Luck and Gambling
The inside of the gambling den looked exactly like an illegal joint—dim lighting in a dark space, thick cigarette smoke mixed with booze stench, and bunny girls in skimpy outfits.
I exchanged the 100,000 ron I'd gotten from Egelina for chips. Various games were going on at the tables, but I wasn't interested right now.
The simpler, the better. I hated racking my brain over that crap. I plopped down in front of a slot machine. Not the modern digital kind, but mechanical with a touch of magic. One chip per spin—100,000 ron a pop. Blink, and your money's gone.
In my previous life, I'd only ever lost chips on these things, never won once. Back then, my heart pounded every spin... but not this time. What was 100,000 ron anyway? I could make it back in no time. Just selling the Heroic item from that rock spider earlier would net me millions.
Plus, I'd managed to stockpile a whopping 25% Luck Gauge. Honestly, gathering that had me more on edge—especially with women passing by. I was tense as hell, scared one might trip into me or I'd accidentally grope a tit, wasting the gauge on some dumb luck event. That's why I'd dodged the bunny girls even here.
Drrrrrrr! I pulled the lever, and the reels spun. Then—
A luck event has occurred!
"J-jackpot!"
That wasn't me shouting. Some guy nearby saw it and yelled.
Ching ching ching ching! Sure enough, jackpot. Chips poured into the basket below the machine like crazy, and everyone in the den dropped what they were doing to swarm me.
Whoa. It actually worked. I'd hoped, but a one-shot jackpot? I'd figured maybe a decent win, not this... How much was it even?
"Sir! Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!"
Suddenly, ten bunny girls surrounded me.
"You've hit the jackpot for 1,000 chips—a total of 100 million ron! Congratulations!"
"Congratulations!"
They popped confetti and danced to music—a service for jackpot winners.
"Thanks." I slipped a chip into one girl's cleavage. The rest crowded in competitively, thrusting out their chests. The smoky, boozy air filled with feminine scent.
I tucked chips into each one. In return, they shook their tits as a "service" or rubbed against my hands on purpose.
"Oppa, right here." One with modest tits and no cleavage wore a red bunny suit with bare legs—no stockings. She spun around playfully.
"Oppa, mind unzipping me?"
I obliged, pulling the zipper down her back. It snagged near her tail, parting to reveal the top of her ass crack.
"Tuck it here." She wiggled her hips seductively. What a slutty bunny.
"Ahh~ Thanks for the chip, oppa." She even moaned and bounced her ass when I slid it in.
Good thing I blew off steam earlier. If not, I might've lost it. Bunny girls didn't do full prostitution, but they offered all kinds of paid services. Falling for this temptation would've burned chips faster than slots. Gotta hold back for now—plenty of expenses ahead.
That guy's... chill about it. The bald guy's gaze on me was calmer than expected. Truth be told, I had another ace up my sleeve. In my past life, I'd blown money here because I'd heard someone hit 100 million ron just days before—right around this regression timeline. So I'd thought maybe it'd hit again. And it did.
The bald guy probably figured it was about time for a big win anyway. Looked like he was relieved it was a VIP like me who took it.
"Sir, cash out the chips?"
"Exchange for prizes first."
Money was nice, but I had my eye on something specific here. A bunny girl swiftly brought a catalog. I tucked a chip in her cleavage and flipped it open.
"Let me see this dagger."
This time, burly guys moved. They fetched a box and opened it before me. Two items inside.
◈ Classification: Weapon
◈ A dagger afflicted with some kind of curse. Even the sharpest eye can't discern its true nature. Requires a Heroic-grade or higher scroll to appraise.
◈ Classification: Scroll
◈ A scroll that removes curses. Can dispel up to Heroic-grade curses.
Total price for both: 50 million ron. Even factoring in the Heroic scroll's market value of 10 million, it was ridiculously expensive. This was gambling too—the dagger could be amazing or trash. That's why no one had bought it yet. Even top daggers didn't usually hit 50 million.
Of course, someone would eventually... but this life, I'd snag it first. I knew exactly what it was: a Legendary item. A growing weapon that levels with its owner. Fully grown, it'd be worth at least 5 billion ron.
