We sat at one of the tables where Dragotin and the Nords would gamble and drink.

Amidst the newly found commotion, the noise of Viking cheers rumbled beyond, echoing as more spectators joined in with passion and elation.

They all gathered around the table where I sat, opposite Dragotin, as if it were some highly anticipated show, akin to a tournament or esports event – places where people's excitement couldn't be contained.

This wasn't something new, far from it. Fights frequently broke out in the cafeteria, and the crowd always gathered in anticipation, with the same spotlight turning on. Typically, the Nords themselves or the Republic stepped in to quell these fights if they escalated to bloodshed.

Nonetheless, gambling was seen as a harmless diversion and didn't attract the guards' attention, making it the perfect cover for my plan.

"AY! Makas?" Hodor rushed over, whispering loudly and in a panic tone as he pulled me aside just before the game began. "What are you doing, you moron? Trying to get yourself killed?!"

"It's now or never. so I figured I take my chances," I said with detachment.

"That's not it, Makas! This is a bad ide-"

"What's the holdup, Hollow boy?!" Dragotin shouted impatiently. "Leave him be oh wasted Hodor!"

The mob carried on their laughter alongside Dragotin against Hodor's shame which he took offensively, evident by Aura gazing up in a red color for a brief moment. But quickly ignored it as he shifted his attention back to me.

"Just leave it to me, Hodor, and stick nearby," I said confidently, ignoring Hodor and leaving him puzzled and worried.

eventually, I joined the table and sat opposite Dragotin where the game would take place. All while looking detached and blank as always.

"Makas!" Dragotin called out to me in an ironic tone. "Do you even know how this game is played?"

The gambling game he is hinting at is called blackjack, where you aim to score higher than the dealer or reach a score of twenty-one for an automatic win. I was well-acquainted with this game from my experiences in the old world, mainly gambling for my own personal interests, but particularly to afford medication for my illness. However, as of right now, I have no intention of playing blackjack with him for two simple reasons.

First, I hadn't yet discovered his cheating method in blackjack, and I feared that I might not uncover his exploit and fail to expose his cunning nature. Second, it would be even worse if he didn't have any tricks in blackjack up his sleeves in the first place and therefore, demolish any reason to expose him. Regardless of whether I won or lost the game, it wouldn't serve my ultimate goal. Another reason was to avoid raising suspicions. If he knew how well I played the game, he might resort to cheating, either making his trick obvious or further concealing it. Therefore, I had no intention of engaging in a high-risk, high-reward game. My plans lay elsewhere. However, if I were going to suffer, I intended to drag him down with me, which was why I decided to go with the simpler approach. A game that became popular during my earlier days in the Bastion.

"I'm afraid I'm not..." I explained offhandedly.

Dragotin chuckled and was joined by the Nords who began to laugh mockingly back at me where.I sat in silence, maintaining that tenacious persona of a rebellious child, underneath that a facade smile smirked ever so joyfully.

"Bold choice you made earlier, Hollow boy!" Dragotin spoke sarcastically as he stretched out. "You should think before you act. Didn't Milwak teach you that?"

I looked and sounded irritated by his comment, then I said with temperament;

"I may not know blackjack but I know a gambling game that you guys have been playing before!"

"Hm?" Dragotin looked confused as he studied my face.

"A game of rock, paper, and scissors!"

Dragotin tried to contain his laughter but eventually gave in alongside the Nords who arrogantly cracked up like it was some kind of a comedy show.

"Oh, kid!' Dragotin tried to wipe his tears of amusement, "You made my day! but rock, paper, and scissors ain't a game for gambling!"

"How grown of you when you used to play it a couple of months ago!" I said acerbically. "Unless you are a coward who doesn't want to play a game which he isn't good at!"

"Huh!" Dragotin straightened up and chuckled but for a slight moment, his Aura emitted an irked red fog. His demeanor was threatened for s plit second. "Sure, it's a simple game for a brain-dead kid like you!"

"In this way, the game can be fair, yet the stakes are high," I said, keeping up the audacious ton. "Kind of exciting, don't you agree?"

"Whatever, kid..." Dragotin nodded in disappointment. "But I won't play unless you bet something."

Dragotin's laughter joined the Nords against my feigned mistake.

"Fine..." I said with frustration as I pretended to take a moment to think over the stake. but looked back at him with a cunning smile. " let's play rounds..."

"Rounds?!" Dragotin and the Nords looked confused.

"Oh?!" I feigned bewilderment as I spoke. "You really didn't think I would bet my life on one round?"

"Wait! Don't tell me you want to play more than one round?" Dragotin stuttered with a derisive tone. "Kid, you don't have anything except your life!"

"All the crowds gathered here today for a proper show. Hasting it will only dishearten them. For a mere kid like myself to oppose such a pristine legendary figure must be a worthwhile show. Finishing the game in a single round won't glorify your crown as a victory but as an oppressor, like the Republic..."

At that moment, Dragotin grinned with anger and temper as he tried to control it.

Using my soul gaze ability, I could sense his entire body emitting a wrathful aura of red mist as if he were a hot bowl. Dragotin was proud of his title and wouldn't back down from a challenge. I had to publicly challenge all these Vikings, a recurring behavior and a valued tradition for the Nords.

Eventually, Dragotin chuckled and gave a boastful smirk.

"Sure, I'll play along," Dragotin said, spreading his arms carelessly. "But your life is still on the line, Hollowed kiddo. Not that it's worth much."

The Nords chuckled, but I could see their spirits were more animated than before.

"Altonio!" Dragotin shouted. "Bring us the deck!"

"R-right!"

