The dealer, who had observed the interaction between Lucian and the old man, approached. "So, have you gentlemen decided on a game to play?" he asked in a friendly yet professional voice. He pulled out a deck of cards from a wooden box that looked antique and elegant.
"We have a wide range of games, from poker to blackjack to baccarat. Please choose the game you prefer." He smiled slightly, awaiting the decision of the two players. His eyes scanned Lucian and the old man in turn, trying to read their strategies and expressions. A tense atmosphere was in the air, amongst the excitement and bustle of the casino.
"I'll follow the old man's invitation to the game, so he'll decide," Lucian said, his voice calm and even, he smiled faintly. The old man, with a sly smile spread across his flushed face, pointed at Lucian.
"How arrogant of you, boy! Fufufu, because this old man is so nice, so how about some poker? The classic game that's always fun!" He burst out laughing, his voice echoing in the crowded room. He seemed very confident, and a little dismissive of Lucian.
"Hoo, interesting," Lucian said, his voice still calm. He glanced at the dealer. "You heard right? We're going to play poker." His voice was firm, showing undeniable authority.
The dealer nodded politely. "Understood," he said, setting up the cards and arranging the chips on the table. "Gentlemen, before we begin the game, please feel free to make an initial bet offer." He smiled slightly, awaiting the decision of the two players. A tense atmosphere was in the air, amongst the excitement and bustle of the casino.
The old man, without hesitation, placed a pile of chips on the table. "3 pink chips," he said in a loud voice, his eyes flashing with confidence.
Lucian, expressionless, picked up the same pile of chips. "Alright, I'll also offer you three 10,000-nominal chips," he said, his voice calm and even. He placed the pile of chips next to the old man's pile of chips. He looked calm and collected, but his sharp eyes were watching the old man's every move.
The dealer nodded. "Understood," he said, starting to deal the cards.
"I'll start dealing the cards then. May luck be on both of your sides." He dealt the cards one by one, creating an increasingly tense atmosphere. Natty, who was still standing beside Lucian, gripped Lucian's arm tightly, her heart pounding.
The dealer dealt the cards. The old man received his cards with trembling hands, his eyes narrowed as he looked at his cards. He had two aces! A wide, sly smile spread across his flushed face, almost covering his entire face. He glanced at Lucian, whose expression remained flat, calm as lake water in the morning, without showing the slightest reaction.
Lucian accepted his cards calmly, his long, slender fingers carefully examining the cards. He got a King and a Queen. Not bad, but still far from the old man's cards. However, the look in Lucian's eyes remained sharp, calculating.
Lucian, without changing his expression, said to the dealer, "Hey, can I add 5 pink chips?" His voice was calm, but there was an implicit determination in it. He showed no hesitation, instead looking like he was planning something.
The dealer nodded politely. "Well, adding more chips is allowed. But it must be agreed by both parties," he said, glancing at the old man. "Would you also agree if we add more chips?" His voice remained professional, but he could feel the tension in the air.
The old man, still drunk, initially seemed surprised by Lucian's request. "Does this boy want to lose?!" he thought, but he soon hid his surprise behind a sly smile. "Well, it doesn't matter anyway, victory is on my side this time." He chuckled, then said, "Alright, I'll add 5 chips too." His voice sounded confident, but there was a hint of hesitation behind his words. He was starting to feel a little uncomfortable with Lucian's overwhelming calmness.
The game began. The dealer dealt the cards. The old man got two aces. A big smile instantly spread across his face that was already flushed with liquor. He knew he had a great chance of winning. Lucian got a King and a Queen. No good combinations yet, but he remained calm, his face as flat as ever.
The first card on the table was the Jack of Spades, 7 of Hearts, and 4 of Curls. Lucian looked at his cards: King of Hearts and Queen of Dagger. There was no strong combination yet, but there was still a chance. His expression remained level, yet his keen eyes watched the old man's every move. The old man, on the other hand, was grinning with satisfaction. He held two aces in his hand, a very strong combination.
"I'm raising the bet, 5 more pink chips!" the old man exclaimed confidently, his voice loud and slightly rough from the influence of alcohol. He set down the pile of pink chips with a slightly shaky, yet confident motion. A few coins rolled a little, but he quickly picked them back up with a slightly clumsy gesture.
Lucian remained expressionless, scanning the community cards and reading his opponent's movements. He thought for a moment, his eyes flashing, as if calculating every possibility. Then, calmly and measuredly, he replied, "I'm in," while placing the same number of chips on the table. His movements were calm and measured, showing a striking composure amidst the tension in the air.
The dealer revealed the fourth card-9 of the diamond. This card didn't help Lucian, his combination of cards remained weak. However, his expression remained level. The old man became more and more confident of his victory. His smile grew wider, and he even tapped the table with his trembling hands.
