Chapter 265: Chapter 266

“Look at these people. Do you seriously think they’ll stop gambling just because of your little speech?

Even if your gambling resort goes out of business today, they will go to any other places. Plus, if all casinos and gambling dens aren’t available, they can always gather and gamble among themselves.

These rotten sc*mbags are too far gone in their gambling addictions. You can’t save them!” he snarled, baring his teeth as if the men before him were his arch enemies.

Nonetheless, the man reeled in his bubbling wrath and sat down, refocusing on his task. “Forget it.

There’s no point wasting my breath on despicable vermin like you. I’m here to collect a debt. So, when will you pay the one million two hundred thousand you owe me?”

Timothy’s face instantly scrunched up with rage. “You want me to pay up? Pfft! In your dreams!

Besides, you have no proof that I owe you that—”

“Did he really rack up multiple wins worth one million two hundred thousand from your gambling resort?” interrupted Casper.

“Sir, that guy’s a cheat. There’s no need to pay any heed to his words—”

“I’m asking you, did he win one million two hundred thousand from your establishment? Answer the question.”

“Y-Yes. I did owe that guy one million two hundred thousand for the gambling rounds he won. However, I kicked him out without paying him back…”

That garnered a nod from Casper, who then turned toward the crippled man and said, “ Give me your Paypal account. I’ll transfer his outstanding debt to you.”

It was then that man raised his hand in refusal. “Sorry. I only accept cash, not Paypal transactions.”

Offended by the former’s arrogant demeanor, Stallion could not help but retort, “Watch yourself! Boss is a respectable man who honors his words. He won’t back out from paying you. Do you seriously think that highly of yourself to make unnecessary demands?”

Not a trace of emotion showed in the unbothered-looking Eugene’s eyes. “Your measly threat can’t intimidate me, Eugene Yackley, who has seen plenty of this world’s cruel ways.”

“How much money do you have in your gambling resort?” Casper asked Timothy.

“Are you really going to pay him?” came the latter’s reply.

“Don’t make me repeat myself again. Now, answer me. How much cash do you have right now?”

Casper growled, feeling irritated by Timothy’s dawdling.

Fear coursed through Timothy as he quickly scrambled into a room to grab the money.

Soon, he returned with a bag full of cash. There were rolls of notes worth hundreds, fifties, and even smaller pouches of coins.

“There should be around three hundred thousand in here. My gambling resort just opened for the day.”

Casper took out a card and handed it to Stallion after that. “Fetch the outstanding one million. If the bank isn’t open, head to every ATM machine and withdraw the maximum amount allowed until you have one million altogether.”

Stallion nodded and brought two of his men with him at once.

Subsequently, Eugene’s gaze filled with great envy as he scanned Casper from top to bottom.

“Impressive. You have quite the guts despite your young age. Not to mention, you don’t gamble. You’ll have a bright and promising future.”

“My family made sure I dabbled and taught me a bit of everything. However, the one exception to that is gambling,” Casper answered.

He then instructed a subordinate to fetch some tea for Eugene before asking, “Your missing leg and fingers. Did gambling cause that?”

Eugene did not take a sip of the tea before him. Instead, he asked for a cigarette and coldly answered, “No. Humans’ greed did this to me. I’ve never lost and am different from those dishonorable gambling addicts. I stand at the top of the pyramid alongside the rare few who can rack up massive incomes through gambling.”

He exhaled a puff of smoke while side-eying the men around him. “Have you ever watched those classic movies about gambling? Those often portray a man who’s remarkably gifted in gambling, and that sort of person exists. I’ve faced off against a god-like gambler in Turlen, and we tied. I obviously cheated, and so did that guy since he employed creative mind games during our game.”

That was when Timothy interjected with a sardonic scoff. “As if! If you’re skilled enough to gamble against a pro, then I must be Warren Buffett!”

A cold chuckle came from Eugene. “Sure, you can assume I’m a liar based on my beat-up appearance.

However, you should know that I got set up by my apprentices and lost a gamble. That loss cost me my fingers, leg, and even my ear. Yet, little did my opponent know that I kept it and got it re-attached once I returned from abroad. I’ve gambled in Jetroina, Marsingfill, Yaleview, and Lightspring…” He began reminiscing his colorful past as he elaborated, “You remind me of how I used to behave during my youth in those countries. I never appreciated the value of money and recklessly gambled away all my assets. Now, winning in gambling dens is what I rely on to make a living. Still, you shouldn’t bother convincing these greedy sc*mbags to abandon their gambling addiction. It’s no use.”

