Chapter 5: The High Stakes Gamble

Jinu stood near the poker tables, scanning the room for the wealthiest group of people. The atmosphere here felt completely different from anywhere else. The rich and influential, dressed in their tailored suits, sparkling jewelry, and extravagant accessories, filled the air with a sense of superiority. They looked down at Jinu, clearly sizing him up—he was the odd one out, wearing his simple black T-shirt and jeans, standing in stark contrast to their polished appearances.

He walked confidently toward their table, his eyes scanning the crowd with a calm determination. He could feel their gazes on him, judging, mocking.

One of the men, a heavily dressed figure in a pinstriped suit, snickered and pointed at Jinu.

"Look at this kid," the man laughed, his voice dripping with mockery. "Eyebags, looks poor... He must've wandered in here by mistake."

The others chuckled, their laughter echoing through the room like a hunting pack circling their prey. "Poor kid must think he can just waltz in here and play with the big boys," another said, eyeing Jinu from head to toe.

Jinu's gaze shifted subtly, his eyes narrowing just enough to give a glimpse of bloodlust. He grinned to himself, feeling a dark thrill rise within him. These people had no idea what he was capable of.

"Watch what happens," he whispered to himself, his grin widening.

He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a brief moment. The Time Tyrant System thrummed beneath the surface of his mind, the familiar hum of power filling his veins. As he opened his eyes, he saw the people around him, completely unaware of the shift in energy.

With a calm and confident smile, he spoke aloud, his voice carrying across the table:

"Well, look at you all, fine gentlemen and women. I hope you don't mind if I join."

The laughter died down for a moment, and the people exchanged glances, unsure whether he was serious or just another idiot who wandered into their game. But Jinu's confidence was undeniable. After a moment of silence, one of the men—an older, balding figure in a dark velvet suit—snickered and waved his hand.

"Sure, kid," he said, voice laced with condescension. "You're welcome to join, but don't expect to win."

In their minds, they all thought the same thing: Let's humiliate this kid. They were all ready to embarrass him in front of the entire table.

Jinu grinned, his teeth showing. "Oh, I'm sure I'll win."

Another man, a younger, arrogant figure with sharp eyes and a smirk, spoke up, tossing a small chip onto the table.

"I'll put in three million," he said with a laugh, clearly expecting to be the one who'd dominate this round. The others chuckled along, mocking him, their eyes flashing with amusement. "This kid thinks he can keep up with us," they murmured under their breath.

Jinu couldn't help but smile. "Oh, that's a lot…" he said, raising an eyebrow. He leaned back slightly in his chair, letting the confidence radiate off him.

Then, with an air of casual arrogance, he placed a chip on the table and smiled wider than ever.

"I'll put in ten million."

The entire table went silent for a moment. Ten million? No one in the room expected that. They stared at him, disbelief and confusion crossing their faces.

"What? Is this kid joking?" one of the men murmured, clearly caught off guard. They thought he was just some random kid who didn't know how to play, trying to show off.

"You're lying, right? You're just some broke kid trying to mess with us." The younger man who had put in three million leaned forward, a mocking grin on his face.

Jinu's eyes flicked up, sharp and unwavering. "You lie and put any amount of chips you want, but you gotta be confident or else you're gonna lose anyway."

The tension thickened in the air. The rich men all exchanged glances, their egos bruised but still eager to show Jinu his place. One man, a middle-aged billionaire in a sharp Armani suit, leaned back in his chair, his smirk still lingering on his lips.

"I'll put in three million too," he declared, his voice confident, though his eyes never left Jinu.

Jinu just smiled inwardly, the sense of absolute control almost intoxicating. The others followed suit, raising their bets, all eager to shut him down. One by one, they tossed in their chips, laughing at his audacity. But beneath the laughter, there was a growing uncertainty.

Finally, the dealer—the young, well-dressed woman with a cool demeanor—announced the start of the game.

"Alright, gentlemen, let's see who has the best hand."

The Poker Game: A Masterstroke

As the game began, Jinu casually observed the other players. His eyes flicked to the cards, to the subtle tells of his opponents, and to the chips scattered in front of them. But none of it mattered. The power was in his hands—he could stop time whenever he wanted.

The First Move: Time Stop

The first hand had just been dealt. Jinu smiled to himself, watching the cards in front of the men and women at the table. His fingers twitched, and he felt a pulse of power in his chest. Time Stop.

In an instant, the world around him came to a halt. The chips froze in mid-air, suspended as though time had never been. The dealer was frozen with her hand raised, the cards still in the process of being dealt.

Jinu looked around the table, taking in the position of the players, the tells, the subtle glances between them. He knew their strategies before they even had a chance to play.

He stood up, stepping closer to the rich man in the velvet suit. With a sly grin, Jinu used his ability to move with absolute freedom. He leaned in and gave the man a sharp smack on the back of his head.

"Nice suit," Jinu muttered, just before moving to the woman next to him. Without hesitation, he dipped his hand into her expensive leather bag and took out a bundle of bills.

Jinu returned to his seat, examining the chips. He even had time to take a few selfies in the frozen room, the rich people completely unaware of his antics. A moment later, he returned to the game, ready for the next round.

The Final Bet

The poker game went on for a few more rounds. Every time, Jinu's Time Stop gave him the advantage—he read the opponents, adjusted the chips, and manipulated the game to suit his win.

Finally, one of the rich men, his face turning red with frustration, declared: "I'll bet my suit. If I lose, you can have everything." He stood up, removing his tailored jacket and tossing it onto the table, the confidence in his voice wavering.

Jinu laughed. "Alright. I'll take your suit."

With a smile, Jinu let time resume, and just as expected, the man lost. His face fell as he realized his grand wager had turned against him.

The Grand Exit

Jinu stood up and began walking toward the door. As he did, he kicked the door open dramatically, his new suit—complete with gold cufflinks and a fancy tie—flashing in the light. The rich, shocked faces behind him stared in disbelief. He threw his money-laden glasses over his left ear, and a suitcase filled with money followed him out.

As the door swung open, Jinu grinned to himself, feeling the cool wind rush in. He was finally on top—wealthy, powerful, and unstoppable.

"Let's see who's laughing now."