Saving the ruined Knights’ Order

Episode 5

The Royal Tavern

A famous tavern, always full of people. Not because the food is amazing, not because there’s a great singer, and not because there’s a funny storyteller.

The reason? Simple.

This is the only legal gambling house approved by the royal family.

Here, even the guards and mercenaries—who usually hate each other—become drinking buddies.

The most popular game? Harenvel Chess. A tough game that requires deep strategy.

In the middle of the tavern, chess boards are lined up. Two players face each other, locked in intense battles. Unlike rough underground gambling dens, this place has rules.

“Busy night, huh?”

A young man walks through the tables like he owns the place.

Pale skin. Small, thin frame. Hair tied up with jewels and patterns. He looks like a model or an actor, but the leather armor over his shirt and the two daggers at his waist make it clear—he’s a mercenary.

His name? Mook Mark.

Only 18 years old, but already a rising star among mercenaries. They say he dances through the battlefield with his twin daggers.

And here? He’s the ghost of the gambling hall.

“Anyone looking to lose some money?”

Like a butterfly in a flower field, Mook flits between tables, searching for an easy target.

He’s famous for being a chess genius, but that makes it hard to find opponents.

“Hey, need a partner?”

“Get lost, brat. I’d rather throw my money in a ditch than play against you.”

“Aw, too bad. Thought I found a sucker.”

The man sitting at the chessboard scowls and waves Mook away. Too many have lost their money to him before.

“Hah! You’re done for, you idiot! Just give up!”

“Shut up!”

A loud argument breaks out.

Mook’s ears perk up. His sharp eyes lock onto the game.

“Looks interesting.”

He moves behind the losing player, watching the board with an intense gaze. More serious than he ever looks in a fight.

His fingers brush over the chess pieces as if he’s calculating every move.

The losing player clenches his jaw, nervous.

Then, Mook shrugs and grins.

He already knows the outcome.

“…”

The losing player, thinking no one noticed, slipped a silver coin to Mook under the table.

Without hesitation, Mook took it and whispered as he walked past.

“Your knight’s path is blocked. No wonder you’re stuck.”

“Huh?”

Mook left the board without another word.

But his simple comment had already changed the game.

The player who was sure of victory suddenly looked troubled, his confident smile fading. Meanwhile, his opponent’s grin grew wider.

Mook played with the silver coin in his pocket and sighed to himself.

“Bored. So bored I could die.”

Unless a new fool appeared, there was no point in him playing.

Mook Mark craved excitement. Not even battles—filled with slashing swords and flying sparks—could fully satisfy him.

He needed someone interesting.

And right at that moment—

Creak!

The tavern door swung open, lighter than usual.

Just from the sound, Mook’s instincts flared.

“A fool. A fresh one.”

And sure enough, a man stepped inside, looking around like a lost countryside boy visiting the city for the first time.

“Wow, so this is the Royal Tavern?”

Mook had an uncanny ability to size people up at a glance.

“Knight. Honest. Weak to temptation. If he sits down at a board, he’ll be so hooked he won’t even notice his money disappearing.”

His decision was instant.

This was the perfect fool.

Mook didn’t hesitate. His lips curled into a smooth smile as he moved toward his target.

“Hey there, stranger. First time here?”

“Who are you?”

“Me? Just a guy here to play. Do you know how to play Harenvel Chess?”

Before the man could even answer, Mook casually threw an arm over his shoulder, leading him toward an empty board.

“I do like chess…”

“Great! Then let’s play one round over there.”

The man didn’t even resist. He let himself be dragged along, unaware of the knowing glances around the room.

The regulars exchanged quiet murmurs.

“Another poor victim.”

“Maybe it’s better if he loses badly and never comes back.”

Hearing the whispers, Mook simply put a finger to his lips and smirked.

Shh.

Then, he and the man sat at a board—right in the most visible spot of the tavern.

Mook tilted his head, thinking.

“How should I play with him?”

His eyes lingered on the knight’s chest.

A shining medal pinned to his uniform.

Mook’s gaze gleamed just as brightly.

“Pure gold. I bet it’ll sell for a nice price.” Mook grinned.

“You do know where you are, right?”

“I heard it’s a gambling house.”

“Correct. So, how much are we betting? How about one silver per point?”

Mook watched the man carefully, wondering if he would refuse. One silver per point was no small bet.

But instead of hesitating, the man simply smiled.

“Let’s make it three silvers per point.”

Mook whistled in surprise.

“Didn’t expect that. You’ve got some guts, old man. I like it. Deal.”

The man nodded, and Mook extended his hand with a smirk.

“Let’s introduce ourselves, then. I’m Mook Mark. And you?”

“Isaac Wood.”

***

Harenvel Chess..

A unique gambling game, played only in the Royal Tavern.

Isaac had come here for a reason. As a knight captain, he often found himself short on funds. This tavern allowed him to make quick money through betting.

Of course, if word got out that a captain was gambling, his reputation would take a hit.

But when money was tight, reputation didn’t matter.

And this time, there was more to it than just money.

A secret feature hidden within the game.

If certain conditions were met while gambling, Isaac could recruit his opponent into the knight order.

But to play, he needed enough funds to meet the betting requirements.

Luckily, he had just received a grant after recruiting Charlie.

“If Charlie knew I was using knight funds for gambling, he’d probably stab me.”

Isaac shook off the thought and focused on the man in front of him.

The opponent he needed to defeat for the recruitment event.

Mook Mark.

A rising star among mercenaries.

If compared to knights, he was like a top academy graduate who had already proven himself in battle.

A promising talent with a bright future.

But there was one problem.

Mook had an awful personality.

He had no humility, fully aware of his own potential.

Not exactly evil, but rude and reckless, often crossing the line.

A useful ally, but not someone who got along well with others.

Still, he was better than recruiting no one.

“At least he’s competent.”

But to recruit Mook, Isaac first had to beat him in chess.

And that wouldn’t be easy.

Because, according to official records—

Mook Mark was ranked number one in Harenvel Chess.

A cocky troublemaker, but also a genius strategist.

In the main storyline, every time players challenged him, he always had a new strategy ready.

The Game Begins

I studied the board.

“Of course. An all-out attack setup.”

I smirked.

Mook wasn’t just reckless—he had no set playstyle.

He relied purely on instinct and quick thinking.

That’s exactly why I had acted like a clueless beginner.

“He took the bait.”

The aggressive setup had a huge advantage—it could overwhelm weaker players.

But it also had a fatal flaw.

One mistake could lead to complete disaster.

Mook thought I was an easy target, so he had ignored that risk.

I carefully placed my pieces on the board, hiding my thoughts behind a calm smile.

Most players lost at this stage.

But I wasn’t like most players.

I had spent over 10,000 hours playing this game, mastering every aspect of it—including this mini-game, Harenvel Chess.

In fact, this mini-game was so well-designed that some players liked it even more than the main game.

Eventually, an official ranking system was added.

And in that ranking system…

I was number one.

“This is what it takes to be a true veteran.”

Click. Click.

I moved my pieces smoothly and smiled.

“Let’s begin.”

The result had already been decided.