Chapter 45

"Where on earth did this guy pop out from?!"

"This figure is unfamiliar! He's not one of the big shots I know… So, he's really unknown but just got lucky all the way up until now?!"

Whispers of astonishment arose, and various gazes scrutinized the slender back.

The betting continued.

The number dwindled from over twenty to a dozen, then down to seven or eight… until only three or four remained.

Among them were some big names with immense wealth, yet they were mercilessly eliminated.

In stark contrast, this utterly unknown young man, believed to be incredibly fortunate, persevered all the way to the final round, dumbfounding the crowd of spectators who had come for the spectacle.

"What's going on? Even luck can't be this consistent, right…?"

"He's cheating? Can we report it to the auction house for an inspection?!"

Yale, seated at the gambling table, remained unperturbed by the malicious comments around him. He didn't shy away from the scrutinizing gazes from all directions and openly revealed his cards with poise.

It was still an incredibly mediocre hand.

He wasn't at the bottom to be eliminated, nor did he sweep all the stakes. Yet, strangely, he consistently maintained this position for dozens of rounds.

A commotion erupted!

"It's impossible! This guy must be cheating! The organizers! The organizers!!"

Brewing jealousy finally boiled over, turning as sharp as blades. Enraged, bloodshot eyes glared at Yale, who sat calmly in his chair.

"It's unfair! He must have used some concealed method to count the cards, that's how he predicts so accurately! We must inspect him..."

"Excuse me."

The insectoid auctioneer's smile didn't waver as he politely declined the calls for a body search.

"The control room has detected no abnormal fluctuations and has found no evidence of cheating."

"Nonsense! Think before you act! If this creature is indeed cheating, the auction house's golden reputation will be shattered tonight!"

"Search him! We must search him! Otherwise, it's an injustice to all the other bettors!"

These words sparked an uproar among the crowd.

More voices joined in, mostly from those who had already been eliminated in the betting, almost forming a chorus of protest.

Perhaps convinced that they held leverage over the auction house and hoping to capitalize on this public outcry, they imagined they could force a restart of the game... Perhaps, in the next round, victory would be theirs!

Yet the one targeted by all the insects showed no reaction. He revealed his cards with swift decisiveness, not even disturbing a single strand of his jet-black, mask-draping hair.

The middle-aged insect opposite him suddenly wore a change in expression, casting a fearful glance at Yale before cautiously flipping over his cards.

"Sorry about that."

Alongside his calm words came the dealer's announcement of his elimination. The insect's face fell drastically, but he could only leave the table with a resigned sigh.

At this point, only three insects remained at the gambling table.

Watching Yale remain unperturbed, even eliminating another contestant amidst their cries, edging closer to victory, the insects grew increasingly frenzied in their shouting:

"Unfair!"

"Search! Search!"

"We can't let a cunning insect exploit the rules! Search him and restart the game!"

The moderator insect furrowed its brow, looking rather conflicted.

He had faith that the auction house's equipment would be flawless, and the one in question was currently seated right there.

What kind of cheating method could escape that individual's scrutiny?

However, with the situation so one-sided, he couldn't just stand idly by. He stepped forward slightly and leaned in to inquire politely.

"Sir, may I ask if you have employed any dishonest means here?"

"How dare you inspect like this! Are you trying to protect him? I say there's no need to wait until tomorrow; your golden reputation will be ruined tonight!"

"Such audacity, to cheat right under the Viscount's nose! He must be searched and taught a stern lesson!"

Yale distanced himself slightly from the card game at hand, his eyelashes drooping lazily as he spoke with a slightly gravelly tone.

"What method did you use?"

"Would using my mind count?"

They were so close that the moderator insect could discern every intricate line on the mask. As the insect before him slightly lifted its gaze, it found itself unintentionally drowning in a deep, clear pool of Yale's eyes.

Those eyes were so captivating that they seemed to ensnare one's soul, leaving him utterly mesmerized for several seconds, oblivious to his professional conduct.

"C-certainly..."

While he was still in a daze, Yale's eyes curled slightly at the corners - an uncommon sight - as he gently urged, "The game has been decided. Let's not drag this out. The sooner we finish, the sooner we can go home and get some sleep."

He was genuinely feeling quite sleepy; usually, no matter how late he had planned things, he would have gone to bed by two in the morning. But now, it was almost five in the morning, and any further delay would truly lead to an all-nighter.

His words were spoken with an extraordinary calmness, giving the impression that victory was already within his grasp.

The insect across from him froze, its hand that was previously on the table snatched back in an instant, its gaze shifting anxiously upward.

"Wait."

A voice that brought relief echoed, and the clamor of the insect crowd below burst into ecstatic cheers!

