Act.12 LUCKY 7 Seven

[Part 1: Just Like That Time]

Look closely, this man is called Xiao Shuai. He works at the stock exchange in Eureka Volcano City, commonly known as a stock trader, and is also a financial advisor for a shipping company.

He had long since escaped the life of the working class who relied on selling their labor for wages; he was now a high-level employee of a conglomerate.

He was frugal, hardworking, and always clocked in on time for work. He was dedicated to the club, and even after work, Xiao Shuai would never drink or socialize with his superiors, refusing any pointless social interactions.

This middle-class man firmly believed that one day he would also enter the upper echelons of the conglomerate and become an excellent "carnivore." He believed that when his wealth accumulated to a certain level, he would definitely be able to turn his life around and leap over the dragon gate.

Ideals are beautiful, but reality is harsh.

-- Xiao Shuai escaped the temptations of sensual pleasures and avoided the pitfalls of alcohol and meat, but ultimately fell to his death in an arcade.

At this very moment, he was in an arcade on the seaside road, having taken off his adult suit. His hair was covered in sweat, and he no longer looked dashing.

His eyes were bloodshot; he hadn't slept for two days and two nights. His hands and feet were cold as he stared intently at the various colored lights emanating from the electronic machines in front of him.

He had a notebook by his side, recording thousands of statistical results corresponding to different combinations of patterns on the slot machines, trying to unravel the secrets of the gambling machines.

Further away were empty cans of various energizing drinks, and two ashtrays were already full of cigarette butts, yet to be emptied.

At first, Xiao Shuai just wanted to relax at the arcade, to escape the brutal battles of the stock market and reminisce about his childhood.

However, he soon stopped and watched the slot machine, thinking that the mathematical logic was simple and that the electronically controlled game machine could not stump him at all. So he became competitive. In his eyes, the K-line in the stock market was more beautiful than the curves of a woman's figure. Could this trick that cheated the old and children out of money really stump him, a finance whiz?

So in 48 hours, he lost over eight million, which wasn't even enough to cover his tuition.

He was completely bound to this machine, becoming raw material in the flesh-and-blood juicer.

He can hear sounds, speak, and communicate normally with others, but he cannot stop pulling the joystick.

Like a walking corpse, whenever the slot machine's dial stopped spinning, he would immediately follow the intense sound and light stimulation, immediately put in new chips, and start the next game without hesitation.

Meanwhile, this Dream Butterfly arcade also has over three hundred seats.

Everyone else, like Xiao Shuai, frantically pressed the buttons, trying to find a signal of happiness in the electronic program.

They waved their right hands, the sound of them tapping the machines matching the rhythm of the music in the hall. Some of their fingers were already yellowed from cigarette smoke. Due to prolonged use of one side of their bodies, many people's shoulders and necks had begun to ache, and their movements were unnaturally deformed. But as soon as the machine issued a clear signal of reward and punishment, new numbers, patterns, and sounds and lights appeared on the table.

These people will then start the next game without hesitation.

Xiao Shuai's phone lay to the side, his personal number was on anti-harassment mode, and he didn't answer a single call from the company. He hadn't been to work for two days, and it seemed he had forgotten his social identity, transforming himself into a professional gambler.

Inside the steamy arcade, the proprietress watched this scene with satisfaction.

--She was the asset manager of the Mercy of Eros, and her name was O'Connor Elizabeth.

This attractive noblewoman controlled three large casinos, eight gaming arcades, and sixteen multi-purpose entertainment venues. She also managed the assets of the Mercy of Eros at the Eureka Stock Exchange.

She ignored Kang Que Connor's warning and didn't want to cower in fear like the chairman.

She needs to personally manage the businesses under her control, using the superpower of [LUCKY⑦·Lucky Seven] to rapidly increase their wealth.

"My darling," O'Connor said, picking up the phone and chatting with one of her many lovers about the recent situation. "You have no idea how tough these days are."

The beautiful woman leaned against the counter, her long fishtail skirt barely concealing her alluring figure.

"Ming De just left, I can't stay at headquarters and starve forever, can I?"

"Everyone says money is hard to earn and life is tough—if these places didn't have me, how much less money would they make every day?"

