13. Stimulation

“Casino?” The concept had never appeared in Ruka’s cognition at all. She had no idea what it meant.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFJDtipWCV

Nikolai smiled with a wicked charm. Added, “Yes. Spend half a day there, and you will absolutely rediscover the joy of being a Heaven resident. After all, that place is our most important entertainment venue.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzaUTQPvXPc

From the name alone she could not guess anything. But since it was so important, Ruka of course would not miss it. So after a simple lunch, the two headed to the casino.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLeze9s1gH

“The only large casino in all of Heaven. Heaven above, earth below, all in an instant. Absolutely thrilling.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLP8obWTIp

Hearing Nikolai introduce it this way, Ruka thought, “Could it be a large elevator turned into a game?”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5NxzOoNveL

When the two arrived at the casino entrance, Ruka was immediately captivated. The casino was likewise a three-story building. Its outer walls were covered in colorful neon lights. Clearly more splendid than other facilities.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXHuWINtPS

At that moment, several bodyguards in suits respectfully approached. As if to salute or offer assistance. Nikolai dismissed them with a look. But Ruka, focused on the casino, did not notice.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv9yl9I6Esj

As soon as they stepped inside, she saw a row of machines. Many residents were lining up in front of them. Ruka wanted to ask. Decided to figure it out herself. She observed quietly. Saw they seemed to be registering and verifying identity. Then receiving a pile of special coins. There was also a market where people leaving the casino put those coins back into the machines.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpTrsNEqnG

Noticing where Ruka’s gaze was directed, Nikolai added, “Don’t bother looking. Today, just use my chips.” Ruka learned another thing. The casino seemed to use these chips to play. Each person had a fixed monthly quota. Like meal vouchers in Paradise.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKyohR8pG37

Led by Nikolai, Ruka took the escalator on the left to the second floor. Before they arrived, she already heard all kinds of noise. Passing through a side door, she was greeted by a hall two stories high. Filled with various tables. Some semicircular. Some oval. At each table, citizens sat and spectators gathered.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjVuPlcIaD

“Oh. So a casino really is just playing games with chips.” Ruka secretly learned. Carefully observing each table. Some games had real people managing them. Others were only intelligent machines.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwDG5YGcgtH

They came to a semicircular gambling table. On it were not only numbers but different squares. Each square with a different number of black dots. Ruka looked at the three white cubes in the semicircular center of the table. Their black dots identical to the patterns on the table. She immediately deduced the rules.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13EPkEbOvf

“Let’s start with Big or Small. I remember this one.” Ruka took the initiative. Her tone full of confidence. After all, she had to pretend to be who she was.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzfCT9Qfm3

Nikolai produced a small stack of chips from behind. Marked with “10.” Praised Ruka meaningfully. “Not bad. Take these first. If you lose, tell me.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4tiuxpb9y

Ruka took the chips. Casually counted them. Ten pieces. Worth one hundred. Then she noticed that others each bet single-digit chips. Either “1” or “5.” She hesitated slightly.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThgQeTw4kB

“Are you surprised when I exchanged the chips?” Seeing Ruka not moving, Nikolai continued, “Don’t worry. I’m a regular here. I keep quite a few stored. No need to bother for just a hundred. I can just withdraw directly.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TnZlK5HOl

Hearing him say “just a hundred,” and seeing the citizens at the same table so nervous over a few yuan, Ruka was convinced Nikolai possessed a huge amount of chips.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDueIEuFPt

“Although you have plenty of quota to play with, don’t squander it too freely. After all, that’s already everyone’s daily withdrawal limit.” Nikolai added. No wonder those citizens bet so cautiously.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNCAX2J7lt

Looking at the stack in her hand that represented one day’s quota, Ruka suddenly felt it carried weight. She forced a smile. “Don’t worry. I’ll return it to you soon.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLfM7w8Zb5

The Big/Small table had no human dealer. Everything was automated. Everyone took turns tossing chips into the betting area.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ90XoeN3XAZ

Ruka continued pretending to observe the results. Then looked at everyone’s bets. She sneered inwardly. “This kind of luck game—three dice added together are either Big or Small. And the last twelve rounds were all Small. Of course I’ll buy Big.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqAf7q5YrY

She bet ten yuan at once. Immediately drawing everyone’s attention. After all, ten yuan was already a large amount at this table.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCxX1bdljo

But fate did not change because of her. Like the other gamblers who had held the same thought, the thirteenth round was still Small.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROaTYKShj8

Looking at her remaining nine chips, then at the odds on the table, she thought: as long as she bet correctly on Big or Small, she could double her money. So Ruka formed a plan. She continued betting twenty yuan on Big. If she won, it would become forty. Enough to win back what she had just lost. If she lost, she would bet forty next round. “I refuse to believe I’ll lose three times in a row.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVdWpezUjm

Just as Ruka was pleased with her idea, several gamblers nearby seemed to have already seen through her. Whispered and laughed.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2lFarY94P

“Where did this crazy woman come from?”

“Hey. Playing like that, she’ll be out in a few rounds. Obviously you play slowly.”

