The shadows of **Obsidian Gambit** stretched long across the casino floor as the shades moved in their silent, seamless precision. The once-empty room had now been transformed into a place of dark elegance, an experience unlike anything else in **Starter City**. The dim lighting and eerie atmosphere created a blend of mystique and luxury, pulling in anyone brave or wealthy enough to step inside.

Alex watched from the upper balcony, his arms resting on the cold stone railing. Below him, the newly finished casino hummed with life. Players had begun trickling in, their curiosity piqued by the whispers of **a new, exclusive gambling house**. But Alex knew this wasn't enough. To make the **Obsidian Gambit** the power center they needed, they'd have to pull in the right kind of people—and a lot more of them.

"Obsidian Gambit," Betsy said, standing beside Alex. "The name's catching on. People are already talking about it, but it's not just curiosity we need. We have to find ways to bring them in—and keep them here."

Alex nodded, his gaze still fixed on the tables below. The shades, with their shadowy forms and silent movements, were running the games effortlessly. They served drinks, managed the roulette wheels, and kept the place secure, all without a single word. Their presence alone made the casino feel different—**dangerous** and **enticing**.

"We've laid the groundwork," Alex replied, his voice low. "Now we need to build on it. We can't rely on **dungeon farming** to secure our future. Obsidian Gambit has to become the reason people come to Starter City, not just another casino."

Drax joined them, leaning casually on the railing with a grin on his face. "Well, we've got the look down. The place feels like something out of a legend. But that's not enough to make the rich hand over their fortunes."

"It's not just about looking good," Alex said. "We need **high stakes**. People need to feel like they can win big. We'll make them believe they're **one bet away** from changing their lives, even if the odds are against them."

"We need to tap into their greed," Betsy added. "Offer just enough hope to keep them betting, but not enough to bankrupt them all at once. If they think they're on the verge of winning, they'll keep coming back. That's how we'll build **loyalty**."

Alex nodded. "Exactly. But it's more than just games and bets. We're selling an experience. The moment they walk through those doors, they need to feel like they're part of something **elite**, something dangerous."

"So, how do we get them in?" Drax asked, his arms crossed. "We can't just stand outside and hand out flyers."

"We don't need flyers," Alex replied. "We need **rumors**. Betsy's been working on that—spreading whispers in the right circles. People talk, especially in the upper echelons of the city. Once word spreads that Obsidian Gambit is where the powerful come to gamble, the rest will follow."

Betsy smiled. "I've already started. Some of the smaller guilds are catching on, and I've made sure a few well-placed **nobles** overheard conversations about the casino's exclusivity. The more they think it's out of reach, the more they'll want in."

Drax raised an eyebrow. "So we're playing hard to get?"

"More like playing **untouchable**," Alex said. "We make them believe they're stepping into a world only the **elite** can access. Once they're inside, the illusion becomes real."

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---

The next few days saw a flurry of activity as **Obsidian Gambit** grew into its own. Alex and his team focused on **expanding the games**, adding new tables, dice games, and even a custom shade-controlled **roulette** that became a quick favorite among the early patrons. The shades operated the machinery with such smooth precision that it was almost hypnotic, and soon players began to associate the shades with the mystery and prestige of the casino itself.

But they needed more than just games. They needed an event that would draw in the biggest spenders.

"A tournament," Drax suggested during a meeting in the guild's common room. "Something high-stakes. Get people excited."

Alex considered the idea. A **poker tournament** with a massive prize pool could certainly draw attention. It wasn't just the gambling that mattered—people liked to compete. They liked to show off.

"We make it **invite-only**," Betsy added. "Keep it exclusive. Let the wealthy think they're competing against each other for **status**, not just gold."

"That's the key," Alex agreed. "It's not just about the money. It's about **reputation**. The more elite it feels, the more they'll want to be part of it."

The tournament was announced in whispers, not public flyers. Betsy and Drax had spread word through their contacts, ensuring that only the wealthiest and most powerful players and NPCs in **Starter City** knew about it. The prize was substantial—a mix of gold and rare items—but the real reward was the prestige of winning at **Obsidian Gambit**.

And as expected, it worked. Within days of the announcement, players from some of the most influential guilds began sending their best to compete, and NPC nobles too rich to resist the allure of such a tournament found themselves walking through the casino's shadowy doors.

---

On the night of the tournament, **Obsidian Gambit** was packed. The air was thick with tension and excitement as the participants took their seats at the poker tables. The shades moved among them silently, dealing cards and overseeing the games with their unblinking vigilance. The room was a delicate balance of **luxury** and **danger**, and it captivated every person who walked in.

Alex observed from the balcony, watching as fortunes were won and lost in mere moments. Every now and then, one of the shades would move closer to a player who was getting too excited or too aggressive, its silent presence enough to bring them back into line. The shades weren't just part of the decor—they were **enforcers**, making sure the house stayed in control.

Down below, Drax and Betsy mingled with the guests, keeping an ear on conversations. As the night wore on, Alex noticed the shift in the crowd. The **rich** and **powerful** were starting to view Obsidian Gambit as more than just a casino. It was becoming a symbol of **power**—a place where fortunes were made, and reputations were cemented.

"They're hooked," Betsy whispered when she returned to Alex's side. "We've created a new **center of influence** in Starter City, and they know it. The nobles are already talking about coming back. This is exactly what we needed."

Alex nodded. "It's working. But we can't stop here. We need to keep expanding—more games, more events. We need to make this place the **go-to destination** for anyone who's serious about power and wealth."

Drax sauntered up to them with a satisfied grin. "I've got to admit, this tournament idea was brilliant. But what's next? We can't just rely on one event."

Alex smiled. "No, we can't. We're going to **add new games**, more unique experiences. We'll start introducing **games of chance** that you can't find anywhere else—things that make the players feel like they're in control, even when they're not."

Betsy leaned forward, her eyes narrowing with interest. "Like what?"

"I've been working on something tied to the **floors** of ALBEKO," Alex explained. "We'll create a game where players can bet on **simulated battles**—fights between recreated bosses from the dungeons. They'll place bets on which side will win, and we'll control the outcomes with the shades. It'll give them something they've never seen before."

Drax whistled. "Betting on dungeon battles? People are going to eat that up."

"And it's not just about the money," Alex added. "It's about the **control** we gain. The more they gamble, the more they become **dependent** on us. We'll have them tied to Obsidian Gambit, and eventually, they'll come to us for more than just games."

---

As the weeks passed, the **Obsidian Gambit** grew into the **premier casino** of Starter City. The shades continued to operate the games flawlessly, their dark forms adding an air of mystery that no other place could replicate. Players came from all corners of the city, drawn by the rumors of massive wins and the exclusivity of the tournaments.

But it wasn't just the rich and powerful who came through the doors. **Smaller players**, those who had once been barely scraping by, began to arrive as well. Alex made sure that CODE didn't forget its original purpose—to **help those who couldn't

help themselves**. The wealth they generated from the casino allowed them to offer **support** to the struggling players who were trying to survive.

"We'll help them get on their feet," Alex said one evening as he and Betsy watched a group of newcomers enter the casino. "They'll be grateful, and in return, they'll join CODE. It's not just about gold—it's about **loyalty**. And the more people we have loyal to us, the more untouchable we become."

Betsy nodded. "We're building more than just a guild. We're building a **network**."

And it was working. The smaller players who had been helped by CODE's support began to **flock to the guild**, grateful for the chance to survive without selling their time. The guild's numbers grew, and with it, their influence. But the real power lay in **Obsidian Gambit**—the dark, elegant casino where fortunes were won and lost, and where Alex's shades ruled the night.