"Hey kids, would you like this big brother to show you how to win this game?", a familiar voice said.
No way, that voice. It can't be true.
I ran toward the direction of the voice and there I saw him. It was Andy. My brother is still alive. He's not dead. *tears falling down*. Thank you God. Thank You.
I ran to Andy and grab his hand.
"Andy,you're alive. I missed you brother. Why didn't you come home!?", I cried.
"Who are you? My name is Gabriel, not Andy. I think you got the wrong person sir.", He replied.
"What are you talking about. Here I can prove it. You should have a diamond-shape birthmark on your right shoulder.", I argued.
"Um, yeah. You definitely got the wrong person. I don't have a diamond-shape birthmark on my right shoulder. I can show you. Sorry mister.", he smiled.
No way, they have the same voice, looks, and ways of talking. How can they not be the same person? But he didn't have the birthmark that Andy has. Seems like I'm just hallucinating.
"Um..my apologies. You look just like my deceased brother who passed away 8 years ago. I'm sorry to bother you. Is there any inn or hotel nearby that I could stay at?", I replied.
"Yeah you came to the right person. My family runs an inn just right down the street, let me bring you there.", Gabriel said.
"So where are you from? You don't look like you are around here.", he asked.
"My homeland is somewhere far away.", I smiled.
He'll probably won't even believe me if I told him that I was brought here by a dark light and a joker card the make everything dissappear. Lets just keep it this way so people won't view me as an crazy guy.
"Oh, so you must be from the planet Earth then.", Gabriel replied.
"Wait, you know about Earth?",I said in suprised.
"Yeah, about 8 years ago, a young man around your age also came here and says that he's from a planet call Earth. He was quite popular as well. He won every gambling match and challenges around this kingdom and our neighbors as well. The guy even dare to challenge the great Lord Of Gambling. You could say that he's the creator of this world and our god. If you win against him in a gambling match, you get to inherited his powers and become the new Lord of Gambling. Legends says that you can do the impossibles when you gain his powers. Anyway, the guy lost to the Lord and of course the loser get punished. No one heard from the young man again ever since that day. Hey, if you think you got the skills, you can challenge him as well. When you reaches the highest rank that is."
"How do I gain ranks?"
"Lets see. There are 6 ranks in total. S,A,B,C,D, and F. each rank has a 3 levels except of F rank. You need to win 10 matches in a row to rank up to D rank level 1. From then you will win 1 star for every 5 matches you win with an opponent who is in the same rank as you. If the opponent is at a higher rank than you then of course you'll get a higher rewards. You'll get to gain 1 star immediately if you beat 1 person that is 1 rank higher than you instead of having to gamble 5 matches straight. The same apply for the rest of the ranks. You'll need 5 stars to gain a level in each rank. Of course so far in history, no one has ever gamble against someone who is 2 ranks higher than them and win, except for that young man. Last one is the legendary G rank, which you can only obtain if you beat the Lord himself. Of course, you'll lose points and stars if you lost a match. Now there's moving on to the types of gambling. There are four types in total. The formal one where you can gamble with anyone and wager anything not too serious like money, food, items, favors.etc. Then there's the Ranking type where you gamble with your ranks on the line. The amount of risks per match is determine by both you and your opponent, but nothing too brutal like life or something. Also a member from the Royal family will be there as judges and identify any cheater. Next is Royal type. In this type, you can challenge one of the Royal family members which also place your rank on the line along with higher and more dangerous bet like your life for example. If you win the match, you'll take their place as a member of the Royal family and become loved and idolized by everyone. Being a Royal has a lot of benefits like receiving free currency everyday, free meals, nice houses, etc. Only B rank and above are eligible to challenge a Royal though. Our king Christopher is an 3 stars S rank level 1. Last one is the God type, where you can challenge the Lord of Gambling himself. Only 5 stars S rank level 3 are allowed to do this type of gamble.", Gabriel explained.
"How do I signed up?', I asked.
"You can signed up to be a Ranking Gambler at any place contracted with the kingdom. Our Inn is one of them, you can sign up here if you like.", He replied.
"Do you know where I could find a lot of matches and gain my ranks quickly?"
"Contracted places usually hosted Ranking Tournaments Monthly, but if you are in a rush there this place called Vegas Tower you can go to. Many gamblers go there to compete and raise their ranks."
Vegas huh. Why am I not suprised to hear this.
"Alright we're here. Welcome to Maple Wood Inn. You can head to the front desk to check out a room. Aunt Marry will help you. If you need me then I'll be here. I'll see you later than.", Gabriel smiled.
"Wait Gabriel. Before you leave..can I..can I..hug you a little bit. You just remind me so much of my brother.", I asked.
