Chapter 19

Ch.19 The Regression Of Calamity-Level Monster Tamer

The moment I entered the White Gate, System messages began popping up frantically.

These were messages I’d seen before my Regression, but I read them carefully just in case.

[Confirming user’s Level.] 

[Entry permitted.] 

[Assigned to Room 1,425.] 

[User may choose to ‘proceed or forfeit’ at any time.]

‘…Same as before. Which means ‘that’ will appear the same way too.’

Besides the purpose of drawing people’s attention, another reason I came here.

The rest area.

The place that appears after blocking ten Waves.

[Prepare yourself.] 

[The 1st Wave is approaching.]

“Geri, Freki.”

“Woof!“

“Sniff.“

At my call, the two appeared once again.

Looking at their backs, I feel incredibly reassured.

I probably won’t have to break a sweat.

Because these two will handle everything here.

The stars of the first Wave were three ‘Lv.1 Skeleton Soldiers.’

— Clatter. — Click click. — Click click click!

Creatures charging while clacking their teeth up and down.

“Kids, go easy on them though…”

Crack—

Before I could even finish my sentence, Geri and Freki shattered them to pieces.

[User’s experience slightly increases.] 

[Geri and Freki’s experience increases.] 

[Obtained 1 F-rank Magic Stone Fragment.]

“…Hehe, yeah. This is why you play Tamer!”

Unlike summoning Wizards who spend Magic Power to maintain summons, and unlike Warriors who don’t have to run around sweating.

Two well-raised Magic Beasts are worth ten party members. Though you can only enter here alone anyway.

[The 2nd Wave is approaching.]

The next Wave was five ‘Lv.1 Skeleton Soldiers.’

Three swordsmen and two archers.

— Clatter — Clatt…

Whoosh—

But even these became ice statues with just one frosty breath from Geri.

As soon as Geri’s azure tail whipped like a lash, they shattered to pieces.

[User’s experience slightly increases.] 

[Geri and Freki’s experience increases.] 

[Obtained 2 F-rank Magic Stone Fragments.]

The following Waves were equally smooth.

Fifth Wave, one ‘Lv.10 Skeleton Knight.’

Clear.

Eighth Wave, five ‘Lv.8 Zombies.’

Clear.

Tenth Wave, one ‘Lv.15 Ghoul.’

Clear.

[User’s experience slightly increases.] 

[Geri and Freki’s Level increases by 1.] 

[Skill ‘Two Are One(S-)’ Level rises to Lv.3.]

[Two Are One] 

—Rank: S- 

—Level: 3 

—Information: 1. A pair of souls can always stay together, anywhere, anytime. 2. [—Lock—] (Unlock condition Lv.5) 3. [—Lock—]

“Woof!“

“Good work.”

After completing the tenth Wave, the System message I’d been eagerly waiting for appeared.

[After clearing 10 Waves, you may use one of three rest areas.] 

[1. Undine’s Pond] [2. Salamander’s Bonfire] [3. Gambler’s Table]

The pond is a place that heals wounds.

The bonfire is a place that buffs attack power.

And the table is a place where you gamble with something at stake.

The last location is clearly different and alien from the two above.

‘Life’s all about that one shot anyway.’

I chose the third location without hesitation.

“Gambler’s Table.”

At my low murmur, the floor opened and a table rose up.

A premium table with a circular roulette and soft green cloth laid out.

Now it’s finally time to encounter the reason I came here.

Swoosh—

Suddenly a pitch-black hole appeared in the air, and a goblin popped out from within.

“Kel kel kel.“

A peculiar goblin wearing a fancy tuxedo.

A creature with [Lv.?? Gamble Goblin] written above its head.

‘This guy… because of System protection, attack judgments don’t work on him at all.’

A fact I discovered myself in the past after losing a bet and causing a ruckus.

“Kel!“

As soon as the Gamble Goblin appeared, it tapped the table with both hands. Meaning to put up items for the bet.

Just like in the past, its personality is quite impatient.

‘Let’s go light for the first round as a test.’

I placed my only item on the table.

“Here.”

The ‘Moon Fang’s Karambit’ upgraded with the talent Seal Release.

Even if something unfortunate happens, it won’t hinder fighting here. Because I have Geri and Freki.

That’s not to say this Karambit is cheap, absolutely not.

Rather, cost-effective weapons like this are hard to find even if you pay ‘Coins’ for them elsewhere.

“Kel, kel!“

As if recognizing the dagger’s value, an unusual gleam appeared in its eyes.

Then it reached deep into the briefcase beside it and pulled out a worn ring.

The System kindly provided the item information.

[Faded Talent] 

—Rank: Unique 

—Information: A ring worn by someone who thirsted for talent. Each Stat increases simultaneously by the number of talents the user possesses. · Skill, Talent Devour Max(A)

‘…Wait, this?!’

To think this was here.

This is an item that will appear in the Tower several years later and cause a bloodbath.

At a glance, it looks like just another item with only a high rank.

Since regular Players only have one talent, their total Stats would only increase by 4 at most.

‘But the true value of that ring isn’t just that.’

It’s the skill attached to the ring.

[Talent Devour] 

—Rank: A 

—Level: Max 

—Information: The ring’s rank increases with each talent devoured. (0/100)

Because of that skill, countless people will have their talents stolen and lose their lives.

And eventually, a Demon who made a name in the Tower will end up claiming the ring.

A ring that only grows stronger by drinking massive amounts of blood.

The Gamble Goblin must know this too.

No, that’s precisely why it offered me that item despite it being a Unique-rank item.

