Alec lost ten games in a row so thoroughly that he no longer had hope of winning anytime soon.
Without relying on his cultivation advantages and simply playing the game as it was meant to be played, he proved his lackluster skill in brutal fashion. If it weren't for Tanya lending him credits, there was no way he would have continued to play a third game, let alone a tenth.
What Alec loved the most about the game was the way everyone remained calm and collected, enjoying glasses of wine as they chatted and mingled with each other.
It was almost as if the game itself was merely a cover for socializing, and the money lost in the process was inconsequential. True to his character, it took him three games before he loosened up and joined the conversation. He didn't regret it one bit.
The old man named John was apparently well-known in the West District. He owned a few major companies that traded machinery parts under the name John Co. His influence extended even further into Stardust.
Silher hailed from Stardust but chose to come and play games in the Gambling Ring, as he believed the atmosphere and level of play here were far superior to other establishments.
Eliza came with her older brother, sneaking out occasionally to experience the liberating life of the Slums.
And Aurora was a chronic gambler, skilled at it, and relied on gambling as her primary source of income and wealth, much to the dismay of her husband.
"Do you want another round? You might just win," Marcus laughed. "But don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. There are quite a few techniques to maximize your chances. I'm surprised your coach didn't bother teaching you anything."
"Please. He didn't know what games were until a few minutes ago. I don't think any amount of coaching can help this one," Tanya patted Alec's shoulders as she said that. "I hope you've understood what a game is through this."
Tanya wrapped her arms around Marcus's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. "Sadly, our reunion is a short one. I've gotten what I came for."
"You don't say. Sheesh," Marcus said. "Go."
Tanya beckoned Alec to follow her. He obliged, standing up and brushing off imaginary dust that had settled throughout his play.
"Thank you very much, gentlemen and ladies, for the game. I've learned a lot," Alec said, clasping his hands.
"Not a problem. When you're in the mood to flush some more money down the toilet, you can always come play a game of Blackjack with us," Marcus laughed at his own joke.
The others around him couldn't help but giggle along as well. Alec had the worst bout of luck they had come across in a while. He should have won at least one game. But he didn't; however, he made for good conversation afterward.
Tanya showed him around the rest of the Gambling Ring, and as they went on a tangent or two, she explained a bit more about games.
Alec, aware that his understanding of what a game was could potentially cost him a bit of his cultivation, took notes fervently.
"... That's what games are in essence. Anything can be a game as long as it has a goal, a reward, and steps to achieve that goal. People spend time arm wrestling, playing hopscotch, and engaging in other activities, and they're all games. In essence, they are no different from a sport. In short, they aren't that different."
"So, I could create a game where two people fight and call it a game?" Alec asked, making sure he understood the point.
"Yes, that is indeed the case," Tanya said, growing tired of all the questions thrown at her.
"Thanks a lot, Tanya. That's been really helpful," Alec thanked her from the bottom of his heart.
The timer at the corner of his vision continued to tick, and he had slightly over ten hours left to finish up the quest.
"Don't mention it," Tanya said.
Before long, they had toured the rest of the Gambling Ring. They spent extra time at the Virtual Reality Chamber, where Tanya explained a bit about virtual reality and the amazing games that could be created using it.
Honestly, Alec didn't find the appeal. One of the most played franchises in the Virtual Reality Chamber was an arcade version of a popular game called Assassin's Code: Sisterhood. The entire game was designed to emulate and romanticize what he did for a living.
That experience opened his mind to the extremely broad definition of what constituted a game. Gradually, he was beginning to understand the direction he wanted to take with the Gaming Center he was building.
They exited the Gambling Ring, and this time Tanya didn't need to show her card. They simply passed the two guards standing near the gate.
...
"Tanya has been confirmed to have left the Gambling Ring, boss," a man wearing a sleek, rusted armor suit knelt down.
A man sat poised by a large table, its polished surface filled with treasures gathered from across the tears in the fabric of fallen worlds called Rifts.
Gilded candelabras burning with dancing flames cast their glow upon glinting silver plates and chalices finer than anything royal might have gotten their hands on.
In the center rested a sculpture wrought in the form of twisting serpents, their eyes set with perfect gemstones that shimmered with an inner radiance.
The room spoke of the man's infinite prestige and wealth. Marble floors of the deepest blue stretched as far as the eye could see, bearing intricate patterns cut from the rare emperium stone found only in the Valhalla Megarift, a rift so large it was the size of a continent.
Tall arched windows along the outer walls overlooked sprawling grounds, though what lay beyond was impossible to discern through the impenetrable darkness of night.
The man turned his gaze to the kneeling soldier and lightly took a sip of the drink cradled in his grasp. His deep sunken eyes, purple in color, slid down the kneeling man's figure. A low rumble escaped his lips.
"Is everything set?"
"We should have her with you by sundown. We have even employed the services of Logic to reduce her... innate advantages. She is currently with a young man as well, but his existence is inconsequential. He is barely a Soulburner based on what we gathered," the man kept his head low as he spoke.
"Good. I want her with me by dusk. Not a moment later. And the boy with her. Do as you see fit."