Damon's Ascension

Nyros regained his composure and glanced at Felicia first then at Damon, who stood like a bastion on the side of the Vanguard Team. For the first time, the house's agent displayed an expression of open hostility as he did not like the fact that he lost, nor did the Chaos Casino like it either.

It functioned as a Hidden Area precisely because it knew that its modus operandi was not something that people would willingly partake in due to the high risk involved, so it could only move from sector to Sector, ambushing traveling Post-Chaos Species to devour them through its own rules.

However, the rules were methods used to limit Post-Chaos Species but also limited the Area's Will as well. Since abilities were allowed, no matter how Damon utilized his power, it couldn't devour him for cheating, meaning that it could only utilize methods within the rules to shift the odds.

As an Area, the Chaos Casino did not have abilities, only rules. Likewise, Nyros was not a Post-Chaos Creature, so he could not use Chaos Essence to awaken abilities and neither could any creature present in the casino right now.

So what Zivar used earlier was not an ability, but more likely a skill or an item.

Was that cheating? Most likely since the rules never allowed for usage of such things.

However, Damon knew better as a trained politician. Never go to someone else country and expect their laws to bend in your favor the same way it would for a native. Even if there was a law that said 'do not harm a hair on X's head', if X were to seek redress for being hit by Y in Y's home country, the judges would not debate about whether 'X' in the law really meant 'X' the person.

Likewise, the Chaos Casino was the one who would interpret what cheating was and I could absolute the likes of Zivar or Nyros, or whoever it send to slowly fleece them.

The house always wins.

Damon patted Felecia's shoulder. "Do not activate Quantum Analysis while we are in the casino, no matter what."

Felecia, who was glowing with confidence and ready to calculated fate itself, was stunned by this. She turned to Damon and asked through the mental link as to why this was necessary.

Damon folded his arms behind his back. "Because its a trap, that's exactly what they want. Its no coincidence they gave you a skill that can allow you to affect your gambling abilities because usage of it would constitute cheating."

Hearing this, Felicia's pupils constricted rapidly as she felt her heart shake.

That's right!

Only abilities were allowed not skills!

Because her abilities were purely supportive and did not offer any combat capability, nor any real use for the journey, she had been secretly feeling anxious and uncertain about her position in the team.

Most paid her respects because she had two EX abilities and had part of the authority delegated by Damon, but speaking bluntly, she had very little utility outside of appearing on TV to explain the universe to people.

Money-wise she was okay, being able to produce Worldly Essence like Damon which was extremely valuable to lazy Post-Chaos Species who did not dare to risk their lives in the Chaos Realm but wanted the power of the Essence character panel.

On the other hand, she had an ability that gave free Providence, which was not exactly useless. At higher levels, it was entirely possible for her to become akin to the pope of the Universe Will, its literal spokesperson in the universe, which was not a small role at all.

However right now, seeing as the Universe Will had been given a three piece combo and knocked out by the Chaos Eye, it was doubtful if the Providence stat had any use right now.

So she was all but useless, which was exactly why everyone had a strong reaction to her being called up after Xela. It showed that even if they paid her lip service as the 'vice-leader', in their hearts that position was only because of her ambiguous relation with Damon rather than her own power.

So the acquisition of Quantum Analysis was like a sip of Ambrosia for her, making her swell with confidence and valor, ready to tear down all challenges in the way she loved to the most, by utilizing her intellect!

But it was precisely this that would have led her into a pit that she could never dig herself out of!

Felicia calmed down as she felt Damon's reassuring apt on her shoulder and she couldn't help but think back to an argument she had with her mother when she was 13.

At the time, she had become a teenager and entered her rebellious phase, though she was not the type to cause conventional trouble through conventional vices. Hers was to avoid the annoying social gatherings and get togethers by the shadow clans controlling the world behind the veil and rather hole herself up in a lab to learn more about the world she lived in.

Her mother, frustrated one particular time as they wanted to pair her up with a similarly aged boy from another premier family hat would have greatly benefited the Rothschild, ended up arguing with Felecia about why she did this.

Felecia had bluntly stated that males were not her concern and they were useless to her in understanding the inner workings of the world.

Looking at her brilliant but eccentric daughter, mother Rothschild had thrown her hands up exasperation and told Felecia that one day, she would understand the value of a good male partner.

At that time, the teenage Felecia was just like any other teenager in the world, feeling that she knew everything and would never regret her decisions, so he dropped a one-liner about how that would never be the case.

A few years later and she wasn't even 22, yet and she was beginning to reminisces about her silly behaviors while realizing how naive she had been back then.

"Contestant Felicia Rothschild. The house will put forth a new wager." Nyros said in a cold tone, his eyes on Damon more than Felicia.

Damon suddenly interjected. "There is no rules stating that the house decided the wager nor that we are forced to bet with the house. So now, we will decide the wager, not you."

