Although a Villain, My Wish is World Peace

In the casino hall where the game took place yesterday. I headed to the table where we played yesterday as promised. Nikki, sitting at the table, waved at me.

“You came without running away?”

“I promised we’d meet today, didn’t I?”

I’ll suck your money dry just for today.

Ray tackled my words.

—What a proud plan, really.

‘It was them who said they wanted to play one more round even while losing money. I’m just granting their wish. If they want to do some kind of charity work, I have no choice but to cooperate.’

—Charity work? This is very different from the charity work I know. Where is the relief work for the socially disadvantaged here?

‘Let’s just say it’s roughly similar.’

—Roughly similar? It’s not similar at all, you fool! You came here to gamble but call it charity work? The starving kids outside would try to kill you if they knew what you’re thinking.

‘Ugh, when you put it that way, suddenly my conscience hurts too much.’

Remembering the face of the dirty kid who took a hot dog from me this morning, I felt like slapping my own mouth very hard.

Did I dare to say charity work? Urgh, when there are people who really need charity work scattered outside, to use the word charity work in this situation.

My conscience worked very well again today. But such feelings of guilt need to be thrown aside for now.

Isn’t there a saying that even the king can’t save all the poor?

‘As I said before, if you reach out saying those kids are pitiful and you can help right away.’

You can’t rescue and raise all the stray cats on the street just because you feel sorry for them.

You should only raise one or two that you can really take responsibility for. If you try to save them all, that’s the path to becoming an animal hoarder.

Though I said I’d save the world, I’m ultimately a villain. If I pick up and give my heart to everything pitiful, I can’t do this job. Argh!

Got it! My only goal is revenge! Just bloody revenge on Seol Rok-jin, the rest is none of my business!

—Are you serious?

‘Yes.’

—For someone saying that, you seem quite serious about picking up orphans.

‘I didn’t save them because they’re orphans! They just happened to be orphans after I picked them up.’

Anyway, for now I intend to actively accept Nikki’s charity work, no, alms.

There’s no need to refuse when she’s willing to throw money just by playing along appropriately without any trouble.

‘The problem is whether this money is really trouble-free.’

If it feels like there’s some intention beyond just having fun, I need to run away quickly. Fortunately, all that was visible in Nikki’s eyes so far was curiosity, but people’s hearts can change at any time.

Unlike yesterday when it was packed with people, the table was empty.

“I don’t see the friends from yesterday.”

At my question, Nikki shrugged and said:

“They said it wasn’t fun.”

Not because they didn’t want to lose more money, but just a matter of fun.

Well, it felt like they were just filling numbers without knowing the proper rules. At least yesterday there was the fun of watching Nikki getting beaten by me, but they probably don’t want to see that again today.

“I’m here though.”

Lia peeked out from behind Nikki and said to me.

“I thought only Nikki was interested in a one-sided losing game.”

Though Nikki lost the most money to me, Lia’s losses were not small either if we just look at the amount lost.

Despite my provocative words, the two just laughed ‘Hahaha’ instead of looking displeased.

Lia winked at me and said:

“Nikki said she’d waive next month’s fees.”

So yesterday’s words weren’t just empty talk. Only a guild master has the authority to touch the tribute money.

Even for a small guild running haphazardly, it wouldn’t make sense to waive a month’s tribute like this. It seems Nikki’s authority was quite tremendous.

“Did you need poker friends today that badly?”

“There’s no one who knows how to play poker properly. I don’t know when I’ll be able to play poker again if not for this chance.”

Nikki who said that scratched her cheek and said:

“I have to leave for work again the day after tomorrow.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Fortunately, I might not have to run away first. Well then, I’ll really fleece you today.

But there was one problem.

“We’re short on people.”

There were only three people total at our table. It was far too few people to play Texas Hold’em like yesterday. At my words, Nikki snorted and said:

“There are plenty of people I know here.”

“People you know?”

Nikki grinned and turned her head back.

“Anyone coming to this table? First seven people! I’ll waive next month’s tribute.”

At those words, everyone looked this way at once. Roughly about a hundred people, all of them. I gaped as they all got up making a commotion.

“No way…”

Were all the people here now acquainted with, no, members of Nikki’s guild?

No wonder no one showed signs of discomfort even when they played noisily…

“‘No way’ is what I should be saying. Did you really not know who I am?”

At Nikki’s words, I gulped.

This, to think there was a big shot sitting at the table I sat at without thinking. The master of a large guild with about a hundred members?

And a guild master who has such a tight grip on the guild that she can forgive tributes like this without any complaints?

‘I thought it was just a guild made by friends gathering so it didn’t matter. This changes things. She doesn’t seem like an oppressive type at first glance, so she must have that much popularity.’

—Why are you suddenly gilding that person’s face?

‘Huh? What do you mean gilding?’

—And why is your posture becoming so demure?

How can I act rashly in front of the master of such a successful guild?

—Really, I’m speechless.

You should always try to make a good impression on successful people.

Nikki burst out laughing at my changed attitude.

“At first I thought you were that type. You know… the type who says ‘I had no idea you were famous’ when coming next to a celebrity, trying to get attention.”

“I’m sorry, but I don’t really know much about hunters…”

“But you’re still Korean, right?”

“I’m sorry, but I haven’t been in America for long…”

Was the Nikki in front of me such a famous person?

