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The Gambling System Chapter 16: Round 3
Peter sprang to his feet the moment the second round ended, his body drenched in sweat, his breath ragged. His fingers trembled as he reached for the glass of water offered to him, gulping it down in desperate, greedy swallows. His forehead was slick, his temples pulsing with a dull ache, and for the first time in his life, he realized that chess—at this level—wasn’t just a game. It was a battle. A war waged not just on the board but in the mind, in the body, in the very core of his being. Every move was a strike, every countermove a dodge, every blunder a wound. He had played his soul out.[SYSTEM REPORT: QUEST COMPLETED]REWARD: 5 EXP acquired. New skill unlocked.SKILL UNLOCKED: SECOND CHANCEExplanation: Gives you a second chance.Note: It costs 3 EXP.Peter frowned as he read the notification. He didn’t have time to process it. His hands were still shaking from the last game, his heart pounding against his ribs. He turned his gaze back to the board, back to Jonathan, an
The Gambling System Chapter 17: A Second Chance?
A second chance? What the hell did that even mean? A redo? A way to erase mistakes?Peter hadn’t given it much thought earlier, but now, now he was just plain confused. How could he have a second chance? Wouldn’t that be breaking the very laws of reality?His mind raced, trying to process the impossible, but before he could make sense of it, he noticed something—a countdown.7.A cold chill ran down his spine.6.Was it even possible to replay a game he had already lost?5.Would it actually work?4.Would the system somehow force the arbiter to reset the match? Rewrite the past? That was ridiculous.3.And if this was real, wouldn't it be cheating on a cosmic level?2.But what was he going to do? Pass on the chance to save his mother just because he was afraid of bending the rules?1.Fuck it.(Activate: Second Chance.)The moment Peter activated Second Chance, time collapsed inward.The world lurched backward, not smoothly, but in a violent, gut-wrenching spin. T
The Gambling System Chapter 18: Six Years Ago
The world exploded around him.Peter gasped, his breath tearing from his chest. His hands trembled. His muscles screamed in protest. His brain felt like it had been pulled through a meat grinder. The weight of exhaustion crashed over him, but none of it mattered.The arbiter’s voice sliced through the haze."Victory to Peter Donovan."The words hit like a sledgehammer. He had won.His mother—He could save her.A dizzying rush surged through his veins, a cocktail of dopamine-fueled euphoria and pure relief. His body wanted to collapse, but the sheer magnitude of his victory held him upright.Across the table, Jonathan sat frozen. His fingers hovered above the board, as if unwilling to accept the reality before him. Then—he sighed. He ran a hand through his hair, his usual composed expression cracking for the first time. A short, breathless laugh escaped him.Peter barely registered it. His vision swam, black spots dancing across his sight. The adrenaline dump was hitting. Hard.[SYSTE
The Gambling System Chapter 19: Guilt and Pain
Peter’s head pounded with a relentless ache, a dull, throbbing weight pressing against his skull. His body still hadn’t recovered from the match—his fingers twitched involuntarily, sore from gripping the chess pieces so tightly. His legs felt heavy, as though they carried the burden of two different realities.Stumbling slightly, he made his way toward the lavatory, muttering a weak excuse as he left the room.The restroom was quiet, the only sound the distant hum of the overhead lights. Peter barely glanced at his reflection as he turned on the sink, cupping his hands beneath the icy stream and splashing the cold water onto his face.Once.Twice.Three times.The sting of the cold barely registered against his skin.But the pain in his head? That was something else entirely.His reflection in the mirror wavered as his vision blurred for a moment. His chest rose and fell in slow, deep breaths, but no matter how much water he threw on his face, it wouldn’t wash away the storm raging in
The Gambling System Chapter 20: Silence
