“Grrr…!”
Sajeok couldn’t gather his thoughts. The physical pain rising from his forehead was one thing, but the mental shock of having his entire strategy dismantled slammed into his mind.
Receiving both internal and external shocks all at once, Sajeok swayed and struggled to stay upright.
Ho Cheon-an clicked his tongue, watching Sajeok.
“Man, your gambling skills are decent, but your compatibility… not so much.”
Passion.
No matter the position, passion is essential to reach the top. This applies to gamblers as well. Even if they seem dispassionate on the surface, there’s bound to be a unique fervor burning inside those who have reached a certain level.
What’s the social standing of a gambler? If one were to ask if gambling brings wealth and honor, most people would shake their heads. Anyone desiring a profession that offers smooth rewards might pick based on conditions alone, but gambling is a profession too distant from that. Thus, it’s inevitable for a gambler to hold passion in their heart.
Sajeok was someone who could ignite that passion for gambling. The higher the level a gambler achieves, the greater their fervor must be, making Sajeok a gambler with a temperament that becomes even more explosive at higher stakes.
It’s tough enough facing someone highly skilled, but…
The compatibility was poor.
Ho Cheon-an reflected on himself. Is gambling fun? Sure, it is. Having only focused on gambling for five years, there’s definitely an attachment.
But if someone asked him whether he had passion for gambling, he would shake his head.
If someone truly asked if he had ever been passionate about gambling, Ho Cheon-an would say he used to have some.
There was no way he could answer any differently.
“Why would I have any passion? I’ve made it big already.”
Knowing well that he had reached the “end” of gambling, how could passion gush forth? Ho Cheon-an, who could still find entertainment and curiosity in gambling, could never rekindle that fire of passion…
Ho Cheon-an represented the pinnacle of Sajeok.
“Again.”
As Ho Cheon-an fell into his thoughts and the gamblers whispered while observing how quickly Sajeok’s skill had been dissected, Sajeok opened his eyes wide and placed his hand on the gambling table.
“Don’t be unreasonable. You already lost, didn’t you?”
“No, it’s just beginning! Was there ever a rule stating only one person can challenge at a time? I’ve never heard of that!”
Sajeok shouted loudly.
“Of course! If someone else wants to challenge, I’ll yield my turn!”
The gamblers murmured, but no one dared to challenge. After witnessing Ho Cheon-an’s skills, they felt there was no chance of victory.
“Oh dear.”
Ho Cheon-an had no choice but to gesture in agreement, while Sajeok grabbed the cup again.
“Chaaahhh!!”
Pababababak!
Sajeok’s actions grew even more intense. The heat generated seemed to fuel him from the recent loss. Even the gamblers who had just seen Sajeok topple Ho Cheon-an now felt renewed anticipation due to his fiery display of skill.
“Definitely improved.”
Sajeok’s skill level was quite impressive—no, extraordinary. Ho Cheon-an couldn’t grasp all of Sajeok’s techniques either. If one is talking about expertise, there’s bound to be a blind spot, and Sajeok’s skills traversed those gray areas.
However, the intent was too clear.
Though his capabilities had increased since the last round, the flames driving that increase made his intent even more apparent.
Sajeok’s hands stopped mixing the cup.
The gamblers observed the now intensified heat and refined movement. They thought Sajeok might actually be able to beat Ho Cheon-an this time, seeing how much he had advanced from the previous match.
Ho Cheon-an, sensing the growing excitement of the gamblers, put all his bets into play.
“Right side.”
Sajeok’s expression froze, and the gamblers could guess the result from his face. Ho Cheon-an had tipped the cup, and the dice were inside the right cup.
Thwack!
A clear sound echoed once again. Sajeok twisted his body in agony but forced himself upright. Ho Cheon-an shook his head at the sight of Sajeok’s burning determination.
“Again!”
The outcome didn’t change. Sajeok only burned with intensity, but a new bump appeared on his forehead.
Thoughts of one word emerged in the minds of the gamblers, Black Cat, and Hyeok Gi-rin.
Godlike!
As Sajeok’s capabilities increased with every defeat, his momentum soared hotter and hotter, yet Ho Cheon-an remained unshaken. As if to say no matter how much a being on the ground struggles, they cannot reach the heavens—he merely saw through Sajeok’s gambling antics with indifference.
The gamblers of Nangyang fell silent. With each round, Sajeok’s fervor grew fiercer, but no one held onto hopes that he might win anymore.
Thwack!
Sajeok took another challenge and got slapped down again. While he struggled to grasp the cup, he…
“…”
Couldn’t bring himself to speak the word “again” out loud. His grip on the cup tightened, as if ready to shatter it, but his words failed him. Despite the lingering frustration and heat within, Sajeok knew.
He couldn’t win against Ho Cheon-an.
Sajeok lowered his head, and the gamblers watched him with pitying expressions. Sajeok’s hand, which had held onto the cup with all its might, slowly released it.
‘Is this where it ends?’
Black Cat felt a deep disappointment. She wanted to see Ho Cheon-an’s true side, but all she witnessed was his absolute gambling prowess.
‘Senior Ho at the gambling table is quite the ruthless competitor. But… this isn’t what I wanted to see.’
