God of Gamblers

Ren Yi subconsciously glanced at Dr. Lin, who was currently "playing dead" but clearly had his ears perked up.

Does the casino... not recognize my brother?

His brother's words—"He can stay dead for a hundred years"—instantly echoed in his mind again.

He quickly shook his head to clear the thought.

No, no, he should try his best to make sure that doesn't happen.

Then again, Ren Man looked like the type who lived in seclusion, so it was normal for people not to recognize him.

"My brother is just accompanying me. He's not here to trade or play games," Ren Yi quickly added to smooth things over.

"Why don't you ask Dr. Lin? He didn't exchange any chips either."

The waiter maintained a perfect smile. "As for Mr. Lin, he likely lacks the... material conditions for the time being."

Ren Yi was speechless.

So, Dr. Lin was just a broke ghost?

No wonder he always came over to his house to swipe apples.

"Aren't you going to lend him some? Participants don't have crystals, but you give them chips anyway, don't you?" Ren Yi asked, digging for more information.

Xinglong Entertainment City gave him a strange vibe—a mix of being wide open yet shrouded in secrecy.

But since his brother and Dr. Lin were right there, he chose to skip the pointless search for clues and just ask directly.

"Sir, you've misunderstood," the waiter corrected him. "It's a mortgage."

He led Ren Yi past the exchange machine toward a counter in the back.

A middle-aged man in ancient attire, looking quite pleased with himself, was tossing all his remaining chips into a collection slot.

Ren Yi's gaze traveled down from the man's head to the exposed parts of his body.

Starting from the neck, his flesh gradually became translucent. His bare hands were clear, as if bones were encased in a semi-solid gel, and the sliding of his joints was clearly visible.

As the chips were counted and collected, the man's body began to "fill out" at a visible rate. The eerie gel gradually became opaque, finally returning to the appearance of normal human skin.

The man didn't seem to sense anything unusual. He didn't even look down at himself before turning to walk through a gateway emitting a soft white light, vanishing into it.

The casino's rules stated: "Customers arriving at this entertainment city for the first time via invitation may obtain a certain amount of initial chips through a mortgage upon entry."

The process of Participants exchanging chips involved giving their invitations—the Instance keys—to the machine.

It gave the impression that this was a "promotional event" where new guests were lent chips for free by providing their invitations.

But in reality, what was being mortgaged wasn't the Instance key at all.

It was the Participants "themselves."

A simple play on words.

"They don't know?" Ren Yi looked up at the waiter curiously.

"Sir, actually, whether they know or not isn't important." The waiter smiled and winked. "Even if they knew, they would still come in."

"We've simply omitted certain processes that might make the customers uncomfortable."

Ren Yi fell silent.

Indeed, as long as one played the game, there would inevitably be winners and losers.

Thus, the casino was running a business with zero overhead, yet it could guarantee that at least half of the Participants would never return.

Ren Yi felt like he had learned something new again, following Auntie Lu's Instance.

This Instance design model was quite profitable.

The waiter beside him continued to introduce the place leisurely. "As you can see, our entertainment city has always been fair, just, and honest with all customers."

"We absolutely respect the wishes of both parties in a transaction. The gentleman who just left is proof of that."

Having said that, he shifted the topic back. "I wonder where you plan to go first, sir? Allow me to introduce the layout of the venue."

"The first basement level is the Core Entertainment Area, featuring various games and competitive events."

"However, I must remind you that according to the rules, you cannot participate in entertainment activities, though you may observe. Your brother, however, is free to participate."

"The second basement level consists of the mall and the activity plaza. That is where most of the shops are located, and you can shop and spend there."

"The third basement level is the Free Trade Market. If you'd like to experience the fun of 'bargain hunting,' you can try your luck there."

"The fourth basement level is the Anomaly Mall, which contains official shops covering Instance customization, Anomaly Artifact production, energy crystal exchange, NPC sales, and so on."

"However, it cannot be reached directly by elevator, and Participants are not permitted to enter."

"Further down, from the fifth to the eighteenth floors, is our Hotel Wing. The entertainment city provides free food and lodging for all customers. As long as you wish, you are always welcome to stay here long-term."

So Xinglong Entertainment City was an inverted underground structure.

However, Ren Yi quickly caught the waiter's underlying meaning.

"You plan on following us the whole time?"

"Of course." The waiter nodded slightly. "Our entertainment city provides a one-on-one exclusive guidance service for all new guests."

"I will accompany you throughout, answering your questions and guiding your way, striving to bring you the best consumption and entertainment experience."

Ren Yi looked around and saw many staff members who looked exactly like this waiter, wearing the same uniform and the same rabbit mask.

But they were all at their respective posts; none of them were "following one-on-one" with other customers.

He glanced again at Dr. Lin, who was pretending to admire the scenery, and then turned back to the waiter.

Who are you trying to fool?

Facing Ren Yi's suspicious gaze, the waiter acted like a dead pig that didn't fear boiling water.

"So, which area do you intend to visit first?"

"Personally, I recommend going to the Anomaly Mall on the fourth basement level first. Those are all official shops, so quality is guaranteed."

"Of course, if you prefer a lively atmosphere, we can visit the Free Trade Market on the third floor first. There are often unexpected surprises there."

While the waiter was talking incessantly, Ren Man, who had been as silent as the air, suddenly interrupted him.

"Where is the food?"

Oh, right. The entertainment city was so dazzling that Ren Yi had almost forgotten they had originally come here for lunch.

The waiter's voice stopped abruptly, and he glanced at Dr. Lin again, seemingly unintentionally.

After a moment of silence, he spoke tentatively.

"Sir, customers are not allowed to harm one another within the entertainment city. Please abide by the rules."

Dr. Lin couldn't hold it in any longer. "He means a restaurant! A place to eat! Food that you eat with your mouth!"

The waiter fell silent again before speaking, his tone seemingly a bit firmer.

"No, sir. Even if you eat with your mouth, it is still considered harm..."

Ren Yi felt helpless. If this continued, they were going to be seen as troublemakers.

"Um, my brother means food like steamed lamb, bear paw, and deer tail—that kind of food."

"Ah..." The waiter had a sudden realization and looked somewhat embarrassed. "It was my mistake. I didn't realize your 'hobbies' were so unique."

"As for that kind of 'food,' it is only provided in the second-floor restaurant. However, you may have to eat alongside Participants. I hope you won't mind."

Setting aside why eating had become a "hobby," the group followed the waiter into the elevator and down to the second basement level.

As soon as they pushed open the restaurant doors, a wave of noise hit them.

The place was bustling with people. Human Participants and various Anomalies were crowded together. The clinking of plates and the sound of laughter mixed with the faint aroma of food, creating a scene that was lively in an eerie way.

The most eye-catching spot was a large table in the corner, which was surrounded by a dense crowd.

"Over there is our entertainment city's God of Gamblers," the waiter explained in a low voice.

Ren Yi squinted and peered through the gaps in the crowd to see the person in the seat of honor.

It was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man in casual clothes. His face was flushed red, and he was clearly a bit drunk.

Wait, drunk?

Ren Yi was surprised. "The God of Gamblers is a human?"

The waiter nodded with a smile.

"Yes, and he is a perfectly ordinary human."

"It's just that after this gentleman entered the Instance, he obtained a very interesting talent."

"Luck."