"Mm, according to the plan, we'll just place our bets according to the Sure-Win Manual Guide for the first four matches. By the fifth round, Bardun should show up."
Akimi spoke while glancing at a slip of paper in his hand—the one detailing the contents of the Sure-Win Manual Guide.
As for how he got that strategy in the first place, that's thanks to the generous Miss Liten, who shared it without hesitation at Asuna's request.
"When Bardun arrives at the arena, we just need to keep him occupied as long as possible."
Kirito nodded in agreement.
Right now, both of them wore fox masks covering the upper half of their faces and were dressed in black outfits made by Asuna using her tailoring skill—a fact that surprised Akimi.
If he had known, he would've asked her to make him a cooler outfit too.
As that thought crossed his mind, Akimi glanced enviously at Kirito's black shorts—crafted from a special monster drop called Shadow Silk.
The material boosted stealth and was extremely breathable and comfortable to wear.
The two of them headed to the first floor of the casino to exchange their currency for chips.
Kirito retrieved two leather pouches—one large and one small—from his inventory.
They contained Akimi's 200,000 Col and Kirito's own 100,000 Col.
This was essentially their entire fortune.
"Three thousand chips,"
Kirito said, his voice trembling slightly as he handed the pouches to an NPC dressed in a red uniform with a bowtie.
Akimi noticed it wasn't just Kirito's voice trembling—his hands were also shaking ever so slightly, but rapidly.
Akimi gave his arm a light nudge and whispered, "Hey, don't choke now."
"…Shut up,"
Kirito snapped, glaring at Akimi through gritted teeth.
"Understood," Akimi and the NPC said at the same time.
The expressionless NPC silently took the leather pouches from the counter and pulled out three green chips engraved with "1000VC" from a drawer, lining them up neatly on the counter.
Kirito wordlessly reached out, pinched the three chips—each roughly five centimeters in diameter—and clenched them tightly in his hand, as if afraid they might sprout legs and run away.
"L–let's go."
His voice still trembling, Kirito forced himself to sound calm as he spoke to Akimi.
Although Kirito's expression was hidden behind the fox mask, Akimi could tell just from his tightly pressed lips and strained voice that he was extremely nervous.
That made Akimi almost burst out laughing as he said:
"Alright, relax a bit. You're the chosen one of this world, remember? No matter what happens, you'll always pull through."
Kirito gave Akimi a playful punch on the shoulder and said helplessly, "You're a grown man and still act like some chuunibyou kid—'chosen one,' seriously? Aren't you even a little embarrassed saying stuff like that with a straight face?"
Even though Kirito's words were blunt, Akimi's teasing had clearly helped ease his tension a little.
-------------------
The nighttime monster arena was just as lively as during the day—perhaps even more so.
The entire hall was more crowded than it had been the previous night, likely because many more players had arrived by now.
Numerous NPCs and players were enthusiastically chatting in the spacious arena, with topics ranging far and wide—but the majority revolved around the upcoming monster battles.
Just like yesterday, DKB and ALS each occupied their usual positions—DKB on the left bar, ALS on the right.
They had already swapped out their heavy gear from dungeon raiding for casual outfits, with a few even donning floral shirts and big shorts, looking like slackers as they clutched large mugs of beer and boasted to their companions.
However, Akimi and Kirito didn't approach either of the two major guilds.
Instead, they found a table a bit more off to the side and sat down.
Laying the slip of paper with the evening's battle schedule on the table, they began studying it together.
First match: Terror Badger vs. Quad-Claw Crab — Sure-Win Manual Guide: Terror Badger wins.
Second match: Riveted Stag Beetle vs. Squid Vines — Sure-Win Manual Guide: Vines win.
Third match: Lightning Squirrel vs. Rocket Mole — Sure-Win Manual Guide: Mole wins.
Fourth match: Hand of Cruelty vs. Hand of Savagery — Sure-Win Manual Guide: Hand of Savagery wins.
Fifth match: Mini Glyptodon vs. Velutia Big-Horned Ram — Sure-Win Manual Guide: Big-Horned Ram wins.
"Hm, so the Rusty Ly Wild Hound got swapped out for the Quad-Claw Crab, huh… Let's follow the guide for the first four matches. As for the final one… what do we do?" Akimi asked, rubbing his chin.
Normally, they would just bet against the final prediction.
But in order to obtain the Sure-Win Manual Guide, they had traded information to Liten, telling her the guide was actually a trap.
So now, ALS and DKB were probably both aware of that.
Add to that the lesson from last night, and it was very likely that Kibaou and Lind would now bet on the Mini Glyptodon to win.
After a brief silence, Kirito gritted his teeth and said, "Bet on the Velutia Big-Horned Ram. This time, at least one of us, ALS, or DKB has to win. Even if we aren't the ones who profit…"
Akimi shrugged indifferently and replied, "Up to you."
After asking Akimi to stay put, Kirito walked to the betting counter.
He lightly tapped the three chips clutched tightly in his hand onto the wooden counter, but his fingers lingered on them for a long time, reluctant to let go.
Finally, under the mechanical smile of the NPC, Kirito let go and returned with the betting ticket.
Before long, the sharp clang of a gong echoed throughout the arena as an NPC struck it, and the host's voice boomed across the monster arena:
"Ladies and gentlemen—! Welcome to the Volupta Grand Casino's Monster Arena! We're five minutes away from the first match of the evening! If you want to place a bet, don't wait!"
It was the same host from yesterday—wearing a white shirt and shouting with a powerful voice.
He stood on a high platform, smiling as he watched the guests rush to the betting counters, patiently waiting for them to finish placing their wagers.
"Very well! Now—let the first match begin! It's show time—!"
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