. One hand lazily gripped the expensive bottle, while the other incessantly twirled a thick, gaudy gold ring on a pudgy finger. The light from the chandelier hit the metal, reflecting crude, shimmering glints.
He took a slow sip of the vintage wine, his keen nose seemingly scenting the presence of someone blocking his view. He lazily lifted his eyes, his murky gaze sweeping over us from head to toe as if appraising merchandise.
Seeing the café server uniforms Yashu and I were wearing, he curled his lip, barking a blunt dismissal:
-"I've had enough to drink. No need for a refill. Get lost so I can get to work."
Standing beside me, Yashu suddenly flashed a gentle smile, professional to a fault. But standing so close, I knew better; beneath that beautiful face was utter revulsion, her brow twitching slightly at the stench of cheap, heavy alcohol radiating from his breath.
She bowed her head slightly, using a voice that was sweet yet laced with hidden meaning:
-"Oh, no, you've misunderstood. Actually, we have long heard of your legendary reputation. Everyone knows you are a master with innate gambling prowess. That is why we have come here today with a single desire: to meet you and challenge you to a match."
The boss stiffened, the wine glass stopping mid-air. Yashu glanced down at her server uniform and let out a natural, mocking chuckle as if it were all a joke:
-"As for these clothes... just a minor mishap on our way here. If you wouldn't mind, could a magnanimous master such as yourself spare a bit of your precious time for nobodies like us?"
Standing next to her, I watched this masterful display of improvisation with secret admiration. Yashu was brilliant; she placed him on a pedestal while using the "nobody" label to bait the pride of a vainglorious man. For a man who thrived on flattery, being rejected in front of such a crowd would be unthinkable.
The casino boss began to narrow his eyes, looking at us with a mixture of amusement and disdain. The trap was set; all that remained was for the prey to step in.
After a long, dramatic silence, the boss suddenly burst into a raucous laugh. He flicked his hand, tossing back his silk robe as he stood up, his beer belly jiggling with every breath:
-"Fine! It's rare to find such gutsy fools. Consider today an act of my great mercy-I'll let you open your eyes and see what true 'class' looks like."
I gave Yashu a slight signal. As we walked, I felt the eyes of hundreds of other players glued to our backs. There was pity, curiosity, and even bloodlust. The sensation of being pushed into the eye of an approaching storm stirred an indescribable surge of emotion in me-equal parts exhilaration and bone-chilling dread.
He led us toward a massive wooden door located right in the center of the main hall. As we approached, the towering guards, like machines being "switched on," simultaneously stepped aside to clear a path. The colossal door began to move, opening slowly with the low, grinding groan of mechanical gears.
Behind that door lay an entirely different world.
I froze for a heartbeat. If the outside was the bustle of a high-end casino, then this interior was a "pleasure paradise" reserved exclusively for the ultra-wealthy elite. The space was staggeringly vast, with crystal chandeliers cascading down like waterfalls, casting golden light onto intricately carved walls. Everything here was so opulent and glamorous that the outer hall suddenly seemed as mundane as a back-alley market.
I caught a glimpse of a few curious players behind us attempting to sneak in, hoping to use our shadows to enter this forbidden land. But the moment they met the cold stares of the security detail, they immediately recoiled.
Yashu and I crossed that threshold. The giant door behind us slowly groaned shut, inch by inch eclipsing the light and noise of the crowd outside, until a dry clack echoed. We were officially, completely isolated.
The first sensation to wash over me wasn't the luxury, but a piercing chill. The air conditioning here was cranked to an extreme low, sending goosebumps dancing across my skin instantly.
I scanned the surroundings, but my heart skipped a beat. Hovering right above the soaring ceiling was a grotesque object: a giant eye. It was identical to the haunting "sun" from that Eerie World-an existence that did not belong to the mortal realm. Though smaller in scale here, its malevolent aura was undiminished. Its dark pupil swiveled incessantly, darting back and forth, capturing every corner of the area within its gaze. It felt as though every secret, every card hidden up a sleeve, was laid bare before that entity.
Yashu had noticed it too. Her expression hardened, the previous softness vanishing, replaced by high-alert vigilance. She pursed her lips slightly, signaling me with a grave look.
The boss had already settled into a magnificent mother-of-pearl inlaid betting table ahead. Not wanting to keep him waiting, we hurried forward.
The appearance of two strangers in café server uniforms standing opposite the "Tycoon" immediately triggered a minor earthquake. The surrounding nobles-those who had been acting elegant and refined-could no longer suppress their curiosity. Whispers broke out, feather fans fluttered rapidly, and wine glasses swayed in rhythm with the mocking and excited chatter.
The murmurs grew louder, resonating with the coldness of the room, making the atmosphere feel bizarrely festive. This was no longer a standard card game; it felt like a long-awaited execution staged for bloodthirsty voyeurs in noble robes.
I sat down, facing the boss. Yashu moved to step closer, but he raised a ring-laden hand, his voice cold:
-"You stay back. Playing against this guy is enough for me."
Understanding the intent, Yashu retreated a short distance and began to observe discreetly. Around us, the patterns on the walls and the betting table looked utterly warped; they meandered like an unreadable ancient language, appearing to quiver slightly under the lights every now and then.
The moment our eyes met across the table, the entire casino fell deathly silent. The air conditioner hissed with a rhythmic, icy chill.
I knew that from this moment on, my life was officially on the scales. The game of life and death had begun.