"Good..." I muttered while smirking like a ruthless devil.

"Last warning, kiddo!" Dragotin said. "You never know how unlucky you can be."

"Same can be said for you, Dragotin," I spoke placidly.

"Huh?!"

"I wonder if this game could turn sideways against your luck, and just like that, tumble down your legacy into its grave..."

"I don't lose kid!!" Dragotin said arrogantly. "I always win."

"We'll leave it up to fate, shall we?"

----------------------------------------

The game, though seemingly straightforward, held the power to unravel destinies in its deceptively simple grasp. The player's fate hinged on the draw of three cards, one out of three choices poised on a precipice against a rival.

Rock, scissors, paper.

What caught my attention most was the back of each of these cards. Three-hand gestures were hand-drawn, representing each symbol of the game in a random pattern. For some reason, I was immersed in the design alone. Something profound and mysterious stirred behind these simply drawn symbols.

"Make your bet, kid!"

"Right... let's make this simple," I sighed as Altonio explained.

"Starting next week, whoever wins this game will earn a double shift from the first day while the other takes a break. And the same thing goes for the second, third... until the seventh day."

The stakes were elevated, for each player was required to place their bet on the line before the game began.

My strategy was to orchestrate a spectacle of events that would unmask the veil and exploits of this seemingly innocuous game, akin to a high-stakes truth or dare with dire consequences. A strategy I planned to slowly provoke Dragotin's true nature and strike at his weakness.

"Shall we?" I inquired, concealing a malevolent smirk beneath the veneer of civility.

"Sure, let's do it," Dragotin replied, his chuckle laced with a sinister cadence that betrayed his malicious intent. "But remember, you offered your lifeline."

I retorted with a calm demeanor that masked my growing audacity as I answered, "This game has only just begun. Desperation will reveal the opportune moment for such decisions."

"Alright, let us draw," Dragotin conceded begrudgingly.

The cards I held were as follows: Rock, paper, and paper.

While the cards themselves held no further narrative, my focus remained firmly affixed on Dragotin, who was still in a puzzle about choosing his card, yet arrogantly posing with an audacious flourish.

The raucous cheers of the onlookers fueled the ambiance, and I understood the necessity of immersion, concealing my true intentions to lower Dragotin's guard.

Thus, I conceded a few victories, bestowing upon him the veneer of dominance, all the while plotting my ascent to his lofty and boastful peak. Only when I stood there could my true strike be executed.

Initially poised to select rock, a subtle shift in Dragotin's aura betrayed his inner turmoil. The crimson mist surrounding him faltered, replaced by an ephemeral azure aura—an unmistakable sign of apprehension.

Swiftly, I switched to paper and placed the card on the table. The transformation in his aura was palpable, his relief evident.

By now, I had uncovered the game's underlying machinations, but my quest was far from over. I needed not only to expose it to our audience but also to goad Dragotin into a critical mistake.

"Three! Two! One!" The crowd's chorus marked the moment of truth.

Dragotin emerged victorious, eliciting a wave of applause and revelry from the onlookers. Some seized the opportunity to raise their tankards in jubilation, their transformation from noble warriors of Valhalla to ignoble inebriates a disheartening spectacle.

"Unfortunate draw, Hollow boy," Dragotin gloated, discarding the remaining cards. "But this is just the beginning."

"We are indeed far from finished, Dragotin," I responded, my irritation thinly veiled. "The first round is but the first catch."

"Whatever you say, kiddo," Dragotin said with a careless tone as he prepared the next game.

I remained silent and ignored his vaunting demeanor.

The second round unfurled, and my hand held a triad of choices: rock, paper, and scissors. As I contemplated my selection, I noticed Dragotin had already made his choice and was awaiting my decision.

Without much contemplation, Dragotin selected a card impulsively as he looked all relaxed and tolerant.

The crowd once more commenced its countdown, and we unveiled our cards to the table. Once again, Dragotin emerged victorious, greeted by exuberant cheers from the Nord onlookers. Only this time, Dragotin showed a sudden hint of shock as he stared back at my card.

Dragotin's predictability, even without the influence of a soul gaze, astounded me. I could practically taste the sweat on his brow as I toyed with the idea of selecting rock earlier in the first match

He knew these cards intimately, not just my hand but the entire deck. Yet, a perplexing question lingered in my mind: why hadn't he switched his cards to counteract my card in the first match?

Could it be that he didn't have any other cards to counter mine? Or could it be that preserving his pride mattered more to him than avoiding defeat, even when defeat was imminent? The man, it seemed, was not only cunning but also burdened with a coward's pride.

"Tsk... tsk..."

I didn't bother to answer him back or even look back. In pretense, I feigned a resentful look against him as he continued to mock me.

We began the third round, and as I expected, this time I lost again.

"Three wins! So easy," he gave an astute smile as the Nords began to laugh as they drank their wines and ale.

While it's far from determining whether it was a lucky victory or an intended one, I began to slowly confirm my suspicions.

"Don't loosen up kiddo, like you said we are far from—"

"So lucky," I interrupted with temper. "I wonder if the gods really blessed you with the utmost luck to win against me."

I looked back at him, who by now began to resent my behavior of interim.

"Or just simply, took pity on you..."

"Watch your tone boy... or else I am going to give you treatment worse than the hell the Republicans are giving us!" Dragotin spoke with a threatening tone. yet he maintained his arrogant demeanor and played on.

"I am already in hell buddy.... you aren't going to make it any worse."

----------------------------------------

"I've never witnessed such a humiliation in my life," Dragotin grew more egotistical with each victory.

