Shall I set the rules?
Hmm...
"No need."
Amidst the splendid and elegant upper-class music, "Shadow" rested his chin on his hand and replied to Eliana with an indifferent smile.
Confidence exuding from a strong contender.
In response, Eliana initially maintained a calm smile, then gently raised her index finger and said:
"Oh my, you're quite confident... Alright then."
Following this, a dangerous aura emanated from Eliana, adopting the attitude of a cunning princess, and she laid out the rules:
"You take the black pieces, and I'll take the white pieces. How about a game of international chess?"
International chess.
A square board composed of sixty-four alternating black and white squares, with each side having sixteen pieces.
One king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns.
Victory is achieved by capturing the opponent's king.
A zero-sum game between the two opponents.
"I'm in," Alister agreed calmly, "but your ability relies on luck. Are you sure?"
Abandoning skill in favor of luck in a pure gambling game against an opponent is not a wise choice.
At least, that's what Alister thought.
"Of course, but..." Eliana added with a mischievous smile, "this isn't just a regular game of international chess."
There are additional game rules that favor her side.
The white-haired queen signaled to her golden-masked attendant beside her, having already embraced her role.
In the next moment, a chessboard prop was presented.
"Prop: Deadly Chess"
"Rank: E"
"An immersive international chess experience for both players, with the added ability to set deadly squares."
"At the start of each turn, you can set up to three deadly squares that are invisible to your opponent."
Eliana picked up the black king piece, advancing step by step until she placed her designated deadly square.
Then, at the moment of judgment, the black king piece turned into black polygonal particles, signifying the end of the game.
"Clear on the rules?" she playfully reminded.
"The rules are quite simple."
Adding luck into the equation through invisible deadly squares introduces an element of uncertainty to the zero-sum game of chess.
Even if Eliana believes she surpasses "Shadow" in both beauty and intelligence, she doesn't consider him a simple opponent.
There's a subtle uncertainty that requires luck to improve the odds, and Alister understands this.
Thus, there's room for bluffing and manipulation.
Alister toyed with a chip, adopting a mysterious and inscrutable master's demeanor, and casually asked:
"So, does the chip represent an all-in bet?"
"Not exactly~" countered Eliana, contrary to her usual style, "Though I'll eventually become a deity, I still enjoy the process of overwhelming my opponents. Let's wager a casual ten million."
Becoming a deity requires accumulating ninety percent of the total assets present, and in the context of ten million, it's almost insignificant.
Both Eliana and Alister are players with assets in the billions.
She wants to win this game step by step, winning over the Chief every time.
Not only to uncover "Shadow's" cards, but also to achieve complete victory on an additional psychological level...
A rather possessive and twisted desire for control...
Yet, Alister delights in subduing such a yandere disposition with firmness.
"Then let's begin. Ten million is no big deal anyway," "Shadow" proclaimed the casino's rules.
"Rule number four: The order cannot be violated in any form."
"Yes, that's how it is. I'll make sure you understand step by step..."
With a glint of coldness in her silver eyes, Eliana, at ease with her role, activated the chessboard prop:
"...at the cost of becoming the number one in E-Rank."
...
...
As if the world vanished, an endless darkness remained, with only the massive black-and-white chessboard beneath their feet.
Beyond reality, beyond the gambling game, the third layer of the game space.
Alister and Eliana, each occupying a square with their respective king piece, signifying that they themselves are the kings.
This also means that they will experience the sensation of being a piece.
Black against white, opposing each other.
"Do you find the setting of deadly squares interesting?"
Eliana gently began, then continued:
"With every move, you have to consider your opponent's intentions and guess where the deadly square might be..."
Thus, they would be trapped in a cycle of suspicion, dominated by their opponent's psychological tactics...
Indeed, quite interesting.
Alister remained confident, the pinnacle of a player, with the capital to back his confidence.
Exchanging his "Super Regeneration" vitality for heightened perception, empowered by "Ultimate Senses"...
"Shadow" is the sovereign, calmly reminding Eliana:
"Regardless of the setup, since you initiated this zero-sum game, you've already lost."
"Oh my, is that so?" Eliana replied with a smile. "Even the superb acting of E-Rank can't surpass the perception of A-Rank."
Alister still remembers that night when he first encountered "Ultimate Senses," the night when a frail boy saw through his identity as a player.
And now, a familiar scene replays, with the world at his fingertips, and this time, Alister is the one seeing through.
In the realm of "Ultimate Senses," no variable escapes Alister's notice.
Heartbeats, pulses, breaths, even microscopic changes – nothing eludes Alister's senses.
In other words, Eliana's emotions and psychology are practically within Alister's perception.
"The premise of luck is uncertain speculation."
"Shadow" spoke as if he were caressing a pet in his view of the black-and-white chessboard.
"That's right, those invisible deadly squares." Eliana's gentleness remained, "Compared to speculation, I believe my luck can surpass anyone's~"
Within the ongoing procession of life-sized pieces, "Shadow" signaled with profound meaning, ready to deliver the first lesson of crushing her.
"But as long as you can discern your opponent's thoughts, luck loses its significance."
The game began. Alister placed the first deadly square, and his sidelong gaze was abyssal.
It means I know what you're thinking.
"Oh my, is that so?" Eliana answered for the second time.
Then, as the side playing white, she also set an invisible deadly square for Alister.
Following that, they adhered to the general rules of chess, with the white pieces moving first.
Eliana pointed to a white pawn ahead and said with a smile:
"Pawn to E4."
A traditional and commonplace opening move that clears the path for other pieces in a straightforward game of chess.
However, just as the pawn reached the E4 square, it triggered the deadly square and turned into polygonal white particles, defeated.
"You seem unbothered, as though luck alone can secure victory?"
"I don't mind at all~"
Facing Alister's scrutiny, Eliana smiled gently, seemingly devoid of any emotional ripples.
"That's for the best."
Empowered by "Ultimate Senses," Alister calmly welcomed his turn.