Chapter 202: Can I Really Trust This Person?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 202: Can I Really Trust This Person?
Why am I even here?
I was threatened—no, persuaded—by Seo Yeon-woo, but even so, I never thought I’d actually step foot into a Zone known as the Mage’s Grave.
To be honest, the reason I came this far wasn’t because of his thre—persuasion, but rather because of what my Master said.
‘Lena… you’ve finally met the distinguished guest who will free you from your wretched fate.’
I can’t forget the look on my Master’s face, wearing a happy smile as if her lifelong wish had finally been granted.
The first time I met Seo Yeon-woo… no, we first met at the Exchange Meet, so I should say the first time we actually talked was at the festival.
Anyway, I told my Master about how he made me run errands at the festival and then fed me until I was full.
I had just mentioned it offhandedly when she asked how life at Yggdrasil was, but after hearing about Seo Yeon-woo, she fell into thought for a moment and said she needed to meet him.
Not long after, she returned from that meeting and told me he was a "distinguished guest."
A distinguished guest…
I trust my Master’s word, but…
Uuuugh…
I shouldn’t say this, but is it possible she was tricked?
Seo Yeon-woo… for some reason, I just feel a sense of repulsion toward him.
He’s handsome, sure, but even after I told him my name, he keeps calling me "Pauper." Plus, he has this arrogant attitude, treating everyone like they’re beneath him…
I have a lot more to say, but badmouthing others isn't right, so I should stop.
Why does my Master think so highly of him?
And a "distinguished guest" who will help me with my fate? Something even my Master couldn't achieve, and he’s going to do it?
The man who threatened to harass me with debt and even intimidated my parents and Master if I didn't come to the Mage's Grave with him?
I couldn't understand it, but I entered the Grave because I believed in my Master’s words.
It was my first time entering a Zone, so I was incredibly nervous, but I don't know how to react to the casino that appeared before my eyes.
I’m not supposed to gamble.
No, I fail at absolutely everything related to money, so why did Seo Yeon-woo bring me here?
From the look of it, he seemed to already know about this Zone.
Zones are terrifying because outsiders can’t properly figure out their laws.
Since you don't know the laws, you can't prepare. And if there’s a law that prohibits magic, even the most skilled mage becomes nothing more than an ordinary person.
How on earth did Seo Yeon-woo know the laws?
Did he perhaps meet someone who made it out of this Zone alive?
It’s a rare case, but there are instances where people escape a Zone without clearing it.
But… if someone had escaped from a Mage’s Grave, it would have been widely publicized…
Ah! That’s not what’s important right now.
Regardless, I entered the Grave with Seo Yeon-woo and borrowed the massive sum of 1.5 million.
Even though they’re just chips, my heart is pounding so hard it’s difficult to bear, having such a large amount of money for the first time in my life.
Though, knowing my usual luck, it’ll probably vanish in an instant…
A bitter smile forms on my lips.
If I could at least use magic, it might be different, but I’m of no help here.
I wasn't much help in the Magic Research Club either, and it’s the same here.
Everyone else is so amazing that I just feel pathetic.
Pa-pa-pa-pam—!
On one side, Yukina is winning chips like crazy, spinning slot machines.
I didn't realize five slot machines screaming at once could be this noisy.
“Yep~ bye-bye, loser~ Next sucker, step right up~ Sit down already, you scrubs, you’re wasting my time.”
At the poker table, Park Yu-jeong is sweeping the board.
She definitely started with 10,000 chips, but now the smallest denomination in the mountain of chips in front of her is 100,000.
She barely has any 100,000 chips left because she has so many 1-million-unit chips stacked up.
Masayoshi is sitting on a sofa eating a hamburger, perhaps taking a break.
Hieeeeek… Wasn't that thing 1 million chips?
The prices here are insane; a single hamburger is 1 million, and a 500ml bottle of water is 100,000.
I’m so nervous I can’t even look at the menu, but Masayoshi is even sharing his food with the female staff member following him.
Sh-should I… buy something for the staff member following me, too?
“Um… ex-excuse me… are, are you hungry?”
“… …”
The male staff member following me is a man of few words.
He has a lot of scars on his face and a large build, so he’s a bit scary.
He seems to be taking good care of me, but he’s so silent that it’s awkward sometimes.
Just then, Seo Yeon-woo suddenly appears and walks over.
Heeeee… I don’t like this.
