Chapter 9.

Chapter 9: The Gambler's Paradise

The sun had long since set, and the night air was filled with the hum of neon lights and the distant sound of laughter and clinking glasses. The team, weary from their latest battle, found themselves in front of an enormous, glistening building—the Neon Mirage Casino. A massive sign flickered above the entrance, advertising its endless rows of games and opportunities to win fortunes. The team had been working hard, fighting monsters, and tracking down threats. It was time for a little break.

"Alright, people, listen up," Hikari said with a devilish grin, the roulette wheel spinning in his hand. "We've been through hell. So now, it's time to unwind, blow off some steam, and—most importantly—make some money. I'm taking you all to the best casino in this dimension."

Gojo smirked, adjusting his sunglasses. "I don't know, Hikari. I've never been much of a gambler. But I'll give it a shot. What's the worst that could happen?"

Clara, with her usual blend of caution and curiosity, raised an eyebrow. "You're seriously taking us to a casino? After everything we've been through? What's the point?"

Hikari chuckled, the sound almost like a low, mischievous hum. "You'll see, Clara. This isn't just any casino. This is where I show you how to truly gamble. Get ready to experience a whole new level of luck, strategy, and... maybe some danger."

Rick, always up for a good time, smirked. "Danger, you say? This sounds like my kind of place."

And so, with that, the team entered the Neon Mirage, stepping into a world of flashing lights, the scent of cigar smoke, and the buzz of competition. The casino floor was packed with people of all species—humans, aliens, robots, and everything in between. There were roulette tables, poker rooms, slot machines, and a whole section dedicated to high stakes gambling. But the team wasn't there for the usual fun. Hikari had something else in mind.

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The High Stakes Game

The first game they came across was a crowded roulette table. The wheel spun with an almost hypnotic rhythm, and the players around it were shouting, calling out bets, and throwing chips into the air.

Hikari sauntered over with his trademark grin. "Alright, listen up," he said, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. "Most people here think gambling is about luck. Sure, luck plays a part. But the real secret? It's all about understanding the odds. The odds and how to bend them in your favor."

Gojo's grin widened, clearly intrigued. "I've got a feeling this is going to be fun."

Clara, a little more skeptical, raised an eyebrow. "So what, we're supposed to beat the casino? Doesn't that sound like cheating?"

Hikari shook his head, his roulette wheel still spinning in the air. "It's not cheating, Clara. It's manipulation. You need to know how to read the patterns. How to influence the randomness. The house doesn't control everything here. You control your own luck."

Hikari's words hung in the air as the group watched him step up to the roulette table. He placed a large stack of chips on the table, causing the surrounding players to murmur and eye him cautiously.

With a smooth motion, Hikari tossed a single coin into the air. It flipped lazily before landing squarely in the palm of his hand. He opened it, revealing a perfect match to the color and number on the roulette wheel where he had placed his bet.

"See?" Hikari grinned, the roulette wheel still spinning. "The trick is to study the wheel, feel the rhythm of the spin, and predict where the ball will land. You don't just throw your chips on a whim. You make informed decisions."

Rick, who had been watching this all unfold with an amused smile, raised a brow. "So, you're saying it's not just about the mechanics of the game, but the rhythm? You're starting to sound like you're reading the casino's soul or something."

"Exactly," Hikari said, tossing another coin into the air. "Every game has a rhythm, whether it's poker, blackjack, or roulette. You just have to know how to read it and play with it. Anyone can throw their chips around, but only a few know how to really gamble."

The ball clicked on the roulette wheel and finally landed on the number Hikari had bet on. There was a stunned silence from the players around the table as Hikari's chips were swept toward him in a massive pile. He grinned, collecting his winnings with ease.

Clara blinked, clearly impressed. "Okay, that's... that's kind of amazing."

Gojo shrugged, clearly entertained. "Alright, alright. Show me how it's done."

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The Poker Table

Next, Hikari led the team to the poker tables, where a high-stakes game was already in full swing. The players at the table were professionals—slick, confident, and ready to win big. Hikari sat down at an empty seat, pulling up a chair for the rest of the team.

"Now this is where things get interesting," he said, running his fingers over the deck of cards. "Poker's all about reading the other players. Their rhythm, their tells, their nervous ticks. It's not just about what cards you have. It's about making them think you have something they don't. If you can get inside their heads, you're already ahead."

Rick raised an eyebrow. "Sounds a lot like strategy and less like luck, huh?"

"Exactly," Hikari grinned, dealing the cards with a flourish. "Poker is a battle of wits. I'll teach you how to bluff your way to the top, how to manipulate your opponents into betting more than they should."

Gojo smirked, leaning back in his seat. "I've played a few hands myself. Let's see if you can teach me something new."

The game began. At first, the team was cautious, testing the waters, trying to figure out the rhythm of the table. Hikari led them with ease, raising the stakes and calling out bluffs with razor-sharp accuracy. He had a natural ability to sense the other players' hesitation, to identify when they were lying or overconfident. One by one, he eliminated players from the table, turning the odds in his favor until only the team was left.

Rick, with a slight smirk, pushed all his chips forward. "Alright, Hikari. Show me how this is done. What's your secret?"

Hikari glanced at his hand—two aces, a straight flush in the making—and looked at the remaining opponent. He smirked, not even needing to bluff.

"Easy," he said. "It's all about keeping your cool and waiting for the right moment to strike. When you control the tempo, you control the table."

Gojo laughed, tossing in his chips as well. "Well, it's about time I made some real money!"

The game was over in a matter of minutes. With a final reveal of his hand, Hikari had wiped out the competition in a single, flawless play. The remaining players left the table grumbling, unable to comprehend how they had been outplayed.

"See?" Hikari leaned back in his chair, satisfied with the result. "Now that's how you really gamble. You've got to read your opponents, understand the psychology behind every move, and then make the right play. It's not about luck—it's about mastery."

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The Team's Turn

With their winnings piling up, the team was buzzing with excitement. Gojo, grinning from ear to ear, was already planning what he was going to spend his share on. Clara, still a little skeptical but having a great time, was taking careful mental notes. Rick was eyeing the high-tech gadgets scattered across the casino floor, wondering if any of them would be useful for their next big mission.

But Hikari's lessons were far from over. He had the team follow him to the slot machines, the final stop on his tour of high-stakes gambling. There, he showed them how to read the machine's patterns, how to time their pulls, and how to truly control their luck.

After hours of gambling, the team had amassed an absurd amount of winnings. Hikari's eyes sparkled with pride. "I told you. Anyone can play the game. But not everyone can win it."

As they left the casino, bags full of chips and a new-found respect for Hikari's skills, Gojo clapped Hikari on the back. "You weren't kidding when you said you were a master. I'm kind of impressed."

Hikari grinned, his roulette wheel spinning once more. "That's the thing about gambling. It's not about luck—it's about knowing how to turn the odds in your favor."

And for a brief moment, the team forgot about the looming threats, the betrayals, and the battles that awaited them. They had won, and for the first time in a long while, they could just enjoy the thrill of the game.

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To be continued…