Chapter 196

Once upon a time in the 21st century, there was a term for staring blankly at the flickering flames of a small alcohol lamp or a simple campfire, which was called “fire gazing.” It was a trend that had been given a rather sophisticated title.

…Ah, I wasn’t trying to be sarcastic, especially since I heard it actually has a meditative effect similar to relieving stress. It’s just funny how it spread like wildfire among everyone, including you and me.

And the only fire gazing I could see around here was mainly citizens in shabby clothing desperately surrounding a drum filled with whatever fuel they could find to ward off the early morning chill. It’s hard to place the attempt to maintain body temperature—essential for survival—on the same level as a mere hobby… I had forgotten that such a culture ever existed.

As I watched the various lamps gleaming and the reels of the slot machine spinning round and round, I couldn’t help but think this was quite a similar pastime.

Beep beep—— beep beep!!

“……Ugh.”

With a slight prickling pain behind my eyes, aside from the fact that the burning fuel was credits, it’s almost the same thing.

……Man, what an incredibly expensive and chaotic fire gazing experience! Isn’t there an option to lower the intensity?! Huh??

– Game 11 has ended. No prize was won with grapes, diamonds, and Liberty Bell. –

Regardless of whether my retina felt sore and my ears buzzed with a sense of disturbance, Zero was dutifully reporting the game content and busy recording it on my behalf. But if this is already game 11….

“Then that means we’ve already lost 110,000? Wow….”

Even though I set a fairly intuitive betting amount, I still couldn’t adapt to the fact that money just evaporated with only three rotations of this wheel. Sure, I could see the remaining balance slowly decreasing on the monitor, but since it didn’t affect my wallet, it didn’t feel real, you know?

Moreover, how much is 110,000 credits, anyway?

Even if I had a decent quality steak meal, I could have eaten ten of those, and even if I ordered a sumptuous meal with rice and side dishes for every meal, I would have thrown a party for at least four days.

If I set the basic bet amount too low, it’d take all day to spin. Betting recklessly might have been a bit of a mistake…? I wonder if I need to get up soon, even if I exhaust my debit card.

Ah, but I can’t just shout that out loud and get kicked out for disrupting the business, right?

The money is getting shredded…!!

Beep—! Bam bam bam!!

“Huh…?”

As if to tell me how lax my previous judgment was, a lively electronic fanfare followed with a result opposite to what I had encountered so far. In other words, the balance that had only been decreasing suddenly rebounded.

We decided to call this phenomenon winning in general. I wondered if I’d ever experienced something this vivid in my life.

– Game 20 has ended. With the match of 2 rows of BAR, BAR, and a cherry bonus, an additional 120,000 credits have been added. Shall we stop the automatic game progress? –

“Um… no, no. Let it keep spinning. Yeah.”

Even though BAR symbols, which were relatively low in payout, had matched, I instantly gained 120,000.

Under normal circumstances, with twenty games already played, I should be thinking of the 80,000 loss first, yet without realizing it, thoughts like ‘Wow, I just made back half in one go!’ jumped out. I guess there’s a reason for those colorful visual effects and the sound effects that feel like they’ve been overworked for two hundred years…

I thought it wasn’t much, but experiencing it made my brain feel so thrilled that it was quite funny.

Is this really the most intelligent primate on Earth with consciousness inherited from evolution?

Even after losing 80,000 credits and time in a raw deal, I was still trying to convince myself with nonsense like ‘Isn’t this still a good deal?’ I could understand why the Mega Cops were all investing in brain-related experiments.

Isn’t it strange how human beings are designed? For example, unnecessary organs cause inflammation and pain even though there’s no real pain signal from them, leading to fictitious suffering.

Especially wisdom teeth! Just like a shark, if your teeth hurt and rot, we should just regrow new ones as needed.

Why do we need to develop backup teeth that won’t even properly emerge from the gums and suffer for it…?

“……Just imagining it makes me annoyed.”

Even while cradling my head in pain from the tortures and tedious memories of dental treatment I’d undergone in the past.

Even if I thought about the 23rd-century humans potentially lacking such unnecessary permanent teeth thanks to enema genetic engineering,

the game in full-auto mode didn’t stop.

Our capable Carebot’s measurement tasks continued without interruption.

– Game 28 has ended. 2 rows of matching cherries and cherries returned the basic bet of 10,000 credits. –

……

– Game 37 has ended. Mismatched grapes, oranges, and sevens; no prize awarded. –

– Game 38…. –

“Can you just sum up the remaining chips and balance for me? I’ll check the detailed log when I get home.”

– Understood. –

Why was everyone’s eyes turning toward me with the consecutive minor wins? No, this level of small returns was happening so frequently across different machines that it hadn’t drawn much attention.

Was it that Zero’s vibrating plate seemed to be overworked out of consideration? I had that thought for a while.