Silence.The room fell into a pin-drop silenceA deafening, choking silence.The kind of silence often found in a graveyard.The words hung in the air, heavy and unshakable.Peter felt his pulse slam against his ribs.His mind screamed at him to move, to react, to do something—But his body refused to obey."What the actual hell—"The air thickened, pressing in on him like a vice. For a moment, Peter almost thought he had misheard. But the boy’s expression hadn’t changed.He meant every word.Because this guy wasn’t joking.There wasn’t a trace of bluff in his face.No arrogance. No bravado.Just cold, lethal certainty.It was an expression Peter had never seen before, not even in his most intense gambling matches. It wasn’t the look of someone who wanted to win. It was the look of someone who had to.Like a knight who had sworn an oath.Peter’s mouth was dry.He forced himself to breathe, keeping his voice as steady as he could."Sorry," he said carefully, "but I think you have the w
The Gambling System Chapter 21: Orientation
Peter washed his face one last time before making his way to the hall. His head still throbbed, the weight of everything—the game, the system, the cheat—pressing down on him. The air in the hall was different now. Where once the room had been packed with nervous, hopeful applicants, now only a select few remained. The remaining students were scattered across the vast space, far fewer than before. Maybe a 50? Maybe less. Peter didn’t bother counting. He slipped into his seat, the same one from before, a few rows toward the back. His body moved on autopilot as he pulled out the chair’s small, foldable slate table and rested his head against it. The ache behind his eyes was dull but constant. It wasn’t just exhaustion. It was guilt. But unfortunately, his moment of rest didn’t last long. “Oh my, my— you actually did it. You beat a grandmaster at chess.” Peter sighed before even looking up. Ace. Of course. And this time, Chloe was with him. Peter sat up, rubbi
The Gambling System Chapter 22: A Black Limousine
After some extra formalities, the orientation came to an end. Peter stood outside of the university main gate, trying really hard to remember what way he took coming here. He pulled out his phone to make use of the cyber map.Suddenly, a black limousine glided to a smooth stop before Peter, its presence alone exuding power, mystery, and extravagance. The vehicle was the definition of wealth—polished obsidian paint that reflected the neon glow of the city, tinted windows dark enough to swallow any prying eyes, and silver-plated door handles that shimmered like hidden treasure. The car’s sleek body stretched longer than most sports cars, its wheel rims a custom design, glinting like casino chips under the dim streetlights. It wasn’t just a limo—it was a moving fortress, the kind only the most elite gamblers, politicians, or crime bosses dared to use.Peter’s stomach twisted as the passenger-side window rolled down just a fraction—only a few inches, just enough to let a sliver of d
The Gambling System Chapter 23: Birthright
Peter stepped through the massive glass doors of Celestia Royale Medical Center, and the world instantly changed.The air inside was crisp, clean, and carried a faint scent of jasmine and sterilized linen. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast golden light across the vast marble floor. The walls were a pristine white, accented with sleek gold trimmings that screamed wealth and exclusivity.A grand reception desk sat at the center of the lobby, crafted from polished onyx and manned by staff dressed in immaculate white uniforms, their expressions calm and professional. Behind them, a massive digital board displayed real-time medical updates, schedules, and donation acknowledgments from some of the wealthiest benefactors in the world.To the left, an open lounge area extended into a five-star café, where patients and visitors alike sipped on imported teas and coffee worth more than Peter’s rent. A pianist played a soft, melancholic tune fr
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Chapter 103: The Mirror Breaks
