I have gathered basic information to collect over 1000 coins at the physical casino.
All preparations are complete, so now it's time to try.
"...Hoo.""The sound of low-quality jazz music echoes in the underground casino."
Visitors to the physical casino take a breath and move their steps.
It has begun.Yes.
"Hello, dealer!"First, sit at the table in the dealer room.
However, the selected table was not the one with Assistant Lee Seong-hae's head, but rather a dealer with a different unfamiliar face.
You should feel the gaze of Assistant Lee Seong-hae from afar, but you must not be aware of it.
"Hello, visitor." Would you like to start betting?The visitor smiles brightly at the unfamiliar dealer.
"Yes." Let's bet. Will the game be the card game that was introduced at the very beginning? It was about guessing what kind of card it was."Of course." I will proceed with the 'Vision Game'.The dealer kindly speaks to the visitor sitting at the table, then flamboyantly shuffles the playing cards and presents them.
"Oh, I'll go with this."And the person seated picks a card from it.
A simple game where you guess what shape it is or what number it is.
"I will bet 3 coins on hearts.""Yes." I will check.However, the visitor's attempt failed.
The card is the seven of spades.
3 coins flew away.
"That's a shame." One more game!"Yes." Bet confirmed."Thus, the game continues to repeat."
The visitor placed a minimum bet, winning moderately and losing moderately.
Then... once in a while.
"This time, I will bet 30 coins." The feeling is good."Shout loudly."
And.
"You have failed to place a bet.""Ah!""I lost a lot."
But once in every three or four times, I succeed in betting and win money.
"Good!""In that way, the amount of the coin is cleverly adjusted."
The fluctuating win rate and betting amount of the visitors went up and down chaotically, moving between high points and low points without any clear rules.
The table was piled high with at least a hundred coins, but the visitor's 'funds' had already been reduced to half of what they started with.
Then....
At some moment more than an hour has passed.
Now it is."Will you place a bet?""Hmm...."The visitor, as if completely immersed, reaches out...
Push all the coins on the table forward.
Denggururur....
Tap.
The coins shine in the light of the old light bulb.
The dealer from the ghost story, who kindly caught even the rolling coins, asks with shining eyes.
"Would you like to bet a total of 113 coins?""Oh ho."Yes, let's go for it.""Then please choose a card.""Once again, a visitor reached out in a graceful manner and pointed to one of the cards lined up on the table."
"With this.""I have confirmed it."The dealer picks up the card chosen by the visitor.
The gaze of the visitor watching it shone strangely and then quickly subdued.
And.
"...I will bet on number 7.""
"...!"The dealer's expression did not change, but strangely, their movements became slower."
"I have confirmed it."The dealer flips the card...
"Spade 7."Jackpot.
"...You have successfully placed your bet.""
"…!!I will provide you with the prize.A tremendous amount of coins comes out from under the table and goes to the winner.
"This is 904 coin."A visitor briefly clenched and then opened their fist under the table.
I earned an amount close to 999 coins in one go.
[Oh, congratulations. Friend, it's a success!Okay.
And of course, this was not a coincidence.
"I chose it knowing what it was."Spade 7.
Because I already know what numbers and pictures are printed on the front of that card.
Of course, it's not like I've developed any abilities like clairvoyance. We played under the conditions provided by this casino without using any tricks.
However.
There is a loophole in that condition.That is...
It was thanks to a certain element that you could do as soon as you entered this casino.
Immediately outdated facilities!
It's very worn out.The wall, light bulbs, slot machines, and even the tables in the dealer room have already worn out. It looks so poorly maintained that one might mistake it for an almost abandoned casino.
While it did evoke a more chilling atmosphere as a horror story, it also created conditions that were fundamentally different from a typical casino.
Right... the things used in the game are outdated.
For example.
Trump card.The back of a standard playing card is all the same appearance, making them indistinguishable from each other as mass-produced items.
But as time goes by, things change.
A dividing point is created.Fine stains, scratches, wrinkles.
The 'wear' that is briefly revealed when reflected in the light creates elements that allow each card to be distinguished.
So I decided.
-In the first game, you choose the card with the back that has the most noticeable 'traces'.
This time it was the seven of spades.
You probably noticed that the two scratches on the back glimmered slightly in the light.
Then, after checking the information on the front side, up to the seven of spades, wait.
And....
·After enough time has passed to avoid suspicion, you can find that card again and place your bet.
Hitting the jackpot.
Of course, the scratch marks are very fine, and in fact, they are extremely difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, making it hard for the average person.
However, surprisingly, there was a suitable candidate among this group.
"Hahaha, this is happening again!""Choi Agent."
They possess the observation skills and memory to distinguish human bodies solely by their veins and skeleton.
Since I already have the habit of memorizing, there is nothing more to add.
-Ah~ Normally, a good public servant shouldn't engage in gambling, but... it can't be helped. Okay. Just leave it to me.
And really, without any concern, maintaining composure and nonchalance, they sat at the table and gambled until now.
So.
"Ah~ that was good.""I succeeded."
