Gambit smirked as he took in his surroundings. This world was strange, unfamiliar, but intriguing. He flexed his fingers, feeling the latent energy coursing through him.
"Ain't every day ya wake up in a whole new world," he muttered. "Gotta say, I ain't hatin' it."
Instinctively, he reached for his deck of cards—but they were gone. He frowned, patting his coat. "Well, dat's a damn shame. Feels like losin' a part of myself."
His eyes fell on a small pebble on the ground. He picked it up, rolling it between his fingers, then glanced at his status screen. A grin spread across his face.
"Arcane Gambler's Deck, huh? Let's see what ya got."
Flicking the pebble forward, he charged it with energy. The tiny stone shot through the air—
BOOM!
A small explosion burst against the wall, sending dust and debris scattering. Gambit took a step back, eyes wide, before laughing.
"Well, damn! All dat from a lil' rock? Guess I better be careful where I toss my chips."
He dusted himself off and started walking. The streets around him were dirty, the buildings made of stone, and the people dressed in armor. No cars. No tech. No mutants. Just swords, magic, and guilds.
"Ain't no one here know who I am… Guess I'm in a whole new game."
He wandered through the streets, taking in the sights. The smell of roasted meat and ale filled the air, mixing with the scent of mud and sweat. He smirked.
"Ain't exactly New Orleans, but I've seen worse."
A wooden sign creaked in the wind, marking a tavern. Gambit chuckled. "Now dat looks like my kinda place."
Pushing open the door, he strolled inside like he belonged. The room was filled with rough-looking men and weary travelers, each locked in their own conversations.
At a nearby table, two men were yelling and laughing—clearly deep into a gambling game. One was a noble, dressed in fine but slightly disheveled clothing. The other was a thug, scars lining his arms. They rolled dice, cursing and laughing as gold stacked between them.
Gambit leaned against a pillar, watching. "Ain't no harm in a lil' game."
His rogue instincts kicked in. He stepped closer, flashing a charming grin. "Mind if I get in on dis? Just a poor traveler lookin' to make a coin."
The noble and the thug exchanged glances, then smirked. "Sure, stranger. If you got the gold, you can play."
Gambit sat down, tossing a few coins on the table. "Let's see if luck's still on my side."
The dice rolled. Within minutes, he was winning—too much.
The thug's eyes darkened. "You're cheatin'. Ain't no way you're this lucky."
Gambit grinned, rolling another winning hand. "Now, now, mon ami. Ain't my fault luck loves me. Maybe she just ain't a fan of you."
The noble chuckled, sipping his drink. "He does seem to have a certain charm about him, doesn't he?"
The thug slammed a fist on the table, knocking over a cup. "This ain't charm, it's a damn scam!"
Gambit leaned back, raising his hands innocently. "Hey, we all takin' chances here. If ya don't like de odds, maybe gambling ain't for ya."
The thug growled, eyes flickering to his knife. "Nobody walks away from me after stealin' my gold."
Before he could react, the thug lunged, pulling his blade. Without thinking, Gambit snatched a coin from the table, charged it with kinetic energy, and flicked it—
BOOM!
The knife flew from the thug's hand as the coin exploded, sending him stumbling back. The entire tavern erupted into chaos.
Gambit stood up, scooping his winnings into his coat. But as he did, his eyes locked onto something—an ornate deck of playing cards sitting among the thug's belongings.
"Now dat… dat's somethin' special."
With a swift motion, he grabbed the deck and tucked it into his coat. "Can't leave home without my cards."
As guards rushed in, he flipped over a barrel, dodged through the crowd, and vanished into the shadows.
Running through the streets, he couldn't help but grin. "Guess I still got it. Shame about the hospitality, though."
But as he disappeared into the night, he felt it—someone was watching.
Gambit ran through the darkened streets, his heart pounding as he weaved through the alleys. The tavern was long behind him, the sounds of chaos fading into the night. Finally, he stopped in a shadowed alleyway, catching his breath before letting out a hearty laugh.
Flicking a playing card between his fingers, he grinned. "Now dat was a fine bit of fun. Ain't nothin' like a good gamble an' walkin' away richer than before."
He thumbed through the stack of gold coins he had won, their weight satisfying in his palm. "Mmm, and here I was thinkin' dis world had no charm. Seems like fate's dealin' me a good hand."
His smirk faded as he suddenly felt something—a presence lurking nearby. Without turning, he chuckled. "So, were you de one watchin' me?"
A soft voice answered from the shadows. "You're quite perceptive. Impressive."
He turned to see a woman stepping gracefully into the dim light, her long cloak shifting as she moved. She carried herself with an air of confidence, her sharp eyes gleaming with intrigue.
She smiled. "That little trick with the exploding coin—very clever. Not many can pull off something like that without magic."
Gambit raised an eyebrow, twirling the card in his hand. "Now dat's interestin'. A lady who appreciates fine craftsmanship. But I gotta ask… who might you be?"
The woman gave a knowing smirk. "Let's just say I'm someone who enjoys watching a good game. My name is Lady Evelyn, though I doubt that means much to you."
Gambit chuckled, giving a slight bow. "Remy LeBeau, but most folks call me Gambit. Pleasure's all mine, chere. Now, why don't you tell me what a noblewoman in disguise is doin' lurkin' in alleyways?"
Evelyn's smirk widened. "Straight to the point. I like that. I saw what you did in the tavern, and I have an offer for you. You work with me, or… I turn you over to the guards."
Gambit let out a low whistle, shaking his head. "Ah, blackmail. Ain't exactly my favorite game, but I gotta say… I do love a gamble."
Evelyn folded her arms. "You're talented, and I could use someone with your skills. You have a knack for making money. Why not put that talent to good use?"
