The stack of 10,000-yen bills in front of Akira was now thick enough to be a weapon. He had turned his last cent into nearly three million yen. But as he reached to sweep the cash into his bag, a heavy hand slammed onto his shoulder.
"You've got a real lucky streak, kid," a voice rasped. It was the pit boss, a man with a scar running across his nose and a suit that smelled like expensive tobacco. "Too lucky. Nobody wins ten 'High-Low' rounds in a row without a trick."
Two massive guards moved behind Akira, blocking the exit. The other gamblers quickly backed away.
"I just have a good gut feeling," Akira said, his heart hammering. He could feel the golden watch vibrating in his pocket. It was as if the tool was excited by the danger.
[WARNING: AGGRESSIVE TARGETS DETECTED.] [CURRENT SHAMELESS POINTS: 1,150]
"Let's see what's in your gut when we cut it open," the pit boss growled, reaching for a concealed pistol.
CLICK.
The world froze in a flash of gray. [14 Seconds Remaining].
Akira didn't hesitate. He grabbed the pile of cash and stuffed it into his ragged hoodie. Then, he looked at the pit boss. The man was frozen with a sneer on his face, his hand halfway inside his jacket.
If I just run, they'll catch me the moment time restarts, Akira thought. He needed a distraction. He looked at the pit boss's expensive toupee. He snatched it off the man's head and placed it on the bald head of the guard to his left. Then, he tied the shoelaces of the two guards together in a tight double knot.
[05 Seconds Remaining].
He sprinted toward the steel door. He grabbed a bottle of expensive champagne from a frozen waiter's tray and shook it violently before jamming it into the hands of the pit boss, aiming the cork directly at the man's own face.
[01 Second Remaining].
Akira dove through the exit and slammed the door shut just as the color returned.
POP! The sound of the champagne cork exploding was followed by a muffled "MY EYES!" and the heavy THUD of two guards tripping over each other and smashing into a poker table.
[SHAMELESS POINTS EARNED: +400] [REASON: Humiliating high-ranking underworld figures.]
Akira didn't stop running until he reached the bright lights of the main street. He leaned against a wall, gasping for air, clutching the three million yen to his chest. He was no longer the boy who scavenged for egg salad sandwiches.
"I'm rich," he whispered, a hysterical laugh bubbling up. "I'm actually rich."
[NEW QUEST: THE LIFESTYLE UPGRADE.] [Objective: Spend 1,000,000 yen on luxury items to hide your 'Broke' scent.] [Reward: +500 Shameless Points & System Shop Unlocked.]
Akira looked at his torn shoes and smiled. "System, you don't have to tell me twice."