Chapter 93
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 93
Chapter Title: Shiran (7)
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"...How about a game with me too?"
'...Held out longer than I expected.'
The man who'd locked eyes with me yesterday. The one I'd pegged as connected to the gambling den after checking his status window.
He might not be the swindler, but I was pretty damn sure he was.
If this place was just a teaser joint, there had to be at least one guy here linked to the real deal.
I gave an appropriately measured reaction to his words. Acting too eager would look suspicious.
"Eh, doesn't matter to me. You wanna join, just join, right?"
"True, but... I figured I'd ask just in case. Some new players might not like outsiders jumping in."
'Approaching cautiously, huh.'
"More importantly... is the lady next to you your bodyguard?"
'...Look at this bastard.'
Whether he was a pro or not, the greedy glint in his eyes as he eyed Wi Ho-yeon lasted only a split second—but I caught it.
Seemed like he saw my money as money, sure, but he was sizing her up like merchandise too.
'...Tied to the black market, maybe?'
If my hunch was right and there really was a black market here trading humans or other races as slaves, it would make sense that he had his eye on Wi Ho-yeon.
"Yeah, she is. Why?"
He opened his mouth as he placed his bet.
"Nah, just figured anyone rolling with a bodyguard like that must be some noble's young master or something."
He was clearly fishing for my background.
"That's why I've got cash to burn, isn't it? All thanks to my family's wealth."
I spoke like I had massive pride in my house, and he probed carefully.
"I see... So, with that kind of money, you must be at least a count's son, right?"
I had to play this right.
If he thought I was from too high up, he'd hesitate to target me.
'High enough to be worth the effort, but not so much it scares him off.'
Of course I'd prepped for questions like this.
"I'm Dicet Bergen, eldest son of the Bergen Baron family. Not a count's house, but a prestigious merchant one. Not something a punk like you gets to mouth off about."
"Got it. Didn't realize you were from such fine stock. My apologies."
I'd worried a baron house might spook him off, but it seemed fine.
'Or maybe he's got backing.'
Wild speculation, but possible.
"Hm... Looks like I lost this round."
'This fucker...'
He was throwing the game on purpose. My hunch he was the swindler was basically confirmed.
No reason to tank it for me otherwise. And yeah, this was the outcome I wanted.
After a good long session, he'd lost a bit of cash.
I'd won it, sure, but within the range he'd planned for.
I could've played differently since I could see the cards, but I danced to his tune.
Had to, or he'd get suspicious.
My face right now? Pure rookie luck, grinning like an idiot who'd struck gold.
'Look at that smirk.'
He was probably thinking his con was working—couldn't hide the upturned lip.
'Fine, I'll rip you a new one.'
"Heh... Guess I'm just a natural at gambling too. Right, bodyguard?"
"Yes, young master."
"It's getting late, so I'll come back tomorrow and win more."
"Shame. Looks like luck wasn't on my side today."
I patted his shoulder and continued.
"Hey, everyone has off days. Don't take it too hard. Your opponent's me—what can ya do?"
For a split second, he looked at me like I was a moron.
'Overdid it a bit.'
Hell, if I were him, I'd have stared too.
"Anyway, catch you later."
"Later" meaning back at this den.
He gave a slight smile and nodded.
"Sure thing."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
About a week later, after I had continued showing up at the gambling hall regularly—
Naturally investigations like this never end quickly.
Even though I understood that patience and time were necessary, I was starting to feel irritated.
‘How much longer do I have to keep doing this?’
Acting like someone else in front of people wasn’t easy.
It was inevitable that it caused stress.
Even when we met with our companions and discussed the investigation progress, we still hadn’t found any major clues.
Something must have gone wrong with Seo Yu-ju’s expectations.
It seemed even she was frustrated.
“Phew…”
As I sighed, the decoy man spoke to me.
“Is something wrong?”
‘Because of you, bastard.’
The reason for my sigh was him.
There had been no progress at all.
‘Damn it…’
“No… it’s nothing.”
