CHAPTER 39: WHY THE SYSTEM CHOSE GARETH

They sealed the deal that night. After a little back and forth, they agreed that Leonard would pay half first so Old Marrek could buy the materials already. Then the rest would be given once the job was done.

So, with a heavy heart, Leonard handed over sixty silver coins. He almost didn’t wanna let go of the coins. But, of course, he had to. As a result, by the time the money left his hands, his pouch felt painfully light.

When morning came, he was poor again.

"Good thing we still have a few coins left..." Leonard muttered, followed by a loud sigh.

He, Anika, and Gareth are on the way to the market already to start today’s work. They couldn’t afford to slack off when they barely had enough money to get by for today.

They still had the inn to pay for to extend their days, their food, and also the money for the game.

His shoulders ached at the thought of having to juggle it all at once, but the fire in his chest didn’t die. Strangely enough, the others felt the same.

"Don’t worry, Leonard! We’ll work harder today!" Anika muttered out loud.

Gareth nodded too and said, "Yes, Boss."

Leonard glanced at the two of them. Their faces were obviously tired, but still, they looked determined.

He let out a small breath and smiled.

"Alright then. Let’s work harder."

By the time they reached the marketplace that morning, the streets were already busy. Merchants raised their stalls, their voices rising as they tried to out-shout each other.

They set up their stall quickly, like a well-practiced routine. A lot of people were already there, but it wasn’t enough.

They have to earn money today.

Lots of it.

Anika called out the people using her soft voice, daring passersby to try their luck. Gareth also stood tall on the side. He was making sure that the lines were all organized. On the other hand, Leonard was in his usual place.

He crouched at the center, the dice ready in his hand. He was ready for the games to begin.

The first customer that morning was a man with a crooked smile and coins jingling in his hand.

"Let’s see if your game is worth the noise." He was a new player who had heard of this game from pass of mouth.

"Sure," Leonard only gave a faint smirk. "What’s your bet, Sir?"

The man grinned, flashing a couple of his yellowed teeth.

"I bet two silver coins on high." He tossed the silver coins forward on the table, puffing his chest as if daring Leonard to cheat.

Leonard nodded calmly, though his fingers tightened around the dice cup.

’Another cocky one...’

Leonard could sigh in secret. He should remind himself to get used to these kinds of people. It’s every day that he gets to interact with them.

And so, as usual, he gave the cup his usual shake. He let the dice make a sound against the wooden surface, the familiar clink of it pulling in nearby glances.

The man’s friends, who were behind the man, leaned over each other’s shoulders. They were grinning like hyenas waiting for the result.

’Do you think you’re going to win?’ A faint glint of playfulness flickered in his eyes as he thought of that. After a second, he lifted the cup, revealing the dice inside.

It was a 1.

The man’s smile froze.

A chorus of laughter burst from behind him.

"Hah! Didn’t even get close!"

"You sure got the luck of a horse’s ass!"

"Pft-"

"You’re so unlucky, man!"

The man’s face twisted as his friends clutched their sides, enjoying every second of his loss. Leonard didn’t say anything, only slid the coins smoothly toward his side of the table.

The man slammed a palm on the table, making the dice jump.

"Again!" he barked out loud, tossing more silver down. His hands were trembling now—not from fear, but from that desperate itch Leonard had seen a hundred times before.

The itch that comes when someone wants to prove others wrong.

With this, Leonard hid the dice and gave the cup a shake again. His eyes would gaze at the man from time to time. The fury in his eyes was clear, fueled by his friends’ laughter.

’Pathetic,’ Leonard thought, cursing him inside. ’I’ll make him lose everything at this rate since it only serves him right.’

"What’s your bet?"

"High again!"

The dice rolled again. After awhile, Leonard stopped and revealed the inside.

It was a two.

The man’s shoulders stiffened.

"Pfft—no way!"

"Hah! What are the odds?"

"Booooo!!"

"Man, get out of our way already! You already got 2 turns, you idiot!"

"We want to play too!"

The laughter wasn’t just from his friends anymore. A few people who were waiting for their turn began to laugh and make fun of him as well. One even leaned over to whisper loudly,

"This guy couldn’t win at all."

The man’s face turned an ugly shade of red. He slammed down more coins, his voice hoarse with anger.

"Again!"

Leonard smirked faintly. He used to have a policy that each person could only bet up to 2 times before they had to line up again. But today, he’s gonna make an exception.

He’d make a quick money off of this one.

And so, he accepted the man’s request. They played for more rounds.

And the results?

It was always a loss.

He made sure of it.

As rounds passed, the laughter only grew laugh, mixed with the jeers of the crowd. Someone in the back let out an exaggerated boo, waving his hand as if shooing the man away. The man’s friends doubled over, their laughter was loud and merciless.

"You’re killing me, man!"

"You’re the unluckiest fool in the market!"

The man’s chest heaved, his eyes became wide and bloodshot. With a loud shout, he shoved the table, sending the dice scattering on the ground.

"Shut the hell up! All of you!" he yelled out loud, spit was flying from his mouth.

The crowd reeled back, startled. A couple of people laughed even harder, while others stepped back nervously. Leonard’s lips twitched into a mocking smile, though he had to keep it minimal.

The man leaned forward, his hands curling into fists as he stared at Leonard.

"You little bastard! You think you can make a fool out of me?!"

Before Leonard could answer, a shadow loomed over the table.

"That’s enough."

The voice was deep and carried an authority that made everyone suddenly quiet.

The man froze. Slowly, his eyes moved to the side, and in there, he saw a tall man. It was Gareth.

He hadn’t even noticed him before.

The towering figure stood almighty, even though he was carrying a crutch in one hand.

For so long, Gareth was used to being overlooked. He had no problem on that. But what didn’t sit right with him was when people belittle the few people he trusts.

"Young boy," Gareth’s eyes narrowed, "why are you looking for trouble, huh?"

The man blinked, his mouth falling open. For a moment, he almost laughed at the words. But when his eyes truly met Gareth’s, he felt sudden chills. Gareth’s eyes were cold, piercing, and utterly unshaken.

’What the hell? Why does this disabled man suddenly feel... scary?’ The man thought. Without a choice, he cowered and took a step back.

Leonard stayed crouched at the table. His eyes were slightly open as he stared at Gareth, who seemed to be a whole different person.

’Pft... this is so unbelievable,’ he muttered.

Just then, Leonard realized the true reason the system had chosen Gareth.

It wasn’t only because he was trustworthy or loyal. It was because he could protect others... and in their current settings, it was valuable.