He looks exactly like the "nouveau riche" types you see in movies.
He has a female staff member in a skimpy outfit tucked under his arm, and he’s brazenly groping her chest right in front of everyone.
M-Master… I can really… trust this person, right?
Approaching with his usual arrogant smirk, Seo Yeon-woo tucks a 100,000-chip into the silent male staff member’s front pocket and hands him some food he brought over.
“Eat this. And here’s a tip. Take good care of her.”
After telling him to look after me, he coolly walks away.
Even the way he pats the staff member’s shoulder as he leaves is the spitting image of a movie villain.
But… I’m hungry too…
“This has become mine, so I cannot share it with you.”
Auuuuu… How embarrassing.
He caught me staring secretly.
The staff member following me speaks bluntly as he eats the food Seo Yeon-woo gave him.
I-I’m the one who’s supposed to be taking care of him, right?
And yet, I was coveting what Seo Yeon-woo gave him. I’m so ashamed.
Why am I such an idiot?
“Guests are not allowed to transfer chips to each other or help with other goods, so please do not take it to heart.”
“Heeeee… I’m sorry…”
To think I’m being comforted instead. It’s so humiliating.
I should be the one providing, I should be the one buying, and yet here I am hoping for help and trembling over the cost of money.
Come to think of it, Seo Yeon-woo helped me last time too, while acting all indifferent.
Because of his haughty behavior and arrogant attitude, it’s hard to tell if he’s actually helping, but looking back, I really was helped.
“You must maintain your physical and mental strength here for a long time. You can be devoured in an instant. Saving chips is good, but filling your stomach and resting will also help.”
Um… did I mention this person doesn't talk much?
Would you believe me if I said that was the longest conversation we’ve had so far?
I guess the food really was the key… since the others give lots of tips, too…
I thank the staff member and stop by the bar to fill my stomach.
Hieeeeeek…!
A bottle of water was 100,000 just a moment ago, but now it’s 200,000.
The price doubled in an instant.
The thought of spending this much money makes me tremble.
However, I’ve realized one thing after losing so much money in my life.
And that is: you have to spend money while you have it.
If I try to save it, something ridiculous always happens and the money just evaporates.
I pick the cheapest item and barely manage to satisfy my hunger.
Is it even possible for an energy bar to cost 100,000? This is the most I’ve ever spent on a meal, and all I have in my hand is a single energy bar…
“Time is up. Will you be paying the interest?”
“Hieeeee… h-here you go…”
The interest here is compound, so I have to pay it off as quickly as possible.
After paying for food and interest, I have less than 200,000 chips left.
I saw Rio being dragged away earlier…
As the chips in my hand dwindle, my anxiety grows in proportion.
If I were loved by the Cat like the others, would things be better than they are now?
Since he met my Master, he must know what kind of fate I was born with. So why did Seo Yeon-woo bring me here?
‘No matter what situation arises, trust me. Just remember that one thing.’
Seo Yeon-woo’s words come to mind.
I mean… you have to give me a reason to trust you…
At times like this, I resent him for not explaining things properly, but looking at the others, they all seem to trust him.
Even Rio, who was dragged away and returned as a staff member, follows Seo Yeon-woo around grumbling, but he doesn't show any fear of being trapped in the Grave.
It looks more like he’s complaining about a nasty prank from a friend rather than someone gripped by desperation.
Why does everyone trust Seo Yeon-woo so much…?
After spending ten hours in a state of complex anxiety, we all gather in one place.
“The Masks have decreased a lot. All thanks to me.”
Park Yu-jeong, who swept up chips at the poker table, speaks triumphantly.
However, the situation is not good.
“Can you win more?”
“No, impossible. Those cheaters gave me nothing but garbage hands for twenty rounds straight. Plus, since they’re betting with the house’s money, I can’t even keep up with the raises.”
At Yeon-woo’s question, Park Yu-jeong shrugs and says it’s a no-go.
Yukina also says she can’t win at the slots anymore, and Masayoshi scratches a hundred lottery tickets and shows them to us.
“One winner. And it’s only for 1,000 chips.”
Each ticket costs 10,000, so even the winning one is a loss.
Ah… why didn't I think of this?
The casino is a world created by the Zone.
Naturally, the win rates can be manipulated by the Zone, and there’s no one to complain to even if they get caught.
From the beginning, this was a Zone with no chance of winning.
While I’m panicking, the people wearing masks all disappear at once.