“Hmm… perhaps gambling isn’t fun for you anymore?”
‘Wait… could it be?’
He looked worried that I might lose interest and leave the gambling hall.
If he had been investing time and effort into slowly setting me up, then me losing interest and leaving would be the worst outcome for him.
‘Right… considering the sunk cost… if you’re really a decoy, could you just give up now?’
From his perspective, I was a perfect target:
A fool spending money freely, with a beautiful guard, and an empty head.
To them, catching bigger prey probably meant better performance.
Of course if he didn’t bite, this would all be meaningless.
But in the current situation, I thought it was worth taking a gamble.
“Hm… it just feels like something is missing. It’s fun, but still…”
I spoke as if I had lost interest.
He remained silent for a while before cautiously speaking.
“…Then.”
“Hm?”
“…What if there was a more interesting place?”
‘Bingo.’
It felt like a reward for all the effort I had put in until now.
His words were enough to fill me with joy.
“A more interesting place? Does such a place exist?”
I asked excitedly, unable to hide my interest.
His lips curled upward.
He probably thought he had caught a big fish.
From his perspective, I was probably like a goose that lays golden eggs.
After all, he had already seen glimpses of the money I received from the clan contract and the compensation from the Incarnation Clan.
‘Anyway, his words confirm my guess was basically correct.’
I focused on his explanation.
“There is. Think of it as a VIP zone. It’s still a gambling hall, but much more refined—meant for noble guests like Young Master Diket. Gambling, alcohol, women—similar things to here, but the quality is completely different.”
“A place like that exists?”
“I’m sure you will be satisfied.”
“Is that so? Then where is it? I’ve been staying in Silan but never heard of such a place.”
“It’s not known publicly because not just anyone can be invited. If you’d like, would you like to visit tonight?”
‘Of course not everyone can be invited. Only rich idiots like me.’
Thinking that inwardly, I accepted.
“Sounds good.”
He nodded.
“Then please follow me.”
Following him, he slowly guided us to a place where the eyes of the gambling hall patrons couldn’t reach.
After passing several corridors, we arrived at a passage leading underground.
It was carefully hidden.
There were even guards, suggesting security was tight.
The guard looked at us.
“These people are…?”
“Ah, new guests. A young nobleman. I’m personally escorting him.”
“Ah, I see.”
The guard’s eyes clearly said:
Another fool about to be skinned alive.
While continuing to follow the decoy, I glanced at Wi Ho-yeon.
She looked slightly tense.
Since she was my guard, going somewhere unknown like this clearly made her uneasy.
Her hand repeatedly drifted toward the sword at her waist.
She was preparing for something bad.
‘Well… honestly I’m not completely calm either.’
There was always the possibility that after following someone, they could suddenly say:
“You’re kidnapped.”
‘Still… I expected the underground passage to look gloomy, but it’s quite luxurious.’
Perhaps the design was meant to reduce suspicion.
To give the impression that this wasn’t a dangerous place.
“We’re here.”
After walking for a while, we arrived at a luxurious door.
Creak—
The man opened it and smiled.
“Welcome. This is Silan’s largest entertainment district.”
Inside—
The scale was completely different from the gambling hall above.
There were far more people.
The facilities, design, and even the people gambling looked wealthier.
‘…Where am I supposed to look?’
The waitresses here wore even more revealing outfits.
Men sat with women beside them.
In some cases, women sat with men.
Checking several Status Windows, I saw many wealthy adventurers and successful businessmen.
There were even people who appeared to be connected to large clans.
“Here you purchase chips with cash and enjoy yourself. With chips, you can do anything—literally anything you desire. Before joining a game, you can relax in the lounge. For details, ask at the information desk.”
“Got it.”
After answering him, I headed toward the lounge.
There was no need to rush into gambling.
Now that I had reached this place, the rest could be done slowly.
‘…Huh?’
While sitting on a sofa and casually scanning the room—
I saw someone completely unexpected.
‘What?’
The woman also saw me.
She stopped walking.
Her eyes were shaking violently.
‘Why the hell are you here?’