Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Casino (2)
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We were momentarily speechless at the unbelievable sight unfolding beyond the door.
A ultra-luxurious casino in a rundown old building's second floor, no less.
The space on the other side of the door was even larger than the building had appeared from outside.
'At least Grade 3, maybe higher Monster.'
I wasn't the only one who sensed it—my teammates did too.
"Team Leader, this is..."
"Let's fall back for now. We've already confirmed there's a Monster here—"
Park Cheolwoo made a quick call.
Just as we turned to head back through the iron door we'd come in, following his orders—
BAM!
Clunk.
A massive boom echoed as the iron door slammed shut on its own, followed by the dull sound of a lock engaging that reverberated down the hall.
I reflexively grabbed the handle and twisted, but it only bent uselessly.
Trying to force it open now would probably just rip off the mangled handle.
"...What do we do?"
"Damn it... We're trapped!"
Han Sora cried out.
We were stuck inside this bizarre casino with no way out.
We could try damaging the door further, but...
"...Let's move forward for now. It doesn't feel hostile toward us."
Seo Ji-hyun said calmly, scanning our surroundings.
Just as she said, no one was paying us any attention.
Even with the huge noise from the door slamming, they were too focused on the cards and chips right in front of them to care.
"...Let's go."
No choice.
We cautiously stepped deeper into the casino.
Gleaming chandeliers, endless rows of slot machines and gaming tables, and throngs of people milling about between them.
Their clothes and speech were utterly ordinary, and their immersion in gambling looked no different from any casino patrons.
I'd never been to one, but this had to be the vibe.
'Not Monsters. Real people?'
I checked my mental map.
No red dots.
The gambling games themselves were proceeding normally too.
This strange space was filled not with Monsters, but with people lost in their bets.
As we exchanged bewildered glances amid this anomaly, a man in a crisp dealer's uniform—clearly an employee—approached us with a gentle smile.
"New faces, I see. Welcome to our casino. Would it be alright if I briefed you on a few simple rules?"
He bowed politely and handed us a thin booklet.
[User Rules]
1. All guests must participate in at least 10 games upon entry. After 10 games, you may leave at any time, win or lose.
1-1. Upon exit, we provide a 'Re-entry Ticket' for your next enjoyable visit.
2. Violence, theft, property damage, or any acts harming others are strictly prohibited within the casino.
2-1. Violations will be handled according to the casino's own 'Punishment' regulations.
3. All games are conducted fairly; cheating of any kind is not tolerated.
3-1. Detected cheating results in 'Punishment,' and all earned chips are confiscated.
Park Cheolwoo took it as our representative and flipped to the first page.
"Ten games and we're out? Simpler than expected?"
Han Sora said, surprised. Park Cheolwoo and Seo Ji-hyun tilted their heads too.
The rules seemed too ordinary, which only heightened my sense of unease.
No violence or cheating.
Obviously prohibited.
The most suspicious part was just those two words: Punishment.
What kind of penalty, exactly?
"Team Leader. There's more text below."
"...You're right. But it's hard to read..."
Seo Ji-hyun and Park Cheolwoo frowned at the bottom of the guide.
Scrawled there in messy handwriting like a child's was something more.
Han Sora and Park Cheolwoo squinted too but shook their heads.
But not for me.
The text was crystal clear to my eyes.
4. Exiting without exchanging all held chips may result in automatic resummons to the casino after a certain time.
5. If chips run out during a game, guests are automatically transferred to the Pawnshop. There, you may pawn possessions, body parts, or something special for additional chips. Loan limits and pawn values are at the Pawnshop owner's discretion.
"...!"
I swallowed hard.
These were just as crucial as the first three.
Fail to cash out all chips? Forced respawn.
Chips depleted? Pawn your body at the shop.
The intent was sinister.
Typical Monster.
The employee still watched us with that soft smile.
"If I may ask, how did you end up working in a place like this? It doesn't seem... normal. Do you know this place is tied to Monsters?"
At Park Cheolwoo's question, the man's gentle smile flickered faintly.
He stared into space for a moment, then replied in a resigned tone.
"...I know. I came as a guest, just like you at first. But I ran out of chips mid-game... and ended up pawning my 'time' at the Pawnshop for more. One condition of that contract was working here. Now all my remaining time belongs to this casino."
"...I see..."
"I'm better off, though. The ones working deeper inside— Ah, never mind. Forget I said that."
His voice was calm, but laced with profound despair.
Selling time to work here. The rules were more brutal than imagined.
"To play your 10 games, you'll need chips first. Head to the Pawnshop over there and pawn something you have."
The employee pointed to a corner of the lobby, a notably dark and ominous area.
Even indoors, a sign reading "Pawnshop" hung there.
He bowed again.
"Wishing you an enjoyable time."
Then he vanished into the casino crowd.
"...Selling time?"
Han Sora muttered in disbelief.
"Seems they exchange a wider variety of things for chips than expected."
Seo Ji-hyun said coolly.
"But what do we pawn? All we have is basic gear and items..."
Park Cheolwoo looked troubled.
As we hesitated over what to offer, I stepped up first.
"I'll go check it out. See what they value and the vibe."
I left my teammates and headed to the Pawnshop the employee had indicated.
It was a dingy, gloomy space detached from the casino's glamour.
Stepping inside, a single dim light illuminated the dark room.
A massive iron shutter blocked the front.
From a small hole at the shutter's base protruded a huge, pitch-black hand that was unmistakably not human.
It resembled a giant spider's leg or a withered tree root—grotesque.
'Monster.'
The first one I'd seen since entering.
Tap tap.
The hand twitched impatiently, as if demanding I hurry up and offer something.
I swallowed dryly, drew the Returning Sword from its sheath at my waist, and placed it on the hand.
The massive hand slithered over the sword, then shortly pushed a small leather pouch onto the counter.
Thud.
It was hefty.
Inside gleamed a pile of chips.
Enough for all four of us to play 10 games each with plenty left over.
'Chips won't be an issue.'
As I reached for the pouch in relief— A single black cat hair Leo had rubbed onto my suit jacket that morning fluttered from my wrist onto the counter.
In that instant, the hand behind the shutter snatched it like lightning.
Snap!
"...!"
I froze in shock.
For a second, I nearly swung the empty sheath.
The hand retreated into the shutter, then shoved out another pouch—far larger and heavier.
"...What?"
Dumbfounded, I alternated glances between the two pouches.
A single cat hair from Leo had been valued far higher than the Returning Sword.
What was going on?
Did the ever-regenerating sword get lowballed?
Shaking off my confusion, I grabbed the two bulging pouches and returned to the team.
They gawked at the massive pile of chips when I opened one.
"H-How did you get all this...?"
"...Long story, but anyway..."
I divvied up the chips evenly and pointed to the convenience store.
"Anyone been in there?"
"Why the convenience store...?"
"Need those tumblers..."
I thanked Leo silently, brushing off every black hair from my suit for chips.
Thus loaded with excessively plump pouches, we ventured deeper into the casino.