The Gambling Monster
Roen stood at the midpoint of Bukmang Mountain and watched Raon as he left the annex, letting out a sigh. 'He has finally mastered it.' Raon had acquired the Fragrant Sound Technique in a mere month and even blended his own unique martial art into it. 'No, that's not all.' Not only did he develop the Fragrant Sound Technique using his existing martial arts, but he also elevated his swordsmanship to a new height through it. Although there were still shortcomings, he couldn't help but be speechless at how he had reached such a level in just a month.
"Lord Zieghart, what did you think?"
Roen turned and called out to Glenn, who was carrying his back.
"The Fragrant Sound Technique seems to have extracted the essence of the sword."
Glenn's voice was calm, as if he felt nothing special, but the corners of his mouth were raised high to the heavens.
"He's not just following a well-polished road. He's a greedy fellow who uses the given tools to create a better path than before."
"I think so too."
Roen smiled faintly and nodded. As Glenn said, Raon was a monster who developed the very essence of martial arts through endless effort and exceptional talent.
"Creating sounds with the sound of strikes and the cry of the sword is novel. Since there are two types of sounds, it's not easy for the enemy to discern, and the applicability is good. It seems like a good swordsmanship will be created."
"Well, that's true..."
When praising Raon, Glenn's smile deepened and his movements became more lively.
'Anyway.'
Roen looked at Glenn's reaction and let out a faint smile.
'He can't be honest.'
Seeing his grandson's reaction to the praise, he was the very image of a doting grandfather.
'I wish he could be a little more honest.'
Roen knew why Glenn was distancing himself from Raon and Sylvia, but this time he agreed with Rimer. He hoped that before it was too late, Glenn would openly express his honest feelings and the relationship would be restored.
"Looking at the current rate of development, if he continues to train steadily for about half a year, it seems a unique martial art of his own will be born."
Glenn's eyes sparkled with anticipation for his grandson's growth.
"Learning a new martial art in half a year, let alone mastering it, is terrifying."
Roen let out a soft laugh while looking at the calm lake.
"But even such a Raon-nim would be helpless against Harrian-nim."
The Gambling Monster's real name is Harrian Zieghart. Although it was a while ago, since he was a skilled person recognized by Glenn, it was impossible for Raon to defeat him in a fight.
"He won't even reach the level of martial arts."
Glenn clicked his tongue shortly.
"He can't even surpass gambling, let alone drinking."
The Gambling Monster's gambling skill was so great that it shook the entire continent, as its name suggested. It was absurd for Rimer's Raon, who had learned gambling clumsily, to defeat him.
"And..."
Glenn turned his back as he saw Raon disappear.
"Drinking is something one must learn from adults. Hah!"
He let out a short fake cough and vanished like smoke from that spot.
"Huh."
Roen smiled faintly while looking at the spot where Glenn had disappeared.
"Indeed. It would be best to learn from Grandfather."
* * *
Raon stood in front of the gambling hall that Rimer had told him about, along with Dorian, who was trembling with anxiety.
"Ar, are you really going?"
Dorian trembled while looking at the entrance of the gambling hall.
"The Gambling Monster! The Gambling Monster who has made his name known across the continent through gambling! It's different from the suckers I've dealt with so far!"
He shook his head vigorously, saying this was really not good.
"They weren't suckers either."
Raon smiled faintly. The gamblers he had crushed before were experts among experts. Thanks to Las, he won, but if it was just himself, he wouldn't have won so overwhelmingly.
"Relax and follow me."
Raon patted Dorian's shoulder and entered the gambling hall. Even in broad daylight, the inside of the gambling hall was bustling with people, filled with dark and gloomy atmosphere.
'He said it was in the center.' According to the information Judiel brought, it was said that Dokoe always opens the game in the center of the gambling hall. Looking at the center, there was a large table where people were gathered.
"Ah!"
Raon, who examined the table, widened his eyes. It wasn't because he saw Dokoe. It was because the red-haired elf sitting on the outer side of the table was too familiar.
"Kyaaaak! Damn it!"
The red-haired elf. Rimer grabbed his head and screamed. Where did he get the money from? It seemed he had bet again and lost.
"Another one! Damn it!"
"Coming like a zombie without getting tired."
Roen's opposite side, with a voice mixed with the sound of metal, saw the black-haired giant with broad shoulders, who was smiling with cards inserted between his fingers.
'Is that the Gambling Monster...' Black hair, red eyes. The massive body not inferior to a monster and the vicious tattoos covering his skin matched the description Judiel had given. The man with the beast-like smile was none other than Dokoe Harrian Zieghart.
