Heyyo, Alex here.
Quick update: I'm starting a new writing cycle to help me stay more consistent.
Right now, the priority order is:
Hero × GachaMHA: Bond ResonanceA flexible third project slot — currently Marvel: APEX
The cycle itself is simple:
3 days focused on one novel3 days reset / planning3 days focused on the next novel3 days reset / planning
The goal for each novel block is 2 chapters per cycle, which should help me keep releases moving more consistently.
The current monthly structure is based on priority:
1st priority: 3 chapters minimum2nd priority: 2 chapters minimum3rd priority: 1 chapter or catch-up work where needed
So the minimum going forward is still 6 chapters a month across all novels, with the hope that this new cycle will let me do more than that more consistently.
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After weeks of playing casually on his gambling account, Jun finally hit a lead for a 'physical' place that promised bigger payouts.
He couldn't follow the lead because a 14-year-old was not getting let through.
So Jun spent a good chunk of his savings creating a disguise. Orange wig, spray tan, clip-on piercings, and even a fake tattoo kit.
The biggest part of his plan was actually his dad. Jun was a tall kid, but his dad was taller and definitely had a deeper voice.
So he waited and collected blood from him over time. Sorry Dad, if it works out I'll buy you great gifts for the rest of my life.
He even started asking more about his dad's schedule. When he learned that his dad had a late meeting at the agency, it was the perfect alibi if someone recognized his dad through Jun's disguise.
So that night, under the excuse of going for a night run, he took his supplies to a rented room at a distant hotel, using cash to minimize trails.
Taking one of the three vials of blood he had collected, he held it to the light. Dad bleeds a lot when helping mom cook, if it wasn't for that, I'd be screwed.
He slotted in Toga's orb, along with Biological Blueprint and Empath. Biological Blueprint for helping me with any complications with changing my form, Empath to read anyone who might be suspicious.
Chugging one of the vials, his body changed slowly. Taller, more mature looking. Definitely his dad. It's not perfect, it'll last a few hours thanks to my other two vials.
He stripped down and worked fast. First came the spray tan, then tattoos placed to be barely visible under cuffs and collar.
Then came the clothes, it gave off a gambler's vibe. Sunglasses, jacket that matched the pants, and a white button-up with the top two buttons gone.
Final touches had the wig in place along with his piercings. Taking a medical mask to help him hide facial features until he had no other choice.
Checking himself out in the mirror, Jun whistled. "Damn I did good. With this I look nothing like my dad, just one of the bozos from Vegas."
He exited the room, walking past the bored receptionist who either didn't care about the change or wasn't paying enough attention in the first place.
Outside, he flagged a taxi, giving a nearby address to the gambling den. Here it is, I could practice my English, give myself an American accent.
He looked into his bag, pure stacks of cash he had periodically started taking out from his private account. 100,000 yen should be enough at lower tables. This basically will clean me out if I fail.
He checked his phone one last time before turning it off. The world won't end tonight so this should be fine.
Leaning back, placing the bag on his lap, he watched the scenery change out the window.
Before he knew it, the taxi came to a stop.
He paid his fare, stepping out of the taxi.
Slinging the bag over his shoulder, he scanned the street and then started walking.
Walking down the street before turning into an alley, he spotted a man lounging around while smoking and absorbed in his phone.
Taking out a stack of bills (10,000 yen) as he approached. "Yo, is this place for casuals or for those looking to make cash?"
The man looked up, pocketing his phone. "Who are you, punk?"
Jun smiled, flipping the bills with one hand. "Name's Jasper, I'm not from around here. But I'm itching to gamble and those 'legal' tables don't give me the same kick, you know?~"
The man, obviously a bouncer or spotter, looked him over then to the cash in his hand. "And what makes you think you'll find it here?"
Jun laughed, using the bills to cover his mouth as he did. "My man! Why wouldn't I know?"
Wiping his eye, Jun tossed him the stack. "You can call someone or whoever you need to. Consider this expediting my resume~"
The bouncer caught the bills, counting them as he thumbed through. "Give me a minute."
Jun kept his smile, as he leaned against a wall. "Take all the time you need, I just wanna play, man~"
After setting the bills on his chair, the bouncer took out his phone calling someone, turning away from Jun. "Ay, Boss. We got a new guy here. Wants to play, was very generous with his first impressions."
Jun closed his eyes, smile fading as he turned on Empath. He felt the bouncer's caution but also greed.
After a moment, the bouncer got off the call. "Alright man, you got the ok. But we'll be watching you."
Jun opened his eyes, his smile returning. "It's fine, it's fine. Like I said, I wanna play for the kicks."
Stepping towards a door, the bouncer let out a series of knocks as a cover on the door slid open. "Let this guy through. But tell the boys to watch him, he's new."
Jun leaned forward. "Guys aren't really my type, I'd rather have some watchers of the woman kind."
The bouncer's eye twitched, stepping out of the way as the door opened. "Well that's too bad, punk."
Jun chuckled as he walked, giving a nod to the man who had opened the door. "Evening, dude. You guys use straight cash or you got chips?"
The man nodded his head behind him to a counter that had an iron wire window and a cubby exchange.
"Ooh~ fancy. Iron wire? Not bulletproof glass?" He stepped towards the window where a woman waited.
She gave him a polite smile. "You're quite loud, are you compensating for something handsome?"
Jun laughed as he opened his bag. "Compensating?"
He dumped 90,000 yen into the cubby. "Maybe a little, I only came with chump change today."
The woman's brow raised as she changed the cubby to her side. "90k? That is chump change."
"Why do you think I'm here? The greatest kick is to turn chump change into real change."
She looked unimpressed but her emotions were different as she started prepping chips. "Nine 10k chips?"
"Give me 20, 1k chips, the rest can be 10k chips."
She nodded and started placing the chips into the cubby. "A word of advice? Play at the tables near the entrance, they're small fish, same pond for you, chump change."
The cubby changed sides allowing Jun to grab his chips. "I'll be changing that nickname by midnight~"
He winked as he turned towards the larger room, taking in the dozen or so games in motion. Time to make dough~
Stepping into the pit, Jun played multiple games, losing when winning too much, but winning big when he could.
His confidence seemed to piss off his competition or fellow gamblers even when he had already folded or stepped back during a round.
When he took his first break to reapply his disguise he took a shot of liquor that burned going down. He got smug looks after coughing violently.
As he got higher winnings, he went to the bigger tables oozing confidence, betting big and losing. Afterwards he played smarter and smaller, winning more often than not.
When he approached the window at midnight, he had already taken his last vial for the disguise, dumping the chips into the cubby. "Am I still chump change?"
The cubby switched sides as the woman looked up with a bored expression."Just a little, anything under a million is small around here."
Jun laughed. "I'll remember that for next time, might be a few weeks but you'll see me again~"
The woman rolled her eyes as she switched the cubby again. "Guys like you always come back, sweetie."
He started packing the cash into his bag.
"Of course, I haven't won big yet."
She rolled her eyes, dismissing him with a wave which only made him chuckle.
When he reached the exit, the door opened and he came face to face with a man with an odd scar on his forehead. "O-oh, sorry man!"
Jun stepped out of the way, patting him on the shoulder. "No problem, guy. Win big, alright?"
The guy laughed, stepping further into the den. "I'll try, this place likes to clean me out."
Jun returned the laugh, stepping out of the building. Now to get home.