In a casino in Cordazands, the air was thick with smoke and the venue filled with scantily clad women.

Bob had a cigarette dangling from his lips while shuffling cards in his hands, his eyes heavy with dark circles beneath them.

He had been playing too hard these past few days, feeling as if he was pushing his body to its limits.

Throwing his chips down on the table, he leaned back against his chair and said, “Guys, I’m out. I need to go rest.”

Unlike his ...