The power of Death was clearly not an attack, but an action—like an extension of the body.
After Pleasure had obviously taken the initiative to reject their power just now, this cluster of Death's power had remained comparatively obedient, as though it did not exist.
So when it suddenly activated, even Pleasure had no time to react.
Clang~
A metallic card landed faceup on the gambling table. A snarling tiger was engraved upon it, looking as though it might pounce out at any moment.
It lay in the very center of the gambling table, directly opposite the two cards Pain had thrown out.
You...
Pleasure hesitantly turned back for a glance, still unable to understand what was happening. But Arbiter, who had been watching from the other side, understood instantly.
Under Pain's slightly sidelong gaze, Arbiter did not hesitate in the slightest. They temporarily gave up on stopping War and teleported directly before the gambling table.
"Time is up. Both sides have completed their plays!"
"Proceeding with the final settlement."
Pleasure:?
Wait! When did I say I wanted to—
Before they could finish, the game settlement had already begun. Even Pleasure could not stop it, because there was nothing to stop in the first place.
It was merely a settlement animation. A shield made of numbers collided in midair with the White Tiger, which materialized once more after turning ethereal.
Then they turned into stars that filled the sky and vanished into the air.
"A tie. Five rounds have concluded. Commencing the final comparison and settlement of wagers."
Arbiter was like a game tutorial guide running at accelerated speed, moving from one step to the next, rattling off sentence after sentence.
It was as though they were afraid—terrified that there would not be enough time, desperately rushing through the process.