Damon's Ascension

Felicia put away the S class item and glanced at Damon. She then focused back on Nyros and smiled slightly, but her blue eyes were filled with coldness like no other.

"For the final wager, let's do something simple. I bet information. I have information about myself and the human race that even the Chaos Eye lauded for being special. In exchange, I want information about the casino, its inner workings, the scope of its power and the kind of dangers that are hidden within."

The moment Felicia's voice rang out with her wager, the crowd erupted.

"She dares bet information? And human information at that!" An ugly-looking horned beast spat, its spittle sizzling on the casino floor.

"Arrogant Post-Chaos scum, thinking they know secrets worth anything here!" A pale blue creature with four eyes and a segmented neck sneered with folded arms.

"Ha! What could she know that the Chaos Casino doesn't already know?" A slithering mass of shadows jeered, its voice echoing upon itself.

The jeers and mocking rolled through the room like thunder, and even some of the casino staff paused to watch.

But Nyros merely smiled, his galaxy-like eyes glittering.

"Very well, I will judge the value of your wager," he said smoothly.

He raised a single, slender finger. A flash of light danced in the air, forming a golden screen that scrolled through data… line after line of Felicia's existence, achievements, and hidden truths.

For a moment, the crowd quieted, a hush falling like a stone.

Then the screen beeped, and a message flashed across it: [Information Value Confirmed: SSS-Rank Equivalent]

A collective gasp rippled through the peanut gallery and the cackling jeers faltered until they came to a stop.

A tall, reptilian alien clacked its claws in disbelief. "The Chaos Casino values human secrets that highly?!"

A living flame, shaped like a humanoid, flickered in surprise. "I knew she was interesting, but this…"

Even Bane's mental voice was stunned. "What the hell did you hide from us, Felicia?"

Felicia's eyes were hard, her voice low. "More than you know."

Nyros' smile widened, but it did not reach his eyes. "In exchange, the house offers you more than knowledge alone. To honor the value of your wager, we shall sweeten the pot."

He waved his hand, and a small vial filled with a shimmering golden liquid floated into existence, glowing softly.

"This is the Genesis Heir Elixir. If consumed before conception, it guarantees that your first child will inherit both parents' abilities at their highest potential," Nyros intoned, his voice carrying the weight of legends.

The casino's crowd burst into raucous laughter, whistles, and shrill cries.

A spindly insectoid in a ragged suit cackled. "Look at these dirty-mind humans! Already planning to breed like the desperate Post-Chaos species they are!"

A robed figure made of glassy shards of stone tittered. "She's barely won two bets and already thinking about offspring! Typical female creature!"

The Vanguard Team's eyes all turned in unison toward Damon.

Henry's mental voice came through like a thunderclap. "Bro, the Chaos Realm's already trying to marry you off!"

Nicholas raised an eyebrow, though his mental tone was dry. "So, boss, should we call you Father Damon now?"

Even Bane let out a low rumble of laughter. "Congratulations, Sir Damon. Looks like the casino's already thinking about your family tree."

Felicia's cheeks turned crimson, and she glared at Nyros with a fury that made the air around her seem to vibrate. "That's enough! Just because the house added this on doesn't mean I accept the implications."

Nyros simply smiled, unbothered by her outburst. "Such is the mentality of the short-lived Post-Chaos species, always so reactive to matters of reproduction. Nevertheless, the house's terms stand."

Damon chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I guess that's one way to keep the line going. Mom should be off my case after this."

Felicia turned to him, her eyes sharp. "Don't you dare make a joke about this, Damon!"

He raised his hands in mock surrender, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "I wouldn't dream of it."

The peanut gallery continued to laugh and mutter, but the atmosphere shifted again as Nyros's eyes locked on Felicia, his voice once more smooth and implacable.

"Contestant Felicia Rothschild. Do you accept this wager?"

Felicia's jaw tightened, but her eyes gleamed with defiance. "I accept."

Felicia's acceptance sent a chill through the air and even the chaotic lights of the casino seemed to flicker in anticipation.

The atmosphere changed as both Nyros and the crowd became serious. The same went for the Vanguard Team, who held their breaths and glanced at the table, where the final match was about to play and determine if Felicia could achieve the basic conditions to leave here.

