Dice In The Darkness: Cthulhu Calls

Chapter 218: Entering the Underground Casino

Juri Sonoda gazed at Liu Xing with a cute and doubtful expression and said, "So, does that mean you're also a Ghoul?"

Liu Xing was taken aback by Juri Sonoda's wandering thoughts, as she began to suspect that he was a Ghoul himself.

Wanting to play along, Liu Xing smirked and replied, "Since you've found out, I don't have much to hide. I'm actually a Ghoul too."

However, Juri Sonoda chuckled and patted Liu Xing's shoulder, saying, "Liu Xing, your acting skills aren't that great. It's clear you're trying to deceive me."

Liu Xing looked at Juri Sonoda with embarrassment and sighed, "Seriously? Are my acting skills that bad? I thought I had some serious talent. I could probably be a Hollywood actor."

Juri Sonoda wagged her finger and told Liu Xing, "Liu Xing, don't forget my professionI'm a journalist. I often go undercover in various places to gather information. So, I frequently use various disguises and play different roles. My acting skills are beyond your imagination."

Upon hearing Juri Sonoda's explanation, Liu Xing nodded in agreement. It made sense that someone like her, who sought out big news stories, would go to great lengths to infiltrate enemy territory and gather first-hand information. Therefore, her acting skills were undoubtedly top-notch.

"By the way, when we enter the Dark Willow Gang's Underground Casino, call me Miss Tanaka, and your identity will be my bodyguard. Do you understand?" Juri Sonoda instructed.

Liu Xing nodded, as he had already anticipated that Juri Sonoda couldn't enter the Dark Willow Gang's Underground Casino under her real identity. After all, Dark Willow Gang was no fool; they wouldn't allow a journalist to infiltrate their underground operations.

Juri Sonoda then took various cosmetics from her bag and began to apply them to her face. Quickly, her appearance underwent a transformation, and Liu Xing could barely recognize her. He couldn't help but marvel at the effectiveness of the Island Nation makeup art, one of the four great dark arts in Asia.

"By the way, Liu Xing, your acting skills could use some improvement. So, I must teach you how to play the role of a bodyguard properly," Juri Sonoda said earnestly.

Liu Xing had initially considered refusing, but since they had more than an hour left before reaching the Dark Willow Gang's Underground Casino, he decided that listening to Juri Sonoda's advice to pass the time was a reasonable choice. After all, if Cthulhu Mythos knowledge could be improved through oral checks, then it was possible that other skill values could also be increased in the same way.

With Liu Xing's silent consent, Juri Sonoda began imparting her "performance" experience. However, she turned the conversation towards makeup techniques, deviating from the original topic.

As Liu Xing had anticipated, when he parked the car in the sewer area parking lot, KP Li Shunchan, the Game Master, stepped in.

"Alright, since player Liu Xing accepted an oral check from NPC Juri Sonoda and gained the Disguise skill, after the disguise check, the player will be able to alter their identity and appearance. However, the specific value of the disguise check will be greatly influenced by the performance during the infiltration of the Dark Willow Gang's Underground Casino. The disguise value provided by this oral check will be determined by the performance of player Liu Xing and NPC Juri Sonoda during the infiltration," KP Li Shunchan explained with a smile.

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but ask KP Li Shunchan, "KP, I have a question. Is NPC's oral check different from a player's oral check?"

KP Li Shunchan confirmed, "Yes, of course. Player's oral checks have certain limitations; they can only teach skills and Cthulhu Mythos knowledge that can be verbally transmitted to other players. However, NPC's oral checks are different. NPCs can basically teach all the skills they possess to players and guarantee a 100% success rate for the oral check. However, the player's specific skill value will be determined through a small mission. For example, now that Juri Sonoda has imparted the Disguise skill to you, your performance during the upcoming infiltration will affect the final skill value. In theory, the skill value can reach a maximum of 50."

Liu Xing nodded thoughtfully. It seemed that he would have to seek advice from these NPCs in the future, as this method of gaining skill values was much more substantial than Interlude Growth.

"Alright, Liu Xing, just as I said earlier, get into character quickly. The Dark Willow Gang's Underground Casino is right below this parking lot. After you're prepared, we'll proceed," Juri Sonoda said seriously.

Liu Xing took a deep breath and nodded, readying himself mentally.

The elevator stopped and opened, revealing the true appearance of the Dark Willow Gang's Underground Casino to Liu Xing.

The Dark Willow Gang's Underground Casino was circular, with a floor space roughly the size of two standard soccer fields. The interior decoration closely resembled the Las Vegas casinos Liu Xing had seen on TV, with various gambling tables scattered around.

Even though it was only around 1 o'clock in the afternoon, there were already many gamblers inside the Underground casino. Most of the gambling tables were surrounded by three or four players, and Liu Xing could tell from their attire that they were either wealthy or influential individuals.

At that moment, a waiter from the Underground casino approached Juri Sonoda, who was standing in front, and asked, "Miss, you seem unfamiliar. Is this your first time at our casino? May I ask if you have an invitation?"

