Chapter 2: The Gamble
Las Vegas Suburbs, Midnight.
In a private high-stakes poker room, a group of gamblers sat around a square table, deep in a game of Texas Hold'em.
The dim chandelier cast soft shadows, the scent of alcohol lingered in the air, and the leather armchairs creaked faintly as players shifted in their seats.
On the wall, an ultra-thin OLED TV was broadcasting CNN's latest breaking news. Though the volume was low, the anchor's excited tone was clear enough for everyone to hear.
"Breaking News—We have confirmed that the world's only physical artifact-tier item, Stone of Glory, from Glory Lords X, has been successfully claimed by a mysterious individual! Reports suggest that this one-of-a-kind item unlocks the hidden 'Hero Awakening' feature and activates the legendary ultimate quest. Meanwhile, an unidentified billionaire has offered a staggering $100 million bounty to acquire this so-called 'artifact'."
For a brief moment, the poker table fell silent.
A man with glasses adjusted his frames and clicked his tongue. "Stone of Glory? You mean that legendary item? I heard if you slot it into a VR device's special gem port, your in-game hero undergoes 'full awakening'—stats go off the charts." His tone carried a mix of skepticism and barely contained excitement.
Beside him, a younger man in a perfectly tailored Armani suit exuded the aura of a Wall Street elite.
Leaning forward slightly, he smirked. "You guys realize the official reward for completing that quest is already ten million dollars? That alone is enough to send pro gamers worldwide into a frenzy. But if a billionaire is willing to throw down a hundred million... that means the Stone of Glory is worth far more than we think."
Near the bar, a blonde woman lazily leaned against the table, idly swirling the ice in her cocktail. Her Victoria's Secret slip dress dipped just enough to be effortlessly seductive, the bar counter subtly lifting the fabric.
She chuckled, lips curling into a teasing smile. "A hundred million dollars? Jesus, that's not just 'filthy rich'—that's straight-up setting money on fire. God help us, I just hope that billionaire is a sexy one..."