Chapter 132: Casino

“Casino? What’s that?”

Sophia asked again, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Enya gave a somewhat awkward smile.

What exactly did you learn from Eliv? How could she just toss you into the human world without telling you anything?

Miss Sophia, did you sneak out on your own?

Enya couldn’t help but complain inwardly.

She didn’t answer Sophia’s question directly, but instead reached out and gently took her hand, walking forward as she spoke.

“You’ll see once we go inside. But don’t get your hopes up, it’s not a nice place in there.”

“Oh, I understand.”

Sophia nodded quickly, then glanced down at her hand being held.

She could feel the warmth and softness from Enya, and unconsciously tightened her grip a little, quickening her steps to walk side by side with Enya.

Arriving at the entrance of “Golden Town,” they were greeted by a wave of noisy chatter, making Sophia feel a bit nervous.

At that moment, Enya gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Don’t worry, it’s not as dangerous as you imagine. At least for us, there’s no need to be overly cautious. Just watch what I do and you’ll be fine.”

Sophia let out a breath and nodded.

Then Enya, still holding her hand, led her to the entrance, where the two gatekeepers standing at the door didn’t bother to ask their identities but instead helped push open the doors for them.

As the doors opened, Sophia saw an opulent grand hall.

The finely crafted floor tiles reflected the ceiling’s light, and at the entrance, a plush red carpet stretched out before them.

At the end of the red carpet stood the reception desk.

A dozen or so people were sitting on chairs in front of the desk, some exchanging colorful little discs for piles of glittering gold and silver coins.

Others were rummaging through their belongings for loose silver and copper coins, then trading them with the beautiful receptionists for those same colorful discs.

Everyone was busy with their own affairs—some looked absolutely elated, some were sullen, some were overcome with sorrow and confusion, and a few, pale as death, squatted on the floor staring blankly.

“They’re cheating! They’re cheating! They must have rigged the game, I refuse to accept this! Let me go, let me go—”

Two young servants dressed in dark red vests, gray shirts, and black trousers were hauling away a man whose face was twisted in madness, his legs kicking frantically.

They passed right by Enya and Sophia, dragging the man to the doorway before tossing him out, where he tumbled down the steps.

Despite the pain, the man climbed back up, only to be blocked by the two gatekeepers this time.

He backed away a little, then looked desperately at Enya.

“Miss, please lend me some capital! I swear I’ll win it back! I’ve seen through all their tricks, this time I’m sure I’ll win! I’ll pay you back double, I promise!”

Sophia was startled by the madness in his eyes and turned to look at Enya, only to see that she looked entirely uninterested.

“Senior…”

“Ignore the gambling addict, let him rot here for all I care. Don’t forget our purpose in coming here—it’s not to observe the wonders of biodiversity.”

Enya pulled Sophia along, not sparing the gambling addict a glance.

Seeing them ignore him, the man tried to rush forward and cling to their legs in desperation.

He figured that the woman with glasses looked refined and must have plenty of money—just a few coins from her would be enough to get him back to the tables.

But the gatekeepers were not ordinary folk; with a single kick, they sent the gambling addict flying.

In “Golden Town,” only those with money are considered people.

No money?

Out you go, we don’t serve your kind!

Enya led Sophia to the counter, where the lovely receptionist with dark hair greeted them with a formulaic smile.

“Esteemed ladies, is there anything I can help you with?”

Enya didn’t waste words, taking out a black Intelligence Broker’s Pass and placing it on the counter.

The instant she did, a nearby customer who had been happily counting his money glanced over, saw the item, and recoiled a step or two in fright.

The receptionist’s smile froze for a second, then became even more dazzling than before, as if afraid she might offend such distinguished guests.

Sophia watched this sudden change in atmosphere, her mouth slightly agape.

So mysterious.

She looked at the iron token—its material seemed nothing special, just a simple piece of black steel.

The engravings were plain, and there was no magic on it at all; it truly looked like an ordinary forged tag.

But its value lay not in the object itself, but in the meaning others assigned to it.

That assigned meaning was what made it precious.

“Honored guests, please follow me!”

