Artha Mandala, a secret gambling organization that has spread its roots across every corner of this country. Despite operating in the shadows, its name is surprisingly familiar to many. People from overseas even travel just to place their bets against them. And yes, those who manage to beat them are incredibly few and far between.
The organization is inhabited by people beyond imagination. People like dark silhouettes draped over the entire country. Those who pull the strings from behind the shadows. Those known as the Seven Deadly Sins .
However, right at the tenth year of the organization's founding, something went wrong. The government began digging deeper into the organization, eventually uncovering the underground bar that served as their gambling hub. Even so, only the lower-ranked members of the organization were caught.
Just a few months after that incident, Arthur Sterling, the founder of the organization, was visited by the Seven Deadly Sins at his office.
"Mr. Sterling, it seems the bar in the heart of Surabaya City can no longer be used," said one of the Seven Deadly Sins . He was Theodore, The Wrath , a lean but broad-shouldered man with long black hair that reached his neck.
Arthur adjusted his glasses. "That's right," he answered calmly.
Hearing Arthur's casual response, Theodore slammed the desk hard, letting his anger show. "So, are you just going to sit there and do nothing?" he asked, his tone laced with irritation.
Arthur remained silent, interlocking his fingers. He smiled faintly. "So then, what are you going to do about it?" he asked.
Theodore growled, his fist clenched tight. "I'm going to take over this organization. No, not just me... us !" he shot back, fist pressed against his chest.
The other members of the Seven Deadly Sins nodded in agreement. "That's right! You're far too old to be running things," said Latvia, The Greed , giving a sidelong glance with a thin smile. She was one of the Seven Deadly Sins , a girl of around eighteen.
"Silence! None of you have the right to..." Arthur shot back, only to be cut off by something.
Click...
The members of the Seven Deadly Sins raised their guns, pointing them straight at Arthur.
Arthur fell silent. He slowly closed his eyes, as if surrendering to the inevitable. But then, one of the Seven Deadly Sins pulled out a laptop. Indeed, not all of the Seven Deadly Sins were present in person.
The laptop lit up, displaying " The Pride " in Cloister Black font. "Don't kill him," said The Pride through the laptop. The voice sounded strange, like a blend of male and female. Of course, everyone knew it wasn't their real voice.
True to the name, The Pride was an arrogant individual. So arrogant, in fact, that they refused to show their face. Always appearing as text on a laptop screen, not a single person knew who they truly were.
"What shall we do with him, The Pride ?" asked one of the Seven Deadly Sins . He was a small, thin man... Julian, The Envy .
"Just tie him up. He can serve as a prisoner or something. We're taking over this organization starting now!" declared The Pride in a mysterious tone, through the laptop.
A heavyset man with his hair tied back cheered, "Exactly!" He was Gavin, The Gluttony .
Arthur swallowed hard, cold sweat beginning to trickle down his forehead. He wiped it away. Theodore walked closer, rope in hand, and bound Arthur where he sat, helpless.
Silvia, a woman in her early twenties with long red hair. She bore the title of " The Lust ." The woman stepped closer to Arthur, who was now seated on the floor. "Ahh... you look quite adorable all tied up like that, sir," she remarked.
A slim young man in his early twenties with white hair walked over. "Does this mean we're officially the owners now?" he asked. He was Ivan, The Sloth .
Theodore circled Arthur slowly, stepping around him as he sat on the floor. "Of course! This is our chance to reshape this organization into something a little more... entertaining ," he said, raising an eyebrow.
The laptop screen where The Pride had been speaking flickered a few times. "Let's make a bet," they said, in that strange voice of theirs.
Arthur looked up, staring at the laptop screen displaying The Pride 's name. "A bet?" he asked.
"That's right! A bet!" The Pride replied, pausing for a moment. "If this organization survives for a year under our control... you die," they continued, their voice sharper than before.