The **Obsidian Gambit** was no longer just a whisper on the streets of **Starter City**—it was a name spoken with a mix of awe and respect. The casino had become a **symbol of power** and **wealth**, with its darkly elegant atmosphere and the unsettling, silent efficiency of the **shades** giving it an aura that no other establishment in the city could rival. The casino's growth had been meteoric, and with every passing day, more players, guild members, and NPC nobles walked through its shadowed doors, drawn by the allure of riches and the whispers of games they couldn't win anywhere else.

But with success came new challenges.

Alex stood on the upper balcony, watching the evening crowd filter into the casino. The tables were full, the shades moving effortlessly between the players as they ran the games, served drinks, and ensured that everything operated like clockwork. From up here, it looked perfect—an empire of chance, powered by the **shades** he had brought into existence. But Alex knew that perfection never lasted.

"We're at capacity again," Betsy said as she stepped up beside him. She had been tracking the numbers for the past week, and every night, the casino was packed. "If we keep drawing this many people, we're going to need more space. More games."

"We'll expand," Alex replied, his voice calm but firm. "We'll use the lower floors of the guild base. It's already built. We just need to convert it."

Betsy frowned slightly. "It's not just about space, Alex. We're drawing attention—**serious attention**. People are starting to wonder how we're running this place with so few staff. They're asking questions about the **shades**."

Alex's eyes narrowed. This was the part he had been expecting. The **mystery** of the shades was a double-edged sword. It was what drew people in, but it was also what made them suspicious. No one else could control shades like he could—not on this scale. And the more they relied on them, the more people would start to question where that power came from.

"We knew this would happen," Alex said quietly. "People are curious. They always are when they don't understand something."

Betsy crossed her arms. "Curiosity is one thing. **Rumors** are another. They're saying there's no way one person could control this many shades at once. They think there's a **whole team of powerful casters** running the casino from behind the scenes. And that's not the only problem. Some of the **big players** aren't happy with how much they're losing. They're getting restless."

Drax appeared behind them, his usual grin replaced by a more serious expression. "Had a couple of them try to start trouble last night. One guy thought he could strong-arm his way into winning back some of his losses. The shades dealt with him, but it's only a matter of time before someone **bigger** tries to challenge us."

"They're not going to like losing," Alex said. "But they don't have a choice. The house always wins, and if they can't accept that, they'll find out why **Obsidian Gambit** is different."

Betsy shot him a glance. "We can't just rely on the shades to solve every problem. Sooner or later, someone's going to come for us with more than just anger. They'll come with power."

Alex nodded. "We'll be ready."

---

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Later that evening, the tension in the air was palpable. The casino was thriving, but Alex could sense the growing discontent among some of the wealthier players. The **elite nobles** and **high-level guild members** were used to winning—used to getting what they wanted. And when they lost, they didn't take it lightly.

It wasn't long before trouble found them.

One of the high-ranking players from **Golden Fang**, a well-known guild with deep pockets and even deeper connections, stood up from the poker table, his face twisted in anger. He had been losing heavily all night, and it was clear that he had reached his breaking point.

"This is rigged!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the hum of the casino. Several players looked up from their tables, and even the shades paused briefly, their shadowy forms shifting as they waited for Alex's next command.

The man shoved his chair back, knocking it over as he stormed toward one of the shades running a nearby roulette wheel. "You think you can just take my gold and expect me to walk away? I want my money back. Now."

The shade, silent as always, continued its work, its glowing eyes unblinking as it spun the wheel. But before the situation could escalate further, Drax was already moving.

"Alright, mate," Drax said, stepping in front of the angry gambler with a casual but firm stance. "You lost. It happens. How about you calm down and take a walk before you make things worse for yourself?"

The man sneered, his hand drifting toward the sword at his side. "You think you can stop me? I don't care how many tricks you've got with those **shades**. You've messed with the wrong man."

Alex watched from the balcony, his mind already calculating the outcome. The shades could easily handle the situation, but this was the kind of conflict that could spiral if not handled carefully. The **Golden Fang** guild was powerful, and starting a war with them wasn't part of his plan. But at the same time, they couldn't afford to back down.

"Let him make his move," Alex said quietly to Betsy, who had been watching the confrontation closely.

Down below, the man drew his sword, his expression wild with anger. But before he could even take a step toward Drax, two shades materialized at his sides, their dark forms looming over him like shadows brought to life. They didn't speak—they didn't need to. Their presence alone was enough to freeze the man in place.

Drax grinned, crossing his arms as he looked down at the gambler. "You were saying?"

The man's eyes darted between the shades, his confidence faltering. For a moment, it looked like he might still try to fight, but then he stepped back, cursing under his breath. "This isn't over," he spat, turning on his heel and storming out of the casino.

The tension in the room eased, but Alex knew this wouldn't be the last time they'd have to deal with someone like him.

Betsy sighed, leaning against the railing. "That's going to cause problems."

"We'll handle it," Alex replied, though his mind was already racing with potential solutions. The shades had done their job, but the fact that players were starting to **challenge** them meant that the casino's success was beginning to draw the wrong kind of attention.

---

Over the next few days, Alex doubled down on expanding **Obsidian Gambit**'s reach. The lower levels of the guild base were converted into new gaming halls, each one themed with a different **mystical** element. One floor was designed around a **dungeon theme**, with players betting on simulated boss battles controlled by the shades. Another floor focused on high-stakes **tournaments**, drawing in competitive players who were looking to test their skills against the best.

But the most important addition was the creation of a **VIP section**, a lavish and exclusive area reserved for the wealthiest and most powerful players. It was here that Alex planned to solidify **Obsidian Gambit**'s reputation as the ultimate destination for the elite.

"This is where we're going to keep them hooked," Alex said as he and Betsy walked through the newly completed VIP hall. The walls were lined with dark stone, and the lights were dimmed to create an air of secrecy and luxury. The shades moved silently through the room, their glowing eyes casting faint shadows on the floor.

Betsy nodded. "The rich love exclusivity. If they think they're getting something no one else can, they'll pay whatever it takes to stay part of it."

"And we'll make sure they pay," Alex said. "But we'll give them just enough to keep them coming back. The house always wins, but they'll think they're one bet away from changing everything."

Betsy smirked. "It's brilliant. But we still have to deal with the fact that people are asking questions. We can't keep the secret of the shades forever."

Alex's expression darkened. "We don't need to. Let them speculate. Let them think we've got an entire team of powerful mages behind the scenes. The more they don't know, the more they'll be afraid to challenge us."

---

That night, as Alex watched the crowd from his usual spot on the balcony, he couldn't help but feel the weight of the casino's success. **Obsidian Gambit** had become a symbol of power and control, but it had also made them a target. Players and guilds who had once ignored CODE were now watching them closely, and not all of them were happy with what they saw.

"We've come a long way," Drax said, joining Alex with a drink in hand. "But we're not exactly making friends, are we?"

"We're not here to make friends," Alex replied, his gaze steady. "We're here to win."

"And we will," Drax said with a grin. "But I get the feeling things are about to get a lot more interesting."

Alex nodded. "They are. And we'll be ready for whatever comes next."