Ultimately, the main reason was that my ambitious hypotheses seemed to be losing their power… and losing interest was the primary factor.

– Game 87 has ended. The remaining credits are 1,380,000. –

– Game 88 has ended. The remaining credits are 1,370,000. –

The 120,000 win I got earlier might have just been a teaser for dopamine, though whether or not it was a bait, after that, the slot machine grew quite quiet. The losses were steadily piling up and slowly threatening the digits of my principal.

“Ugh… really, no matter how I look at it. Did I think too far ahead with ‘I have high luck, so gambling should go well too~’?”

I might have talked about needing to collect a lot of samples to see the correlation. To be honest, if there truly were a relationship between those two concepts, I thought some sort of sign would appear soon. Not like this, quietly sinking.

It wasn’t precisely regretful to have lost some money…

If that had been entirely from my wallet’s expenditure, it might have been different, but since it was easy money and the funds handed to me at my whim, what difference does it make if I win it or not?

Well, Zero also advised that entertainment should be enjoyed as a game.

Moreover, I didn’t think the casino was going to let me withdraw any credits won with free chips so willingly.

There had to be internal rules or regulations about that. That kind of chips won’t be exchanged~ or something.

– Ahsa, isn’t that a misconception? There’s likely no such cash-back chip in this kind of entertainment facility, let alone an online casino. The rendezvous casino guidelines checked just now also had no such listings. –

“…Does that even make sense? What if I just get up and leave with 2 million worth of chips without sitting down?”

– …According to search results, the required amount to reserve a high floor table exceeds 3 million credits. It seems they return chips as some of the costs entrusted and given to customers on-site. –

My head tilted sideways. The hand that had been resting my chin returned to the machine panel.

“……Oh.”

After hearing such a logically sound explanation, a tremendous shift occurred in my perception, which had thought the first games were merely practice until I used the debit card. It would be accurate to say a rather superficial opinion revived.

Anyway, a wave of turbulence surged within the heart that had loved tranquility.

‘Wait, if that’s the case… if I win here, it’s actually my money…?’ That kind of improper thought was difficult to verbalize.

…… And thus, the flow of this trivial gambling began to change from that point. Quite worryingly!

– Game 114 has ended. Remaining credits are 1,250,000. –

– Game 115 has ended. Remaining credits are 1,450,000. –

– Game 116 has ended. 1,500,000…. Did you happen to use something…? –

“What? What…? Ah, absolutely not! No way! How dare you accuse me like that…!”

I raised my voice in indignation, but then I realized that with the slot machine flashing frantically, people were really watching now, so I quickly lowered my voice.

What the hell are you saying all of a sudden? This thing just asked if I was somehow drawing winning results forcefully after knowing it was being withdrawn! Huh?? It’s not that I don’t have pride; it’s just that my wallet is thin!

“……No, that’s really not the case…?”

With doubt lurking, I fixed my hands on my knees, watching the rising balance with fascination.

It wasn’t going up uncontrollably; here and there, it showed zero presence, reducing the credits, or the total would remain steady as if I hit the minimum amount.

The force of rising was so immense that it didn’t really stand out. I had no time to consider it.

“Hah, the girl sure is lucky, huh? When you’re on a roll, it’s better to seize the flow! Right on.”

“Ah, haha… yeah, thank you…?”

I awkwardly returned the customary greeting to another guest who passed by and offered their encouragement.

Because of this machine, which was blasting brightly with light and sound advertising that I’m a super lucky consecutive winner! Isn’t it right that I don’t feel guilty about anything and end up flustered for no reason?

If only they’d give me big, chunky wins instead of small intermittent ones, it would draw less unnecessary attention…

**Bam bam bam—!!**

“I… really don’t think I did anything.”

– Certainly, there are no detectable signals emitted from your body… however, you just raised your holdings to 8,740,000 credits with that last game. –

A cold sweat trickled down the back of my neck.

I rescind what I said earlier. When the high-tier symbols come out and the payout grows, the effects do become larger and more dazzling.

I never anticipated that I’d accumulate another unexpected gambling insight like this. Excitingly fulfilling.

…So what stance should I take here so that all these users and employees find it acceptable without being suspicious? Where can I learn something like that quickly? I’m on a bit of a time crunch.

While I felt slightly burdened by all the gazes of interest from the other guests, I doubted they would really pose a problem.

However, in any game, the operator’s attention often led to rather catastrophic conclusions. It’s usually a case of private curiosity, not simply guidance from above; wait a second, why are they approaching me with no hesitation at all?

“Ugh…”

“……”

One of the staff walked closer, a low groan escaped them.

As a result, my hand grew even more awkwardly awkward, hovering in the air until it finally settled near my thigh. Knees? I was scared to place them too close to the machine… Damn it, why am I getting so anxious when I haven’t even done anything wrong? Just remain natural a bit…!