Juri Sonoda nodded and gracefully retrieved an invitation from her bag, handing it to the waiter. Liu Xing couldn't help but admire Juri Sonoda's acting skills.

After inspecting Juri Sonoda's invitation, the waiter respectfully said, "Miss Tanaka, your invitation is in order. I will now exchange your invitation for two smartwatches. This way, both you and the gentleman behind you can enter our casino for gaming. If you or the gentleman need anything, you can use these smartwatches to contact us, and we will be at your service."

The waiter collected Juri Sonoda's invitation and brought two smartwatches from the reception desk, handing one to Liu Xing and one to Juri Sonoda.

Liu Xing examined the smartwatch and discovered that it had only two functions: calling for assistance and proving one's identity as a regular member of the Dark Willow Gang's Underground casino.

"We have two types of memberships in our casino. The first type is for regular members who have just entered our casino and can only play in the main hall on the first floor. The second type is for VIP members. By exchanging a total of one million yen worth of tokens at once or accumulating two million yen worth of tokens within a month, regular members can become VIP members. However, if you choose the first method to become a VIP member, the one million yen worth of tokens will be locked for a month, during which you cannot withdraw them. You must also spend over 500,000 yen within the same month to maintain your VIP status. However, if you win any rewards with the one million yen worth of tokens, you can still withdraw them in full," the waiter explained in detail to Liu Xing and Juri Sonoda.

Juri Sonoda nodded and handed over a bank card, saying, "Just exchange one million yen worth of tokens for me and one hundred thousand yen worth of tokens for my bodyguard."

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow, surprised by Juri Sonoda's generosity. It was worth noting that, in 2015, the exchange rate for yen to RMB was approximately 1:19, making one million yen equivalent to over 50,000 RMB. In a small city like Ziwu City, the average monthly income for ordinary people was only around 200,000 yen. Liu Xing didn't expect Juri Sonoda to be willing to invest several months' worth of her income into this operation.

"I understand, Miss Tanaka," the waiter said respectfully, taking the bank card and, after a brief exchange with the reception desk, gesturing for Juri Sonoda to enter her password.

After entering the password, Liu Xing moved forward to collect the token box and followed Juri Sonoda into the lobby of the Dark Willow Gang's Underground casino.

As they entered through the lobby entrance, Liu Xing heard a beep from the smartwatch on his wrist, realizing it was another security measure employed by the Dark Willow Gang.

"All right, Liu Xing, let's start by having a drink and then get into some gambling," Juri Sonoda said, leading Liu Xing to the bar in one corner of the main hall.

Liu Xing had to admit that the Dark Willow Gang's Underground casino had impressive amenities. The bar not only provided various beverages and alcoholic drinks for free but also offered a wide selection of snacks and even a takeaway service.

Juri Sonoda casually ordered two drinks and then found a secluded spot away from the crowd for herself and Liu Xing to sit.

"Liu Xing, please don't spend that one hundred thousand yen worth of tokens, okay? If you want to use them, transfer the money to me when we leave. This is my monthly living expenses," Juri Sonoda said, looking concerned.

Liu Xing raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "I thought Miss Tanaka was so generous that she was willing to buy tokens for me. Little did I know... I'm truly exhausted."

Juri Sonoda glared at Liu Xing with a hint of annoyance and said, "I would love to treat you, but my monthly salary is only around 300,000 yen. You should also know that, while our income is high in Island Nation, so are our expenses. Besides, I have a younger sister to support. If it weren't for the 5 million yen reward for exposing the Dark Willow Gang, I wouldn't have been willing to invest one million yen like this. It's my dowry, after all."

Hearing this, Liu Xing was curious and asked, "What? There's a 5 million yen reward for exposing the Dark Willow Gang?!"

Juri Sonoda nodded, took out her phone, tapped a few times, and handed it to Liu Xing.

On the phone was a news article from the previous month. The gist of the article was that the Ziwu City police had decided to crack down on the city's security issues. Citizens of Ziwu City who could provide valuable information would receive rewards based on the value of their tips. The highest category of rewards was 5 million yen, and the target was undoubtedly the Dark Willow Gang.

Liu Xing nodded and returned the phone to Juri Sonoda, smiling as he asked, "I see. So what's our plan now?"

Juri Sonoda pointed upstairs and said, "That's the second floor of the Underground casino. In addition to VIP rooms, there are also many offices for high-ranking Dark Willow Gang members. I'll try to access those offices later to see if I can find any useful information. Liu Xing, you can enjoy yourself on the first floor for now. Try to locate the entrance you mentioned for the third level. But remember, be cautious no matter what you do. This is, after all, Dark Willow Gang's territory."

With that, Juri Sonoda got up and headed towards the staircase leading to the second floor. After showing her smartwatch to the guards at the entrance, she ascended to the second floor of the Dark Willow Gang's Underground casino.

Meanwhile, Liu Xing sipped his drink and observed the surroundings.

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