The peanut gallery's murmurs in the background turned to gasps of shock as Damon's audacious declaration echoed through the casino.

Some of the onlookers - being monsters with glassy eyes, alien creatures with too many limbs, and even amorphous smoke forms - turned to each other, muttering that Damon was finished.

A few began to cackle, while others made small, mocking empty bets on how fast he would be torn apart for challenging the house.

"Blasphemy, he dares challenge the Chaos Casino's traditions?" A twisted creature with spines instead of hair hissed.

A purple-skinned humanoid with eight arms sneered. "Does he think himself a god?"

Nyros' gaze locked onto Damon with such force that even Felicia shivered. His galaxy eyes flared brighter, like stars collapsing into black holes.

The air around him shimmered with suppressed power, as though the entire casino held its breath, waiting to see how he would react.

"You question the authority of the house?" Nyros said, his voice laced with menace.

The shadows around his robes deepened, stretching like claws toward Damon. "You would challenge the very laws of this realm? I should—"

His voice broke off suddenly and the deadly aura receded like a tide, as if a puppet string had been cut. Nyros straightened, his expression smoothing out into a thin, polite smile that was somehow more terrifying than his anger.

"You are correct, there is no rule stating that the house decides the wager. It is custom, not law." His eyes flicked from Damon to Felicia, then back to Damon.

"As such, you may propose a wager, though the house reserves the right to determine the prize." He added, his tone now as smooth as silk.

Damon's lips curved faintly. "We accept."

Nyros' eyes narrowed fractionally. "Very well, let us hear your wager."

Felicia felt Damon's mental presence in her mind, calm and steady. "Felicia, it's your call. Make it count."

Felicia sat straight, her posture proud and her voice firm. "I wager my accumulated Providence points."

A hush fell over the room, as even the dice at nearby tables stilled, as if the casino itself was listening.

A soft gasp came from the peanut gallery, as some recognized the significance of such a bet. Providence was tied to the Universe Will of the Post Chaos Realm, to fate itself, and it was a measure of her potential luck and divine favor.

Nyros' eyes glittered. "Interesting. That is a rare and valuable wager, especially in times like these."

His thin lips curved into a smile, but there was no warmth in it. "The house shall match this with an S-rank item."

A screen flickered to life above the table:

[House Bet: Felicia's Accumulated Providence Points vs. S-Rank Item]

Felicia's breath caught. An S-rank item… anything at that level could change the fate of a team, even a goddamn species!

She glanced at Damon, whose eyes remained calm and unwavering, though the faintest flicker of exhaustion marred his otherwise perfect posture. He had been battling the house's luck manipulation every step of the way till now.

Henry's mental voice was tight with tension. "An S-rank item… that's…"

Bane's tone was grim. "A big deal. Too big to pass up."

Levi muttered darkly. "They're definitely trying to bait us. They want us to get greedy."

Damon's voice was a solid anchor. "Felicia, remember, even an S-rank item is worthless if we can't win it. Focus and play smart."

Felicia's eyes sharpened. "Understood."

Nyros' eyes glowed as he lifted a palm. "Then let the game begin."

Damon's mind moved like a machine. He reached deep inside himself, activating Probability Manipulation, and his mental screen flickered.

'What are the chances that Felicia wins this bet?'

[Objective chances are currently 5%.]

Damon's jaw tightened. The house's influence was monstrous as he could feel its luck-altering force pushing against him like a tidal wave.

'Shift: +15%.'

The screen changed.

[20%.]

Nyros' lips twitched, his eyes flashing. The house's luck-altering force lashed back.

[12%.]

A bead of sweat rolled down Damon's temple. He pushed harder, feeling his energy burning, his vitality draining.

'Shift: +15%.'

[28%.]

The house struck back again.

[18%.]

Damon's energy reserves shrieked like an alarm. He felt a deep ache in his chest as if the world itself were trying to consume his life force.

'Shift: +15%.'

[33%.]

The house's force roared like a cosmic wind, but Damon's will held firm.

'Shift: +15%.'

[48%.]

Four avatars, four chances to shift 15% in any direction. That was his main body;ls shift, which was his last one, and that was all he was getting for now.

Felicia's hand trembled as she reached for the dice but Damon's voice came through the mental link, steady and unyielding.

"Felicia, now!"

She rolled quickly.

The dice tumbled, clattering across the table. The entire room seemed to freeze, every eye locked on the dice as they danced their dance of fate.

They landed.

Two sixes.

[Bet Won!]

Nyros' face darkened even more now. His smile slipped for just a moment, the cracks showing before it reformed, cold and polite.

"The house accepts the result, you have won." He said softly, his voice a hiss of barely-contained fury.

Felicia's eyes lit up as a soft glow enveloped her and a small box appeared before her eyes, shining with a faint golden light.

She had won an S-rank item!

The Vanguard Team exhaled as one, a wave of relief flooding their mental link.

Damon's voice was cool but tired. "Two wins. One more to go."