650 I want to play cards with somebody (2/2)

Saitou was delighted that five other people were willing to play cards with him.

The six of them soon sat down together at a table and asked a server to bring them some cards.

Seiji silently looked over Saitou and the others.

Seiji already knew the names and identities of the four other people playing cards with himself and Shika. Not a single person here was a normal person.

Saitou's full name was Yuuma Saitou. He was from a samurai family and possessed great strength unlike what his physical appearance would suggest. He was a bodyguard who had never failed to protect his clients before. In the mystical society, he was known by the nickname ”Ironhand”.

This middle-aged man was named Daikawa Rota. He was a Spirit Controller, who was currently disguising his physical appearance. His real appearance was actually a young and handsome man. On the surface, he appeared to be a private detective, but in secret, he could be hired to work in corporate espionage, as an assassin, or as a bodyguard. He was skilled in many different areas.

The leather jacket-wearing curly-haired woman was Mitsuko Kitajima, a ninja. Her current appearance was a disguise as well. Her real appearance was actually a straight-haired, flat-chested woman who had a clean and pure appearance. She often worked as a spy or assassin. It was said that she particularly loved to toy with and torture men. She had never failed to assassinate any male targets before.

As for the suit-wearing man who had a kind expression, his name was Yuuzou Yoshihara. He was yet another assassin, who had the nickname ”Judge”. Every time that he received an assassination request, he would always ask for the reason. He would then assess the assassination by his own standards and charge a certain fee. He had been in the business for many years and had more than 100 completed assassinations to his name.

If it wasn't for the fact that Seiji already knew the information on these individuals, he wouldn't have felt anything from playing cards with them at all. But he knew their backgrounds and was facing them… it was an indescribable feeling.

After the server brought some cards, Saitou asked what card game everyone wanted to play.

”Any card game is fine. The critical part is what we're going to bet,” Daikawa Rota stated.

His tone was quite calm. But the moment he said ”bet”, something changed in the atmosphere.

”Betting will only harm our friendship. We can just play for fun,” Saitou commented.

”Playing cards is no fun at all if there's no bet… I recommend that we bet information.” Something flashed in Rota's eyes. ”The winner is allowed to ask the loser three questions that the loser must answer. The loser must also guarantee that he or she tells at minimum fifty percent truthful answers.”

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

”At minimum fifty percent truthful… so you mean that half true and half false answers are allowed?” Seiji asked a question first.

”Yep. 'Completely true' is impossible, so half true will be good enough.”

Mitsuko Kitajima smiled seductively and asked, ”Heehee. How are you going to guarantee that the loser tells anything true at all?”

”Everyone should tell at least fifty percent of the truth based on their own honor,” Rota stated lightly. ”I myself will absolutely adhere to this. I believe that none of you will be that stingy, either.”

The rule of ”fifty percent truth” sounded rather casual, but it was actually quite subtle.

Everyone present was a Bloodwine Ritual tournament participant. ”Complete truth” would naturally be impossible to expect from anyone here. Only ”half-truth” would be possible to expect. Truth and falsehood, believing or not believing… this would be a psychological battle.

”How interesting… this sounds like a fun little gamble. I accept.” Mitsuko chuckled.

”Half true and half false, eh…? Well, I suppose it's fine with me.” Saitou also accepted.

Yuuzou Yoshihara also grinned and accepted the gamble.

Only Seiji and Shika remained.

”Brother…”

”If you don't want to accept, then it's okay to back out.” Seiji smiled. ”This is only a game.”

Shika thought it over for a moment before she stood up and indicated that she wouldn't participate.

Seiji remained by himself and accepted this ”gamble”.

If he lost, he would have to tell a half truth to the winner's question. Or, he could even shamelessly tell a complete lie… this wasn't really a gamble at all. This was just a game of separating truth from falsehood.

But even though this was only a game, this was still a matter of pride.

No matter how the five people present viewed this game, it was certain that none of them wanted to lose.

After the card game began, everyone's auras started spreading and clashing with each other.

Most of the other tournament participants were paying attention to their table. Those with sharpened magical hearing even heard the entire content of their gamble.

Some felt that this was interesting, some felt that this was nothing more than a joke, some wondered if they should participate, and some were completely disinterested…

Not long after, the card game's first round was over.