The streets of the bustling town were alive with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, children laughing, and adventurers sharing tales of glory. Rex and Carl wandered through the labyrinthine alleys, their eyes scanning for the kind of establishment Rex had in mind. Eventually, they found it—a dimly lit gambling den tucked between a tavern and a weapons shop. The sign above the door bore no name, just the crude image of dice.
Carl hesitated at the entrance, his nerves kicking in. "Rex, are you sure about this? We barely have enough as it is."
Rex, uncharacteristically animated, flashed a grin. "Relax, Carl. Trust me on this."
Carl let out a long sigh, reluctantly following Rex inside. The air was thick with smoke, and the room buzzed with the chatter of gamblers and the clatter of dice and cards. At the far end, a group of burly men laughed uproariously, mugs of ale sloshing in their hands.
Rex's excitement seemed almost out of place given his usual cautious nature, and Carl couldn't shake the uneasy feeling crawling up his spine. "Why are you so... hyped?" Carl muttered as they found an open table. "You're not usually like this."
Rex shrugged, his grin widening. "Gotta adapt, right? This world's all about taking chances."
Carl frowned but sat down beside him. "This is concerning. Really concerning."
The game began, and Rex started small, placing modest bets. At first, it seemed like luck wasn't on their side. Coins disappeared from their pouch with every roll of the dice, and soon they were down 2,000 Lax. Carl's glare was sharp enough to cut steel as he crossed his arms and leaned toward Rex.
"This is a disaster," Carl hissed. "You've already lost half our money! If you even think about betting the rest, I swear—"
"Relax," Rex interrupted, his voice wavering slightly as he forced a laugh. "I've got this."
Carl groaned, burying his face in his hands as Rex placed their remaining 2,000 Lax on a high-risk bet. The odds were slim, the payout massive, and the tension in the air was palpable. Carl looked up, his eyes burning with disbelief. "You're insane," he muttered. "We're done if this doesn't land."
The dice rolled, clattering against the table. Time seemed to slow as they tumbled, finally coming to a stop. The result: a winning roll.
Cheers erupted around the table as Rex stared in stunned silence for a moment before breaking into a triumphant grin. Their winnings were 10 times their original amount—a staggering 20,000 Lax.
Carl's jaw dropped as he blinked at the pile of coins being pushed toward them. "No way..." he breathed, equal parts relieved and annoyed. "I can't believe you actually pulled that off."
Rex, chest puffed with pride, grabbed the coins and stuffed them into their pouch. "Told you I had it," he said smugly, already rising from his seat.
But his bravado faltered as he noticed a few men at the far side of the room eyeing them suspiciously. He leaned toward Carl, voice low. "We need to go. Now."
"What? Why—"
"Just move!" Rex hissed, dragging Carl by the arm. The two bolted for the exit, ignoring the shouts of the staff calling after them to stay and play more. They didn't stop running until they were several streets away, finally ducking into a quiet alley to catch their breath.
Rex leaned against a wall, grinning at Carl. "See? Told you I'd get us out of it."
Carl, still panting, shot him a halfhearted glare. "I hate that you're right. But... we made it." His expression softened as relief washed over him. "We actually have enough to survive for a while now."
Rex gave a small laugh, adjusting the pouch of coins at his waist. "It's all part of the plan. Come on, let's head back to the guild."
After catching their breath, the two made their way back to the guild. Registering as adventurers went smoothly this time, their 1,000 Lax fee each feeling far less daunting with their newfound fortune. The receptionist handed them their freshly minted identification cards, and for the first time, they felt like they were truly stepping into this new world.
With some funds still left for supplies, Rex and Carl decided their next stop was a blacksmith. If they were going to survive, they needed decent weapons—and the adventure was only just beginning.