Hours had passed before they made their way to the private elevator. Inside, Lucas and his group stood silently, accompanied by the man who had whispered to Lucas earlier. The elevator descended smoothly, the soft hum of its machinery the only sound as they traveled deeper underground.
As the doors slid open, they stepped into an elegantly designed space. The underground area of the Chess Palace was a sight to behold, with decor that spoke of wealth and exclusivity. Chess boards crafted from diamonds and gold were scattered throughout the room, their surfaces gleaming under the soft, ambient lighting. Despite the grandeur, the room was sparsely populated, with fewer than ten people present, each absorbed in their own world.
As they walked further into the underground area, the air was thick with anticipation and the quiet intensity of high-stakes games. They passed two men who wore expressions of defeat, their shoulders slumped. It was clear they had come to play but had left as losers, their hopes dashed in this hidden arena.
At the far end of the room, a man sat with an air of authority, exuding the unmistakable aura of a leader. He was dressed like a gangster, adorned with gold and jewels that caught the light with every movement. His presence commanded respect and attention, marking him as the one in charge of this clandestine chess world.
Leading the way, the man guided Lucas’s group to stand before the leader. With a respectful bow, he introduced Lucas as the champion of the day. The leader nodded, his gaze shifting to Lucas with interest.
“What’s your name?” the leader asked casually.
“Lucio,” Lucas replied with a confident smile.
The leader leaned back, studying Lucas. “And what do you think of the game of chess?”
Lucas’s eyes lit up. “I enjoy it most when I’m up against strong opponents.”
The leader chuckled, clearly amused. “What do you find most challenging about it?”
Lucas shrugged lightly. “It’s the unpredictability. Every game is different, and every opponent brings something new to the table.”
The leader glanced at Axcel, momentarily wondering if he might be Lucas’s trainer, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Turning back to Lucas, he asked, “You know the rules of this place, right?”
Lucas shook his head. “I know we can bet anything, but I’m not familiar with the main rules down here compared to above.”
The leader grinned. “The first to be checked loses. No need for a checkmate.”
Lucas smiled, intrigued by the twist. “Interesting,” he mused, nodding in appreciation.
The leader laughed again, clearly enjoying the exchange. “So, what do you want to bet?”
Casually, Lucas replied, “I’ll bet the LA Grand Casino.”
The leader’s interest piqued, and he leaned in closer. “And what do you want to win?”
Lucas grinned, his eyes meeting the leader’s with determination. “I want the entire Chess Palace.”
The entire room fell silent at Lucas’s bold declaration. Even the leader paused, eyebrows furrowed as he looked at Lucas. “Are you serious about that?” he asked.
Lucas nodded confidently, meeting the tall boss’s gaze. The tall boss handed over a document, which Lucas took before turning back to the leader. “Here are the transfer papers for the LA Grand Casino, in case you have any doubts,” he said, handing the document to the leader.
The leader took the papers and examined them, realizing they were genuine. He also recognized the three influential figures standing behind Lucas. For a moment, the leader considered the stakes and thought about the big catch he could make if he won. He laughed heartily and agreed, instructing his man to prepare the transfer paper of the Chess Palace. The thought of losing never crossed his mind, as he was focused on the big fish before him.
Moments later, the documents were prepared, and both parties formalized the agreement to ensure no one would breach the terms. The leader grinned after finalizing the terms, thinking he had easy money in front of him. He quickly summoned his best player to face Lucas.
The people around began placing their bets, with everyone wagering on the gangster’s player. The betting rules were clear: those who bet on the losing side had to pay the winners the amount they wagered. For example, if five people bet on the gangster’s player and two on Lucas, and the gangster’s player won, those who bet on Lucas would have to pay the amount of the five winners’ bets. It was similar to cockfighting, where most would bet on the favorite, so you had to be prepared if your choice lost.
High rollers began placing billion-dollar bets on the gangster’s side. The three bosses recognized some of them as former high-stakes players at their casino. As each bet was placed, the amounts flashed on the large screen above, showing the growing pool of wagers. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and tension, as the stakes climbed higher with each new bet.
Tyrone placed a five-billion bet on Lucas. Even if he lost, he wouldn’t suffer a loss due to the profits from Lucas’s previous matches. Besides, he was confident in Lucas’s abilities. The screen displayed his substantial bet, drawing murmurs from the crowd.
Nearby, a group of bettors chatted confidently, certain of the gangster’s player’s victory. They belittled Lucas, sure he would meet the same fate as those who had faced the gangster’s player before. “The kid doesn’t stand a chance,” one of them scoffed.
They smirked when they saw on the screen that someone had placed a five-million bet on Lucas. Turning to see who it was, they noticed Tyrone making his wager. “Looks like someone’s feeling lucky,” one of them remarked with a chuckle, clearly amused by what they perceived as a foolish bet.
Meanwhile, Axcel and the three bosses quietly took their seats, prepared for them, while watching the large screen above that displayed the chessboard for Lucas’s match. In this place, only one match was held at a time, with the next challenger entering after the current match concluded.
Lucas sat across from the arrogant man, who seemed either lazy or dismissive, resting his arm on the back of his chair and leaning his head on his hand. The man looked at Lucas with a smirk.
“Hey,” he called out, not bothering to use Lucas’s name. “You think you can actually win here? I’ve seen kids like you come and go, thinking they’re something special.”
Lucas remained calm, barely interested in responding. His lack of reaction only seemed to irritate the man further.
“What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?” the man taunted, trying to provoke Lucas as he had done with previous opponents who had ended up fuming with anger, ready to throw punches.
Lucas simply looked at him, unfazed. The man clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Tch! You know why I just call you ‘Hey’? Because I don’t need the names of losers.”
Lucas waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing away a fly. “Stop talking and make your first move,” he said, his voice steady and uninterested.
The man scowled, clearly annoyed by Lucas’s indifference, but then grinned as he made his opening move, determined to show Lucas just how outmatched he was.