The Gambling System

CHAPTER 7: Black Wins

For a heartbeat, no one moved. No one breathed.

Then the room exploded into chaos. Cheers erupted from the crowd, echoing off the walls. Gasps and shouts of disbelief filled the air. Some were thrilled for Peter, while others were too stunned to speak.

The dealer’s voice cut through the commotion. “Black wins.”

Peter staggered back, his legs nearly giving out beneath him. He had won. The ball had landed on black. Relief surged through his chest like a tidal wave. His heart, which had felt like it might burst, now pounded with triumph.

Falcone, however, didn’t share in the celebration. His face twisted in disbelief, his smirk replaced by a glare so cold it could freeze the room. He stared at the wheel, then at Peter, his lips curling into a snarl. But Peter stood firm, his battered face lit with something Falcone hadn’t expected—triumph.

The dealer pushed the mountain of chips toward Peter. A million euros, doubled.

Peter stepped forward, his hand steady now. “The necklace. And my winnings.”

Falcone hesitated, his anger barely contained. His hand hovered over his pocket as if considering whether to fight or give in. But under the weight of the crowd’s stares and the dealer’s stern presence, he had no choice. With a growl, he yanked the necklace from his pocket and slammed it onto the table.

The crowd roared again, but Peter didn’t let the noise faze him. Slowly, he gathered the chips and the necklace, his hands calm and deliberate.

He had done it.

Without a word, Peter turned and began walking toward the exit. The crowd parted for him like the sea, their faces a mixture of awe, shock, and envy.

Peter didn’t look back. He walked out of the gambling house, the weight of his winnings and his victory heavy in his hands.

For the first time in what felt like forever, he didn’t feel like a loser. He had won.

And he wasn’t stopping now.

Outside, the rain poured down in cold sheets, washing away the grime and blood from his face. Peter let it soak him, head tilted to the sky. For the first time in his life, he wasn’t running.

He was winning.

The semi-transparent screen appeared before him, its glow cutting through the night like a beacon.

[SYSTEM REPORT: QUEST COMPLETED]

REWARD: +5 EXP, New skill unlocked.

SKILL UNLOCKED: Probability Vision (Level 1)

Explanation: Grants the user the ability to visualize probability outcomes in specific scenarios, providing a calculated chance of success.

Peter stared at the screen, his chest tightening. It’s real. This system… it’s actually real. But the sense of relief was short-lived. His victory at the gambling house wasn’t the end. His mother still needed him.

One more lap to run, and he was hours late to the starting line, Peter thought grimly.

Converting the chips into cash, Peter transferred the funds to his account. Without wasting a second, he raced to his scooter, the engine sputtering to life. His knuckles whitened around the handles as he rode through the rain, pushing the scooter as fast as it could go.

Peter burst into the hospital, drenched and short of breath. He barged into the doctor’s office, startling the man out of his chair.

“I got the money! I got the money as promised!” Peter said, waving his card in the air like a trophy.

The doctor blinked, dumbfounded. “You… you’re serious?” he muttered to himself, signaling for a nurse. “Verify the funds on this account.”

Minutes later, the nurse returned, her face pale with shock. “It’s real,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor’s jaw slackened as he turned to Peter. “How… how does a seventeen-year-old raise a hundred thousand euros in less than twenty-four hours?”

Peter didn’t answer. His bruised and battered state said enough.

“Right,” the doctor said, pulling on his coat. “We’ll get started immediately. Follow the nurse—she’ll make sure you’re taken care of as well.”

The doctor paused at the door and glanced back at Peter. “I’ll save your mother’s life, kid. But get some rest. You don’t want her seeing you like that, do you?”

Peter let out a shaky sigh of relief. But as the adrenaline drained from his system, exhaustion slammed into him like a freight train. His legs buckled, and he collapsed to the floor like a bag of sand.

The nurse caught him just in time, easing him into a chair. Peter’s world darkened.

….

