An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

After the second round of betting concluded, there was a mix of joy and frustration at Abigail's betting table.

Winners were on cloud nine, feeling like they had struck gold, while losers were kicking themselves for their choices.

"Damn it! I didn't think that guy would lose so badly. I should've gone with Number 36 from the start!" "I only have myself to blame! I lost a whole bottle of Zen Pellets for nothing!"

"Same here. I lost all my loot in one fell swoop!"

"Hmph! I told you to bet on Number 36, but no one listened. Now we've got to pay the price!"

Amidst the collective groans, a jarring voice broke through the noise. All heads turned toward a man dressed in gray.

He strode arrogantly with a longsword strapped to his back. In his hand, he tightly gripped a fistful of celestial stones he had just won from his bets.

"Hey! Looks like you made quite a haul earlier," someone piped up.

dozen or so. But if I had more capital, I'd have gone all in.

his response

of winning a dozen celestial stones in a single bet was irresistible. They could sustain their cultivation for years with the abundant spiritual

36

intense. Unless one fighter was

other special talents, but I've got a keen eye, and I know my stuff," the man in gray boasted, "Truth be

know who's tough, who's skilled in what, and who's likely to come out on top. No exaggeration,

immediately got pumped upon

freaking amazing! It's like you've got some kind

on this bet. I hope you'll

count me in

as they surrounded the guy in gray. They showered him with

world, if the man in gray could assess