Although a Villain, My Wish is World Peace

“Where did the person who said they had to leave go?”

At Nikki’s words, I cleared my throat.

“Ahem.”

Of all times, the proposal came right after I got up from my seat. At the words that an amazing game would open upstairs, I shamelessly took back what I had said.

Fortunately, though Nikki gave me a look, she willingly accompanied me.

I rubbed my hands together like I was possessed by the Lord of the Flies.

“How else could I come here if not for times like this?”

—Can’t come? When you had already made plans to come.

‘If it went according to that plan, I would have had to scatter all the money I earned around.’

How fortunate that Nikki became known as the mark instead of me.

Nikki frowned at my sycophantic behavior.

“An act that doesn’t suit you.”

Ah, it didn’t suit the face I’m wearing now. I keep forgetting even though I tell myself to be careful every time.

I don’t know how much I fleeced Nikki to make her become an official mark, but it’s become convenient thanks to that.

Lia opted out, saying she wouldn’t join the game.

“My head starts hurting just looking at cards now.”

Though Nikki pouted at Lia’s words, she let her go. It was the same for the other guild members.

Because they said this game would really be ‘big’.

In the elevator going up, Nikki glanced at me and opened her mouth.

“Actually, I don’t like big games.”

“Then why are you going?”

“Because it seems like skilled players will gather.”

Nikki who said that winked.

“I’m also curious if your magical poker face will work there too.”

“Hmm, so you’re ultimately going to watch me.”

“Haha! I guess that’s what it means!”

If I had said I wouldn’t go, maybe Nikki would have refused that proposal too.

—In a way, you’ve dragged that woman into rigged gambling.

‘One fortunate thing is that as long as she’s with me, she won’t lose money to rigged gambling.’

—Really?

‘I’m planning to settle things today if possible.’

I plan to end everything today, since I don’t know when such an opportunity will come again.

—How?

‘First I need to find out how those guys cheat.’

Actually, I don’t know the details either. All I know is that there’s a group that cheats people. So I plan to confront them first.

—You’re always so confident despite knowing jack squat.

‘Because I’m confident I can solve problems somehow.’

With a ding, the elevator stopped at the top floor. An employee who appeared when the doors opened guided us to the gaming space.

I thought the game room downstairs was quite luxurious, but this place was truly breathtaking.

Passing marble sculptures that looked like they belonged in a museum, when we opened a door engraved with elaborate patterns, a poker table beneath a dazzling chandelier appeared before our eyes.

Six people and one dealer were waiting there.

“The last guests have arrived.”

A black man in his mid-30s wearing a dealer uniform spoke to the people seated in front.

“Hello everyone. I’m Moziano, the dealer who will oversee your game today. You can comfortably call me Mozi.”

The moment I made eye contact with the dealer who introduced himself as Moziano, I felt a strange sense of deja vu.

Where have I seen that face? But it wasn’t familiar. Rather than the face being familiar, the look in his eyes was familiar.

“These are the people who will be playing together today. Shall we take some time to briefly introduce ourselves?”

“I’ll pass. We’ve gathered to fleece each other’s wallets, I don’t have the bad taste to exchange names.”

A man in his mid-50s waved his hand and passed his turn. The woman in her mid-40s next to him shrugged, and the man in his 30s next to her did the same.

“Ah, my name is August.”

Only the nerdy-looking man wearing thick horn-rimmed glasses revealed his name.

Only one out of six people gave their name.

It was truly a harmonious atmosphere. Well, I don’t intend to get friendly with them either.

I don’t know how they gathered, but some of them must be in cahoots with the dealer Moziano.

Though I couldn’t tell yet which ones among them were scammers.

“I’m Nikki. A beginner poker player. Actually, I’m not sure if I should be here.”

Nikki seated at the table greeted everyone. Should I say she’s very lively? Or that she’s not shy? Unfortunately, only the man with horn-rimmed glasses, August, returned her greeting.

“N-nice to meet you.”

Nikki, who finished introducing herself, gave me a look. Ah, it’s my turn. I’d like to skip the introduction like the others, but my patron is giving me a look, so I have no choice.

Come to think of it, did I tell Nikki my name? When you can’t remember, it’s best to give the most neutral answer.

“…Smith.”

Nikki frowned at my introduction.

“Seriously?”

“Whether it’s serious or not. This is my real name…”

Well, what can she do if I insist this is my real name.

Anyway, after introductions were over, the dealer’s explanation continued.

The game is Texas Hold’em. The basic ante is $2,000. With eight people total, that means $16,000 is laid down just to start the game.

It might not seem like much, but given poker’s characteristic of the pot swelling rapidly after a few bets, it was by no means a small amount.

It means you could lose all the money you’ve earned so far in just a few hands if you’re unlucky.

I half-listened to that explanation and said to Ray:

‘Tell me if you see anything strange in this room.’

—What do you mean by strange?

‘Like artifacts or such.’

We were all wearing bracelets here like downstairs, but these bracelets couldn’t be trusted.