Peter didn’t speak.He didn’t fidget. Didn’t sigh. Didn’t crack a joke.He just stared at his chips, at the rising tower across the table that now belonged to Naomi.And behind her…Viktor.He hadn’t said a word since sitting on stage. He hadn’t offered a nod, a smirk, or a twitch of condescension.He simply watched.Like a king at court.Like a god behind glass.Peter had never feared silence until now.Because in that silence—there was no reassurance.No mockery to sharpen his edge.No reaction to push against.It was Naomi’s game now.Naomi, with her red ruby necklace glinting under the stage lights.Naomi, who once trembled in his arms after a stormy night.Naomi, who now looked at him like a rival she intended to erase.The dealer reshuffled."Next round," she said simply.They both submitted their participation chip and the cards were dealt. Naomi gave up one card.Peter stared at his hand.9-Spade, 9-Heart, 7-Diamond, 3-Club, 2-Spade.Another pair.Anot
Chapter 102: Another Break
During the break, the crowd buzzed with unease, trying to make sense of the exchange. Naomi had won the round, yes—but barely. And not convincingly. She didn’t celebrate. She didn’t even smirk. She simply gathered the chips with a mechanical hand, her mind elsewhere.Peter could see it. The flicker behind her eyes. The tremble she was trying to bury beneath bravado.And that’s when Viktor moved.He didn’t speak. He stood.Slowly. Deliberately. Like a king rising from a throne he never doubted was his.The lights of the hall seemed to bend toward him. Eyes turned. Voices hushed.Even the dealer, ever expressionless, paused mid-shuffle to watch.Viktor stepped onto the edge of the raised platform, not breaking eye contact with Peter. The distance between them was wide—but somehow, Peter felt like the man was breathing down his neck.“You’re clever, Peter,” Viktor said softly.His voice didn’t need to be loud. It carried.Too well.The crowd leaned in.Naomi’s spine went rigi
Chapter 101: Hunting
The next round began with the quiet tension of a lit fuse. The crowd, now too stunned to keep up their commentary, watched in breathless silence. Naomi’s win had widened the chip gap again — Peter’s stack sat noticeably shorter, Viktor’s calm presence looming larger behind Naomi’s chair like a shadow.But Peter wasn’t fidgeting anymore.He sat still. Thinking. Observing.No more frantic energy. No more reactive betting.This time, Peter was hunting.They both dropped their participation chip for this round and the dealer laid down the cards, smooth and methodical. Five cards each.Peter didn’t even glance at his hand right away.Instead, he studied Naomi.She shifted her chair an inch back. Adjusted her sleeve. Looked at Viktor for a brief second — and in that blink, Peter saw something she didn’t mean to show.Uncertainty.She was no longer gambling for herself.And it was breaking her.“Will you trade?” the dealer asked.Peter didn’t hesitate. “One card.”Naomi blinked
Chapter 100: Just Pressure
The next round was quieter.No shouts from the crowd. No big swings of excitement.Just pressure.Thick.Heavy.Alive.Naomi shuffled her cards with perfect grace, but her hands betrayed her — just slightly. A tremble in the thumb. A hitch in the wrist.Peter caught it all.This was new.Naomi had always thrived under risk. But now? The weight wasn’t just the money or the game. It was Viktor.The puppet strings were showing.Peter leaned back in his chair, deliberately casual, stretching his arms like he was lounging at a café.“I have to admit,” he said, eyes on Naomi but voice aimed at Viktor. “I thought you’d be scarier than this.”Viktor didn’t rise to the bait.But his fingers paused their motion along the rim of his untouched glass of water.Peter had noticed that too.No alcohol. No erratic behavior. Viktor didn’t gamble like Naomi.He didn’t chase the thrill.He chased the certainty of power.The illusion of invincibility.And illusions?Peter was learning
Chapter 99: After the Break
The 10-minutes break elapsed soon enough and the dealer reset the table.Cards shuffled. Chips stacked. The next round loomed like a guillotine blade, swinging lower and lower with each tick of the clock.Naomi’s fingers tapped lightly on the felt table. Her ruby necklace — the same fake one she’d worn since childhood — glinted under the spotlight. It was a small, meaningless trinket to anyone else. But to her, it was a reminder:You chose this life. You chose the gamble.Peter was silent, staring at his untouched chips.He had 75 billion left.Naomi had over 200 billion.It was a massacre waiting to happen.But Naomi didn’t look smug this time.She looked… hungry.“Shall we?” the dealer asked, almost too polite.They both dropped their participation chip for this round and the cards were dealt.Five each.No words exchanged.Peter peeked at his hand. Two pairs. Not bad. But nothing to write home about.Naomi looked at hers and — to Peter’s shock — laughed.Not a polit