"Sure, bring it in.", he smiled.
My tears began to fall down again as I hug him.
"Thank you. I'll go check out my room now.", I said as I walk toward the front desk.
"Hi Auntie, I would like to check out a room and also sign up to be a Ranking Gambler."
She brought out some paperworks for me to sign and gave me the key to room 202.
"Ok you are all set. The price here is 10 G coins per night."
*beep, beep* "Would the host like to exchange your $ into G coins? $1=2 G coins."
Doesn't that makes it $5 a night, man this place is cheap and nice. System I would like to exchange $100 into G coins.
"Confirmed. The host has receive 200 G coins."
"If you are ever hungry, you are welcome to come down here and order some food. We're famous for our booze and BBQ fried Dragon's wings.", Aunt marry smiled.
I'm sorry, did she just say dragon's wings? There's dragons in this world and you can eat them? Man I have to tried it tonight.
"Heads up, we don't provide that type of service that you men loves so much.", She warned.
That type? As in prostitution? I'm still a virgin so I might as well try it and break my virginity.
"Got it. I'll head up to my room now.", I smiled.
To my suprised a beautiful blond hair girl dressed in maid costume walk by with food in her hands. I guess she's the waitress here huh. Not bad, not bad at all.
No way, did that man just slapped her ass and laughed. Now he tried to molested her. Oh god, how can all these people stands still and watched. This is a crime here. I need to help her. I ran toward the molester table and said.
"Hey friend, why don't you let this little girl off. Drinks on me."
"Fuck off kid! This is none of your business.", He yelled.
"It is mine now since she's my girlfriend", I replied.
"This girl is your girlfriend? Boy do you know who I am?", He threatened.
"I know you are a guy who's penis is probably shorter than his height.", I mocked.
"I'm Danny Ling, the boss and the best gambler of this city.", Danny introduced.
"You've made this easier than, I challenged you to a Formal Gamble. If I win, you'll get down on your knees and apologizes to the girl and slapped yourself three times in the face and say that you have a small weiner. If I lose, then I'll let you have the girl along with 100 G coins. How does that sounds?", I challenged.
"Hahaha, 100 G coins? You're on kid!", Danny yelled.
"The rules are simple. I have a G coin here. I'll put it in one of my hands and all you have to do is guessed which hands its in.", I said.
"Hahaha, I'm going to get those coins easily.", Danny laughed.
I smile and hid my two hands behind my back and switched the coins to my right hand.
"All set. Right or Left?", I asked.
"Right.", He confidently announced.
"Wrong!", I laughed as I revealed the coin in my left hand.
"Impossible! One of my men saw you hid it in your right hand.", Danny yelled.
"Looks like cats out of the bag. You cheated so you lose anyway.", I grinned.
"Grr, damn you how dare you humiliate me! Men! Beat this brat up!", Danny screamed in anger.
All of his men pick up their weapons and surround me. Tch, only 10 of you? Let me show you my army. Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Looks like its 21 against 11 now!", I mocked.
"Boys, solve this the same way as we did with the red org.", I ordered.
All my clones grinned at each other and ran straight toward Danny's men. Each of them got their eggs cracked by my clones and fell down holding on to their pants.
"Now its just you left. Denny. Either you kneel down and apologizes and slapped yourself in the face three times and tell everyone here that you have a small weiner or I could crack those eggs of yours like my boys did to your friends here.", I kindly asked.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I have a small weiner!", Danny constantly said as he slapped himself while kneeling down.
"See that wasn't too hard was it? You boys can go now. Toodles", I smiled.
When they left, everyone in the inn clapped their hands and praise me for my bravery. I haven't felt like this since I won first place for my singing at my High School Talent Show. Ah, that refreshing feeling.
"Um mister, sorry for interupting your moment of glory, but how did you get the coin to be in your left hand. I also saw you switch hand.", The girl asked.
"It's simple. The coin never left my hand in the first place. I knew he going to ask his men to look at my hands so I tricked them a little. Moving my hand is just a taunt. Even if he chose my left hand, I would still have a way to win. If he guessed left then I'll throw the coins into my sleeve and twitched my arms a little so the coin will flow into the right arm and fall into the palm of my right hand. A simple tricked. I'm Lucas Wang.Whats your name?", I whisper into her ears.
"My name is Alyssa Deng. Marry is my mother. Nice to meet you mister Wang.", she replied.
"Please. Just call me Lucas.", I said in a gentlemanly voice.
We shook each other hand as a greeting then I went upstairs to my room and she went back to serving the guess, but we both stop and look back and give each other a smile. I have a feeling that the two of us will surpass the boundaries of friendship. :))