Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Devil's Gamble - Rules (6)
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[ GambleBlack ]: The first thing you need to do is—
The words from GambleBlack continued, just as I'd been waiting for.
[ GambleBlack ]: Change your clothes first. What the hell is that outfit? You look like some loafer who just stepped out to run an errand and came back.
[ GambleBlack ]: For starters, get yourself a black suit.
His words made it sound like I was heading to the gambling floor right that instant, and I staggered a bit.
As I panicked, GambleBlack's chat kept coming.
"Clothes don't really matter, do they?"
[ GambleBlack ]: Yeah, a lot of people make that mistake. They think clothes aren't important. But no matter what it is, the most crucial thing is your gear.
A phrase I'd heard somewhere came to mind, and just as I was about to speak—
"Artisans don't—"
[ GambleBlack ]: Artisans don't blame their tools? Were you about to say that? Jesus Christ! Forget that crap. It's bullshit.
[ GambleBlack ]: I don't know who spouted that nonsense, but the better the artisan, the more obsessed they are with their tools. Tiny differences, a single variation in quality—that matters more to experts than to amateurs.
"...Does that apply to gambling too?"
[ GambleBlack ]: Of course. The basics are making sure you don't look like a lightweight to your opponents. You can get away with sloppy clothes at beginner tables. But as you enter the realm of the pros, things change.
"If you can get by with sloppy clothes there, then everyone above that level must have risen that way too. That's what you're saying."
[ GambleBlack ]: Exactly. If sloppy clothes didn't matter, everyone at the high-stakes tables would be sitting there in baggy outfits. Changing your clothes boosts your win rate? Anyone who calculates that in front of money won't last long. It's dumb not to do it.
[ GambleBlack ]: The reason everyone dresses sharp now is because clothes create formality and set the atmosphere. That weight restrains your opponent's thinking.
[ GambleBlack ]: Even a simple play can be misinterpreted as one loaded with intent. That misunderstanding creates openings.
I was convinced.
For now.
I did as GambleBlack instructed.
I paid with chips, bought it, and stepped out of the fitting room.
A black suit. A neatly tied necktie. Silver buttons at the cuffs.
The old one had been a big purchase by my standards,
but after two anomalies and trailing Kang Su-ji, sitting on the floor,
it had somehow become something that merely resembled a suit.
I slowly composed my expression, checked my outfit, and spoke.
"By the way."
This had been nagging at me.
[ GambleBlack ]: What?
"That laugh from earlier. You didn't... type it out one by one, did you?"
[ GambleBlack ]: ??
At his puzzled reaction, I continued.
"You know... kkhkhhkhahahahaha..."
[ GambleBlack ]: ...Is that what you're curious about right now?
A smile tugged at my lips involuntarily.
"No, not that curious. But imagining you typing it out by hand... it's kinda cute."
[ GambleBlack ]: ...
Whatever I said at the end must have struck a nerve.
The chat, frozen in place, exploded upward at tremendous speed.
[ GambleBlack ]: Chats aren't always typed by hand.
[ GambleBlack ]: You can input by voice too.
[ GambleBlack ]: ...Not everyone can use their hands freely.
[ GambleBlack ]: It depends on the situation.
[ GambleBlack ]: I was gonna skip this since it seemed pointless.
[ GambleBlack ]: You're not thinking that because I said I have no hands, I'm doing voice chat right now, are you?
Honestly.
...A little.
[ GambleBlack ]: For the record, both my hands are perfectly fine. I'd appreciate no misunderstandings.
[ GambleBlack ]: It's just this damn keyboard is too small to use comfortably. That's why I don't.
[ GambleBlack ]: Don't picture me as some weirdo typing out every kkhkhhk? laugh manually.
[ GambleBlack ]: Got it?
It wouldn't have mattered even if he did type out that laugh.
But he seemed serious, so I played along.
"Yes. Sounds about right."
Even so, chatting back and forth had eased some of the tension in my body.
That was enough.
He'd probably matched my tone on purpose.
[ GambleBlack ]: Now that you're ready, let's go.
I fastened the last button on my sleeve and looked into the mirror.