Nyros's smile sharpened, his eyes glinting like twin stars devouring galaxies.

"Very well. Let the final bet commence!" He commanded, patting the table lightly.

A screen floated above the table: [House Bet: Felicia's Information vs. Chaos Casino's Inner Secrets + Genesis Heir Elixir.]

Nyros placed the dice on the table, each side flickering with a kaleidoscopic light. The crowd's noise had fallen to a lull, every eye locked on the tense duel unfolding.

Damon's mental voice reached out to Felicia, steady and strong despite the exhaustion he felt. "Felicia, stay focused. I'll handle the rest."

Felicia's jaw set as she reached for the dice, but before she could pick them up, Nyros lifted his hand.

"Ah, let's not be hasty. The house will be applying special circumstances to this roll," he drawled, his tone oozing satisfaction.

Damon's eyes narrowed. "Special circumstances?"

Nyros's smile widened. "Indeed. Given the stakes, the house shall apply its full measure of luck alteration at this level. Let's see if your… abilities can withstand that, Prime Representative."

A ripple of dread passed through the Vanguard Team.

Kyle's mental voice trembled. "Boss, this is bad! You've been fighting that luck manipulation this whole time… you're at your limit!"

Marshal frowned, his tone low and harsh. "They're turning the table on you, Damon. Can you keep it up?"

Protizen's tone was grim but steady. "If anyone can do it, it's him. Damon, just give the word."

Damon's fist clenched subtly behind his back, but his mental voice was calm. "I won't let them win. Not now, not ever."

The moment he activated his ability, he almost staggered as he felt the weight of the world around him seeming to land upon his shoulders as the strain of constant Probability Manipulation bore down on him.

Well, he finally had his answer. Checking probabilities before changing them could actually cause problems and reduce his energy if the probability was being actively influenced by something else.

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

[Objective chances are currently 2%.]

The house's force was at its peak, pressing against him like a mattress laid over him with a bag of rocks on top.

Taking a deep breath, Damon began his work.

'Shift: +15%.'

The screen trembled. [17%.]

Nyros' smile turned predatory as the house's luck manipulation lashed back with savage force.

[8%.]

BANG!

Damon's breath caught, a tremor running through his body. Sweat streamed down his face, and he could feel like someone had taken a baseball bat and whacked him full force on the torso area.

He leaned forward to grab the head of the chair Felicia was seated on, unable to pretend to be perfectly fine like before.

'Shift: +15%.'

[23%.]

The house's force hit back harder than ever, clearly intent on humbling him who had a powerful ability himself.

[12%.]

BANG!

Damon staggered again, his knees nearly buckling as the strain bore down. He felt his heart pounding like a car engine and the blood rushing through his body could be heard audibly by those near him.

Henry's mental voice was a low whisper of dread. "Damon…"

Still, Damon's mental voice came through, calm even in pain. "…Quite the problem, but not impossible to deal with."

'Shift: +15%.'

The screen flickered. [29%.]

One more!

Damon quickly adjusted it once more, burning all his remaining physical energy at once to launch a surprise attack!

'Shift: +15%.'

[44%.]

"Now Felicia!" He instructed through the mental link, his eyes bloodshot.

Nyros's eyes widened as the house's force faltered and the crowd gasped, the casino itself seeming to shudder with suppressed fury.

Felicia's hand closed around the dice, her eyes blazing as she threw them. They spun, bouncing across the table, each bounce echoing like a drumbeat in the silence.

Time seemed to freeze as every eye - and every soul - waited for the outcome.

The dice landed.

Two sixes!!

[Bet Won!]

The screen glowed as the words appeared, causing the hush to explode into a cacophony of screams, gasps, and cries. Nyros's mask of calm cracked, his jaw tightening as his galaxy eyes flickered like dying stars.

"The house concedes," he said coldly, though his voice trembled with rage.

Felicia let out a shaky breath, her chest heaving as relief poured through her while Damon staggered, his energy nearly spent, but his soft smile was still present.

"Three wins for you and we're done here," Damon stated, his eyes falling upon the information Felicia won.