Mechanical Alchemist

Su Lun had not expected the underground casino in the Green Street district to also host "Death Gladiator Matches".

It was an incredibly brutal form of fighting competition, with no rounds or point system, determining victory or defeat, and also life and death.

Because these fights were to the death, the gladiators would fight with all their might and skill, making it immensely entertaining to watch.

Moreover, since fatal blows often came in an instant, there were many uncertainties in the outcome, which stimulated the nerves even more and made gambling all the more thrilling.

That's why, in the underworld, these bloody gladiator matches were the most popular betting events.

...

Following Captain Kai, Su Lun entered the fighting gambling den known as the "Crimson Fortress".

The gang had its own reputation, and regardless of whether they were recognized or not, the gamblers would unconsciously clear a path at the sight of the "Cross Star" symbol on their clothes.

The air was filled with a sweet scent, a kind of hallucinogenic potion that could make people's nerves excited. "Potion Science" was a basic skill of alchemists, and there were specially people in the black market creating these addictive hallucinogenic potions for sale.

"'Skullcrusher,' tear him apart!"

"Oh, 'Undertaker,' stand the fuck up! I bet ten thousand rixos on you, don't you dare let me lose!"

"Hahaha, 'Skullcrusher' is going to win! Kill him, kick that guy's head open..."

"..."

The underground second floor, as large as an indoor basketball court, had a huge octagonal net cage in the center for the fights.

On the stage, two bloodied gladiators were engaged in a life-and-death struggle.

The fight's rhythm was swift; after a few exchanges, the robust gladiator called "Skullcrusher" broke his opponent's neck, and a tidal wave of cheers erupted in the casino.

Of course, mixed within were the curses of gamblers who had lost their bets.

But Su Lun's eyes were fixed on the "grey mist" floating above the distant corpse, and his gaze narrowed slightly.

Previously, he had thought that after entering the city, his "Reaper of Death" would have no room to play. Now it seemed that joining a gang wasn't so bad after all.

Seeing something unusual in Su Lun's eyes, Kai guessed that he was probably witnessing this type of gladiatorial match for the first time and took the opportunity to introduce it to a few new members, "This is the hottest form of gambling fight in Green Street..."

While speaking, he pointed to the private rooms on the top layer of the spectator seats and said, "See that? A lot of those rooms up there are filled with insiders from the Inner City. Those people are the real big spenders..."

Listenting, Su Lun turned his gaze to those private rooms fitted with one-way mirrors.

Behind those darkened glasses, it seemed there were pairs of eyes, watching everything on the gladiatorial field.

Upon hearing this, a newcomer asked, "The big wigs from the Inner City come to the Outer City as well? Don't those arrogant pricks despise our dirty and rundown Outer City, never setting foot here..."

"Heh... there are quite a few."

Kai shrugged, apparently without much respect for those from the Inner City, "After all, there are no fights as exciting as these in the Inner City. When those guys want to have fun, they still have to come to our turf. Besides, it's because of these patrons that we get to live so comfortably."

As he spoke, seemingly recalling something, he warned the newcomers, "Even though we and those big shots from the Inner City are from two different worlds, and it's highly unlikely you'll ever cross paths, if you do happen to encounter them, don't provoke them. Otherwise, you'll cause trouble for the boss and the others."

Along with the others, Su Lun nodded as well, "Got it, Captain."

....

Kai took everyone around the casino, helping the newcomers get acquainted.

"Alright, that's our task done for today. Go and do whatever you want, but remember to carry your communicators."

"Roger that, Captain Wise."

"Shut it, no ass-kissing."

As soon as Kai announced they could "clock out," several old birds scattered excitedly in different directions.

Watching the newcomers who were still a bit confused, he said, "It's your first day joining the gang; you can go and have some fun. The bars and pleasure grounds we just passed are all under our 'Cross Association's' protection, and you get discounts for girls too."

At those words, the faces of all the newcomers, except for Su Lun, revealed eager and suggestive smiles.

Noticing that Su Lun seemed more interested in the cage fights, Kai specifically cautioned him, "Everything else, you can play with, but with gambling, it's best not to indulge too much... especially these cage fights; they're easy to get hooked on. With that money, it's better to have some fun with girls."

Everyone: "Got it, Captain."

As Kai spoke, he seemed to remember something and brought up a contra example.

