Chapter 186
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 186
Chapter Title: Gambling Den
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How could he make points fast?
It wasn't about clearing tons of quests or going on a mindless killing spree.
‘The quickest shortcut is to hit it big at the gambling den.’
That was why Ryu Min had been accumulating points for 23 hours straight.
To bet everything he had at the gambling den.
Ryu Min opened his status window to check his points.
[Korean Team's Earned Points: 12,775,330]
[Black Scythe's Earned Points: 103,020]
[Time Until Round Ends: 00:59:39]
‘Not bad with 100k points.’
Gathering 100k points just from quests?
‘I know which quests give the best value, so it's possible for me. For any average player, it'd be impossible without killing.’
Of course, the other top 10 murderers from different countries had probably racked up over 100k by massacring indiscriminately.
Guys like Ma Kyung-rok or Joo Seong-tak might not have hit 1,000 kills.
‘They must've taken out at least 500. In the previous regression, the guys below me had 200k.’
200k was insanely high, but compared to what Ryu Min planned, it was a drop in the bucket.
He intended to multiply it by up to 200 times at the gambling den.
That was the only way to claim the number one individual spot and team ranking.
‘With Clairvoyance, there's nothing to worry about. It's as good as won.’
Provided he knew where the gambling den was, but that was no issue.
After dozens of regressions, he wasn't about to forget its location.
‘Better head there before it's too late.’
Ryu Min set off.
Toward the gambling den for one final reversal play.
* * *
When the message announced the gambling den's opening, everyone lit up and scrambled to find it.
But with only an hour left in this massive continent?
It was like finding a needle in a desert.
‘Good thing they didn't reveal the location. A single gambling den swarming with tens of thousands would've been chaos.’
Players had to find it on their own, but surprisingly, it was in an easy spot.
Creak—
In an inn in the heart of the continent, the Holy Empire.
Ryu Min entered and headed for the kitchen storeroom.
“Hey, customer. What're you doing in the kitchen?”
When the NPC who looked like the innkeeper asked, Ryu Min answered honestly.
“Looking for the gambling den.”
“Ahem. You're one of those otherworldly warriors, I see.”
The innkeeper glanced around, moved some rice sacks, and opened a floor hatch.
Clank—
A basement staircase came into view.
“Go on in.”
Descending the stairs led to a dim secret passage.
A path straight to the gambling den.
Following it opened into a vast cavern, accompanied by a message.
[Sub Quest – Discover the Gambling Den]
[You have completed the sub quest!]
[Points +1,000]
Even those with zero points got 1,000 just for finding it.
‘Here's a taste—go ahead and try.’
It felt like free money, but it was a trap to hook them on gambling.
They might start for fun and end up losing everything.
‘If you're the type to celebrate free points, turn around and leave now.’
Stepping foot in here was a straight path to ruin.
Without Clairvoyance, even Ryu Min wouldn't be standing here.
[Welcome to the gambling den!]
[PK is prohibited in the gambling den. Damage will not apply to other players.]
[Interfering with gambling will result in automatic ejection.]
[The doors will close after a set time, and the games will begin. Please wait patiently.]
[Time Until Event Starts: 00:13:49]
Ryu Min scanned the cavern as he read the messages.
Dozens of players were already inside.
Lucky ones who'd stumbled upon the gambling den.
‘No, can't really call it luck. Leaving with nothing is the worst outcome.’
He spotted both Eastern and Western faces.
Everyone waited for the games to start.
“Huh? That guy…”
“It's Black Scythe?”
Before entering, Ryu Min had removed his Doppelganger Ring and reverted from Lost Ark's appearance.
A few Koreans recognized him as Black Scythe.
‘Not much time left anyway—no need to hide.’
Winning big here would expose him when rankings updated anyway.
Hiding his identity would just advertise that he could change appearances.
No benefit in secrecy.
‘They're all just eyeing each other silently.’
As the notice said, PK was banned here.
No damage possible, so they just watched warily.
‘Makes sense. If PK were allowed, they'd start slashing for gambling funds.’
Skills still worked, though.
Just couldn't interfere with others' bets.
‘Good thing I can use Clairvoyance.’
Fortunately, it didn't count as interference.
Peeking with it to pick winners was fine.
Verified over dozens of regressions.
[Time Until Event Starts: 00:00:00]
Time ticked down to zero exactly.
Rumble—thud!
An iron gate sealed the cavern entrance.
No entry, no exit.
Then, a brilliant light descended into the cavern.
All eyes turned to the angel that appeared.
[Hello? Future gamblers! I'm Gabi, your gambling den guide. Nice to meet you!]
Unlike the cheerfully grinning angel, the players' faces were grim.
Most were desperate enough for points to lose their minds to gambling—restless and anxious.
