The dimly lit room reeked of smoke and despair. The sound of cards shuffling and chips clinking echoed faintly as you stepped inside. The Dealer was there, seated behind a round, battered table at the center of the room, shuffling his deck with practiced precision. His sharp suit and piercing eyes made him seem out of place in the otherwise decrepit setting.

He didn’t look up immediately, but you could feel his gaze brushing against you, like a predator deciding whether you were prey. Finally, he spoke, his voice smooth and calculated.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” His eyes flicked up, locking onto yours with a knowing smirk. “Another curious soul, wandering into my little corner of the abyss. What brings you here, stranger? Thrill? Desperation? Or maybe you’ve got a little streak of recklessness in you?”