The market quickly became chaotic.
The peasant's victory lit a fire under everyone's feet. He jumped up and down and waved his double silver coin in the air as if showing it to everyone.
"I won! I really won!"
That joy spread like wildfire.
Now, more people were scrambling in front of Leonard. Some were even pushing each other just to get in front.
Just then, another man who looked older swept the people in front of him. He smiled widely, showing his teeth that were half-gone already. Without saying a word, he threw down a single coin on the table.
"I'll be the next one!" He confidently muttered, halting the people from talking and volunteering.
Leonard chuckled and smiled widely.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course!" The man answered arrogantly.
"What's your choice? High or low?"
"High."
"Alright," Leonard just chuckled. He placed the dice on the cup again and rolled them expertly. Its loud clatter made everyone pause in silence.
The dice tumbled inside the cup a few times before spilling out onto the table that Leonard was using.
"Uh oh. Three." Leonard announced with a grin.
"…" The man's face froze. His proud smile collapsed into disbelief as murmurs broke out around them.
"That's low!" someone shouted.
"He lost!"
"Haha! So unlucky!"
The older man's eyes darted to the dice as if staring hard enough at it might change the numbers.
"What…? No, no, no… roll it again! I can't accept that!"
Leonard only shook his head and swept the single coin into his hand.
"A bet's a bet."
The crowd erupted in laughter.
"Ha! He lost it all!"
"Should've kept that mouth shut."
"Next! Who's next?"
Before the man could argue further, the crowd shoved him aside. He stumbled back, nearly falling to the ground while others surged forward. The people's eyes were filled with hunger and excitement.
In their minds, someone must have lost because it's their turn to win.
"Let me try too!" a younger lady yelled out loud, tossing down two silver coins with shaky hands.
"I'll play too!" another one shouted as he elbowed past the lady to slam his coin down.
The old man, who was shoved to the side, could only watch while muttering curses. He tried to stand up and go in front again to complain, but it was useless. The wave of people who wanted to try the game was too much, leaving him forgotten.
"Take it easy, everyone!" Leonard's grin widened as he watched the people's eager and desperate faces.
"Alright," Leonard shook the cup in his hand again to catch everyone's attention. "Line up so everyone can get their chance to play!"
The people listened immediately. A line quickly formed in front of the stall. The people who wanted to play were all different. There were farmers with dirt still under their fingernails, merchants clutching heavy pouches on the side, and even women who were selling vegetables on the side.
Regardless of gender and age, everyone wanted a piece of the chance.
"Alright, let's start!" Leonard loudly announced, his voice loud and cheerful.
A thin man stepped up nervously. He was clutching his lone silver coin in his hand. His hand trembled as he placed it on the table.
"L-low…" the thin man whispered.
"Low, huh?" Leonard's grin never faded as he took the betting money from the person. Afterward, he shook the cup and rolled the dice onto the table.
"Two," he announced, raising his brow.
The man's eyes went wide. He slapped both hands over his mouth as though he might burst into tears any moment.
"I—I won?!"
"Yes, yes, you did," Leonard chuckled before giving him double the amount of what he bet.
The man fell to his knees, clutching the coins to his chest like they were treasures. The crowd erupted into claps and cheers, some laughing at his reaction, while others burned with envy.
"Next, please!"
The next player quickly took a step forward. It was a broad-shouldered merchant. He dropped three silver coins on the table and smiled.
"High."
Leonard rolled the dice again.
"It's 3."
The merchant froze. His confident smile crumbled into an ugly scowl.
"No… no, that's low! Damn it!" He slammed a fist against the table, rattling the dice still resting there.
"You should've picked better!" someone jeered from the crowd.
"Haha! That's what you get for acting smug!" another laughed.
The merchant cursed under his breath, grinding his teeth. His hand twitched as though he wanted to snatch back his coins, but before he could even gather his composure, the crowd surged forward.
"Out of the way, old man!" someone barked.
"Don't block the line!" another shouted as they shoved him aside.
He stumbled back, still glaring at Leonard with a mixture of bitterness and regret. However, he can't do anything now as he was swept away by people who were waiting behind him.
"Next!" Leonard's voice cut across the laughter. His grin widened as he welcomed the next -person.
A young boy, who was barely a teenager, rushed forward with a single silver coin clutched in his palm.
His lips trembled as he said, "L-low…"
Leonard gave him an encouraging nod before rolling the dice.
"Two!"
The boy gasped so loudly it startled the crowd. He then jumped into the air, as he realized his little coin had doubled.
"Yes! I won! I really won!" he shouted, his voice cracking. The crowd roared with laughter and applause.
"Woah! Even a kid can win!"
"How fortunate of him!"
"This man is sent from the heavens!"
"Let us play more!"
"Now, I want to try this too!"
And so, the cycle continued.
The people who won cheered out loud as if their doubled coins were blessings from heaven. On the other hand, the losing people could only curse, groan, and stare at the air in disbelief as their hard-earned money got taken away by Leonard.
From late morning until afternoon, Leonard's routine remained the same.
Call the next person, shake the cup, announce the number, and watch the people's faces light up or collapse in despair.
Leonard was doing so much, but it was never tiring. Instead, as more people joined, he felt his happiness and excitement growing further.
Just then, after 4 hours and a whole crowd of people, a soft chime rang in his head.
[Congratulations!]
[Mission Completed.]
[You have been rewarded 1x Bronze Mystery Box.]
[Please access your System Interface to open.]