Then, Stallion dashed into the space while panting heavily with each step. In his hand was a bag brimming with cash. All the gamblers’ attention locked onto that bag at once, but they did not dare to grab it as they feared the maliciously gleaming gun in Casper’s hand.

It did not take long before Eugene counted the money and got up to leave.

“Hold up. I’ve given you the money, but I’d like to know what you would’ve done if I didn’t do so,”

Casper demanded.

Even muscle in Eugene’s body tensed. Moments passed before he guffawed sinisterly and took off his coat to reveal the grenade hanging in front of his chest. “Impressive, indeed. As expected of you to be alert.”

Upon seeing the grenade, Stallion and Timothy jolted backward, terror causing their minds to go into shock.

Even the other gamblers behind them had already fled. Despite all of those alarmed responses, Casper was the only one who cracked an amused grin at the grenade.

Not a hint of fear could be detected in his bold declaration. “You claim to be the King of Cheats who has never lost. Well, I wonder if you’re bold enough to gamble with me on whether this grenade is real or fake.”

“How much are you betting?” replied a calm Eugene.

“Ten million.”

Utter confidence dripped from Casper’s statement. He wanted to see if his words could elicit a flaw from Eugene.

The latter declined flatly, “No thanks. That’s too little. I’ll only accept your gamble if you offer a hundred million. Otherwise, it’s a no from me.”

He intentionally waited a few seconds for Casper to contemplate. Upon receiving no response from the latter, his arm pressed against the table, supporting him as he stood on his prosthetic leg. Suddenly, Casper’s arm darted toward his waist at an inhumanly fast rate.

Although Eugene was a skilled cheater with fast reflexes, his lack of some body parts put him at a disadvantage. Thus, Casper successfully snatched the grenade away.

Members of Firewolf Chamber of Commerce that stood aside rushed up to grab Eugene right away.

“H-How dare you! That’s not fair!” Eugene’s face contorted into a hideous scowl.

“Let go of him. I merely took his grenade as leverage to force him into gambling with me,” Casper stated.

His subordinates hesitantly eyed Eugene before eventually letting the latter go. Even Eugene himself felt shocked by the sudden turn of events and asked, “What are you planning?”

With the grenade in the palm of his hand, Casper locked eyes with Eugene while giving his explanation. “I’d like us to gamble on whether this grenade is real or if it’s a fake.”

Sheer panic covered every inch of Eugene’s face. “Are you crazy? If that grenade goes off, we’ll all die!”

Yet, Casper remained composed as ever while placing his thumb near the grenade’s safety pin. “What do you say? Ten million to gamble against me. Will you do it?”

Trepidation coursed through every cell in Stallion’s body, causing him to rush forward and grab Casper.

“Boss, please don’t do it! You’re the only person I’ll serve in my lifetime!”

Meanwhile, all color drained from Eugene’s face as he scrambled toward the door with all his limbs.

“What the h*ll? Are you forcing me to bet my life away?”

Click!

Casper released the safety pin from the grenade without hesitation.

Every person in the space dove toward the ground face first, bracing for impact with shut eyes.

Five seconds gradually passed, and no explosion took place.

“Pffft! Hahahaha!” Eugene cackled viciously. All his panic from earlier dissipated into thin air.

He then stood and limped over to Casper. “You’re a natural at gambling! You win. My life is yours, so you can do whatever you wish with me.”

A faint grin curved across Casper’s face as he put away the grenade.

“Gosh! Boss, you’re incredible! How did you know it was a fake?” Stallion immediately asked after realizing he had not gotten blown up to smithereens.

However, Casper did not reply. Instead, he turned to look at Eugene and questioned, “So, King of Cheats, does this mean you’ve finally lost in a round of gambling?”

Eugene tossed all his newly acquired money onto the ground as he spoke. “My life is worthless at this point. Go ahead. Whether it’s my skills or fame, you can ask whatever you wish of me. A talented man like yourself is sure to achieve great things someday. Perhaps I might even get revenge on my disloyal apprentices if I serve as your subordinate.”

His words were straightforward as he knew Casper intended to keep him for his abilities in cheating.