"The cards are eight of spades and ace of hearts. You lose!"
I couldn't believe my eyes. How could this happen? That bastard Jason should've had worse cards than mine. My victory should've been guaranteed. My talent, though not very useful, should've been unbeatable in shady activities like this.
But why?
"Hey, what are you waiting for? You've already lost." Jason snapped his fingers in front of my face. "Pay up!"
I slammed the table. "No way. You cheated!"
"Huh?"
"There's something fishy going on here. I can't accept this!"
Jason frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"Don't pretend. I saw you do it. It's as clear as a crystal. Garry, you saw it too, didn't you?"
The bespectacled guy didn't lift his eyes from his phone. "U-uh, I didn't—"
Damn it. "When someone's talking to you, at least have the decency to look them in the eye, you jerk—"
I reached out to grab his phone, but a cold voice stopped me. "Sit down, Noah."
It was deep and deliberate. As if daring me to defy him, even with the smallest movement, knowing that would be the end of me.
The man who had just spoken was Isaac. Standing at 210 centimeters, he towered over me, even while I was standing. His chest and arm muscles, each as thick as my clenched fists, bulged beneath his torn vest.
What made him even more impressive was the fact that Isaac was only 17. He was five years younger than me.
He should've been the one taking orders from me. He should've been more respectful.
"Tch." Reluctantly, I eased myself back into my seat.
"The rules are simple. The loser pays up."
I clenched my teeth. This can't be happening. "He cheated. He should've had just a one of spades and a two of diamonds. How does he have an ace?"
Jason scoffed. "Ridiculous. I could've drawn another card. Your lucky guess won't work this time."
"It wasn't just a lucky guess—"
"Then what was it?" Isaac interrupted.
I swallowed hard. There was no way I could admit to using my [Peeking] ability.
Using talents was already forbidden in this game, let alone one like mine.
Besides, Isaac usually didn't butt in like this. He'd silently observe our nonsense without saying a word.
So why was he suddenly curious now?
"Hey, I'm asking you a question."
I swallowed again. "I-it's experience. Yeah. I've been playing this for over three years. I can spot the card shuffle patterns and identify each card's shape."
Isaac stared at me, then slammed the table.
He stood and approached me. "What. Was. It?"
He grabbed my collar and began choking me.
Even Jason looked terrified. "L-let it go, man. Noah's just being silly. He's frustrated, okay? Frustrated. Don't make this a big deal."
"What. Was. It?"
I could feel my soul being sucked into his empty blue eyes. Every second wasted was a step closer to a ridiculous death.
So, half-choking, I answered, "Ta... Talent."
"Huh?"
"Talent!"
Isaac threw me, and I crashed into a table. Water spilled, and glasses shattered. Its occupants screamed and stared at me in confusion. But the moment Isaac approached, they scattered like frightened birds.
Coughing and gasping, I adjusted my posture. "Cough, cough, cough. W-wait, I can explain, ugh—"
He grabbed my neck again, lifting me off the ground this time.
"Penalty: 1,000 tickets."
My eyes widened, and my breath became shallow.
Faced with life or death, I could only nod weakly.
Isaac tossed me once more, this time against the wall. "Deadline's tomorrow. Don't be late."
With a spine that felt nearly broken, I stood up, gulping air desperately.
The people around cast fleeting glances at me before quickly turning away.
I knew why.
Isaac was still standing tall, his dark gaze ensuring that I understood the consequences if I failed to fulfill that impossible promise.
*#*
I walked out broke. I rummaged through my wallet, which was utterly empty.
Not only was its outer layer peeling pathetically, but its contents were just as dismal.
Three tickets and one coin. I couldn't even afford instant noodles.
Something vibrated in my pocket. For a moment, I thought it was one of Isaac's cursed powers, but it was just my phone.
A call.
From Mom.
"You've received the money, right?"
"What money?"
"Oh, for your sister. She's intending Hunter Academy this year. Make sure you use it for her registration, okay?"
"Wait, wait. Hunter Academy? Wasn't that just a passing thought? You said we didn't have the money."
"Money can be earned, but your sister's dreams can't be abandoned, right?"
I clicked my tongue. We'd discussed this last year, and that damn sister of mine had agreed. "Did Nevinne force you into this?"
"Don't be so cynical, Noah. Besides, if she becomes a great Hunter and gets recruited by a major clan, she could help you too. Think of it as an investment, a give-and-take."
