Chapter 42
Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: How the Web Novel Protagonist Uses the Casino
As I stepped out into the living room, Hye-na was sprawled face-down on the bed.
She noticed my gaze and sluggishly got up, saying,
"Yoo-ri said she's heading to some workshop."
"Workshop?"
Come to think of it, she had mentioned something about potions.
That must be her goal.
Truth be told, there was no need for all three of us to stick together.
The hotel itself was safe inside.
Plus, it wasn't efficient to do everything as a group.
"I'm going to the dessert buffet. Want to come with me, Ji-hoon?"
"Hmm, I'm not really into super sweet stuff."
Of course, I didn't hate it entirely.
But if I had the stomach space, I'd rather have a steaming bowl of noodle soup.
"Worried you'll gain weight if you eat too much?"
"N-no, I don't eat that much!"
With Hye-na gone too, the room fell completely quiet.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since I'd been alone like this.
Actually, wasn't this the first time in 42 chapters?
Since chapter 1, I'd been with Hye-na.
'Sitting around feels lame. Maybe I should go somewhere.'
But when I actually tried to think of something, nothing came to mind.
I was a total loner whose only hobby was reading web novels.
'......Maybe I should try Comment Search.'
It was kinda funny to use it while out sightseeing.
But who knows.
There might be some hidden gem lurking here.
"Agree."
Unfortunately, no "unviewable information" comments showed up.
Well, even if one had, I probably wouldn't have picked it.
What I needed right now was different info.
Anyway, I chose number 2.
'Most recommended' comments are always on point.
'Casino?'
Unfortunately, it didn't specify what the item was.
But the fact that it came up here meant the original Yoo-ri went to the casino.
And apparently got some item there.
'Hmm, should I check it out myself?'
I wasn't sure if the current Yoo-ri would go to the casino.
But it was something the protagonist obtained, at least.
Whatever it was, it'd probably be useful somehow.
'I've never been to a casino before, though......'
But I had Metafiction and Eye of Truth.
Honestly, I might not win big, but losing wouldn't be easy.
At the same time.
Yoo-ri arrived at the workshop inside the hotel.
The workshop itself wasn't a particularly popular facility in the hotel.
For one, people came here to relax, so their minds were at ease.
But for Yoo-ri, coming to this workshop had been the goal from the start.
It was the only place in the early game where you could meet a craftsman with artisan skills.
"Can you handle this?"
"Ho, what's this?"
The craftsman's eyes widened as he took the A-grade Essence of Life from Yoo-ri.
"Where'd you get your hands on something this rare?"
"You don't need to know that. Just tell me if you can work with it or not."
Yoo-ri's expression and tone were completely different from how she treated Ji-hoon and Hye-na.
In truth, she was just comfortable around them because they'd grown close.
With others, Yoo-ri was fundamentally cold.
Having lived through one apocalypse and reincarnated, she didn't easily trust anyone.
"Hmm, if you're asking if I can or can't, then yes, I can."
The craftsman didn't press the issue.
His curiosity about the precious material before him took precedence.
"Can you make an S-grade elixir too?"
"Possible, but you'd have to wait three months."
Yoo-ri's eyebrow twitched.
Three months was way too long, no matter how you sliced it.
"I heard it doesn't take that long. If you're thinking of scamming me..."
"Hey, hey, hold on! There's circumstances! You can't use force inside the hotel anyway!"
The craftsman frantically waved his hands as Yoo-ri moved to draw her sword.
"My master stepped out for a business trip."
"So you can't handle it without your master?"
"Not that, but look at this."
The craftsman pointed to an iron box secured with a sturdy padlock.
"Master gave me this as homework before leaving. To work with that, I need the tools inside there. So until I unlock it..."
-Crack!
Before the craftsman could finish,
Yoo-ri swung her sword in one clean stroke.
The padlock, which looked unbreakable, split in two and clattered to the floor.
"Any other issues?"
The craftsman stared at Yoo-ri in a daze.
He couldn't utter a word because her stance was so flawless.
His instincts as a craftsman screamed a warning.
Touching this woman would be a terrible idea!
"Ahem! Ahem! I need more materials too. But to get those..."
"You have to join an event the hotel is hosting?"
"Huh? How'd you know?"
Lee Yoo-ri let out a deep sigh.
Last time she was at the hotel, she really just slept.
She hadn't gotten any good perks like now.
