"What's our next destination?" Rita asked.
"We're heading to KZ2," I replied. "Gonna form a fake alliance, one that'll last just long enough for me to unify the rest of the gangs."
"And how exactly are you planning to do that?" she asked.
"I'll do what I did with the Hustlers… just with a slightly different spin."
"Yeah, and you still haven't explained what actually happened during that gamble."
I smirked. "Imagine a puzzle. All I did was build it, then put it on display."
Rita rolled her eyes. "Okay, poet. Now give a real explanation."
"I'd like to hear one as well." Yakou chimed in.
"Alright, fine. Here's how it works. When I gamble, I read people because I can't see them. I have to understand them. Once I do, I can push them toward decisions. I can make them act how I want, just by getting inside their heads."
"It's like indirectly suggesting behavior and conditioning someone but at high speed."
"Then comes the cognitive reframing. I alter how they perceive the situation, so only one option feels viable. When you stack all that together, you've got a plan that's nearly unstoppable."
"During the game, I made Morduke think he was in control. I let him believe he got into my head. Back during the Three-Card Monte, I barely said anything so he had to fill the silence. That made him reveal way more than he realized."
"Then, when I suggested the new game, he was confident. Too confident. Even if something felt off, he believed he had the edge."
"And finally, I delivered the last piece. I dug deep into his head. And when the time came, I misdirected him left him with only one path forward. The path that led to his loss."
"And the best part?" I smirked. "He never even realized he chose it himself."
"Whew, almost fell asleep there," Rita sighed, stretching her arms behind her head.
"That was a great explanation," Yakou added, smirking. "I'll be sure to mark those strategies down for future reference."
"Now then," I said, turning forward. "Let's head to KZ2."
As we crossed by the bar, I caught Chamber eyeing us with a strange look watchful, calculating. The Black Bears, on the other hand, barely paid us any attention. But I could feel it. They were up to something. I just couldn't quite place what… not yet.
As we walked the streets, I spotted a girl running across. She sang softly:
"Roses bloom and roses die,
Kisses fade and so do I...
Pick a flower, make a wish,
Love is just a little trick."
She vanished as quickly as she appeared.
Skipping a beat, I muttered, "What the hell was that?"
"The hell are you talking about now?" Rita raised an eyebrow.
My eyes scanned the shadows. "Was that... the girl from my vision? Why was she singing that? What the fuck is going on? Who am I?" My thoughts spiraled like a storm with no end.
Yakou leaned in slightly, concern etched on his face. "You alright, Ken?"
I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Yeah… just thought I saw something."
As we pulled into the parking lot near the mall, a huge crowd had already gathered. Something was happening something loud, messy, and perfect.
"So, what's the plan?" Yakou asked, eyes scanning the chaos.
"Hold on... I'm not sure."
"What?"
"Actually-" I cut him off, looking up at Lilith. "Can I buy a replica of Chamber's vest?"
She raised an eyebrow. "That'll be 3,000 coins."
"Perfect."
I tossed the coins over without hesitation. Turning to Yakou, I handed him the vest. "Put this on, storm KZ2, start a little chaos then vanish. Hide behind that building over there," I said, pointing to a dimly lit alley nearby.
Yakou didn't hesitate. With the vest strapped tight, he bolted forward like a madman. Leaping over the crowd, he shouted, "A dice game?!" before landing right on top of the table, dice scattering everywhere.
"Who are you?" growled the towering man who held him.
Still dazed, Yakou coughed and managed, "I am Yakou... Chamber's main force. And you must be?"
"Kudor Yhagturjavasa," the giant replied. "Be honored. I don't share my name unless I deem someone worthy."
Yakou blinked. "I'll just call you Kudor."
Kudor began walking forward, cracking his knuckles, raising a fist like it was carved from stone.
Yakou turned then bolted.
Full sprint. Gone.
"Sorry, master!" he shouted mid-dash. "It was part of the plan! I didn't run out of fear, I swear on Yun's name!!"
Just then, Kudor felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned around no one there.
"Huh?"
"Down here."
He looked down to see Ken standing casually, cane in hand and a slight smirk on his face.
"You're small." Kudor said.
"I'm not. You're just fucking massive."
"…Well, thanks."
Ken's tone shifted. "Look, I'm here to make an alliance."
Kudor tilted his head.
"Chamber and the Outsiders just linked up," Ken continued. "Yakou? One of their best. Was sent to attack you. Why? Because they're measuring your strength. They want to know if you're worth the trouble before they move."
Kudor's fists clenched slightly.
"So?" Ken asked. "Ally with me. I'm going to dismantle Chamber and every puppet they are pulling strings on. You'll get your fight. Just not on their terms on ours."
"Why should I ally with a puny rat like you?" Kudor growled.
"Because I have the Hustlers under my control."
Kudor let out a booming laugh. "Hahahaha! You? There's no way you tamed those beasts."
"You wanna find out?" I replied, eyes narrowing into a cold, demonic glare.
He paused, the grin slipping slightly but only for a second.
"Tch. Fine," he muttered, brushing it off. "I'll team up with you."
"It's my pleasure," I said, shaking his hand.
Then I handed him a small device a compass.
"This leads directly to me. When it beeps, I need you there."
Kudor stared at it, and behind his calm face, his mind was already spinning.
"This guy's a fool. He gave away his location and told me the exact moment he'll be vulnerable. When that compass beeps, I'll take him down and wipe out whoever he's gathered. It's like a dream come true."
As I walked away from the parking lot, leaving behind the chaos I had orchestrated, a smirk crept onto my face.
"Ahh… he fell for it. Perfectly."
Glancing back over my shoulder, I gave a casual wave. "I'll be in touch, Kudor."
But just as I turned to leave, a massive hand clamped down on my shoulder, freezing me in place.
I looked up.
He was staring straight into me.
"I never told you my name… did I?"
My breath caught. I instinctively scanned the area Yakou was nowhere in sight, probably hiding just like I told him. Rita? Vanished.
I muttered under my breath, barely audible.
"…Shit."