—Does no one come to mind?

‘America isn’t an area I’m in charge of.’

Chinese hunters were much more familiar. Hmm, besides, America is truly a hunter’s paradise with so many mercenary groups and guilds. I knew Taika Cooper well because he’s famous worldwide as the strongest, but I didn’t know much even about other hunters in Taika Cooper’s guild.

“Well, that doesn’t matter. That’s not what’s important.”

While Nikki and I were talking, seven people who came up after going through their own fierce battle in the back filled the empty seats at the table.

“Have fun playing again today.”

“Yes.”

Who are you talking to, of course we should.

Anyway, Nikki’s identity isn’t important. What’s important is that I no longer need to feel any guilt about fleecing Nikki.

‘That’s right, feeling guilty about fleecing such a rich person is a luxury.’

—You talk as if you felt guilty in the first place.

Alright, since it’s come to this, I’ll really fleece you clean.

The game started and the dealer dealt the cards. Though the people changed, not much was different from yesterday.

Nikki tried to read me by glaring at my face, but failed every time, and I was the one sweeping up the money.

“This is strange! I could clearly see through you earlier!”

“Well, that’s because…”

I didn’t bother hiding my expressions then?

“To think someone can change so much just when holding cards. It’s really amazing. Tell me honestly, isn’t this some kind of talent?”

At those words, I raised my arm.

“I heard talents can’t be used here even if you have them. Besides, unfortunately I’m not an awakener.”

“No, I don’t mean that kind of talent. I meant talent for gambling.”

“I don’t think I lack it.”

Nikki glared at me and grumbled. Such words were understandable. The money I’d taken from Nikki since earlier was considerable. The faces of the guild members who came at Nikki’s call had long since turned ashen.

Especially the gazes of guild members glaring at me were full of resentment.

Having lost my hesitation in fleecing Nikki, I bet more aggressively than yesterday and even guild members who didn’t know yesterday’s me got dragged in.

Even though Nikki said ‘I’ll give a special prize to whoever beats this guy!’ midway, no one had beaten me yet.

“You should honestly come clean. You’re some kind of professional gambler on a trip, right?”

“Let’s just play the game.”

“Fine! How about this. If you tell me about yourself, I’ll tell you what kind of person I am.”

At Nikki’s words, I shrugged.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not really curious about who you are.”

At my words, Nikki’s mouth fell open.

“Really? Not at all? Even after seeing this situation, you’re not curious about me at all?”

“If you’re a famous person, I can just search the internet later, can’t I?”

I examined Nikki’s face. If Nikki is her real name, and she’s a guild master, it shouldn’t be too hard to find.

Black curly hair reaching her shoulders, glossy bronze skin, black eyes. Standing about 170cm tall, Nikki was good-looking enough to be called a model, so she might have done some advertising modeling.

Age is in the twenties… maybe?

—Why are you uncertain about the last bit of information?

‘I’m not good at guessing women’s ages…’

Even apart from special cases like Xie Haozhu, carelessly guessing is likely to backfire big time.

Anyway, finding one person with just this much information wouldn’t be too difficult.

“This is such an unfair fight for me!”

You just realized that now? I almost said that without thinking.

Hmm hmm, a precious mark. I should watch my words.

“You know how to sting subtly. At first I thought you were a boring country bumpkin from the east…”

“A country bumpkin from the east?”

“Yeah, your way of speaking is exactly that. Like someone who’s only studied their whole life.”

Is my way of speaking that old-fashioned? Since English isn’t my mother tongue, I don’t have a good sense of my speech patterns. I’m aware my tone is too textbook since I learned from an announcer, but… does it really sound that boring and studious?

“Yet you’re skilled enough at gambling to fleece us completely. That’s why I’m curious. What kind of backstory led this person to roll into this gambling den?”

“Knowing that wouldn’t really help you beat me. Ah, half.”

Nikki glared at me as I raised the stakes even while conversing.

“You play poker in such a boring way.”

“Poker is only fun when you’re winning money, isn’t it?”

“Haha! You’re funny! Half, call and half!”

Nikki, whose mentality was attacked, recklessly tried to catch up with just a one pair and ended up dying at the end, and victory became mine. Next to the frustrated Nikki, Lia poured oil on the fire.

“I thought you had something with how much you were raising, but…”

“Urgh! I saved up for several rounds just for this one!”

Certainly, just looking at the betting pattern, it could have been a hand to fall for. But you see. It’s so obvious to me.

Nikki always brushed her cards with her index finger when she really had a good hand, and always rolled her eyes to the left first when bluffing.

She doesn’t seem to have noticed at all.

‘I might tell her when today’s game ends. Having received expensive tutoring fees, I should give that much teaching.’

—Giving the disease then the medicine?

‘Rather than that, it’s giving medicine after receiving money. A thorough give and take.’

Urk, I ate well again today. Just like yesterday, no, even more surely than yesterday, I was about to get up after fleecing Nikki.

“Then I’ll stop here for today.”

An employee approached next to the dealer. After whispering something to the dealer, the employee left with a strange expression, and the dealer made us a special proposal.

The moment I heard that proposal, I clenched my fist.

‘This, I might not even need to use the mark strategy.’

Before I could use my mark strategy, Nikki has already become known as the casino’s number one mark.