'Stronger than expected.' Raon frowned. He had expected his skill to be inferior because he liked gambling and drinking, but it was the opposite. Even while sitting and smiling, he was emitting an aura that was hard to believe was real.
"If the money runs out, take it all off and get out."
Dokoe lightly waved his hand and pulled in the gold coins on the table.
It seemed he had taken money from others besides Rimer, and a mountain of gold coins was stacked in front of him. This was also Dokoe's peculiarity. He conducted the gambling not with chips but only with gold coins.
"Damn it! I'm coming back! I'm definitely coming back!"
Rimer shouted a line like a third-rate villain and stood up.
"Lord, it seems you've been robbed again? Are you really going? I don't want to see Lord and Vice Lord being robbed!"
"I'm different from Lord."
Raon clicked his tongue shortly and walked forward. He sat in front of the empty seat of Dokoe.
"Let's play one more game."
Raon smiled and faced Dokoe's red eyes.
"You haven't even dried the blood on your head. This place isn't for kids like you."
"Eh! It's the Frost Flower Sword Hero!"
"Raon Zieghart?"
"Why is the continent's youngest Master here!"
"Is it to take revenge on the Lord?"
Without needing to introduce himself, others revealed their names first.
"Ra, Raon?"
Rimer, who had thrown off his clothes and even taken off his shoes, widened his eyes.
"You really came?"
"Then would I come as a fake?"
"No! Young man!"
Rimer ran over and grabbed his shoulder.
"This guy is a real lone wolf! If there's a corner with money, he never lets it go! Get up!"
"It's fine. I have a similar situation."
"Eh? T, that's true..."
He muttered that they were really similar.
"Don't worry. Gambling is just the starting point."
"Then you really..."
"Yes. We have to. The Three Pledges."
Raon smiled faintly and nodded.
'This is a great opportunity.' Of course, Rimer's lost money would be recovered, and the real purpose was to make a wish to Dokoe after fulfilling the Three Pledges.
"Are you Raon Zieghart, the youngest Master in continental history?"
Dokoe seemed to have known only rumors without seeing Raon's face, as if he was a person who left Zieghart.
"Yes."
Raon leaned back in the chair and nodded.
"Your name is worth it. But in the gambling table, it's not reputation but money that matters..."
"Dorian."
Raon cut off Dokoe's words and called Dorian.
"Hah."
Dorian sighed and put his hand in his belly pouch. In his hand coming out again, five heavy pouches were held.
Kwaaarr!
Raon opened the pouches and poured them onto the table.
"For now, 500 gold coins. This should be enough, right?"
"This friend has a sense of money."
Dokoe looked at the pile of gold coins on the table and clicked his tongue long. However, the emotion reflected in his pupils seemed far from desire.
"You said you would apply for the Three Pledges?"
"Yes."
"Then if you lose, you know you'll be chased away after taking everything you have?"
"Of course."
Raon nodded. Rimer becomes a beggar every time he loses everything and is chased away.
"Good. I accept your Three Pledges."
He nodded and placed his hand on the table. The card between his fingers fluttered.
"Oh!"
"Not the youngest challenger?"
"Right! Who challenges the Three Pledges at 18!"
"Insane! The Frost Flower Sword Hero vs the Gambling Monster!"
"Shall we open a table too?"
"But this is not a duel but starting with gambling. It seems it will end at gambling without going to drinking..."
"Well, at 18, how much gambling could he have done?"
"Ah, I want to see the two fighting..."
People who had been looking forward to the imagined match judged that Raon wouldn't surpass gambling and drinking, and clicked their tongues in disappointment.
"What kind of gambling do you like? Cards? Dice? Roulette?"
"Anything is fine."
Raon smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
"Good confidence. Then let's start with poker."
Dokoe let out a similar smile and picked up the cards.
"Since it's the first time, I'll give you one piece of advice. The rules here are different from outside. You can use cheating. The one who doesn't discover it is at fault, the stupid one. Do you understand?"
He shook his hand with cards on his fingers again. It seemed like a habit when gambling, but it was very annoying.
"In other words, as long as you don't get caught in this game, cheating or fraud is justice."
"What if I find that cheating?"
"Impossible things don't need to be said."
"Then if I find your cheating, will you fight with pure skill?"
"Hah, there are always such frustrating friends."
Dokoe let out a mocking laugh and shook his head.
"Good. Let's try it."
He raised the corners of his mouth as if to say do as you like.
