The Dealer’s Rules
Chapter 2: The Dealer's Rules
The room fell into an uneasy silence as the masked man stepped closer to the circular table. The only sound was the faint hum of the chandelier above, its golden light casting a warm but unsettling glow over the group of fifty participants.
"Before we proceed," the man began, his voice calm yet commanding, "allow me to introduce myself. You may call me The Dealer. I represent The House, the organization hosting this… opportunity."
The word "opportunity" hung in the air, its ambiguity sending a ripple of unease through the group.
Alex's Perspective
Alex sat stiffly in his chair, his fingers gripping the armrests like a lifeline. The Dealer's presence was overwhelming, his golden mask making him seem almost inhuman.
"Opportunity?" Alex thought, glancing around the table. Most of the others wore varying expressions of confusion and concern. A few, like the woman with the cigarette—Evelyn, he thought her name might be—seemed unfazed, their calm only adding to Alex's discomfort.
"What the hell did I get myself into?"
The Dealer Explains the Rules
The Dealer raised his hands, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
"You have all been selected because you possess something rare: the willingness to risk everything for the chance to gain everything. The House is offering you the ultimate prize—5 million Bitcoin."
A murmur spread through the room. The sheer value of the prize was enough to make even the most skeptical participants pay attention.
"But," the Dealer continued, his tone darkening, "this prize comes at a cost. Over the next 50 rounds, you will compete in games designed to test your intelligence, resilience, and morality. Each round, someone will lose. And in The House, to lose means to be… eliminated."
The word hung in the air like a guillotine.
Reactions
Marcus leaned back in his chair, his grin unwavering. "Eliminated, huh? Sounds dramatic. What's that supposed to mean?"
The Dealer turned his masked face toward Marcus. "It means exactly what you think it does, Mr. Lin. If you lose, you die."
The room erupted.
"Wait, what?!" Alex blurted, his voice rising.
"That's insane!" shouted another man, his face pale.
"This has to be a joke," muttered a younger woman, her hands trembling as she clutched the table.
The Dealer remained still, his composed demeanor only heightening the group's panic. "This is no joke. You were all given the chance to walk away when you received your invitations. Yet here you are."
Evelyn's Perspective
Evelyn took a long drag from her cigarette, her sharp eyes scanning the room. The chaos was expected, but it bored her. People always panicked when faced with stakes they didn't understand.
She exhaled a stream of smoke, smirking slightly. "So, let me get this straight," she said, her voice cutting through the noise. "We play your little games, and if we win, we walk away with a fortune. If we lose, we don't walk away at all?"
The Dealer nodded. "Precisely."
"And what's to stop us from leaving now?" she pressed, her tone almost playful.
A flicker of amusement crossed the Dealer's voice. "You're welcome to try, Ms. Myers."
Evelyn's smirk faltered for a moment.
The First Threat
As if on cue, the room's doors—which had been open moments ago—slammed shut with an audible clang. Several participants jumped, their eyes darting toward the exits.
From the shadows, armed guards in sleek black suits emerged, their faces obscured by matching masks. Each carried a weapon, their postures rigid and unyielding.
"You are free to leave," the Dealer repeated, "but understand this: The House does not tolerate deserters. Once you are here, you play—or you pay."
A chill settled over the room. No one moved toward the exits.
Alex's Inner Turmoil
Alex's heart raced as he stared at the guards. His instincts screamed at him to run, but his rational mind knew better. He had no idea what was waiting outside those doors—or if he'd even make it out alive.
"This can't be real," he thought, gripping the edge of the table. "This has to be some sick prank, right? They wouldn't actually kill us… would they?"
But deep down, Alex knew the truth. The fear in the room was too raw, too visceral to be fake.
The First Game Is Announced
The Dealer waited for the room to settle before continuing. "Now that you understand the stakes, let us begin. Your first game is one of chance and choice."
At his signal, the circular table's center split open, revealing a roulette wheel. The players exchanged uneasy glances as the wheel rose, its polished surface gleaming under the chandelier's light.
"This is no ordinary roulette," the Dealer explained. "Each of you will place a bet—not with money, but with something far more valuable."
"What do you mean?" a voice called out.
The Dealer's head tilted slightly. "You will wager a piece of your identity. Your secrets, your regrets, your past. The wheel will determine your fate. A win means you advance. A loss means… well, you know what it means."
Sofia's Doubts
Sofia Reyes, sitting near the edge of the table, clutched her hands together tightly. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked at the roulette wheel.
"This can't be happening," she thought. "I came here for my family, to get us out of debt. I didn't sign up for… this."
But as she glanced around the room, seeing the grim determination in the eyes of others, she realized there was no turning back.
Evelyn's Strategy
Evelyn leaned forward, studying the roulette wheel. The stakes were terrifying, but she saw opportunity.
"Secrets," she mused, tapping her cigarette against the ashtray. "Everyone's got them, and most people will do anything to keep them hidden. This game's not about luck—it's about knowing what to risk."
She smirked, her confidence returning. "Let's see how these fools handle the pressure."
The First Spin
The Dealer gestured to the first participant, a nervous young man seated near the wheel. "You," he said. "Step forward and place your wager."
The man hesitated, sweat beading on his forehead. "W-what do you mean? What kind of wager?"
The Dealer's gaze was unyielding. "Tell the table a truth about yourself—something no one else knows. The wheel will decide if it is enough."
The man swallowed hard, his hands trembling. "I… I cheated on my fiancée," he blurted. "I've been lying to her for months."
The Dealer gestured to the wheel, and the man spun it.
The room held its collective breath as the wheel slowed, the ball clattering against the slots. It landed on SAFE, and the man collapsed into his chair with a gasp of relief.
"Next," the Dealer said, his voice devoid of emotion.
Tension Mounts
One by one, the participants took their turns, revealing their darkest secrets and spinning the wheel. Some were spared, their relief palpable. Others were not so lucky.
A woman who confessed to stealing from her dying mother's savings account spun the wheel and landed on ELIMINATED. Before anyone could react, the guards descended, dragging her screaming from the room.
The participants were frozen, their fear turning the air thick and suffocating.
Kaito Observes
Kaito Mori sat near the back of the table, his expression unreadable. He watched the chaos unfold with quiet detachment, his hands resting loosely in his lap.
As the wheel turned and the secrets spilled, he remained still, blending into the background like a shadow.
"Fear," he thought, his eyes flicking toward the Dealer. "It makes people sloppy. And in this game, sloppiness means death."
Kaito's turn was approaching, but he showed no sign of nerves. When the Dealer finally called his name, he rose from his chair with a calm, measured stride.
"What will you wager?" the Dealer asked.
Kaito's gaze swept the room, his voice steady. "I once abandoned someone who trusted me. They paid the price for my cowardice."
The confession hung in the air, vague but effective. He spun the wheel, his hand steady, and watched as it landed on SAFE.
Kaito returned to his seat, his calm composure unshaken....
The Game Continues
As the first game drew to a close, the participants realized just how high the stakes truly were. Secrets had been exposed, alliances hinted at, and fear instilled. But for Kaito, it was just the beginning...