Ch 12: The Halloween Gambit Part 1

Authors note: this chapter is like those death note scenes where each person tries to get info out of the other. If you ain't into that, you can skip this chapter. Although, I wouldn't recommend that cause its a long chapter, so long, in fact, I had to split it into two chapters.

I also will be posting photos of the chess game so you still understand what is happening.

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"Pawn to e4." I start the game.

"Firstly, I don't think I ever got your name?" Asgore replies. "Pawn e5."

"My names Victor, but I go by Glyph." I purposely eye up the guards to see Asgore's reaction. "Knight to f3."

"Alright then, Victor, tell me, why did you use such an extravagant way to try and get this job?" He explicitly used my real name. "Knight to f6."

"Come, now, we both know how much of a pain it is to get all the way to New Home from here, this was far more convenient." I replied, explicitly showing him that I would rather choose efficiency over everything else. "Knight to c3."

"Certainly, but why the rudeness?" The guard on the right looked right at me when Asgore said that. Was that planned beforehand? "Knight to c6."

"Do you really think I would answer that question?" I say, showing him I am not afraid of him. "Knight takes pawn on e5."

His eyes widen a little. "… Interesting. In that case, won't you tell me who you are?" He continues, as if the answer to that question wouldn't be the same as the previous one. "Knight takes knight on e5."

"I don't enjoy conversations with undertones, you know?" I reply casually, suggesting he stop trying to trick me. "Pawn to d4."

He looks caught off guard, but he hides it well. "I don't know what you're trying to insinuate, but I'm not sure I like it. Knight to c4."

"My, my, a king intimidating his people? I'm not sure people would like that!" I laughed, showing once more I am not afraid of him. "Light square bishop takes knight on c4."

"Alright, alright. I won't try and trick you. Why don't we calm down and enjoy the game?" He chuckled. "Queen to e7."

"I'm sure I can get down to that…" I reply. "Pawn to e5."

"I've never seen this opening before, yet you seem familiar with it. What is it called?" He asked. "Knight to d5."

"The Halloween Gambit. Strong, unexpected, and aggressive. How to fight against it, though… hmmm. Now why would I tell you that?" I laugh slightly loudly, intending to cause him to panic a little. "Knight takes knight on d5."

He smiles, as if he knew something I didn't. Did he? Either way, my plan to make him panic failed. "Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I wonder when you will realize you have shown yours?" He jokes, as if I have shown a weakness unintentionally. "Retreat queen to d8."

"You say that as if you haven't shown yours. Do tell me, why do you need guards?" I laugh slightly, implying that he was weak. "Queen to f3."

He paused for a moment, but then continued. "The underground is in a weak state and riots could happen at any time. You know that full well. Pawn to c6."

"Oh? One of the strongest beings in the underground is afraid of a riot? Funny how easy it would be to disperse it." I mock him. "Dark squared bishop to g5."

He looked astonished for a second, then quickly smiled again, hiding his thoughts behind his face. "Are you implying you could handle one of the "strongest beings in the underground" by insulting him? Dark squared bishop to b4, check."

I look him dead in the eyes. "Implying? Am I not taking you on right now? Pawn to c3."

"Hardly, there isn't a fight at all!" He laughed. "Queen takes bishop on g5."

"If a king does not understand that there is much more to a fight than just brawn, he will not be a king for long." I smiled in return. "Knight to c7, check."

He frowned at that for a while, then smiled and closed his eyes. "It has been a while since someone has outclassed me in speech, where did you learn? King to d8."

"Oh, nowhere you would have heard of." I replied, which was akin to saying, 'I didn't learn in the underground'. "Knight takes rook on a8."

He smiled at that. "Oh? Do try me. Dark squared bishop to e7."

"Hmmm, nah, that sounds boring and unnecessary. Who cares about a small town school?" I joke, purposely showing him a little of my personality. "Rook to d1."

"Well, if you aren't comfortable, I guess you don't have to tell me." He replies, but as he said that, both guards eye me, obviously trying to intimidate me. "Pawn to b6."

"… Hey. I do think I said that I don't enjoy conversations with undertones, right?" 'Let's get a little aggressive.' "Pawn to h4."

He smiles, and simply says, "Queen to h6."

I smile in return. 'Oh, is this how it's going to be?' "Pawn to d5." I respond.

"Dark squared bishop takes pawn on h4." He aggressively played

"Pawn takes pawn on c6."

'Despite the thinking contest going on between us, it is obvious that we are both enjoying this…' I realize.

"Lovely day, huh Victor? Rook to e8."

"… I can't help but agree." I reply with a half truth. "Short Castles."

…

Asgore then sighed, as if something suddenly troubled him. "Victor, can I ask you something? Pawn to a5."

I close my left eye jokingly and say, "That's how a conversation works, Asgore. Rook to d4."

"Why do you really want this job? Pawn to d6."

I smile and close my other eye. "Life is a game, Asgore. If you don't know how to play, then you lose. Simple as that. If I didn't understand that you need money to live your life, I would have been dead long ago." I open my eyes again. "This is something I am qualified for, so that is what I will pursue. Pawn takes on d6."

Asgore then closes his eyes, confident. "Dark squared bishop to g3."

I sweat drop. 'He's that confident over a bishop blunder?' "Pawn takes on g6."

"Queen to h2."

"King takes."

"I wi- huh?" Asgore finally realizes.

I smile. "Don't count your wishes until you get them. Don't grow arrogant because you think you've won."

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Name: Victor

Alias: Glyph

EXP: 7

LOVE: 39

G: 11

"Waiting for other people to stop underestimating you fills you with Patience."

💙 Continue. Give up.

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