The underground casino reeked of sweet, metallic air.
When the dice cup was lifted, my fingers trembled. Three crimson dice, all showing a single blood-red dot—【The Death Gate】.
Across the table, the impeccably suited "Gambling God" smiled. Behind his golden spectacles, his eyes were like blades: "Lin Qi, you won't live past tonight."
I said nothing. Just pushed my last chip onto the table. My workwear sleeve slipped, revealing the old serpent-shaped scar on my forearm—the mark Henry carved into my flesh with a razor when I was twelve.
"My master once said," I whispered, "when gambling reaches the end, it's not about speed—it's about who fears death less."
Poker round. He laid down a straight flush. I flipped my card—a blank. The room erupted in laughter.
Until I raised it to the light. Blood letters bled across the back: 【You owe me a life】.
The Gambling God’s face turned pale.
Third round: knives.
Fingers slicing flesh. Loser loses a hand. Blades flashed between our fingers, spraying droplets of blood. Half of my left middle finger dangled by skin, yet my right hand remained unnaturally steady.
His final strike came at me.
I raised my hand—not to block.
But to impale.
The blade plunged deep into my palm. Then, following its momentum, I forced the entire knife into my sleeve.
In that instant, golden light exploded from the wound!
A phantom emerged—black tailcoat, monocle, that familiar mocking smirk...
"Henry… Mr. Henry?!"
Silence swallowed the room.
The spirit stood amidst the blood mist, gently patting my shoulder. "Good pupil. This time… I’m betting on you to win."
The Gambling God staggered back, his tie suddenly tightening—as if an invisible hand gripped his throat.
"No… impossible! Henry died ten years ago!"
"Yeah," I spat blood, smiling as I raised my mangled hand, "that’s why he’s waited too long for this."
Blades flashed again.
No one saw who struck.
Only a dull thud. The Gambling God dropped to his knees. A card pierced his forehead.
Front: Demon King.
Back: 【Paid in full】.
Smoke curled through the air. I stood over the fallen body and whispered,
"Master… if I win… can you come back to life?"
Golden light faded, leaving only a whisper:
"No. But you can live on—for me."
The game ended.
But fate… has just begun.
♠️The fallen king of gambling hides as a janitor—until the mafia and his old enemy return for blood. 😱🔥The truth goes deeper—binge the full series on Playlet! 😍