Chapter 98: The Cornered King
The moment Viktor declared his 200 billion euro investment, the auditorium detonated in sheer chaos. Screams. Gasps. Phones snapping pictures. Some students stood in shock, others cheered like they were watching a high-stakes sports final. "Two hundred billion?!" "Is this real life?" "Who the hell has that kind of money just sitting around?" "That’s not gambling. That’s a declaration of war!" "Bro… this isn’t a game anymore. This is a massacre." Even some of the professors seated in the higher rows murmured uneasily, their whispers blotted by the crowd’s explosion of disbelief. A girl near the aisle dropped her soda and didn't even notice. A guy in a leather jacket muttered under his breath, "That’s more than the GDP of a small country." Katherina leaned forward in her seat, eyes wide with twisted delight. "Ooooh, it’s happening. The stakes are no longer just life or death — they’re legacy. This is beautiful." Grant, meanwhile, sat frozen in place — mouth parted, mind racin
Chapter 97: A Battle Beyond Money
The crowd exploded again.If Peter’s bet had been a bomb, Viktor’s was a nuclear strike.People screamed.Chairs clattered against the floor.Someone in the back actually fainted."TWO HUNDRED BILLION?!""IS THIS EVEN LEGAL?!""WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?!""THIS IS MADNESS!"It wasn’t just a gamble anymore.It was warfare on a scale none of them had ever witnessed.---And in the center of it all —amid the chaos and disbelief —Peter and Viktor locked eyes.No words.No smiles.Just two forces of nature colliding —and only one of them would walk away.The second Viktor’s voice cut through the air —"Two hundred billion." —the reaction was cataclysmic.The arena didn't just erupt — it detonated.It was as if the very walls trembled from the shockwave of noise.A thousand voices screamed at once, the sound bouncing off the ceilings and hammering into the floor.Some people laughed hysterically, others yelled in disbelief, and still more sat frozen, mouths gaping like broken machines."TWO
Chapter 96: The Battle Escalates
For a single breathless moment, the entire arena froze.Then, dramatically — like an emperor descending into the gladiator pit — Viktor stood from his luxurious VIP seat and began making his way toward the stage.His every step echoed in the vast silence.A slow, deliberate, predatory gait — like a wolf circling wounded prey.The crowd instinctively parted for him, the sea making way for the storm.The overhead lights caught his sharp suit — dark as night — and made it gleam like polished obsidian.Every movement he made was smooth, precise, dripping with arrogance.He didn’t strut.He didn’t posture.He simply existed with an undeniable dominance.As he ascended the steps onto the stage, his smirk widened — the kind of grin you’d see on a man who already knew the ending of the story... and knew it ended in your ruin.---Peter’s fists clenched by his side.His mind scrambled to process what the hell was happening."What the hell is going on?!" he blurted, voice cracking with confusio
Chapter 95: Choosing Fire Over Safety
Risk made Naomi feel real. It reminded her she still existed — that she could still touch the world, and it could touch her back. But even with all the dares, the bets, the adrenaline highs, the near-death moments she laughed through… Something inside her stayed hollow. A part of her stayed cold. Like no matter how hard she ran, some piece of her was still trapped in that silent house, under a mother’s cold hand, waiting for a father who was never coming back. --- Until she met him. Until she met Peter. --- It was a cold, gray morning. The kind that makes the whole city feel dead. The sky was heavy with low, steel-colored clouds. The streets were slick with rain from the night before, the air sharp and damp. Naomi had her headphones in, lost in the beat of some reckless song — one that made her feel like she was the only real thing in the world. She didn’t see the bus. She didn’t hear the shouts. Didn’t realize the screaming wasn’t part of her music. Until — Hands.