So her info on this was minimal.
But she did know you could get various items from the hotel's events.
'This time I have to gather the materials myself, huh.'
The difficulty itself wouldn't be too bad.
But it relied way too much on luck.
Still, she couldn't just give up.
This was about her friend's life.
"So if I get the materials, you'll make it?"
"Mm, I promise on my master's honor."
With the confirmation, Yoo-ri turned away without hesitation.
There was a bit more info she needed to dig up.
'Ask Ji-hoon for help... No, that's not it.'
He'd probably help if she asked.
Both Ji-hoon and Hye-na were like that.
Truth be told, they were better than her at using their heads in some ways.
She'd relied on them often during quests.
But this was about repaying the life debt from the last zone boss fight.
She wanted to handle it with her own strength somehow.
And yeah, there was a bit of wanting to surprise them too.
'So I need to join that hotel party thing first?'
As Yoo-ri walked, recalling the previous event,
"Hey, wait a sec!"
Someone called out to her.
She reflexively reached for her sword but held back and looked.
A burly man in martial arts robes stood there.
"That beautiful swordsmanship! I'm smitten at first sight! If it's not too rude, may I have your name?"
"It is rude."
Yoo-ri replied coldly and kept walking.
Even in her previous life, there had been a few like this.
People drawn to her looks or swordplay who struck up conversations.
Of course, it never ended well for them.
"W-well then, just a quick chat..."
"Touch me with so much as a finger, and I'll kill you."
No matter what, he couldn't handle her killing intent.
The man quickly pulled back his hand.
Yoo-ri glared at him in dissatisfaction before turning away.
But contrary to her expectations, the man was still staring at her back.
"How can someone be so strong and beautiful..."
One of the three using the suite in the Doom Hotel.
Mount Hua Sect swordsman Jong Seo-han gazed at Yoo-ri in a daze.
'Wow, this place is flashy too.'
The casino interior was decked out with glittering machines and decorations.
Several people were already seated, enjoying their games.
Bunny girl-clad women wove through them.
Honestly, I wasn't the type to enjoy lavish parties.
But even I felt a bit excited by the vibe.
"Hmm, no windows or glass for real?"
As I walked, recalling what I'd heard about casinos,
I spotted a familiar face in the distance.
"March Rabbit?"
"Oh, Ji-hoon!"
March Rabbit beamed at me.
Same bunny girl outfit, but her beauty still outshone everyone around.
The hotel's owner herself smiled brightly at me.
"Here to gamble? Glad you're enjoying the hotel."
"The facilities are top-notch. Was even wondering where to start."
"Oh my, handsome and smooth talker too."
She glanced around me before asking,
"Where are the other ladies?"
"Solo action today."
"Hmm, a guest like you alone in this hotel might be risky."
"Huh? Risky how?"
March Rabbit leaned in close and whispered in my ear.
"You know? Rabbits are in heat all the time, despite the name."
Her hot breath tickled my ear.
The old me might've been in danger.
"Sorry, but I have a question first."
"Oh? What's that?"
As I brushed it off casually, March Rabbit looked a tad disappointed.
I pretended not to notice and was about to speak when,
"Oho, who do we have here! The hotel's VVIP himself!"
Someone slung an arm over my shoulder.
It was the suit guy from the entrance earlier.
"Running into you in this huge hotel! Must be fate!"
"Glad you're doing well."
"Haha! Bet you're getting the special treatment. Chatting cozy with the guys' dream girl, March Rabbit, no less."
March Rabbit just smiled sweetly in response.
"Great choice coming here! This casino's insane. Only downside is it takes Doom Coins instead of cash. Tons of games though."
"Oh, really?"
I had come to gamble, sure.
But this suit guy's overfamiliarity was getting a bit annoying.
"What do you say? Wanna play a round with me?"
"With me?"
"Curious how good the guy with VVIP status and two beauties gambles."
His tone was jovial, but laced with provocation.
Maybe he saw me as a newbie ripe for the picking.
'Gambling, huh.'
I had about 18,000 Coins right now.
Beating a boss gave a few thousand, so I was probably among the top savers.
Truth be told, I'd been saving deliberately.
Figured I'd spend a bunch at the hotel.
And more money was always better anyway.
Common knowledge that in gambling, bigger stacks give the edge.
'Plus, skills and traits.'
I nodded promptly.
"Sounds fun. Let's do it."