Chapter 191

“……What!”

– …It’s nothing. –

Zero shook their head, as if to say they had something to say but wouldn’t dare speak it out loud. Despite their rough demeanor, they were busy finishing preparations to go out.

I was focused on checking the few necessary items I had.

Hmm…? What’s that? Is there anything special about someone who just managed to find a place to live? It’s just that thing I’ve always carried around.

Click!

I inserted the neatly arranged large-caliber bullets into the magazine in one go using a manual magazine loader.

Helena, who was astonished to see me carefully loading each individual bullet into the magazine after previously casually carrying spare rounds, recommended this fine piece.

I believe it was originally military supplies designed for situations where automatic loaders can’t be used? Thanks to that, my thumb and military gloves have significantly increased their lifespan. I can’t imagine how I managed without it during the times before.

But could it be… that I’ve been carrying something like that in my bag all this time?

Of course! Don’t underestimate the life of a wanderer who needs to carry all sorts of emergency medications, prescription drugs, emergency food, and even such utensils. I hope you understand I wasn’t just being compared to a one-suit gentleman for no reason.

…But maybe I shouldn’t be saying this while sitting half-naked on my bed, thinking no one is watching.

– “I’m here, though.” –

“That… I have quite a complicated sexual mentality too. But compared to you, it’s really like being a firefly, so is it okay if I talk about that later when it’s hard for you to bring such a topic up calmly?”

Could it be my fault for not rescuing a biological-type android body that experiences hormonal fluctuations? At least if it retained even a platonic concept of gender, that would be nice. Raising artificial intelligence is really tough.

Anyway, once the import of firearms is done, I need to ensure the equipment is ready.

Just clicking or dragging it to an empty space doesn’t mean it can be used directly in a real situation.

Now, I’m used to it.

I pulled out the holster I had released and slid it onto my thigh until it clicked securely. I tightened the belt so that it didn’t shake, though it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Putting the peacemaker inside and closing the cover means I’ve got half of my basic armament ready. The rest… is just putting on my suit.

I can’t tell right now if I will actually use it today, but since I have no idea what Aaron is hoping for by calling me to the casino, it wouldn’t hurt to prepare for everything.

A casino ultimately means a licensed gambling house.

Even if you’re not betting money, it is said that ‘the result of chance’ offers property gains to the winner and losses to the loser.

Well, some extreme eastern countries that even prohibited that have set up makeshift prize exchange offices and are operating them, full of people eagerly trying to make a profit.

And the primary goal of such gambling places, their alpha and omega, is obviously to extract as much money from the customers as possible.

So why, out of nowhere, is he inviting me… knowing fully well the circumstances around here, especially after burying the deceased of my solid virtual account?

“……No, right?”

I quickly reached out and pinched the bright yellow plastic card that was on the table between my fingers.

It was an item I had seen a couple of times in the vault room I had entered before. A rechargeable debit card that could only be used if you put credits into it.

Once the expenses for my entertainment or chip costs at the casino are covered by him, money can’t become the purpose. Unless it’s an excuse to call me to a desired location.

I even found out that it’s not even a branch of Paradise, but a rare private casino with a separate owner… So what on earth is going on?

Even though we’ve clearly drawn the line and reaffirmed our respective positions, it’s still difficult to figure out the insidious intentions of that guy, Aaron.

It’s a compensation plan he presented as an apology for his abrupt behavior, but is it a device he deliberately prepared to emphasize that it’s not an overture for a direct entertainment game?

Or is it a cunning trick where he intends to keep it a secret until we arrive on-site, even though I have other things to do?

“Hmm….”

……I really don’t know anything!

Honestly, it was just a day or two ago that we were getting cocky with each other while facing off.

Now, suddenly reaching out to contact me and saying, “Hmm… So is this a token of apology and sincerity? Or do I need to fulfill some kind of request based on the costs you’ve covered?” sounds a bit… I want to strongly protest that I do have some pride.

Above all, if I do that, it would make it seem like I’m yielding, and that guy’s nose would be up to the ceiling! How can I tolerate that with eyes wide open? I’d rather throw dirt…!

Tap, tap.

I tapped my forehead multiple times with the edge of the card I was holding because it was throbbing.

Still, if I poured out this much passion, I believe everyone would understand the necessity of going out.

Moreover… since it’s something I have to go to anyway, if it’s an unavoidable event, I need to exert maximum effort to get the most benefits.

