His mother walked back home with a big smile on her snout, her eyes shining with pride as she continued to chuckle softly, her heart brimming with joy.
—My cute little raccoon… —she patted his head gently. —You're already stronger than any kid your age. It's really rare for a baby to get a skill at just three days old. Your father is going to be so happy when he finds out you won a skill… and on top of that, with the 50% discount that greedy goblin gave us.
Dolo, still in the sling, could only think:
"Little raccoon" again… I'm going to have to get used to this stupid nickname.
As they disappeared into the distance, the setting shifted. Back at the market, the goblin stood frozen in front of his stall, staring at them with wide eyes. The guard beside him let out a deep laugh.
—A kid beat you fair and square, buddy. Just accept it.
The goblin didn't say a word. He just smiled sideways and muttered to himself:
—Looks like a new kind of game has arrived in town…
Later, as they walked home through the village, Dolo carefully observed the buildings and the life around them. Everything revolved around games. In front of a tavern, instead of fighting, several drunkards sat around a table betting their day's wages on a dice game. The loser had to buy drinks for everyone. In the square, two merchants settled a price dispute with a quick chess match. Even the beggars bet broken coins on simple guessing games.
"This world doesn't have laws… it has game rules. I love it."
His mother looked ahead with a smile.
—Let's find your father. He should be getting out of work soon. You're going to be surprised, my love.
Eventually, they reached the center of the village. There, a large stone-and-wood building housed several gambling tables visible from the entrance. At that exact moment, Dolo's father walked out with a wide grin and a rather heavy bag of money in his hand.
His mother smiled when she saw him.
—Did you win the monthly bonus, honey?
—Yes, my love! We now have enough to relax for several months. I beat my boss in a five-round poker game. I even won three months of paid vacation! Hahaha!
He walked over and gave his wife a quick kiss on the snout.
—How did it go at the market?
—Wonderfully. Our little raccoon won a new skill from the goblin merchant.
His father froze, shock and amazement flashing across his face, his breath caught mid-step, and his eyes wide.
—He won a skill? Our son… beat someone at rock-paper-scissors?
His mother nodded, amused.
—After the merchant screamed that he had been cheated, a guard showed up. They agreed that if our son hadn't cheated, the goblin would have had to give him a skill. And that's how our little raccoon got "Swindler's Eye."
His father's disbelief melted into loud, delighted laughter, pride, and joy lighting up his whole face.
—That's my boy!
—Love, stop calling him "little raccoon," —his father laughed. —You're going to confuse him. I know the dark patch on his face makes him look like one, but he's a tanuki.
His mother crossed her arms, clearly annoyed.
—I know, love. But he looks so much like a raccoon that I can't help it.
Once at home, his mother immediately started preparing dinner. Meanwhile, Dolo and his father sat on the living room floor. His father pulled out a worn deck of cards and began shuffling them with professional skill.
—Alright, my baby —his father smiled slyly. —We're starting your real lessons today. I'm going to teach you the game of 21.
Dolo looked at him intently, and his black eyes shone with interest. From the very first second, he was already counting cards in his mind, memorizing the order of the deck while his father shuffled.
His father spread the cards on the floor and began to explain:
—Every card has a meaning in Falsía. Goblins are the numbers, because they reproduce like rabbits and fill everything. The jacks are the princes, because of their irritability and quick temper. The queens are the elves, wise and well-mannered. The kings are the dragons, who rule kingdoms with their wisdom and longevity. The fairies are the queens because they're the only ones who can read the kings. The ace is God, because it's both the minimum and the maximum at the same time. And finally, the jokers… are three races in one single card: the tanuki, who are at the bottom of the chain, the humans, and the beastmen.
Dolo listened with total concentration, all the while continuing to count the cards mentally; he already knew exactly how many high cards remained in the deck.
His father smiled and explained the rules:
—The rules of 21 are simple but treacherous. The goal is to get as close to 21 points as possible without going over. Number cards are worth their face value. Face cards (jack, queen, king) are worth 10 points. The ace can be 1 or 11, you choose. If you go over 21, you lose. If you get closer than the dealer, you win.
His father gave the deck one final shuffle and dealt two cards face up to Dolo and two to himself (one face up and one face down).
—We start, my little swindler. I'm the dealer. You decide whether to hit or stand.
Dolo looked at his cards: a 7 and an 8. Total: 15.
He was already calculating. With many high cards left in the deck, hitting was risky; standing on 15 against the dealer posed its own dangers.
His father smiled proudly, unaware his three-day-old son was already counting cards like a professional.
—Your turn, little raccoon. What are you going to do? Hit or stand?
Dolo stared intently at his father, then at the cards, and with his clumsy little paws made a clear gesture: he asked for another card.
His father raised an eyebrow, surprised but amused.
—Bold, huh? Let's see…
He dealt the third card.
Dolo looked at it carefully. His professional swindler's mind was already several steps ahead.
"This is just the beginning…"