Fallacy of A Fallen World

The dealer smiled at me like I was about to lose. And the worst part was that he was right. In fact, the System told him so.

It didn’t matter that the game was a simple coin toss. Fifty-fifty. The Chance System had already decided on the outcome. It controlled the outcome of your jobs, love life, and any single chance that you would get in this society. 

That was luck to you. I didn’t have any. I had more luck losing than anything. 

The coin spun in the air and landed on heads. A joyous grin crept on the dealer’s face, as he reached out to collect the remaining coins on the small table. 

“I don’t know why you keep wanting to bet like this, kid. Damn well, you may be the unluckiest fellow in the whole country.” The old man chuckled and rummaged through his satchel to pull out a white paper bag. 

Because it was the only thing that I could do to earn extra money. He was the only person that wouldn’t scam me completely after looking at my rank. 

After collecting his win, he set the bag on the table and slid it across, “How’s your little sister? My wife made some food for you all.” 

I smiled kindly and took the paper bag, “She’s still sick. The doctor’s said that she just needs to rest.” That was a lie. The truth was that we didn’t have the money to visit a doctor and the only ones that we could afford did not have high luck outcomes. It was a death sentence if they were to try any risky medicine or procedures. 

I didn’t have enough luck to get a job, and I wasn’t able to get into college either. Hannah was aware of the circumstances, but I was the only person that she could rely on. She didn’t have any relatives that could take care of her. So, I planned to do anything to ensure that she would at least have food on her plate. 

If she ate, that was enough. 

The dealer got up and walked around the table to pat my back, “Kaden, I’m glad that you always come around to give me a routine win, but you should save your money from now on. Come around if you need food, but I won’t be accepting your bets anymore.” With that, a message popped up on the system.

[This player has cancelled {Chance} Invitations from you.] 

[You will no longer be able to engage in games of {Chance} with “The Rice Dealer” - Rank: D]

I wasn’t shocked. It was about time that my luck ran out with him. He was generous, but not a saint. The dealer walked towards the end of the alley and pulled out a cigar from his pocket. He leaned against the wall and motioned me up. 

“I just got registered. I finally found someone that was lucky enough to be able to erase illegal chance invitations from my record.” I stood next to him, a cough escaping my mouth from the smoke fumes. 

The local dealer had taken pity on my situation for a few months. But I knew that it was about time for his willingness to accept invitations to run out. He was one of the few with morals still left around these parts. Well, morals were a loose term in this world. I was able to “work” during the day to get pity money.

I couldn’t help but be concerned, yet happy that he would be able to make money easier, “Don’t tell me you’re going to become a statistical loss for high rankers.” I huffed. 

The dealer smiled, “I’m becoming a scout, if that’s what you mean. Didn’t quite make it as a tank, but it doesn’t mean I can’t work myself up. Plus, my wife wants a kid. We can’t stay in the T-Zone anymore.” 

The T-Zone wasn’t the best area. There were lots of back-alley invitations that happened here that the main associations weren't able to monitor. There were plenty of illegal rifts that opened that the House never monitored. If someone got desperate enough, they’d enter them and never return. 

“Let me know if you need anything. See you around, Kid.” The Dealer waved and disappeared into the main road, his cigar still in hand. 

I sighed. Well, there goes a source of food. I’d have to figure out something later if Hannah and I wanted to make it past next week. Luckily, I happened to know a few more back-alley ways to make money. Sure, they were riskier, but I had no other options. 

I looked up my status on the Chance System. 

[Rankings: F--]

[Luck Level: 0/100] 

[Title: “Luck of the Loser”] 

This world was all about your ability to win. The rich and powerful gained power by their status in the Chance System, which came into the world before I was even born. It was a game of chance that was rigged from birth. And most people would lose before they had the chance to even begin.