He pointed at the only old-timer who hadn't left, a look of contempt on his face, "Just like this guy Sam here, who blew a month's wages in one night. Now he has to rely on the brothers in the gang to subsidize his meals, how shameful is that..."

Sam, the injured party, looked like an aggrieved housewife as he mumbled weakly, "I had actually hit a few jackpots in the beginning and won a few thousand... but then there was an upset that pissed me off, and I doubled down..."

The gambler's mindset is the same in any world.

They don't leave when they win, try to recoup losses when they lose, and keep doubling down until they fall deeper and deeper.

Listenting, Su Lun also understood that Kai was worried he would lose all his money in one day.

This captain seemed like a decent person.

Kai rolled his eyes, not buying Sam's excuses and waved his hand towards Su Lun and the others, "Alright, off you go."

Everyone nodded in agreement, "Yes, Captain."

....

Once Kai left, everyone immediately felt unshackled.

The other three new recruits had been eyeing those beautiful girls from earlier.

After all, wasn't the allure of a gang the freewheeling life with alcohol, meat, and women?

"Su Lun, aren't you going?"

"No, I want to stay here for a while."

"..."

Su Lun did not join the other three in seeking pleasures; instead, his attention remained fixed on the arena.

Reason told him that, compared to women, strengthening his power was the real capital for surviving in this world.

The "Reaper" talent he had awakened was critical to his development—he just needed to live long enough, and everything he wanted would come.

In just a few moments, another gladiatorial fight began.

Two new fighters entered the octagonal cage, and a brutal, bloody death match ensued.

Su Lun squeezed through the tide of gamblers and moved closer to the cage.

To collect Soul Shards, he needed to be near enough.

The gamblers, ready to curse at someone pushing in, swallowed their anger when they saw the "cross star" emblem on Su Lun's clothes.

The "Steel Cross Society" still commanded considerable deterrence among ordinary people.

Su Lun paid them no mind and squeezed his way to a passage on the left side of the combat cage.

If he remembered correctly, this would be the corridor where dead bodies were dragged away.

In the casino filled with thousands of people making a racket, no one would notice where a corpse from a failed fight was taken. But Su Lun, concerned someone might spot him collecting Soul Shards, had deliberately chosen this inconspicuous corner.

Just then, a graceful waitress with a tray squeezed through the crowd.

She offered a playful smile to Su Lun and asked in a soft voice, "Sir, would you like to place a bet? If you can't on this round, you can on the next. Blind guesses get extra odds boosts~"

"Red side, one thousand."

Being so close to the front, anyone would think Su Lun a frenzied gambler. He naturally took out a stack of banknotes and placed them on the tray.

The waitress, pushed by the crowd, ended up pressed against Su Lun. She didn't seem to mind, took the money, pulled the bet slip, and even threw Su Lun a seductive wink, saying, "I think the gentleman will guess right~"

"Mm, I'm feeling that myself."

Su Lun smiled subtly.

He didn't think his bald look was handsome enough to have beauties throwing themselves at him.

From his earlier observations, he had noticed that the betting hostesses in the casino would actively please customers because those who won bets were never stingy with tips. Despite lecherous hands, these women could make more in one night than most high-rolling gamblers; their job was much more lucrative and easier than those working in the streets outside.

...

"Kill him!"

"Kill him!"

"..."

Near the cage, a group of bettors shouted themselves hoarse, calling out the names of the gladiators they bet on. Su Lun, uninterested in gambling, watched the fight with undivided attention.

It was also his first time witnessing such a gory and cruel fight, stirring a suppressed emotion within him.

The gladiators in the arena taught him his first lesson in otherworldly combat.

The whooshing fists, the killing aura made one's scalp tingle...

Su Lun put himself in the shoes of the gladiators in the arena and felt deeply moved, "No wonder the All-knowing Eye rated my fighting skills as just 'advanced beginner.' If I were in the arena facing them, I'd probably be killed in one strike."

In that moment, Su Lun saw an enormous gap.

The attacks of the gladiators in the arena were ruthless, sharp as bullets, like daggers aiming for vital points, following through with killing moves immediately, giving no chance for counterattack.

Death in one blow.

This style of combat had no flamboyant moves; everything served the purpose of killing.

This was nothing like the combat Su Lun remembered!

This world was gradually revealing its brutal side to Su Lun, the transmigrator.