It seemed no one else would step forward in this gambling arena. Even Sajeok was someone who could represent this gambling hall, and seeing a talent like him utterly crushed, no gambler would challenge Ho Cheon-an…
“Then, I shall step up myself.”
All eyes turned to one gambler. The rest murmured as they parted the way for him.
“Who’s that?”
“He’s only been going in and out of the gambling hall for less than a week!”
“Isn’t that the guy Sajeok was hanging around with recently?”
Black Cat’s eyes widened, and Ho Cheon-an’s expression shifted subtly.
‘That face… without a doubt.’
Dogwi.
Right after Ho Cheon-an had imparted realization to Miss Yeo Il-ye, Dogwi, who had emerged as a problem-solver in the Video Tower during a high-stakes game, appeared in Nangyang’s gambling hall.
“Long time no see.”
“…I see.”
Ho Cheon-an sighed. Dogwi’s presence had changed completely since their meeting in the Video Tower. In just a few months, had it really been possible to change so much?
Dogwi, who had once been arrogant, brimming with his own pride as the number one in Sacheon, now exuded a calm demeanor, a far cry from the time he had gotten whooped by Ho Cheon-an. Ho Cheon-an found himself reminded of iron.
Metal hammered and forged by fire.
“I’ve heard some rumors.”
“…What rumors?”
“About the event at Seongrak Tower. The moment I heard about it, I knew it was you. Special clients at Seongrak Tower may be novices at gambling, but the gamblers they employed weren’t necessarily inexperienced, so despite the vast world, how many can truly toy with them?”
Dogwi pulled out a cup and a die from his possession and took a seat.
“I had been looking for you, but it was as if you vanished. Disappointed, I sought out various gamblers to hear testimonies from back then, and realized I still had much to learn. Wandering from city to city to expand my horizons, I ended up in Nangyang. What a curious twist of fate, don’t you think?”
Ho Cheon-an sensed danger coming from Dogwi.
Just as Sajeok’s relationship was explosive, Ho Cheon-an instinctively felt the same kind of relationship with Dogwi.
This wasn’t simply a matter of temperament or disposition.
‘He’s sharpened his blade.’
Dogwi had meticulously trained solely for the purpose of defeating Ho Cheon-an. He would have analyzed Ho Cheon-an’s appearance in the Video Tower and the testimonials regarding his techniques from Seongrak Tower to prepare his strategy.
A sniper.
Dogwi, a sniper who had undergone analysis and training solely to defeat Ho Cheon-an, now stood before him.
“I propose a dice-matching game. How about we split 156 wagers between us?”
Ho Cheon-an smiled bitterly. Was this a recreation of the last day in the Video Tower? Back then, he had been ready to lose money, betting 128 Nyang while pretending to win 28 Nyang, right as he wrapped up his training.
Understanding the significance behind the 156 bets suggested by Dogwi, Ho Cheon-an nodded. After all, as long as the bets weren’t ridiculously low, the specific amount didn’t matter too much.
“Will you place the dice? Or drink from the cup?”
“I’ll place the dice.”
Dice-matching.
This involved placing the dice in the cup, shaking it, and betting on what the outcome would be. In truth, creating a desired outcome with the dice in the cup was something a seasoned gambler could accomplish with ease.
Thus, the power to decide the outcome rested with the opponent.
The one placing the dice must figure out the intentions of the shaker directly, while the one shaking needs to grasp the psyche of the dice player to manipulate the outcome.
Initial betting would start from the one shaking the cup, continuing until both sides agree.
With the basic bet, each side placed a wager on the table.
Ho Cheon-an put the dice in the cup. And Dogwi shook that cup just once.
Clink!
Ho Cheon-an’s eyes flickered as he sensed the atmosphere, while the surrounding gamblers anxiously observed Dogwi’s intent. Calmly, Dogwi stated:
“Six and six.”
“Ha.”
Ho Cheon-an burst into laughter. It reminded him of the first meeting with Dogwi when he had staked seven Nyang, setting the stakes for the dice game. He realized his severe misjudgment of Dogwi’s abilities, throwing away all his instincts and ending up meeting Miss Yeo Il-ye the next morning.
Now, that very gambler was provoking him.
Ho Cheon-an chuckled and said:
“Go to hell.”
It was then that the gamblers, Black Cat, and Hyeok Gi-rin watching this match appreciated a fact.
Ho Cheon-an hadn’t lost even a single wager since entering this gambling hall.
Throughout ten matches against six different gamblers, Ho Cheon-an’s overwhelming integrity had never allowed even a minor defeat, and now Dogwi understood he had barely managed to scratch that surface.
Hope flickered in Black Cat’s eyes.
‘If it’s him…’
Perhaps Dogwi could bring out the true form of gambler Ho Cheon-an.
Dogwi, without a hint of delight, calmly turned Ho Cheon-an’s wager toward himself and set a new stake. Ho Cheon-an, undeterred by Dogwi’s demeanor, placed his wager as well.
What was merely a common action seen in gambling halls, yet all spectators held their breath. Even with such simple gestures, the spirit of both men was evident, and their momentum instantly commandeered the atmosphere of the gambling hall.
The gambler, Ho Cheon-an. And the iron sniper, Dogwi, who had come prepared to capture him.
The duel of the two began.
