CHAPTER 36: SNAKES AND GOLD

Snakes and greed. You can’t mention one without the other. Always swallowing more than they can chew.

That’s the best way to describe a human.

The Advertiser took another enticing look at the real bags of gold laid right at his feet.

Elian had convinced Crix to provide 65,000 hard gold coins. He and the twins transferred their share of coins to Crix. And the Merchant provided it out in hard currency.

He had said: ’Most humble Merchants prefer holding onto the real deal like cash, rather than electronic transfers.’ But it’s just an excuse to commit fraud and easy bribery.

And bribery is mostly efficient with more influence when the other party sees how much weight the currency was.

That’s 10 bags of gold laid at the Advertiser’s feet.

The purple scaley man opened each bag of gold, eyes twinkling like a baby fondling with new toys. He was muttering words the team didn’t understand. His grubby hands all over the coins as he hurdled it all for himself.

"Yes!" His cherry voice echoed back before he coughed, trying to maintain some decency. "Yes. Whatever contract it is, I shall sign. But if you dare try swindle me—"

"Oh no, certainly not."

"Good. W-where shall I—"

Crix guided the Advertiser’s fingers to the contract. And the purple man gladly offered his thumb for the signature.

Finally! Elian heaved a sigh of relief.

And in the flash of an eye, the Advertiser snapped his fingers again. A whoosh of air blew past them and almost instantly, every single creepy disgusting snake disappeared.

Even the giant serpent Aven battled dissolved into black smoky mist again, disappearing as the mist seemed to be swaying in one direction.

Back into the owner’s body. The greedy Advertiser.

[Sector Cleared. You have defeated the Boss.]

Elian’s system’s notification popped up.

Ding!

[Your contribution points: 30.]

[Well, in my defense, you kinda sorta didn’t do any killing so...]

[Overall Board’s Contribution points: 3000.]

Yeah, given the amount of snakes Aven burnt into crisps. At least I got something in return.

[Yes. And don’t ever call me gingerbread again.]

Elian almost burst out laughing. But he held it in, grasping the current situation at hand.

Sun and Moon were no longer shivering and cowering over each other anymore. That’s good.

The Red Halo black pieces are still tied together. But now with the Advertiser dragging their bodies over into the inner Casino. The twinkle in his eyes remained, licking his lips as he untied them. "Don’t you ever think of escaping. You now have two purposes in this life. Worship and play in my Casino. Any more than that would be a direct order from me."

He waved at Elian’s team, "Carry on with your claiming. I will not intrude."

Well, that’s solved...

[The Constellation ’Hunter of Lost Lines’ is impressed by your actions.]

[You have been gifted 1000 coins!]

[The Constellation ’Devil Maker’ wants to see more action!]

[Your infamy stat has increased!]

Hey. Elian tilted his head, staring at suckerbot’s messages. If the Constellations are impressed, why am I getting an infamy stat increase?

[Because you sold your fellow black pieces.]

It’s for the greater good. It’s not like I killed them...

[Alan hates you +3]

[Four other members wishes you death +7]

[The half-succubus lady Priscilla said you’re hot but cruel +1]

[Ack. Gross.]

[Your current Infamy: 25.]

It was worth it. Elian shrugged.

Aven had now descended on the flat surface. He wiped the dust off his face, staring at his one perfect team.

Even though his high quality outfit had been reduced to barely a shield to protect his modesty, he was glad they were safe.

"It was nice to see you in action, Sunny. You were really saving our asses out there," Aven grinned, teasing the pale young man as he slouched over a dented slot machine.

Sun scoffed, not meeting Aven’s gaze before he slumped down the snake-less floor. Such divinity. Both his long legs sprawled like a starfish.

Moon did the same, "does anyone have water? I’m super thirsty..."

Elian sighed at the contrast of personalities. Then he chuckled, also laying on the Casino’s marbled floor, staring at the high decorated ceilings.

Oh right. They need to claim the sector.

Since the quality of each Dome depends on the owner’s class. Elian knew he couldn’t claim this one.

Also because Aven would get suspicious of him again.

So he coughed, catching others’ attention. "Uh, Leader Crix... we need to claim the sector before anyone else snatches it from us. It happens, you know,"

Crix’s eyes lit up, scratching the back of his head before he replied, "oh souka! You’re right!"

He straightened his coat, brushing off invisible dust as he walked toward the Casino’s center.

He clapped his hands once, loud enough for his rings to click. "Alright then. Let’s make this place ours."

A thin hum of wind rippled through the ground faintly. The floor tiles flickered gold. And from above, a massive grid unfurled— bright, golden, geometric, like a chessboard spreading across the whole city.

Each square glowed yellow as the light bathed the entire Sector, washing away the gloom that had clung to it since the snakes appeared.

A gust of wind blew strong enough to whip Moon’s hair around her face. The gold spread until the sky itself reflected it, a dome sealing shut with a satisfying, echoing thud.

[Territory Claimed.]

[The West Sector now belongs to: Gamblers.]

[Owner: Crix Levough.]

Aven looked up at the dome with narrowed eyes. "Beautiful..." he muttered, voice rough from exhaustion.

Elian pushed himself off the floor, brushing dust off his shoulder. "Yeah, beautiful," he repeated, but his tone was more sarcastic. "You might wanna put on pants though."

Aven glanced down at himself. What was left of his outfit looked like a post-apocalyptic towel. "...Shit."

Moon snorted a laugh loud enough to echo, while Sun moved and leaned closer to Elian, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You were impressive back there," he said under his breath.

"Negotiating with that thing like you owned the place. I could’ve kissed you."

Elian blankly stared at him. "I shouldn’t be surprised by now. Get off me, please?"

Sun grinned wider, "Of course, Pawn. I merely expressed my... feelings. You were cool during the negotiation. Crix was cool too. I could kiss him too. It’s nothing serious."

Elian only rolled his eyes, however, a small smile crept to his face.

Moon groaned again, "I’ll die of thirst before we even get an outfit for Aven the Queen. Waterrr."

Elian sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. The golden dome still shimmered faintly above them.

"Alright," he muttered. "We’ve got a Sector. We’re alive. Nobody’s screaming anymore. Let’s not ruin the moment. We’ll look for water."

Crix stretched, arms behind his head, smiling lazily. "Just a reminder, we just claimed a huge territory! The West Sector. This city’s filled with many riches. Even if it’s filled with holes now, this is a huge win!"

Aven nodded. It really was a huge win. He glanced at Elian, studying him for a minute. He managed to do all these with very little help.

Apart from Elian being weird with the stupid titles— he’s still marked as an Undead Pawn— he sure is strong in his own way.

However, an invisible sting pricked his heart.

If Elian knew his sister he searched for had died in the most gruesome way... would he still smile like he does?

Aven gulped slowly, his mana sword dematerializing in the air as he nervously flexed his arm. "E-elian?"

Elian turned to him, the victory twinkle evident in his eyes. He raised a brow, staring at the almost naked man. "What? You want to say something?"

Aven couldn’t meet his gaze. His fingers trembled and his brain couldn’t figure out the right word for what he was about to say.

"I... umm... I have something to tell you."