Chapter 66: A Small Profit
It was just past noon, a quieter time compared to the bustling evenings. With the venue being upscale, the dice table Shunsuke had chosen had only a few players.
The dice game was simple: three dice in total. Players could bet on the outcome being "Small" (4–10 points) or "Big" (11–17 points). If all three dice showed the same number, it was called a "Leopard," which was neither "Small" nor "Big."
There were various betting options.
Players could wager on "Big" or "Small," bet on a specific total, predict which numbers from 1 to 6 would appear, or even guess which two numbers would show up.
The riskiest bet was predicting the exact numbers of a "Leopard."
The payouts varied according to probability: betting "Big" or "Small" paid 2x, while a correct "Leopard" bet had a payout of 150x.
The game appeared straightforward and fair, with no tricks beyond the house's commission.
At first glance, everything seemed to depend on "luck."
However, believing it was purely luck was foolish.
Those without the intelligence to understand this weren't meant to hold onto their wealth.
Such fortunes naturally flowed to those who deserved them.
As Shunsuke and Suzuna approached, the dealer, dressed in a white shirt and black vest, had just finished shaking the dice.
He gestured invitingly for them to place their bets.
Shunsuke stepped up to the table. "Za Warudo!"
Time stopped.
Controlling his Stand, Star Platinum, he peeked inside the dice cup.
The numbers were 1, 5, and 6—Big.
As time resumed, Shunsuke handed a black-and-gold chip to Suzuna. "Bet on Big."
Although the odds were low, he needed to avoid drawing too much attention.
Winning excessively could lead the casino to refuse payouts under the pretense of his underage status—a hassle he wanted to avoid from the start.
Suzuna was puzzled. Betting everything so impulsively? But she still placed the chips on "Big."
The dealer scanned the table, then pressed the bell. "No more bets."
"Open," he announced.
As the dealer spoke, Shunsuke once again stopped time. He used Star Platinum to check the dice.
Hmm, no changes.
Time resumed, and the dice cup was uncovered: 1, 5, 6—Big.
Suzuna retrieved two black-and-gold chips.
The dealer covered the dice cup again and pressed a wooden panel at the bottom of the cup three times with his finger.
Guests could hear the rattling sound of the dice inside.
After three presses, the dealer stopped, and from that moment on, he could no longer touch the dice cup until it was uncovered.
With technological advancements, many places no longer relied on manual dice-shaking.
It was too easy for experts to manipulate, and many guests feared being taken advantage of.
However, fully automated systems raised their own concerns, as high-tech setups could be even harder to guard against.
To strike a balance, this venue adopted a method where the dealer didn't touch the dice cup after shaking, but it still required human operation.
Does this system work?
Please, refrain from asking such naive questions. It only makes you look foolish.
When it came time for the next round of betting, Shunsuke stuck to his routine.
He paused time and used Star Platinum to peek inside the dice cup.
This time, the numbers were 1, 2, and 3—Small.
"Bet everything on Small," he said.
Suzuna turned to glance at Shunsuke.
In the end, she stayed silent and placed both chips on Small.
The dealer looked at the two of them, then rang the bell twice. "No more bets."
"Open."
The dice revealed 1, 2, and 3—Small.
Shunsuke's chips doubled again.
A nearby guest gave him a surprised look, while the dealer's gaze grew noticeably deeper.
For most dealers or guests at this venue, losing one or two million wasn't a big deal, especially at poker tables where strategic play could lead to massive pots that multiplied hundreds of times over.
But in a game of dice, a so-called "luck-based" game, it was rare for someone to recklessly bet all their chips—let alone win every single time.
Shunsuke smirked and took a chip from Suzuna's hand, casually twirling it between his fingers.
"What's wrong?" Suzuna asked softly.
"Nothing," Shunsuke replied nonchalantly. "This is our initial investment. We're already in the clear today."
For the third round, the dice revealed 4, 4, and 5—Big.
"All in on Big," Shunsuke said calmly.
Suzuna obediently placed all the chips on Big. A nearby guest hesitated for a moment but eventually placed a million on Big as well. However, others still bet on Small.
Shunsuke gave the hesitant guest a friendly smile.
The dealer, maintaining a neutral expression, slowly scanned the table as if checking for any last-minute bets.
In the distance, a dealer wearing a red long-sleeved jacket gave him the faintest nod.
Receiving the subtle signal, the dealer's right hand naturally drifted downward, pressing an almost imperceptible depression under the table.
The motion was smooth and natural, giving no indication that anything was amiss.
However, under the precision of Star Platinum's A-rank vision, the subtle manipulation was as clear as reading lines on a palm.
Click.
Inside the dice cup, the 5 flipped over, turning into a Leopard of 4s.
In this round, the house would take everything.
The dealer rang the bell twice and announced, "No more bets."
This marked the final chance to place wagers. Once the dealer declared "Open," no further bets could be made.
Shunsuke, already aware of the dealer's tricks, stopped time just as the dealer was midway through speaking.
Using Star Platinum, he peeked inside the dice cup and saw that the result had indeed been manipulated into a Leopard of 4s.
Damn it! Trying to play dirty with me, huh?
Though he had no moral high ground to make such a statement, Shunsuke still felt indignant.
This local casino was utterly disrespectful!
Irritated, he fused Star Platinum's right hand with his own, ensuring it wouldn't be detected by anyone who might have the ability to see Stands.
When time resumed, he casually slid one of his chips across the table.
"Open," the dealer declared.
As the dice cup was uncovered, the chip Shunsuke had thrown grazed the edge of the table, ricocheted off one side, rebounded toward another, and after one final bounce, slowed to a stop—landing squarely on the Leopard of 4s marker.
"???"
The dealer, following his usual routine, lifted the dice cup, only to freeze in disbelief when he saw the result and Shunsuke's wager. His mind went blank, unable to process what had just happened.
"That was amazing! You hit the 150-to-1 payout!"
The guest next to Shunsuke enthusiastically patted him on the shoulder. Even though he himself had lost, witnessing such a spectacle felt entirely worth it.
"Just luck," Shunsuke replied with a smile.
In truth, Shunsuke hadn't planned on going this big.
His original intention was to keep things low-key—make a tidy profit by multiplying his initial funds at the dice table a dozen times, then deliberately lose a round to appear less suspicious.
Afterward, he'd head to the poker tables, play a couple of rounds, skim some winnings from both the house and the other players, and quietly leave. Simple and clean.
By keeping things "low-key" and making only modest profits, Shunsuke intended to avoid being blacklisted by the casino.
This way, he could come back another day and continue his "sustainable fishing" approach without draining the pond too much at once.
But to his surprise, this supposedly high-end casino with a reputation for fairness resorted to cheating by the third round. Seriously? You can't even play fair for this little?
Suzuna, how much did your editor get paid to advertise this place so shamelessly? he thought, feeling both annoyed and amused.
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