Leave It All to the Results

Conrad knew he had arrived in this world with nothing, and if he wanted to travel to the ends of the earth, he would need at least a little money.

So he had spent plenty of time studying ways to make cash. The quickest and most carefree method was undoubtedly to take a trip around the casino and walk away with a fortune.

The Marines around him thought he was crazy, while the casino's bodyguards wore mocking smiles.

If someone suddenly claimed he was going to win two billion Beli at a casino, no one would believe he was confident he could pull it off.

"Gambling takes two things: luck and skill." Anthony extended his cigar. A long-legged attendant in a slit skirt lit it for him, and he took a puff before standing up.

"Most importantly, you need capital! What are you going to bet with? Do you even qualify to gamble with me for two billion?"

"Of course I do!" Conrad immediately reached into the inner pocket of his Marine uniform. He still had the five thousand Beli he'd borrowed before boarding. All he needed was a little time, and he could easily build up his stake!

But after feeling around for a while, he patted down the other pockets on his body. They were all empty.

Only then did he remember: the clothes he'd been carrying his money in had been blown away during the fight. This was a new set.

Amid the expectant gazes all around him—everyone thinking he was about to pull out some priceless treasure—Conrad silently turned around.

He walked up to Kujaku, still quiet. "Um... could you lend me a little more? I'll pay you back when I win."

"I didn't bring my purse." Kujaku folded her arms over her ample chest. "Can't you see I'm wearing a dress? Where would I keep a pocket?"

Conrad pointed at the gap between her breasts. "Didn't you keep it there before?"

"I left it on the ship! If you don't believe me, go ahead and look for yourself!" Kujaku thrust out her puffed-up chest.

Out of habit, Conrad tried to study her and see through her. After scrutinizing her shape for quite a while, he suddenly noticed that Kujaku's face had turned as red as a tomato. His own face heated up too, and he realized that his behavior was impolite.

"In public, watch your words and have some shame!"

With that, he turned around. It seemed the effects of the inner demon still lingered, clouding some of his judgment.

Kujaku clenched her teeth and lashed Conrad across the back with her whip.

"Everyone!" Conrad clasped his hands and said, "If anyone brought money, lend me a little. Once I get in there and clean them out, I guarantee everyone a cut!"

Aokiji sat cross-legged on an ice sculpture, scratching his curly hair. All he had on him was enough money for a few bottles of liquor.

"Here." Ain took a roll of Beli from her cloak pocket. It was neither thick nor thin.

Conrad took it at once, about to thank her.

But Ain spoke first. "Thank you for last night."

She bowed slightly, her tone as cool as ever, her rose-red eyes lowered.

Though the Marines thought Conrad's plan was unrealistic, those who had money on them came forward and chipped in a little.

In the end, Conrad had gathered 190,000 Beli. He was only ten thousand times short of two billion.

But when he walked over to Issho with the money, waved at the blind man, and headed for the casino entrance,

Issho somehow got the impression that Conrad was carrying a fortune.

Anthony and the bodyguards at the entrance didn't move aside. They didn't believe Conrad could win, but once he sat down at the table, there was always uncertainty. Until the cards were revealed, anything could happen.

"Gamblers can lose money here and win it back here. If they want to keep playing, they should be allowed to." Conrad stood at the threshold, the golden sign's light shining on his straight figure.

"If you let people lose but not win, then this is a crooked casino. And a crooked casino has no rules, so no one needs to follow any rules."

A bodyguard said, "Leave your weapons behind."

"You're all afraid of me, even though I'm going in alone?" Conrad shook his head and stepped into the hall with his rifle slung across his back.

"Don't worry. I won't let anyone disrupt the casino," Issho said, following him inside. "Not while I still owe gambling debts."

The Marines waited where they were. Aokiji watched Conrad's retreating figure, propped his head on one hand, and said, "What a ridiculous stunt..."

Just then, the Den Den Mushi in his arms rang.

He answered, and his brows furrowed. His already dark face grew even gloomier.

The surveillance Marine on the other end reported that Conrad had killed the king of the Ilusia Kingdom, a king of an Affiliated Nation, and that numerous Mafiosi and residents had witnessed it.

He closed his eyes and thought. Once this news was confirmed and released, the World Government would inevitably have Conrad thrown into prison.

Aokiji came up with a plan: he could use his rank to vouch for Conrad and tamper with the news. But was an unruly ordinary Marine worth doing that for?

"Taking a gamble, are we? Then let's leave it to the results of this gamble." He lay flat on the roof of the ice sculpture, blew a bubble from his nose, and began to snore.

In the casino's central hall, an enormous crystal chandelier glittered overhead, casting its glow across the lavish interior. It was impossible to tell whether it was day or night.

The outer area was dominated by glossy walls in bright, luxurious colors. Sexy hostesses carried champagne on gold-paper trays. The farther inside one went, the more classical the private rooms became, with red and black wood furnishings that lent them an air of age.

This was Conrad's first time in a place like this. The biggest scene he'd ever witnessed before was the three mahjong tables surrounded by the orphanage director and teachers during New Year's celebrations.

Smoke hung in the air along the way. Red-eyed gamblers with dark circles beneath their eyes remained fixed on their cards, wholly indifferent to what was happening outside.

As long as no one rushed in and smashed the tables, the wins and losses at the gambling tables were all that mattered. The gambling table was life itself.

Conrad walked past table after table. He'd only ever seen all the different gambling equipment and giant slot machines and roulette wheels on TV.

Issho followed behind him, with a crowd of casino bodyguards carrying pistols farther back.

Conrad picked his target and finally stopped at a dice table, where players guessed the total. It was the only gambling game he'd ever owned and studied in depth.

He wasn't particularly lucky. Otherwise, he would have been born into a wealthy family. So luck was the last thing he would consider.

He was good at studying technique, throwing dice day and night without stopping.

For a long time, he had even managed to hit the number he wanted with an eighty-percent success rate.

Unfortunately, the house dealer shook the dice in this game, and all Conrad could do was bet on high or low.

"Sir, your chips." A bunny girl brought over a tray. There were seven in all: three worth 50,000 and four worth 10,000. They looked especially lonely on the gold-paper tray.

Conrad scooped them up in one hand and squeezed between the gamblers. Seeing the large crowd behind him, they made room.

He looked at the slick-haired dealer shaking the dice cup. He didn't bet on the first round because he didn't know where the dice had started.

"Miss, could you bring me a glass of milk?" Conrad turned to the bunny girl.

"Certainly, sir. What would you like to drink?"

"I don't drink alcohol, thank you." Conrad shook his head.

He had once tried tasting alcohol, hoping to imitate the carefree swagger of someone downing fine liquor. Unfortunately, he had never once understood what made alcohol taste good.

The milk arrived soon, and the gamblers placed their chips after considering their bets.

The dice cup was lifted. The three dice added up to thirteen: high.

Some wore delighted expressions, others looked despondent. Laughter mingled with blank stares.

Conrad memorized the dice positions. After the dealer had handed out the winnings, he picked up the cup and shook it vigorously.

Conrad watched the dealer's hands, his ears twitching slightly.

The moment the dice cup stopped, he flicked his thumb. A 50,000 chip spun through the air and landed on the number seventeen.

That was right—he was betting on an exact number.