Chapter 162
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 162
500 billion gold.
Without a doubt, it was the highest stake ever placed since this gambling den was established.
In a typical illegal gambling house, whatever happens inside must remain strictly confidential. However, this was an 'official' establishment with a legitimate license.
‘If cell phones existed in this world, the news would have already spread through the capital’s social circles like wildfire.’
500 billion gold wasn’t exactly chump change. Anyone who was anyone here knew I was a complete novice at gambling.
Duke Hitman was no exception.
Sitting across from me, he looked like he could barely breathe. He had completely forgotten his earlier rage—when he’d nearly lost his mind seeing Prince Benjamin flirting with his wife—and was now hyper-focused on the cards in his hand.
His face was so flushed that beads of cold sweat were forming on his forehead.
‘I did take a crash course yesterday, but I haven’t mastered it yet.’
Aces, Queens, Kings...
My plays were clumsy at best. As the game progressed, Duke Hitman’s expressions shifted like a man who had just discovered a mine where hot springs, gold bars, and diamonds were all erupting at once.
In short, he couldn't hide his bursting joy.
“This is the final round.”
How did I look to the watching nobles right now?
An idiot?
A fool?
Maybe both.
I quietly watched the dealer distribute the final cards. Once this round ended, the fate of that massive sum of 500 billion gold would be decided.
Suddenly, a conversation I’d had with Ramus Jeremiah flashed through my mind.
—“Are you good at gambling?”
—“No? I’ve never done it. Oh, but I learned the rules in a hurry yesterday.”
—“...Then how on earth are you so confident?”
—“Because I have the revelation of the star’s protection.”
That’s right!
May Kim Ddong-byul protect me!
May the Benefits light my path!
‘Status Window!’
As I shouted internally, dazzling, multicolored text appeared before my eyes.
[System: Status Window]
Tulia Frezier (17)
- Coins: 7 (Deposit Coins: 14,800, no more can be deposited)
- Personality: 3 (Pending +2)
- Beauty: 8
- Skill: 8
- Wealth: 9
- Luck: 1 (Pending +9)
Overall Rating: C
‘Sub Quest! Come out!’
As I commanded again, the text shifted as if it had been waiting.
[System] Sub Quest: Luck
Invest more coins into your Luck stat than the number shown on the roulette.
Success: Reach Luck Stat 10 (Acquire Permanent Benefit ‘Super Lotto’)
Failure: Luck Stat becomes 0 forever.
[System] Benefit ‘Super Lotto’: Whenever the cooldown is up, you can absorb the luck of everyone within a 50 meters radius all at once!
This Sub Quest had appeared a few days ago, on a late night when the moon was exceptionally bright. It had been an ordinary day. If I had to pick something special, it was receiving a letter from Trini. The gist of it was that even the First Prince, who had been trampling over Benjamin, had finally bowed his head.
‘As expected, the underdog wins.’
Just as I was about to fall asleep, feeling quite satisfied, glowing letters had flashed before me.
[System] Sub Quest Triggered! You can upgrade the Hidden Benefit ‘Life is One Shot’!
[System] Do you wish to accept the Sub Quest?
‘Life is One Shot’ was...
[System] When a specific stat is increased by 9 or more at once, the same stat of those within a 500-meter radius will temporarily be concentrated on you. (Single-use)
It was a limited, one-time Benefit I possessed. It was tricky to use because it required raising a stat by 9 points in one go. I had wanted to use it on my Luck stat, but since it was locked under a 'Pending' status, I couldn't use it as I pleased.
‘Was the pending status all for this big picture?’
Setting aside my surprise at being able to upgrade a Benefit, who would refuse such an offer? I hit accept immediately and had been diligently gathering coins ever since. I found the roulette system intriguing, and I desperately wanted that incredible success reward, ‘Super Lotto.’
And today.
Between the message saying I couldn't deposit any more coins and the fact that the bastard who stole my money was right here in this gambling den...
I, Tulia Frezier, couldn't just let this pass. To do so would be a total collapse of my character setting.
‘Heh... Hehehehe!’
Laughing like a world-class psychopath, I glanced at the 7 coins I had pettily left over, just in case. It was my way of praying for hope. Please, let the number on that damn roulette be lower than the coins I had.
I prayed and prayed as I activated the quest, watching the phantom roulette spin before me.
[1]
[3]
[240]
[7,777]
.
.
.
[14,800]
The roulette featured various numbers. The smallest was 1, and the largest was 14,800—the exact number of coins I had deposited in the Bank.
‘No wonder. That’s why I couldn't deposit any more.’
Kim Ddong-byul. You really are a loyal fellow in your own way.
I smirked inwardly and spun the roulette.
‘Fine, whatever. Even if the largest number comes out, I can still complete the quest.’
But ideally, I’d like a 1! Because I have no conscience!
The rapidly spinning roulette began to slow down. As I stared at it—calmly on the outside, but with a pounding heart—I suddenly noticed something strange.
‘...Huh?’