"I'll take it."
"Hold up! That's mine!"
As I counted chips, a raspy voice boomed through the den. I turned... and a woman, probably a player, rushed toward me with a desperate look.
Thick curly red hair. Sharp features, sleek jawline. Cat-like face with upturned eyes and downturned lips. She wore skin-tight leather that hugged her tiny waist and flared out to wide hips—striking contrast.
I knew her. Character name: Mindi. Real name unknown, but definitely Korean. No real connection in my past life, but I'd heard of her. Famous treasure hunter, killer at finding rares. Her exact job? No clue. Secret died with her when the Demon God invaded Earth... but in one interview, she'd spilled the acquisition path for a "Legendary Dagger." Stuck with me because she was from Gorshion too.
Knew we'd cross paths, but now? High odds—she'd bought this dagger in my past life. This time, I planned to beat her to it. Didn't expect a face-to-face.
Surprised and kinda thrilled, but no way I'd yield it.
"I stated my intent to buy first."
First come, first served.
"No! I've been saying I'd buy it for days!"
...Oh. Tough shit.
"I have enough chips to buy right now." I hefted the chip bag.
"M-me too! Just won it!" Mindi pulled an identical bag from her inventory.
Eh, tricky. But I still had the edge. If she'd truly reserved it, they wouldn't show me the goods. Glancing over—the boss, bald Maxian, sweated bullets, looking pained. But then—
"Aigoo, folks. How 'bout we settle this gambler-style?" He rubbed his hands, approaching.
"Since it's a casino, let's gamble for it."
"Gamble?" Mindi perked up. She knew she was at a slight disadvantage.
"Roll dice—the higher number wins the Mystery Dagger set!"
"Fine by me." Mindi agreed eagerly. Bald guy eyed me pleadingly, like he might cry. Looked like he'd made some shady deal with her that backfired.
Can't drag this out. Wastes my time, which is precious. Plus, owing the underworld a favor wasn't bad—I planned to stay tight with them this life too. Past life, they'd even helped me.
"One condition."
"Condition?"
Mindi's leather set dropped from a tough monster near beginner villages. Looked feminine, but unisex. Low drop rate, one piece at a time—takes forever to complete. She noticed my stare, tugging her clothes.
"Y-you want this outfit?"
Not wrong, it'd be nice. But I wanted her earrings and ring. Looked plain, but fooled no one—me especially.
Dyed. Illusion to look common. But shape screamed Water Droplet set—HP regen, viable to level 50.
"If I win, you hand over everything you're wearing."
"E-everything?"
"Yeah. Hidden stuff too."
She panicked. No way a noob like me spotted the Water Droplet set.
"Scared? Back out then."
"S-scared...? F-fine! Deal!"
Bald guy grinned, pulling out an item.
◈ Classification: Miscellaneous
◈ A six-sided die impervious to tampering. Only true results emerge.
"Who rolls first?"
"Me!" Mindi snatched it, fidgeting nervously instead of rolling. Meanwhile, bald guy ran a side bet with the onlookers—guess the winner. Sharp operator.
"Can I bet too?"
"You, sir?"
"Yeah. 50 million on me."
"Y-you sure?"
"Yep."
My huge bet stirred the pot. Low odds on me now—anyone betting my side got crap payouts.
"Wait! Switching to the girl!"
"Me too—girl!"
"Reverse bet, let's go!"
Chaos, everyone piling in. Bald guy called time.
"...Here goes!" Whether polite or finally ready, Mindi rolled.
Roll roll.
"Y-yes! Got it!"
Five. She cheered like she'd won; gamblers roared too.
Pretty good... But irrelevant. I'd already used my inventory item.
Luck Ticket (15%) used.
From Egelina's quest reward. Saved it for a must-win moment—this was it.
Roll roll roll! My die tumbled, and—
A luck event has occurred!
"N-no way... Already hit jackpot, and...?"
Six, obviously. 25% got the slots; 15% nailed this easy.
"Fuck!"
"No way!"
"A-ahh! Goddess! Why not me?!"
The reverse bettors wailed—even one invoking the Goddess. Sorry, she's already blessed me.