The slot machines were just like regular ones, but with two sets of reels on the left the right mark “Player” and “Luck”, and a long handle on its right with black knob that could be pulled. However, in front of the machine was a large dance floor-like apparatus that reminded Cee of what they called a rhythm game. It had no slot that could dispense coins, but a large screen that kept alternating with instructions to explain how to play. Since this was her first time, Cee looked at the panel as it explained how to operate the slots.

[ Please state the name of the skill, skill level, and the number of lines you wish to activate. Number of lines may not fall short of skill Level. Maximum 7 slots available. ]

“What does it mean by amount?” Cee asked.

“Well, unlike Jinxes you can challenge a machine more than one time at once.” Fi smiled. “Think of it like a normal slot that costs a penny but you bet on how many lines you’re using, you end up playing the multiplier for a full hand, but there’s a better chance of hitting a double or even quintuple.”

“We could try a regular table challenge, but those have their own risks involved.” Chance said. “At least with the machines, you’ll get a better chance of figuring out our skills if we play the slots given or limited resources.”

“Since it’s your first time, you might wanna try your weakest skill first and work your way up.”

“Okay...how about Slip, Level One, Five Slots, that’s five lines, right.” She said before pulling the lever.

[ Activating Slip (Lv. 1), 5 Slot Challenge. ]

As five slots on each reel began to turn, she noticed that inert time was not activated. This was like a real event, this machine did not activate inert time, she simply watched as one of the reels started spinning with pictures of a full deck of cards randomly rolling in front of her eyes. It clicked with a loud stop as a random card, revealing the result.

Player:

[ 2 of Hearts ], [ 6 of Hearts ], [ 7 of Diamonds ],

[ 4 of Spades ], [ Ace of Diamonds ]

Luck:

[ Ace of Hearts ], [ 2 of Spades ], [ 9 of Hearts ],

[ 5 of Spades ], [ 6 of Spades ]

[ Ace High, 9 BEATS Ace High, 7 ]

[ You have lost -10 Karma Points. ]

“Wow, I can see what you meant by this wastes a lot of time and resources.” Cee said. “You just pull the level and stand her waiting for the results.”

“Just keep pulling that lever until something happens.” Fi said. “Look bunny boy has already got a head start.”

Chance was already on his third pull and both times have been unsuccessful on this one.

[ Flush BEATS Ace High ]

[ You win +18 KP ]

“Yes!” He stepped back and extended his leg in a kicking motion. Thrice he hit the machine with his powerful leg legs, but it was blocked by a shield of invisible light. When he was done, she gave out a cry of victory before trying pulling the lever again.

“He’s only playing with three slots?” Cee noticed that was the number of reels he was spinning.

“Well statically the odds of getting a flush or straight flush are higher with three lines activated, that’s why most players train here around Level Three.” Fi said, shaking her head. “It’s a risk because if the machine gets the same hands you end up paying the same results. Still, you got some resources to burn. Why don’t you try the same tactic and work your way up.”

“Are the odds about the same as fighting a Jinx?”

“I guess we’ll find out, but we should have this area practically all to ourselves so there’ll be some time to practice. Don’t be afraid to ask me if you have any questions, I’ll be playing close by.”

As Fi playfully skipped to a nearby machine, she began another round on her own, this time with a slight adjustment.

“Slip, Level One, Three Slots.”

Three reels began spinning against each other, but this time she closed her eyes and focused on the result more than the reels that played out. In a way it was like practice so when she was trying to focus here in inert time.

[ Three 4s BEATS 5 High. ]

[ You lose -6 Karma Points. ]

[ Straight BEATS Three 10s. ]

[ You lose -12 Karma Points. ]

[ Pair of 7s BEATS 8 High. ]

[ You lose -6 Karma Points. ]

Time seems to pass by quickly as the results keep coming. Cee had never been to a casino but she imagined it was the feeling that gamblers get when they are simply waiting around hoping to hit the jackpot. A strange combination of fear and anticipation, but with the hope that the next pull would change the tide. By the 8th use of the machine, she had lost an additional 6 Karma Points and won 3 with no Karma lost. That is when the special window appeared before her eyes separate from the machines she had seen before.

[ Activating Crazy 8 (Lv. 8) ]

[ Activation has FAILED. ]

“Ah, come on!” She heard Chance calling out from his machine.

“What’s happened bunny boy?” Fi said turned her attention to her friend. “Why are you so hopping mad?”

“My stupid skill worked, but then it didn’t?”

“Come again?”

“The window said it activated but ended up saying it failed at the attempt.”

“Interesting.” Fi said.

“Wait, the same thing happened to me just now.” Cee chimed in.

“Double Effective!” Fi’s eyes lit up like sparkling globes. “Do you all realize what this means? The skills we have are not guaranteed to activate if we meet the requirements. I don't have all the numbers yet, but right now I’d guess it’s a fifty-fifty chance of success.” She returned to her machine with renewed energy eager to get restarted. “Everyone gets revved, we gotta take count of everything.”

Everyone began turning their knobs with renewed zeal, with everyone taking notes in their mind as they waited for their results. Chance used 7 more attempts until his LP count was down to 1 again. Fi was still going strong even after losing most of her resources, but a Lucky Straight Flush had gained her an extra 11 Luck Points to try again. On her third attempt at Activating her skill, Cee saw a change in her skill status.