"The president is getting old and wants to play it safe in everything. He can humble himself and come back to start over in ten years or so, but we don't have that chance. You know, if the Blood-Giving Monster doesn't eat people, it won't live long."

She had a head of shiny black hair, and the nasolabial folds and slight wrinkles at the corners of her eyes indicated that she was not young. Even if the Blessed Holy Blood could slow down aging, Ms. O'Connor was probably over seventy years old.

As she said, given [LUCKY⑦·Lucky Seven]'s money-making efficiency, without her as a key figure, these casinos would see their daily revenue plummet by two-thirds. The president of the Mercy of Eros demanded that all the officers obey orders, but O'Connor couldn't stop.

At this very moment--

A few new customers arrived at the lottery ticket booth outside.

Ms. O'Connor tilted her head, lit a cigarette, and exhaled a wisp of purple smoke from her fiery red lips. It gradually coalesced into a small figure, its spirit becoming solid and powerful, its entire body displaying the precious colors of purple and gold, with the first prize of the slot machine printed on its forehead—⑦⑦⑦.

The little figure, as if seeing a distinguished guest, hurriedly ran out. The guests, not showing much interest in the lottery ticket booth, also put away their gambling instincts and prepared to leave. [Lucky Seven] immediately grabbed one of the people's trouser legs.

The customer stumbled and fell on the store's steps, breaking his teeth. He grumbled as he got up, only to find a ticket on his bloodied chin.

"Oh! Wow! Wow!!! I won 15,000 dollars! I'm so damn lucky!"

O'Connor smiled and stuck out her long, thin tongue. Just then, [Lucky Seven] ran in carrying the broken tooth and crashed headfirst into his mother's mouth.

Looking around, you could see a small group of people in the arcade with a small, golden companion emitting a purple glow.

As long as the guests feel frustrated and suffer from losing money, [Lucky Seven] will immediately try to stimulate their nerves from all angles to keep them playing.

Even the richest gambler will eventually lose all their money. O'Connor's [Lucky Seven] has a strong ability to attract customers, giving these gambling venues a constant stream of new blood.

"Have fun!" The proprietress, her eyes gleaming with seductive charm, hung up the phone, leaving her lover behind, and began exchanging pleasantries with the newly arrived customers.

She would never say "Good luck" or "Have fun winning" --

--Because the seaside casino in Eureka Volcano City is definitely not a place where gamblers can make money.

"Hehehe," O'Connor looked at all this triumphantly. "President, I must say you are an excellent leader. When I first got [LUCKY ⑦·Lucky Seven], I had no idea what these little figures were for. Your discerning eye has allowed me to achieve what I have today—but unfortunately, you are too cautious and too timid."

[Part ②: Star Realm Running Man]

At this very moment, on the other side of the harbor.

Xue Ming and Xiao Qi spent their first night in the territory of the Fish Head Gang in Eureka Volcano City.

The BOSS and the Hunter King have left Eureka Volcano City. Shi Cun Tuozhen and Lan Yinglong are also to be escorted back to the Qingjin for interrogation. Teacher Victor should be able to uncover more clues.

With the students all gone home, Xue Ming and Xiao Qi could finally unleash their full potential.

Their ability to slip past the canyon gates and enter silently with their equipment was also thanks to the Fish Head Gang's assistance.

--The Pompeii Sea is home to many native monsters. The Eureka Volcano City has a history of over four hundred years. The Fishhead Gang has always existed and originally had a mutually beneficial relationship with the Mercy of Eros. However, they were kicked out by Kang Que, and the Snow Owl Mobilization Troops took away the livelihood of these monster units.

Initially, the Hunter King entered Eureka Volcano City via underground waterways, completely bypassing the land-based search of the Canyon Pass.

The BOSS seemed to have an inexplicable entanglement and affection with these ancient fishmen, and Xue Ming didn't feel comfortable asking too many questions. When she checked into the inn in the Fish Head Gang's territory, she felt a little out of place.

Around 10 a. m., a waiter on the first floor knocked on the door of two distinguished guests, asking Xue Ming to extend his room fee.

As soon as the door opened, a gaunt, squid-like face appeared, its sinister and cunning eyes fixed on Jiang Xueming.