Gambit smirked, tapping his chin. "Well now, dat don't sound too bad. An' here I thought ya just wanted my charming company."
Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Let's just say I prefer to surround myself with capable individuals."
Gambit chuckled and extended a hand. "Fine, chere. You got yourself a deal."
She took his hand with a smirk. "Good choice. First things first—we need to make sure you have a legitimate way to earn money without drawing too much attention."
Gambit tilted his head. "Oh? And how you plan on doin' dat?"
Evelyn turned, motioning for him to follow. "Simple. I'm taking you to the Adventurer's Guild. We'll sign you up as an adventurer. With your skills, you could make a fortune."
Gambit laughed, falling into step beside her. "Can't say no to a lady with good taste. Lead the way, chere."
Evelyn chuckled, a slight blush dusting her cheeks. "Just don't make me regret this."
As they walked toward the guild, Gambit glanced at her. "So, tell me, why exactly do ya want me as your partner?"
Evelyn's eyes gleamed with amusement. "Because you're unpredictable. And in this world, unpredictability is a valuable asset."
Gambit smirked. "Unpredictable, huh? Now dat's de kinda compliment I like."
She shook her head, smiling. "I have a feeling you're going to be more trouble than you're worth."
Gambit winked. "Ah, but dat's what keeps life interestin', ain't it?"
Evelyn sighed. "I need someone who can blend in, manipulate situations, and handle themselves in a fight. You seem to fit that role perfectly."
Gambit grinned. "Dat so? So what's in it for me? 'Sides not endin' up in a dungeon?"
Evelyn smirked. "Money. Influence. Protection. And, if you play your cards right, a seat at the high table."
Gambit rubbed his chin. "Sounds like a high-stakes game. My kinda deal."
Evelyn crossed her arms. "So tell me, Gambit. Why did you really agree? I doubt you're the type to be coerced."
He flashed his signature grin. "Oh, I dunno. Maybe I like takin' risks. Maybe I like de company. Or maybe, chere, I just wanna see how dis game plays out."
She narrowed her eyes, studying him. "You're an interesting man, Gambit. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
He chuckled. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
As they neared the Adventurer's Guild, the large stone building loomed ahead. Gambit adjusted his coat, excitement buzzing in his chest. This was only the beginning.
Gambit and Evelyn stood outside the towering stone building of the Adventurer's Guild. Gambit placed his hands on his hips, taking in the sight with an amused grin.
"So dis is de place, huh? Gotta say, I was expectin' somethin' a little more… grand. Maybe some fireworks or at least a red carpet," he joked, smirking at Evelyn.
Evelyn chuckled, shaking her head. "You do realize you're only here because if you don't register, the guards will have an excuse to arrest you, right?"
Gambit laughed, tapping his chin. "Ah, so I'm bein' forced into honest work. What a tragedy."
Evelyn smirked. "Think of it as making things easier for yourself. Being an adventurer gives you freedom, coin, and a reason to stay out of trouble."
Gambit scoffed. "Me? Stay outta trouble? Now dat's a real gamble."
They walked inside, the grand hall of the guild opening before them. The interior was lively with adventurers gathered around wooden tables, discussing quests and contracts. A massive quest board dominated one wall, covered in parchment detailing jobs of varying difficulty. The scent of ale and parchment filled the air, mixed with the faint scent of metal from armored warriors passing by.
Evelyn took in the scene and nodded. "The Adventurer's Guild is the heart of any city. People from all walks of life come here to earn a living, build reputations, or seek adventure."
Gambit whistled. "A fine lil' hub for mercenaries, monster hunters, and poor saps hopin' to get rich quick. Sounds like my kinda crowd."
They made their way to the main desk, where a stunning tigerkin woman stood, her golden eyes gleaming with confidence. Her striped fur and feline features gave her an exotic allure, and her long tail flicked playfully behind her. She wore a stylish yet functional outfit that emphasized her strong yet graceful physique. Upon noticing them, she smiled warmly.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild. My name is Raisha, and I am the receptionist here. How may I assist you?" her voice was both silky and commanding.
Evelyn stepped forward. "He's here to register as an adventurer."
Raisha raised an eyebrow, her tail swaying. "Oh? A fresh recruit?" Her sharp eyes flickered toward Gambit with amusement. "You don't exactly look like the usual eager type."
Gambit grinned, leaning casually against the counter. "Well, chere, let's just say I wasn't plannin' on a career change today, but fate's got a funny way of dealin' her cards."
Raisha chuckled, crossing her arms. "Is that so? Well, before you can officially register, you need to understand the rules. The Adventurer's Guild has strict guidelines to ensure the safety and professionalism of its members."
She placed a parchment in front of him. "Here are the basics: First, all adventurers must complete an evaluation to determine their rank. Second, quests are divided by difficulty levels, and you can only accept those within your rank. Third, any misconduct—stealing from clients, abandoning a mission, or harming fellow guild members—will result in penalties or expulsion."
Gambit smirked, resting his chin on his hand. "Sounds fair enough. So, where do I sign?"
Raisha chuckled. "Eager, aren't we?" She then handed him a quill and a ledger. "Write your name here, and I'll process your registration."
As Gambit leaned forward, he flashed Raisha a flirtatious grin. "Ya know, chere, I gotta say—if all de guild staff look as fine as you, I might start likin' honest work."
Raisha smirked, her ears twitching slightly. "Flattery won't get you extra privileges, but I do appreciate the effort."
Evelyn sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Can you go five minutes without flirting?"
Gambit laughed, signing his name with a flourish. "What can I say? I got a weakness for beautiful women and bad decisions."
Raisha shook her head in amusement and took the ledger. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, Gambit. Let's see if you're as good as you claim to be."
Gambit winked. "Oh, don't you worry, chere. I never disappoint."
To be continued…