Capítulo 24: Straight Flush
**At the same time, deep underground in the casino.**
A dark, eerie ceremony was unfolding. Wizards draped in red robes stood in a circle, their hands pressed to their chests as they chanted incantations in unison. The cacophony of their voices stirred the air, creating a wave of spiritual pollution that tainted the space around them. The very walls of the underground chamber began to weep—drops of blood oozing from the rock, as though the cave itself were alive.
At the heart of the ceremony stood a scarlet altar, piled high with gruesome offerings—disemboweled organs and scattered body parts arranged haphazardly, slick with blood. The thick crimson liquid swirled around the altar, gathering in a vortex of dark power.
In the very center of the ritual circle sat a young wizard, also robed in red. His posture was calm, cross-legged, as he held a translucent square crystal. Inside the crystal, a blood-red gem pulsed with unnatural energy. The blood in the chamber seemed to dance around the crystal, drawn into it, forming a strange, spiraling shape that resembled a twisted genetic chain.
Suddenly, the steady rhythm of the ceremony was interrupted by hurried footsteps—sharp and discordant. They echoed through the vast, empty space before halting at the entrance to the sacrificial hall. There, a man paced anxiously, his worry palpable.
"We're running out of time, Master Priest," he muttered under his breath, pacing relentlessly. More footsteps followed as others in blood-red robes entered from hidden passages, their faces drawn with tension. Their chants never faltered, but their anxiety was unmistakable. The ancient gods were on the verge of being summoned—but the army was approaching. The timing was critical.
The words "Chifeng, is Chifeng here?" floated through the air, spoken in hushed tones. A burly figure, his voice laden with concern, turned to face a rotund mage with a panicked expression.
"What's wrong?" the mage asked.
"The casino above," the burly man began, urgency creeping into his voice, "is your family's property. You must go up and hold them off—buy us time. You're a noble; they won't dare touch you. Just ensure the ceremony is completed."
Chifeng hesitated. It was clear what was being asked of him—he was to face certain death. But the burly man's words struck a final blow to his resolve.
"If you fail," the man added, "your blood will become a vessel for the Scarlet."
The words were enough to silence Chifeng. After a long, tense pause, he whispered, "For God, for Scarlet."
The others around him nodded solemnly, their voices a low chorus: "For God, for Scarlet."
Without further hesitation, Chifeng made his way through a secret passage out of the casino. Standing at the door, he took a deep breath, steeling himself, and then entered with a determined step.
Inside, a waiter approached with a concerned smile. "Boss, what are you doing here at this hour?" he asked.
Chifeng's expression hardened, and his friendly demeanor vanished. "Mind your business," he snapped. "I'll be on the second floor. Don't bother me unless it's urgent."
The waiter blinked in confusion, but Chifeng had already made his way upstairs, ignoring the gaze that followed him.
Above, the chaos outside the casino continued to unfold. Soldiers cleared the area with brutal efficiency, shoving civilians out of the way. Complaints rose, but the cold-hearted soldiers offered no explanation—only empty reassurances to the families, pushing them to leave as quickly as possible with a handful of coins stuffed into their pockets.
---
**Elsewhere, Mossen rode steadily forward, his magic lion beneath him a formidable beast. His battle-ready spirit intensified as the magic in his body surged.**
As a magic swordsman—one who wielded both sword and spell—his power was overwhelming. The evidence before him was undeniable, and despite the unusual nature of the report, Mossen had no choice but to take action. There was gold to be gained here, and once this city was his, he would secure his place in history.
The border cities were always the most challenging, but for a man of his skill, gold was not just a prize—it was a gateway. Once someone attained mastery, the breakthrough to legendary status had nothing to do with resources. It was about understanding the rules that governed their world.
In the end, the title of city lord was both an opportunity and a limitation. The resources it offered could propel someone to greatness, but in the long run, it shackled the strongest to a single place. Mossen's master had long wished to leave this city, and Mossen himself would help him escape this cage.
As the fighting spirit within him rose, his enormous sword trembled on his back. The lion beneath him growled with anticipation, its primal energy mirroring the battle fury within Mossen. Above, snowflakes drifted heavily, falling in thick, swirling layers. The last snow of the year was dense, and each flake that came within a meter of Mossen was instantly vaporized by his aura.
The intensity of his presence caused the two silver orcs trailing behind him to shift uneasily, awe written on their faces. Mossen's power was undeniable.
Kami, observing from the side, narrowed his eyes. The magic swordsman was strong, perhaps stronger than he was—though age and experience gave him an edge. In this world, strength was the ultimate measure, and the stronger one became, the stronger the challenges.
"He's gathering his strength," Ernaldo said calmly, his voice a soft rumble. As he spoke, five hundred soldiers behind him readied their Barrett rifles, preparing for what was to come.
"Not yet," Kami countered, his voice calm and measured. "The small nobility's businesses stretch through the civilian areas. He's negotiating. If the intelligence is correct, he'll be the future city lord."
Kami's tone was almost serene, but there was an underlying current of deadly intent in his words. The system in this region prized talent over heritage. The strongest, regardless of bloodline, would rise to the top.
Kami's eyes held a sharp focus as he continued, "This is how things are now. Even the daughters of noble families like me are trained to lead."
Ernaldo nodded, silent for a moment, before responding in a low voice, "Look at how he evacuated civilians the moment he arrived. He's planning for something bigger."
Suddenly, a faint noise—a thud—caught their attention. Snowflakes swirled around them, disturbed by the sound of someone stumbling. Before they could react, a loud *boom* shattered the stillness. A powerful gunshot rang out, and a sharp sense of danger rippled through the air.
In a heartbeat, Kami was in motion, his sword flashing with deadly intent. The sword's power cut through the wind, and the sharp clash of metal rang out as a bullet was sliced in two before their eyes.
Ernaldo's eyes widened in surprise, but before he could react further, Kami lunged toward one of their own soldiers. The soldier's nonchalant expression shifted, locking onto Kami with newfound seriousness.
As the snowstorm intensified, a worker bee—soaked in a silver-level potion—drifted into the distance, carried by the swirling winds. The magic lion came to a halt, sensing the shift in the air, as a sense of murderous intent permeated the snowy night.
---
**"Straight Flush, all in. Give me money, give me money."**
Bai Yi threw his cards onto the table with a grin, collecting the chips as if the outcome was already decided. The game might be over, but what lay beneath was far darker than anyone realized. The thorns beneath the beautiful facade were ready to emerge.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder