Chapter 23

Ch.23 The Regression Of Calamity-Level Monster Tamer

Geri and Freki had almost no experience fighting massive Magic Beasts similar to their own size.

But after fighting the baby Drakes, using that as experience, they began pushing through the remaining Waves even more easily.

‘Perhaps that’s why both my Level and their Levels rose in an instant. It’s regrettable I can’t enter one more time.’

Thus the anticipated final 50th Wave.

‘Lv.55 White Fang Troll,’ called the Player Hunter.

I was a bit surprised at first.

‘I wondered if they really put it there for me to catch.’

Because that guy is a creature that appears only on quite high floors even in the Tower.

As expected, living up to its reputation, the creature held two massive axes in both hands.

—Keurararara!

It felt like the entire space was filled with just that one creature.

Truly overwhelming momentum.

Perhaps because my Level was low, I almost flinched without realizing it.

But to counter it, the moment I raised my momentum like with the baby Drakes.

—Keueueung…

The creature backed away while avoiding eye contact like a scared puppy.

Of course, perhaps because of the cooldown time, the Talent didn’t activate like before.

That’s why it didn’t completely stop moving like the baby Drakes.

But just being scared made it crumble disappointingly easily.

‘…Is this right?’

Though Geri and Freki had become remarkably strong to begin with, this is a bit strange.

I didn’t think I’d lose, but I didn’t think I wouldn’t take any damage either.

‘Those eyes…’

I still remember.

Clearly, right before dying, the creature tumbled on the ground and made eye contact with me.

Though we didn’t share language, I could read one clear emotion in those eyes.

Fear.

‘Was it fear of death?’

Anyway, a good thing is a good thing, isn’t catching it easily a good thing?

I shook my head and erased the stray thoughts.

My head was complicated enough just thinking about good things and future plans.

‘Is this what they mean by wiping your nose without using your hands?’

Thus Geri and Freki power-leveled and grew from Lv.21 to Lv.36, and I picked up experience beside them to become Lv.33.

[You’ve blocked all Waves and reached the end of White Gate!]

[White Gate is slightly weakened…]

[Gate Break probability within Seoul area slightly…]

Ttiring!

[Achievement, ‘Gate Pioneer’ acquired!]

[Gate Pioneer]

—Rank: Epic

—Description: A pioneer is like dawn illuminating the dark night. When you advance, everyone follows you. Move forward. You gain nothing by being complacent.

—Acquire ‘Gate Map’ tab.

—‘Gate Strays’ eventually reach the user like ships chasing a lighthouse.

—User acquires all rewards obtained within Gates 50% more.

[Calculating achievements so far…]

[Weakening White Gate is the first achievement on Earth!]

[Acquiring Achievement Points, 6,000 coins.]

[Acquiring additional 3,000 coins due to ‘Gate Pioneer’ effect.]

“Wow…”

Admiration came naturally.

I didn’t obtain an Item, didn’t obtain experience.

I merely obtained one Achievement.

But that single Achievement was too overpowered.

‘Free coins totaling 3,000!’

This means I now have a whopping 21,000 coins.

About 20,000 coins!

Why?

‘Because I’ve been deliciously devouring Gamble Goblins until now.’

After finishing the 20th, 30th, and 40th Waves.

I had opportunities to stop by rest areas three times total.

And each time, I unfailingly chose ‘Gambler’s Table.’

I went ‘all-in’ every time and won.

Betting 1,500 coins for 3,000 coins.

Betting 3,000 coins for 6,000 coins.

Betting 6,000 coins for 12,000 coins.

‘Keu, coins aside, that guy’s distorted expression was even sweeter…’

Anyway, goodbye to the life of being strapped for coins for a while.

Not only consumables like potions, but I’ll be able to purchase various small materials without worry.

“Now I just need to return triumphantly—”

Just as I was about to prepare to return, I heard a familiar System message.

Another choice given.

[Choose the rest area to enter last.]

[1. Undine’s Pond]

[2. Salamander’s Bonfire]

[3. Gambler’s Table]

‘…Huh? They let me enter at the end too?’

This isn’t a Gate.

It’s definitely The Giving Tree.

Giving and giving until its own spine bends, but I as the recipient become full and warm—that kind of treasure Gate.

‘Can I miss the opportunity to leech off that guy one last time?’

Actually, more than that, I want to see that guy’s distorted expression more. I might be a bit perverted.

Anyway, the answer was already decided.

“Gambler’s Table.”

As I muttered, Gamble Goblin appeared from beyond the dimensional door, panting.

The creature was trembling while expressing anger with its whole body.

And its anger is my joy.

“That angry? Then you should have won.”

“Kerereureu―!!“

Having lost four times in a row, it’s in a state of extreme venom.

Moreover, just because I teased it a bit, the creature’s face became a mess turning red and blue.

‘Hehe, do you think you can win just because you’re like that?’

Kung!

Before the creature could react, I threw a heavy backpack containing about 20,000 coins onto the roulette table.

Being able to materialize coins was possible because of Gamble Goblin’s unique ability.

“…!?”

The creature that had been angry upon seeing the backpack flinched.

Probably because I bet more coins than expected.