'Las.'
Raon called Las while looking at Dokoe shuffling the cards. Blue light burst from the bracelet.
"It's your turn. Find all the elements that could be used for cheating from Dokoe's body."
'No.'
'Uh?'
'Find everything, it's a disadvantage to this King.'
Las turned his head as if refusing.
'Why suddenly?'
It was embarrassing to pretend to listen well and then suddenly do that. Managing his expression not to be caught by Dokoe, he called Las again.
'I'll help. You said to hurry, didn't you.'
'Too late!'
'I couldn't help it because preparation was needed.'
'Waiting a month and asking to find all such subtle auras. No matter how I think, it's a disadvantage to this King. So then...'
Las lowered his voice as if wanting something else. The dry spit went down his throat thinking a request for body would come.
'Not now.'
It was an impossible request, but the word that came out of Las's mouth was completely different from his thoughts.
'Add one more bead ice cream. This King wants three bead ice cream boxes!'
Las shouted "ice cream" in a solemn tone as if aiming for the world.
'Ah...'
Raon quickly closed and opened his eyes.
'Ah, ice cream?'
'Yes! This King will choose all in the taste he wants!'
It was absurd, but he could listen to anything with that.
'Receive and add one more box!'
'I will do my best!'
Las jumped and ran to Dokoe. His senses were far beyond human level. Even if he tricked Rimer, Las's gaze couldn't be avoided.
'First, this ring. It seems to have an effect of silencing sound. And this necklace has the ability to distract the gaze.'
'How will he use it.'
The silencing effect would be used for undercutting, and the necklace would be used to distract the gaze at the moment of using the cheat.
The mana flow was too faint to feel, so it was clearly a top-grade artifact made for gambling.
'The tattoo on this guy's hand is also strange. It seems connected to this card. The mana is very faint, so it's only perceived by smell.'
'I understand.'
Raon nodded and raised his chin.
"Dokoe-nim. First, take off the ring and necklace."
"Eh?"
Dokoe's hand, which was about to throw the card, stopped abruptly.
"What did you say just now?"
"I said to take off the ring and necklace."
Raon pinched the ring and necklace with abilities.
"This is worn for fun..."
"The ring on your right hand's ring finger has the effect of silencing sound when you want, and the necklace has the effect of gaze dispersion. Stop with the lame excuses."
"..."
How did he know?
Dokoe's smile stopped for the first time. His jaw trembled as if absurd, rolling his eyes.
"Because I have a good sense."
Raon smiled faintly and shrugged his shoulders.
'My sense is frozen to death! It's this King's power!'
Las waved his hand as if to say stop talking nonsense.
"Re, really?"
"You saw the Gambling Monster's cheat immediately?"
"Insane..."
"Ah, it's not even the game started yet, and finding the cheat is possible?"
The spectators widened their mouths at Raon, who had immediately seen the Gambling Monster's secret.
"H, good. Since you said if caught, stop, the promise must be kept."
Dokoe took off the necklace and ring and placed them at the end of the table.
"To stop the cheating, you have to erase that too."
Raon pointed to the tattoo drawn on Dokoe's hand back.
"You can see this side's cards with that."
"Really..."
Dokoe smiled and rubbed his hand back with his fingers. The tattoo that had been there for his whole life disappeared as if it was never there.
"Now it's good, right?"
There was no embarrassed look even though the cheat was caught. Shaking the new card with a slightly annoyed tone, it seemed he wasn't just someone who made his name known across the continent for nothing.
"Then let's start properly."
Dokoe clicked his tongue and turned the cards.
Raon narrowed his eyes while looking at the card on Dokoe's finger.
'Cheating is justice as long as not caught... Then today I am justice.'
* * *
"Hmm."
Dokoe stared at Raon's eyes holding the cards and rubbed his fingers.
'Did he think I would win without cheating?'
There are sometimes stupid people who think they are the only one in this position with cheating.
But cheating is only used to easily suck the money of suckers, and in real high-level gambling, the one who first understands the opponent's psychology wins.
The young man's sense was undoubtedly surprising, but he couldn't beat him. Soon, after his expression and actions were fully understood, he would be chased away.
"Let's start simply with 100 gold coins."
Dokoe pushed 100 gold coins on the table without properly looking at the cards. It was an exploratory match to see how the opponent would react.
"Good."
Raon confirmed the cards with a calm expression and poured 100 gold coins into the center of the table.
"Then let's see."
Dokoe opened the card. It was a triple with consecutive same numbers.
"Back straight. I won."
