The Gambling System

Chapter 10: Gone Green

For a moment, Peter couldn’t even process what had just happened. The world around him erupted in cheers, gasps, and groans, but the sounds felt distant, muffled like he was underwater. The reality slowly sank in:

He had made It.

His number—his number—had gone green.

Peter slumped back into his chair, his breath escaping him in a rush he hadn’t realized he was holding. Relief crashed over him like a tidal wave, leaving him lightheaded and shaky. His entire body felt like it had been strung tight, and now the tension was releasing all at once.

…..

[SYSTEM REPORT: QUEST COMPLETED]

REWARD: 5exp acquired, new skill unlocked.

SKILL UNLOCKED: Pattern Recognition Detector level 1

Explanation: Spot patterns or predict trends in an opponent’s gameplay

…..

“Congratulations to the lucky 200,” the host’s voice boomed, pulling Peter back to reality. “You’ve made it past the first round! For the rest of you…” He gestured toward the exit, a sly grin on his face. “…better luck next time.”

Peter barely registered the host’s words. As the defeated shuffled out, many with tears in their eyes and shoulders slumped in defeat, he glanced around the room. The air was heavy with mixed emotions—triumph from some, despair from others.

Peter couldn’t help but notice the crushed looks on some faces, as if their lifelong dreams had been shattered by something as fickle as luck. A light grin spread across his face, surprising even himself. For the first time in his life, he felt like he had been given a chance—a spark ignited in his chest.

But that spark dimmed almost instantly when his gaze landed on someone in the room.

It was a face he wished he’d never see again.

Sitting confidently among the other successful applicants, his posture relaxed, with a wide grin on his face, was the guy who had stolen Peter’s girlfriend.

Peter’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white as his eyes burned with malice. What the hell is he doing here?

“Viktor Salvatore,” a voice said behind him.

Peter spun around in surprise. Standing there was a boy with spiky white hair, his pale locks catching the light. He exuded an aura of carefree confidence, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips as if luck itself had blessed him.

“Excuse me?” Peter said cautiously.

“The guy you’re trying to murder with your eyes,” the boy said, nodding toward Viktor. “That’s Viktor Salvatore. Most people call him the Beast Gambit.”

Peter’s eyes narrowed. “You know him?”

The boy grinned, shaking his head. “Not personally, but who hasn’t heard of him? He’s practically famous. I just hope I get lucky enough to face him first.”

“Too bad the odds of that are ridiculously low,” a feminine voice chimed in, approaching them from the side.

Peter turned to see a young woman with dark hair tied neatly back, sharp glasses, and a curvaceous figure that drew attention even beneath her modest clothing. Her eyes sparkled with intellect, and her entire presence screamed precision and calculation.

The boy groaned, running a hand through his spiky hair. “Here she goes again.”

The girl adjusted her glasses, her tone matter-of-fact. “The odds of you being the first to gamble against the Beast Gambit are approximately 0.093% based on the number of participants, random pairings, and gambling zones. Hardly favorable.”

Peter blinked, taken aback. Did she just calculate that in her head?

The boy sighed dramatically. “Sorry about her. She’s like a walking calculator.”

“And he’s like a walking brain-dead slot machine,” the girl retorted, giving her brother a look.

Peter couldn’t help but chuckle at their bickering. “Sorry, who are you guys?”

“I’m Ace,” the boy said, extending a hand with an easy grin. “And this is my twin sister, Chloe. Trust me—it wasn’t by choice.”

“Right back at you,” Chloe muttered, adjusting her glasses.

Peter shook Ace’s hand, smiling. “Nice to meet you both. I’m Peter.”

“Nice to meet you too, Peter,” Ace said. “I see you went green.”

“Yeah, I got lucky,” Peter said with a sheepish shrug.

“Didn’t we all?” Ace said, chuckling. “Well, except Chloe. She nerded her way through.”

Peter wasn’t sure if he was joking or serious.

The murmurs in the room quieted again as the host returned to the stage.

“Once again, congratulations to the 200 of you who made it through the first round,” he said, his voice cutting through the crowd. “Luck is no small feat, but it won’t carry you much further. The second round begins now.”

The room buzzed with anticipation.

“The next round will be a two-player card game. The game and your opponents have been randomly assigned, and this information has already been sent to your smart watches along with your designated gambling rooms. Good luck.”

Peter’s wrist buzzed, and he looked down at his watch.

ROOM: E52. GAME: BLACKJACK. OPPONENT: ZACK LYNNE.

Peter furrowed his brow. Blackjack. So far, so good. But who the hell was Zack Lynne?

“Well,” Ace said, breaking Peter’s thoughts, “looks like it’s time to split up. I hope we run into each other again—assuming we are lucky enough to make it through.”

“Yeah, me too,” Peter said with a nod.

As they walked off, Peter overheard Chloe muttering to her brother, “Luck has nothing to do with it. It’s all about skill and calculation—”

“Zip it, Chloe,” Ace interrupted with a grin. “Considering who Peter’s going up against next, he’s going to need all the luck he can get.”