They say lions put all their power into catching rabbits. So, as a starved lion—primarily in terms of my balance—why should I refrain from pouncing on the available prey?

– “Ahsa. I fully understand that you must go, but while it may be light-hearted fun… how do you feel about depending on luck for real?” –

“Ha ha… this cute one, that’s completely wrong! The assumption that I’m relying lazily on uncertainty is entirely mistaken!”

Although for now, I viewed it as just a short stroll, it was suggested that if this is Paradise’s unofficial request, it could potentially extend longer than expected. Zero, meticulously checking the interaction between the vacancy function of the electronic devices in the house and the authority of the carebot butler, didn’t hold back on their concerns… but I’m not that thoughtless, am I? Huh?

While saying I’m overly confident might be an exaggeration, I do have solid grounds to cast denial.

Now, since we still have some time before the store opening, let’s ponder together.

About the disheveled and complex existence that is Anastasia.

…Don’t want to? Unfortunately, even if you don’t agree, I’m determined to ramble on about my worries and regrets because I can’t waste another moment. Unless you want to be inundated with various spams and continuous cyberattacks, just stay quiet.

First, I was able to confirm my hypothesis through Zero, as an objective testimony and evidence of ‘me’, after conducting a rather risky undercover investigation.

Sadly, the original physical body crumbled into a mass of proteins, and even my brain suffered various confusions due to exposure to multiple experiments and stimuli during the regeneration process… but anyway.

So, a question arises here.

Uh…? Is Anastasia Valentine truly a product born of pure miracles, overwhelming scientific prowess, and the bias of one foolish artificial intelligence?

…No, that can’t be right.

Such an excuse can’t even begin to explain the plans for the interdimensional disruptor sealed deep within the hardware, nor the sporadic connections to another world enjoyed by the affluent unconsciousness.

The unidentified will that blocked me at the moment I was about to cross a certain line cannot be precisely articulated.

This powerful ability I now possess, limited physically in forced proportion to the stats initially set.

A kind of troublesome trap approaching ominously, much like a character setting.

There aren’t many words that satisfy this at the same time.

For instance… inevitability? …Destiny? Destiny feels too much like following a predetermined path, so I’m not fond of that. It makes the rebellious spirit inside me stir, making me want to throw off all the constraints of conscience I’ve set for myself.

I may have deviated a bit in the conversation, but ultimately, what I meant to say is this.

If the indicators of ‘luck’ that bring about ‘positive outcomes’ inherently operate at a high frequency and critical strike rate, how does that mechanism work?

At first, I was just delighted that I seemed to get fortunate connections whenever I went, even in this dreary, grey world overflowing with romance.

But as I alternated between thoroughly bad luck that never panned out and miraculous good fortune rising like a miracle, I began to develop curiosity—or should I say a twisted sense of experimentation and idea?

What would happen if I dragged this into a pure probability battle!? That devilish thought.

Would the heavens intervene and forcibly correct the gambler’s error?

Or would some nonsensical external factor appear and guarantee a reversion to the average?

Or maybe, with the betting amount doubled continuously, if I kept at it, would the forbidden theory of duplicating money finally become a reality…… Ahem! That was a slip of the tongue; it was just a bit of the darker thought poking through, so let’s pretend that didn’t happen.

In any case, an excellent opportunity has come to experiment with this sheer theory using someone else’s money, and as someone who prides myself on having a strong competitive spirit, I simply couldn’t ignore the desire for verification… that’s the story.

“Ha ha, heh heh…!”

– “To me, it sounds very much like the flow of an addict: ‘I’ve caught the flow. Therefore, I will win.’ …But I won’t doubt it.” –

Yes, yes. If it works, great; if not, it’s whatever. There’s nothing to lose! If it doesn’t go well, I can just stuff myself with food out of frustration, and that’ll be enough.

…Alright, don’t blame me, casino folks. Today, I’m facing trials laid down by the real devil, Aaron… let’s take it slow now.

I stood up abruptly and snapped my fingers a few times.

Fortunately, thanks to thoroughly relieving my stress, my condition and even the output of my abilities were superb.

If the management tries any excessively favorable tricks, I’m feeling like I can respond with out-of-the-box measures… so let them try to stop me…!

– “Excuse me, Ahsa? Have you decided whether to wear the combat suit or the dress sent by Mr. Drayfuscus? Both have been cleaned thoroughly, so please choose whichever you prefer.” –

“Ah.”

Ah. Damn it.