"Vice Count!"

"Throw this troublemaker out right now! How dare he deceive the auction house...!"

Enix rose from his seat, his slender eyes fixated intently on Yale below, his expression unperturbed yet his eyebrows slightly raised.

Only those who knew him well would recognize this as a sign of his heightened interest.

He leaped down from the railing, but instead of attacking Yale as the insects had hoped, he pushed away the remaining insects from the gambling table.

"You've already lost. Now... it's my turn to play."

With a casual flick of his hand, he revealed the unturned cards, his eyes locked onto Yale across from him. Nodding at the croupier, he said, "Deal a new hand."

Yale's brows furrowed slightly as he glanced at the time on his brain-computer before leaning back in his chair.

"You didn't initially plan on participating, did you?"

His tone held a hint of weariness, like a lethargic cat grooming itself without much interest. "The extended round comes with an additional price."

Neurons were irreplaceable; staying up late would result in a significant loss of millions. Yale thought coldly.

Enix still regarded him as if he were a rare animal, reacting to his words.

"Very well, if Your Excellency can defeat me, you may choose any item here, and I'll cover the cost."

"Even if you lose, Your Excellency will retain your first place and have the privilege to choose one item to take away."

This declaration sparked another round of gasps. However, no one dared to speak out of turn, only able to glare fiercely at Yale with more animosity.

"Can I decline?" Yale shrugged, unfazed. "I came here for a single item. Once I acquire it, I'll leave. The rest is irrelevant—"

"So can we skip the betting part with you, sir?"

"No way," Anix chuckled with narrowed eyes, resembling a cunning and domineering fox.

"This is my casino, and I set all the rules. If you don't bet with me, you won't get your hands on a single item."

Yale clicked his tongue, sharing the same thoughts as Elaine six hours ago:

Damn those Sky Dragon capitalists.

He sighed and compromisingly brushed off the dust from his sleeves before straightening up at the gambling table. "Then let's make it quick."

The scattered poker cards and chips on the gambling table were cleared away, and the surrounding chatter diminished, leaving only the distinct sound of the machine shuffling the cards.

Elaine, standing outside the swarm, was sweating profusely with anxiety.

Anix's family had built their fortune through gambling, and they placed great emphasis on training their offspring in this skill. Among them, this Viscount was the standout, practically a golden trademark for the family.

If Yale lost, no one would be offended, and he would still get what he wanted – a win-win situation.

But what if... he wins?

While he might secure more auction items, such an act would shatter the family's reputation, leading to endless troubles and even the possibility of assassination attempts.

Now, one could only hope that Yale grasps the stakes involved and shows some diplomacy, not being too fixated on victory or defeat...

He mustn't forget his original intention before entering the casino.

...

Differing from the previous frenzied eliminations, this round of the gamble progressed at an excruciatingly slow pace, suffocating the insects even more.

Yale's expression turned much more serious, and the speed at which he drew and revealed his cards decreased continually. He was rapidly calculating the suddenly intricate web of cards.

Opposite him, Anix appeared composed, but only he knew that he was far from as relaxed as he seemed on the surface.

At the very least... he had rarely felt such pressure in a long time.

It was a kind of pressure and stagnation that he would only experience when gambling against the elders back home.

What kind of creature is this? Why have I never heard of it before? And why would it be hiding in such a desolate border planet...?

These questions swirled in his mind but were swiftly brushed aside by Einix, who remained focused on the cards before him.

The outcome of this game was a seesaw battle.

Both players held their ground on their respective home fields, creating an impasse for the moment.

But no matter how slow the game progressed, it inevitably moved towards its climax.

"This is the final round," Einix suddenly said.

His fingers tapped nervously on the table as he repeatedly glanced at the motionless insect-like being, trying to discern something behind its mask.

Currently, Yale had won one round against him. If Einix couldn't turn the tide in this last round, it would be a disastrous defeat for him—

At least in Einix's view. It had been a long time since he had been so far behind; two points was a significant margin!

"Yes..."

Yale desperately wanted to appear more focused, but the overwhelming drowsiness and fear of the capitalist opposite him suddenly going mad made him yawn discreetly, hiding it behind his fist.

It was almost six o'clock... The sky had already lightened, yet he still hadn't been able to go home and sleep.

In a moment of distraction, his wrist seemed to brush against something soft and scorching hot, sending a tingling sensation through his fingertips.

Before he could ponder what sort of illusion this might be, a flowing, honey-like tenderness seeped into his mind.

Yale jolted in surprise, straightening his back guiltily and gathering the cards in his hand.

...What was he even thinking? He must be too exhausted.

Like many others eagerly awaiting the climax, Elaine stretched his neck as far as it would go to catch a glimpse inside.

