Episode 83 — The Genius of a Different Hue

I scrolled through the thumbnails on my phone and played back the recordings Volg had brought back.

"I caught a whole week’s worth for you," Volg said, leaning back against the sofa with a fearless smirk.

He exuded a somewhat unhealthy charm, and his casual, detached demeanor carried the distinct edge of a man who had survived the deepest parts of the underworld.

"Meow. (...There you go again, treating people like your personal tools. Even this greasy flirt of a man has become your errand boy.)"

Stroking Tama as she sat on my lap, I slowed the video down. The screen showed a corner of the casino—a single man sitting at a blackjack table.

(Wait...)

I instinctively stopped my finger. My eyes were glued to the man on the screen.

He had a distinct, warm-toned complexion—perhaps a bit tan, or maybe a yellowish hue. Since coming to this world, I had seen nothing but translucent-skinned elves and aristocratic, pale humans. This was a color I hadn't seen in a very long time.

(So they exist in this world too... That kind of skin tone was normal in my old world. Does feeling nostalgic about it mean I haven’t fully adjusted to this world yet? Or maybe it’s proof that I have?)

His appearance had an exotic atmosphere. However, his eyes were sharp, literally engraving every single card dealt into his brain.

"So, what’s he doing, you? There’s no trace of magic. He’s not hiding anything in his sleeves. Yet, he’s unnervingly good at picking the right moments to bet heavy," Volg asked, narrowing his eyes with interest.

I paused the video and leaned deep into my chair.

"Yeah, it’s just as I suspected. He’s simply 'counting.'"

(It's really the only way to mathematically beat a casino. Still, I didn't think someone would figure out card counting this quickly.)

"Counting...? You mean he’s just counting numbers?"

"Exactly, Volg. There are various ways to do it, but he’s essentially assigning point values to the cards that appear and calculating the total. A simple method is this: if a low card from two to six appears, you add one. If a high card from ten to Ace appears, you subtract one. You just keep track of the cumulative value."

"Hold on. If a strong card comes out, you subtract?"

"Right. A strong card appearing on the table means there’s one less strong card left in the deck. Conversely, the more the cumulative value swings into the positive, the more tens and face cards are concentrated in the remaining pile."

I pointed to the screen as the dealer drew a card.

"The dealer in blackjack has a forced rule they can never disobey: if their hand is sixteen or lower, they must hit. When the deck is rich with high cards, the probability of the dealer exceeding twenty-one and self-destructing—busting—skyrockets. He’s waiting for those moments and gradually raising his bets."

Volg snorted, seemingly unimpressed. In a world where magic was omnipotent, a man trying to exploit a system through pure calculation probably seemed mundane yet bizarre to him.

"There are plenty of countermeasures. You can increase the number of decks or shuffle more frequently. Or just set a limit on how much a bet can swing. ...More importantly, Gustav. Who is this guy? I don’t recall seeing anyone with that skin tone in Felsen before."

Gustav, who had been listening in silence, began to speak with a look of apology.

"Mr. Zect. He is not human. He is one of those referred to as 'Designated Magic Races.'"

"Magic Races...?"

The database in my brain reacted to the new term.

"Yes. Actually, until the great invasion three years ago known as the 'Gray Winter,' Felsen was the territory where trade with Magic Races was most active. Many demons lived and worked within our borders. ...However, during that winter, the demon armies invaded without warning. To this day, the reason remains unknown."

Gustav’s voice held the bitterness of a young lord burdened by his history.

"In the chaos, many who couldn’t retreat were left behind after the war. Those are the ones currently permitted to reside in the territory as 'Designated Magic Races.' ...But, naturally, prejudice remains deep-seated, and they are unable to find decent employment. ...He is likely using his intellect at the casino as a means to survive."

"Gustav. Tell me more about these demons. I’ve developed an interest in that man."

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