* woof*

Kyon, reacted with a speed of lightning, just sat down. Then, looking at the opponent who was confused from such trick, he rolled him with an ice look:

«Fists won't change anything.»

«The sucker dares to lecture me? I'll teach you a lesson in proper manners with adults!» – then roared John.

Kyon mentally snorted. {Adult is not necessarily smart and experienced... Apparently, it will be impossible to avoid a fight.}

The crowd of onlookers had already surrounded them, thus creating a kind of battle arena. Everyone would be pleased to see how the thin boy will be beaten. Someone actively incited the supervisor:

«Kick the sniveler!» ... «Come on, show him!»

When the man took another swing, Kyon had s.h.i.+fted half a step to the side and punched the enemy in his side aiming at his kidney. Although he was not strength enough, but there was a weak and vulnerable point.

«AGH!» - John collapsed on one knee because of the sharp pain, his hands pressed to his side, but at this point got one more accurate blow into his temple. Sparks flew from his eyes, the room staggered – the man abruptly went to the rapprochement of his muzzle with the stone floor.

Everyone gasped, including Borya, who returned exactly at the time of Kyon's last attack. The young man dcoped with the supervisor in too impressive way, not everyone would be be able to do so.

Two brothers-supervisors broke through the dense circle of the crowd.

The first bull, stepping menacingly to the boy, snarled:

«You dare to beat your supervisor, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d!»

The second brother continued, defiantly flexing his neck:

«You must be severely punished for this!»

{These two in such a situation I will not overcome...} - thought Kyon sadly, raising his hand as a sigh of conciliation:

«In fact, he's not my supervisor anymore, so I have had the right to defend myself!»

However, his attempt to solve everything by diplomatic means, was shamelessly ridiculed:

«Ahaha, what rights are you talking about, you miserable slave?»

The second man decided not to waste time for chit-chat and brought a punch in Kyon's guts…

«What the h.e.l.l is going on!?» - roared Byron and rushed out his room at the noise. I haven't had even time to make my tea, d.a.m.n them all…

Of course, his shout could not stop moving fist, but Kyon was on guard – blow seemed for him, as if in slow-motion, he couldn't help evading.

* woof*

When the big man of the 1st rank squeezed through the workers to the scene, ther following picture appeared before him: a whole-unharmed Kyon, innocently flapping eyelashes, and John at his feet, clutching his side and spewing curses incoherently. The two supervisors look at Kyon unkindly, but in the presence of their superiors, they dare not do anything.

Byron repeated the question sternly.

«This kid hasb beaten his supervisor and we were punis.h.i.+ng him.» - immediately «sneaked» one of the brothers on Kyon, and pointed to John, who still could not rise.

The second nodded on Kyon:

«Leader, how should we punish him?»

Byron slowly looked around at the instigators of the conflict and said in a tone of impatient objection:

«The guy has another supervisor. So John decided to beat a member of another group, for which he must bear responsibility.»

The brothers looked at each other with displeasure and left. John was not their friend, they were not going to argue with the authorities because of him. To wave the fists once again - it's always welcome, but the rest is not their problem.

Up to this moment John somehow got up and stared furiously at Kyon:

«f.u.c.king b.a.s.t.a.r.d, how dare you beat me, your master?!»

Byron approached the supervisor and, lifting him easily by the neck above the ground, spoke calmly. :

«Have you heard what I've said? He is no longer under your command.»

Most of those present were not the first time to observe Byron's manner of conflict resolution, but each time they were surprised by his courageous male brutality. Kyon also made some conclusions regarding the nature of the big guy.

Grunting from suffocation, John could barely squeeze out:

«I understand, Leader, I apologize.»

At the same moment he was back on the ground, rubbing his neck and constantly drilling Kyon with his eyes, full of hatred.

Byron changed his mind to punish John – he was recently fed up with troubles.

People began to disperse about their business, only Borya remained where he stood.

The big man wearily rubbed his temples. He muttered to Kyon:

«Well, how quickly you have found problems for your a.s.s.»

«Да… Это всё равно произошло бы, рано или поздно.» – пожал плечами парень.

When the superiors went away Borya nervously approached Kyon:

«Wow, I didn't expect you to get in such a mess on your first day back! Although ... John, of course,, too, could be understood.»

«I guess, I'll have a lot of things to do, so do not be much surprised in the future.» - the boy chuckled.

In the eyes of Borya appeared glitter of interest, but the next moment the man slapping himself on the forehead took from his pocket a sheaf of papers:

«By the way, here is your debt 2000 rupees, as agreed.» - reluctantly handed he the banknotes.