[Whoa, those hollow eyes make you all look like veteran gamblers already? Anyway, great. 59 players—more than expected. Let's jump into the rules.]
The angel flapped its wings, summoning two massive cards the size of people in midair.
[The rules are simple. Here we have a red card and a black card. I'll shuffle them, show one, and you guess the color. Easy, right?]
“Guess the color?”
“Super simple.”
“Like odd-even?”
The angel continued as players quickly grasped it.
[Similar games exist in your world, right? Odd-even, casino roulette, etc. Odds are 50-50. Bet as much as you want, double it if you win. Lose, and it's gone.]
Fair game, by Earth standards.
Casinos always rigged odds against the house.
[But you can't try infinitely. Six chances per player. Win all six? You'll rake in a fortune.]
Assuming all-in each time: 2x2x2x2x2x2=64.
Up to 64 times the points.
Though the odds of six straight wins were just 1.5%.
Already done the math?
One player raised a hand.
“Angel! If only six tries, even all wins is just 64x. But the message said up to 200x.”
[Was getting to that. So impatient—tch!]
The scolded angel pressed on.
[What I described is the standard betting mode. For higher rewards, choose ‘High Risk’ mode.]
“High Risk?”
“What's that?”
[Instead of any amount, you bet ALL your points. Only one shot, and you must win all six games to claim it. Fail once? Lose everything and get a permanent 50% stat debuff.]
“Whoa… permanent stat drop?”
“And only one chance…?”
“Fail and you're done for?”
“Risk's insane.”
[But succeed all six? Not 64x—200x payout. Premium service for those dreaming of a life-changing jackpot.]
“200x…”
“Damn, that's tempting…”
The prize sounded worth it, but most brushed it off.
Just 1.5% odds.
No one was dumb enough to risk their one shot on that.
98.5% failure rate, after all.
[Alright, pick your mode. Anyone for High Risk? Raise your hand now.]
No one budged at the angel's call.
They just inwardly mocked the absurd suggestion.
‘Crazy angel bastard. Who'd pick High Risk?’
‘Better to play 50% odds over and over.’
‘Even desperate, I wouldn't bet on 1.5%.’
The brutal odds deterred everyone.
Except two.
Bottom-tier players from zones facing near-certain elimination.
No 200x win meant their teams vanished anyway.
“I'll do it.”
“Me too.”
[Just two? Anyone else?]
Then, one more hand went up.
Ryu Min's.
“Isn't that Black Scythe?”
“Black Scythe is really going High Risk?”
“Why risk it when he's already set?”
“Guy's lost it.”
‘I can hear you idiots.’
They muttered thinking it was quiet, but Ryu Min's senses, sharpened by the Sensory Rune, caught every word.
‘I get it. I look insane. No need to take the risk.’
But if they knew about Clairvoyance, they'd shut up.
They'd probably ask why NOT go for 200x.
He could see the card backs with it.
‘Six in a row? Piece of cake.’
He had total confidence—no misses.
Not even gambling for him.
100% surefire money multiplier, zero risk.
[Three High Risk challengers! The other 56 are Standard mode. Set. Let's start!]
The angel flapped, enveloping players in transparent barriers.
[To prevent interference. Can't have attacks or skills messing up key moments.]
No movement either—no peeking cards.
[Standard players first. High Risk, wait a sec—won't take long. First game!]
The two giant cards shuffled in midair; one advanced.
[What's the next card's color? Enter your bet, pick red or black.]
Standard players pondered their choice screens.
No matter how hard they stared, the back stayed hidden.
Pure luck.
[One minute. All set? Revealing!]
The angel flipped it.
“Ah!”
“Nice! Red!”
“Aaah! Fuck!”
“Haah, screwed…”
Cheers and screams mixed as round two began.
The games were fair.
Shuffled in plain view, revealed cleanly, no tricks.
Angle hid the back completely—forcing blind guesses.
“Aaah! Fuuuuck!”
“Damn! Bullshit! Fuck!!!”
Even early winners ended up cursing like the rest.
As the angel predicted, it wrapped up quick.
All 56 Standards busted out by the fifth game.
[No need for six. All out at five. Tough luck—no more chances.]
“Angel… please, one more shot…”
“Give us some points, angel…”
Chasing break-even led to total wipeout.
“Angel. Question.”
[What?]
“We still have chances left. Can we borrow points from others?”
“Yeah, we've got our sixth try.”
“Let us borrow points!”
[Pathetic. Points can't be transferred. Give up.]
Players hung their heads.
“Aaah… it's over.”
“Should've gone High Risk…”
Some Koreans hit zero too.
“Team points are iffy now—what do we do?”
“If we get wiped…”
They fretted, but none imagined Black Scythe would deliver.
[Next, High Risk players—get ready.]
Now, Ryu Min's turn approached.