Gambling (1)
After returning to my daily routine, I headed into Babel to clear the 27th floor.
Thankfully, starting from the 27th floor, the orcs didn't come at me with guns.
That didn't mean I could let my guard down, though. These bastards were around 3 meters tall, swinging massive hammers bigger than I was.
'Gonna turn into orc flatbread.'
Dodging was the only option—blocking was impossible—so I'd evade as best I could or thrust before their attacks landed, toppling them over.
My Double Slash trait shone here, slicing through their thick hides like butter.
'Am I getting the hang of it? Why does this feel so easy?'
The orcs on the 26th floor were puny and straightforward compared to these brutes.
But I'd tangled with orcs in close quarters so many times it was boring. I knew their moves inside out, learned through my body.
◈ A sturdy, hefty hammer. Slightly boosts the wielder's strength and endurance.
Not a bad haul. Orc hammers were in demand—people melted them down for other weapons—so they sold fast.
Every named orc I dropped gave up a hammer, turning the fight into a money grind the more I battled.
"Mother of the Plains! Grant strength to your child!"
Some came raging in a frenzy, but they weren't hard to handle. I'd jam my blade between their empty ribs, twist, and down they went.
In the midst of carving through orcs, a roar split the air, compressing it like a shockwave.
I whipped my head toward the sound. There stood an orc clad head to toe in black armor.
"Fight me!"
Its name, its gear—everything screamed it was the 27th floor's named boss.
"Blue-Eyes! Blue-Eyes!" "The true warrior of the plains has come! All hail him!"
The orcs erupted in cheers every time it moved. In response, Blue-Eyes thrust a fist straight at me.
Too fast, too heavy. I barely backpedaled and parried with my sword, but the shock climbed my arm, numbing my body for a split second.
"Don't just stand there gawking, human! Come at me!"
Seizing the opening, Blue-Eyes slammed its left fist into my chestplate. No defense—a brutal, direct hit.
'This...!'
First dizzying blow I'd taken since entering Babel.
Boom—! The explosion rattled my eardrums. My mind blanked for a second or two...
When I came to, I'd flown 20 meters and slammed into the ground.
"Blue-Eyes! Blue-Eyes!" "The plains' hero slays the intruder!"
Head took the brunt on impact—dizziness surged again. Concussion? Nothing broken when I tested my limbs.
'Smashed into the dirt hard, bashed my skull.'
Not the point. The orc striding toward me was.
"Human dead? Don't die so easy, making that noise." "Hoo..." "Gave you five seconds. Know how many times I could've killed you? Four. Four times."
Chatty bastard. Orcs acted so eerily lifelike sometimes, which creeped me out.
Bought me time to recover, at least. Dizziness lingered, but I could manage...
"Thanks a ton, tears in my eyes. In return, I'll lop your head off and mount it."
"Humans spit delusions like that's normal, huh? I'll beat it out of you."
Blue-Eyes lunged with its massive 3-meter legs for a long-range strike—a front kick, basically.
Log-thick leg hurtling straight at me. Predictable path.
'I've got your speed figured out.'
The Sword Ghost's Eye didn't just boost dynamic vision; it highlighted weaknesses. I sidestepped the leg, then launched into its guard.
"Think I didn't see that coming? Fool."
Kick was a feint. Real attack: a right hook arcing in like artillery.
'Short stature has perks, like last time.'
Aimed for my skull, probably. Easy duck—and my blade plunged lower. Squelch—! Spooning hard ice cream from the inside.
"Grrraaagh!"
Sizzle—! Orc frenzy boiled their blood. Guts spilling steam.
'Even Sun Blade wouldn't cut deeper!'
3 meters meant thick muscle and bone. Blade didn't reach the core. Blue-Eyes even chuckled down at me.
"Human, didn't you say you'd take my head?" "Still planning to."
Twist and yank.
Blade tore out, shredding flesh. Hot blood poured over my armor—bare skin would've blistered.
"Graaaah!" "Hurts, huh?"
The Sword Ghost's Eye dictated perfect swings, optimal attacks... Ideal angle saved effort. My clean arc buried into its bowed neck amid the agony.
"Told you I'd take your head, right?"
Then Double Slash triggered, severing it clean.
"B-Blue-Eyes is down!" "Run! Can't beat that monster!"
As surrounding orcs fled, euphoria hit. I'd felled this giant. Felt like a titan myself.
◈ A sword forged to slay immortals without hearts.
◈ Legend says the Scale Devourer favored it.
◈ Teeth that rend and tear flesh.
◈ 100% bleed on hit, inhibits all healing.
◈ Wielder fully ignores fear status.
And a unique item to boot... Pure bliss. Dopamine flooding my brain.
Is this why players go mad? Maybe I'd join them.
After selling items at the auction house, Hyunwoo pocketed a hefty sum and declared proudly.
"Those orc hammers fetch a nice price, turns out? People melt 'em for other weapons. Sold 'em high. Oh, and got the payout for that phone I sold last time."
Ten million won total—from one night, covering tuition and interest. Paid up.
"Just 750,000 more and we're square, Master?" "..." "Contract says full tuition and interest drops the stage, right? No more face-sitting."
Hyunwoo grinned mockingly at his master. Ryu Ga-eul didn't flinch, just stared.
"Lucky with items, huh? Snagged another unique. Conditions met, I suppose."
"Conditions?"
The Sword Saint rummaged in Loki's bag, pulling out an item.
◈ Usable only by players who've acquired a set number of unique items from Babel.
◈ Pay 1 million won to draw a Babel drop item.
◈ Good luck might snag a legendary...
Obvious ploy. Hyunwoo smirked at Ryu Ga-eul.
"I don't gamble."
"This ain't gambling. It's gacha. Gacha."
"Same diff... You're just trying to rack up my debt with this. Not buying it."
"Ahem. Brain's not totally rotten."
Straight-up admission. Figures.
"Still, why not try a few? I've scored tons with it. First ten pulls on me, free."
"Ten?"
Ten million... Players were loaded.
Hyunwoo hesitated, then agreed. What could go wrong?
Whirr—! The roulette spins!
No need to watch. Hyunwoo mashed the gacha button ten times in a row. What unfolded blew his mind.
◈ Doubles weapon effects.
◈ Acquire Flight trait.
Two uniques!
"Huh?"
Stunned by the gamble's payout, Hyunwoo's fingers trembled.
Do I have a knack for this?
"Heh heh."
Ryu Ga-eul's sinister chuckle fell on deaf ears.