Aiden glanced briefly at the woman who was still fast asleep in bed. Without emotion or regret, he pulled a bill from his wallet and tossed it onto the disheveled sheet. The bill floated in the air for a brief moment before landing next to her.
He picked up the suit that was thrown on the nearby armchair and casually draped it over his shoulders, not bothering to put it on completely. A carefree smile played on his lips as he headed for the bedroom door.
As he stepped out, the cold breeze from the hallway met his face, but he didn't mind. He pressed the elevator button and waited, his hand tucked into his pants pocket. As soon as the metal doors opened with a soft "ding", he stepped inside and leaned against the mirrored wall, crossing his arms.
Before he could enjoy the silence of the moment, the system's holographic screen appeared again, floating in the air in front of him. This time, the bright blue design displayed something more detailed, almost as if it were inviting him to explore.
Aiden raised an eyebrow in intrigue, and used his finger to slide to the tab labeled [Info]. The screen changed, displaying a set of information that made his smile widen.
『Owner: Aiden』
『Charm: 79
Strength: 71
Intelligence: 110
Dexterity: 73』
『Bank Account: 949 MILLION Credits』
He let out a low, almost inaudible laugh as he looked at the numbers. "That's interesting," he commented, his tone filled with amusement.
The elevator doors opened on the ground floor, revealing the hotel's luxurious lobby. Aiden adjusted his suit over his shoulders and walked out without hesitation, ignoring the furtive glances he received from staff and guests alike. For him, this moment was just the beginning.
"If the system is going to offer me this… then it's time to make the most of it," he muttered to himself, walking towards the exit.
As he walked through the hotel lobby, the holographic screen appeared before Aiden again, this time with a pulsing glow indicating a new message. He paused, curious, and watched as the words appeared in the air with precision.
『New Mission Available』
『Mission: Go to Casino Royale in M City.
Reward: +100,000 Credits and a special item.
Time limit: 6 hours.』
Aiden read the message carefully and remained silent for a moment. Then a low chuckle escaped his lips as he casually closed the screen.
"I'm starting to love this system," he muttered, amused.
He headed for the hotel's underground garage, where his black Lamborghini gleamed under the artificial lights. The car seemed like an extension of his personality: sleek and imposing. Aiden climbed in, adjusted his sunglasses, and started the engine, the engine roaring like a beast ready for the hunt.
As he drove through the brightly lit streets of M City, the system remained silent, as if waiting to see how he would do. Aiden smiled as the wind whipped against the partially open window, the sound of tires on asphalt echoing in the early morning silence.
When he arrived at the casino, he parked in front of the main entrance, handing the keys to the valet without even looking at him. The Casino Royale was a spectacle in itself: neon lights flashed in shades of blue and gold, while a crowd of well-dressed men and women partied in the entrance.
Aiden stepped out of the car, adjusting his suit over his shoulders. He looked around the place, observing the people with a mixture of curiosity and disinterest. There was laughter, animated conversation, and the distant sound of slot machines.
"Well," he said to himself as he took a step toward the revolving doors. "Let's see what the system has planned for me this time."
As he entered the casino, Aiden was inhaled by the smell of cigarettes and alcohol mixed with the expensive perfume of women. The atmosphere was a chaotic mix of laughter, applause, and the sound of chips clinking. Men in expensive suits and women in elegant dresses walked past him, each absorbed in their own quest for luck.
He paused for a moment, taking in the place with an analytical eye. The system remained silent, as if waiting patiently. His eyes sparkled with amusement as he walked past the slot machine players and the roulette wheel gamblers. Aiden knew exactly where he wanted to be.
The poker table drew his attention like a magnet. He walked over, watching the players with interest. One of them, a burly man with a cigar in his mouth, laughed loudly as he collected chips from a winning bet. Another, a nervous young man, fidgeted with his glasses as he calculated his odds.
Aiden stopped beside the table and smiled brightly. "A lively table," he said casually, drawing the players' gazes.
The dealer, a middle-aged man with a calculating look on his face, raised his eyebrows. "Are you going to play, sir?" he asked, pointing to an empty chair at the table.
Aiden shrugged, pulling a wad of bills from his pocket and tossing them on the table nonchalantly. "I think I'll have some fun."
He sat down, adjusting his suit as the other players' eyes assessed him. Some showed disdain, others curiosity. To Aiden, it didn't matter. The system hadn't yet specified what he was supposed to do here, but he knew that whatever it was, it would start with this table.
As the dealer dealt the cards, Aiden leaned back in his chair and let his gaze wander around the table. His carefree smile gave nothing away about what he was really thinking. He could feel the tension and nervousness of the other players, which only made the situation more amusing for him.
The first round began, and Aiden, with a sharp gaze, threw down his starting chips without hesitation. As the cards were revealed and the bets increased, .
"Let's see how far this goes," he muttered to himself, his eyes shining with a man's excitement.
Aiden looked at the cards he held: a seven of hearts and an eight of spades. They weren't exactly strong cards, but he knew that poker wasn't just about luck, but about strategy, observation, and most of all, control.
The other players were focused, each hiding their intentions behind carefully crafted expressions. But Aiden? He smiled. He didn't need luck to win; he just needed to understand the people around him.
The first round began with cautious betting. Aiden placed his chips in the center of the table, his gaze calm as he analyzed each move. He took in the details: the burly man with the cigar squinted slightly as he looked at his cards, the young man with glasses swallowed hard before raising the bet, and the blonde woman to his right smiled casually, though her foot was shaking under the table.
Aiden knew what each of them was thinking before they even made their moves.
When the first set of community cards was dealt, a nine of spades, a five of hearts, and a six of diamonds, he realized he had a chance. His smile widened. He was one card away from a straight, but what mattered most was what the others thought he had.
"Five thousand," the burly man said, pushing his chips into the center.
"I see and raise to seven thousand," the blonde woman replied, her fingers fiddling with the chips.
The young man hesitated before folding, while Aiden, calm as ever, raised the bet to ten thousand. "Interesting," he commented casually, leaning back in his chair.
The dealer turned over the fourth community card: a seven of spades.
Aiden couldn't help but chuckle. He now had a pair, but more importantly, the tension at the table had risen. He glanced at the burly man, who seemed to be trying to assess what Aiden had in his hand.
"Fifteen thousand," the man said, his tone more challenging.
Aiden stared at him for a moment, as if in deep thought, before pushing a larger stack of chips over. "I'll make it twenty-five thousand."
The look of doubt on the man's face was enough to confirm Aiden's imminent victory. He knew the man had nothing strong, just the confidence of someone who wanted to intimidate others.
The last card was turned over: a four of spades.
It wasn't what Aiden needed, but that didn't matter. He kept his confident smile, his eyes fixed on the other players as he adjusted his posture.
"Thirty thousand," the blonde woman declared, pushing chips with steady fingers.
The burly man snorted, rubbing his chin before giving up. It was now between Aiden and the woman.
"Forty thousand," Aiden said, increasing the pressure even more. He noticed how her hand wavered slightly as she reached for more chips.
"I see," she replied, her voice now less confident.
The cards were revealed. Aiden had only a pair of sevens, while the woman had a pair of eights. But his smile remained intact, which confused the observers.
"A bluff," he said, standing up while laughing. "But an interesting game."
The players at the table laughed, thinking he was withdrawing because he was being impulsive. Little did they know that his every move was calculated, every reaction studied. Aiden already had what he wanted: everyone's attention there.
He sat back down, ready for the next round. The game was just beginning.