Oh, there have actually been cases where similar methods were used to win a fortune at the casino.Of course, in that case, it seems you were reading the printing error on the back pattern of the card!Okay. In a real casino, they probably use new cards every day to prevent such things from happening.
However, in the folklore where this 'old thing' is a characteristic, such methods can also work.
"Currently holding coins... 924 pieces.""
"…Okay."It proceeds smoothly like that."
I was sitting next to Agent Choi, who was playing a game, and I was watching intently as if I were observing the thrilling moment when the stakes were getting higher.
'Just one more round, carefully like this.To avoid being noticeable and to earn, I have created the most natural scenario possible up until now.
"Since I've got the flow, let's keep going like this...."Visitor."
....
I turned my stiff neck.
"You're using an interesting method?""The face of Assistant Lee Seong-hae, who approached the table, was looking at us."
Staring.
Smiles gently.
"This is the method I used when I was a visitor.""
"...!"Remembering the scratches on the back of the card to figure out the numbers and shapes, right?"The dealer brushed the back of the cards with unfamiliar hands that belonged to different people, with their ring and middle fingers touching.
The hair stands on end.
"And once a loophole is discovered, it can no longer be exploited.""Damn."
I just remembered the unfortunate backstory of that incident.The professional gambler was sued and had all 16 billion won collected without a penny missing. Oh, the wickedness of the casino!"...I don't quite understand what you are saying." Do you have evidence?"So, what I'm saying is, grape!" This casino is really scary. They are trying to frame it as if I used underhanded methods just because I made some money. How can I play the game if it's this scary? My back is really getting damp."
"...."There is no evidence, right?"The dealer takes their hand off the back of the card.
"That statement is correct.""But I could never feel completely at ease." Because...
"Shall we continue the game?""A dealer with Lee Seong-hae's hairstyle pushes away the dealer at our table and takes his place."
As a host.
"You wouldn't run away, would you?" It seems suspicious."
"...."It's good." Then from now on, I will continue to assist you as the dealer.And then takes out a new trump card from the pocket.
Old, but a completely different set from before.
"Well then...."The smiling face speaks."
"Please place a bet.""I messed up."
"I will do it.""Oh.""Grape.""Because it's public funds." Usually, luck converges to the average, so if you've had a lot of fun and won a lot, it might be better for you to stop here and let me take over."I spoke while looking at Assistant Lee Seong-hae's remaining eye."
"It should be fine, right?""Of course!"And whispered to Agent Choi.
"This time, I want to experience the fun of betting as well." Just a moment."
"...."I have a feeling that I will win for some reason.""Agent Choi had sunk eyes, but in the end, he let go."
And I for a moment...
....
Oh, it's not difficult. Friend.Visitor?"Ah.I raised my head.
"Is it possible to go to the table that the original dealer used?" It feels like I've already used up all my luck here."Of course, it's okay!"A dealer with Lee Seong-hae's hairstyle gladly guides him to his table. I hurriedly gathered all the coins and moved to Lee Seong-hae's table to hear the questions again.
"So how much will you bet?""I pushed the coins I had brought to the table..."
All 924.
"…!!"Is it correct to bet 924?""...Yes.""I have confirmed it." Then...Assistant Lee Seong-hae spread the cards on the table again. I reach out my hand to choose a card...
"Wait a moment.""The hand was caught."
"Dear visitor, you shouldn't touch the selected card, right?""
"...."You were trying to remember the card by leaving fingerprints on the back, right?""No." And there is a misunderstanding."Oh?""I have bet all my possessions, so if I don't win this round, there will be no next game." But what good would it do to remember the cards from this round? You must have already lost."
....
"Oh."The dealer relaxed their grip.
"That statement is correct." Then I will proceed."Yes."I chose the card that I originally intended to choose.
Thud.
Cold sweat dripped onto the table.
"Okay.""
....
"What shape or number would you like to bet on?"I barely lifted my eyes.
"...heart.""This will do."
"I won with hearts the first time I placed a bet, so I plan to bet on that again this time.""
"....The dealer, who was looking at the cards, quickly turns their head.
There are no people around the table signaling or reading this dealer's cards, nor is there anything like a suddenly appeared mirror.
At least Manager Lee Ja-heon is leaning against the nearby back wall, but that's all.
No dealer is restrained.
This means that he did not engage in any behavior that could be considered suspicious.
"...."Dealer?"The dealer flips the card...
Congratulations.Heart 4.
"I will award you 2772 coins."A tremendous amount of coins begins to spill onto the table.
"…!!"It worked."
Success.I clenched and unclenched my fist tightly under the table.
Cold sweat gathered and made me feel damp.
"This is amazing, hahaha!"! Wow, it's a coin windfall, isn't it?"Agent Choi was excitedly patting my back like a gambler who just hit the jackpot, but his eyes were calm."
It must be because I have no idea how I got this right.
'Okay.It was understandable. Because...
I didn't use a loophole; I committed outright fraud.
'Hoo.The reason for suddenly moving to this table.
-Brown, could you possibly tell the lizard manager to lean against the wall behind Dolphin's table?
Okay.
It was a table that was leaning against a wall where Manager Lee Ja-heon could naturally lean back and stand.
