In the transaction that had been shut down not long ago, Ludo had been the only one facing He Ao directly.
He had witnessed the entire process of He Ao firing: raising the gun, pulling the trigger, the bullet passing through the drifter's brow. Everything had been so fluid, like a painter sketching a perfect stroke across a canvas.
Everyone else had thought it was merely a rookie firing under pressure, but only Ludo had caught that trace of absolute indifference—the calm composure of an experienced hunter facing prey that knew nothing.
And now, he was that unsuspecting prey.
A bone-piercing chill spread across his back, as if every hair on his body were trembling upright.
He stared into He Ao's eyes, at the indifference buried in their depths, and he knew that He Ao truly would fire.
When a savage hunter had no restraints, he became the most terrifying presence in the night.
His earlier arrogance and swagger crumbled beneath the cold muzzle. Ludo trembled, his legs bending and shaking uncontrollably.
"So, can we go in now?"
He Ao's wrist did not move at all. He merely lowered the muzzle slightly until it pointed directly at Ludo's forehead.
"But..."
Ludo opened his mouth tremblingly, but his words were interrupted by a sudden sound from the darkness.
Clap—clap—clap—
A broad-shouldered man over six feet tall, with slicked-back hair, emerged from the shadows to one side.
He clapped his hands together, producing a crisp sound.
"Investigator Ander?" He smiled at He Ao, then directly grabbed Ludo by the back of his collar and flung him behind himself. "For the Federal Bureau of Investigation to produce a rookie like you, Smith must be laughing in his dreams."
"Viktor, you're out of prison?"
Selina stepped forward and positioned herself in front of He Ao.
He Ao lowered his gun. Since the other man had casually dragged Ludo away under his muzzle, it meant he was not afraid of He Ao firing. Still, He Ao did not put the gun away and maintained a guarded stance.
"Not long ago—I just got my freedom back." Viktor smiled and nodded. "I didn't expect to run into something this interesting the moment I got out."
He turned to He Ao and extended a hand. "Little brother Ander, let me introduce myself. My name is Viktor. For now, I can barely be considered the person in charge of this casino."
He Ao hesitated for a moment, preparing to extend his hand.
"He's the boss of the Money Rat Gang. He's dangerous, so be careful."
Selina shifted half a step aside to make room for He Ao to shake hands, quietly warning him.
"Hello. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Ander."
He Ao nodded lightly and took Viktor's hand.
Viktor made no covert move and offered no test. He simply shook hands, then released him with a smile. "My useless subordinate lost that last round, but since I'm here now, it wouldn't be right to just let you walk in. How about this?"
With a wave of his hand, one of his men immediately carried over a gambling table.
"Casino matters are settled at the gambling table. Three rounds decide life and death. If you win, you may inspect Crown Casino however you please today. If you lose, please turn around and head home. If a suspect really has slipped into the casino, I'll catch him and personally deliver him to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's doorstep."
They were currently at a corner by the main entrance. People passing by would not notice them unless they looked closely, so although the dispute between He Ao and Ludo had drawn a few glances, it had not attracted a crowd.
But the moment Viktor brought out the gambling table, people immediately gathered around.
For gamblers, nothing was livelier than gambling.
"What are we playing?"
Selina asked softly.
"Miss Serena, we wouldn't dare gamble against you." Viktor looked at He Ao. "I wonder whether little brother Ander is willing to join this game?"
Someone like Selina, whose entire body was made of high-grade prosthetics, would be asked to leave or heavily restricted in what games she could play even if she entered a casino. After all, that would be far too unfair to the other gamblers.
After hearing Viktor's question, He Ao looked at Selina.
After all, Selina was his superior.
Selina looked at He Ao's calm expression, thought for a moment, then nodded lightly.
He Ao then looked at Viktor. "Sure."
Then he added, "What are we playing? I've never been in a casino before, so I don't know the rules."
Selina, who had been about to step back behind He Ao, nearly lost control of herself and stumbled. Seeing He Ao's calm, confident expression just now, she had thought he was some hidden expert.
"Then let's pick something simple. Blackjack." Viktor took two steps back and looked to the side. A subordinate immediately understood and handed him a deck of cards. As Viktor tore open the packaging, he explained,
"This game is very simple. First, remove the two jokers from the deck. Then the dealer gives each player two face-down cards. Players may choose to reveal one of them, then either draw more cards or stop drawing. Once all players have stopped drawing—"
Viktor picked the two jokers from the deck and tossed them aside. "The game ends. The players reveal their remaining hole card and add up all their points to compare hands. Face cards count as ten points. Whoever has the higher total wins; if the totals are the same, it's a tie. But if your total exceeds twenty-one, boom~"
Viktor mouthed an explosion. "Then your score is wiped out, and you lose this round."
He placed the cards in the middle and stood at the center of the side of the gambling table.
He Ao looked at him curiously. "You're not gambling against me?"
"Of course not. I'm not very skilled." Viktor smiled, glanced at Ludo slowly getting up in the crowd, then turned back to He Ao. "Everyone deserves a chance, after all."
Ludo did not catch his boss's signal, but someone else did. He was promptly escorted to the gambling table, directly across from He Ao.
He Ao did not look at Ludo. Instead, he looked at Viktor. "If we're gambling against the casino, shouldn't we find a dealer who isn't too skilled?"
The implication was clear: I don't think you're suitable to be the dealer.
"Then Miss Serena can be the dealer."
Viktor was briefly taken aback by He Ao's question, then smiled and looked at Selina. "After all, a beautiful lady serving as dealer would be much better than a big, burly man like me."
"Hahaha!"
Laughter immediately rose from the surrounding crowd.
A casino was actually a very pure place. Simple and brutal, it gathered humanity's most primal desires: greed, violence, lust. Every desire was laid bare without restraint amid the shouting, the clatter of chips, the laughter, and the tears.
Selina had not fully processed it yet, but she knew this benefited their side.
She could not cheat. The people around them were all longtime casino employees, and Viktor was there as well. If she cheated, it would be easily discovered. But at least this ensured that, as the dealer, she would be fair.
If Viktor dealt the cards, she might not be able to spot him cheating.
"Can I inspect the deck?"
Before Selina took the cards, He Ao suddenly spoke.
Hyperthymesia, activate!
Before you continue