“Uh… what’s up?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just something I need to confirm.”

I found it difficult to endure the drawn-out silence and attempted to strike up a conversation, but the way my voice barely came out in that small tone made it sound more sulky.

Yet amidst that, the man holding a portable notepad was busy checking the screens of both machines, surveying Zero and me alternately, his eyes furrowing as if what he should be seeing wasn’t visible.

Phew… it’s fine. Probably.

If supposedly non-existent wrongdoing or problems suddenly emerged under a professional’s scrutiny, that wouldn’t be something serious to worry about, just a false charge.

…Or not? If it were a false charge, wouldn’t a more serious response be appropriate?

However, regardless of whether he and I were cautiously observing each other, the reels that had begun spinning again didn’t stop.

“Excuse me… customer? I deeply apologize for this sudden and rude request, but could you please step away from the slot machine for a moment? It seems a major malfunction in the random number generation process has been detected, so I must disrupt your enjoyment to conduct maintenance!”

“Uh, okay? Yes?? Maintenance…?”

“Yes, indeed! Oh, of course, all the chips you’ve acquired so far will be reimbursed normally. For the jackpot, some earnings from various machines will be cashed out as chips to wrap up this ‘machine malfunction’ incident… if there’s anything inconvenient about this, I will ensure it is addressed immediately.”

A sharp stop echoed, shortly followed by a visible system message.

Before I could read it all, the staff member, demonstrating a notably amiable disposition, bowed deeply as if to apologize.

Another man was also handing over a well-organized small case of chips, filled with a myriad of blue and red chips.

Just a moment ago, I had been pondering how firmly I should resist if they pushed on me, and now I was left bewildered by this unexpected turn of events.

How did the casino come to adopt such a submissive approach?

They should’ve been harboring grudge as the winnings kept coming in suspiciously often; I couldn’t imagine they’d be apologizing instead.

– Indeed. Comparing the two possibilities of a machine malfunction and a VIP guest manipulating a simple slot machine using ultra-high technology that wouldn’t be detectable indicates that the former is overwhelmingly more probable. It may be the result of placing excessive trust in existing security facilities. –

“Huh…? Well, I suppose that makes sense. After all, it’s an issue tied to credibility that has to be demonstrated externally…”

Uri’s sophisticated persuasion in analyzing the theme of ‘a suspiciously lucky VIP’ caught my attention without me even realizing it.

Is that so? It’s true; rather than openly showcasing the image of seizing high payouts, it’s probably better to compromise at a reasonable level and conduct thorough analyses to find the cause as a more appropriate choice from a macro perspective.

From the operator’s standpoint, they must see me as a customer still holding an unknown payment attitude.

As a result, they’d likely leave a good impression on the multiple layers around while pacifying a valuable reserved customer—although it’s debatable whether I qualify—but still, if they perceived it that way, it might end up being remarkably cheap for them.

…So what’s the ultimate profit?

“Here, approximately 23 million… to be precise, 23,720,000 credits worth of exchange chips, alongside a special meal as an apology currently being prepared in the kitchen at table 7. Please, I kindly ask for your generous understanding…”

“I am— completely satisfied! Thank you!”

Alright! I unconditionally accept the negotiation terms! Fully agree!

The Carebot’s hands reached out to collect the chip case, and in return, I dropped 50,000 worth of yellow chips as tips into the hands of the employees. I then strutted back to my designated spot, my footsteps light.

Nice job, Zero! The key to such surprises is to grab them quickly before they change their minds. Of course, that’s true.

Besides, the workers, who had been caught off guard by our abrupt actions, bowed stiffly in acknowledgment, marking this as a true win-win situation.

Oh! I won’t accept any argument that only I benefited financially.

At least shouldn’t they be grateful for my decision to stay away from the slot machine for that day? That… or not.

– …With my inadequate knowledge, it’s hard to grasp the principles, but congratulations nonetheless. In doing so, haven’t you proven your intended hypothesis? –

“Pfft…♪ That’s a bit too soft of a thinking pattern, you little rascal.”

I lightly waggled my index finger at Zero as he finally recognized part of the absurd confidence I had stemming from the funds multiplied more than tenfold.

I’ve merely just gleaned that luck operates in a manner that nearly disregards logic and reasoning against random numbers. There’s still cross-validation remaining regarding the most significant subject of substantial sums in the gambling field.

One might dare say the returns could be lacking. It’s not a matter of quantity, but purely from an experimental perspective.

For instance… what catastrophic chemical reaction might play out in a proper card game, where human hands intervene in producing random samples? Wouldn’t it be thrilling to just imagine it?

……What then, would those who sit at the same game table be guilty of? I would argue that it’s a fair competition, including those aspects. And how could they blame their misfortune on me? Huh? If you’re annoyed, don’t even step into the casino from the beginning!