So that even if it loses by chance, I who possess that ring will fall into danger.

‘Vicious bastard…’

But I have ‘Seal Release.’

Meaning I can draw out that ring’s true nature without doing such immoral deeds.

I was going to go light since it’s the first round, but things turned out differently than expected.

‘Then I must win this round.’

Now that the items are set, it’s time to start the game.

“So who throws first?”

At my words, the creature tossed one black bead and one white bead onto the table from its sleeve.

“Kel kel kel.“

And it looked at me as if showing mercy.

I caught his intention and snatched the white bead.

“I’ll go second.”

At my words, the Gamble Goblin sneered.

Then it picked up the black bead and tossed it into the spinning roulette.

Whirrrr—

The black bead rotating along the inner rim of the roulette naturally settled into a numbered slot.

[27]

A pretty high number.

But I didn’t panic.

‘You’re done for now.’

In fact, this guy is notorious among Players. Because for some reason, bets against him can never be won.

‘I was a hundred losses for a hundred matches against this guy before my Regression too.’

There was definitely cheating involved, but no one could figure out the method. But there’s occasionally a madman like me.

I kept challenging despite losing every time, and finally discovered the creature’s winning formula.

But that wasn’t a counter-strategy, and I had to endlessly challenge again to find a way to win.

‘How on earth can I win…’

The answer I found after much anguish and investigation.

That was the [Necklace of Good Fortune].

‘But I couldn’t find that Relic’s whereabouts.’

Because the item’s owner was missing at the time.

That protagonist was none other than Julie Pearson, one of the Three Venerables.

But in this world, it’s in my hands.

The [Necklace of Good Fortune] that devours misfortune.

‘Let’s go…’

I tossed the white bead into the spinning roulette.

Whirrrrrr—

The white bead bouncing here and there along the roulette.

“…”

“…”

As if toying with me and the Gamble Goblin, it repeatedly went in and out of various spots.

After rolling around for a while, the white bead slipped right into one hole.

“…Kel!?”

“…Hehe.”

The number in that slot was.

[28]

Exactly 1 higher than the Gamble Goblin’s number.

***

“Oh my, what can I do, I’m so sorry.”

I immediately swept up the items placed on the table.

Due to the System rule’s strictness, the creature couldn’t offer any resistance.

It could only groan.

“Grrroan…”

“Hehe, you should’ve played better then.”

I smiled with satisfaction looking at the creature.

Whether angered by my appearance, the Gamble Goblin started throwing a tantrum.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Hitting the table frantically with its small fists, and finally lying on the floor throwing a fit.

“Kyaaaaak—!“

But that was only for a moment.

Suddenly a pitch-black hole formed on the floor, and the creature was sucked into it along with the table—whoosh.

Rest time was over.

“…”

Silence that arrived so abruptly.

But that silence was refreshing like cider to me.

“Wow! That feels so good!”

They say a gentleman’s revenge isn’t late even after ten years.

Thinking about being toyed with by that creature in my beginner days, it feels like ten years of indigestion are finally going down.

I immediately tried on the ring I snatched from the creature.

[‘Faded Talent’ detects the number of user’s talents.] [All of user’s Stats increase by +4 each.]

[Stats] —Strength: 33 (+3) —Agility: 65 (+6) —Stamina: 33 (+13) —Magic Power: 34 (+3)

Stat values gradually rising.

But the important thing was the message that appeared next.

[Talent ‘Seal Release’ detects the hidden form of ‘Faded Talent’.]

‘That’s right!’

Magic Stones.

Magic Stones are important now.

Both [Leper’s Mask] and [Faded Talent] need Magic Stones to unlock their true nature.

And the easiest way to obtain Magic Stones is using the Achievement Shop.

Moreover, [Faded Talent] is a Unique-rank item, so it requires an ‘A-rank Magic Stone.’

‘There’s a way for all that. Anyway, I’ve handled minor revenge and compensation well… The important thing is that my plan is working properly.’

The [Necklace of Good Fortune] works properly.

Which means I can keep winning bets against the Gamble Goblin from now on.

‘In the past, my highest defense record was the 41st Wave…’

Embarrassingly, given the White Gate’s characteristic of difficulty skyrocketing every 10 stages, that was my limit at the time.

Of course, that version of me was also a beginner going through trial and error and growing, so it couldn’t be helped.

‘Anyway, I can bet at least three more times…’

Earlier I bet an item as a test, but from now on I plan to bet what I used to bet before.

‘Specifically, Achievement Coins…’

The Gamble Goblin can bet anything with economic value.

That’s its unique ability.

‘Current remaining balance, 1,500 Coins.’

If I go all-in every round?

‘First round 3,000, then 6,000. Third round 12,000 Coins… If a fourth round exists?’

24,000 Coins.

Then I can buy the Unique-rank A-rank Magic Stone and still have change left over.

‘I’m rich—!!’

I knew things would work out well enough to make some money if it went according to plan, but now that the situation is right before my eyes, dopamine is gushing out.

‘No, I need to stay calm at times like this. If I get excited and make a mistake, this will be the last time…’

Since my current Level is 29, it was certain there’d be no opportunity if not now.

One way or another, I had to finish it this time.

[The 11th Wave is approaching.] [Prepare for battle.]

As rest time ended, the message announcing the Wave appeared again.

“Kraaaaaah—!“

And ten Orc Warriors appeared.

“Geri, Freki.”

“Woof!“

“Woof, woof!“

At my call, the two charged toward the enemy without a moment’s hesitation.