The atmosphere remained unchanged, an unbroken monotony, unchallenged by the Nords who maintained their inebriated orderliness as they laughed and shrugged at this farcical game.

For a brief moment, the game had brimmed with excitement and delight. However, as it continued, the spectators lost interest, opting to drown their disillusionment in alcohol.

They no longer cared about the victor or the loser. It had transformed into another recurring jest that briefly lifted their sagging spirits.

In the meantime, I endeavored to decipher the meaning behind Dragotin's winning pattern.

For some reason, Dragotin chose specifically odd-numbered rounds to secure a victory – the first, third, fifth, and seventh. The exception being the second round, which, to my best guess, appeared to be more of a preliminary round. He seemingly had no intention of winning in that round.

This deduction came from my ability to gaze into his soul, which revealed his relaxed and carefree demeanor during the even-numbered rounds, contrasting with his tense and anxious state during the odd-numbered rounds.

The same pattern repeated in the third, fifth, and seventh rounds, and in the even-numbered rounds, he seemed nonchalant and careless.

However, if he repeated the same pattern in the second half of the game, it would be a mistake, as the Nords might catch on to this odd winning pattern. So, in the upcoming rounds, he'd have to allow me to score some victories unless he chose to remain obvious and repeat the same error.

If he made that mistake again, it would signal that he was cheating the game, and I could work to uncover his method, given the clues I'd already gathered. The remaining mystery was why his victories were tied to odd numbers specifically.

"Hey, Hollowed kid! Are you deaf?" Dragotin's callout jolted me out of my inner monologue.

I returned his gaze with an intimidating look, maintaining my act.

"I'll be generous here, Hollow boy, and offer you mercy," Dragotin spoke softly, his arrogance still evident. "Surrender this game, become the loser, endure the humiliation, and I'll spare your life."

"Your threats are as empty as your existence, Dragotin."

My comment silenced the crowd and left Dragotin in shock.

"You cower here against a mere child who has fewer years of experience and life, yet you wear your pride and ego like a king. Instead of acting like one, you resemble the new king ruling these corrupted lands – an ill-tempered creature begging for glory instead of earning it. Your gods have condemned you and cursed you to wander here in chains and prison, your fate sealed, and your spirit lifeless."

"You little rat!" Dragotin stood up in anger, but his comrades restrained him. "I'll tear your spine from your shoulders and feed them to the Hollowed ones, to your kind!"

"Hold up pretty boy!"

"Don't waste your energy boss! He is just a loser kid!"

The atmosphere once again shifted from a placid wasted mood to a more serious and tense cue that lifted the Nord spirit back up again into a thriving and thrilling excitement.

"You won't.." I said sarcastically. " You'll be the first to die when they come, alongside your br—"

"FELLAS!" Hodor shouted, breaking up the altercation. "The game is still on! Save your insults for after the match!"

After a moment of cooling off, Dragotin regained his composure, though his aura emitted a more sinister and frightening red mist. This time, he was determined to win this round and unhesitatingly employed the same tactics.

They say that a king's greatest weakness lies at the peak of their power. It's at the throne where the king's strength is at its zenith yet also at its most fragile. It's a matter of optimization rather than brute conflict. There, the people realize what a foolish king they have.

I had always aspired to be a king-slayer, relishing the scent of their overpowering dominance, whether in times of turmoil or defeat.

----------------------------------------

The following games proceeded as tension grew higher compared to the previous rounds. The crowd was thrilled and tense, as if it were a wrestling match. They bit their nails to bury their stress and excitement, attempting to burn away curiosity and pain.

In each round, Dragotin remained silent, maintaining his cold stare. One could sense his intense desire to claim my soul and revel in my misery while begging for mercy.

This was evident in the first round, which unfolded as follows:

I had two rocks and a piece of paper, while Dragotin, for some reason this time, had not yet chosen his card. He waited for me to pick first.

I decided to play along with his tactic and chose paper. Just then, Dragotin picked his card, which I presumed was a scissor.

Somehow, Dragotin knew my cards too well. However, instead of making the first move, he waited for me to select a card that matched his. It was as if he was waiting for me to choose the right card, indicating that he somehow knew my cards too well.

It could be one of two possibilities:

Firstly, someone may have intentionally informed him of the order of my cards. This was my initial suspicion. However, Hodor has been present in the tavern inn and occasionally patrolling to identify the suspected cheater, but he has come up with nothing. Although relying on a drunk man to solve this puzzle was not ideal, he was second only to Milwak.

The other possibility is that Dragotin knew the cards before the game even started, whether he memorized them or learned them during the game, with the latter being more likely.

The countdown began again, and as expected, Dragotin hesitated once more.

"Give me the next cards! Come on!" Dragotin exclaimed, silencing the celebrating crowd with his antagonistic tone, evoking shudders, fear, and annoyance.

His temper was escalating. If he continued this irksome behavior, the courteous crowd would turn against him, which was precisely my plan.

I chuckled as I selected the next set of cards.

"What are you smirking at, hollow boy?"

"I'm having a lot of fun, Dragotin," I said apathetically. "I've never had this much fun in my entire hollowed existence."

"Savor it now because it will be the last time you ever will."

"I don't suppose you're wrong about that."

The second match proceeded:

I had two rocks and a piece of paper. I took my time choosing a card, while Dragotin had already made his selection, repeating the same mistake from the previous rounds. Thus, this victory meant little to him.

This could be the perfect opportunity to learn more about the cards and how Dragotin exploited them.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

We revealed our cards and the match ended with a victory on my part.

Dragotin ignored me and selected the next set of cards for the third round.

As expected, he repeated the same mistake, allowing me to pick a card and wait for his turn.

