3 Chapter 003: Casino
He wasn't disappointed, the sunset would have indeed been beautiful… If a man wasn't trying to commit suicide! At the top of an hospital at that! It was an obvious finger to all those dying people hoping to get better and live.
Chrono didn't care much about that, he was fine after all. He took a peek with the Lachesis Eyes and casually waved his hand.
<Life Merchant Contract>
The man felt very sleepy all of a sudden. He sat down and fell asleep soon after...
The man found himself at one end of the corridor. After a couple of minute, he finally arrived at the entrance of Life Bar, as Chrono had planned.
'Hello dear customer, welcome to the Life Bar. What type of drink would you like? Maybe a little cocktail?' His smile almost reaching his ears, Chrono appeared like an average young part-timer, eager to please his boss. However he was wearing a half-mask which covered the top half of his face.
-Where… Where am I?
-As I said, you are in the Life Bar, dear customer. You may exchange your lifespan for material goods.
-Material goods? Like… Money?
-Sure, money can be exchanged. It all depends on how much you are willing to let go for the sake of money.
-Everything! I'll give everything! I just need enough money to pay for my daughter's operation! Please!
-You misunderstood, dear customer, I was wondering whether your lifespan would allow you to buy anything. After all, you are in the middle of the suicide, are you not?
-If I can do it any other way, I don't want to die! The only method I have now is to claim the insurance after my death for my daughter's operation.
-Can I know how much money is needed for your daughter's operation?
-It would be approximately $400,000 after government subsidy. I have a monthly salary of $2,500. Where am I to find such a huge amount in such a short time? Even loan sharks do not lend so much money.
-I understand, please wait here, dear customer.
Chrono served his first client, the content of a coffee can he had bought earlier, poured in a cup. He then exited the room through the back door he had designed earlier.
Summoning a comfortable cushion chair, Chrono sat down and started to think of ways to obtain the sum of $400,000 and how many years to extort… trade with the man. Considering that his annual salary will be $30,000 and with two bonuses would be around $40,000. Plus the reason he needed the money is for his daughter which is a good cause… So let's be nice and not extort more than necessary.
-Dear customer, I have gotten a reply from my boss and he has passed me the contract.
Saying that, Chrono handed a contract to the man.
[Life Contract]
Name: Sam Koh
Offering: 10 Years
Receiving: $400,000
Signature
_________________
-I will receive $400,000 for my daughter's operation?
-Yes. Time is needed to transfer the money. However, if what happened here is leaked, the contract will be voided and you will not be able to obtain the money.
-Of course, of course! I should sign here right? Can I have a pen?
Chrono then handed a needle to the man.
-A needle?
-Yes. Dear customer, the medium to sign the contract is your blood. You need to prick your finger and when blood appear, press your finger on the paper.
Before the man left, he got the man's contact number and address.
-----
After exiting the Life Bar, Chrono took the chance to escape unnoticed when the man was still in a daze.
Sitting on his bed, he started to formulate a plan to earn the huge sum of $400,000.
-----
The next day.
After getting discharged from hospital, he arrived at his destination.
"Morino Boy Sonds"
Chrono stood in front of the building and looked up at the almost 60 story building that ended with the infinity sky pool that gave an amazing view while you swam.
-Sir, the daily entry levy is S$100, and is valid for 24 consecutive hours starting from the time of first entry into the casino. Will you be entering the casino today? If not, the daily entry levy will expire if entry has not taken place by the end of the 30th day after the date of purchase.
After more explanation and producing his identity card, he proceeded into the casino with much anticipation and excitement after paying the entrance fee.
Entering the casino, Chrono saw that there were 4 levels. He was currently on the 2nd level and looking down, he saw many red and green poker tables below golden spirals towering above the tables. The 2nd and 3rd floor was the same while the fourth floor was enclosed and has white curtains blocking out any curious and prying eyes.
