Augmented Aspects: Chapter 57 Sometimes You Just Can't Win (Patreon)

Chapter 57

Sometimes You Just Can’t Win

Despite all my advantages, despite all my scheming, sometimes luck is just a harsh mistress. What I am referring to is the fact that sometimes your hands are just plain bad, that or they are good, but just not good enough. When you get down to the final two players, odds are roughly even that either player’s hand will win. After a certain point not even skills, nor knowing your opponent’s hands will save you.

I was at the final table, there were just three of us, and my two opponents took every angle they could to defeat me. A hard raise here to make me pay to see the flop, a patience tax on the turn, a dagger strike on the river, they all added up. I tried to recoup my losses, but with two people seeming to go against you, it was tough. Also the small and big blinds had risen tremendously by the final table. Small blinds were 5,000 gold and 5,000 experience, while big blinds were 10,000 each. I kept trying to tell myself that they were just numbers, but that didn’t take away the sting of losing.

Then when I did win, it was never enough. I know, the whole gambler’s fallacy, there is a psychology that states people will win money, then lose too much because secretly we all want to feel the complete rollercoaster ride of emotions. We all want to feel the thrill of victory, and the crushing wave of defeat. As for me, I didn’t want any of that. If I could, I would have cashed in at fifth place, where I stood to gain 90,000 gold and experience. Or fourth place where I stood to gain 125,000 gold and experience. Now I was at third place with a minimum of a quarter-million gold and experience on the line. Of course, getting up one more spot would be an astronomical climb as second place was a million, and first was two and a half million.

Unfortunately, my hands kept sucking. With both people actively ganging up on me, it was tough. What’s worse, is that on any hands that I sat out, they would use that to redistribute their wealth with each other. Basically, resetting the tally for anyone that I might have managed to whittle down. I asked if such an act was cheating, but apparently there was no way to tell if they were losing on purpose, or if it was just a case of overestimating their hand’s worth. In any case, the end result was, I had to constantly fight against the two opponents.

At one point I had more than both, a slight margin of victory, but that was fleeting at best. The two seemed to have a pact to stay in until the end, knowing that if the two of them stayed, they had a sixty-six percent chance of winning the hand. I mean they weren’t even playing by the same rules that got them here. Before they would evaluate the chances of their starting hands and fold at the first sign of a bad bet. Now, they didn’t do that. Now, it was all in from the start to finish. Worse they made me pay to chase, to see if my cards were coming next. If I didn’t press, if I had the nuts and they had a bad hand, that was the only time they would fold. I changed tactics, going meek, aka letting them bet for me. I went strong, over bidding on all hands, a costly endeavor, but it did pay out sometimes. I even played fast and loose, they had a counter for everything I threw at them.

There was only one way to explain what was happening. They were cheating. Worse, they were seemingly able to do it better than I was. Of course, I was cheating, that was the first thing I set about doing while here. But to have my own tactics thrown at me so brazenly was, well it was hard to swallow, but that was the way of things.

Sometimes the best you can do is finish third. How did that demotivational poster go? “Winners: for every winner there are dozens of losers, odds are you are one of the latter.”

Well, as it turns out I was one of the losers.

Quest Complete: Lucky’s Grand Opening Swap’em Holdem Tournament: You managed to place third overall in a competition that boasted 857 contestants. Rewards: Gold, Experience, New Spell(s), Badge.

New Feat Recorded: Gambling Guru (100): You placed fifth or higher in a gambling contest involving 500 people or more.

That was a great badge to have, as it showed I had perseverance at the very least. The spells of course were the ones that I self-created to manage to get to this point. Then of course there was the fact that the gold was written with strikethrough text. I knew why, but the cold logic of the system was always great at twisting the knife of poverty.

Congratulations: For coming in third you win 250,000 experience. Warning, all Gold has been given to Glenn Bloodfang.

Still a quarter of a million in experience. Just running that in my head, I realized it was a lot of experience, so much that I could do a number of things. First, I could buy leveling improvements. Basically, I could make it so each level I gain will get me newer and better Attribute rewards. I could also get a second class and start power leveling that class like there was no tomorrow. I could also do the smart thing and apply it all towards my class, which would push me to level 77. I of course pause, knowing that Glenn put up 25000 of his own experience for me to enter this competition, well 23,500. I did have the initial 1,500 which would have got me a chair at the table and a quick exit due to not even being able to see my cards.

