Chapter 657: SFDI - 657
Regarding Gild Tesoro’s abstract method of gambling, Drake didn’t comment much, since in this world, there are many abstract and bizarre things.
At that moment, the sound of footsteps colliding with the ground came closer—Tesoro, dressed in a luxurious suit, descended the stairs.
Drake also saw this legendary man up close.
Tesoro’s father was a gambler, which left him impoverished after his father’s death, and even his mother abandoned him.
So, initially, Tesoro dreamed of becoming a star, but he started stealing and gambling. After a major defeat at the tables, he fled into the slave market to escape human traffickers.
There, he met a girl who loved singing just like him. Their hearts grew close, and they quickly became each other’s happiness.
Thus, Tesoro chose to work tirelessly to earn money, wanting to free his beloved. But just as he was about to succeed, the Celestial Dragons—the source of all evil—appeared.
The Celestial Dragons easily bought the girl, and they also turned Tesoro, who had protested, into a slave.
Later, Tesoro learned of his lover’s death, and he escaped when the Fishman Tiger liberated the slaves.
The pain of his first half of life seemed like a sacrifice on the scales of destiny. He then succeeded in stealing the Gold-Gold Fruit, debuted as a singer, and his fame grew increasingly.
He cooperated with the underground intermediary Joker, expanded his industries, and built the giant ship "Gild Tesoro," becoming the wealthiest person on the sea, even controlling the former nightmare— the Celestial Dragons.
So, Drake could feel the darkness and madness within his closed-off heart.
It looked like Tesoro had just left a stage performance and came straight here, still wearing his gorgeous performance costume. Of course, the most eye-catching thing was the dazzling gold decorations covering him.
Tesoro walked directly to Drake, staring into his eyes and saying, "It’s been a long time! Do you mind if I join you for a gamble?"
Drake responded, "A game with the gambling king? That sounds really interesting. Let’s have a go!"
Tesoro burst into laughter. "That’s truly entertaining! Then, to show my respect, let’s set the rules like this:
If you win, I’ll pay you ten times your bet. Anyway, I’ve spent so much money I can’t run out — this kind of gamble is exciting!"
Despite saying this, his expression clearly showed he believed he would definitely not lose.
With ten times odds and this kind of provocative tone and expression, most people would have agreed to gamble with him to the end.
Stella pulled Drake’s hand and said, "Drake, I have a bad feeling about this. There might be something wrong!"
Drake patted her hand and said, "Don’t worry. I know what he’s planning."
Ever since he kept winning at the casino outside, Drake had noticed Tesoro setting traps—mainly stirring greed and then tricking people into losing everything.
In the original story, the Straw Hat crew also encountered similar schemes. They weren’t the first to face such tricks.
All the famous newcomers to Gild Tesoro had been pushed into dead ends by him, using the same tactics. Only, the Straw Hats had made Tesoro mess up.
Drake and Tesoro sat down at the betting spot.
"I bet on double!"
Drake threw a whole box of chips without hesitation.
Tesoro’s sinister smile appeared. He signaled Baccarat with his eyes, then said to Dais, "Let’s start!"
As Dais began his abstract dice-shaking routine, Baccarat, behind Drake, took off her gloves and approached him.
Just then, Drake suddenly spoke.
"Do you know? Gambling is actually an activity that’s absolutely advantageous for the house. Even if we don’t talk about cheating, just from a probability standpoint, it’s always unfavorable for the gambler.
Especially for those true gamblers who bet everything every time—they must never lose even once to avoid going bankrupt.
So, if you want to gamble without losing, the best way is... not to gamble at all!"
Tesoro was confused—since the game had already started, why was Drake still saying such things? But he still expressed his opinion: "Then this world is just too boring!
And money is the most maddening thing in this world. With enough money, you can do anything! As long as you win the bet, you’ll get a huge sum. I don’t think anyone would refuse that."
At that moment, Dais smashed the metal dice cup, revealing the dice showing 1 and 5—Drake had won.
Drake said, "Exactly. That temptation is really hard to resist."
Tesoro challenged, "So, do you want to continue?"
Drake replied, "Of course. The most important quality in gambling is to believe you will win no matter what! This time, I’m betting double again!"
Tesoro signaled Dais to start a new round, and Baccarat, determined, reached out her hand to get closer to Drake.
Tesoro’s mind was already twisted. One reason he loved gambling was because he enjoyed watching others’ hopes turn into despair in an instant.
As long as Baccarat touched Drake and drained all his luck, the outcome of the game wouldn’t change.
Others also sensed that Baccarat’s sudden approach was suspicious, but Drake showed no reaction, and no one else dared to act.
Baccarat’s hand smoothly rested on Drake’s shoulder, a proud smile on her face. Meanwhile, Tesoro also showed a hint of sarcasm.
Dais had already broken the dice cup, revealing the dice inside.
Two, three... odd numbers!
He lost a lot of money, but Drake showed no extra emotion, only a disappointed look on Tesoro’s face.
Drake took a deep breath and said, "Actually, there is a foolproof way to never lose at gambling."
He stood up, stretched, and said, "It’s to have absolute strength — to directly flip the table!"
Especially when the game turns into a scam, there’s no need to feel any psychological burden.
He stomped his foot, and cracks spread from beneath him, tearing the gambling table apart. The two dice also shattered into pieces.
Tesoro retreated quickly and coldly said, "This is Gild Tesoro. You’re not allowed to be arrogant here!"
He then extended his hand, and arcs of electricity flickered along his arm.
The ground trembled as a thick golden pillar shot out like a snake, extending toward Drake.
Drake didn’t dodge or evade. He directly punched with his Iron Fist of the Fire Dragon.
Flames surged into the pillar with that fist, rapidly spreading along it. In an instant, the pillar exploded, with fragments and molten gold splashing everywhere.
"I can flip the table because I have the strength to do so!" Drake declared.
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