"Ughhh…"
In-ha, slumped over, tears streaming down.
We were supposed to go to Gangwon-do, but it's canceled.
Well, not canceled—schedule changed.
Jeongseon and Yangyang are both under maintenance, plus the rainy season hit.
Gotta push back or pick a new spot.
"My Yangyang trip…"
Yangyang again… Got treasure hidden there? So desperate to go.
Honestly, I'm kinda relieved the plan changed.
Who plans a trip from Jeongseon to Yangyang? Insane.
"Kill meeee…"
Just go somewhere else…
I almost say it but shut up.
No point pissing her off.
If I say "just find another place," she'll snap, "You find it, fucker!"
"I'm heading out…"
I glance at In-ha, slipping on my shoes.
Some seniors invited me for food.
No MT, just a meal, probably.
"Where you going?"
In-ha's eyes flash, grabbing my ankle.
Why… why grab me?!
"S-Seniors are treating me."
"Oh."
Losing interest, In-ha slumps back down.
Actually, they invited me to hang out in Incheon, but if I say that, she might rip my balls off.
It's a day trip, so she won't find out… probably!
"Be back soon."
"When you coming back?"
"Uhh…"
Late evening, maybe?
I mumble, bolting out the door.
Freedom, finally!
---
"Whoa…"
Didn't know Incheon had spots like this.
Only been to Incheon Airport before.
"So pretty."
Yeongjongdo, was it? Two seniors work here, they said.
My friends lean on the fence, staring at the beach.
The West Sea vibe's kinda unique.
Huge hotel complexes are wild too.
Like a Vegas strip. Intimidating…
"You kids eat well?"
"Thanks for the meal, hyung!" (hyung = Big brother)
"Good, good. That's enough."
Third-year seniors smile awkwardly at the hyungs.
The clams were crazy expensive…
Two unfamiliar seniors paid for everything.
Must've cost hundreds of thousands… they cool with that? Heh.
The hyungs slick back their hair, lighting cigarettes.
"Time for round two. Let's check out the area, then hit it."
"We'll cover round two, Chan-hyung!"
"Nah, nah, it's nothing."
Ooh…
This what rich seniors are like? So cool!
"I know a pub.
We'll drink, play some games, and head out."
"Sounds good, hyung."
"Let's smoke first."
Seniors nod, following the two hyungs in a herd.
I trail behind, glancing to the side.
Incheon's sea is pretty.
---
"Here, hyung?"
"Yeah. Kinda loud, huh? Lots of people today."
What the fuck.
They said pub, but… it's a hold'em pub!
Seniors shuffle nervously behind the hyungs, first time seeing this.
Heard hold'em pubs were popping up, but…
Feels just like the places I went to with my dad.
Fancier and cleaner than the old grimy vibe, but same deal.
Smells like an illegal gambling den.
"Beer and drinks over there, grab what you want. Non-alcoholic too, just pick."
"Free, hyung?"
"Yeah, free. Except the cocktail bar, all free."
"Ohh."
Free my ass! Probably costs our souls!
The thick gambling vibe hits from the entrance…
Tables packed with people playing.
Drinks are a side dish—cards are the main course.
Barely anyone's just drinking…
"Umm…"
We got lured, didn't we?
Or maybe it's just their usual hold'em pub?
Nah, reeks too much of illegal shit.
Feels like a deliberate setup.
There's a casino in the hotel complex, but locals can't enter, so… maybe they run this nearby instead.
Seeing some foreigners, must be a known spot.
"Here, take 10 chips each.
I'll explain. Just play for fun, for fun."
Where'd the nice hyungs who bought us food go?!
Turned into shady, tattooed, gambling-addict seniors.
*Ugh.*
Forgot how shitty our department is.
Too many good things lately made me forget.
Seniors cluelessly follow the hyungs' lead.
They won't get hooked from one day, right…?
"Hmm…"
Smells so familiar…
Not the old cigarette-stink, grimy vibe, but…
The sound of cards flipping feels like home. Fuck…
I stand alone, looking around.
Crowded with pretty girls and dealers.
Summer, so lots of cleavage on display.
Guess I'll just check out the place and leave…
"Yo, what's up, buddy?"
"Gah!"
Just watching people play poker, and a hyung throws an arm around me.
Must've come looking since I was alone.
"Just… looking around."
"Oh, you're watching poker? Know how to play?"
"Just… with friends a bit before…"
"Never properly?"
I nod slightly.
If I went against you, I'd clean you out, hyung…
Can't say that, so I dodge.
He chuckles, pointing elsewhere.
