In the central region of the Yorbian Continent, within the territory of the United States of Saherta, in a town casino.
"Seven points, all in."
The quiet casino erupted like a bomb with a lit fuse, filled with chaotic noise.
"I'm all in too!"
"Who's pushing me? Move aside, I'm going all in too!"
Unlike the flushed and excited faces of the surrounding gamblers, Akira calmly stared at the dice cup on the table.
For others, this was a matter of probability, but for him, the outcome was already decided.
The attractive dealer tightly gripped the dice cup, which now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, making it impossible for her to open it.
As various chips piled up on the 'seven points' spot on the table, even forming a small hill, the dealer knew her career was over.
No, it might be worse. After all, the casino she worked for was owned by the mafia, and with such a massive loss, her life might be in danger...
Thinking this, the dealer stared intently at the composed Akira, her eyes gradually turning red. She couldn't understand why this was happening.
The handsome young man before her had already won eight rounds in a row, and each time he had guessed the exact number rather than just high or low.
She couldn't calculate how small the probability was, but she knew that with her skill level, she couldn't tell if Akira was cheating
...
Akira didn't care, letting the dealer stall for time.
But others weren't having it.
"What are you doing? Open it already! I'm waiting to collect my money!"
Seeing the dealer hesitate to announce the result, the surrounding gamblers began to curse, pressuring her to open the cup.
Some even rolled up their sleeves, seemingly ready to resort to violence.
Then, a voice came from the back of the crowd, "The casino is closed for today. Everyone, please leave!"
Following the voice, a pot-bellied middle-aged man stood in the center, flanked by several burly men in suits.
The man had a stubbly beard and a cigar in his mouth, looking like Capone Bege from One Piece at first glance.
This was the town infamous mafia boss—Pierce.
Seeing the casino's owner appear, some decided to quit while they were ahead, but most were blinded by greed and the lure of money.
In their eyes, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they refused to leave just like that—until they saw the guards pull out pistols from their coats.
The once-ferocious gamblers instantly transformed from predatory wolves into docile sheep, leaving without even daring to utter a single threat, slinking away in disgrace.
The once bustling casino, now cleared out by the guards, was left with only the dealer and Akira still standing in place.
Seeing the boss step in, the dealer finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her delicate face showed a hint of hesitation as she swallowed hard and slowly opened the dice cup.
One, three, three—seven points!
At the same time, Pierce approached Akira with his guards, cracking his knuckles with a menacing grin:
"You've got some nerve, kid, causing trouble in my casino?"
As he spoke, Pierce gestured for the dealer on the other side of the table to step back.
"So, you're not planning to pay up today?" Akira raised an eyebrow, pointing at the mountain of chips on the table.
"Hahahaha, you still want the money? Not only are you leaving the money behind today, but your head is staying too!"
With that, the gangster guards surrounding Akira raised their pistols, all aimed directly at him.
Seeing the dark muzzles pointed at him, Pierce didn't see the panic he expected on Akira face.
"You punk! What are you smiling about?!"
Akira looked at Pierce, his sharp features revealing a disdainful smile:
"Me? I'm laughing at how small-minded you are. It's just a measly million Jenny, and you're already losing your cool?"
"Since you're not playing by the rules, I won't hold back either. Right, Gardevoir?"
"Gardevoir? What is that?"
A flicker of confusion crossed Pierce eyes, his beady eyes hidden beneath layers of fat looking even more comical.
In an instant, waves of invisible pink psychic energy radiated from Akira, striking the guards.
One moment, the guards were full of life; the next, they collapsed to the ground, Lifeless.
Streams of crimson blood flowed from their orifices, their mouths agape and eyes rolled back.
Their burly bodies, now devoid of strength, crumpled to the ground, causing the floor to shake and stir up clouds of dust.
"Ah! M-monster!"
Seeing this scene, Pierce stumbled backward, muttering words like "monster" under his breath.
But in his panic, his obese body struggled to maintain balance, and he fell hard, the layers of fat on his face jiggling with the impact.
The fall snapped him back to reality.
He was someone of some standing and had heard rumors before. He realized he had crossed paths with someone he couldn't afford to mess with.
"Now, can I take this money?" Akira flippant words sounded like a demon whisper in Pierce ears.
"Y-yes..."
"Sir, you can take as much as you want. Just spare my life," Pierce pleaded, tears and snot streaming down his face as he knelt before Akira.
He didn't want to die! He hadn't had his fill of life yet!
The richer someone is, the more they fear death...
"Oh—I can take as much as I want? Then I'll take all the money you have here."
Hearing this, Pierce' face stiffened, and his mind began to race with calculations.
"By the way, if even a single Jenny is missing, don't think you'll live. Don't doubt my ability to tell the difference, okay?"
Akira watched with amusement as Pierce face filled with terror.
This reversal of roles between hunter and prey was truly satisfying. No wonder so many people enjoyed playing the fool to catch the tiger.
A few minutes later, Pierce returned with two large suitcases filled with money, his face ashen, as if he had lost his parents.
"One more thing. How quickly can you get me an ID card?"
In the world of Hunter x Hunter, identification was quite important. It was necessary for things like boarding airships and applying for the Hunter Exam.
Now was the perfect time to have this tool handle the task for him.
"A... about a week."
Akira stared at Pierce, who was drenched in cold sweat and didn't dare to breathe too loudly. After a long pause, Akira smiled.
"Fine, I'll give you this week. I'll be staying at the hotel next door. Notify me when it's done."