Page: (1/6)
Please note that there will be some changes to the characters names.
Thanks for understanding!!
-Link to Rinku
In the central region of the continent of Eurubian, within the borders of the Saheirta Union, inside a bustling town's casino-
"Seven points. All in."
The quiet casino suddenly erupted like a detonated bomb, a deafening roar surging through the room.
"I'm all in too!"
"Move over! Make room, I'm going all in!"
Amid the frenzy of flushed, frenzied gamblers, a young man named Rinku sat perfectly calm, eyes fixed on the dice cup on the table.
For everyone else, this was a game of chance. But for him, the outcome had already been decided.
The beautiful dealer's delicate hands trembled as she gripped the dice cup. The lightweight container now felt impossibly heavy in her grasp, it wouldn't open.
More and more chips piled up in the area marked "Seven Points," forming a little hill of wealth.
The dealer knew her career was over.
No, maybe worse. After all, this casino belonged to the underworld. A loss this massive? Her life might not be spared.
Her bloodshot eyes locked onto Rinku's calm expression. She couldn't understand how had this happened?
This handsome young man had already won eight rounds in a row, and not by betting on high or low, but by guessing the exact point total.
She couldn't even begin to calculate the odds. All she knew was, from her perspective, there was no sign of cheating.
Rinku, unbothered, let the dealer stall all she liked.
But not everyone had his patience.
"What the hell are you waiting for?! Open it up already, I want my damn payout!"
With the dealer still hesitating to reveal the result, the surrounding gamblers began to hurl curses, pressuring her to open the cup.
Several even rolled up their sleeves, clearly prepared to resort to violence.
Just then, a voice called out from the back of the crowd:
"That's it for tonight. The casino is closed. Show our guests the door."
All heads turned.
A stout, heavy-set middle-aged man stood at the center, flanked by towering bodyguards in black suits.
His unshaven face, clenched cigar, and mafia-like swagger gave him the air of Capone Bege from One Piece.
This was none other than the infamous local mob boss, Pierce.
At his appearance, a few gamblers decided to cut their losses and leave. But greed kept most rooted to the spot. This was the opportunity of a lifetime.
That is, until they saw the bodyguards pull out their handguns.
The once-emboldened crowd quickly turned into a pack of docile lambs, not daring to utter a single threat as they slunk away.
Soon, the casino that once packed with shouting and chaos, was empty, save for the dealer and Rinku.
With the boss present, the dealer finally exhaled. Her elegant face twitched with uncertainty as she swallowed nervously and opened the dice cup.
One. Three. Three, seven points.
At that moment, Pierce strutted over with his bodyguards and cracked his knuckles with a loud pop, sneering viciously.
"You've got some balls, kid. Coming into my casino and causing trouble?"
As he spoke, he signaled for the dealer to step back from the table.
"So what? you're saying you're not paying up?" Rinku raised a brow and pointed at the mountain of chips.
Pierce let out a coarse laugh. "You actually think you're walking out with that money? Not only are you leaving it behind, but I'm taking your head too!"
With a nod, his guards moved in, raising their guns and surrounding Rinku.
But Pierce didn't see the fear he expected on Rinku's face.
Instead, Rinku smirked.
"What the hell are you laughing at?!"
Rinku's sharply defined features curled into a mocking grin.
"Me? I'm laughing at how small-minded you are. Getting worked up over a measly million Jenny? Pathetic."
He straightened up.
"If you're not going to play by the rules, then I guess I don't have to either. Let's go Sanaido."
Sanaido?
Pierce blinked in confusion, his beady eyes nearly swallowed by his bloated cheeks.
In an instant, a surge of pink psychic energy exploded outward from Rinku, invisible to everyone else, slamming into the guards.
In one heartbeat, they were upright strong, alert, ready to shoot.
In the next, they collapsed.
Blood trickled from their eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Eyes rolled back, mouths frozen in silent screams.
One after another, their powerful bodies hit the floor like puppets cut from their strings, shaking the ground with their fall.
"A-A monster!"
Pierce stumbled back, repeating the word like a chant. "Monster… monster…"
But in his panic, the weight of his own body betrayed him, he tripped and fell hard. His layers of fat jiggled grotesquely with the impact.
The pain snapped him back to reality.
He was a big shot, sure, but he'd heard whispers about people like this. People who should never be messed with.
"Now then," Rinku said, voice light, teasing, yet cold, "do I still get to take my winnings?"
"To-totally…" Pierce stammered.
"You can take whatever you want! Just spare me, please!" he begged, falling to his knees, snot and tears mixing as he groveled.
He didn't want to die. He hadn't even finished enjoying life yet.
The wealthier a man is, the more afraid he is of death...
"Oh~ anything I want?" Rinku smiled. "Then I'll take all the money in this place."
Pierce froze, his face twitching as calculations spun behind his eyes.
Rinku leaned closer.
"And if even one Jenny is missing… don't think for a second you'll live to regret it. Don't test whether I can tell."
His smile was playful but his gaze was pure malice.
The reversal from predator to prey was intoxicating. No wonder so many people loved to play the harmless fool before revealing their fangs.
Minutes later, Pierce returned, dragging two large suitcases brimming with money. His face was pale, his expression hollow, like a child who'd lost everything.
"One more thing," Rinku said. "I need an ID issued. How fast can you get it done?"
In the world of Hunters, IDs were essential—for travel, airships, and taking the Hunter Exam.
Might as well have this pawn handle the paperwork.
"A-a week. About a week," Pierce stammered, sweat pouring from his brow, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Rinku grinned.
"Great. You've got one week. I'll be staying at the hotel next door. Let me know when it's ready."
*********
Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 100, 200, 300 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!