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.

"Don’t tell me it’s the Spirit with Good Luck," he muttered under his breath, his lips twitching into a faint, humorless smile.

Kalisto glanced down at his attire, briefly adjusting his cuffs. Today, he looked nothing like his usual self. Gone was the clean, practical look of a Reality Walker on duty.

Instead, he’d transformed into someone who could blend seamlessly into the world of gamblers and risk-takers.

His dark shirt was partially unbuttoned, revealing a hint of a plain white undershirt, while a worn leather jacket hung loosely on his shoulders, adding a rugged edge.

Faded jeans with scuffed knees and sturdy boots completed the look.

He’d even added a cheap chain around his neck, the kind that jingled slightly when he moved.

His sleeves were rolled up just enough to suggest casual confidence, while his unshaven jawline gave the impression of someone who’d spent more time at a card table than in front of a mirror.

"This is ridiculous," he muttered, taking a deep breath and adjusting the chain for the third time.

He forced himself to walk toward the gambling den’s entrance, trying to look confident but overthinking every step.

The gambling den sat wedged between two crumbling buildings, its sign—"The Green Lantern"—barely visible under layers of grime.

The low hum of voices and muffled cheers spilled out from the poorly fitted door, accompanied by the faint clink of coins and the sharp slap of cards hitting a table.

The den’s door creaked loudly as he pushed it open, drawing more attention than he’d hoped for.

A few heads turned, curious about the newcomer. Kalisto stiffened, his forced casual demeanor faltering.

He nodded awkwardly at no one in particular, muttering a low, "Evening," to the room before stepping further inside.

The air inside was heavy with smoke, the dim lighting casting uneven shadows across the crowded tables. Coins clinked, cards slapped against the wood, and occasional cheers erupted from winning players. Discover hidden content at novelbuddy

Kalisto swallowed hard, his eyes darting around as he tried to take in the scene without looking too obvious.

"New face, huh?" The bartender’s voice cut through the noise, startling him slightly.

The man stood behind the bar, wiping down a glass with a rag that didn’t look much cleaner than the glass itself.

Kalisto blinked, then nodded a little too quickly.

"Uh, yeah. Thought I’d, you know, give it a shot." He rubbed the back of his neck, his attempt at sounding casual coming off as hesitant.

The bartender raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"This your first time in a place like this?"

"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.

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’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.