Kur'gash, the Gambling City.
As the most famous city in the Ethereal Kingdom, Gambling City attracts more than half of the people who come to the kingdom, all eager to experience the legendary city that never sleeps.
Here, anything can be used as a wager, from priceless treasures to a single grain of rice or a sip of water.
You can even bet your own life for a chance to rise to the top, or you might lose everything in an instant.
That is the allure of Kur'gash—here, anything is possible.
At least, that's what the promotional material says, as Owen had heard it through the grapevine.
But in his view, it's nothing more than a bunch of gamblers trying to glamorize their vice.
You might dream big before you arrive, but once you're standing at the gambling table, your fate is no longer in your hands.
At least, from what Owen had observed after wandering the city for a while, very few people left the tables with a smile.
Most lost everything, their eyes red with regret, cursing their fate.
These people are the true norm in Kur'gash.
As for overnight success? It's never that simple.
One must walk the path step by step, eat their food bite by bite. Even a three-year-old child understands this, yet these people seem blind to it.
Or maybe they do see it but cling to an unrealistic hope that they might be the lucky one, that a miracle will happen to them.
Such people are not worth pitying.
"She should be here soon."
Owen rode a gust of wind, hovering above Kur'gash, scanning the city below until he finally caught Elaine's presence in one corner of the Gambling City.
"Finally, she's here. Now... where are those two rats hiding?"
In the original story, Elaine was lured to Gambling City by two of her friends who forged a letter in Owen's handwriting, intending to harm her. Although they ultimately failed, Elaine was gravely injured and barely managed to escape the city.
Owen, of course, planned to prevent this from happening and take Elaine back to Crossbridge Academy.
Such a treasure would be safest kept close to him.
...
"This is strange, where is Owen?"
Elaine frowned as she navigated through the bustling crowds.
She didn't like this kind of environment—noisy and chaotic, with people constantly trying to flirt with her under the guise of friendliness, which she found very annoying.
Why would Owen arrange to meet her in a place like this?
Elaine sighed, deciding not to overthink it, and continued toward the location mentioned in the letter.
"The stone gambling market... This should be the place."
Elaine looked up at the building, which was teeming with people. Some were running down the street in ecstasy, while others were dejected, as if they had lost everything. The ups and downs of life were on full display here.
Elaine couldn't understand the appeal of spending a fortune on a stone, but the thought of seeing Owen soon made it all seem unimportant.
"Isn't that Elaine?"
"Hey! It really is! How long has it been? What a coincidence, what brings you to Kur'gash?"
A familiar voice came from behind her. Elaine turned to see two well-dressed men approaching, and her face lit up.
"Harry, Peter! What are you doing here? It's been so long!"
"Yes, it has. Ever since you joined Fox Academy... it must be three years now, right?"
Peter smiled and nodded, his eyes subtly scanning Elaine with a hint of lust.
"Three years, and you've grown into a fine young woman. I still remember when you used to bully the two of us as kids."
"Come on, that was so long ago. Why bring that up now?"
Elaine stuck out her tongue, feeling a bit embarrassed.
As a girl, she had always matured faster than the boys. The three of them had grown up together, and back then, Elaine often pinned them down and wouldn't stop until they cried.
Seeing old friends after so long, Elaine couldn't help but feel a bit happy.
"So, what brings you to Kur'gash alone? We know this place well. What do you want to do? We can show you around."
"No, it's okay. I'm here to meet someone. You don't have to worry about me."
"How can we not? We're your friends. It wouldn't be right to let you wander around Gambling City alone. What would we say to your family if something happened? Come on, let's have a drink first. Tell us who you're looking for. We know a lot of people here, maybe we can help."
Harry said as he casually draped an arm around Elaine's shoulder.
Elaine instinctively recoiled from the sudden physical contact, stepping back with a polite smile. "Really, it's fine. I can find them myself. No need to trouble you."
"Why so distant, Elaine? What, don't you consider us friends anymore?"
"Of course I do! You're my childhood friends. But..."
"Ah, I see. You're here to meet a guy, aren't you? Let me guess, is it Owen from Crossbridge Academy?"
Elaine's eyes lit up in surprise. "How did you know?"
Peter shrugged, feigning helplessness. "Who doesn't know about your feelings for Owen? Besides, I just saw him nearby. How about we take you to him? At least introduce us, the greatest genius of the millennium—making a friend like that would be great."
"Hmm... that sounds good. Thanks, Peter."
"Come on, what's there to thank? Let's go, we'll take you there."
With that, Peter exchanged a knowing glance with Harry, who immediately understood, and they both turned to lead Elaine through the crowd.
Having grown up together, Elaine didn't suspect anything and obediently followed them.
As the noise around them faded and the streets grew darker, with couples occasionally passing by engaged in indecent acts right out in the open, Elaine frowned and asked, "Harry, are you sure Owen is this way?"
"Of course, we saw him around here. Elaine, don't you trust us?"
"It's not that! It's just... Why would Owen come to a place like this?"
"Exactly, why would Owen come to a place like this?"
Harry suddenly stopped and turned to face Elaine, staring at her with a sinister grin. "Because there is no Owen. We wrote that letter."
"W-what? Harry, what do you mean? I don't understand..."
Elaine's expression changed, and she instinctively stepped back, only to find several figures emerging from the shadows, blocking her retreat.
"What do you mean?"
"Isn't it obvious? Elaine, we're friends, so I advise you to cooperate. Don't resist. You wouldn't want to ruin that pretty face of yours, now would you?"
"Enough talk, let's get on with it. I can't wait any longer!"
Peter grinned lewdly. "And be careful not to bruise her. If there's a single mark, I'll make you pay!"
As the group closed in on her, Elaine's face turned even paler.
Even the weakest of them was platinum-tier level 7, and the leader was at diamond-tier. She didn't stand a chance.
"Are you two out of your minds? Don't you fear the consequences from my family?"
"Consequences? Hahaha! As long as we're careful, who will know it was us? Remember, the person who invited you out was Owen, not us. Now, get her!"
As soon as the command was given, a formation appeared under Elaine's feet, its eerie blue light engulfing her as it quickly drained her mana.
Elaine tried to turn into shadow and escape, but suddenly felt as if her blood was boiling, the pain excruciating!
"Naive. Knowing you're a shadow mage, did you really think we wouldn't prepare? Elaine, I suggest you stop resisting. Satisfy us, and maybe we'll let you live. Otherwise, you know what happens next!"
"I'm not sure I do. Why don't you explain it to me?"
A voice came from behind, and Harry suddenly felt a cold chill down his spine. Before he could turn around, a dagger gleaming with a ghostly light was already pressed against his neck!