During these careless last games, I seized the chance to study the cards further and understand the underlying exploit. It was relatively simple, but amid a drinking game, it was easy for Dragotin to avoid being discovered. However, I doubted this exploit was part of his original plan. A man of his intellect and naive outlook couldn't have devised such a convoluted strategy.

In the subsequent matches, I maintained the same strategy that Dragotin had become accustomed to. Eventually, he secured four victories, avoiding the even-numbered rounds.

There had to be a third party involved if my analysis was correct, potentially linked to the Republic. The connection was related to the peculiar pattern that Dragotin used to win the games, and I felt I could discern an idea behind these odd-numbered rounds.

"The game is over, hollowed boy," Dragotin said with a sadistic tone, his smile widening. "Now that you are my... "

"Not so fast, Dragotin!" I raised my voice, creating a rift among the crowd, who murmured in confusion and suspense. "Hodor, would you be so kind as to fetch my bag from the entrance? It's the one in the black cloth."

"CUT THE CRAP, HOLLOW BOY!" Dragotin grew increasingly agitated, standing up and forcefully kicking the table sidewise, where I sat calmly, undisturbed by his menacing aura.

"Huh?" Hodor looked confused. "Hold on, Makas, this isn't..."

"The stage is waiting, Dragotin," I said sheepishly. "This is the grand moment that your spirit should savor."

"What the hell are you talking about...?"

Dragotin's confusion was interrupted by Hodor, who hesitated but ultimately complied with my request. He carried my bag to the table.

I placed the bag on the table and spoke to Dragotin nimbly.

"I'd like to bet on this bag," I added with a cunning smile.

"The f*ck?!" Dragotin slammed his hand on the table in anger. "You said your life was on the line! I won the game, and now you're..."

"But this bag, Mr. Dragotin," I calmly said, "this bag is of particular interest to you."

"Oh sh*t!" In the background, Altino cursed out of fear.

Dragotin took a moment to grasp the meaning behind my statement, ignoring Altonio's concerns.

"Boss! Ahh..."

"What's up, Altonio?" Hodor appeared behind him, wrapping his arm around and asking cheekily. "Is there something you're hiding?"

"Behind this bag is a very exceptional item that I know too well Mr. Dragotin won't dream of losing, given how crucial, essential, and... rare it is to find nowadays."

At that very moment, the dragon crystal that resided all this time inside my pocket ignited in a luminous pattern. at this point, the crystal and I grew acquainted and I can tell easily when its on alarm without even looking back.

"Wait! That's... WHAT?!" Dragotin looked shocked, realizing that the bag was none other than the one I had stolen from Altino earlier when I arrived at the cafeteria. "HOW?! HOW DID YOU STEAL that?"

Dragotin was about to leap towards me, agitated, but I remained playful and cunning, asking him while pulling the bag away.

"Steal?" I feigned confusion. "I'm afraid I don't understand what you're saying, Dragotin."

"Don't play games with me, you little sh*t!"

"What's going on, Dragotin? Are you angry?"

"Hey, Dragotin? Brother... are you drunk?"

"Ha! Look at Dragotin's face! That's like me when I tried to skin a deer for the first time as a kid!"

The Nords, who had previously cheered and admired Dragotin, now began to grow irritated and teased him for his sudden change in demeanor, from confidence to stress and panic.

"SHUT UP, ALL OF YOU DOGS!" Dragotin shouted back in retaliation, sweat dripping from his face as he looked more fearful than ever.

"Oi! What did you call me?" One of the Nords grew irked with Dragotin and was about to start a fight.

"Oi, Makas!" Hodor interrupted once more and asked curiously. "What's inside the bag that's got old Dragotin so jumpy?"

"I... I honestly don't know!" I responded, with a phony smile and a baffled expression.

"Huh?! You son of a b*tch!"

"Ha...? Wait, no way..."

Hodor mumbled as he realized the truth. But the commotion had already spread, and there was no way to extinguish the flames.

"I don't understand why Dragotin is so upset about this bag. Care to tell us what you think is inside, Dragotin, since you obviously know?"

"I..." Dragotin stammered, unable to speak as he realized he couldn't reveal his secret.

"Altonio! Wait, where did he go?" Dragotin looked around in shock as everyone joined in, only to discover that Altonio was nowhere to be found.

"Son of a b*tch! He ran..."

"Does that matter?" I asked.

"Huh?"

"What's in it for him in this game or bet?" I inquired, frowning in fury. "If you want the bag so badly, why not gamble for it?"

Dragotin's once proud and ignorant smile vanished as he ground his teeth in anger, looking down at me maliciously. I continued to smile cunningly.

"If you win a game, just one game, you can have the bag," I proposed, speaking elegantly. "But if I win any game, I'll force you to play another until I break you completely."

I'll admit I've never felt this exhilarated and euphoric from a simple gambling game, at least not in this world. Part of me acknowledges that what I'm doing is cruel and wicked.

While it's true that I'm revealing Dragotin's secrets and exploits for a sense of justice, that's not my primary motivation. Instead, I revel in watching others tortured mentally to the point where they can't think straight anymore.

I find something poetic in madness.

Firstly, madness is often linked with heightened emotional intensity. Profound sadness, ecstatic joy, tormenting despair—these intense emotions can lead to a deeper understanding of the human condition. Madness enables individuals to experience feelings in their most raw and unfiltered form, much like a poet pouring their soul into verse. Through madness, people may discover new emotional landscapes they might not have encountered in a more stable state of mind.

