Chapter Four: Whose Luck Did You Steal?

Why are strangers paying?” “Prove causation.” “Right now.” Lin programmed a coin to guarantee that his next toss landed heads, then restricted every possible counter-loss to himself. The coin flew—and landed upright in a crack. [No third party available for involuntary transfer. Guaranteed success suspended.] On his second attempt, Lin declared a personal cost: if it landed heads, he would permanently lose fine control of his left little finger. Heads. His finger stiffened. Luck Coin jumped from one yuan to 9.6 million. “The rule permits luck,” Lin said through the pain, “but recognizes only informed, voluntary, equivalent sacrifice. Obsidian's risk pool is void.”