There was a tiny, microscopic sliver on the roulette that I hadn't noticed before. As the rotation slowed, I strained my eyes to read the number written in that tiny space...
‘17,777...?’
Wait a minute. This feels ominous. Hold on. Surely not? Ddong-byul, tell me it’s not that.
The moment an unknown dread struck my heart like an arrow—
[System] Ta-da!
Confetti only I could see exploded as the roulette stopped.
[System] Roulette Result: 17,777 Coins!
[System] Would you like to use 17,777 coins?
If I weren't in a gambling den with 500 billion gold on the line, I would have flipped the table even if the Emperor himself were sitting in front of me.
‘You insane Kim Ddong-byul piece of shiiiiiiiiit!’
Meanwhile, the dealer was almost finished distributing the cards. Even in this desperate situation where my heart and head felt like they were about to explode, I barely managed to keep my composure.
No. Absolutely not! This is 500 billion gold!
I frantically checked my deposited coins. The fact that they had just reached maturity felt like a ray of light.
‘Right, there’s always a way out!’
[System] The value of the Bank has increased, applying a 20% interest rate to your deposited coins!
‘20%? How much is 20%? Does it reach 17,777?’
The system’s calculation was faster than my spinning head.
[System: Status Window]
- Coins: 17,767
‘Are you kidding me? Is this for real?’
I felt like I was suffocating. I was short! I was exactly 10 coins short!
For a moment, I felt a panic attack coming on, but I forced myself to breathe and calm down.
‘What do I do? What can I do right now?’
My past experiences flashed before my eyes like a montage. To earn coins, I usually had to attend noble lessons, perform special actions, or gain favor from high-importance individuals.
I could do that. But my grandfather and father, who would shower me with favor, weren't here. Neither was the Archangel Lisian, who would give me his very soul if I asked...
Wait.
‘My family isn't here, but there is one Male Lead.’
I hurriedly, yet maintaining an air of leisure, scanned my surroundings. What if Benjamin was too far away? What if he was hidden behind the thick wall of people? If so, my quest would fail irrevocably, and the staggering sum of 500 billion gold would vanish...
“...”
The anxiety that had risen to my throat vanished like mist under the sun. Benjamin wasn't elsewhere. He was right nearby.
Just as my heart began to steady, a new chill of unease pierced through me. How on earth was I supposed to gain Benjamin’s favor and earn 10 coins in an instant? I couldn't exactly whisper sweet nothings to him right now. I was in the middle of a high-stakes game in the Royal Seats.
Gambling. Right, gambling...?
A bolt of lightning seemed to strike my brain. I looked at the affinity gauge still floating above Benjamin’s head. Deciding to bet everything on that blue bar, I naturally shifted my gaze.
“When this round is over, I shall have to dance with the most handsome gentleman here.”
“Oh? The most handsome gentleman?”
“Because I shall be in a very good mood. Manager? I assume the music will be ready?”
The manager of the gambling den, who had already stepped forward to attend to me, hurried to match my mood.
“Of course, Lady Tulia Frezier. Our finest orchestra is on standby.”
Duke Hitman looked at me with a sneer.
“You seem very confident, Lady Frezier.”
“Because it’s obvious I’m going to win. Isn’t it?”
Duke Hitman laughed loudly.
“I believe the Goddess of Victory is smiling at me, ahahaha!”
He seemed to find it hilarious that a stupid young lady who couldn't even hold her cards properly was so full of herself. A sum like 500 billion gold would make anyone giddy, as if intoxicated.
I, too, put on an ecstatic expression, like someone who was about to grasp 500 billion gold, and turned my head.
Benjamin was watching me intently, and our gazes met in mid-air. It was only for a moment. I gave him a brilliant, radiant smile—one so bright it made his expression freeze.
Without needing a single word, I signaled: The man I’ve chosen is you.
Knowing it would look suspicious if I lingered, I shifted my gaze back to the cards while praying fervently inside.
Benjamin! I’m talking about you! It’s about you, so please give me some coins! Just a little more favor, please!
However, there was no change in the system window. Just as I reached the edge of despair, barely resisting the urge to scream and flip the table, I stole another glance at Benjamin.
“...?”
It was strange. He looked as frozen as the sun would be if it suddenly fell into the ocean.
‘Benjamin?’
My lips moved slightly. At that moment—
Benjamin, who had been as still as a statue, finally blinked slowly.
And then—
[System] Coins acquired!
[System] You have acquired 10 coins!
[System] Current Total Coins: 17,777
[System] You can now complete Sub Quest: Luck!
[System] Would you like to complete it?
‘Yesssssss!’
I poured all my coins in, and simultaneously, the Benefit glowed with a sublime light.
A moment as brief as a breath passed, and the dealer finished laying out the cards.
A few moments later—
“A lie! This is a lie! Lady Frezier! What kind of trickery is this?! Argh?! How is this possible?!”
Duke Hitman’s desperate shriek echoed throughout the entire gambling den.