Bait

There was a reason why that, despite his blatant cheating, Valka did not halt the game.

Since only Linkin and one other player were winning the pot every time, the Den of Everdreams still came out ahead due to the loss of the other four players at the mat.

However, after the last bet, where everyone at the mat copied Linkin's plate, a Riza-All was called. As a result, for the first time, the Den of Everdreams ended up suffering a loss.

Now that they had suffered a loss, the Den of Everdreams would probably no longer tolerate Linkin's cheating. That's why, this time around, Linkin created a situation to "soothe the beast". The beast being, of course, the Den of Everdreams.

As for the other players at the mat—Linkin had no obligation to any of them. Nor did he force them to place their plate down to bet. He even gave them ample chances to, at the very least, walk away with a bit of profit. Who told them to bet against him so many rounds in a row?

In the end, they would have to live with their own choices going forward.

Bang!

The Riza-Azir Dealer slammed the cup down. As the dealer performed this action, Linkin could feel the intense gazes of several individuals locked onto him. The people of the Den of Everdreams were watching his every movement closely.

However, as he felt their gazes on him, Linkin could not help but inwardly smile.

'You all sure are watching hard. But what will you do? Even if I don't lift a single finger...'

"Azir—Double, sole." The Riza-Azir Dealer called out.

'Would you really be willing to let free profit slip away?'

As the dice landed on Azir, the facial expressions of the other players darkened as they viciously glared over at Linkin.

At the moment, Linkin was happily holding the winnings in his hands as his eyes sparkled and a wide cheerful grin formed on his face.

"Alright! I knew my luck would turn around eventually! Hahaha, if my luck continues like this, at this rate, I'll become even richer than those merchants I heard about! Hahaha!" Linkin said in a voice that was obnoxiously loud. That, paired with his laughter, seemed only further to antagonize everyone else at the mat.

"This bastard...!" Marsh growled under his breath as he grit his teeth angrily.

"Did you hear that, gentlemen? Apparently, our wealth is so meager that even a random person believes that they can reach us after only winning a few reisai." An amused voice suddenly sounded.

This voice came from a bald middle-aged man with a full beard on his face. He donned extravagant clothing and expensive jewelry and was seated at the luxurious tatami mat where nobles and merchants were known to play Riza-Azir upon their visit to the Den of Everdreams.

"Sir Augustus shouldn't waste his valuable time paying attention to that riff-raff who can only afford to bet their meager scraps." One of the other men who sat at the luxurious mat commented.

This man appeared to be somewhere in his mid-thirties with quite a hefty build. He also wore a set of lavish attire and jewelry; however, it was a step below that of the man he referred to as Augustus.

This hefty man also had an eagerness about him as he spoke—as if he wanted to impress Augustus, who was seated next to him.

"Come now, William. Don't be too harsh on the young man. He is still too inexperienced when it comes to the ways of the world. Otherwise, would he dare to utter such words of ignorance?" Augustus stated.

"Ah, Sir Augustus is right. How could the words of such a young man be taken to heart?" William spoke with haste as he rubbed his hands together.

He then held his head high and said proudly, "Hey, young man! You should be grateful that Sir Augustus is a man of great integrity! Your words can be taken as a direct insult to the Golden Hand Merchant Group! Its wealth is not something that can be reached by an inexperienced kid still wet behind the ears and-"

As William was in the middle of his long-winded rant, something happened that nearly caused him to fall over in anger.

Linkin, to who his words were directed, had already begun to make his way toward the exit of the Den of Everdreams!

Seeing Linkin brush him off so casually in front of someone like Augustus, no less, turned William's entire face red from his rage.

"Coward! Are you running away with your tail in between your legs after that big statement of yours?! If you have the guts, I dare you to come play at this mat!" William scowled as his body trembled, and he tried his best to contain his anger.

When Linkin heard those words, he came to a sudden halt. And, on the inside, he was grinning from ear to ear.

'It's finally here.'