Secondly, madness disrupts the conventional boundaries of rationality and order, shattering the constraints of the mundane. It allows one to access realms of thought and emotion buried deep within the recesses of the mind. In this chaos, there lies a certain beauty, much like a wild and untamed garden where the most extraordinary and unexpected blooms can emerge. Madness can be seen as a departure from the rigid structures of normalcy, providing a poetic quality of freedom, a liberation from societal norms.

All these are minor qualities and features of madness. For as long as I can remember, I've never felt this euphoric. After enduring a long, miserable life, suffering endlessly and struggling to stay conscious and alert, I've finally broken free, releasing myself like a prisoner escaping from bars.

I've never felt better. For the first time, I'm not bound by despair, chained by regret, or tainted by my own madness.

For the first time, I feel alive. And I'm going to savor every second of it until death can finally have me.

"Come now... let me feel your dread!"

[https://i.imgur.com/Db7FSOR.jpg]

----------------------------------------

"Shall we?" I asked cheerfully while closing my eyes and letting my unhinged thoughts take over.

Dragotin ignored the sudden shift in the Nords' attitudes and focused his wrathful attention on me. He resembled a predator closing in on its prey, only to suddenly hesitate, held back by fear of the unknown.

The Nords became more intrigued by the game as it transformed from mundane to provocative and stimulating, especially with the mysterious bag now in play.

The tables had turned, and with the cards under my control and the bag in my possession, I was just a few steps away from finishing this game. If I revealed the bag's contents at this moment, the entire show could crumble for Dragotin. However, this move could also backfire. I needed to choose the right moment before the curtain fell.

We each took our cards and prepared to draw.

As in the previous rounds, Dragotin grabbed his card as soon as I took mine, almost as if he anticipated my choice. I pretended to select one card (rock) and tried to goad Dragotin into countering it with a different card (paper).

"On the count of three, boys!" Hodor shouted in excitement. "Three! Two!-"

"HEY!"

"....!"

"What the?"

"Huh?!"

Just as we were about to reveal our cards, I concealed mine under my palm and slammed them on the table while keeping them hidden. Nobody, not even Dragotin, the cheater, was aware of what card I had chosen, except for the one he had been deceived into thinking.

"What's wrong, Dragon boy?" I smirked devilishly. "Ready to fold your cards?"

Dragotin stuttered in confusion, lost in my trap, as turbulence clouded his mind, and he trembled about his next move.

"COME ON, YOU TWO! DRAW YOUR CARDS ALREADY!" one of the Nords in the back shouted, shaking Dragotin even more.

He swallowed his concerns and worries and revealed his card.

I followed suit, raising my hand with two cards, leaving one open.

Dragotin had a paper, as I had suspected. I replaced the supposed card (rock) with scissors.

The crowd gasped in astonishment and shock as they witnessed Dragotin's first flawless loss in the first round.

Dragotin stood there, gasping and appalled by his defeat, feeling his world crumble before him.

"No need to shed any tears, Dragotin," I said calmly. "We're still in the first round, with six more to go. You have six chances to win, try not to... you know, get lucky?"

Dragotin grumbled through clenched teeth and slammed his hand on the table as he shouted, "You... you're going to pay for this!"

"We'll see about that," I replied with a smirk, continuing the charade of the game.

The second round began, and by repeating the same move I had used against Dragotin, it ended with his defeat.

"Two in a row!"

"You're losing your throne, Drag-!"

"SHUT IT!" Dragotin screamed angrily at his brother, who was now sweating profusely, panicking at this unexpected turn of events that I had orchestrated.

"Why don't you try my trick, Dragotin?" I asked mischievously. "Perhaps, you might get lucky then."

"I'm going to reap your soul out of your body!" Dragotin clenched his hand as he spoke with bitterness.

"How can you reap what is already dead, Dragotin?" I asked with an impassive face.

"Huh?"

"Never mind... let's play..."

And so, the third round began, with Dragotin following my strategy of hiding the cards under his palms. I simply chuckled and savored his mental collapse slowly taking shape.

"How...?" Dragotin was left speechless as we drew our cards, and I won again. "How... HOW!?"

"Who knows, Dragon boy? Maybe I got lucky."

With each victory I achieved, the crowd grew quieter, realizing the absurdity of the game's progression. With every loss, Dragotin descended further into despair, frantically seeking a single victory to win that coveted bag.

"HOW ARE YOU WINNING EVERY GAME?" Dragotin shouted in frustration. "YOU'RE CHEATING! YOU MUST BE-"

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?" I said callously. "It's ironic for you to play the cheated card when, in fact, you were the cheater who tarnished these games for so long."

"Wait! What... WH-"

"The true essence of gambling is madness, you see," I said ruthlessly. "In such a capitalist world, money is as valuable as life. Entrusting your life in a gambling game is what makes it thrilling. But you, so obsessed with preserving your legend above all else, chose to preserve your life at any cost. Even if it meant others would suffer."

"I-! I..."

"Wait, hold up!" One of the Nords approached and asked, "Are you saying he cheated all this time, and all of us?"

"Indeed, he did," I nodded.

"So, hold up! He lied to us?!"

"What the heck! I've been working my butt off for weeks because this jerk cheated?!"

"Dragotin! I'm going to have your head!"

"Everyone, calm down!" Hodor called for a settlement. "If he really cheated, can you elaborate on how he did it, Makas?"

"Of course, how foolish of me not to offer a proper explanation."

"Well, for one, you seem to know how the game works, having won seven rounds in a row," Hodor chuckled.

"Remind me, Hodor, I was just buying time and confirming other theories," I laughed as I began to shuffle the cards. "Hodor, would you like to play a game, so I can explain how he cheated?"