"The price has gone up today; it now Hui Stone Currency."

Xiao Qi exclaimed in surprise, "Wasn't it only thirty yuan a night yesterday?"

The waiter's whiskers twitched. "That was a special price for the boss, but it's different today."

Xiao Qi rolled her eyes in anger and blurted out in her dialect, "Friendship price? I'm ripping you off like crazy! Half a barbecue platter, half a takoyaki, are you even going to charge me?! Damn it!"

"Alright, alright, alright." Xue Ming his wife into bed and took out his HC card to pay the bill.

The waiter, while spraying water on his head to moisturize, said impatiently, "Your wife is so inconsiderate, Gunsmith. Not that I'm being mean, but the boss was here yesterday."

"Is there a problem?!" Xiao Qi complained from under the covers, "This lousy place! It's damp inside and out, and the toilet leaks. This morning, when I was brushing my teeth, I looked down and, lo and behold, there were three fish in the sink! I'm always on edge when I use the toilet, afraid that some strange creature might want a bite of my hot food! And this costs three hundred yuan?"

The waiter shrugged indifferently, made no offer to explain, and hurriedly left.

Xue Ming back the curtains and saw that it was pitch black outside, with occasional sea fish swimming around, and he could see the Fish Head Gang's blood-sucking brothers catching seafood from time to time.

"Xiao Qi, what the waiter said is right."

9527 pulled back the covers, her hair a mess. Hearing her lover's words, she stopped being angry and waited for an explanation. It wasn't that she was worried about the money; she was just concerned about saving face, as are Yellowstone People.

Xue Ming explained, "The boss was here yesterday, so the boss doesn't need to worry about our safety. The extra room fee today is a confidentiality fee between the Fish Head Gang and the middleman. The people from the Mercy of Eros don't know we're staying here."

Xiao Qi pouted. "Tch, just say what you want to say!"

Xue Ming: "You didn't even give him a chance to speak. He just raised the price, and you wanted him to turn into takoyaki."

Xiao Qi shrugged nonchalantly and pouted with a silly grin.

A grouper swam over from outside the window, grinned, and gently touched the glass of the underwater room with its fin. Xiao Qi immediately blushed and drew the curtains—because she was only wearing underwear.

While brushing her teeth, Xiao Qi asked about her schedule for the next few days.

"Honey, we can't really be here for our honeymoon, can we?"

Xue Ming was changing clothes, still in casual clothes, and didn't plan to use the Flash Butterfly Armor or the weapon case.

He replied, "Let's wait."

Xiao Qi: "When?"

Xue Ming: "Tang Ning and Hasben gone to investigate the shops on the seaside street."

Xiao Qi: "Didn't they go back to Galahad?"

Xue Ming: "These two lads volunteered to stay at Eureka Volcano to conduct intelligence gathering."

Xiao Qi tilted her head back to rinse her mouth, then lowered her head to spit out the water. She saw that several more small fish had appeared in the sink. She was both amused and exasperated as she rinsed the water and sent the little creatures away. Then she asked a question.

"When should we go and meet this... Kang Que Connor?"

Xue Ming frowned and took out the mission briefing.

"Slow and steady wins the race. Let's clip this guy's wings first—we already know of over seventy companies nominally affiliated with the Mercy of Eros, but fewer and fewer of their executives dare to appear in public. This guy knows we're investigating him."

Xiao Qi wiped her face clean and cursed fiercely.

"Even more cowardly than Lawrence Madison? He's a true astral runner! Don't let me catch him! I'll tear all the white hair out of the ground!"

Xue Ming pulled out another photograph, a portrait of the governor of Eureka Volcano City.

"Although the boss publicly admitted that he wanted to remove the governor from his post, many business owners and law enforcement personnel pleaded for him. This guy wrote two sets of materials, one for the public security bureau and the other for the media. Just like that, he easily kept his job."

Xiao Qi angrily said, "We can't let this guy get away with this! He colluded with Shi Cun; his crimes are heinous!"

Xue Ming: "Put your clothes on first. As for this governor, the BOSS wants me to kill him directly, so we can skip the trial process."

"Oh," Xiao Qi said casually, starting to put on her casual clothes. Halfway through, she asked, "Which outfit should I wear? What are we doing today?"

