1.7 billion, this was already an astonishing figure.
The Loki Familia, one of Orario's strongest familia, had a maximum of 2 billion in funds.
Whenever they undertook a large-scale, all-member event like a Familia Expedition, they would often spend it all, eventually being too reluctant to even add a high-grade magic sword worth ten of millions.
Adventurers were, after all, still a class of laborers.
You had to admire those vampires; in any world, they could earn huge amounts of wealth.
Is this what it feels like?
Eugene felt a bit lightheaded at the moment.
He felt like the current situation was a bit like "God of Gamblers" vs. "Ko Chun's nemesis."
It's just Stud Poker, who's afraid of whom?
Anyway, counting it all up, it was all Talli's money!
Not a single penny belonged to Eugene or Dix!
Thinking of this, Eugene almost burst out laughing.
This old man could be considered publicly executed; truly miserable.
However, if it was only 1.6 billion, it was far from his entire fortune.
In the original plot, after Ryuu single-handedly exposed Talli's true face, the latter ran all the way into the underground vault to escape pursuit.
That was Talli's real foundation.
The amount on this table was probably less than half.
So, at this crucial moment, where did that more than half of his assets go?
The corner of Eugene's mouth curled slightly.
I'm counting on you... my dear girls.
...
On the other side, atop a tall lighthouse.
Chloe, draped in a black cloak with seductive waistline curves, had eyes emitting a faint purple glow.
"Found it."
At the end of her locked gaze was an extremely hidden small port.
Super-large cargo containers were piled high there.
Whoosh!
In a breath, the slender figure on the lighthouse turned into black mist.
And in an alley not far from the port, Chloe recited the incantation with satisfaction.
A brand new Shadow Clone took shape from the darkness.
This was a new magic she had acquired, capable of "Chained Incantation" based on her original Shadow Clone magic.
293 This means that the effectiveness of the magic can be enhanced upon its original foundation.
Now, her clone could not only move freely over extremely long distances but also possessed a physical body!
One person instantly turned into two, with shared intentions, making it difficult to tell the real from the fake.
Attacking, her combat power doubled; retreating, it was a life-saving asset.
It could be said to be incredibly strong.
Beside Chloe, Lunoire, wearing a thick leather jacket and brand new fighting gauntlets, was also eager to start.
She didn't have innate magic, but with Eugene's help, she had finally acquired a powerful magic!
"It seems nothing can escape the boss's plan."
Lunoire clapped her fists together, making a crisp metallic sound.
"Alright! Time to get to work!"
...
"I've heard for a long time that Mr. Talli has two capable subordinates."
"They haven't shown up this time."
Eugene glanced around jokingly.
Talli, as if his mind had been read, kept a gloomy face and did not reply.
"Deal the cards."
The highly questionable-looking dealer steadily pushed out card after card.
His movements were slow, giving a sense of smoothness.
An ordinary person would find it hard to imagine him causing trouble at this stage.
But everyone present knew clearly in their hearts.
This guy was definitely going to cause trouble!
Ryuu's gaze never left the pair of long, slender hands; her emerald eyes were like an unfathomably cold abyss.
Under her chilling stare, the dealer couldn't help but break out in a sweat.
He knew that this beautiful woman in men's clothing in front of him was extremely dangerous.
He hadn't dared to make any rash moves until now.
"Raise the bet!"
Dix shouted loudly, drawing everyone's attention.
"Add another 200 million!"
It was only the second round of dealing, yet the bet had already reached 400 million!
Any more, and they would have to go all-in!
(bleb) "Call." Eugene was too lazy to push the chips forward.
Hundreds of chips were nearly covering the person.
It was noteworthy that Talli rarely showed a triumphant expression.
He seemed to have gotten a good hand.
"Don't stop, continue!"
The great tycoon, who had been passive all along, urged them to continue.
And the dealer had no choice but to follow the command and proceed.
But just then, an unexpected turn occurred!
Pfft!
The sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh reached everyone's ears!
From behind the crowd came angry and mournful howls, perhaps due to a vendetta or something else; it wasn't clear due to the human wall blocking the view.
Everyone stopped their movements and looked back.
But the only response they got was ambiguous.
"Hmph, just a little bug, continue!"
The dealer seemed startled; his breathing was slightly hurried, and his lips were pale.
He steadily pushed out everyone's face-up cards as before.
But just as the thin playing card was about to reach Eugene.
Ryuu made her move!
Clang!
Her figure was swift as the wind; at a speed imperceptible to those present, she plunged a short dagger viciously into the dealer's palm!
"Gaaahhhhh!"
"This one here, is the real bug."
Ryuu pried open the dealer's fingers bit by bit, pulling out the prop hidden beneath his palm.
Her expression was cold and severe, releasing an aura of killing intent.
Causing the air over the table to turn chilling.
"Please, spare me! Spare me!"
Ryuu didn't give him a chance to cry out; she twisted the dagger, completely destroying that hand!
