CHAPTER 471: CHAPTER 243: GOLDEN FLOW WHEEL, GAMBLERS AND BRAWLS

Golden Flow Wheel.

In Melted Scale Town, even though the town isn’t large, it stands as the sole casino. The sheer amount of wealth it siphons from both townsfolk and passing adventurers through its unique glamour is unimaginable.

Combined with the casino owner "Rottoe" possessing considerable skill, connections spanning black and white channels, and backing from several formidable professionals.

In just a few years, it has become one of the most influential forces in Melted Scale Town and, due to its manager’s exceedingly cruel treatment of enemies, a subject of fear among the nearby populace.

Of course, despite the boss’s notorious reputation, the Golden Flow Wheel remains popular among countless gamblers, with recent rumors of expansion.

Even though it’s still daytime, far from peak hours, the casino’s scorching air is already filled with the sound of dice jars and gamblers’ frenzied shouts and cries.

"Tap, tap, tap."

The sharp sound of dice colliding within the wooden jar resembled a bugle call for battlefield charges.

The heart beats violently, hot blood surges throughout the body.

Luca sits at the table, his neck elongated, body unconsciously leaning forward.

His cheeks are taut with his jaws clenched, contrasting against the unnatural flush mirrored in the bloodshot eyes reflecting the image of the dice jars swayed by the Croupier.

In this moment, he no longer resembled the loyal guard once proclaimed by the Wakefield family.

The feverish pursuit of money and excitement between "loss" and "win," akin to the rich merchant or the plainly dressed commoner sharing the table, showed no discernible difference.

"Bang!"

Under the Croupier’s control, the dice jar crashed onto the table.

The air grew silent instantly, followed by heavy breaths from both sides of the table.

To those gamblers around the table, those tiny dice, merely the size of fingernails, have become the most crucial aspect of existence.

Even if the world were to collapse the next second, they would rush forth to see the outcome.

With a business-like standard smile, under the intense gaze of many, the Croupier gently unveiled the wooden jar in hand.

"Damn!"

A hefty palm slapped onto the table forcefully.

Luca couldn’t help but swear, as his tense body suddenly relaxed like after a battle, leaning back toward the chair.

Staring across the table at a shabby man of a vagrant appearance, who somehow gathered money to enter the game, joyfully collected the chips encompassing a month’s salary earned from his guard job.

The face, always honest and steadfast even before strong foes, displayed a level of dejection and deflation never shown before others.

In his palm, the last chip Luca possessed was already soaked in sweat.

All the Gold Coins he brought this morning have been spent.

His gaze fixed intensely on the dice ahead, with the Croupier’s sweet and alluring betting invitation ringing in his ears, his thoughts wavered, bewitched.

"One more shot, maybe I’ll recover my losses."

"I still have some Gold Coins left at the inn, and if necessary, Young Master Hai’an is so kind. If I ask him for advance payment proactively, he surely wouldn’t refuse..."

Suddenly, an unknown gust of cold wind blew.

Causing Luca, who was sinking further, to shudder, and a flash of clarity appeared in his feverish and dazed eyes.

Forcing himself to rise, unwilling eyes linger on the dice jar reluctantly.

Finally, he cast a resentful glance at the scantily clad Croupier, leaving the gambling table, as though doing so could make up for his losses.

Fingers brushed over the empty waist pouch, reminiscing its bulging thickness upon entering this place in the morning.

Suddenly realizing what he’d done, the emptiness of his wallet also resonated within Luca’s heart, with regretful emotions surging like a spring.

Of course, even now, despite his regret, he’s determined never to step into these places again.

By next month’s payment, when the task concludes, and he is drained of pressure, idle without purpose... perhaps all his resolutions and guilt would be cast aside.

The cycle, long repeated many times.

He reached again to feel the hard, cold object under his shirt, confirming that the Metal Block he accidentally picked up wasn’t stolen by some thief in the chaos.

Luca’s heart found some solace.

This thing valued far more than a month’s salary he just lost. Once returned to Nianshu Territory, whether sold to the Mage or Xia Nan, the Gold Coins earned from its sale would probably afford him a fierce spell of indulgence in the casino.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but tighten his collars.

His gaze swept aside.

The Dragon Descendant Sava remained in fierce battle with the dealer at the card table, yet his luck was much better than Luca’s.

Despite entering the casino simultaneously, while Luca lost to the point of an empty wallet, Sava’s chips continued stacking higher.

Luca felt a bit unsettled.

But his footsteps only paused slightly, daring not to look further.

Quickened steps, setting the last chip on the bar counter almost as if slamming down.

"Give me a ’Hot Surge Dragon Breath’!"

"Coming right up! Please wait!"

Seeing the uniformed bartender before him accept the chip and replace it with a large glass of fiery red, crystalline liquor.