Xue Ming pointed to the two Flash Butterfly Armor next to the dressing table. "We'll wait for Hasben's news, then go to the TV station today."

In [KINGDOM], there are many film studios and indoor game sessions, all for the purpose of recording programs for television stations. The governor also relies on the local television station in Eureka to clear his name and appeal to local citizens and businesses for their support.

If the Mercy of Eros to be dismembered, the first step would be to slit their throats so that the other henchmen and ordinary citizens Mercy Society be left out and unable to hear the screams of these criminals.

Xiao Qi then changed into casual clothes. "Okay! No rush, right? We have to wait for news, right?"

Xue Ming: "Yes."

Xiao Qi: "Go to the restaurant and get me something to eat! Honey, you've worked so hard!"

Xue Ming nodded, then pushed open the door and went out.

The hotel has a long history and is named the White Ape.

It was converted from a shipwreck and is located at the mouth of the Eureka Volcano City's underground water system. The owner was a renowned middleman, known as the Old Khan, whose real name is unknown.

This place shelters the homeless. After the Fish Head Gang was abandoned by the Mercy of Eros, many rare people and blood-sent refugees came here to work and found new jobs. Some scavengers also earned some money and came here to make fake documents, change their appearance, and start a new life.

Even the Mercy of Eros dared not provoke the old Khan. Legend has it that this shopkeeper could summon the spirits of the water ghosts of the Pompeii Sea. Once, a ungrateful salt merchant caused trouble on the White Ape. This fellow had twelve merchant ships, all of which sank in the Nutao of the Pompeii Sea. In the end, he disappeared in disgrace and never dared to return to Eureka again.

If your memory is good enough, you should remember that when Xue Ming was on the same flight as FE204863, he also rescued two young men.

One of them was named Billy, and the other was named Fuyanni; both were newcomers to the Little Brotherhood.

The two adults underwent labor reform and were released early due to good behavior, and came to Eureka Volcano City to make a living.

Introduced by a member of the Fish Head Gang, Billy and Fuyanni arrived at the White Ape Hotel and found jobs as kitchen runners.

"But we can't keep doing this, Billy!" Fuyanni sat in the southwest corner of the cafeteria, earnestly pleading with Billy, "The Little Brotherhood gone! We should seize the opportunity! Join the Mercy of Eros! And continue our glorious cause!"

"Shh!" Billy the Kid covered his best friend's mouth. "You want to die, Fuyanni! The boss ate here yesterday! Are you planning to go back to your old ways today?"

Fuyanni said, looking aggrieved, "But it's so hard to earn money through hard labor! I admit, this place is indeed more lucrative than Clearwater Bay. I can earn seven or eight thousand a month washing dishes on the White Ape, but if you want to be a high-class person, to live a life of luxury and indulgence, this way of making money isn't going to work!"

Billy, with a stern face, took out his phone--

--The phone screen prominently displayed a photo of O'Connor Elizabeth, the wife of the casino tycoon.

"I'm about to hook up with this rich woman! Just be patient a little longer, she's already calling me 'cutie,' we'll be able to meet up soon!"

Fuyanni: "But..."

Billy patiently explained, "There's no 'but' about it! Fuyanni! I once transported H16Ts for the Little Brotherhood! That's a capital offense! If it weren't for the boss showing leniency and taking care of us for helping the gunsmith and Teacher Ke, small fry like us would have been chopped into pieces and turned into pig feed long ago."

Fuyanni: "But this woman is an official of the Mercy of Eros! She's so wicked! So cunning! I don't know how many people she's harmed!"

"So, I, the righteous one, can't just stand by and do nothing! I can't beat her! Of course, I have to change my approach—I have to woo her!" Billy the Kid smugly declared, "I'm not very capable, but I'm quite handsome, and I have a pretty good body! So I'll use love to win her over!"

The gunsmith, carrying two cups of soy milk and a square bag tucked under his arm, came to the two men and sat down.

Billy the Kid and Fuyanni remained silent for a long time, and the atmosphere became subtle and awkward when they saw an old acquaintance.

Jiang Xueming delivered the soy milk, giving one cup to each of the two brothers.

"Say it again, start with that cadre from the Mercy of Eros."