“The boss is out. I’ve been watching him, and that guy looks like a real person.”
I couldn't tell the masked people apart, but Park Yu-jeong chuckles as if she recognizes him.
A man wearing a tiger mask adorned with gold and jewels sits at the poker table and stares at us.
As soon as he appears, the staff members all move behind the Tiger Mask in unison, as if hypnotized.
Seeing even Rio go without a word, he must be under control.
“Let the final game begin.”
“Cut the crap, you pathetic bastard. You’re just gonna rig the odds anyway.”
I-is it okay to talk like that?
Well, it doesn't really matter since they’ll rig it anyway, but Seo Yeon-woo starts with insults right away.
He doesn't even seem scared. He must have prepared something, right?
“I’m not playing, you son of a bitch. Why would I sit at the same table as a swindler like you?”
“I hate to say it, but honestly, we were swindlers too.”
“Aha! That’s true. We did use the Gentleman’s Power.”
“Hey, if I win, it’s skill. If that bastard wins, it’s a scam. Why split hairs?”
When Masayoshi and Park Yu-jeong speak the truth, Seo Yeon-woo grumbles.
If he wins, it’s skill, and if the opponent wins, it’s a scam… how selfish—
“Ahaha, what a trashy thing to say. That’s why I like you, Yeon-woo.”
Yes, just like Park Yu-jeong said… those are the words of a total scumbag.
Seo Yeon-woo, seemingly having no intention of playing, drags a sofa from the wall and lies down.
Is this also a prepared method for clearing the Zone?
Tiger Mask says nothing to us and just waits patiently.
Time is on the Mask’s side, after all.
Everything you do here requires chips.
No matter how many chips you have now, the prices on the bar menu go up in real-time, and you even need chips just to use the restroom once.
Even if we hold out for a bit, if they raise the prices that much, we’re finished.
What could his plan possibly be…?
“Hey, go get me a hot dog.”
Yeon-woo buys a hot dog that has now reached 1 million chips.
As he lies sideways on the sofa and tosses a chip, one of the staff members picks it up and brings him a hot dog.
Then, Park Yu-jeong also tosses a chip, orders a cocktail, and sits on top of Seo Yeon-woo.
“Mmm~ so what do we do now?”
“You have a way to win, right?”
“No, not right now. And could you get off me? Why do you like sitting on people so much?”
“Oh, come on~ my butt feels good, doesn't it? Or do you prefer my chest?”
In response to Masayoshi’s question, Seo Yeon-woo clearly said he didn't have a way.
But why does everyone look so relaxed?
Yukina also quietly sits on the sofa and gives Seo Yeon-woo a lap pillow.
Um… excuse me… did you guys not hear him say there’s no way to win?
“Pauper, how much do you have left?”
“Ah, I, I have… 40,000 chips…”
I got anxious and played roulette a few times, lost, and now I only have 40,000 left.
With this, I can’t even go to the bathroom or buy anything from the bar.
And…
“What about the interest?”
“Soon… about 10 minutes left.”
“You still haven't paid off your debt? Ah… you couldn't borrow the Gentleman’s Power.”
Park Yu-jeong, initially surprised, realizes the situation and looks at me with pity.
If even Park Yu-jeong is giving me that look, it must mean I’m that pathetic.
“Um… I can’t even pay the interest now…”
“Yeah, that’s too bad.”
… … Excuse me?
I’m dying of anxiety, but Seo Yeon-woo is just eating his hot dog with zero interest.
Even when I stare at him blankly, he just licks some sauce off Yukina’s thigh and doesn't even glance my way.
It’s… okay, right? Th-there’s a plan, right?
Time flows by anxiously, and the moment to pay the interest arrives.
But there’s no way I can pay it with the 40,000 I have.
“Y-you’re going to save me, right?”
But before I can even hear an answer, I feel my body go numb.
It’s my body, and I can feel every sensation, but the terror of my body not listening to me washes over me.
My legs move on their own, my head turns, and I walk toward the back of the Tiger Mask.
Even as my mind screams no, no matter how hard I try, my body moves of its own accord.
I’m scared. I…
Just then, I hear Seo Yeon-woo’s calm voice from behind.
“She’s finally gone.”
Pardon…?
I didn't hear that wrong, did I?
My mind is paralyzed with fear and shock, but my body continues to move toward the group of staff members.
I’m… going to be okay, right? You told me to trust you.