If it were a game like "Quick Knife Finger Stab" that requires long-term practice and might involve life-threatening risks, even with generous rewards, very few people would be interested.
Not everyone is as reckless as Ikishima Midari.
But the game of Landlord is novel and fun, with no life-threatening risks, and can be played with just a deck of poker cards.
Moreover, this gameplay was unheard of before, and everyone knew very little about this game, which means everyone was on the same starting line, and anyone had a chance to win the prize money.
That's two million Japanese yen! Except for the young masters and ladies who had no shortage of living expenses, most students were tempted.
But there was still one problem now—where to find companions to practice Landlord with?
Soon after, a rumor quietly spread.
"Hey, have you heard? The Chemistry Preparation Room in the Club Building is the venue for this year's Dou Di Zhu Competition, and what's more, any player who plays Landlord there can receive ten thousand yen!"
No one knew where the news came from, but it quickly spread through every class group chat.
"Is this real or fake?"
"Ten thousand yen? Even if it's a hundred people, that's a million yen, right? Who would be such a foolish patsy?"
"You're at this school and you still believe in something like money falling from the sky? Don't even think about it, it must be fake!"
Most people didn't believe this rumor and mocked those who did.
"No way, no way, there's no way anyone would actually believe someone would just give you ten thousand yen, right?"
Originally, some people were inclined to believe it, but under the ridicule of others, they also gave up and stopped speaking.
The rumor was unanimously classified as "false" by everyone just before school ended.
After school, students flocked into the Club Building, eager to find a casino that interested them.
Among these people, many unconsciously walked towards the Chemistry Preparation Room.
"Although everyone says it's fake, what if…?"
...
Rewind to a few hours earlier, inside the Chemistry Preparation Room during lunch break.
"Hey, Ayanokoji, are you really going to make me send it out like this?" Togakushi Yukimi asked with some hesitation.
"That's right, just as I told you, inform your friends from the newspaper club. Anyone who comes to our Chemistry Preparation Room to play Landlord will receive ten thousand yen for free." Ayanokoji Kiyotaka nodded seriously.
Indeed, this message was released by Ayanokoji through Togakushi Yukimi's friends.
After all, Togakushi Yukimi was a second-year senior, and it wasn't surprising that she knew some friends from the newspaper club. Their asking price was high; it cost one hundred thousand yen to spread this message.
In fact, they made money by selling various pieces of information. Although one hundred thousand yen was a lot, Ayanokoji believed it was worth the money.
Giving ten thousand yen just for playing Landlord—if a hundred people came, it would be a million; if a thousand people came, it would be ten million… What kind of money-giving child was Ayanokoji Kiyotaka?
Hanatemari Kazura covered her face, and Meari, who was beside her, frowned. They both seemed to feel pained by Ayanokoji's decision.
She was someone who was reluctant to spend even two million, but now Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was giving away so much money for free…
Meari hesitated but still spoke: "Ayanokoji, why don't you reconsider? This money is really…"
Ayanokoji interrupted Meari, his face serious: "Meari, don't say anything more. Trust me, this money is absolutely worth it."
At this moment, Ayanokoji Kiyotaka was like a great philanthropist willing to donate his wealth to charity.
...
Back to the present.
A dozen people, not at the same time, but one after another, arrived at the Chemistry Preparation Room.
"Hello, are you here to play Landlord?"
Greeting them was the bespectacled Togakushi Yukimi. She enthusiastically led several people into the Chemistry Preparation Room: "There are poker cards on the table; you can team up freely. I have the rules for Landlord here, so you can ask me for a copy anytime you need one…"
Everyone looked at each other, and then one person couldn't help but ask: "I heard that you give ten thousand yen for free just for playing Landlord here. Is that true or false?"
"Eh? Who told you this news? We haven't even put up a notice yet?" Togakushi Yukimi asked in surprise.
"You mean, it's true!?" Everyone exchanged glances, excitement evident on their faces.
They had actually stumbled upon a great bargain; this casino really did give out money!
"We are indeed giving out ten thousand yen, but…" Togakushi Yukimi turned to look at Hanatemari Kazura at the counter and called to her.
"Kazura, bring out our vouchers."
Hanatemari Kazura, blushing, walked out from behind the counter, handed a stack of red cards to Togakushi Yukimi, then turned and ran back to the counter, head down as if she didn't want to be seen.
"These are our vouchers. When you settle up at the end, you can use these vouchers to exchange for cash from us." Togakushi Yukimi said while distributing the vouchers.
So they were vouchers… Everyone understood, but they weren't too disappointed.
If it were actual cash, it would be unrealistic. Vouchers had the same purchasing power, so it didn't make much difference.
They lowered their heads to look at the amount on the vouchers.
"Wait, didn't you say ten thousand yen? Why is it one thousand yen?" Someone noticed the discrepancy and quickly asked.
The amount on the voucher was one thousand yen, which didn't match the rumor!
"Oh, it's like this: it is indeed ten thousand yen, but we distribute it over several days. The first day is one thousand yen, the second day two thousand, the third day three thousand, the fourth day four thousand…"
Togakushi Yukimi explained.
"So that's how it is…" Everyone's expressions softened.
The total amount given was ten thousand yen when accumulated, like a game's login bonus. Although not much was given daily, the total remained the same, so it was still acceptable.
"By the way, remember to come every day. If you don't come on the second day, you won't receive the subsequent amounts." Togakushi Yukimi added.
If they missed one day, they wouldn't receive any more?
Everyone frowned slightly, but it was still acceptable.
"All right, go play Landlord. It's a trial operation period now, so no fees are required. You can form teams freely among yourselves."
Not only was there a place to play Landlord, but they could also get a small sum of money. Although not much, this place was indeed good, and the room was very large…
After finding a place to sit down, their first action wasn't to open the poker cards, but to lower their heads and start playing on their phones, sending messages to their friends.
"Hurry up, that rumor is true! You really get money for playing Landlord here!"
Many people had been watching, but upon receiving messages from their friends, they immediately set off for the Chemistry Preparation Room without hesitation.
Some people were clever and, seeing these individuals leave, immediately followed them out.
It didn't take long for the casino to become overcrowded.
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka and Meari were also there. They hid in the adjacent Cooking Room, opening the door halfway to peek out.
Meari said in surprise: "No way, these people actually didn't have any objections and even called their friends over, even though you falsely advertised that the cumulative ten thousand yen would be given out as a login bonus!"
"How did I falsely advertise? I am giving out ten thousand yen; I just omitted some adjectives."
Ayanokoji Kiyotaka slightly raised the corner of his mouth: "Besides… it's hard to say how many people will actually get this money."
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