It was natural since I added all the coins obtained from clearing White Gate.

“……”

Gamble Goblin looked at the pile of coins flowing from the backpack, then slowly looked up at me.

I stared directly at the creature and spoke clearly.

“If you’re scared, go die.”

“Kelkelkelkel!!“

The creature laughed uproariously as if it was ridiculous.

It was a battle of momentum between us.

After laughing for a while, Gamble Goblin wiped tears and placed its entire briefcase on the table.

Kkambak―

The blinking light attached to the roulette table turned on.

Meaning the number of coins was equal on both sides.

42,000 coins.

That’s the pot riding on this single round.

Tension flowed with silence.

Even I, who thought victory was natural, was tense.

What if that guy brought a countermeasure for [Necklace of Good Fortune]?

I’d be the one going bankrupt instead.

Ttak!

“…?”

But the creature suddenly snapped its fingers.

Then a massive granite sparring arena that looked 100 pyeong rose from the floor right beside us.

Then Gamble Goblin stepped onto the arena.

Standing on it, it looked down at me.

As if telling me to follow up.

‘Can’t do it with roulette, so you’ll change methods?’

Rules arbitrarily changed by the creature.

Meaning it’s a game the creature set up.

So if I take my share of coins and leave right now, there would be no penalty.

That’s the realistic and wise course of action.

‘But I’d have to completely say goodbye to the 21,000 coins the creature bet, of course, and that ‘thing’ of its I’ve been coveting…’

A moment of choice.

‘Should I do this or not…’

The contemplation was brief.

I leaped onto the arena in one bound.

“Kelkel!“

The creature made a pleased laugh.

Then pointed at the [Necklace of Good Fortune] around my neck, then pointed at the roulette table again.

‘The bastard caught on.’

Telling me to bet my Relic as the pot too.

But rather, it’s good.

It’s a fight I have to win anyway, a fight I’ll win.

‘That the creature came out this far means it wants to have a proper round…’

This fight would probably be a proper battle rather than the gambling games until now.

The creature that had been smiling until just now was already looking at me with a coldly cooled expression.

I too instinctively felt I couldn’t take this lightly like a joke anymore.

‘It’s fine. This way I have justification too.’

After throwing the Necklace of Good Fortune onto the table, I shouted.

“This time it’s my turn. Your black-white marbles, those are originally dice, right? Hurry and bet them.”

“…!?”

As expected, the creature flinched.

Though currently in a different form due to Gamble Goblin’s ability, I know the true form of those black-white marbles.

That’s a quite rare yet precious Relic.

Madam sang about wanting it so tediously in the past that I can’t forget even if I tried.

[Arbitrary Dice]

—Rank: Legendary

—Information: Dice imbued with the grudge of a gambler goblin who couldn’t let go of gambling until death.

· Quantifies user’s luck and displays it as a Stat.

—Authority: Can ‘adjust’ random probability values at will.

(However, each use causes the grudge to gradually erode the soul. 0/100)

—Charge: 6/100

Literally dice that manipulate luck.

Due to the downside, I can’t use it as is, but it’s something I need to secure because it can freely manipulate probability.

“Kerereureu…”

The creature nodded as if it made up its mind.

As mutual agreement passed between us, a single sheet of clean A4 paper document and a fountain pen appeared before each of our eyes.

Large letters spelling out rules were written there.

The rules were very simple.

[Duel Rules]

1. 1vs1 duel
2. Winner takes all
3. Loser submits to winner

The creature looked at me with a fishy smile.

As if asking if I was confident.

‘That creature was watching me fight throughout the Waves.’

The rule of one-on-one.

This seemed like a rule purely targeting me as a Tamer.

It must have inserted ‘Article 1’ after watching me fight dependently on Geri and Freki.

In other words.

‘You’re saying I’m nothing without Magic Beasts, right?’

I too was underestimated.

I stared at the creature and slowly signed.

Hwirireuk―

Then the contract signed by the goblin and I flew to the middle of the arena and merged into one.

Then it changed form and soon became a red boxing time bell.

Ttaengttaengttaeng!

The bell sounded announcing the start of the match.

Then Gamble Goblin’s Level, always hidden with question marks, was revealed.

[Lv.60 Gamble Goblin]

‘As expected, this guy was the real hidden boss here.’

I was always curious, and the secret was finally revealed.

I drew my only weapon, ‘Bloody Moon Fang’s Karambit,’ and took a stance.

Gamble Goblin, seeing my appearance, sneered then suddenly curled its body into a ball.

“…?”

Just as I wondered what it was doing, the creature’s small, weak body squirmed and changed like clay.

Questions arose, but I had no intention of kindly waiting.

“Let’s finish this quickly.”

Kicking off the ground, I reached the clay pile in an instant.

I strongly pulled my arm centered on my pivot foot.

Sseeeeeek―

The karambit swung as if to slaughter everything in its path.

It seemed like it would bisect the dirt pile any moment.

Of course, life doesn’t work that easily though.

Kkang!

A square shield that blocked the karambit.

“Who are you now?”

The clay pile disappeared somewhere, and an unfamiliar ‘person’ appeared blocking my dagger.