—About those bracelets. I think I could make them useless somehow.

‘Why are you telling me this now?’

—Because you didn’t ask?

‘…Please do it when I give you the signal later.’

Being an artifact himself, Ray showed excellence in controlling artifacts. He was completely useless in examining Park Sang-cheol’s demon sword, but he’s quite reliable at times like this.

‘Is there nothing else in the room?’

—Wait a moment. Give me one task at a time. It’s really chaotic.

‘Yes sir.’

So prickly. I tapped the table and waited for Ray’s words.

—This room is definitely strange.

‘Did you find something?’

—There are artifacts installed all over. Even the chair you’re sitting on and the table.

There’s a possibility of cheating using artifacts.

—Hmm, I think I could find out more if I dig a bit deeper. Let me concentrate for a bit.

Until Ray came back with an answer, I decided to be cautious for now. The game started, and the dealer dealt cards to us.

August was the first to start betting. August cautiously tapped the table.

Check, meaning he’ll pass his turn without raising money for now. The others in turn called his check.

When it came to Nikki’s turn after going around like that, Nikki opened her mouth.

“Um… is this an atmosphere where we can’t talk while playing?”

Uncomfortable with the silent atmosphere, Nikki spoke first.

“Doesn’t talking while playing break concentration?”

The man in his 50s immediately snapped at Nikki’s words.

“Playing so bleakly like this isn’t my style. That’s why I asked, if we have to keep our mouths shut.”

“Our casino does not prohibit conversation during games. However, we do not tolerate any cheating through conversation, so please just be mindful of that.”

“Cheating? I’d absolutely never do that. I’m just chattering because I’m bored, that’s all.”

Nikki said that while shrugging, but unfortunately no one responded to her words.

“Wow, everyone’s really serious.”

Nikki who grumbled that it wasn’t fun frowned and shouted:

“Half!”

There were instances of Nikki suddenly inflating the pot a few times, heated by the silence, but the first three hands flowed smoothly.

I watched cautiously while being moderate, and Nikki poked my side telling me to stop pretending.

“Are you going to act shy again?”

“I told you, I’m a slow starter.”

The scammers hadn’t appeared up to the first three hands either.

I noticed something strange from the fourth hand. The fourth hand was odd from the start. The behavior of those who received cards became more clearly visible.

It could be that their inner emotions were revealed as tension eased, but no. Their actions and expressions definitely became noticeably bigger.

I observed Nikki’s behavior. Nikki rolled her eyes to the left. It means she got a bad hand.

I passed my turn while blending in appropriately with those around me.

When the cards were revealed, and when the winner was announced, I could find the error in this hand.

“I-I won.”

The combination August made with a timid face as he held out his cards was just two pair.

“Oh no!”

The combination that could be made with the cards in Nikki’s hand, who put down her cards with a disappointed look and pouted, was a straight.

But no one said it was strange that two pair beat a straight in this situation.

Nikki also never acted like someone with a good hand even though she had a good hand…

There’s only one answer.

The cards look completely different to their eyes right now.

How can this be happening?

Just then, Ray’s words echoed in my head.

—I figured it out. All the artifacts installed here are playing a role in blurring people’s perception.

‘A role in blurring perception?’

—Yes. Like being drunk, it clouds judgment. But if they tried to deceive these people with just one artifact, the sense of incongruity would have been no joke.

‘That’s right. The people here aren’t fools.’

Therefore, the artifacts are just auxiliary. There’s a separate subject making people mesmerized and clouding their minds.

I raised my head and looked at the people.

Who among them is using an ability? I could find that subject without much difficulty. There was only one person who could access everyone’s cards and make eye contact with everyone each time cards were opened and people took action.

That’s the dealer Moziano.

—But if that guy is the culprit, how is he using his ability? He might be able to cover the bracelet, but he can’t cover his eyes.

In the case of awakeners, their pupils change color when using abilities. You can easily tell if someone is using an ability by that. But that’s not foolproof.

In Seol Rok-jin’s case, he controlled the memories of everyone who made eye contact with him through powerful brainwashing, and in my case, the color change wasn’t noticeable so it didn’t show.

The dealer wasn’t the former. Just as I clearly confirmed the color of Seol Rok-jin’s pupils, if his pupils had changed color, I wouldn’t have missed it.

—Looks like he’s the type whose pupils turn black like you.

‘Or he could be wearing special lenses.’

—Lenses?

‘I heard if you use special lenses made for criminals, you can block the light that comes out when using talents. However, you’d barely be able to see with those lenses on, yet he’s managing to act normal.’

Seeing that it didn’t work on me, the type of talent he’s using is also certain. He probably has an ability to manipulate people’s minds at will, making them mistake the cards in front of them for something else, by lowering people’s mental barriers using artifacts that blur perception.

Suggestion, brainwashing, or something similar.

‘If they were guys pulling traditional scams saying their hands are faster than the eye, I probably wouldn’t be this angry.’

You see, I really hate it when someone messes with others’ minds like this.

Really.