No, the only reason I placed so highly was because of Glenn’s sacrifice and personal belief in me.

“I need you to come with me.” A burly enforcer demands.

I can see that there are a number of other guards all around me as well. I know most have been here the entire time, escorting contestants that lost off the floor. I assumed that was what this was, but the guard with me had a note of hostility that was unmistakable.

“Okay.” I say, as I follow the guard.

Rather than taking me to the right, to the winner’s counter, where I would do the final turn in and actually receive my reward for my quest, I am taken to the left, towards the interrogation chambers. How do I know these are interrogation chambers? Simple, I saw others get taken here before and know what they are doing in here.

Basically, this is the room where people who are suspected of cheating are sent.

I knew it was too good to be true, a third-place finish was amazing. I checked to see that I still had the badge, which meant that this was my story to tell, regardless of what happened next. The spells were also mine, meaning I now had to fight to keep my quarter of a million points of experience.

Taking in a deep breath, I let it out and mentally prepare myself for what will come next.

“Please take a seat.” The burly guard says, as we enter a room. There is a table with two chairs set up. Obviously the man wants me to sit with my back to the door, but I walk around the table and sit at the far end of the table. It is a petty powerplay, but one that the guard seems to take in stride. “Do you know why you are here?”

“No.”

At that the guard nods. “You are suspected of gambling while underage, getting illicit support from staff in order to rig an official gambling tournament, and tampering with restraining bands that were meant to be used as a means of leveling the playing field. How do you plead?”

I had to admit, they had me on all three accounts. Technically Glenn sponsoring me could have been considered gaining support from staff. While I didn’t tamper with the bracers directly, it is clear that they have no restraint or effect on me. Then finally, I am still young. Despite having a class, I should no longer be hit by this flaw, but gambling is a big no-no. So of course, they would likely crack down on me, who has the avatar of a minor. This is likely the game’s way of showing a moral lesson to the audience that I know is watching me. Realizing I have a stacked deck against me, and now not only is my experience gained at risk, but I might actually be facing real jail time if I get convicted of any of these three charges.

Or course, there is one thing that I have to do first, I have to affirm my innocence, lest I be automatically charged with having accomplished all three felonies.

“Not guilty.”

“Noted.” The guard, having pulled out a pad of paper checks a box, and then proceeds to hammer out the complaints.

This is a common tactic, and one likely used to intimidate most people. I say most people, as most of the time people don’t know what is on the sheet of paper that the guard is filling out, that lack of understanding often breeds nervous tension. I on the other hand can read the form he is filling out completely, and I almost laugh at the sight of everything.

Question:  Answer: Yes No

Did they plead guilty:   Check (on No)

Did they refute their age:

Did they refute their support:

Did they refute their cheating:

Seeing the page, I realized this was all up to me to solve. Taking a deep breath, I focus and begin with my best counter argument I can offer.

“My first question is, what is the proper age for a ghost? Or a human in the ghost realm? I have been here for months, working as a doctor for both humans and ghosts alike. Doesn’t that mean that I have just as much rights as a person who was killed yesterday, but happened to have been over a thousand years old, but still just a new born spirit, for all intents and purposes?” I ask, trying to find if there is actually an age limit on the spirit realm. This is a good topic to ask about, as I don’t know who exactly would have jurisdiction here in the ghost realm.

“Do you not admit to being young, only thirteen years of age?” The guard asks.

“And where is it stated that being young is illegal? What are the rights and restrictions of persons in the spirit realm?”

At that he paused and then after a moment he nodded to himself. “I see, suspect appears to be hostile.” He said, while he took a long time writing into his little book. Fortunately for me, what he wrote seemed to contradict his statement. I guess this would be so I would try to argue or further refute my claim.

Did they refute their age: Yes, argued that they were not bound by mortal laws while in the spirit realm. Argument found to be irrefutable.

Seeing as I had made my point and they seemed to agree with me, I decided to press on.