The situation before him weighed heavily on his heart, but at the same time, an inexplicable sense of pride swelled within him, creating a paradoxical conflict.

"Let's open it."

Anix was no worm to dally unnecessarily; he flipped his card open with decisive swiftness, then gestured to Yale with a look.

"Congratulations."

Yale glanced at his own card and casually flicked his hand, his words trailing slowly.

He had lost!

This realization instantly exhilarated the surrounding worms, their disdain barely held back.

However, in the next moment, they were struck by an inconceivable truth, their expressions contorting in disbelief—

Wait... No! It should be...!

It was a tie.

Elaine felt an immediate wave of relief wash over him, the sudden shift almost causing him to collapse. The numerous shocks of the night had nearly given him a heart attack.

Anix was still in a daze, blinking blankly, "I... won? No, wait, we tied."

"Yes, it's quite regrettable that I won't have the chance to burden you, Sir," Yale replied casually, the curve of his thin lips stretching into a much more pronounced smile. It added a touch of genuine warmth and vitality to his previously icy perfection, making him look utterly captivating.

The croupier, who had just regained his composure, was once again struck dumb by this casual display of charm, standing rooted to the spot.

"Shall we conclude this? May I proceed to claim the item I desire?" the auctioneer asked, snapping back to reality and glancing at Viscount Anix across from him. "Of course! Please stay, Sir. I'll instruct them to bring everything over. Just give us a moment."

It was customary here to select and retrieve auction items in public. Yale nonchalantly sat back down, waiting for them to prepare.

Anix finally came back to his senses but couldn't shake off an unsettling feeling. Earlier, he had been uncertain, sensing both the possibility of defeat and victory.

Now, despite having truly won, he didn't experience the exhilarating rush he expected. It felt as if his opponent had deliberately held back, letting him win on purpose.

Thoughts turning dark, he started, "You...?"

"Hmm?"

Soon it would be time to sleep, and Yale grew a bit more patient. "Is there anything else, sir?"

Axincia hesitated for a moment.

In the end, it was only his speculation, with no evidence to prove that Yale had intentionally let him win the last round rather than it being a stroke of luck.

After a long while, he suppressed the unease in his chest and gestured with his hand. A small black velvet box was carefully placed in his palm.

"You came for this, didn't you?"

He opened it for a glance before setting it down on the table, its opening facing Yale.

It was the infamous "Mechanical Heart" necklace, rumored to have been left behind on the battlefield by the Empire's most brilliant general, Admiral Monte.

"No," Yale said, having found what he was looking for. He tapped on the protective glass covering it, signaling for it to be opened. "I only want this."

Axincia raised an eyebrow, took a look, and then read out the description beneath.

"What is this... A chip that can unlock a slave collar? What on earth is this?!"

Disbelief and disdain flickered in his eyes, followed by a critical glance at the insect conducting the auction. How dare they present such junk for bidding?

"You... You came to this auction solely for this item, and even won first place just for it?"

Not only Enix, but all the insects around them wore a dreamy expression, stunned by the absurd spectacle. They exchanged bewildered glances before letting out bitter chuckles.

"It holds unique value to me."

Yale didn't elaborate further. After putting the item away, he stood up and nodded as a farewell. "I'm leaving."

"Please wait a moment, sir."

The voice behind him was cold and firm, lacking the casual arrogance from earlier. Yale sighed inwardly.

Without turning around, he clenched the chip in his pocket beneath his coat, and his expression beneath the mask turned colder. "May I ask, what else does Viscount Sir have in mind?"

"How about you take off your mask for me, and I'll give you this necklace as well?"

Anix still harbored suspicions and a tinge of frustration from his defeated pride, urging him to uncover the identity behind that mask. Could it be a worm he once knew, or perhaps an elder he hadn't seen in ages, who was aware of his past foolishness and had come specifically to teach him a lesson about humility?

In any case, he had never felt so restless in his entire life. If he were to let Yale leave just like that, he would have sleepless nights for the next decade.

"I decline."

Yale replied without turning back, promptly starting to walk away.

The throngs of worms watched him in fear, parting like the Red Sea to create a path for him. Anix straightened his posture and coldly instructed a worm standing by, "Ednor, clear out those creatures! And shut down all the surveillance systems on this level."

"And make sure the entrance is secured."

Finally, Yale turned around to see the worm who had questioned his cheating stepping forward swiftly to evacuate the area and contact the control room to power down all devices on this floor.

The surrounding guards firmly escorted him back to the gambling table before retreating, leaving only Anix and Yale as the two remaining worms in the hall.

"I swear by my family's honor, I won't seek revenge on you in private, nor will I disrupt your normal life... As long as you step foot in my territory, even if you trip and fall, it's on me. Just come to me for compensation, alright?!"

