POV : Calgary
Walking back into the casino with a fresh stack of bills in his hands—like a conquering hero returning from battle—he wasted no time going to the cage. With a swift exchange, he turned his cash into chips. “Here we go,” he said. “Time to spin some roulette!”
Roulette was as straightforward as it came, and with $2,000 in his pocket, he felt like a high-rolling genius. Thanks to his luck-boosting probability charm, that ordinarily 50-50 red-or-black gamble had shifted to a comfortable 60-40 in his favor. And honestly, 60% was all he needed.
With a mischievous grin and a determined swagger, he marched toward the roulette table, ready to see if the universe would finally cut him a break.
He walked to the table, ready to place a bet. With what he calculated as a 60% chance of winning—well, technically 58.9% once you factor in the pesky green zero—he had high hopes.
At least he thought it was about 58.9% math wasn’t his strong suit, as evidenced by the fact there was no “Math Genius”, on his character sheet.
Still, he wasn’t about to risk his entire $2,000 on a single spin; 58.9% was far from a guarantee. Besides, in Calgary, the casino limits were modest, as most of the gamblers were passing highway travelers rather than high rollers. So, he cautiously put down $100.
The ball spun for a moment, bouncing around with all the whimsy of a epileptic hamster. “No more bets!” Said the dealer. The little ball ricocheted along the wheel until it finally came to rest. It landed on black—the very color he had bet on.
The dealer announced, “Black!” and slid $100 worth of chips over to Maluck.
His betting strategy was based on some dubious movie advice: “Always bet on black.” It was the kind of advice you might hear in a cheesy B-movie, where the hero defies the odds with a cool smirk and an air of destiny. In reality, it was about as useful as a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest. Nevertheless, Maluck clung to the mantra like it was the ultimate secret to success—even if it was a piece of cinematic nonsense. After all, if you’re going to gamble on luck, you might as well choose the color that sounds mysterious and rebellious: black.
He was ecstatic. “Yes!” he thought. For most people, winning $100 at a casino would be good, but for Maluck, it was a monumental victory. This was the first time he had ever won something at a casino, and the feeling was nothing short of awesome. In his mind, he muttered, “I think I need a little break,” and casually wandered away from the table, basking in his newfound success.
The dealer just stared at him, as if he were witnessing yet another wide-eyed newbie in the casino—a guy whose expression screamed, “I can’t believe this is really happening!”
‘What a cheap-ass noob,’ the dealer thought, rolling his eyes inwardly.
This guy was clearly a rookie who was probably too busy basking in his moment to realize that luck in this place had a funny way of turning on you just when you thought you were untouchable. Especially if he was a cheapskate who didn’t tip.
What the dealer didn’t know was that Maluck wasn’t just a typical newbie, but a man possessing the awesome luck powers of the Bad Luck bracelet.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
***
Maluck clutched his chips, especially the extra $100, and decided to do a quick mental check to see if everything was in order. When he glanced at his stat sheet, he noticed that his Luck Points had dropped—despite it not even being an hour since his last check.
Luck Points: 116
“Ah, so every bet costs me luck points?” he wondered aloud.
[System Response] Yes, Host, every time you have good luck, it chips away at your Luck Points. And since you aren’t racking up any Bad Luck Points, you don’t get any offsetting gains. But don’t worry, you’re doing great—just keep playing smart and you’ll keep building your luck in the right direction.
Maluck’s dream of simply betting on red and black—and never having to work again—came crashing down like he had hit zero /green. “So I should just make massive bets,” he mused optimistically.
[System Response] Making massive bets doesn’t change anything, Host, because the larger the outcome, the more Luck Points you’ll use. But don’t worry, I’m here to help guide you. Every choice you make matters, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time. You’ve got this, and I believe in your ability to use your Luck Points wisely!
Maluck groaned inwardly. ‘Ah,’ he thought, ‘another loophole that I can’t exploit.’ It was as if the universe was teasing him—every time he tried to outsmart fate with a big wager, the cosmic ledger would slap him with a big nope.
Maluck asked, “So, how many spins would I get on $2,100? And do my Luck Points decrease every time I spin, or only when I win?”
[System Response] Every time you use your Probability Charm, it goes down—regardless of whether you win or lose. I know it’s frustrating, Host, but don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re learning, and every step, no matter how small, is progress. Just take a deep breath and remember that patience is part of the journey. You’ve got this.
“That’s not fair,” Maluck grumbled.
[System Response] You’re right. I’m sorry. It isn’t unfair, Host. I understand how it might feel, but remember, this is all part of your growth. Life doesn’t always work the way we want it to, but each challenge helps you become stronger. You’re capable of more than you think. Keep going, and you’ll find your way.
Maluck couldn’t help but let out a sigh. Life, it seemed, demanded a price even for a stroke of luck—and sometimes that price was measured in precious Luck Points.
***
As he thought about his Luck points, he couldn’t help but ask the System, “Is there anything else I can do with my Luck points besides letting them serve as a buffer?” Almost immediately, the System responded:
[System Response] There’s a new System Store open—now that you actually have Luck Points to spend on it, I know it’s been a bit of a journey, but look at how far you’ve come. You’ve earned this opportunity, and I’m here to help you make the most of it. Take your time, explore your options, and remember, you’re always making progress, no matter how small the steps may seem.
“Ooh,” thought Maluck, excitement twinkling in his eyes, as he quickly opened the store interface. The display showcased an enticing selection:
•(100 LP) Lucky 8-Ball – Shakes and predicts the future with 100% accuracy. Usable once a day.
•(150 LP) Rabbit’s Foot of Probability – Holding it makes improbable events almost certain to happen.
•(70 LP) Probability Charm Duration Increase – This allows you to use a Probability Charm without consuming any luck points for one hour.
Refresh choices? (10 LP)
***
Maluck chuckled to himself, marveling at the absurdity and brilliance of it all. Who would have thought that his surplus of Luck points—once just a mere buffer—could be transformed into bizarre, yet potentially game-changing items? It was like stumbling into the cosmic equivalent of a clearance sale at a wizard’s emporium, and he was more than ready to indulge his newfound fortune. Especially that Probability Charm Duration Increase.
“Buy!” Maluck shouted, and in an instant, 70 LP vanished from his stats—leaving him with a lean 46 LP. Now he had exactly one hour to make the most out of it! With a mix of exhilaration and a dash of panic, he pictured all the possibilities that this limited time frame could unlock. Would he use his newly extended Probability Charm to double down on the next big bet, or perhaps lots of smaller bets? Either way, the clock was ticking, and every second was precious. With his heart pounding and a wry grin on his face, Maluck rushed back to the roulette table.