"By all means, lad!" Hodor said excitedly, sitting beside me and taking his share of cards.

"Where do you think you're going, cheater?"

"Leave me alone, you dog!"

"You bet you were trying to make a getaway, huh?"

As a result of the recent uproar, some of the Nords took a hostile stance against Dragotin and held him by his chair in a standoff.

"You're not going anywhere until we hear the truth."

"The floor is yours, Makas."

During the last matches of the first and second weeks, I took it upon myself to uncover Dragotin's exploit in a simple game of rock, paper, and scissors.

"The essence of the game is as follows: The cheater knows his card and is indirectly responsible for making them," I explained as I took my cards and displayed them to the eager crowd. "The trick lies on the back of each of these cards, which have distinct hand gestures in rock, paper, and scissors. They are all lined up vertically but not necessarily in the same order, just the same design."

The trick or exploit is in the thumbs of the hand, which determine the card. Specifically, the thumb of the fist reveals the card.

"If you make a fist with the thumb above the mentioned fingers, the card will be a rock."

The Nords were fascinated by this discovery, while Dragotin grew increasingly flustered.

"I knew there was a trick, but I could never figure it out!" a self-proclaimed Nord proudly exclaimed.

"But what about paper?" another asked.

"If both the thumb of the fist and the scissor are below, it's a paper," I continued.

"In a nutshell, if the thumb of the fist is under and the scissor's thumb is above, it's scissors. If the thumb of the fist is under and the scissor's thumb is also under, it's paper. And if the thumb of the fist and the scissor is above, the order is either scissor or fist."

The Nords were left confused and frustrated by this revelation.

"I still don't understand..."

"Now, imagine all of this in less than five seconds during a betting game. No one can process it that quickly, especially with drunk players involved and high stakes," I explained as I dropped the cards on the table.

"So you're saying we're stupid?"

"No, not this time," I chuckled. "But because I've been observing Mr. Dragotin for a long time, I eventually figured out the exploit over time."

Unfortunately for our cheater, he had discovered the secret beforehand. But the real cheater wasn't him. Someone else had rigged the deck. So, the actual cheater wasn't him. He could use this strategy and deny it whenever he wanted, like when someone like Milwak was watching for cheating. He could choose not to play dirty. But with a drunk opponent, he could do as he pleased. I, being a nobody, faced a similar situation. However, if provoked into a must-win game, he had no choice but to win at all costs.

"I see..." Hodor stroked his beard as he examined the cards, alongside the speechless Nords.

"How did you...?" Dragotin barely whispered, at a loss for words after I revealed the game's secret.

"By Odin's beard, Hollow Boy, you're smart, lad!"

"Might not need to call him 'Hollow Boy' anymore," Hodor mused.

The Nords around the table began complimenting me, a change I didn't particularly enjoy. Fortunately, it was short-lived, as one Viking intervened angrily.

"Lads, forget 'Hollow Boy' for a moment. Dragotin made us work three times because he cheated!"

The horde turned their anger toward Dragotin, who had remained silent and petrified, facing the Nords' cold stares.

"I swear, I didn't know a thing about the deck! It ain't mine!"

"It doesn't matter," the Nords retaliated. "You owe us a lot."

"You little...!" Dragotin finally snapped but was soon silenced by a stern hand on his shoulder.

"I think you've talked enough, pretty boy!" one of the Nords called him out deliberately.

"Gentlemen," I interjected. "The twist is far from over. I believe he owes you more than just a gambling game."

"What?"

As soon as I grabbed the Nords' attention, I stood back up and grabbed the bag containing the food rations Altonio was ordered to deliver. I tossed it onto the table where the game had taken place.

"That's...?"

"The food rations?"

"The stolen ones!"

The Nords looked at the food in bewilderment and realization as they had finally found the lost food they had been searching for.

"Hey, Hollow Boy!" Dragotin fired back. "You... you stole those..."

"It's ironic for you to suspect me when you wanted the bag more than anyone in this room," I replied callously.

"Holy...," Hodor looked in horror, realizing that this sudden act of mine was independent of everything that had transpired so far. "Makas, that's enough, we need..."

"Let's reveal the other half of Dragotin's secret! How he stole all the food for the past year..."

----------------------------------------

"Wait, what?!"

"Huh? What the hell are you talking about, Hollow boy!?"

The Nords began to gather and discuss the recent chaos I had caused, specifically remembering the old drama that had been unfolding since last winter. The food rations had suddenly dropped to half of what the Vikings were originally given, leaving them to scrape together what they could for a satisfying meal.

This complaint was presented to the Wardens, who, as expected, didn't bother to address the issue and simply let the miners go hungry.

However, as a consequence, the Nords, or in Republican terms, the miners, noticed a significant drop in their production efficiency. The mining operation began to suffer from a drastic reduction in ore extraction, which, in turn, affected their funds. This was a result of not only the miners' disobedient behavior but also malnutrition and a loss of motivation. In simple terms, they indirectly caused the demise of the Vikings.

However, this sudden change in the system was not just a product of bias. It was an intentional plan orchestrated by the High Warden of the High Walls. This was supported by Antonio's surprising arrival around the same time the food disappeared, a recent meeting between Antonio and a guard, and the relationship between Antonio and Dragotin, which led us to this gambling game.

"As you all know, gentlemen, for the past year, we've been running out of food rations due to the choices of the Republican Wardens. Regardless of what reasons you might believe, I want to confirm today that the entire scheme was a hoax, and Dragotin was involved in it."

"No! Don't listen—" One Nord punched Dragotin in the face, silencing him for good.

