Lies

Ren Yi was momentarily dazed when he heard the Battle-Damaged Guy say those words.

It felt as if he had heard the exact same sentence not long ago, with the same detachment and contempt in the tone.

However, those words hadn't come from a human, but from another Anomaly.

Ren Yi couldn't help but glance at the waiter nearby, who stood with eyes downcast, appearing as though nothing in the world concerned him.

...

"Do you look down on him?"

"You misunderstand."

"I don't look down on that gentleman because he didn't leave the casino back then."

"I simply look down on the current 'God of Gamblers,' that's all."

...

How unexpected.

To hear the exact same words from a human's mouth just a few hours later.

He wondered if the waiter felt a strange sense of "the arrow shot years ago finally hitting the bullseye today."

Or was this all within his expectations?

Regardless, the Battle-Damaged Guy's words conveyed the same message.

He wanted to say that, setting aside his talent and speaking from his own heart, he was just a "small fry."

There were never that many complexities in the world of small fries; their reasons for suddenly pulling a knife were often terrifyingly simple.

Perhaps a simple "I don't like the look of you" was truly enough.

Ren Yi had a few faint suspicions.

A permanent Instance was one with no time limit and no changes to its rules.

Perhaps rumors among the Participants had given the Battle-Damaged Guy this "contemptuous" thought.

However, what was interesting was how the story of the former God of Gamblers had been so widely publicized.

He looked toward a spot not far from the gambling table, his gaze slowly sweeping across the noisy crowd.

The people around them were still discussing the brief gamble.

A group of more opportunistic individuals was already eagerly opening bets, wagering on the Battle-Damaged Guy's cheating methods and whether he would continue to defend the table.

But in the small space behind the main seat where the God of Gamblers had originally sat, there was a tiny empty spot that seemed particularly conspicuous.

Ren Yi remembered clearly that the God of Gamblers' most loyal supporters had been standing there, most of whom had received chips from him.

But now that the waiter had taken the God of Gamblers away, that spot was empty.

They certainly ran off quickly.

Ren Yi withdrew his gaze.

It turned out that the Luck talent hadn't failed; it had never ceased to function.

It didn't let the God of Gamblers win the game or keep his position; instead, it provided him with the most stable conclusion possible.

To be well-provided for by the Entertainment City, becoming a "mascot" with no real power but able to enjoy the rest of his life in peace.

Luck deemed this outcome to be fortunate.

So it led to this result, wordlessly guiding the God of Gamblers down the path to stepping down, one step at a time.

The Entertainment City also deemed this outcome fortunate.

Therefore, from beginning to end, it had never worried that the Battle-Damaged Guy's malice in "disposing of the God of Gamblers" would be forcibly avoided by the Luck talent.

The Entertainment City seemed dissatisfied with the God of Gamblers and was naturally happy to see such an end.

Even the Battle-Damaged Guy himself likely subconsciously believed this outcome was lucky.

While his actions involved an element of gambling, he must have also believed that the God of Gamblers losing the challenge and his position was not "unfortunate."

In his understanding, his own victory was in line with the other's "Luck."

That was why he had absolute confidence in this gamble, certain that his actions would not be resisted by Luck and end in failure.

So, did the God of Gamblers stepping down instead of dying meet his expectations?

Just as he said, he never intended to defeat Fate.

He was conforming to Fate, and as it happened, the direction of Fate was also a result he was happy to see.

The ending seemed beautiful; every person and Anomaly had achieved their goal.

The Luck talent seemed to have been uncharacteristically generous, bestowing "blessings" on everyone present and achieving a happy multi-win situation.

But it seemed there was still one thing left unfinished.

Ren Yi quietly watched the Battle-Damaged Guy before him.

It was clear that the guy was very happy.

Perhaps because he had achieved his "romance," he was now radiating excitement.

Or perhaps he realized that after completing all this, the negative effects of his talent weren't enough to kill him outright?

Regardless, his smile was relaxed, carrying a sense of being unfettered.

Yet Ren Yi saw a hint of urgency within that ease.

"You just said you wanted to stay here," Ren Yi suddenly asked. "As a customer, or as an NPC?"

As a veteran Participant, the Battle-Damaged Guy should understand what that meant.

"Uh..." He seemed to freeze for a moment. "That, I might need to think about. Please wait until I finish earning my chips, and then I'll give you an answer."

Ren Yi nodded slightly, not pressing further or calling out his deflection.

"So, what do you plan to do next?" he asked.

"The chips I promised you haven't been settled yet. Please wait a bit longer, and I'll come find you in a while..."

The Battle-Damaged Guy answered quickly.

Ren Yi smiled.

"Lies."

This time, even without Wang Zhixin's warning, Ren Yi knew he was lying.

"You have no intention of giving me the chips you promised."

"You're planning to run, aren't you?"

After chatting for so long and saying so much, one thing had almost been forgotten.

No matter how peaceful this Entertainment City seemed, after the God of Gamblers' defeat, the opposing parties on the field had actually become Ren Yi and the Battle-Damaged Guy.

The Battle-Damaged Guy knew this perfectly well.

So all that talk about earning chips for Ren Yi—wasn't he a bit confused about the situation?

And don't forget.

This human, covered in wounds and seemingly carefree, was essentially a liar skilled at half-truths and disguising himself.

Sometimes, a liar’s lies can even deceive themselves if told often enough; sometimes, if they maintain a persona long enough, they start to believe it’s their true self.

But, my friend, your earlier line about "staying in the Entertainment City" was a bit out of character.

Therefore, everything the Battle-Damaged Guy said about "needing to think" and "answering after earning chips" was just a pretext, a complete facade.

His story and mental journey might have been real.

But his deliberate portrayal of a "carefree," "straightforward," and "man of his word" persona...

...was all just to make his current "trustworthy" appearance more believable, so he could find an opportunity to leave the Entertainment City.

The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

"You're probably thinking that as soon as I look away, you'll head straight for the entrance and leave."

"Using me and then tossing me aside? Sir, isn't that a bit 'unromantic'?"

Ren Yi tilted his head and looked at him with a smile.

The Battle-Damaged Guy's body stiffened slightly. He remained silent for a few seconds, no longer making excuses.

"Even if you keep watching..." He stopped using honorifics, speaking slowly as he effectively admitted to Ren Yi's words, "you won't be able to stop me."

"Right now, I have the chips and the invitation. According to the rules, as long as I take these to the counter at the entrance, I can leave."

"Regardless of who I 'belong' to at this moment!"