The reason why Manager Lee Ja-hun was needed is simple.
"Because it looks like a lizard's head to me!"And the eyes on the head of the lizard, which was the size of a person, were larger than those of a human and the lenses were thicker.
That is.
The card held by the dealer is reflected.There was no need to read something as detailed as a number.
Even just colors and a very faint silhouette is a success.
'...and I succeeded.I succeeded in my bet by looking at the front of the card reflected in Manager Lee Ja-hun's eyes.
It was excellent agility. Mr. Deer!Thank you.
...and the best part is.
No one knows what method I used.Because Manager Lee Ja-heon appears to others as a human being.
That was no exception to the ghost stories experienced so far, so if we take Manager Lee Ja-hun, who has the head of a human, as a reference...
"There's no way the card would reflect in my eyes."In the end, this has become a signal that only I can recognize.
Perhaps they don't even know themselves.
Oh, that was quite thrilling!Of course, a broadcaster cannot be involved in something like casino fraud, but this could be seen as a pleasant kind of superpower.If a man can be treated as a psychic for guessing what piece of music is recorded by looking at the label of a record, isn't what my friend did somewhat similar? Ha ha!I don't know.
Although it's something only I can check, if we just look at the mechanism...
"It's a scam that you can't escape from."However, the only certain way to make money at the casino, aside from scams, was the same loophole mentioned earlier, but since it had already been blocked by someone who had tried it, there was no other option.
Impromptu, and I used it like this, but just in case...
"....Did you notice?
I was sitting at the table as calmly as possible, sharing congratulations and laughing with Agent Choi, but the dealer was silent.
I couldn't bear to look.
And....
A little later.
Congratulations. You've passed 999 coins."
"…!!"You can now enter the VIP area!" Shall I guide you now?"...Yes.""It worked."
I clenched my fist tightly and carefully got up from the table.
·
"Only groups with more than 999 coins can enter the VIP room, and at this time, the group can include up to 2 additional people besides the main member.""The footsteps of six people walking in the casino's public area, in front of them a lively-voiced dealer explains."
And soon, the footsteps stop.
VIP ACCESS
"Then, I will open it."The dealer grabbed the golden iron door and pulled it to the side...
The VIP room has been opened.
"…!!"Inside it was surprisingly...."
It was a maze.
Oh, it hasn't worn out.It seemed as if a luxurious space for whispered conversations was endlessly lined up beyond the drawn curtains. A space connected as if two mirrors are facing each other.
It was as if it revealed that it was a place qualitatively different from the old and worn-out physical casino outside.
There is only one thing that is alien.
~■■ CITY ROYAL CASINO~
The subway advertisement was attached to a frame on the wall instead of being a picture. I felt a strange sensation.
Struggling not to listen to the whispers coming from beyond the curtain, we stepped in front of the door.
"Would you like to come inside?" Please sit comfortably. You can enjoy gambling privately in a designated area.The group entered quietly. Baek Sa-heon tried to sneak away from the very end, but he was caught by the bronze agent and entered as is.
But I felt a foreboding rising within me.
"This way, please."The dealer pulls back the curtain and enters.
The scenes that kept appearing were similar. 벨벳 소파, 탁자, 다과, And....
Silver pistol.
"The game prepared for today is....""Step by step."
The dealer who walked over picks up the gun placed on the luxurious wooden table and cocks it to load.
"This is Russian roulette.""Damn."
"It is very famous, so you might already know, but to explain, it is a game where one bullet is loaded into a .38 caliber revolver, and two people take turns shooting!""Clack, clack, clack."
The dealer's hand pulling the trigger was steady.
As the tense people reflexively fidget, the dealer smiles and holds up a gun that has not yet been fired.
"If this continues, the side that gives up will lose.""Ha."
"But!" If you're scared of shooting, there are other options.The dealer scans us.
"You have to give up one body part.""
"…!"Then you can pass your turn and give the opponent the gun.""Just a moment.""I asked urgently."
"Who are you competing against?""Is it another visitor?""
"…!"It's a game where we play Russian roulette, and the winner takes all the coins that were bet." However, right now in this VIP room..."
딜러가 Smiles gently.
"Are there no other visitors besides you all?"
"...."
"If we wait, could other visitors come?"
"Well. I'm not sure."
"When was the last time a guest visited the VIP Room?"
"Hmm, that's something I can't tell you, but…"
"…Have you seen it yourself?"
"No."
"...."
Damn it.
"Hold on. Then the 'special purpose' body parts from the pawn shop…."
"Ah, you already know about that too."
Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae's lips curved into a smile.
"If a visitor pulls the trigger three times in a row, they can receive one body part as a prize!"
"…!"
"Cool, right? It's a prize fitting for an exciting game."
The picture that had been covering the subway advertisement slid down, revealing the freight elevator within.
No, not an elevator… it's a rail.
'Body parts.'
Various limbs and organs from multiple people are visible, hanging side-by-side on the rail….
Among them, there will be Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae's.
"...."
To rescue Deputy Manager Lee Seong-hae, there's no choice but to participate in this game and obtain a body part.
"So, then…."
The dealer looked at us with a smile.
"Who will play?"