Changing the $1,000 into chips, Chrono walked around to have a look at the different type of games offered by the casino. He was only interested in the table games which were baccarat, blackjack, roulette, sand's stud poker and sic bo. Electronic games and slot games will not be able to help achieve his goals easily.
With only 30 days, Chrono decided to complete this contract in 3 days as winning all of that amount in one day is very suspicious. In addition he will choose only one game and stick with it throughout the 3 days.
After an hour of observing, Chrono decided on the game baccarat. He chose this game because he was able to see the cards in the poker card holder with his new skill <Omniscient>. Thus he was able to see the cards and plan on whether to win that round or not.
(Rules to baccarat can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CljzvH-64w)
Winning 2 games out of 3 games, Chrono's winning slowly stacked up. After 10 hours of playing, he managed to win $150,000. $10,000 more than he planned to. With an excess $10,000 in his pocket, Chrono decided to enjoy the facilities this place has to offer. After looking at the choices of rooms they offered, he decided on "the clubroom".
Stepping into the room, the first word that came to his mind was "luxurious".
Big room, big TV, big bed, big sofa, big toilet, big bathtub…
Everything was BIG, no wonder it cost almost a thousand dollars a night.
For the next two days, Chrono lived like a King as he raked in money from playing baccarat.
-----
"Raffles street 23, blk 512"
Pressing the button for the lift, Chrono patiently waited at the lift.
*Ding*
The lift arrived and Chrono pressed the 5th floor. Checking the door number, Chrono pressed the doorbell.
Shortly after, the door opened. The woman, assumed to be the wife of the man appeared.
"Good afternoon ma'am. Is Mr. Koh around?" Chrono said in a polite and well-mannered tone.
"Yes, he is. Please wait here for a moment." The lady replied and walked back into the house.
The man from the hospital came shortly after and he looked at the stranger puzzledly as he wasn't expecting any guest.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Koh. I am here to deliver this envelope to you."
After Mr. Koh took the letter from him, Chrono bade farewell and left. A few minutes later, a cry of joy could be heard from the house. In the envelope was 4 pieces of cheque. Each slip has an amount of $100,000 on it while the name was blank.
[+10 years]
[Lifespan] -50 years
Fulfill a blank contract once. (Reward: 1 x Lucky Draw) completed.
<Lucky Draw>
The box with the ? appeared in front of Chrono.
Some overpowered skill again please.
Chrono took his time with choosing and after a minute or so, he finally pulled his hand out of the box.
<Precious stone> obtained.
Precious stone?
Chrono hurriedly opened up his inventory to look at the stone.
It was a palm sized redish looking rock.
Looks like I will need to find someone who is able to appraise it.
Chrono flagged a taxi and went back home to get a change of clothes before going back to the hotel.
____________________________________________________________________________
[Status]
[Name] Chrono Feldman (Dead but alive)
[Lifespan] -50 years
[Job]
<<Life Merchant>>
Ability to shorten one's lifespan and transfer the number of years to a target or increase one's lifespan by receiving a specific number of years from a target's lifespan.
[Stats]
Power/Strength - 10 +
Intelligence - 30 +
Speed - 24 +
Agility - 26 +
Stamina - 15 +
Luck - 50
Charm/Charisma - 29
Recovery - E
Control/Accuracy - D
[Skills]
<Life Merchant Contract> - (A shop where a person's desire can be fulfilled)
<Lachesis Eyes> - LV2 (Ability to see target's lifespan and cause of death)
<Inventory> - (Somewhere to store all the random junk)
<Lucky Draw> - LV1 (What new skills will you obtain?)
<Overdrive> - Increase the basic stats by *10 for 10 minutes
<Omniscient LV1> - See everything within a 5 metre radius
-----
[Quest Log]
Use <Lachesis Eyes> a million times. (Reward: Unlock LV3)
Purchase 10 stat points. (Reward: 1 x Lucky Draw)
