Duel Tower (1)
Gambling. Excluding swordsmanship, it was one of the few fields I could confidently claim mastery in. Of course, if we were talking pure gaming skill, I wasn't exceptionally outstanding. Pretty good, but nothing more. But there was one thing I excelled at beyond anyone else: reading bluffs.
Hand tricks from opponents? Artifacts used for cheating? They were nothing but amateurish sleight-of-hand that I could see right through. No matter how fast, subtle, or precise a gambler's moves were, they couldn't surpass the mystical swordplay of those who had glimpsed the Martial Extreme. And psychological warfare? As I'd mentioned before, extracting information from subtle cues like an opponent's expression, heartbeat, or body language was child's play. It was no different from predicting their next move in swordsmanship by reading their faint reactions.
If I faced a genuinely skilled gambler who was good at the game itself—not some con artist—I might even lose. But in the shadowy gambling dens I'd experienced, cheats outnumbered the true masters. How many fools had mistaken me for some naive noble lady based on my appearance, tried to fleece me, and ended up losing limbs instead? I'd raked in cash like that until I got blacklisted from more casinos than I could count. One of my unsung feats, unknown to the world.
"Heh..."
I let a smile of anticipation curl my lips as I walked on. I'd asked Garen for directions and arrived at the casino. The moment I placed my hand on the door at the entrance—
Restricted Area for Under 19
Content access is restricted.
"Huh?"
I froze on the spot like a statue.
...What the fuck?
Only then did I remember one crucial fact I'd forgotten.
I'm... a minor, aren't I...?
Yuri, age 18. Prime high school years. That was me now, my identity forcibly set by the System.
Of course... no casino entry for me!
It was a virtual reality, sure, but you could convert in-game currency to real cash through legit channels. No different from a real casino.
Caught off guard, I stood there dumbfounded. This ruined everything... My grand plan to fund my retirement.
The restriction is some kind of mental block? I could probably force my way through...
Ignoring warning and entering will incur penalties.
I gave up at the follow-up message. No, seriously—what's the point of making me a minor in the first place? Who do I blame for not getting in?
No choice. Retirement fund would have to wait for another chance.
Still, I had something to do. Ever since checking the community forums, there was one content I'd been dying to try: PvP, a staple in every major game.
Why? I was curious about other players' skill levels. The Physical Test was a benchmark, but it wasn't perfect for gauging combat prowess. Mages and priests were at a disadvantage, right? Even a 7th-circle Master-level mage couldn't clear PT stage 80. Because they're mages—on a totally different path from warriors. Who knows, maybe there were even shaman or priest players who'd reached Master.
...Anyway, forums said PvP offered unique titles and gear you couldn't get elsewhere. Essential for building a solid foundation.
I was also curious how far my specs could take me.
Flash!
's PvP was called the Duel Tower.
This Duel Tower wasn't a facility on the Asteria—Latesia continent. True to PvP form, no NPCs could enter. Only players, accessing it mysteriously via their personal VR rooms.
...Impressive.
Back in my VR room, I selected Duel Tower - Enter and couldn't close my gaping mouth.
It evoked the Tower of Babel—a colossal spire piercing the heavens. Stretching hundreds of meters, maybe kilometers, its peak was invisible. I'd suspected as much since hearing it wasn't on the continent. To replicate something this massive in the spirit realm, just like VR rooms? Divine King-level power, no doubt.
Entered the Duel Tower!
You cannot kill other players in the lobby!
No penalties for death in duels!
The 1st-floor lobby past the tower entrance buzzed with countless players. Matching its massive exterior, the space was ridiculously vast—easily holding tens of thousands.
Giant screens dotted the lobby, broadcasting ongoing duels for spectators. Crowds gathered below, watching excitedly or cheering for favorites.
"Hey, why use a skill there? Pull back and... yeah!"
"I bet so much on you, and you make that mistake...? Give me my money back!"
...Betting too? I glanced at a player tearing at his hair in agony.
Anyway. The Duel Tower had modes: Normal Mode (1v1 with full specs), Balance Mode (1v1 with equalized stats), plus team 5v5 or 100-player free-for-all Battle Royale.
All intriguing, but I'd start with Normal Mode. Balance was too easy, teams not my style. Battle Royale could wait.
Let's see...
The instant I hit Challenge Duel—
Matching started... Match found!
Auto-transferring to duel arena.
My view shifted as the match completed.
Lv.75 MagokdongInvincibleFist (23 points, Floor 1)
3 seconds until duel starts!
I opened my eyes.
Sunlight?
I shaded my eyes with a hand. Absurdly, warm sunbeams poured from a blue sky. A cool breeze ruffled my hair, and fresh air filled my lungs.
How's there a sun in the spirit realm...? Fake, of course. Just a scenic mimicry.
I looked ahead. Opposite me stood a bare-fisted man, grinning after checking my level.
Lv. 75. Over 50 levels above me.
"What, Lv. 21? Easy win after a while."
"...Chimp?"
No way it's a bare-fist fighter class.
"What'd you say?"
His smirk twisted at my mutter—
Slash!
I slipped through his lapse in focus and beheaded him in one stroke.
Less than 10 seconds in, I was back in the lobby.
Lv. 75's a breeze.
Well, bare-fist fighter—expected. DP's probably for the duel shop.
I queued again.
Match found!
Auto-transferring to duel arena.
Lv.81 Corin (28 points, Floor 1)
3 seconds until duel starts!
Same map. Opponent: a blond mage with a staff.
He eyed me. "Lv. 21? Newbie, right? Kinda early for duels. Not even Balance Mode, but Normal...?"
Western looks, but auto-translated to Korean in my ears.
"No need for words."
I charged playfully. My form blurred forward, closing distance instantly.
Startled by my speed, he triggered a skill.
Lightning Bolt!
Mana gathered at his staff tip, unleashing a bolt. But compared to real lightning? Laughably slow and weak.
I could've dodged, but—
Cut it!
Aura-infused blade cleaved the bolt. It split in two, and up close, I swung.
"Sh, Shield...!"
"Too late."
His delayed cast shattered under my thrust. Iron Blood Sword pierced his heart—
Back to lobby.
Floor 1's easy.
Higher scores advance floors, raising the bar. Floor 1: sub-100 levels, meh gear/titles, poor control.
Gonna get tougher up top.
I kept queuing.
Lv.61 Kasel (22 points, Floor 1)
Lv.63 Crepas (30 points, Floor 1)
Lv.58 Antarea (19 points, Floor 1)
...And so on.
Finally, I reached the 2nd-floor lobby.