Hours later, Peter’s eyes fluttered open. The harsh fluorescent lights of the hospital room greeted him. His head throbbed, but the unbearable ache in his body had dulled.

“You’re awake,” a familiar voice said.

Peter turned his head to see the doctor standing beside him. “How’s my mom?” Peter croaked, his throat dry.

The doctor hesitated, sighing deeply. “We should wait until you’re fully recovered before we talk about your mother.”

“No,” Peter said firmly, pushing himself upright. “Tell me now. How is she?”

The doctor met his gaze, seeing the unwavering determination in the boy’s eyes. He nodded.

“Your mother survived the surgery,” he said with a small smile. “She’s stable and recovering.”

Peter’s shoulders sagged with relief.

“But…”

Peter stiffened, his heart sinking. “But what?”

“Due to the fact we were a few late hours, she had the surgery at the eleventh hour, so her condition was worsened,” the doctor admitted. “She’ll need round-the-clock medical care for the next six months to a year before she fully recovers.”

Peter bowed his head, his fists clenching the bedsheet.

“And that’s going to cost money, isn’t it?” he asked bitterly.

“A considerable amount,” the doctor said, his voice soft with pity.

“How much”

“Around ten million euros.” replied soberly.

Fuck… peter yelled internally. He stared down at his hands, the weight of the new obstacle crushing him.

“I’ll… come back later to check on you,” the doctor said quietly, tapping Peter’s shoulder before leaving the room.

Peter clenched his fists tighter, tears dripping onto the bedsheet. Ten million euros? How the hell am I supposed to do that? Even with the system, even with gambling… it’s impossible.

The room was silent, save for his quiet sobs.

Then, a voice called out softly.

“Peter Donovan.”

Peter’s head shot up. A woman stood at the door, dressed elegantly in all black, her sharp heels clicking softly as she stepped inside. Her long coat shimmered faintly under the light, and she carried a sleek black briefcase in one hand. Her eyes, framed by perfectly styled dark hair, were piercing, almost predatory.

“I’m sorry—do I know you?” Peter asked, his voice hoarse.

“No,” the woman replied, her voice calm and poised. “But I’m here to change that.”

She stepped closer and sat down on the chair beside his bed, crossing her legs elegantly. Peter tensed, unsure of what to make of her.

“Let’s make this interesting,” she said with a faint smile.

The woman pulled a coin from her pocket, holding it up between her fingers.

“I’ll toss this coin. If it lands on heads, I’ll give you the ten million euros you need. If it lands on tails, you’ll come with me for a meal. Deal?”

Peter stared at her, dumbfounded. “That’s… that’s insane.”

Peter was shocked, what kind of gambling was this, if he won she would get ten million euros just the amount of money he needed. And he lost all had to do was go out on a date. Only a fool would reject such a wager.

Peter nodded. “Fine. Deal.”

Suddenly The semi-transparent appeared again.

….

[GAMBLE DETECTED: COIN TOSS]

REWARD: +5 EXP & UNLOCK NEW SKILL

PENALTY: -3 EXP

Skill Activated: Probability Vision (Level 1)

Calculating...

Chances of landing on tails: 0%.

….

Peter blinked. “What? That can’t be right.” Even he knew the chances of a coin toss was fifty percent. This system must be broken or something.

The woman’s smile didn’t falter. She flicked the coin into the air, its silver surface catching the light as it spun.

Peter’s breath hitched. The coin arced, reached its peak, and tumbled down. Time seemed to slow.

Clink.

The coin hit the surface, spinning furiously. Peter’s heart pounded in time with its rapid whirring.

Finally, the coin wobbled, tilted, and fell flat.

Tails.

The woman smiled, slipping the coin back into her pocket. “Looks like we’re going out to eat.”

….

[SYSTEM REPORT: GAMBLE LOST]

PENALITY: -3exp deducted

EXP LEFT: 2xp

…..

Peter stared at her, his mind reeling with questions, but before he could respond,

She stood and extended a hand. “Come on, kid. Your life’s about to change.”