The receptionist immediately gestured politely, leading Enya and Sophia toward the entrance of a special corridor.

Standing before the large door were two imposing men, looking like living guardian statues.

With strength at the peak of the fourth tier, they were already considered top experts in White Stone City, but here they served only as doormen.

This alone showed how deep the foundations of “Golden Town” ran!

Of course, “deep” is a relative term.

Compared to the Lord of Mist Church, it was still lacking—the Lord of Mist Church was backed by the Cult of Calamity.

They seemed to be up to something now, planning some sort of void-born god-creation?

Only after the receptionist showed the Intelligence Broker’s Pass did the guards respectfully open the door.

Behind the door was a narrow corridor, illuminated by magic lamps.

The walls on either side gleamed as if brand new, and at the end stood another door.

They walked for about a hundred meters before reaching the next entrance, where this time no one stood guard.

On either side of the doorway, countless masks hung on the wall, some full-faced, some half, in a dazzling array—there must have been over a hundred!

Masks?

These were just ordinary masks—no anti-peeping or touch effects, simply designed to conceal the wearer’s face.

The receptionist explained to Enya,

“If you ladies do not wish to reveal your true faces, you may choose a mask here.”

As she spoke, she handed the Intelligence Broker’s Pass back to Enya, who turned to look at the mask-covered wall.

She scanned from top to bottom, and finally picked a black half-mask adorned with lace and sequins—a women’s design, perfectly matching her mature and intellectual demeanor.

After putting it on, Enya addressed the receptionist.

“Open the door.”

“Ah, yes, of course!”

The receptionist saw that Sophia hadn’t chosen a mask and thought perhaps she was still deciding.

But when she noticed the veil under Sophia’s hood blocking her gaze, she quickly nodded and went to open the door, making a “please” gesture.

“Honored guests, please enter.”

Enya led Sophia by the hand into the room beyond.

The “Golden Town” casino was also known among the people of White Stone City as the Lake of Gold’s Curse.

Anyone who came here hoping to make a fortune would eventually find themselves prey to the hidden Golden Demon, losing everything and falling to ruin.

Such was the legend.

The Golden Demon—a worm-like demon that nested among gold coins.

If anyone got close, it would strike with massive jaws and never let go.

It would slowly suck out the soul of its victim in their moment of despair.

At that point, there was still a chance for escape—by cutting off one’s own hand or foot and resisting the lure of gold and gems, one could flee.

The Golden Demon could not move. But if one grew greedier and tried to take more gold, there was only one ending—death!

The “Golden Town” casino was actually run by a foreign organization, not a local gang, so this was just a branch.

The headquarters of “Golden Town” was probably in the Northland States.

Only there could such an organization grow and operate so securely.

They passed through the common casino areas and entered the restricted back section, where only those with the Intelligence Broker’s Pass could go.

Beyond the door was an elegantly decorated hall, where people mingled and chatted.

Each person wore a different mask, holding a wine glass and dressed in exquisite, luxurious attire.

Some of them possessed formidable strength, others radiated noble elegance.

Whether ladies or gentlemen, young ladies or lords, they all mingled with those of similar standing in the spacious hall.

As soon as the newcomers entered, everyone’s gaze shifted to them.

At the entrance, a gray-haired woman in a loose gray robe stepped gracefully inside, wearing a black half-mask.

Her poise was dignified and refined, exuding the air of an intellectual lady.

Behind her, the hooded, veiled young woman revealed by her graceful gait and subtle curves beneath her robe that she, too, was well-educated and of noble birth.

Their entrance together drew subtle attention.

The first impression among the crowd was: unfamiliar faces.

Normally, only people from White Stone City came here, but recently there had been more outsiders.

So these two must be newcomers as well?

The locals were not particularly welcoming to outsiders, but their interest in these two ladies was piqued.

A nobleman approached at a measured pace, bent over to take a hand and offer a kiss, but was deftly dodged.

Enya turned slightly, sidestepping the awkward nobleman, and headed straight for the bar, saying bluntly,

“I want to buy something.”

The Dealer, an older gentleman, was momentarily taken aback by her directness, but quickly recovered and replied,

“Please wait a moment, I’ll go and get permission.”