Kyon took the money, completely ignoring the mournful sigh of an acquaintance.

«If you want to bet for money, I'm always at your service.»

«Well, no, I'm not going to bet with you anymore, Aha! By the way, if you want to make some money, there will be a game for money in an hour. If you are sure of your luck, I'll be waiting for you at that table.» - nodded he to the far corner.

«I'm intrigued... what's the game?»

«The king's treasure.» - Borya a.s.sumed a dignified air with pride, like it was he who at least invented that game and distributed it to the ma.s.ses.

«And what are the rules?»

From the story of the man Kyon concluded that he was talking about the ba.n.a.l «fool». Four players, one deck of 72 cards, 4 suits, one of which is a trump. The card higher in rank beats the one that is lower. It is possible to throw up to a forwarder and the player who has to go after the «defending» one. The winner is the one who first left without cards and he gets the whole bet. The one who will be the last, pays double bet. Everything is standard and simple to boring. Strange that Borya mentioned luck in the game in which it was necessary to remember the cards and, if possible, to follow the cunning lovers to cheat.

«Well, wait for me to the beginning of the game.»

Witness the conversation of these two was low chubby little man by the name of Babel who was also a supervisor. With his cunning pig eyes, he noticed how the bald man gave the guy a good amount of money and there immediately matured a plan in his head which was to as soon as possible «free» the sniveler from the acquired money. He exchanged meaningful glances with the two big men on the sides, the guards of the 3rd rank and the bouncers in one person.

Their mocks and winks were noticed by Kyon.

{As Borya said, money can buy a lot here... Food, books, freedom at the end of it all. And if I don't plan to spend my life in a mine, then it's time to take the first steps.} - decided Kyon, throwing a sly glance at the table, where a»big play» took place.»

The game was to begin less than in half an hour. The young man walked around the hall, un.o.btrusively looking and listening to people talking about the upcoming evening «party». Then he went to Byron's door and knocked softly. He heard him grumping: «Well... Who's there?»

«It's me, I need your help.»

Byron reluctantly opened the door and let the boy in.

There was a lot of furniture inside, different fiction, Rubik's cube, even a carpet on the wall. There were two apples and an opened book on the table. .

«Holy s.h.i.+t, it's been five minutes, and you've got into some s.h.i.+t again?!» - the big man exclaimed with righteous indignation.

«No, not yet. I want to play a game of chance for high stakes.»

Byron was taKyon aback:

«With the supervisors, or what?! They'll skin you completely! I can't help you here.…»

«What if I win?»

«Well ... that's almost impossible ... do you have any plan?» - Byron was perfectly familiar with the system of these local sharps but, as it turned out, he could expext a lot from this youngster.

«Yeah. I need you to come over and watch my fourth game with Babil, and if I win fair and square, I'd like to count on your support. Surely they will deny with all the truths and untruths.»

«Hmm... there will be a lot of supervisors... If I decide to stand up for you for no reason, I will not be patted on the head... But if the truth is on your side... Hmm...» - Byron was tormented by vague doubts. On the one hand, he was not averse to help the guy, but certainly not at the expense of their own well-being – after all, they are strange people to one another.

Kyon, seeing his indecision, added a new argument:

«Of course, I'm not asking for your help for free – I'll pay you 10,000 rupees.»

Byron's face stretched out in surprise for a moment, and then there appeared a satisfied chuckle:

«Hhha! Good money! Agree. I'll be there to the fourth game.»

The man earned only 15.000 rupees a month, and although it is 2 times more than any supervisors gets and 5 times more than a healthy, trying slave – «extra» mowers would never hurt.

More than half of the inhabitants of the hall went to bed to recuperate, while the rest preferred to spend the evening in companies, communicating and playing different games.

7 people or so gathered at a small table in the corner. There were no supervisors among them, only slaves of the 3 rank. Borya also was there.

When Kyon came up to them, the bald man carefully introduced him to his comrades and returned to watching the game.

Each partic.i.p.ant was dealt six cards and, after a few seconds of reflection, bets were made.

Kyon was in no hurry to enter the game, a few games he spent just by watching and a.n.a.lyzing. Such behaviour somewhat discouraged Borya - what should he come for?

Finally, Kyon joined the players. Stakes were quite low, about 50 to 100 rupees. No one wanted much to loose, and ordinary slaves had never had much money…

This time, everyone bet 100, in honor of the newcomer.

Kyon was looking at these suckers and realized that if he starts to continuously win, then they'll just refuse to play, and the amounts here are extremely low; he could afford a few «failures». The first game he happily lost, in the second and third won... For half an hour Kyon has won 4 times and 4 times were 2nd and 3rd eliminated, thereby earning 1200 rupees.

