The Dealer chuckled for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders, "I only played a game of luck with him... it’s unfortunate he picked the wrong card."
’Played a game... picked the wrong card... is he talking about the game’s cards or his own tarot cards?’ Levi knitted his brows.
Levi had watched the Dealer’s games multiple times during his breaks... and yet, he was the sole Rifter in this game that he still hadn’t figured out his powers in detail.
When he asked Ash’Kral and the Titan about it, they told him that they didn’t interact that much with his race or Lineage... they were one of the few races outside the eternal conflict between the Trees of Life and Death.
The only thing they were known for in public was their periodical fortune-telling festival they host on the Boundless Expanse... anything else, they keep themselves reserved from public matters.
In fact, the Dealer shouldn’t even be participating in the Nocturnal Ring since their Lineage believed it brought bad karma to abuse their close connection to fate for such superficial matters.
As everyone quietened down, looking like no one had any intentions of partnership, the Dealer suddenly offered with an easy-going smile, "Celestial... how about you challenge me?"
The Light Eater and the others glanced in Levi’s direction immediately... they didn’t know why the Dealer would go for Levi, but they recognized that anyone in touch with fate almost never makes a bad decision.
Everyone could tell... the Dealer wasn’t looking for a fight.
’Is he seeking match fixing in the next round?’ Levi thought.
The moment the Dealer stepped out of the room alone, Levi knew that it opened up the possibility of match-fixing the next round... if he challenged him with a Joker card and a low defensive card, the Dealer would be forced to do the same.
After all, both of them had two Joker cards... if they used them in the same round, they would be merely trading them and surviving the round with most of their strong cards intact.
It was the best move to make in the second round... for the Dealer, that is.
’If he wants to play it safe, he has to challenge me...’ Levi scoffed, ’I will be doing him a favor if I did this...’
Levi wasn’t stupid... the Dealer was a challengee, which put him in a bad spot... however, if they match-fixed the next round, he would be in the clear until the next shuffle.
Although Levi would be getting similar results, he would be wasting his offensive priority to deal actual damage to someone... someone like Drayven.
"I know what you’re thinking..." The Dealer chuckled with crossed arms, "Alas... you can’t run from fate, no one can."
"..."
Levi kept gazing at him calmly, still not responding to him... he didn’t know if he said that to get into his head, but he still had no plan to go for it.
A couple of minutes later... Gamemaster Gamble returned with the microphone already near his mouth.
"Let the second round begin!"
Following his shout, Levi and the rest of the Rifters returned to their rooms to pick up their challengers and cards.
The screen before Levi showed him the challengee names listed in a row with no further details... Levi reached out with his finger and hovered it above Drayven. But, before he pressed it, he recalled the Dealer’s last statement.
’You can’t run from fate...’ Levi murmured it inwardly.
If it came from someone else, Levi wouldn’t pay it much attention... but the Dealer was a special case.
’I know I keep telling you don’t rest your life on fate and destiny, but these Fortunari snobs mostly know what they are talking about.’ Ash’Kral said calmly, ’He might have said it to get in your head, or...’
’Or, he knows that I am going to end up against him no matter what I did...’
Levi didn’t even believe himself saying it... but he wasn’t going to take any chances.
’Let’s see if he is truly a good fortune-teller or just another bullshit artist.’
Levi pressed a button and locked his decision on the cards he would play... then, he waited for the others to finish.
The moment everyone locked their cards, the gates opened up before the countdown finished... then, they returned to their platforms and waited for Gamemaster Gamble to show the results.
"Will you look at that... you guys are really gunning for Drayven’s head. I hope you can afford your decision." Gamemaster Gamble acted surprised as he showed the results before all.
All four challengers picked Drayven!
"Motherf*ckers... daring to look down on me." Drayven cursed under his breath, but he ended up coughing a mouthful of blood.
This sight made it easier to understand why everyone aimed for him... though, now everyone had to throw a die to switch their priority pick without the option of changing their cards!
This was the major problem with targeting weak Rifters... it made it easier to screw up the card pick since their target might change to someone else... thus, ruining their chances of implementing their prepared strategy.
"Good luck everyone."
The Dealer cheered on them, but everyone ignored him, leaving him to sulk in silence. Levi brought out his own dice and rolled it in his hands a couple of times while his gaze was affixed on the Dealer.
Then, he threw it on the floor with the other die... a moment later, all the dice were affixed on different numbers.
"First Priority to Madam Future for rolling six... second priority for the Celestial for rolling four... the remaining two, you both landed on one... roll again."
’Well shit... this is creepy.’
Levi couldn’t help but knit his brows, feeling a slight chill course down his spine... he wasn’t a true believer of fate and destiny, but it didn’t matter if he believed in them or not.
The Dealer was wielding them... and he just showed him a small demonstration as he didn’t even seem surprised with Levi being a second priority pick.
Both of them knew that Levi being in second priority was the sole way to ensure them landing in the same room... after all, Madam Future was going to challenge Drayven and leave Levi to pick from the Dealer, The Ruiner, and The Wanderer of The Seas.
The other two weren’t much of an option for the cards he picked... for he might not be a firm believer of fate, but he decided to test out the Dealer.
As much as he hated how it ended, he wasn’t losing anything... or that’s what he thought.
"Follow me... we are going to have so much fun." The Dealer laughed in amusement while walking inside his room.
Levi glanced at his back for a moment and then at his name on the screen... he sneered coldly and picked his name. ’I can’t wait.’
After they entered the room, both stood on opposite sides of the platforms... before Levi could say anything, the Dealer leaned closer and shared.
"I picked a Joker card and a low defensive card... I know you did the same, so let’s end this round quickly and spend our time playing a real game."
By the time he was done talking, he had already placed the Tarot deck in the center of the table... his grin so wide, it looked like a nightcrawler excited to sign a Sleepwalker contract with a victim.
"..."
Levi remained silent... but unfortunately, the Dealer wasn’t going to let him keep his peace.
"You better play with me... Three-Body... Problem." He uttered, putting a heavy emphasis on the ’Problem’.