Chapter 33
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: EP 4. Paradise - Casino (1)
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After wandering the streets for several hours, asking around about shady characters trying to offload stolen goods, we came up empty-handed.
Grrrrowl.
Having gone all day without a bite to eat, I was running on fumes. I finally collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
"Lena, I'm staaarving..."
"This is bad... We lost our extra rations too. Without money, we can't even buy food."
"...That."
I glanced at the armor Lena was wearing.
It gleamed so brightly, it had to be worth a fortune.
She caught my look and shook her head furiously.
"No way! This was issued by the Church! It even has my name engraved on it!"
"Then what do we do? I can't sell my sword."
I'd originally planned to, but after experiencing its absurd performance firsthand against Yuta, I'd changed my mind.
This sword was mine now.
No backing down for anyone.
It really breathed fire, after all.
Everyone knew fire-enchanted swords were legendary blades.
"How about we try the church? They might help us out..."
Lena suggested.
So, hoping for at least one free meal, we headed to the church.
From what she'd said earlier, the Church's influence was weak here, so I figured it'd be a modest little place.
"Whoa."
It wasn't.
Roughly four stories tall.
The outer walls were even gilded.
It looked less like a church and more like a luxury hotel.
"This is the church, right...?"
"It has the Holy Church symbol, so probably..."
Even Lena seemed unsure.
Stepping inside revealed an even more dazzling sight than the exterior.
Warm light poured from chandeliers on the ceiling and magical lanterns everywhere. Long tables and machines operated by pulling levers filled the space.
No matter how you sliced it, this was a casino.
"Welcome, honored guest."
The moment we entered, girls in skimpy outfits lining the entrance bowed politely in greeting.
Tops with just collars and sleeves, heart-shaped stickers over their breasts and crotches, and short pantyhose stopping at the upper thighs.
The infamous reverse bunny suits that once set the internet ablaze.
This doesn't fit the world at all!
I wasn't the only one thrown off—Lena stood beside me, eyes wide, staring in bewilderment at what was supposed to be a church.
"Um... is this really a church?"
I asked cautiously.
One of the reverse bunny girls flashed a service-industry smile.
"Yes, it is, customer."
Customer? Really?
Lena started trembling with rage.
Unable to hold back, she bellowed:
"Get the manager out here—now!"
Then she stormed inside.
Gamblers at slot machines, card tables, and elsewhere—er, the "faithful"—turned in surprise toward Lena.
"What's with all the commotion?"
A massive man emerged from the back.
He was so enormous, it was hard to believe he was human. Easily over 3 meters tall, I'd guess.
Even more shocking was his gut. It looked like enough fat to feed a family of four for weeks if butchered.
Yet he wore a impeccably tailored suit that somehow fit.
And he was bald.
Why does this world have so many bald guys?
Flanked by young women in reverse bunny suits, he glanced down at us dismissively.
"New faces."
"Are you in charge of this church?"
Lena straightened up, glaring murderously at him.
"I am. But—"
"I'm Lena, a Heretic Inquisitor formally appointed by the Church. Have you lost your mind turning a church into this? Explain yourself!"
She jabbed a finger at him threateningly.
But he didn't flinch—instead, he sighed wearily.
"What a pain. You don't get it, missy. This is a licensed church. Think of it as a franchise using a similar brand. I don't know why you're barging into my establishment causing trouble, but I have no reason to humor you."
"Wh-what? Then why the church symbols?!"
"Because it is a church. This casino is a temple to the God of Commerce. As a Heretic Inquisitor, you must've learned this—the God of Commerce reveres financial transactions above all. Gambling is the ultimate act of worship."
He curled his thick fingers into a coin shape.
There was some truth to that, I guess.
Those fingers were as chunky as his... other parts.
Why am I thinking this?
Embarrassing.
"E-even so, this is sacrilege! As a church, licensed or not, it must follow doctrine! Who even permitted you to build it?!"
"Who else? The God of Commerce and Trade."
"What...?"
"Still don't get it, young Inquisitor? Before you stands an angel forged and appointed by Lord Morr himself, God of Commerce and Trade."
A white halo appeared above his head. Small wings—quite large, but tiny relative to his bulk—sprouted from his back and flapped.
What kind of grotesque angel is that?
Lena's face soured too.
"An angel... you don't mean...?"
"Not entirely clueless, eh? Correct. I am a genie."
"A genie?"
I whispered to Lena.
"A lesser angel and spirit of greed. Genies grant wishes, but demand exorbitant prices."
"Wishes...?"
Like a monkey's paw?
"Now that you know, stop interfering with business and scram."
The genie waved her off dismissively.
"Wait!"
I stepped forward.
"And who're you?"
"Not 'you'—esteemed angel, sir! You look so cool and sophisticated, like you've got tons of money... Could you help us out a bit? Hehe."
I clasped my hands and gazed up pleadingly.
He eyed me with interest.
His gaze sent chills down my spine—like he could see straight through to my soul.
"You're an amusing one. I see greed brimming inside you. Perfect material for the God of Commerce."
"R-really?"
"Fine. A little charity. Hold out your hand."
Nice!
I rushed forward and extended my palm.
"Lia, stop! Genies always demand payment...!"
Lena tried to stop me.
"Don't interfere, Inquisitor. I offered charity—no strings this time."
"See?"
Lena was too suspicious of this generous soul.
He poured a handful into my open palm.
I thought it was money at first, but it was too light for coins.
"What is this...?"
"Chips. Casino currency here."
Like talants?
Useless.
"Could you give actual money instead...?"
