The first drag of the cigarette stung Adrian's lungs, but the burning sensation was oddly calming-a temporary escape from the bitterness that always clung to his life.
Through the window of the moving taxi, his sharp eyes swept over the "Samsara" Arcology, the magnificent enclosed city that had become a prison for his own colonized people.
In the distance, the silhouette of a 15-meter tall Mecha Sentinel belonging to the Faralan Guardian Force patrolled arrogantly, its massive feet trampling the faded emblem of the old nation on the asphalt.
Watchdogs for their masters.
His taxi passed the high boundary wall separating Samsara's Elite Sector from the Slum District.
From the taxi's faint speaker, a news reporter's voice crackled with signal interference.
"...L-latest report on the Red Faction's attack on the Aetherium supply line in Sector 7.The Faralan Guardian Force is increasing vigilance...".
Adrian tilted his head, listening briefly. Red Faction.
How long will those idealists keep trying? He thought cynically, tired of seeing them get caught repeatedly.
To the left, glass towers soared with holograms displaying luxury; to the right, sprawled a massive, cave-like entrance leading underground-the Aetherium energy mines. A corporate transport Mecha passed overhead,spewing dust and polluted smoke.
Adrian took the last drag of his cigarette and flicked it out the window, disregarding their regulations.
He sighed. You were right, Leo. Cigarettes do calm the nerves a little.
His destination now was the exclusive club, 'The Gilded Cage'. A place where the local elites gathered and gambled.
He stepped out of the taxi, his face instantly adopting his everyday mask-that of an amiable man.
He glanced at his briefcase. Hidden behind its steel lining was a data chip containing his credits and weapon data-a habitual precaution. In a place like Samsara, who didn't carry a weapon? And to avoid trackers, he had modified his briefcase perfectly.
The guards-neatly dressed in the uniforms of a foreign security company-nodded respectfully. They saw him as one of their own, thanks to his elegant appearance: a white shirt, black suit, and a fedora.
He took a card from his pocket and swiped it. The system began reading his identity.
However, the name displayed wasn't his own, but the identity of a man named Volcots-a card he had stolen from her a few days prior.
After successfully passing through the checkpoint, he descended a deep, branching staircase that sprawled like roots digging into the earth. Each branch led to different rooms and experiences, as if an entire world was hidden beneath the ground.
After nearly fifteen minutes of walking, he finally reached his destination. The moment he crossed the threshold, a wave of muffled noise greeted him.
The opulence of "The Gilded Cage" fully assaulted his senses. The room was exactly like its name-a gilded cage, with intricately carved pillars resembling magnificent bars made of smooth marble. They rose at every corner, seemingly sheltering its inhabitants, who were blissfully lost in illusions of luxury.
Blood-red marble walls created a false sense of warmth, while a giant crystal chandelier hung overhead, reflecting light that made everything glisten excessively.
The atmosphere in the room was dense and deafening. A melancholic song performed by an entertainer on a small stage was nearly drowned out by the relentless clatter of slot machines, punctuated by the boisterous cheers of gamblers lost in the tension.
Amidst the crowd, hoarse voices and forced laughter could be heard-drunks trying to escape the clutches of reality.
His sharp eyes then landed on a man standing rigidly in front of one of the slot machines. His face was pale, his gaze empty, following the spin of the unpredictable reels.
Adrian shook his head slowly, a familiar disgust washing over him.
How foolish, he mocked inwardly. Shouldn't they know machines like that are rigged?
He continued forward. His eyes scanned every corner of the room, searching for the table reserved for him.
Finally, after a moment, his gaze landed on a table with his name card placed neatly on it. In the center of the table, a chessboard was set up perfectly, its pieces arranged neatly, awaiting the start of the game.
Instantly, his eyes widened. His heart beat faster, accompanied by a smile that spread even wider across his lips. Her, my opponent?
"Where is my opponent?" grumbled a large, elderly man, slamming the table. His annoyed tone echoed around. Beside him, two equally large bodyguards stood sternly with grim faces.
He recognized the man well. It was...
"Grandmaster Eldric," he whispered softly, almost like a breath.
His competitive spirit ignited immediately. Eldric's arrogance, his legendary pride, and-most importantly-his position as a prominent figure in the Arcology and The Gilded Cage, made this match far more valuable. He wanted to humiliate him and prove that the Arcology was nothing to him, and this was one way to do it.
With calm and confident steps, Adrian approached his table.
He placed his briefcase down and sat down, crossing his legs.
He removed the hat that had been covering his face, revealing his true features. His messy black hair slightly covered his eyebrows, but it did nothing to dampen the glow of his red eyes-a genetic trait.
His face was completely expressionless, only a cold mask deliberately worn to gauge Eldric's expression and first impression.
"Huh? A child? My opponent is just a child?!" Eldric hissed in annoyance. "I've been waiting so long, and this is what I get?"
Adrian didn't answer immediately. From his briefcase, he took out a stack of money and placed it calmly on the betting plate.
"As agreed,"
Seeing Adrian's cold and confident demeanor, Eldric instead burst into loud laughter.
"Don't you know who I am,boy?"
"Grandmaster Eldric," Adrian replied, "The undefeated champion in the last 50 matches. But all that is history now. Your reputation won't help you on this board."
He stared sharply at Eldric. "You know the rules of this game, don't you?"
Hearing that response, the crowd of spectators beginning to gather erupted in a low roar. Some even laughed. From their cheers and laughter, Adrian could feel-they had long been waiting for someone brave enough to challenge Eldric.
In front of him, Adrian could clearly see Eldric's face turning red-a small victory for him.
"Fine..." Eldric finally spoke, trying to remain calm. He took a sum of money and threw it onto the pile of bets.
"I'll double my bet.No... triple it," he said, his voice trembling with suppressed anger.
Adrian merely nodded, responding with a faint smile. His slender, long fingers picked up his chess piece with firmness.
"Thank you,"he said in a calm voice, not intimidated in the slightest.
"I won't disappoint you, Grandmaster."