HSRD 05

Chapter 5

It was common knowledge in high society that Lishian had become obsessed with poker as soon as he reached adulthood.

‘He’s probably at the casino again today.’

The casino I was heading to operated 24/7 and was always bustling.

Being a gambling hall, it was strictly regulated by the state, but since it was a legal establishment, nobles mainly visited for leisure.

‘But why does the quest tell me to meet Lishian? What does he have to do with stopping the reset?’

While I pondered this, the carriage swiftly arrived at the casino.

After a brief identity check at the entrance, I followed the staff inside.

Inside, the scene looked exactly like something from a movie.

Marble floors, luxurious interiors, soft yellow lighting.

People were playing or watching games all around.

Staff moved busily through the crowd, serving drinks, while dealers shuffled cards and distributed chips with dazzling skill.

‘It’s morning, but there are so many people. Will I even find Lishian?’

Of course, I didn’t really need to worry.

His sparkling silver hair was impossible to miss under the yellow lighting.

As soon as I spotted my target, I headed straight for him.

Up close, I could see Lishian’s face clearly.

Silver hair that shimmered and steel-gray eyes.

‘Mom’s beautiful, Dad’s handsome. Of course their child would be gorgeous too.’

The Sein baronial couple, his parents, rarely appeared in social circles, but their beauty was legendary.

It seemed their son inherited the same stunning looks.

Many people surrounded Lishian.

Some watched the game, but most were just admiring his appearance.

‘No wonder he’s the idol of the casino world.’

But with so many people, how could I get close?

As I lingered nearby, Lishian’s current game ended.

“Damn it!”

His opponent at the table cursed and stood up.

Almost simultaneously, an info window popped up.

Second Sub-Quest Completed!

Reward: <Victory Guaranteed! Winning Strategy!>

Good. The quest’s snow leopard must indeed be Lishian.

‘But… what kind of reward is this?’

The info window was as vague as ever.

‘I wish it explained why the quest was given and how to use the reward.’

As I pondered, I heard the dealer’s voice.

“We’ll begin the next round. One seat is open. Anyone wish to participate?”

Although many people were watching, no one dared to join.

The players at the table, except Lishian, all looked experienced, relaxed, and had plenty of chips.

“The guy who just left got completely cleaned out, right?”

“Yes. He boldly challenged the game and lost everything.”

I overheard the chatter.

I see…

“If no one else joins, we’ll start with this group—”

Before the dealer could finish, I slid into the empty seat.

“I’ll take the challenge~”

I smiled brightly. The dealer nodded.

“Then the game begins.”

Luckily, I knew this game.

‘My uncle liked it, so I used to play. It’s just like blackjack in my previous life.’

This game was more like each participant competing with the dealer individually rather than against each other.

The rules were simple: each player received two random cards, and the one closest to 21 won.

You could request more cards, but exceeding 21 meant automatic defeat, so careful strategy was needed.

‘All players’ cards are revealed, only the dealer’s first card shows… definitely a gambling game.’

Still, I decided to stay calm.

‘My goal isn’t to win the game. It’s to get close to Lishian.’

The quest probably wasn’t just to look at his face.

By interacting in the game, I could learn something, just like viewing Mom’s memories!

I glanced at Lishian across from me and then pulled out the chips I had swapped at the entrance.

‘Still, this is three months’ worth of my allowance…’

Ugh, I’d been saving them to upgrade my carriage wheels!

But the casino required exchanging chips for the minimum entry amount, so I had no choice.

“Cards have been shuffled. Place your bets, please.”

Everyone put in two chips as a standard bet. The dealer handed each participant two open cards.

After everyone had their cards, one of the dealer’s cards was revealed—she had a 9.

“Then we begin additional betting.”

At that moment, the info window popped up.

You have joined the game!

<The “Victory Guaranteed! Winning Strategy!” effect has been activated!>

Suddenly, translucent numbers appeared above the dealer’s head: 9 and 8.

‘What’s that?’

…Could that 8 be the hidden card?

That wasn’t all I could see.

Translucent numbers also lined up neatly over the shuffled deck.

‘Then that must be… the order of the cards?’

As I processed this, it was my turn to bet.

I decided to “die” this round to confirm my theory.

Everyone looked puzzled when I lost quickly.

I maintained a cheerful smile, pretending nothing was wrong.

The game progressed rapidly, and Lishian won. I confirmed my theory.

‘My prediction was correct!’

The dealer’s cards, the deck order—all matched the translucent numbers.

Even better, as cards were revealed, the corresponding number vanished from the deck, so there was no confusion.

‘I alone know the order of these cards!’

Not only could I see the dealer’s cards, I could anticipate the upcoming ones.

It was like taking a test while holding the answer key alone.

‘So that’s why it’s called Victory Guaranteed!’

Needless to say, I obliterated the game. Victory after victory, thanks to the strategy.

Ah, yes.

‘I’ve dominated so much, I’m full~’

I looked at my overflowing chips and smiled.

‘With this, I can upgrade not just the carriage wheels, but the carriage and horses too!’

Casino rules dictated that if one person monopolized wins, they’d be removed from the game.

Resident gamblers considered this a great honor.

And today, on my first day in the casino, I had earned that glory. I smiled.

“You seem confident.”

“Maybe.”

Lishian’s eyebrows twitched slightly at my response.

What was happening?

I was now playing another game, one-on-one with Lishian!

He had asked for the match.

‘Your play was impressive,’ he had said.

He mentioned feeling competitive after my winning streak.

He wanted a one-on-one match, and I naturally agreed.

We were guided to a new room for a simpler game.

We each received one card from the shuffled deck and placed it on our foreheads. Then betting began.

After betting, we checked our cards, and the higher number won.

‘It’s similar to Indian Poker on some variety show.’

You couldn’t see your own card; you had to bet based on the opponent’s card.

‘Though only Lishian would be enjoying that aspect.’

Thanks to the <Victory Guaranteed! Winning Strategy!>, I knew my card.

If it was low, I folded to save chips. If high, I bet to win.

I saw a floating number to my left: 6.

‘He’ll hesitate to bet with such an ambiguous number.’

It was Lishian’s turn.

Since I had dominated previous games, he had few chips left.

I calmly waited for his decision.

Studying my expression, he finally shouted,

“All in!”

He risked all his chips. The dealer asked me,

“The opponent has gone all-in. Will you call?”

Lishian’s steel-gray eyes blazed with excitement, showing how much he loved the game.

‘Amazing. I’d have folded with this number.’

Yet he risked it all.

I nodded and pushed my chips forward.

“I call.”

“All in. Cards will be revealed.”

We both revealed our cards. I had 6.

And Lishian…

“Hahaha!”

He grabbed his head and laughed wildly.

“You did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

I said nothing, just stared at him.

He tapped his card.

“You deliberately lost to me, didn’t you?”

His card was 7.

In the end, Lishian’s instincts had been correct.

‘I didn’t want to ruin his excitement by losing too early…’

Besides, I had plenty of unused chips remaining.

‘My motto today: leisure~’

I smiled just as before.

“Hmm, maybe…”

I answered vaguely, and Lishian laughed again.

The dealer then asked,

“Would you like to continue?”

“No. That’s enough for now.”

After organizing the cards, the dealer left, and Lishian finally looked at me directly.

“You forgot my introduction. I am Lishian Sein.”

He extended his hand. Such a gesture was usually for male-to-male greetings in nobility, not for women.

Formally, he should have placed a hand on his chest and slightly bowed.

‘Extending his hand like this…’