"If you don't know, that's good too.
Know baccarat?"
"Heard of it…"
"It's like odd-even. Try it, it's fun.
They'll explain well since it's your first time."
"Oh… okay…"
Must be the newbie floor.
They even explain, huh.
Hyung points out spots, explaining the setup.
Hold'em, baccarat, blackjack, some Nagasaki dice game—know-it-all crew.
"Just play for fun, for fun.
Got your 10 chips?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Good, good."
He pats my head, heading to the seniors.
Guess I'm just an extra to them.
No use luring a loser like me.
"Hmm…"
Blackjack, been a while.
Poker's my best, but I'm not clueless about others.
Tried them all. But no reason to play anything but poker.
Other games are rigged for the house.
"This one's a tie, I feel it."
"Bet on player. Banker's been hitting too much."
Baccarat's got the most people.
Delinquent friends used to love this.
It's basically odd-even.
Pick the side you think'll win. There's a tie button too, but…
Problem is, it's not 50-50. Looks like it, but…
With three options, how could it be?
"Fuck, even."
"Ugh, shit."
Kids my age are deep in it.
Baccarat's like…
That feeling of enchanting scrolls as a kid.
Failed 9 times on a 10% scroll, so this time it'll work, right?
Like, three odds in a row, so even's due, right? That vibe.
It's independent trials, no correlation, but you bet on gut.
Seems dumb at first, but after a couple tries, it's addictive.
Like games—hard to start, but once you're in, gambling's nothing.
"Ugh."
That's why they say watch who you hang with.
Not that I can talk…
I fiddle with the 10 chips in my pocket. 100,000 won worth.
Gotta use them since they gave them to me. Doing nothing looks weird.
[Blackjack]
See a blackjack table, unlike the others, it's empty.
Not popular here. Used to be a hit.
A dealer noona, bored, stares at other tables. She's pretty, guess I'll blow my chips here.
"Can I play blackjack?"
"Sure. Tried it before?"
She smiles, offering a seat.
Her tired eyes and collarbone tattoo stand out.
"Did a bit before."
"Need the rules explained?"
Hmm…
I remember them, no need.
Sitting down, my brain cells wake up.
Fuck…
---
"Hit, another card?"
"Yeah."
As I sit, two people join me.
Must've been waiting for players.
Blackjack.
Also called 21. Draw cards to get close to 21, or hit it exactly.
Cards 2-10 are face value.
K, Q, J are 10 points, same as a 10 card.
Ace is 1 or 11, player's choice.
Bet before starting.
Dealer gives two cards.
Decide to hit or stand to beat the dealer.
Get close to 21, but…
You can stand on a low score.
Not many ways to beat the dealer with a low score, so 15+ is typical.
Blackjack or baccarat, not much difference.
House always has the edge.
I picked blackjack 'cause it involves some brainwork.
No brain, you lose everything fast.
Use your head, you might hold your own. Old-school blackjack here, so card counting works.
"Card open."
Let's see.
Noona next to me: A, K. Blackjack right away.
Ace as 11, K as 10, 21 points. No need to see dealer's hand—she wins.
Dealer: 6, one card hidden.
Gotta guess the hidden card.
Even with an Ace, max 17. Typical 10-point card makes 16.
Play to beat 16, and I'm good.
Other guy: 3, J. 13 points.
Too low to beat the dealer, needs another card.
Me: 4, 7. 11 points.
Gotta hit. 10-point cards are likely, one gets me 21, blackjack.
"Player card, 6."
A 6, huh.
4, 7, 6 makes 17.
Bit disappointing. Over 21 is a bust, instant loss.
Odds of 1, 2, 3, 4 are lower than 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
No sense hitting again, so I stop.
"Dealer card open, 15 points."
7, 8. Dealer must hit under 16.
If she gets 3, 4, 5, 6, I lose.
1, 2, or 7, 8, 9, 10, I win.
Odds slightly favor me.
"Dealer draws one more, 9. Total 24, bust."
Dealer loses, over 21.
I bet 30,000 won, so I get another 30,000.
Hmm…
Planned to lose it all, but I keep winning. Already 40 chips, 400,000 won…
At this rate, I'll hit a million. Hope the hyungs don't notice.
"I'm done."
Meant to blow it, but I keep winning.
Might switch floors or dump it at baccarat…
As I stand, others get up too, smacking their lips.
"Ugh."
Gonna pee first.
Or maybe cash out and give it to In-ha—she'd love it.
Packing up, I feel the dealer noona staring.
Why… why you looking like that? I'm a newbie, I swear!