Tower of Avarice: A LitRPG story

Chapter 23 – Floor 2: Part 5

The Entertainment District was located on the far west of Bellmare. Most of the establishments there wouldn’t open until nightfall. By the time Mathew finished his business with House Livermore, the sun had already sunk below the horizon.

To Mathew’s surprise, Bellmare had large oil lamps lighting the streets. Although not as powerful as the electricity-powered illumination he was accustomed to, it was more than enough for the populace to feel comfortable walking the roads and visiting the businesses there at night.

The Entertainment District was separated from the central city by a large gate with a sign above it. Reading ‘Welcome to House Wilde’s Entertainment District,’ it showed characters of people in various outfits. Dancers and musicians, firebreathers and circus entertainers.

Passing under the gate, Mathew was taken aback by the variety of services available. Restaurants and Bars lined the street, each having live music. Another large building was advertising a play, while another was a concert.

The further he traveled, the more risqué the advertisements became. Brothels and bordellos replaced bars and Restaurants. Entertainers, nearly always beautiful men and women, began to wear less clothing, and their songs were more ribald.

Mathew was in a terrible mood after the events of House Livermore. He felt dirty like his soul was tainted by the proposition. Thankfully, the crystal was tucked safely into his inventory, and although he regretted the loss of twenty-five thousand Aether, he was satisfied with the fact that he could live with his decision.

As soon as Mathew had declined his offer, Padraic had been ‘absorbed’ by the crystal without any fanfare or delay.

Now shining with a bright light, it had been a simple matter to pick up the crystal and place it within his inventory. No one had questioned him when he left. The employees there had merely accepted that House Livermore had fulfilled their agreement with the Champion.

Standing out amongst the crowd with his modern, expensive, well-fitted suit, Mathew ignored the offers from patrons and businesses trying to tempt him into entering and enjoying himself. He wasn’t here to enjoy himself, and the thought of what he would need to do at the end of this walk put him off any desire for entertainment.

House Wilde occupied a large casino at the end of the street. Brightly lit and colourfully painted, it called to everyone to enter and enjoy themselves. There were thousands of people milling about, and it seemed like the flow of traffic was inevitably heading there.

Five stories high and dominating a large portion of the district's landmass, the Wilde Casino had a set of wide stone steps that led to the entrance. On each, a beautiful woman or a handsome man wearing red and gold clothing was greeting the customers, handing them free tokens or coupons for drinks.

Halfway up the steps, a young woman walked toward him with a similar outfit as the others.

“Welcome, Champion. How may House Wilde serve you?” She asked, her voice was silky smooth and tone polite. She gave a slight bow at the end.

“I’m here to see someone about the Wilde Crystal.” Mathew explained, and the woman nodded.

“Of course. Would you like to play one of our many games or enjoy some of our entertainment first?” She asked, gesturing to the open doors behind her.

“Just the crystal, please.” Mathew replied, shutting down the option.

“Right this way.”

She brought him through the open doors, past rows of games where thousands of people were gathered at hundreds of tables. Mathew saw them playing cards in circles, tossing dice on tables or on the ground. He even saw people betting on marbles, dominoes and a hundred other games that he had no idea how they operated.

Weaving through the crowd, she brought him upstairs, where even more gambling was happening. On the third floor, a large mob circled a pair of men, barechested and fist-fighting. The crowd cheered with every blow, and Mathew saw coins exchange hands.

The fourth floor had a variety of animals racing around a circular track. Some doglike beasts practically flew across the ground as people shouted encouragement for their chosen animal.

Finally, Mathew reached the fifth and highest floor, where dozens of wealthy people were lounging while a group of musicians played instruments on the center stage. The room was filled with the sound of music, conversation and laughter that fell silent as soon as Mathew entered.

The band continued to play for a moment longer before slowly stopping. He grew uncomfortable as dozens of eyes focused on him. The awkward silence lasted for a moment before it was broken.

“Welcome, Champion. Several of us had a bet on the order and time you would visit us. I had thought you would wait a few more days and leave House Wilde for third. My sister, however, was convinced you would not delay, although she expected us to be first. I suppose we both have lost.”

A middle-aged man spoke from where he was sitting on a couch. Beautiful Women flanked him on both sides. On another chair, a woman who Mathew assumed was the man’s sister, raised her glass in greeting.

“I’m here for the Crystal.” Mathew replied. This time, it was the woman who spoke.

“So direct. Fine, to business then. The crystal is here.” She stated, pointing to the table in front of them. Like the Livermore crystal, this one was dark and lacked the required sacrifice to energize it.

“And the sacrifice?” Mathew asked, coming closer and taking a seat across from them.

“To be determined. We hold a lottery, allowing us even chances for anyone in our House to be selected. Unless you would like to make a wager, Champion? It’s why we have asked for you to come, refusing the sacrifice until you bet with us.” The woman finished, and her brother smiled broadly, draining his glass and gesturing for a servant to get him another.

“What’s the wager?” Mathew asked, already expecting something to be amiss. Would every House have a proposition, wager or scheme?

The woman looked to her brother, whose smile turned sinister for a moment.

“One bet. If we win, you will allow another to take the place of House Wilde to provide sacrifices from now on. We will be free from the obligation.” The man explained, and Mathew nodded.

“Alright, and if I win?”

“We will provide the sacrifice with no complaints or attempts to change our fate.” He finished, and Mathew immediately shook his head.

“Why would I agree to that? Not much of an incentive.”

“You will also receive this.” The woman said, retrieving a cube and placing it on the table in front of them. Mathew immediately recognized it as either the same cube from Livermore or a similar one they had received.

“We know that Padraic Livermore offered you this cube in exchange for his life. You are a man of morals, Mathew of Manhattan. We may not know much about the greater universe here in Bellmare, but we know that the gods themselves covet this item. Of course, their Champion would be no different.” The woman finished.

“Do we have a deal?” The man asked, and Mathew nodded.

“Fine, but I pick the game we play.” Mathew replied, and the man burst out laughing.

“Excellent! A gambler like us, a brother in spirit to our House! Name the game, Champion.”

Mathew opened the inventory, although it appeared to those in the room as if he just raised his wrist. They could not see his screen or any of the burning words it displayed. He had confirmed that with Padraic.

With a tap, he summoned the Trickster’s Coin to his hand.

The Trickster’s Coin. It will always turn up whichever side its owner wills when thrown.

“A single flip of the coin. You may call it as it is in the air, heads or tails.” Mathew replied, holding the coin up and pinching it between his fingers.

“Agreed, but I will flip it, and neither of us will touch it until it lands on the ground. I want to inspect it first. Please do not think I do not trust you, Champion, but one sees many suspect coins in a Casino.” The man said, and Mathew flicked it across to him from where he sat.

Carefully examining it, the man gave it a few test flips before nodding.

“Very well. I will flip, and my sister will call.” The man said. Placing it on his thumb, he launched it into the air. It spun until it nearly reached the ceiling before arcing back toward the ground.

“Tails.” The sister said, and Mathew smiled.

‘Heads.’ He thought, and the coin obeyed its owner.