"Hey…" Silver took a step forward and smirked behind the mask. He tapped the stone in his hand lightly. "Don't cry if you lose. It's just money."
Matthew didn't react. He stared at the stone in his hand. The stone was still heavy worse, watching it gave him this eerie feeling as if, he was watching some horror film.
"Hey. That's enough. He's just a kid. No need to provoke him."A middle-aged man from the onlookers frowned and stepped closer.
Then another bystander chimed in. "Yeah, but that's just how Silver is. He always does this to newcomers."
That immediately got Matthew's attention. This man named Silver told him earlier that he was a newcomer as well. Ottep was right. This man's a scammer!
The first man nodded. "This is his usual play. Bait the fresh ones into stupid bets. Then take their money clean."
"Has he ever lost?" someone whispered.
"Nope," someone else answered. "Never. Especially when the other party's new. It's all part of his plan."
"Why doesn't the management stop it?" the first man asked.
A woman shook her head. "They can't. Silver doesn't break any rules. He never forces anyone. It's just betting. Nothing illegal."
Matthew listened without looking at them. His heart pounded, but he didn't show it. Still, he knew that it wasn't pounding because of those words but because of the rock that he chose. There was just something about it… something about it seemed really weird.
He couldn't help but wonder if he was hallucinating. "Was this because I had been reborn?" he muttered inwardly. Perhaps, his body was showing some weakness because of the rebirth?
Then, he felt it.
The stone in his pocket.
It was getting hotter.
He shifted slightly and reached into his jacket. His fingers brushed the smooth black stone he had taken from the vault. The heat radiated through the fabric. Not burning—but persistent. Rhythmic.
Oddly enough, the sensation steadied his breathing, again. His pulse slowed. He felt like he'd just stepped into a warm bath.
He blinked once.
Was this stone... some kind of therapy tool?
He glanced at it, still hidden in his jacket. Maybe it was one of those heating stones they use in massage spas. The kind that's supposed to help with stress.
Matthew looked at the stone again. There was nothing fancy about it. Just a smooth, polished rock. He had to stop himself from laughing.
Of course. He was probably holding the ancient mineral version of a spa gift card.
He took a breath.
Fine. If it helped him win this ridiculous bet, he'd take it.
He looked at Silver, who had already handed his stone to the cutter. The machine was being set up. The room began to quiet down.
Matthew stepped forward as well. He was ready.
"Oh? You don't look so scared," Silver said. "You seemed confident this time."
Confident? Matthew wondered why Silver would say that. "No. Just excited," Matthew said. He was still adamant about keeping up his young and stupid facade.
Silver turned slightly. Matthew could feel the man's smile beneath his mask. Then Silver spoke again. "Since you're not scared anymore, how about we raise the stakes?"
Matthew narrowed his eyes. He stared at Silver, really stared at him this time. "What are you talking about?"
Silver tilted his head. "Simple. If you win, I'll throw in another ten million. But if I win... you hand over your VIP card."
Matthew's frown deepened. He didn't answer immediately. He wasn't sure what this man was really up to.
Before he could say anything, Silver added, "What? Are you scared? It's just a VIP card. You already became one once. I'm sure you can do it again. Unless… that was just luck."
Matthew clenched his jaw. Now it made sense. Silver wasn't just trying to bait him. He wanted the VIP card from the start. That was his goal.
He looked at the cutter, then back at Silver. "Fine. Let's make it interesting."
So when Silver extended a hand. Matthew shook it.
The bet was set.
Then cutting began.
The cutter placed Silver's stone on the stand and locked it in place. The machine came to life with a sharp whirr. White dust filled the air as the outer shell began to grind away.
After a few minutes, the machine slowed. The cutter leaned forward, brushing the remaining dust.
Gasps echoed.
Beneath the dust, a deep, translucent green shimmered under the overhead light. It was a vivid imperial jade—clear, vibrant, and flawless.
"Top-grade jade," the cutter announced. "Estimate: two million."
The room burst into noise.
"Damn, it's real!" "He pulled it again. Unbelievable." "That color, that clarity—how did he pick that one so fast?"
Silver didn't hold back. He lifted his chin and held the stone up.
"Beginner's luck won't save you now," he said. "You should just give me the card. Save yourself the embarrassment."
Matthew didn't flinch. "Wait. You haven't seen mine yet."
Silver let out a soft scoff. "You really don't know what's good for you."
Matthew turned to the cutter and handed him his stone. "Start cutting," he said.
The cutter looked between them, then nodded. He set Matthew's stone on the tray and secured it.
The machine spun again. Dust clouded the room as it drilled through the hard surface. But this time, something was different.
Sparks.
The cutter stopped, adjusted the blade, and went slower.
Then—crack.
The outer shell split. The cutter reached for a brush and slowly cleared the surface.
Silence immediately filled the room.
Under the light, the exposed center revealed something dark blue, almost violet, with faint golden specks glowing beneath the surface. It pulsed slightly when light hit it.
The cutter froze.
"What... is that?" someone muttered.
The manager stepped forward. He stared at the core for a long time.
"Starlight sapphire," the manager said finally. "Extremely rare. Extremely valuable. But this one... this isn't just any sapphire. It has a golden core. I've only seen this once before."
"Value?" someone asked.
The manager took a breath. "Five to ten million, depending on the buyer. Maybe more. Call the head inspector. This is a special one!"
No one spoke. Then, a voice from the back of the crowd.
"He actually won!"
"Wow! He won! Can you believe that!?"
"Silver lost!"
Silver lowered the jade in his hand, clenching it tightly. 'How is that even possible?' he thought inwardly. 'He made sure to ask them to get him the best rock! What is going on here?' Silver cursed inwardly.
Matthew stared at the rock for a few seconds. He actually won? Then he stepped forward and reached for his stone.
"I believe you owe me twenty million now," he said.
Silver didn't move. But Matthew didn't need him to.
He turned to the manager. "Shall we talk about the diamonds now?"