Raon's card was a back straight with 1 to 5. He smiled faintly and took 200 gold coins.
Dokoe was calm even though 100 gold coins flew away.
'It doesn't matter if I lose as much as I want.'
In the end, he wins.
He wasn't wrong in getting the name of gambling monster. Whether martial arts or gambling, he was confident in one thing: understanding the opponent's psychology better than anyone.
"This time, I'll turn the cards."
Raon shuffled the cards and turned them one by one.
Dokoe again didn't look at the cards but observed Raon's expression.
'Face is a wordless expression.'
People show more with expressions than words, and the best expression is on the gambling table where life's joys and sorrows are all contained. It was as easy as eating rice to read the psychology of such a young man.
"200 gold coins."
Dokoe pushed twice as much money as before.
"Good."
Raon didn't refuse and poured all the money, including the won money, into the center of the table.
Dokoe flipped the card. This time it was one pair, and looking ahead, Raon had two pairs.
"I won again."
Raon smiled small and held the cards again.
"Good. Let's continue."
Dokoe smiled faintly. Money is the scariest weapon. The more gold coins piled on the table, the more cracks would appear on that guy's face.
But.
After 10 games, Dokoe's confidence was faint like fog.
'Hmm...'
Dokoe swallowed a groan inside.
'What is that guy?'
Raon didn't change his expression no matter if the cards were good or bad. It was as if he had put on a mask, and his psychology wasn't readable at all.
'Is this the expression of an 18-year-old?'
His emotions were too faint, making it feel like facing a gambler, spy, or assassin who had experienced everything, not an 18-year-old.
'On top of that, I'm the one losing.'
After 10 games, the win-loss was 5:5 even, but in the end, he was the one who lost money. Raon didn't call when his side's cards were strong or bet only low amounts to never lose.
Dokoe showed a panicked expression while checking the cards.
'One pair.'
One pair with two same numbers was a low card. The shape was hearts, so the rank was also poor. But he wanted to break that bland face once.
"1500 gold coins."
Dokoe bet the same amount as Raon had and poured it onto the table. He swept over Raon's eyes filled with brilliant gold light.
'Uh?'
No anxiety?
Raon's red eyes didn't shake even while looking at the piled gold coins. It was full of calmness like before.
"Call."
Raon poured all the gold he had with a calm gaze as if drinking tea.
'What is he holding? Straight flush?'
To bet over 1500 gold coins, there must be at least a full house or straight flush.
While chewing the inside of his cheek, Raon waited for Dokoe to open the card. But the guy's card was far from that.
"Wa, one pair?"
Raon's card was the same one pair as him. Only higher spades than hearts.
"I won."
Raon threw the spade 2 cards on the table and smiled faintly.
"What, what!"
"One pair and burning 3000 gold coins?"
"M, mad! Both of you are mad!"
"But isn't the Frost Flower Sword Hero taking it all the time?"
"So. Dokoe is being pushed unilaterally!"
The spectators gulped down their saliva while looking at the gold coins sprouting from Raon's side.
"Beginner's luck. It will end soon."
"Yeah. The situation will reverse soon. Wait!"
"The Gambling Monster is a slow starter! Now it's starting!"
People who believed in Dokoe were still talking a lot, but after 5 more games, they all shut their mouths.
"What the..."
Dokoe couldn't hold back and opened his mouth. Out of 5 games, he won 3 and lost 2, but again, Raon won the money. Now there were only about 50 gold coins left on the table.
'How is this possible...'
This was the first time he had such an opponent. No matter how much beginner's luck, it was impossible to only pick good cards when they came.
'Wait... no way!'
Dokoe swallowed dry spit.
'Did I get caught?'
With win-loss almost 5:5, and only I losing money while he won a lot, the reason is one. It means my expression and reaction were exposed.
"Ugh."
He forced his expression and looked up. Raon's lowered eyes stared at him. A chill ran down his spine with the clear red eyes.
'It's true.'
That guy knows what cards I have.
There was no other way to lose money like this and play.
"What are you doing?"
"What am I doing?"
Raon smiled calmly like when he received the cards.
"I didn't do anything."
"Lie. The win-loss is the same, but I'm only losing! I've sat at countless gambling tables, but I've never had such an opponent!"
"No. It is correct that I didn't do anything."
"What!"
"Dokoe-nim said. As long as not caught, it's fraud, it's justice."
Raon swept the piled gold coins beside him and smiled.
"The one who is deceived is stupid."
"You..."
Dokoe unconsciously twisted the stack of cards in his hand.