Instead of resorting to more aggressive tactics, Ainix continued making grand promises, even going so far as to swear an oath, which was unprecedented for him.

However, the insect before him remained unmoved, gradually frustrating Ainix.

"Show me your face beneath that mask, and this auction item will be yours!"

Yale studied him silently for a moment.

He still had no idea what this noble insect was up to, but his domineering attitude was genuine. If he didn't remove the mask, it was uncertain whether he'd be able to leave this place today.

Over there, Ainix continued to exaggerate his promises, even offering to transfer ownership of the entire building to Yale. But to Yale, it was just another cunning capitalist trying to entice him with empty promises.

This mask actually served no real purpose... With the power of the insect before him, it would be effortless for them to navigate through the barren planet of Etar and uncover his identity with a simple investigation.

He let out a sigh and placed his fingers on the edge of the white fox mask. The intricate clasps turned and released their grip.

Click.

The mask was placed on the gambling table with a crisp sound.

Yale opened his eyes, looking coldly at the stunned insect before him. "Is that enough?"

"..."

Enix was completely dumbfounded.

The insect in front of him stood amidst the wreckage of opulence, its serene countenance reminiscent of distant mountains. Beneath the scattered locks of hair, its eyes were like pools shimmering with a brilliant star.

The bright light from the crystal chandelier couldn't compete with the fairness of its skin, which resembled flawless new snow. The red marks left by the mask seemed like dots of blood plum blossoms, splashing an astonishing scene.

Enix's movements froze, his unwilling-to-blink eyes turning dry, but he was entirely ignored by the subject, his mind now a blank canvas.

Yale furrowed his brows slightly, unsure of what the insect intended, and decided not to waste any more time there.

"Well, you've seen enough. I'm leaving."

Underneath his thin coat, Yale's broad shoulders and narrow waist exuded a solemn grace, his tall and slender figure as elegant and straight as a pine or bamboo.

Each step of his cautious retreat brought every contour to life, as if a deity had stepped out of a painting.

Finally, Anix's gaze lifted from Yale's face, yet he found himself unable to tear it away, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat.

"Wait!"

Seeing Yale about to leave, Anix immediately called out softly.

In the moment Yale turned his head, Anix threw the small box in front of him. "Take this."

It was the Heart of the Mech necklace.

Yale accepted it without hesitation, nodding slightly in gratitude before stepping out of the door without any lingering attachment.

Only after Yale's figure had vanished for a long while did Anix fully regain his composure. He slumped into the spacious chair, exhausted, but the image remained vividly imprinted in his mind.

"There's something off about this..."

A strong sense of oddity lingered in his heart, reminding him that he must have overlooked something crucial.

"Mask... No insect patterns, and that faint scent... A male insect?"

"He's a male insect?"

The incredulous whisper echoed through the empty hall.

*

Not only was the upper level deserted, but it seemed that the entire building had been cleared out, leaving behind only the mess that hadn't yet been tidied up, with colorful weights scattered across the floor.

It wasn't until Yale stepped out of the main entrance and saw Elaine anxiously waiting on the side that he finally relaxed a bit.

"Are you alright?"

Elaine, who had been eagerly waiting outside, rushed over, nervously checking for any injuries on him. Only after confirming his safety did he breathe a sigh of relief.

"I'm fine. Let's go back."

The sky outside was gradually brightening, indicating that dawn was near.

In the distance, soft hues of crimson and blue blended into the sky, painting a gentle gradient. A few stars still hung at the horizon, like the lingering remnants of the long night.

Yale rolled down the car window and inhaled the chilly air deeply. The exhaustion from staying up all night was overwhelming, and he could only fight off drowsiness by letting the cold wind blow on him.

After some thought, he took out the small black box and opened it. Inside lay a necklace, resting silently.

Yale gazed at the necklace for a long while. Suddenly, his brows knitted together as he lowered his head to sniff the scent on it. But apart from the rust and a faint trace of blood, there was nothing else.

Strange...

Just now, he seemed to have caught a familiar aroma, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't recall where it originated.

"Beep."

His optical computer beeped, signaling an incoming message. Yale barely regained his focus, put the necklace back in his pocket, and activated his screen to check the notification.

"The ownership of the Emerald Stone Auction House has been transferred to your name. Please check your inbox! Attachments: Auction site deed *1, Share transfer contracts *5, Inventory of auction items' images *1298..."

Yale: "....?"

Yale: "."

So it wasn't a capitalist's empty promise, but a naive philanthropist with more money than sense from the Wormhome Star System?

Author's Note:

The main star's Wormhome connection has increased by 1 (the sound of gold coins being earned).