Many people looked at «newbie» with displeasure, even Borya was permanently complaining. Kyon tried not so much for money as for attention to his modest person at the other table, where played «big men,» betting a lot of money. Soon, luck smiled at him:

«Boy, I see you're really lucky. Do you want to play big?» - rang out from the side high the voice of Babel, descended to inviting some sniveler.

Kyon has long waited for his approach. He looked at him with simple eyes. Here it is, the moment you've been waiting, Kyon! Staring at the man with frightened eyes, he bleated uncertainly:

«W-are you suggesting I play with You?»

Babil grunted smugly.: right, the village idiot.

«Sure! Why do you want to play with these low-income men? Come to our table! There you can earn, if luck does not turn away.» Mentally he rubbed his hands: {Life is bad without a sucker.}

All present «dumba.s.ses» stared at the supervisor with hatred. He didn't blink – what they gonna do to him if on either side of him there were two loyal men, which, if anything happens, they get his teeth kicked out.

Borya still plucked up the courage to pull the young man:

«Kyon don't listen to him! This ... Bast ... Scoundrel is fooling everyone, he wants to rob you! The supervisors are playing together!» - he wanted to add something else, but he came to his senses in time.

Both the guard pointedly cracked their knuckles, but Babil stopped them with gesture: there has not still given command «Attack!». Now, if the guy refuses to play – even then they will demonstrate this bald man all the charm of broKyon bones.

Kyon turned and put a hand on Borya's shoulder and made him «scary eyes»: do not interfere. He just nodded hesitantly.

Babil repeated with a grin.:

«You are coming? We have big bets coming up.»

«Yeah... Come on.»

Borya sighed and held the boy with a sympathetic look. Babil and his company regularly cheated on newcomers. Kyon doesn't stand a chance.

On the way to the» elite « table Kyon asked about the rules. The game is called «The Emperor's treasure» - the same «fool», only with an indecently large number of cards and players. There were 12 players at the table, 196 cards in the deck, the first eliminated got 50%, the second 30%, the third 20% of the total bet. The loser pays double the amount and shuffles the deck. The striker is allowed to throw up to the defender, and two players after the defender. That is, the person in front of you and two after you throw you cards. Also one party lasts two games.

«I will play, but I have a condition. I want to watch a couple of games, and then I'll join in.»

Babil shrugged.:

«I don't mind.»

When the four approached the large table, at least 20 people looked at them, 15 of whom were supervisors. Someone looked with contempt, someone with a sense of antic.i.p.ation in someone's eyes even flashed a pity. But mostly – wily mockery.

Babil spread his hands and solemnly said::

«Everyone, this is Kyon, today he will be us... Play with us!»

Among the 15 supervisors there were 2 brothers who recently tried to hit Kyon. They didn't shake his hand and coldly snorted as a «greeting».

Everyone took their sits and began to discuss rates. After the general vote they agreed on 1200 rupees.

Kyon mentally whistled: if you win and get 50% of the total bet for 12 players, you will get 6000 rupees net. Good money... at least definitely more than he's got on his «balance sheet» right now.

The first game was over, Babil took third place. One of his buddies was the second. The one who took the first place took the whole pile from the center and was engaged in recalculation, giving shares to the winners of the second and the third place. That's the rule.

There was constant hubbub over the players' table. Every now and then there were joyful or indignant cries, many of players drank tea or beer, cracked jokes and all sorts of stories which caused alternately bursts of laughter and muttering with the requirement not to be distracted from the game.

The second game was over. The stakes were for 1000 rupees.

This time Babil lost and looked inquiringly at Kyon, but he shook his head. He'll miss that game, too.

The third game was over. The stakes were 1300 rupees. Babil lost again, one of his buddies came the second.

The end of the fourth game and, at the same time, the patience of the supervisor – but eventually, Kyon sat down and declared, gently placing on the table two banknotes for 500:

«I bet 1000 rupees.»

Several people looked at each other and nodded faintly.

Babel rejoiced:

«Let's respect the beginner and will stay at this rate!»

The rest of the players supported him.

It was not difficult for him to identify the accomplices of Babil: they actively provided him with non-verbal signs such as nodding, blinking, simple movements, and so on. Like no one can see it, yeah. It was easy to find avid cheaters. In general, almost everyone at the table played in the «groups», and whether Kyon was an ordinary guy, he probably would have lost his last penny in his pocket, and then got into debt. Especially, given the fact that it was forbidden to go out until the game is over – and this is two games in a row.