"Don't act tough in front of me!" the same Nord said sarcastically. "What were you saying, Hollow boy?"

"Makas, stop this madness!" Hodor pleaded with me to be quiet.

"You're not involved, Hodor," I replied. "In fact, you've been working with me to uncover the culprit all along."

Hodor let out a sigh of relief but then looked back at me with disappointment as he said, "Makas, don't do this. You'll create unnecessary chaos."

"Good," I muttered sadistically. "That's exactly what I want."

In the center of the cafeteria, I began to recount the events that had brought us to this point in time, as if we were...

"As a result of the undelivered food rations, our work performance initially declined and caused a financial loss in the mining operation. But for some reason, we regained our footing in the following months and became even more efficient."

The Nords looked at each other, fully aware of this situation, but none dared to reveal it for their own benefit and security.

If we were to go back to the first month after the food ration stopped being delivered, the overall amount of gold gained throughout the week was generally two times less than the usual amount, which was around seven hundred gold coins. However, in the following months, nearly one month after the sudden change in food delivery, the gold earnings returned to almost seven hundred gold coins. But what was even more mysterious was the sudden change in the miners' behavior. They began to work more efficiently than before, even working double shifts on some days and half shifts on others.

While a few, like Milwak, noticed the sudden change in behavior, I was more focused on the pattern and the method behind the increased profits. Therefore, I took my time and studied every single day of each week for months.

"As you all know, and there's no need to hide it. Everyone in this room is aware of the rumor that if you leave work halfway through your shift, you'll find a food ration under your bed the next day. Is that correct?"

All of the Nords were hesitant at first, but eventually, they admitted that this secret was no longer undisclosed.

"Yeah!" one of the Nords said tensely. "On the third day of the week!"

"No?" another Nord said, perplexed. "On the fourth day of the week!"

"What are you saying? It's the first! And I always got my food the next day!"

"Seriously? I tried that and it didn't work!"

This rumor started around the same time the food stopped being delivered. The basic premise was as the Nords described it. The only issue was determining the exact date that would guarantee the reward the next day.

The twist later appeared to be irrelevant, as it turned out that on any day during the week, anyone could avoid work and receive a food ration the next day, in exchange for working a double shift.

"As you can see, there isn't a specific date for this rumor to be true. And it doesn't matter, as long as you leave the shift early and doubt the next day. Either way, everyone gets their share. This is exactly what the Republic wants from all of you."

"I have a question!"

"Go ahead."

"If the rumor is indeed on any date, as you said, how come we never learned about it in the first place?"

"Let me ask you this. If someone had been secretly giving you treasure without anyone knowing, would you willingly share it?"

"Yeah, if it means my brothers and I can have it!"

While the Nord answered genuinely, others emitted a skeptical aura.

"It's called a rumor for a reason, and it was a secret for another. What you just did was, in some way, breaking a promise. Spilling the beans, as kids call it."

I looked back at the Nord who was growing curious and rather enraged.

"I take it you tried the rumor, but it never worked for you."

He nodded.

"And because you were among the first to hear about it, you also shared the news with the others and, in return, suffered consequences."

"Good point."

"And as for the question of why the date is random, it stems from the original rumor being inaccurate. If I just told you that on the second day, if everyone leaves work early, you will get your food and work double shift the next day, then the rest of the week would be exhausting. But if I claim it's random, everyone here will try to leave work earlier on different days and work double shifts the next day. This way, the entire week can maintain its previous order from before the food disappeared."

"That doesn't make sense," one Nord commented. "Maybe it would increase efficiency for a single day of double shifts, but it wouldn't make a huge difference."

"You're right about one thing and wrong about another."

Milwak then did the math and found the error.

"I calculated it as follows: If we imagine ten miners working during the mining operation and follow the same principle, on the first day, there are nine workers, and one leaves early for the rumor. That's ninety gold per day. On the next day, the same miner who left joins the second day for a double shift, but three more leave early for them to repeat the process. That's eighty per second day. On the third day, the three join for their punishment, and one leaves. That's one hundred and twenty per day. On the fourth day, one repays his punishment, and two leave early. That's ninety. On the fifth day, two repay back, and one leaves. That's one hundred and ten. On the sixth day, all ten miners work. That's one hundred and ten because of the punishment received by the one who left earlier the day before. On the final day of the week, eighty gold because two left, and there was no extra shift work. Therefore, the total adds up to six hundred and eighty gold."

The Nords looked dumbfounded as I explained all that, but it wasn't for them; it was for Dragotin, whose secret was slowly being revealed.

"Isn't that less?"

"Indeed, it falls short of the average, which is seven hundred. However, the final day was delayed by two workers, so by the next week, they would have bonuses to reach seven hundred. Keep in mind that if the rumor truly delivers what it promises, more people will become interested and eager to get their food ration, even if it means working double shifts. In short, it motivates them to work again, and the bonuses add up to seven hundred and thirty to forty."

"But we're making more than that amount!" one Nord noted.

"Yes, to be precise, nine hundred gold per week..." I corrected, sending a shock through the Nords. "Can you guess why?"

"Gambling?"

I nodded.

"But before that, let me explain. The exact bonuses from your gambling losses were only fifty gold extra back then, not enough to reach nine hundred. So, there must have been another clever strategy added to the mix. But because the order of the rumor, like I said, is random, the fixed number of miners who leave early won't be the same. Instead, you took a gamble and did it between one day and another, especially on one gambling day. Losses didn't affect you since you would get food no matter what the next day, so the double shifts became four times."

"Oh!"

"Darn, I didn't see through this."

"To be honest, I was okay with the double shift as long as I got the food."

