Rick's jaw tightened the mont he saw Viper. The man always showed up with that smug air and a new set of flunkies trailing him like he was royalty. Today was no different.
"I heard you've been paying for people to help you out," Viper said, nodding toward Matthew. "Interesting strategy. Never figured you'd need a babysitter. Why don't you introduce to this… new friend of yours."
"That is none of your business," Rick gritted his teeth.
"Rick… oh… Rick. Why are you being so stingy?" Viper said.
"Isn't that because the last person that he paid was poached by Viper?" soone from the back said.
"Oh right! Wasn't it that guy from East Lane?" another voice chid in. "Didn't Viper double the paynt on the spot and take him mid-ga?"
"Triple," soone corrected. "And used him to clean out half the room."
Laughter spread. Even a few dealers smirked.
Rick's face burned red beneath his mask. His fists clenched again.
The man in the gold-rimd mask behind Viper took a smug step forward. "It's a pattern, really. Young Master Tian does the work, and Viper reaps the rewards."
Another of Viper's crew added, "Next ti just pay us directly. Saves you the humiliation."
"Maybe that's why you brought this one here quietly," a voice near the slab called out. "Didn't want Viper to snatch him, too?"
Rick slamd his hand down on the nearest table. The laughter paused for a second. "That's enough!"
But the damage was done. His pride had already taken the hit, and Viper wasn't about to let it go.
"Relax, Rick," Viper said, shrugging. "I didn't co here to embarrass you. That just happens naturally."
"You—" Rick stepped forward, fists clenched. "Are you looking down on my Tian Family!?"
"Oh no, how could I possibly look down on the great Tian Family? The mighty clan of… collectors. Truly terrifying. Stacks of antiques and spirit stones, what a fearso legacy." He then made a dramatic gasp. "I'm shaking."
Rick's mouth opened again, but Matthew stepped forward before he could speak. He stopped in front of Viper, which attracted the attention of a few people.
"I'm Ghost," Matthew said. "I am certain we haven't t before."
Hearing this, Rick tried to intervene. "What are you doing?"
"Calm down…" Ghost said, eting the latter's eyes. Seeing Matthew's firm gaze, Rick closed his mouth.
However, the people on Viper's side were different. One of the n beside Viper let out a short laugh. He wore a gold-rimd mask and a vest too clean for the betting hall. "Watch your words. You're in the presence of the great Viper. He's never lost a ga in this place."
"Great Viper?"
"Don't tell you haven't heard of him? Hm!?"
"I watched famous codians in the past but your na… didn't ring a bell," Matthew answered.
The man imdiately stepped forward, jaw tight, but Viper raised a hand without looking at him. The man stopped in place.
Viper's gaze stayed on Matthew. "I don't appreciate your tone."
"So people don't appreciate honesty," Matthew said.
A few people nearby shifted, watching closely as the room quieted.
"You talk like soone who thinks they belong here," Viper said.
"I go where I'm paid," Matthew replied. "And right now, your good friend paid enough spirit stones. So unless you ca to place a bet, we're done talking."
Rick stayed behind him, arms stiff at his sides, saying nothing.
Viper's expression didn't change. "Then let's see if your skill matches your mouth. Dealer. Bring so slabs here."
An attendant moved quickly, setting a few stones on the table between them.
Matthew's eyes stayed on Viper. "Fine. Feel free to chose first."
"Hmph…" Viper snapped his fingers.
The crowd behind him shifted, then split cleanly down the middle. Footsteps clicked against the tile as a tall man in a silver mask stepped forward. His mask was delicate, etched with faint flower patterns that caught the light. He stopped beside Viper with his hands behind his back.
"Mr. Viper," the man said with a nod.
"Help choose my stone," Viper said, without even looking at him.
Gasps stirred near the back.
"Wait… is that—?"
"That's the guy Rick hired nights ago. The one who picked that triple-gem haul."
"He's working for Viper now?"
"After what happened last night?" soone muttered.
"Guess he didn't mind spitting on the Tian Family."
A man near the far table snorted. "Or he just followed the bigger payout. Can't bla him."
Rick stood stiff, the muscles in his jaw twitching. Matthew watched the masked man carefully. His presence wasn't loud, but the shift in energy said everything.
How weird, Matthew thought. Why does he feel like he had t this man before?
"Looks like Viper brought his favorite toy," Matthew said, just loud enough for Rick to hear.
Rick didn't respond. His eyes were locked on the flower-masked man, shoulders tight. Viper, anwhile, looked pleased. He gave a lazy nod toward the betting table. "Let's show them how it's done."
Rick leaned in, voice low enough only Matthew could hear. "That's him. The guy I hired two nights ago."
Matthew didn't look away from the man in the silver floral mask. "Na?"
"Galactica. That's what he goes by," Rick muttered. "He hasn't even awakened yet, just so street brat with a lucky streak. Has a weird sense for spotting good stones. Thought he'd be a solid pick."
Matthew raised an eyebrow but stayed silent. Galactica? He couldn't rember any Galactica from his past life.
Rick added, "He betrayed halfway through a run. Said Viper offered more. Took the deal and didn't even refund ."
Matthew let out a quiet breath. "You let a guy nad Galactica steal your stones and walk?"
Rick grit his teeth. "There were too many people watching. I couldn't make a move without making it worse. Besides…"
"Besides… what?"
"Besides, there's no way soone who hasn't awakened could walk into this place unless he's from a Nexian family," Rick said. "No way they'd let in soone without backing."
Matthew gave a small nod, but his eyes stayed on the man. Galactica moved with ease, like he belonged. Confident. Too confident.
Then Matthew saw it—a mark, faint and almost missed. Just at the edge of Galactica's collar, sothing dark peeked through. A tattoo. The lines were blurred, poorly covered with makeup, like soone had rushed the job. But not enough. The ink still showed through.
Matthew's eyes narrowed. He'd seen that mark before.
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