She yanked the dealer, who was in too much pain to stay conscious, away and stood in front of the pile of cards herself.
"Next, I'll deal."
Without waiting for anyone to object, Ryuu flung the dagger to the center of the table.
"If anyone can spot a problem, they can have this hand!"
Dead silence.
Even the various thugs were shocked by the heroic woman before them.
"Hahaha, you're a good woman!" Dix clapped repeatedly.
At the same time, the fierce light in his eyes grew stronger.
"Those eyes, I'm definitely taking them!"
"Deal the cards!"
Ryuu silently pushed out the playing cards.
It was now the fourth card, and Eugene still hadn't looked at his hole card.
His face-up cards were the Jack, Queen, King of Hearts.
With one more Ten, a Straight Flush was highly likely!
But at the gambling table, things often don't go as wished.
"Add another 100 million." Talli grit his teeth and insisted.
500 million.
"Call."
And so, the fifth card smoothly slid out!
Talli tightly grasped his set of cards, his expression tense yet expectant.
"It's finally come to this moment."
Eugene picked up the card and casually flipped it over.
Ten of Hearts!
The 10, J, Q, K of the same suit, with only the hole card remaining!
If that card were the Ace of Hearts.
Eugene would activate the legendary "Royal Flush"!
The ultimate killer combination dreamed of by countless gamblers!
"Hmm... what a struggle."
Under the tense gaze of countless people, Eugene hesitated for a moment and then picked up his hole card.
He stacked the cards together and slowly slid them down.
Only revealing a minuscule corner before putting it down again.
The smile at the corner of his mouth was no longer natural.
And Talli and Dix received feedback simultaneously!
From the back of the crowd, utilizing the hidden mirror in the hall.
People confirmed that the corner of Eugene's hole card.
Was black!
Definitely not the Ace of Hearts!
The downgrade from a Royal Flush to a common Straight! It meant a fall from heaven to hell!
Not to mention Four of a Kind, not even a Full House could beat it!
"Hehe, hahahaha!!"
Talli sprang up, shoving the huge pile of chips inward, his expression maniacal!
"All in!"
"Your life, I'm definitely taking it!"
And Dix was enjoying Eugene's no longer composed expression to the fullest on the side.
He greatly anticipated the contrast of falling from a height, losing control, and finally sinking into madness and despair!
"Show your cards!"
"Show your cards!!"
Following Talli's wild laughter, all the thugs present began to cheer and howl.
All kinds of sarcasm and curses filled the magnificent hall, as if demons were descending upon the world.
"You..."
Ryuu's delicate hands clenched tightly.
This was the first time she had seen such an expression on Eugene's face.
That kind of indifferent, yet utterly helpless expression.
Did he fail?
She dared not imagine it.
But had to believe it.
This was the gambling table, heaven one second, hell the next.
Snap!
Talli's face was ferocious; he slammed his set of cards onto the table.
Four Nines and an Eight! (Four of a Kind - 9s)
Just try to tell me that's not strong!
"My Four of a Kind will crush your Straight!"
Completing a kill against Eugene with the same type of hand, Talli's mood soared to the clouds; it couldn't be more exhilarating!
"Tch, despicable old man."
Dix threw out Three Sevens and a pair of Sixes.
Also a very strong hand, called a Full House, weaker than Four of a Kind.
But still stronger than a non-suited Straight!
"Come on, are you scared now?"
"Where's that momentum of yours, as if everything was under control!?"
"Show me that damned smiling face again!"
"Ah ha ha ha ha!!"
Countless taunts and boos swept over them like a tide. Ryuu looked at the motionless Eugene, her brow tightly furrowed.
She wanted to comfort this man, to tell him that he still had someone to rely on!
If the gamble failed, then they would fight!
And just as Ryuu was about to move.
Eugene suddenly started coughing violently, as if something was stuck in his throat.
That posture left people puzzled.
"Ugh-Ptooey!"
A small object landed in the center of the table.
"Phew, that was close."
Eugene let out a long breath.
"I was almost ruined by it."
It was a short, black wooden stick, the kind used for fruit.
For safety, its tip was thick and blunt.
It looked just like...
"..."
Dead silence.
Talli, Dix, Ryuu, and everyone present wore the exact same stunned expression.
That object looked like the corner of the Ace of Spades.
"My apologies for the long delay."
Eugene picked up the hole card and shook it: "I, as expected, still don't like giving spoilers."
His hand waved lightly.
The playing card fluttered through the air.
Immediately afterward, an immensely heavy echo resonated through the crowd.
That was the echo of 1.7 billion, a wealth that, converted to currency, would be enough to fill this hall.
It was the echo of gold, silver, and jewels, of extravagant pleasure, of beautiful women and delicacies, of humanity's beautiful dream.
Ace of Hearts
10, J, Q, K, A, a single clear line of crimson.
649,740 to 1, 0.000154%
Now, the impossible for others.
Had fallen into the hands of the man who wielded the strings of fate.
------------
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