Chapter 56: The Gamble for Existence

Lin Han stared at the table, his heartbeat pounding like a war drum.

The ancient cards on the table glowed faintly, their backs inscribed with shifting golden runes, like living things whispering secrets. The air grew heavy, each breath he took feeling as if it pressed against the very fabric of reality.

Across from him, P01 sat calmly, a faint smile on his lips, like a seasoned dealer watching his players squirm.

"The rules are simple." P01 flipped a card between his fingers, his tone casual. "In this game, you don't bet money. You bet 'fate.'"

"You can wager memories, time, the future… even your very existence."

Ah Rong swallowed hard, his voice shaky. "Walau eh… You want us to gamble what? Our souls?"

P01 chuckled softly. With a flick of his fingers, three cards appeared in front of them.

The first card: The Memory Card – The winner can take a piece of the loser's past. The loser will permanently forget someone or something important.

The second card: The Time Card – The winner steals one year of the loser's future. The loser will age instantly.

The third card: The Fate Card – The winner rewrites a chosen event. The loser is erased from existence.

Lin Han's pulse tightened. Noya's fingers curled into fists, her face pale.

This wasn't just gambling. It was rewriting reality itself.

The atmosphere grew colder. Lin Han could feel it now—something unseen was controlling this space, something that existed beyond the casino walls.

Ah Rong let out a nervous laugh. "What if… we don't play?"

P01 leaned back, unconcerned. "You don't have to play."

He gestured toward the entrance.

Outside the casino doors, the shadowless "people" stood motionless, their heads all turned toward them.

Their mouths were stretched too wide, their grins too sharp, their eyes too empty—waiting.

"If you don't gamble, reality will decide for you." P01's voice was amused. "And trust me… the system isn't forgiving."

Ah Rong shuddered, his back breaking into a cold sweat.

Lin Han felt his fingers tremble, but he knew—they had no choice.

"Fine." Lin Han took a deep breath, reaching for the Memory Card. "We play."

Round One: The Battle of Memories

P01's smirk widened slightly. He snapped his fingers, and the entire casino shifted.

The neon lights dimmed, the air warped, and suddenly, they were inside the bet itself.

The Memory Card floated above the table, its inscription glowing:

"The winner steals a memory. The loser forgets something forever."

Noya's breath hitched. "If we lose, we might forget each other."

Lin Han said nothing, his jaw clenched.

P01 snapped his fingers. Seven cards appeared on the table, all facedown.

"The game is simple," P01 explained. "We each draw a card. Whoever has the higher number wins."

"If we tie, we both lose a memory."

Lin Han could feel sweat on his palms, but he reached forward, gripping one of the cards.

P01 did the same.

Both flipped their cards.

Lin Han: 5

P01: 10

Lin Han lost.

Noya's stomach twisted. "Lin Han—"

But Lin Han's mind suddenly blanked.

Something was ripped away.

His thoughts felt… incomplete, like a book with missing pages.

He furrowed his brow, pressing his fingers to his temple. "I… What did I forget?"

P01 smiled slightly. "Who knows?"

Noya's eyes widened in horror. "What did you take from him?!"

P01 said nothing.

Lin Han's hands trembled.

Someone was missing.

A presence. A voice. A face.

But no matter how hard he tried—he couldn't remember who it was.

Round Two: Wagering Time

A cold sweat dripped down Lin Han's back, but he forced himself to focus.

P01 casually shuffled the deck. "Now that you understand the stakes, let's continue."

"The Time Bet."

A new card materialized.

"The winner takes one year from the loser. The loser ages instantly."

Noya's nails dug into her palms. She realized what was happening—winners became stronger, and losers… faded.

P01 flipped the next set of cards onto the table.

Lin Han inhaled sharply, carefully choosing one.

They flipped their cards.

Lin Han: 8

P01: 7

Lin Han won.

For the first time, P01 seemed slightly amused. But there was no fear in his expression—only curiosity.

Lin Han felt a surge of strength, as if something had returned to him.

Noya exhaled in relief, but her fingers remained tense.

She knew this was only the beginning.

P01's smirk widened as he tapped his fingers on the table.

"Final round."

"The Fate Bet."