The Gambler

Chapter 7: The world of infused ki gambling

They were done for the day. Bill, though still carrying an air of arrogance, had softened somewhat—at least toward Mr. Elias.

He stood up and left Elias’s home for the night, a strange sense of clarity settling over him. For the first time, he felt he had truly learned something new about gambling, something that lingered in his mind like the faint glow of a distant light.

The next day, Elias decided it was time to take Bill to one of his own establishments—a casino he owned called The Black Bulls. The name itself carried a weight, a reputation that whispered through the city’s underbelly. It was a place where fortunes were made and lost, where the stakes were high, and the players even higher. Elias knew it was the perfect place to test Bill’s newfound understanding—and perhaps, to teach him a little more.

The casino was a labyrinth of light and sound, a temple of chance where fortunes were made and lost with the flip of a card. Bill followed Elias through the throng of players, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Elias moved with the confidence of a man who had long since mastered the art of navigating such places, his sharp eyes scanning the room as if he could see the currents of luck swirling beneath the surface.

They arrived at a blackjack table nestled in a quieter corner of the casino. The dealer, a woman with a warm smile and a practiced ease, greeted them as they took their seats. Elias slid a stack of chips onto the table with a fluid motion, while Bill fumbled with his own, his hands betraying his nervousness.

“Welcome to the table,” the dealer said, her voice smooth and inviting. “Let’s go over the rules for anyone who might be new. The goal is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. You’ll each receive two cards, and you can choose to ‘hit’ for another card or ‘stand’ to keep your current total. The dealer must hit until they reach 17 or higher. Face cards are worth 10, and aces can be 1 or 11. Any questions?”

Bill shook his head, though his mind was a whirlwind of uncertainty. He had played blackjack before, but never like this. Elias leaned back in his chair, his expression calm and focused. He glanced at Bill, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

“Relax,” Elias said, his voice low and steady. “This isn’t just about the cards. It’s about control. Ki isn’t just for combat, Bill. It’s a tool, a force that can bend the world to your will if you know how to use it. Today, I’ll teach you how to infuse ki into gambling. Pay attention.”

The dealer began shuffling the deck, her hands moving with practiced precision. Bill watched as Elias closed his eyes for a moment, his breathing steady and deliberate. When he opened them again, there was a subtle shift in the air around him, a faint shimmer that Bill couldn’t quite place.

Luck Manipulation

The first round began. Bill received a 10 and a 6, while Elias was dealt a 9 and a 7. The dealer’s up card was a 5. Bill hesitated, unsure whether to hit or stand. Elias leaned over slightly, his voice a whisper.

“Feel the flow of the game,” Elias said. “Ki can influence luck, but it’s not about forcing the outcome. It’s about nudging the probabilities in your favor. Focus on your hand. Imagine the next card you need—a 5, in your case. Channel your ki into the deck, but don’t overpower it. Subtlety is key.”

Bill frowned, trying to follow Elias’s instructions. He closed his eyes, imagining the card he needed. He felt a faint warmth in his chest, a flicker of energy that he directed toward the deck. When he opened his eyes, the dealer slid a card his way. It was a 5.

“Good,” Elias said, nodding approvingly. “But don’t get cocky. Luck manipulation is fickle. Overuse it, and the universe has a way of balancing itself out.”

Perception Distortion

The next round, Elias demonstrated perception distortion. He received a pair of 8s, while Bill was dealt a king and a 2. The dealer’s up card was a queen.

“Sometimes,” Elias said, “the game isn’t about the cards you hold, but the ones your opponent thinks you have. Watch.”

Elias placed his bet, his movements deliberate. As he did, Bill noticed a faint ripple in the air around him, like heat rising from asphalt. The dealer hesitated for a fraction of a second before dealing the next card. Elias split his 8s, a move that seemed reckless, but as the game unfolded, it became clear he had unnerved the dealer. She busted on her next draw.

“How did you do that?” Bill asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Perception distortion,” Elias replied. “I created the illusion of confidence, of control. The dealer second-guessed herself because I made her believe I had the upper hand. Ki can amplify your presence, make others doubt their instincts. Use it sparingly, though. Overdo it, and you’ll draw too much attention.”

Physical Enhancement

As the game progressed, Elias introduced physical enhancement. Bill’s hands were starting to ache from gripping the edge of the table, and his focus was wavering. Elias noticed and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“Your body is a vessel for ki,” Elias said. “Use it to sharpen your reflexes, to endure the long hours of play. Feel the energy coursing through you, revitalizing your muscles, sharpening your mind.”

Bill closed his eyes, focusing on the warmth in his chest. He directed it outward, letting it flow through his arms, his hands, his fingers. When he opened his eyes, he felt a surge of clarity. His movements were quicker, more precise, and his fatigue melted away.

The next hand, Bill was dealt an ace and a 7. The dealer’s up card was a 6. Bill hesitated, but Elias nodded subtly. “Trust your instincts,” he said. “Your body knows what to do.”

Bill doubled down, his hand moving almost instinctively. The dealer dealt him a 3, bringing his total to 21. She busted on her next draw.

Mind Over Chance skill

The final lesson was the most abstract. Elias leaned in close, his voice a low murmur. “Gambling isn’t just about luck or skill. It’s about understanding your opponent, predicting their moves, and breaking their will. This is mental warfare.”

Elias’s eyes locked onto the dealer’s, and for a moment, the air between them seemed to crackle with energy. The dealer’s hand faltered as she shuffled the deck, her confidence visibly shaken. When she dealt the next hand, Elias’s cards were a perfect 21—a blackjack.

“Mind over chance,” Elias said, leaning back in his chair. “When you master this, the game becomes less about the cards and more about the players. You control the flow, the energy, the outcome.”

By the end of the night, Bill was exhausted but exhilarated. He had won more than he had lost, but more importantly, he had glimpsed a new way of thinking, a new way of being. Elias gathered his chips and stood, his expression unreadable.

“Remember,” he said, “ki is a tool, not a crutch. Use it wisely, or it will use you.”

As they walked away from the table, Bill couldn’t help but feel that the world had shifted slightly, as if he had stepped into a new reality where the rules were different, and the stakes were higher. And for the first time, he felt ready to play.