“As for the second false claim, the allegation of receiving illicit support from staff, this would imply that having someone sponsor you in the tournament was illegal. I did not see any documentation that such a claim was illegal, nor did I find any markers noting that such practices were discouraged. In fact, the subject of our mutual partnership was discussed in front of the administration table. Don’t you think if we knew this to be illegal that we would have not spoken about it so blatantly. Furthermore, if it was a known rule, don’t you think the registration official who took my name and sponsorship would have noted that something was wrong, particularly when Gleen Bloodfang was the one who personally provided the missing funds? Furthermore, Glenn Bloodfang was purposefully absent from the floor after my sponsorship, more than likely to avoid just such an accusation.” I press.

At that, the brute of a guard just shook his head and uttered, “suspect admits to purposefully providing plausible alibi to avoid conflict.”

Again, while his words said one thing, what he wrote was entirely different.

Did they refute their support: Yes, claimed was a partnership, no evidence to believe otherwise.

Phew.

I was almost there, now all I had to do was refute the last claim.

“And finally, what grounds do you have that I cheated? I have never taken off these bracelets, nor tampered with them in any way. I have not received outside help or influences.” I state.

At that the guard pauses and looks at me, then down at my bracelets that I clearly show off. It is clear from a glance that they all still glow with a deep resonating light, one that shows they are all still active. At least that is the way my vision shows them. My vision, Angel’s Sight, also shows that I have six channeled spells going through them at this point.

At that, the guard pauses and stares at me for a moment.

“So, you don’t have an argument for not using skills during the tournament?”

I pause, smelling the trap and trying to avoid the entire set up. “Everyone was using skills out there.”

“Everyone?”

“Yes, probability, math, I know I particularly relied upon my Second Wind skill to press through especially after the first few hours. The fact that I finished at all was a testament to how good my conditioning and other skills helped me last so long.” I reply.

He held up a dismissive hand at that. “Yes, yes, everyone knows they can use internal skills, that is not a problem. What is a problem, however, is that you are being charged with using external skills during the tournament, something that was in fact expressly forbidden.”

I can see his eyes glowing as he is using some type of Truth Detection skill on me. I need to be careful with how I answer, which is why I purposefully go on the offensive for the first time. “We all tried it, I mean who wouldn’t try it, but how could I have done so, with these bands still on me and still in working order?” I ask.

The guard just looks at me stoically for a moment, then finally he presses. “That is all you have to say?”

“What, that I think the burden of proof resides with you proving that I did in fact use these skills you claim?”

“The burden of proof is on you now, just state that you didn’t use any external skills that would have given you a distinct advantage during your tournament run, and this whole thing will be over.”

Harumph.

I let out an indignant huff, as I crossed my arms and just stared at the man.

“That is it, that is all you have to say?” The guard presses.

“Yes, that is all I have to say. I have already proven my innocence. Now you all are here trying to steal a prize money from me by any means necessary apparently.” I say, a note of indignancy filling my words as I lay it on thick.

At that the guard just shook his head and began scribbling in his notepad once more. “Suspect is overly belligerent and banned from future tournaments for a period of no less than eight years.”

At that, I saw that his markings were indeed close to what he wrote.

Did they refute their cheating: Indeterminate Guilt. Conclusion, refund initial entry fee, ban suspect for the maximum allowable time of eight years.

At that, I got a new system notification.

Hidden Quest Partially-Failed: Prove Your Innocence: You were unable to conclusively prove your innocence in the case of your cheating during a sponsored gambling tournament. Due to your age, and believed illicit activities, you are to be banned from participating in any future tournaments for a period of seven years and nine months. Conclusion: Forfeiture of Prize Money and Experience, Badge acquired; entry fees returned, minimal experience awarded.

Experience Gained: 2,000

New Feat Recorded: Been Caught Cheating (500): You are banned from all gambling facilities for a period of no less than seven years and nine months.

Seeing the message, I feel like a piece of my soul has gone missing. I knew I should have gone for the body of Olivia, but no. I for whatever reason forgot that. While I wouldn’t have gotten the sponsorship from Glenn had I gone with the body of Olivia, I didn’t even think about my age causing concerns. Again, I am pressing 80 years of age cumulatively by now, so I often forget the apparent age of my body. I know this is just a way for the game to avoid future liability suits. Also, again I serve as the moral argument for future generations of kids wishing to follow in my footsteps. They needed to come down hard on me, showing that children are not allowed to gamble, and that gambling doesn’t pay in the end.