"Hold on! Nowadays, we're getting less food than we used to!"

"Yeah! Even before that, there were days I didn't get any food!"

"Does this bag fill in the blanks?" I asked scornfully.

They looked at the bag I had gambled on, which had provoked Dragotin to fall for it.

"That's the stolen bag?"

"Before I confirm that, allow me to explain how I came into possession of the bag. First, I know some of you didn't receive the bag a while ago, and the reason for that is the new rumor you must have heard. The one that claims that if you double your work on the same day, you'll receive rations the following day without facing a penalty, right?"

They all shook their heads.

"But we didn't get anything from it! We were lied to!"

"That's because it was a false rumor, deliberately spread to deceive the miners and ultimately destroy the original rumor. This happened because the one person who always skipped work on that specific day and opted for double work never received their share the next day. It never appeared, even on regular days when they followed the pattern of skipping and doubling the next day. The rumor, simply put, stopped working. You can all see where I'm going with this..."

"Due to this sudden change, you all stopped believing in this rumor at some point and slowly began to lose hope in it until there was no rumor left to believe in. With this change, financial pressure began to mount again, and the warden had to find a new method. But until that happened, someone had to keep the funds high. Who else would have found a new way to exploit the miners' double shifts without any trouble but through cheating in a gambling game..."

Everyone turned their gaze towards Dragotin, who was now drenched in sweat.

"You mean, Dragotin was the one who caused this mess in the first place?"

"And the self-proclaimed hero who saved you from malnutrition," I added.

"Huh?!"

"STOP, PLEASE, I BEG-"

"You see, Dragotin was the first one to start the rumors and make you all believe in them. He was the first to secure extra food rations by following the rules he created, rewarding himself in the most shameful way. And this same food was sent by none other than the Republic to Dragotin. He wanted to seize the opportunity to be hailed as the hero who captured the thief, saved the Nords from malnutrition, and toppled Milwak's leadership to take it for himself. He kept the glory to himself, even as the rumor that would save the Vikings began to crumble. Instead of revealing the truth, he concealed it."

"I take it you can all guess why," I looked back fiendishly at Dragotin, who was now begging me to stop. "Aside from the fact that he cheated in those games, he was promised the leadership of the Nords here in Gutmar walls and a way to weaken Milwak's leadership and his position to take it for himself. So, to do that, he orchestrated a plan to keep you all in the dark and rise to the occasion when the time was right."

"WHAT! NO! THAT'S NOT THE TRUTH!"

"In fact, if you go under his bed in the dorm, you will find a stash of food waiting there, all kept for his benefit to prove one day."

"THAT'S FALSE! BROTHERS, PLEASE!"

This is far from the truth. Nearly half of this is fabricated. In fact, Dragotin was dragged into this game against his will. Although he did start the rumor, he was the first to reject Milwak's decision to remain idle and enslaved by the Republic, just like dogs forced into servitude. I learned that Dragotin found out the food rations were intentionally being concealed by the wardens for their future plans. Although I don't know the full details, he hoped he would gain the opportunity to make temporary peace with the wardens and find a way to undermine Milwak without resorting to violence.

In short, he tried to be clever. I learned this because, during the meeting with Milwak, Dragotin's intentions were as clear as day. To further prove this, he worked with Altonio to ensure the success of the rumor operation, as Altonio was the insider working with the Republic and offered him protection.

But I'll admit, Dragotin has a sense of dedication to his people. He was the first person to confirm the rumors' validity and to do that, he had to double his shifts to verify the rumor's accuracy. However, this failed when I altered the rumor and tarnished its reputation. This forced Dragotin, under the Republic's pressure, to find a solution and a better method, leading him to resort to cheating in gambling games. Or at least, go so willingly.

"This isn't the only lie you told, Dragotin," I said with a smirk.

"Huh?!" Dragotin looked puzzled.

"The one where you claimed to have killed three dragons..." I smiled maliciously. "There were never three dragons to begin with."

"What do you know! You weren't there!"

"But your eyes don't deceive you," I replied.

"I... I am-"

"Allow me to reveal the truth to all you gentlemen about Dragotin's tragic tale."

I slowly walked up towards Dragotin, who began tearfully recounting the horrifying events of that fateful night.

"Once upon a time, when Vikings dared to ascend the glacial peaks in search of dragon glory, heroes both bold and meek, but lifeless, not the dragons, greeted their quest. Instead, blackened ooze replaced the scales that once danced in fiery heat.

Intricate webs of Hollowed ones ensnared them. Their savage fangs and claws left heroes in despair. The Vikings met a gruesome, twisted fate, transformed from heroes to pawns, their destiny sealed by darkened slate.

Yet in the shadowed depths, one soul held on. It gazed upon Dragotin, his courage drawn. 'Dragotin, survivor of a woeful tale, once herald of Hollowed ones, the hero who slew dragons.'

But the truth was twisted, like the tongue of a fox. For the hero was nothing more than a coward, the rat he always aspired to be."

I looked back at Dragotin, who had become detached and almost undead. I continued, "No, you were not the hero others looked up to. You were simply a lucky bastard, ironically the luckiest in the world. I don't know how you managed to survive. The Hollowed ones must have spared you out of amusement. What good can come from a low-life coward who knows nothing of honor and courage?"

"I WILL F***ING KILL YOU, HOLLOWED ONE!" Dragotin shouted like a madman as he approached me, pushing away the two Nords who were restraining him and unsheathing his knife in the blink of an eye, ready to strike me down.

I simply stood there, motionless, closing my eyes, greeting death like an old friend.

(That was my entire plan all along...)