The Indomitable Klaus Whitlock

CHAPTER 6

Meanwhile, Klaus perched atop a low rooftop, the city stretching before him. The adrenaline still hummed through his veins, but more than that—he felt good.

The system’s boost was kicking in. His movements were sharper, his senses more attuned.

A soft ping echoed in his mind.

[Congratulations! You have successfully used your gambling skill for the first time.]

[Reward: Permanent 20% boost in agility and grace.]

[Luck stat: 180 pts.]

Klaus exhaled, a smirk playing on his lips.

[Convert money into digital form for bank account?]

[Yes] [No]

Without hesitation, Klaus selected "Yes."

The bag of cash in his hands vanished, replaced by a sharp chime and a new notification:

[Mission: $9,000,000 more to go]

[System account: $1,000,000]

Klaus exhaled, his lips curling into a grin. This was more than just numbers on a screen. This was the start of something new—an opportunity. He leaned against the railing of the pedestrian bridge, scanning the cityscape below. Neon lights flickered in the dusk, illuminating the massive Megabucks Casino Royale sign in the distance.

A siren’s call.

It promised wealth, power, and the kind of prestige he had never known.

He set off toward it, his pulse thrumming with excitement.

---

The grand entrance of the Megabucks Casino Royale was everything he'd imagined—opulence dripped from every surface. The air buzzed with the scent of expensive perfume and the clinking of whiskey glasses. Men in tailored suits strolled inside with women wrapped in silken gowns, their laughter spilling onto the velvet-lined pavement.

Klaus barely made it past the first step when two towering guards blocked his path.

"I'm afraid you can't come in, sir," one of them said, his voice devoid of warmth.

Klaus frowned. "And why's that?"

"This is Megabucks Royale," the second guard said, glancing at Klaus’s worn-out jeans and faded shirt with a mixture of disdain and amusement. "A venue for a… particular clientele. You don’t fit the description."

Klaus inhaled deeply, suppressing the sharp sting of familiarity. He had heard those words before, in different places, from different people.

"You’re saying I can’t come in because of my clothes?"

"I’m saying you can’t come in because you don’t belong here," the first guard clarified, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Klaus chuckled dryly. "Right. Guess I should’ve worn a tux."

He was about to turn away when a third guard stepped forward, scrutinizing him with narrowed eyes. Unlike the others, this one wasn't just dismissing him—he was suspicious of him.

"You look like trouble," the guard muttered, one hand resting near his holster. "Where are your little accomplices? Planning to scope out the casino for a job?"

Klaus stiffened. "Excuse me?"

"I could have you arrested just for standing here," the guard continued, pulling out a pair of handcuffs. "Guys like you? Desperate and reckless. I’ve seen it before."

Klaus tensed, old instincts kicking in. The tight feeling in his chest, the familiar weight of being accused without cause—it hadn’t left him, even after all these years.

"Look, I don’t want any trouble," he said, voice controlled but firm. "I was just leaving."

The guard wasn’t listening.

The moment Klaus moved, the guard lunged. Klaus barely ducked in time, sidestepping his grasp. But he hadn’t accounted for the second guard, who tackled him from behind. A sharp chokehold locked around his throat, and within seconds, cold steel snapped around his wrists.

He barely had time to curse before the guards radioed for the police.

---

Then, she appeared.

A woman draped in crimson silk, her fiery hair cascading down her back in perfect waves. A heart-shaped diamond necklace glistened at her throat, catching the light as she approached the entrance, walking beside an older gentleman in a sharp gray suit.

The moment her emerald-green eyes locked onto his, a notification blinked in Klaus’s vision:

[Use Luck points to charm?]

[Yes] [No]

Something instinctive pushed him to click "Yes."

[-80pts from Luck stats]

[Total Luck stats: 100pts] → [20pts]

A subtle warmth pulsed through him. His gaze shimmered—just for a second—with a faint, unearthly glow.

The woman faltered mid-step.

Then, to Klaus’s utter disbelief, she turned toward him.

The older man beside her frowned. "Darling, what—?"

She ignored him.

"Why are you on your knees in cuffs?" she asked, her voice smooth, yet demanding.

The lead guard straightened, seizing the moment. "This man was attempting to rob the casino," he declared with authority. "We stopped him before he could execute his plan."

Klaus’s jaw clenched.

He had been in plenty of bad situations before, but this? This was next-level nonsense.

The woman’s gaze flickered between Klaus and the guards. "And you decided that… based on what?"

"He was lurking around suspiciously—"

"I walked up to the entrance," Klaus interjected, irritation seeping into his voice. "I wanted to gamble, and I was told to leave because of my clothes. I turned to go, and then I got accused of planning a heist."

The woman exhaled slowly, expression unreadable. "And then you were handcuffed."

"Correct," Klaus deadpanned.

The older gentleman took a thoughtful puff of his cigar. "My dear, From what he’s shared and the guards’ reactions, it seems he’s been treated unfairly. I suggest we contact Mr. Randal Jones, the casino manager,"

"The woman folded her arms. "I’d call it outright bullying. horrible bullying"