"Foolish girl. Genies never give without compensation—we can't, and won't. I serve the God of Commerce. These chips are worth more than money; they let you play the games."
He spread his arms toward the casino floor.
"Games...?"
"Want to get rich? Play with these free chips, win paid ones, cash out. If you've got the skill, you could leave a millionaire."
Like free 10-pull gacha.
Classic sales tactic.
Especially in a gambling den.
Trait: Greed
But the spirit's words are true. No place yields money easier than a casino. Missing a chance at riches is more pathetic than staying a beggar.
"Fine. Let's do it."
"Lia...!"
Lena grabbed my shoulder, trying to stop me.
I turned with a grin.
"It's fine. Worst case, no loss. Leaving empty-handed is just as hopeless."
"True, but... you sure?"
"What could go wrong? An angel wouldn't lie."
I clenched my fist around the free chips.
Time to make my fortune.
And about an hour later...
"Let's go, let's go, gazua—!"
I yelled, pumping both fists in front of the spinning slot machine.
The reels stopped on 7, 7, 7.
"Holy shit!"
It hit on the final all-in spin.
"Hehehe, money!"
Chips poured from the machine's tray, filling the box.
"Did you win?"
Lena approached from behind.
"We're rich, Lena! Chips everywhere!"
I jumped up and hugged her.
"Impressive. Free chips to jackpot? Unbelievable."
The genie whistled and clapped.
"Enough. Prep the cash. How much for these?"
I kicked the chip-filled box triumphantly, glaring up at the potbellied spirit.
"Bad news. That's all you can take."
He grabbed a handful from the box and showed it.
"What?"
Backtracking now?
"See the wall? Free chips winnings limited to your stake amount, no exceptions."
He pointed to a sign.
I rushed over and read it.
It was there, in tiny print.
"What the hell? Can't even read it from here! You should've warned me!"
"No rule says I must. Not in this city or my house."
Ugh, you con artist.
"Lia, take it and go. It's late... Still, we made some money."
Lena took my hand.
"But... it was our shot at millions...!"
"Don't get greedy. I think you did amazing."
She stroked my head soothingly.
No choice. I took the chips.
Three gold coins equivalent.
Enough for food and lodging awhile, but knowing I could've walked with hundreds of times more soured my mood.
Even back at the inn, I couldn't sleep, stewing over it.
[1. Go gambling.]
[2. Hold back.]
[Contract: Dominion of Chaos] Activated
The God of Chaos intervenes in your fate.
In the end, I...
Couldn't hold back.
"...Sorry, Lena."
Midnight, I slipped out of bed, grabbed the coin pouch, and left the room.
Lena stirred behind me, rubbing her eyes.
"Lia, where to?"
"B-bathroom."
I bolted from the inn straight to the casino.
"Welcome!"
Reverse bunny greeters awaited, as if expecting me.
At the center stood the potbellied bald man, groping the half-naked girls' chests smugly.
"What brings you so late? We settled up fair."
"Shut it."
"Ho ho."
I showed two gold coins in my palm.
"Chips, please."
"As you wish. Service!"
The pre-dawn casino buzzed more than afternoon.
Locals loved their games—whether faith or not.
Chips in hand, I prowled the floor.
Slots again? Unwise. Jackpot once already.
Slots aren't pure RNG. To prevent streaks bankrupting houses, they often require hit counts.
Doubt this world has that tech, but it's so off-lore anyway.
What then?
My eyes landed on a dice table.
Dice game: bet on odd or even sum.
Usually shake in cups, but here: roll then cover.
This.
I sat.
"Betting."
Ten rounds in: 70% win rate.
Others gawked at the newbie's streak.
But it was planned.
Foolproof method.
Dice-to-table to cover: ~0.5 seconds.
Still rolling when covered—hard for normal eyes.
But not mine.
With my vision and reflexes, easy to read under cup.
Bad bounce? Win next.
Infinite chip duping. Money printer.
You fools bit off more than you can chew.
I'll shut this place down tonight.
"Winning big, eh? Chips piling up."
The potbellied bald one glanced over.
"Problem?"
Wary of sabotage.
"Nah. Just boring. Nickel-and-diming to riches? Go big."
He shoved the dealer aside, took position.
"What're you doing?"
"House rule. Prolonged small bets? Raise stakes. Prevents hogging tables."
"Raise...?"
"Minimum 20 chips now. Hits pay 3x."
20 chips: two gold worth.
Third of my stack.
Scared?
"...Fine. Bet."
I pushed 20 to center.
"Gutsy. I like."
He pulled an extra die.
"3x payout, three dice. Still in?"
"Just do it."
One more die changes nothing—I'm favored.
He rolled expertly, covered. Shook.
Got it.
As I opened my mouth:
"Hold!"
Shook hard.
"Wh-what?!"
"Never said no shaking post-cover. It's a guessing game anyway. Odd or even?"
Pure luck now.
I bit my lip.
"O-odd..."
He lifted: 16.
"Even."
Swept the chips, grinning smugly.
"Some spot the dice settling. Unfair. Bet bigger earlier, you'd have cashed out big before I noticed. Shame."
He chuckled mockingly.
Ugh, you bald bastard.
"Quitting now?"
"Hell no. All in."
I shoved my stack center.
"Regret it."
"You'll regret."
Looks like rash all-in from taunt.
But trap.
He'll cheat 100%.
Call it, counter.
Caught? Ruin this dump.
"Fine."
Shook dice, set, covered. Shook more.
Cheat... none?
Looks clean.
Real luck game?
"Odd or even?"
"E-even... no, odd!"
"Kukuku... really...?"
Slowly lifted.
Sum: 18.
Even.