"Heh, you starting to shake, boy?" the old man taunted with a hearty laugh, his voice echoing in the relatively quiet room. "I'll add another 10 pink chips!" He set down the pile of chips with a more confident motion, this time more skillfully and without making the coins fall.
Lucian remained silent for a moment, his eyes flashing. He thought for a moment, then calmly increased the bet amount. His movements were still calm and measured, but there was a hint of tension underneath his calmness. Cold sweat began to break out on his forehead.
The dealer revealed the last card-2 of Spades. There was no significant change for Lucian. His best cards remained King and Queen with no strong combinations. He sighed softly, realizing his defeat. However, he still didn't show any expression.
The old man laughed contentedly, knowing that his two aces still remained the best hand. "Alright, show me your cards," the dealer said, his voice calm yet tense. He watched both players intently.
The old man proudly turned over his cards. "Two aces, young man!" he exclaimed, his voice triumphant. He looked triumphantly at Lucian.
Lucian opened his cards quietly-King and Queen. His expression remained level, without showing any hint of disappointment. He simply nodded, accepting his defeat gracefully.
"And the winner is... This gentleman!" the dealer said as he pushed the pile of chips towards him. The old man burst out laughing, reaching for the pile of chips with trembling, yet triumphant hands. He seemed overjoyed, albeit a little unsteady from the hangover.
"180,000 ruphal will be mine...~" the man whispered, his face red as he looked at the chips he was currently holding.
Lucian raised his head, his gaze sharp and penetrating, fixed on the old man. "I want another round."
The old man burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the relatively quiet room, rattling his whiskey glass until a little liquid spilled out. "Oh~? Did defeat get you hurt? Ahaha, well, I'll drain you of your money, boy!" He pointed at Lucian with a trembling finger, but his eyes flashed with confidence, even a bit of disdain. He took a confident sip of his whiskey.
The dealer, with quick and skillful movements, dealt out new cards. Then, with precise drama, he reveals the first three community cards-10 of Spades, 8 of Hearts, and 5 of Curls. The cards lay on the green table, as if challenging the players.
Lucian glanced at his cards-9 of Spades and Jack of Spades. "Interesting," he muttered softly, almost inaudibly, but his eyes flashed. He calculated his odds in an instant. He only needed a 7 or Queen for a straight. The odds were still there.
The old man looked at the cards in his hand-King of Hearts and 10 of Dagger. He already had a pair of 10s from the community cards. A smug, satisfied smile spread across his face, covering most of his flushed face.
"I raise the ante to 15 pink chips!" he said confidently, setting down the pile of chips with a rather arrogant gesture, almost like he was showing off his wealth.
Lucian watched his expression carefully. The old man must have a decent combination, but not too strong yet. Lucian assessed his chances, considering the risks and rewards.
"I'm in," Lucian replied without hesitation, placing the same number of chips. His voice was calm and even, not showing the slightest hint of hesitation, even though cold sweat was starting to break out on his forehead.
The dealer revealed the fourth card-King of Spades. The old man's smile grew wider, almost uncontrollable. He now had Two Pair-King and 10. He looked at Lucian with a triumphant gaze.
"All right, boy! I'll add 20 blue chips!" he exclaimed, his voice triumphant, slightly mocking. He set down the pile of blue chips with a confident and somewhat aggressive gesture.
Lucian pretended to hesitate for a moment, his eyes narrowed as if he was considering something very carefully. He rubbed his chin with his index finger, pretending to think hard. Then, he joined the bet, placing the pile of blue chips calmly and measuredly. His movements were controlled, but the tension in his body was palpable.
The dealer revealed the last card, the 2 of Hearts. Lucian still didn't get the straight he expected. He sighed softly, realizing his defeat. However, he still didn't show any expression on his face.
"Alright, time to show the cards!" exclaimed the dealer, his voice tense, reflecting the tension at the table.
The old man excitedly flipped over his cards. "King and 10! Two Pair, hahaha!" He burst out laughing, his voice triumphant and slightly mocking.
Lucian sighed softly, then turned over his cards-Jack and 9. There was no strong combination. His expression remained flat, without showing any hint of disappointment. He just accepted his defeat calmly.
"And the winner is... this gentleman again!" said the dealer as he passed all the chips towards him.
The old man laughed in satisfaction, his face getting redder and redder with alcohol and excitement. "You're too green for this table, boy! Hahahaha!" He reached for the pile of chips with trembling, yet triumphant hands.
Natty bit her lip, worried about Lucian's losing streak. However, Lucian didn't show the slightest sign of concern. He just touched his chin with a faint smile, his eyes flashing with calculation. He was planning his next move. "Good, he's getting more confident. That's what I want," Lucian thought, his smile deepening.