[ Activating Crazy 8 (Lv. 8) ]

[ Activation is SUCCESSFUL! ]

[ Slip has been Upgraded to Lv. 2. ]

“My skill has upgraded!” Cee shouted with glee.

“Seriously?” Chance said. “How did...”

“Keep going, I’ll be done in a few minutes.” Fi said.

Chance watched as the two players continued to practice their skills, as if hypnotized by the rhythm of their machine’s reels. Cee could feel the rush of her braining from the excitement of winning, her every fiber of virtual body coming alive as if she had done this action in inert time. At her 32 try another failure came from her skill, but Fi had managed to achieve success.

[ Activating Easy 8 (Lv. 8) ]

[ Activation is SUCCESSFUL! ]

[ Dance has been Upgraded to Lv. 3. ]

Fi did not reply, or get excited, she simply took a mental note and continued to dance around her slot machine as if nothing had happened. Trapped in this state, she not longer resembled the carefree player but a determined one ready to face this challenge with fervent determination. At the 40th Attempt, Cee achieved another successful activation.

[ Slip has been Upgraded to Lv. 3. ]

By the 48 attempt, both Fi and Chance were standing next to Fi watching her using her slip skills which appeared to resemble a slide dancing on the square floor. Her attempt had once again been successful.

[ Slip has been Upgraded to Lv. 4. ]

Still, with plenty of KP and LP remaining Cee switched gears from 3 lines to 4 lines, and continued to play the slots. The losses were harder as she found one when lost 10 KP on a Pair of 9s and 30 KP on Straight against the machine, but at the 56th attempt something happened that changed everyone’s definition on why this was called a crazy 8 skill. It not only affected Cee, but the other 8 skill holders as well.

[ Activating Easy 8 (Lv. 8) ]

[ Activation is SUPER SUCCESSFUL! ]

[ Slip has advance to Side Step Lv. 5. ]

[ Dance has been Upgraded to Lv. 4. ]

[ Kick has been Upgraded to Lv. 3 ]

Everyone immediately stopped in their tracks upon realizing what just transpired.

“Did we use our skills just now?” Chance asked in debrief.

“This is incredible, this totally changes everything. Apparently, there’s a super effect involved.” Fi said with her eyes beaming in every direction writing invisible numbers in the air. “I wonder if the same odds will apply to our skills as well and exactly what does a super effect entitle?”

“It’s supposed to be a fighting skill, but what does it sound like I just learned a new dance skill?” Cee said examining her new skill upgrade.

“It’s because of the synergy.” Chance said. “You can earn a lot of skills, but the system supposedly tweaks each skill to corporate with your highest skill levels so it’s easier to create combination techniques.”

“I wonder if this affects those in the immediate area or does or does it only affect people in our current party?”

“Either way, it looks like we’ll be sticking with you for a while frog legs. I better see if I can find Midnight to hook us up with some more complimentary drinks. Looks like we'll be here for a while.” As Chance walked off, Fi over her shoulder, an encouraging angel, a coach willing to support her if only with words.

“If you really are a Luck Star, let’s see how much further you can fly.” Fi said, cheering a cheerleader's cry. “Full throttle!”

The excitement was welling up inside Cee, but with the machine in front of her she decided to keep playing the event as the odds stacked higher with each level she achieved. By the 64th attempt she was down 70 KP, but managed to gain another super effective strike.

[ Side Step has Upgraded to Lv. 6. ]

[ Dance has advance to Vogue Lv. 5. ]

[ Kick has been Upgraded to Lv. 4 ]

By the 72nd attempt she had lost 44 KP but gained a 110. The bigger the risks, the higher that reward she could see why this rush was so addictive. The activation of her skill had failed this time, but she was determined to continue with Fi by her side shout, while Chance was sat close beside them enjoying the evening drinks, provided by the courteous staff. Down 88, but up 110, the 88th attempt yielded another unusual result. It was a regular success like the, but a new window appeared that Cee read out-loud for all to hear.

[ Side step has Upgrade to Lv. 7. ]

[ Skill has reach Level 8 potential. ]

“Potential?” Fi asked. “Normally, it says you’ve reached maximum potential, but this?”

She was almost going into a seizure at this new mathematical probability, even Chance had to find out more as he approached Cee’s left shoulder.

“Now might be a good time to stop.” Chance said, holding her shoulder. “At this point, players usually only do it to upgrade another skill or risk more resources, but the costs become higher. You risk over thirteen times to lose, not only are you risking what you have, but you could go further in the red.”

“I say go for it.” Fi said. “We’re already in the red, so what do you have to lose? Besides, if my theory is correct, the same theory is correct. It might open the door for all of us to unlock a level 8 skill potential.”

Cee didn't know who’s advice to take, the risky venture of the cautious trail, but she remembered the words of Benjii when she was lost in inert time not so long ago. It was during her discussion in inert time, when Benjii had mentioned something that she thought was significant until now.

“Are you willing to go all in, or are you going to let fear hold you back for the great reward?”

That in mind, she continued to play the slots. Attempt 89, a whopping loss of all her KP and 4 LP, but still she continued. Attempted 90 a minor loss of 3 LP, followed by a gain of 6 LP. Attempt 92, a win, no loss of LP, followed by two more loses and another win. The 96th attempt was a loss, but everyone waited with eager anticipation on what the final results would be, a failure of success...