Temple of the Demon Lord of Wishes

Chapter 69 Gambling Den

Kalisto, officially registered as a local Walker under the city's investigative network, walked down Wrenwood Street, a neglected part of town infamous for its rowdy gambling scene.

The street was lined with worn brick buildings, their once-bright facades now dulled by years of grime and neglect.

Faded signs hung crookedly above heavy wooden doors, advertising establishments like "The Lucky Ace" or "Jack's Table."

The air smelled of stale beer, cheap tobacco, and the faint metallic tang of coins constantly exchanging hands.

The occasional shout or cheer spilled out from open doorways, mixing with the sound of footsteps on the cracked pavement and the distant rattle of a trolley rolling past the far end of the street.

The streetlights above flickered inconsistently, their weak glow struggling to cut through the mist rolling in from the nearby river, giving the entire area a damp, cold feel.

Kalisto unfolded a worn information sheet as he walked, reading the details of his assignment with careful attention.

"Investigate local gambling dens. Identify individuals exhibiting belief in an alleged 'evil being' suspected to be a Reality Master. Key identifiers include the possession of distinct, worn-out dolls. These dolls vary in appearance but are consistently damaged—amateur stitching, missing parts, or faded paint."

"Believers claim the Being absorbs their misfortune, taking on their bad luck and granting them extraordinary gambling success in return. Reports suggest these individuals often experience uncanny winning streaks, drawing attention from other gamblers and further fueling their faith. Proceed with caution—unexplained phenomena linked to these claims may be at play."

Kalisto frowned as he reread the descriptions on the crumpled sheet in his hands.

'A Reality Master that gives out luck?'

He thought as he looked towards the glowing system panel beside him which displayed his information as a Walker.

[User Profile]

Name: Kalisto Owen

Occupation: Reality Walker

Reality Master: The Spirit with Good Luck

Rank: Supporter

Abilities

[Coin Luck Accumulation] (Memory Lower-tier)

'Doing good deeds with a coin in your hand allows you to accumulate Good luck inside the coin.'

Kalisto's fingers brushed against the small, tarnished coin tucked into his jacket pocket. It was a habit now, carrying the thing everywhere.

"No, no," Kalisto said, shaking his head.

"I've been to...uh...a few places like this before." He cringed internally at how unconvincing he sounded.

The bartender chuckled, setting the glass down.

"Well, just don't get in over your head. This place has a way of humbling folks."

Kalisto forced a laugh, pulling the tarnished coin from his pocket and rolling it between his fingers, more to steady his nerves than anything else.

"Yeah, I've heard. But, uh, luck's kind of my thing."

The bartender glanced at the coin but didn't press further, nodding toward the tables.

"Good luck, then. You'll need it."

Kalisto mumbled a thanks and wandered further into the room, trying to suppress his nerves.

His steps felt too deliberate, his shoulders too stiff. He avoided eye contact with the other patrons, though he could feel their gazes lingering on him.

As he approached a crowded table, he caught fragments of a hushed conversation.

"I swear, this thing works," a man whispered, clutching a small, battered doll. Its fabric was torn, and one of its button eyes dangled precariously by a thread.

"I haven't lost a single game since I got it."

Kalisto's eyes widened slightly.

'That's it,' he thought. He hesitated, then awkwardly leaned closer to the table, his movements stiff.

"Uh, mind if I, uh, watch?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant but instead sounding more like a nervous apprentice asking for permission.

The man gave him a curious look but shrugged.

"Sure, why not? Just don't bring bad luck over here."

Kalisto forced a laugh, slipping into an empty spot near the edge of the table.

His awkwardness didn't go unnoticed, but the gamblers quickly returned their focus to the game, giving him a chance to observe.

His gaze lingered on the doll, the tattered fabric which looked rundown and cheap.