The Devil's Gambit

    By wwephs

    The Devil's Gambit cover image

    21 Aug, 2024

    a man in a suit and tie with a skeleton face painted on his face in front of slot machines, sots art, a character portrait, Adam Manyoki, official art

    King Dice, the Devil's right hand, was given a task. He was to eliminate a man named Kaiji Ito.

    a man in a purple suit and horns on his head in a casino room with people playing slot machines, private press, a character portrait, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    The Devil, his boss, had reasons unknown to Dice. All he knew was that Kaiji was a threat.

    a man in a suit playing a game of poker in a casino room with other men in the background, serial art, a comic book panel, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    Kaiji Ito was known for his gambling prowess. His reputation had reached the Devil, thus making him a target.

    a man in a suit holding a dice in his hand and surrounded by dices in the background,, private press, a character portrait, Dustin Nguyen, yukito kishiro

    Dice approached Kaiji, offering him a dangerous gamble. A game that could cost Kaiji his life.

    a group of men playing cards in a casino room with a crowd of people watching them play poker on a green table, sots art, concept art, Baiōken Eishun, official art

    Kaiji agreed to the gamble, his pride as a gambler wouldn't let him back down.

    a group of people playing cards in a casino room with a man in a purple suit and a woman in a white dress, serial art, a comic book panel, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    They played hand after hand. It was a close game, with each player holding their cards close.

    a group of men playing cards in a casino room with a joker mask on his face and a casino table, sots art, an album cover, Du Jin, official art

    The final hand was dealt, and Dice revealed his cards - a royal flush.

    a man in a suit playing a game of poker with others in the background at a casino table with cards and chips, sots art, a character portrait, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    Kaiji, with a calm expression, slowly revealed his hand - a straight flush. He had won.

    a man in a purple suit playing a game of crap in a casino hall with other men in suits, serial art, a character portrait, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    Dice was stunned. He had lost. The Devil's task had failed.

    a man in a suit and tie standing in front of a casino table with people in the background looking on, serial art, a character portrait, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    The Devil, witnessing the game, decided to handle Kaiji personally.

    a man in a suit and tie standing next to a demon in a suit and tie at a desk, serial art, a comic book panel, Adam Manyoki, official art

    Kaiji was summoned by the Devil. A new gamble was proposed, this time with higher stakes.

    a man in a suit with horns on his head and a red background with a demon in the center, serial art, a character portrait, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    Kaiji, with nothing left to lose, accepted. The game was set.

    a man in a suit playing roulette in a casino room with other people sitting at tables and looking at the roulette, lyco art, a character portrait, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), official art

    The game was simple. Bet on a number and spin the wheel. The stakes, however, were their lives.

    a man in a red suit and devil horns playing rouleette at a casino table with other men, serial art, poster art, Eddie Mendoza, comic cover art

    With a devilish grin, the Devil spun the wheel. The crowd watched in anticipation.

    a man in a suit playing a game of crap in a casino room with other men in suits and ties, serial art, a character portrait, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    The ball landed on Kaiji's number. The room filled with gasps as the Devil lost his own game.

    a man in a suit and tie playing roulee in a casino game with other people in the background, neogeo, a character portrait, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    Kaiji, against all odds, had won. His life was spared, and he gained the Devil's respect.

    a man in a suit standing in front of a crowd of people in a theater with a ceiling light, neogeo, a comic book panel, Baiōken Eishun, yusuke murata

    Having beaten the Devil at his own game, Kaiji became a legend in the gambling world.

    a man in a suit and tie standing in front of a crowd of people in a theater with a neon sign above him, serial art, poster art, Baiōken Eishun, official art

    Dice and the Devil, while disappointed, had to admit that Kaiji was a formidable opponent.

    a man in a suit and tie standing in front of a roulette table with dices and a bull mask on it, sots art, concept art, Barron Storey, official art

    Even after Kaiji's departure, his legend lived on. The casino continued its operations, with a new respect for its patrons.

    a devil man playing a game of monopoly with a group of people watching him play the game in a casino, altermodern, a comic book panel, Benjamin Marra, comic cover art

    Dice and the Devil, learning from their defeat, became more cautious in their dealings.

    a man in a suit playing a game of poker in a casino room with people watching from the tables, serial art, a character portrait, Eizan Kikukawa, official art

    Kaiji, having survived the Devil's gambit, continued his life as a gambler, always ready for the next challenge.

    a man in a room with a lamp and a desk with a bookcase and a lamp on it, neogeo, a character portrait, Cedric Seaut (Keos Masons), yusuke murata

    His experiences at the Devil's casino had changed him. He was no longer just a gambler, but a legend.