"As if." For some reason, I could imagine Mom smiling right now.
"Isn't this what your father would've wanted? He'd be so proud to see one of his children living his dream."
I scoffed. "No one cares what that coward thought."
"Did you say something?"
Of course, she didn't hear me. I'd deliberately muttered under my breath.
"Nothing. Just talking to myself."
"Okay, do it quickly, Noah. Nevinne has been waiting for this moment."
I hung up abruptly.
Damn it. Hunter? Dreams? Are they mocking me?
It wasn't just her dream. I had dreams too—once.
Back then, when I was her age, I worked even harder.
I worked night shifts at a factory to pay off debts and attended Hunter Academy in the mornings.
Four grueling years of torment, and for what? No clan ever hired me.
Even when I joined raids with independent parties, I was always underestimated because my talent was useless in battle. As a result, I barely earned enough tickets—if I wasn't in the red.
Life in District 5 was brutal. High food costs and sky-high rent.
As a Hunter, my highest monthly income was 800 tickets. From that, I had to pay 500 tickets for rent, leaving the rest for food.
Eventually, I returned to factory work, ironically earning a better salary of 1,500 tickets.
Desperation led me to instant pleasures. I became addicted to hiring escorts and gambling.
As I passed a shopping center, I noticed a bank machine across the road. For Hunter Academy registration, it should be about 1,200 tickets.
I could pay Isaac first and replace the money with my paycheck at the end of the month.
If registration closed early, I could just say her grades didn't meet the requirements. She could try again next year.
That brat had it easy. While I had to work to continue my studies, she enjoyed our father's inheritance.
"Next, we have an exclusive interview with rising Hunter, Ranielle Amicolla."
"Well, Miss Amicolla, I hear you received the Hero role during your first year at Hunter Academy?"
I paused. A massive holographic screen above displayed a face the world idolized.
Some passersby even stopped to watch.
It was Ranielle Amicolla.
The short-haired woman had captivated the world when she killed a Medium-class monster solo during her Hunter Academy strength test.
Before completing the four-year formal program, she had been recruited by the prestigious Verdhantara clan.
Impressive, considering we were once classmates.
"Actually, it goes back further. I was in middle school when I lifted Excalibur."
"Do you mean the rare item classified as a World Treasure?"
"Yes, I—"
Ugh. Annoying.
I know you're a genius, but did you really need to elaborate just to show off?
Who cares if we were once in the same class? Monkeys and humans can both walk on two legs—does that make them the same?
[Your current balance: 1,500 tickets]
Hmm... more than I expected.
Good.
At least I could use the remaining 300 tickets to bet on the boat race competition.
Mom would thank me when I tripled this money by next month.
For now, I should hand over 1,000 tickets to Isaac tonight so I could sleep peacefully.
But I'd have to turn back. Damn, I was exhausted. And this area didn't even have buses.
I took a shortcut through narrow, winding alleys.
"I told you, I won't do it again."
"Amicolla, you don't understand. This is for the clan's reputation. If you keep playing this role, your future will be secured and—"
SLASH!
"AAARRGHH."
"Screw the clan's reputation. I already said it's time for expansion. Expansion. I can't stand being a frog in a well anymore."
I couldn't believe my eyes. Just beyond this wall was Ranielle Amicolla.
Wait, wasn't she just on TV? Was it a clone? Okay, maybe it was a recording. Never trust the media, my friend.
No, no. That's not the important part. Ranielle... she just slashed the person she was talking to.
It's dark here, but I can still guess that the liquid gushing out of them is blood.
But why? Were they fighting? They mentioned something about a clan, so they must be from the same side, right?
Screw her, what mattered was whether I could benefit from this.
I grabbed my pocket. Phone, check. Battery, 45%, but enough. Camera, with infrared—finally a chance to use it.
Who cares if we were classmates?
Your scandal could fetch a high price when I sell it to the media.
"Someone's watching."
Wait. Wait. Wait.
Ranielle had been at least 20 meters away from me.
But now, her fingers were pressed against my neck.
Her eyes glowed red.
"Oh, I remember you. Noah Franz, right? From Class C-3."
"It's been a while. Nice to see you."
I laughed nervously. "A-ah, y-yeah. Nice to see you too—"
"Then goodbye."
The last thing I felt was an unbearable heat on my neck, and I think I rolled.
It was strange, but I think I saw my own body lying there.
Standing. Without a head.