In the grand scheme of things, I have to agree with that sentiment. While I did get 2,000 experience from the completion of the quest, 1,500 of it was what I originally put up for collateral to enter the tournament.

Sighing inwardly, all I have are three new spells, that can bypass security cuffs, 2,000 total experience, from completing the three spells and gaining quests from their creation, and a final 500 for just getting my case dismissed without actually having to face jail time for any of the charges presented against me. Not that I was too worried about being thrown into jail now, especially not with my ability to circumvent the security bands, I have a feeling that getting into or out of prisons just got that much easier.

That said, there was one nice thing that came from the whole evening. Once my 2,000 experience points were provided back to me, I finally had enough to go up another level.

Ding.

Level up.

Your level has increased to level 26.

I also had my first choice to make for my new class.

Choose one Attribute to increase: Personality or Sociability?

Seeing that, I scoffed for a second and looking at my two scores I had to pause for a moment.

Personality  59

Sociability   56

With them the way they were, I went ahead and chose Personality, pushing it up to a cumulative 60, and hopefully getting some type of bonus. I then figure the next few levels will all go towards getting Sociability up as well. Though I do find it odd that I have improved more Personality related skills than those that focus on Sociability. I guess it makes sense as I am not very sociable, but I have been told I have a loud personality, so in a way this makes sense. Odd though, but somehow surprisingly accurate.

“You are free to go.” The guard states, after pressing an envelope forward.

Taking the envelope, I am instantly met with a new system message.

Gold Earned: 75

I realize this was their way of showing how the money was returned. Odd that it was the Tournament guard who gave it back, but those are the breaks.

Putting my envelope into my pocket, I walk out of the interrogation chamber, then going to a dark corner, I Teleport out, not wanting to deal with anyone. It had been a long couple of hours, no wait, days. I had brought a man back from the dead, played in an epic tournament, and now had to go back to work, despite having been granted a 48 hour pass. Yes, I had played poker for over 48 hours straight. It had been a thrill, but fortunately it was now over.

I just hoped that today would be a slightly easy day.

With the envelope in hand, I walked from my office to the Mage Guild Secretary, the same person I scheduled the loan from.

“Here.” I said, placing the envelope with the full 75 gold coins I borrowed.

“Thank you for your return.” She said, as she counted it. “You seem to be five silvers short.”

“Five silvers?” I ask, “I only had the funds for a day, no two days, tops.”

“I am sorry, but five silvers is the minimum fee we can charge for a guild loan of that amount.” The secretary asks.

I know this is my Broke flaw coming back to bite me, but come on, five silver? Painfully, ever so painfully I reach into my extremely light coin purse and pull out five silver, well three silver and two hundred copper pieces. Yes, it was petty, but so worth it. I like to carry more deposits of smaller forms of currency, it makes it appear that I am offering more, particularly when I plop down a jingling coin purse, sadly, I now have developed a sixth sense for how certain sets of coins all jingle. I am surprised that more thieves are really bad at identifying the two. Anyways, with my debt to the guild paid, I feel even more drained.

I knew I was going to take the hit, the odds of me winning the tournament overall were excessively small, but for a moment I had a shot at it.

Sigh.

This world is tough.

Chime.

The door to the mage’s guild opens, and a hunched over person enters the Mage’s Guild.

“Hello, welcome to the mage’s guild, how may I help you?” The receptionist asks, while deftly sweeping all the loose coins from her desk into her own pouch.

“Yes, I have a terrible curse. I am afraid that I will not last long if I am not cured. I have heard that there is a miracle healer here?” The old man asks.

As he speaks, I can see the black mass in his body, it is indeed something sinister, as the infection seems almost alive and tearing into his body.

Seeing the man, my brain instantly switches from being near exhausted to ready to operate.

“Right this way.” I say in my best overly cheerful voice, trying to force the tiredness from my bones as I get ready for the demands of a new day.