Chapter Seventy-Four: The Gambler’s Playground

“You must feel very lonely, trapped in the mirror world, right? A child your age should be out playing happily in the real world. But because you’re different, you can’t interact with others and are forced to stay in this room.”

Fang Tang did not take the advice given by the Eye.

The entire first floor was enveloped by Chuchu’s mirror world. He hadn’t encountered any danger so far, which must also be thanks to this little girl.

Though Chuchu’s smile was eerie, even a bit sinister, Fang Tang still sensed her kindness.

The girl didn’t want to hurt anyone.

The other four fallen ones on this floor had all been imprisoned by her in the mirror world, unable to escape, and thus unable to harm others.

All she could do was put on a chilling, ghostly façade to scare people away.

“I really wish I could help you leave this place, to show you the world outside—beautiful mountains, rivers, lakes, drifting clouds, falling snow—but I don’t know how. If you have any way, you can tell me, as long as it’s within my power.”

Fang Tang’s tone was sincere, filled with genuine emotion, his eyes fixed intently on Chuchu’s expression.

He found that she kept up her strange smile, not even blinking once, which made Fang Tang feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Well, as a naturally aloof homebody, he didn’t really know how to comfort a girl.

And in truth, he didn’t truly want to help Chuchu; he simply coveted her abilities.

A mirror world combined with multiple restraints—what a perfect combination.

Unfortunately, it could not be used by him.

Fang Tang sighed softly, shook his head, and walked into the corridor.

Across the hall, Zhou Bukou and Chuchu were still standing there, quietly watching him.

Fang Tang offered them a friendly smile, then headed for the stairs.

The situation on the second floor was much the same as the first, but with a marked difference.

On the walls, in addition to traces of a great fire, there were also dark, dried bloodstains and fragments of bone.

From the positions of the silhouettes and the bone fragments on the wall, it was clear these were not animal bones.

What had happened here, Fang Tang did not know, but he could tell that this floor was dangerous!

[Oh ho! We’ve caught the attention of the mini-boss on the second floor, but due to the power of the rules, he can’t attack us. Similarly, we must also follow the rules if we want to ensure our own safety.

From here on, this building is like a level-based game: only by clearing one floor can you move on to the next, and passing the challenge brings unexpected rewards.

Rules for this floor: Gambler’s Playground.

P.S.: I’d like to tell a story. Will you give me a chance?]

“No, your storytelling skills are terrible,” Fang Tang shook his head decisively, muttering, “just as bad as my flirting.”

He grumbled at the Eye, then began to observe the rooms on the second floor.

Unlike the first floor, the rooms here started from the left of the staircase, circled around, and ended on the right, forming a ring.

At this arrangement, Fang Tang immediately realized—

This was a challenge to be cleared room by room!

To be honest, Fang Tang hated this kind of game.

He pushed open the door to Room 01. The room was empty except for a table by the entrance, on which lay a revolver.

Next to the pistol was written the game’s rules: Russian Roulette.

Fang Tang picked up the gun, his expression strange.

“Wasn’t it said that under these twisted rules, firearms can’t be used?”

He didn’t need the Eye to prompt him; even his toes knew it was a matter of rules~

Fang Tang was used to it by now.

He loaded a single bullet into the gun, spun the cylinder, and without hesitation, pressed it to his temple and pulled the trigger.

With the Steel Guardian within him, he could afford to be this bold!

Click!

An empty chamber.

Creak—

At the moment the trigger was pulled, the door to Room 02 swung open.

Fang Tang set down the revolver and entered Room 02.

Again, it was Russian Roulette, but this time with two bullets.

Fang Tang glanced at Room 06; if it was also Russian Roulette, perhaps it would be the finish line?

But that was not certain!

Both chambers were empty; Fang Tang proceeded onward.

Room 03—now the odds were fifty-fifty.

But Fang Tang had always been lucky; after all, he’d latched onto a European Emperor’s thigh, so a bit of that luck had rubbed off on him.

Room 04—empty!

Room 05—odds of 16.666%, and Fang Tang still survived with an empty chamber!

The door to Room 06 opened, and Fang Tang walked in.

Unlike the previous five, this room contained a dog.

Yes… a wrinkled, muscular bulldog, a cigar clenched between its teeth.

So this was the “gambler’s dog”?

“You’re quite lucky; five rounds and not a single bullet. This next one is your final round.”

The bulldog spoke in a deep, magnetic voice.

“Maybe it’s not luck. Maybe the gun’s broken?”

Fang Tang shrugged, picked up the revolver on the table, and pointed it at his head without a second thought.

Click!

Sixth time’s the charm!

A dud.

The bulldog’s face filled with disbelief. “Impossible! I checked it myself just now.”

“You did, and the gun’s fine, but what can I say? I’m just lucky.”

Fang Tang aimed at the wall and pulled the trigger.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Six shots rang out in quick succession, proving Fang Tang had truly cleared the Russian Roulette challenge.

The bulldog shook the folds of skin on its face and looked at Fang Tang intently.

“You’re impressive. I like people with guts like you.”

“Is there any benefit to being liked by you?”

Fang Tang blinked, looking at the bulldog expectantly.

[As a loyal and honest gambler’s dog, who despises all forms of vice, its life’s creed is gambling. Unfortunately, luck is never on its side: it lost to the boss of the second floor and became his underling.

Fourth-level fallen one, mutated ability: Always Loses at Gambling.]

Always loses at gambling?

What the heck!

Fang Tang’s eye twitched as he sized up the bulldog.

“Your boss put you here just so players could clear the level, didn’t he?”

“How did you know?”

The bulldog’s doggy eyes widened in confusion.

Fang Tang: “…”

Heh, have you taken a look at your own ability?

Fang Tang had no interest in further conversation. He cut straight to the point: “If you’ve set up a gambling den, there must be stakes, right? What are your stakes?”

The bulldog replied, “There are 14 more rooms. Which one are you asking about?”

Fang Tang: “Which one has the highest stakes?”

Bulldog: “Of course, the boss’s room—Room 13. If you want to go there, you need the right stake.”

Fang Tang: “What do you want?”

“Your life!”

The bulldog licked its lips, but, bound by the rules, it could not harm Fang Tang.

Fang Tang grimaced, troubled.

They wanted his life—should he go or not?

If he didn’t, he couldn’t clear the level; if he did, he might not survive.

Quite the dilemma!

Fang Tang looked at the bulldog and asked, “Is there another way?”

Bulldog: “Of course. The remaining 13 rooms—you can accumulate your own gambling chips. Once you have enough, you can enter Room 13.”

“So, did I just win the game? What’s my prize?”

Fang Tang spread his hands. The bulldog looked constipated, then reluctantly pulled out a pack of cigarettes.

That’s it?