“Naive. If she wants to give away money, who are we to stop her?”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsTWu4gaFi

The result, of course, did not disappoint. The fourteenth round was still Small. “Small again? Since this is the last round, I’ll go along with you.” Ruka looked at the record. Then at the three dice. Muttering to herself as she preemptively bet forty yuan on Small. She did not realize that in just two rounds she had begun to be affected. Easily falling into a gambling blind spot. Losing her sense of the chips’ value.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7sKRrhOPhN

The other gamblers were shocked. Most of them actually bet on Big. Only a few middle-aged women bet on Small alongside Ruka. They even winked at her. Laughed. “Little sister. It’s been a while since we met someone so simple and impulsive. We support you.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmUG1cSBVQ

By then, the whole table was watching intently. Chanting “Big” as if possessed. Ruka and those women, seemingly unwilling to concede, also shouted “Small.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCcmDDMb1I

When the dice result came out, most people cheered excitedly. Even applauding Ruka. But she herself could not squeeze out a smile. Because it was finally over. It really was “Big.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8L1djqLCXo

The women were also happy. Praising Ruka with sarcasm. “Good thing we added a bet on Big. Little sister. You’re a real beacon. Thank you. Hahaha.” It turned out they had only bet two yuan on Small, but five yuan on Big.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdDZzC9NRze

After three rounds, Ruka, on her first visit to the casino, had taken a heavy blow. Even began to suspect the machine. “Could those dice be rigged? Opening according to what everyone bets?”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2nVvkQN3m

Looking at the remaining thirty yuan, she decided to wait for others to bet first. Then observe which side had more bets. Recalling her three consecutive losses, the more she thought, the angrier she became. She lost her reason.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2XvmRjXMR

“Open whatever you want.” With that, she casually tossed the remaining three chips toward “Small.” But one of them went crooked. Landed on the long square for three identical dice. Just as Ruka reached out to move it, it was too late.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCfICMvWIY6

“Little sister. Are you going for broke? You even dare to buy Any Triple.” Those women mocked her again. After all, the probability of three identical dice was too low.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtIu2xo3BL

Just as Ruka felt utterly discouraged, the final result made everyone exclaim again. Because all three dice were sixes. Immediately there were curses and congratulations. Because if a triple opened, both Big and Small lost. And only Ruka had bet on Triple. Her ten yuan became three hundred.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpRu6M8oj3

“Congratulations, little sister. This turned it around, huh.”

“A triple too? What the hell.”

“What kind of dogshit luck does this crazy woman have? Made me lose again.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLDPNxnaNwL

Ruka took the three hundred chips. Somewhat in disbelief. From having nothing to earning three times her money. She had not yet recovered. She turned to look for Nikolai. Found him not far away, focused on another game. She walked over with the chips.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdk73RC19HK

Recalling the excitement brought by the emotional ups and downs, Ruka pretended to be calm. Casually stuffed ten chips into Nikolai’s hand. “I said I’d return it soon.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1cCzrhhPO4

“Impressive. So. Did it help you recover your memories? Want to try this?” Nikolai, who was playing poker, looked both surprised and delighted. Acting as if he knew nothing. In truth, from Ruka’s first bet to her comeback, he had seen every psychological change.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiENJYho9yL

Ruka of course shook her head. Because she could not possibly recall memories that did not exist. So Nikolai took the opportunity to teach Ruka other games. Letting her experience various new and thrilling emotional ups and downs.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4NVCP9MUom

When Ruka had spent over an hour in the casino and was about to sink into the intoxication of wealth and pleasure, Nikolai suddenly checked the time. Said, “It’s almost time for the opening. Today’s main event.”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpxTAM3niD

Almost at the same time, many gamblers also stirred. As if it were a grand festival. So Nikolai led Ruka with the crowd to the end of the casino. Then down another way back to the ground floor.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfaIiNnQrq3

“I didn’t expect the lower level to be so spacious, and…” Ruka noticed the lighting here was noticeably dimmer. Completely different from the bright gambling hall upstairs. The entire lower level was circular. Long benches arranged in rings around a central sunken area that could not be entered. On either side of the area was a door. Several screens hung overhead. As if something were to be performed in that area.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrjqhnSIFi

Ruka nervously followed Nikolai. Could the main event he mentioned be a casino performance?

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyoxDg2c2pb

“You can forget everything else. But you will never forget this blood-boiling thrill.” Nikolai’s tone was certain. It was clear he had full confidence in this.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLN2JZoggy

Seeing everyone’s expressions filled with excited anticipation, Ruka did not dare say much. Afraid of guessing wrong and exposing her identity.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCq3Orb23w

“The first match is just an exhibition. A warm-up. No betting.” Before it began, Nikolai leaned close to Ruka’s ear and whispered another reminder.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MBBUbUi4E

Then all the lights went out. A spotlight fell on the central area. As sound effects played, the doors on both sides of the area slowly opened. The crowd began to cheer.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWdXK7zHfr

Two men stepped out from behind the doors. They were not especially strong. But their faces were filled with fear. It was obvious they were not there voluntarily. And judging by the surroundings, they were clearly meant to fight.

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVlWGMHurW5

“They’re making humans fight?” Ruka was shocked. Blurted out. “Life underground is already hard. Why waste them like this?”

87Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoOyP1FIpi

Nikolai seemed to have expected this. Answered lightly, “Don’t be nervous. They’re just Bipeds that look similar to humans. And they won’t be wasted. Because we can just catch more from the surface.”

88.181.249.5

ns88.181.249.5da2