Before, I'd just been an ordinary guy who'd wandered into a casino—
But the figure standing in the mirror now was entirely different.
My face was the same, but the clothes alone made my ordinary gaze look like that of someone who'd weathered countless tables.
He exuded a relaxed air, like he could see moves ahead.
Just from this outfit.
I checked my reflection a moment longer, steadied my breath, and turned away.
It was time to move.
I placed my hand on the doorknob.
And stepped out into the casino.
"Let's go."
***
The scenery of the second floor came into view.
Details I hadn't noticed before amid the mental chaos.
Outfits, atmosphere, air.
Everything was markedly different from the first floor.
Unlike the clamor of dazzling lights and laughter below, there was no unnecessary noise here.
Just one floor up felt like another world.
The stakes were several to dozens of times higher than below,
yet filling that void were—
Clink— clink—
The sound of chips clashing and bouncing.
The dry friction of the dealer laying out cards.
And the heavy breaths of those holding their anticipation.
I crossed the center of the casino.
My gaze shifted here and there.
But that wasn't all.
The gamblers' eyes here were different.
The first floor folks were obsessed with money, even in their frenzy, but these people on the second floor seemed somewhat detached from that.
Just as the information junkie had said.
These were quite wealthy individuals.
I recalled the array of items on display at the pawnshop.
These were people who had put up collateral other than their lifespans.
As I walked, I used the Recorder's Pen to organize the rules.
Rule 3. Dealer
3-1. Dealers wear 'smiling masks.'
└ In most cases, the mask's expression doesn't change.
3-2. Dealers do not follow the rules.
└ If you've experienced defeat and they deem you a liability to the casino, they'll cheat without hesitation.
Rule 4. Security.
4-1. Security wear black uniforms and always appear in groups.
└ No observations of them acting alone yet.(?)
4-2. You must follow when Security calls you.
4-3. If cheating or foul play occurs in a gamble, you can call Security.
└ Seems possible for both dealer and player.
I'd just finished organizing when I reached my destination.
The table dominating the second-floor hall.
A gleaming chandelier illuminated it, and beneath it simmered a thick tension.
And seated before it.
A dealer in black leather gloves.
Red eyes gleamed through the gaps in his mask.
His aura was on another level from the first-floor dealers.
Several people sat at that table.
An elderly gentleman with smoke dangling from his lips. Silver hair sparkling in the light.
A bald man with half his face scarred. Military discipline in every finger clutching chips.
A woman with heterochromatic eyes. Twisting her wine glass, alternating smiles and blank stares.
And a man in a smiling mask. Golden bracelets on his wrists clashing noisily against chips.
Some wore masks.
Some didn't.
They were mixed.
But crucially, none looked easy.
As I approached, the dealer spoke lowly.
"This table is only for those who qualify."
The shuffling of cards stopped, and in that instant, the entire hall felt silent.
Pressure descended.
Calmly, I pulled out a chair, sat across from the table, and met the red gaze behind the mask head-on.
In response to the dealer's question.
I gave my answer.
All the coins released from my hand crashed onto the table.
Clink— clink—
A metallic wave echoed, shaking the entire table.
The noise from colliding chips rang out hugely in the silence.
Glasses trembled from the impact, and for the first time, people's eyes changed.
All gazes converged on the mountain of chips piled before me.
And silence fell.
"...You qualify."
The dealer raised his hand.
"Place your bet. How much will you stake?"
[ GambleBlack ]: Lingering here too long isn't good.
[ GambleBlack ]: The higher you go, the more info your opponents get on you.
[ GambleBlack ]: So from now on, move as fast as possible.
As GambleBlack said.
I had no intention of staying here long either.
I moved my hand.
The game begins.
I gripped the cards.
"—Raise."
***
30 minutes later.
The table was shrouded in quiet stillness.
The soldier slumped in his chair, the woman's fingertips trembling faintly.
The old man chewed his cigarette wordlessly, the man stared blankly at the spot where his chips had vanished, head bowed.
"This is... what the hell..."
The dealer's voice rumbled low.
His initial bravado was gone.
Only one man sat calmly at the table.
Having built a mountain of gold.