Money
As an artificial island, Asterisk's sole purpose wasn't only for a place for all the Genestellar to study together. Yet, it was a normal thing, right? Since the world was controlled by a business entity, it was impossible to let go of a chance to become rich, so this island also became one of the most popular tourist destinations.
Naturally, tourism wasn't the only thing that flourished on this artificial island.
With how much attention the world had for this island, many businesses flourished, and people kept coming, even if Genestellar was stronger than any of them.
In conclusion, as long as many existed, everything was possible.
The main section of Asterisk is divided into the Central Ward and the Outer Residential Area. The Central Ward is split into two halves, with the Commerce Area on one side and the Administrative Area on the other.
However, there are dangerous areas in the city as well, which is known as Redevelopment Area. In this area, the police department of Asterisk, known as the Stjarnagarm, didn't exist, and everything was ruled by fists.
Yet, even so, many people kept coming to this dangerous place because they knew their means to get money was limited. In the place where the fists ruled everything, those who believed in their strength came and built their own groups to get money.
Building various businesses, "protection money," money laundering, loan sharks, illegal alcohol, etc.
As long as they made money, all of them would do it.
Among them, a casino was the most popular business in this area.
Many people came to bet their money to become rich in a single night in those casinos, including this young woman.
She wore a uniform from the Le Wolf Black Institute, yet she unabashedly unzipped her uniform to almost waist length and revealed her chest in a dark red undergarment inside. Yet, no one dared to leer their eyes on her since her sharp glare and wolfish eyes intimidated anyone who stared at her.
Irene Urzaiz.
She had this dark red, shoulder-length hair, and unusual attire with a long red scarf for the late spring season.
However, except for her sharp glare, her identity was also rather famous since she was the third rank of Le Wolf Black Institute, which gained her an alias of Lamirexia.
Still, her glare was even sharper when she saw the result of her gambling.
Losing. Losing. Losing.
She had been losing several times, and her money was halved to what it used to be.
Now, why did she come to the casino?
Money.
She needed money.
A lot of money!
She needed a lot of money as soon as possible since she knew with an honest job, it would take her at least forty years to pay her debt.
But how could she endure that?
So, she went to the casino to get a big win.
Unfortunately, it seemed that she didn't have talent in this area.
Fortunately, this was a Redevelopment Area, so even if she ran away and ran amok, no one would cause her trouble except for the mafia members who owned the casino.
This place was a gray area, and she didn't need to fear anything, especially with her strength.
Her body was tense, and she was ready to make her escape, but a cheer on the side stopped her.
"Amazing!"
"How much money has he won?!"
"A billion yen? No, it should be more. Ah, this casino will go bankrupt sooner or later."
Her ears twitched, and she could sharply hear the words of money.
'A billion yen?'
She murmured for a moment before she looked at the source of the commotion. However, she couldn't see that source since he was surrounded by many people watching the fun. She clicked her tongue, stood up from her table, and walked toward the crowd before pushing all of them away.
"He-Hey, what are you doing?!"
"Don't push so suddenly!"
"Bastard—"
However, they all stopped and gave her a path when they saw her glare. She snorted and thought that all of them were cowards before she quickly found her target.
"........"
She was stunned in a place since it was her first time seeing someone so handsome.
Even the word beauty could perfectly describe the appearance of this young man.
Yes, a young man.
This was the source of this commotion.
This young man wore a white shirt, black pants, and black leather shoes. Even if his attires were normal, everything became luxurious on his body, and because of this, his noble-like appearance seemed completely unfit in this place which was full of misfits.
His knee-length silver hair was tied in a ponytail, and his golden eyes seemed so sharp, yet the unfortunate thing, he wore a facemask, so no one could fully see his appearance.
Yet, Irene didn't care about that; instead, she was more interested in the gaming chips which had piled up like a mountain by his side. Her mouth was dry, and it was her first time seeing so much money.
'If I have that money...'
She suddenly grinned and then approached the young man with a friendly grin. "Hey, it seems you won a lot." She tapped his shoulder and sat by his side naturally.
The young man didn't even glance at her and just coldly said, "Go away, woman."
"...."
Her lips twitched, and she felt speechless since even if her reputation wasn't good, she was still a beautiful girl, okay?
More importantly, with her attire, shouldn't he leer at her for a moment?
Somehow, she doubted her charm for a moment, but she quickly recovered since the reason why she came to this place wasn't to flirt with him but for business.
"You might have won a lot, but do you think that you can get all of your money easily?
However, he didn't say anything and just quietly won the poker game, which tripled his worth.
"Damn, he has won again!"
"Isn't this casino going to go bankrupt?"
"Win more! Win more!"
While the guests were excited, the staff of the casino gritted their teeth in hate since no one wanted to see someone win big in their casinos.
Irene was stunned for a moment by how easy it was for him to get money, so she didn't give up.
"Look, they won't let you go since you have won a lot of money, but with me, I can help you to get all of your money."
She patted her chest, causing her well-shaped breasts to tremble as if trying to reassure him that he could trust her.
"Who are you?" He asked curtly.
"...."
'Endure... endure... endure...'
She clenched her fists as she took a deep breath before she explained her identity and the reason why she could take him out easily.
"One percent."
"........"
Before she even told her price, he told her that he was going to pay one percent of his reward.
"Impossible!"
She was furious. "How can I just get one percent?! At least you need to give me 50% since I will have to face many dangers!"
How could she only be paid with a measly one percent of the total reward of his gambling?!
However, under her calculation, the number wasn't bad since with him winning three billion yen, then he would get at least 30 million yen.
But if she can get more, then why not, right?
"Goodbye."
He didn't say much nonsense and ignored her.
"....."
Really?
No way?
She tried to talk with him again, but he ignored her, making her grit her teeth in hatred and frustration.
'30 million yen...'
However, suddenly she heard the commotion on the side.
"Damn, he has won again?!"
"Hasn't he won nine billion yen now?"
"Hahaha, this casino has gone bankrupt!"
Everyone was full of laughter and happiness. They might not win, but watching someone slaughter the casino made all of them happy.
However, this made her panic. She gritted her teeth and nodded. "Then, one percent! Give me one percent!"
"It's too late. It is 0.5% now. If you don't want to, then leave."
"Okay! Okay! Give me 0.5% percent!"
She felt her body was weak since she knew that she had lost a lot of money.
'If I agree before...'
She would have 90 million yen!
Unfortunately, she could only get 45 million yen now.
She let out a helpless and regretful sigh, but she moved even closer, pressing her ample chest against his arm as she whispered in her soft and tender voice, which would make all the people who knew her dumbfounded.
"Can you win again?"
This might be her first time seeing him look into her eyes directly, yet she knew she might not forget him for the rest of her life.
"Leave it to me."