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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Misunderstanding
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Devil Manager Andariel.
He was an upper demon and the game master.
His role was to run "games" against humans in his sector of the Night Abyss.
The most crucial skill required of a game master was discernment.
So there was no way he could have been mistaken.
'A staff made from the World Tree. One inscribed with a powerful hierarchy. It has to be an ultra-high-grade relic of an unfathomable level.'
It was an item even the lords of the Abyss couldn't easily obtain.
A supreme treasure beyond the reach of hundreds of upper demon souls sold off.
And yet, a mere human was holding it.
'Unless he's not a mere human...?'
Think about it.
A human who could approach him in his own sector, evading his senses.
The very fact that he'd sneaked up beside the game master, who held absolute authority, proved this human before him was no "ordinary human."
The problem was that the Abyss had only just begun eroding, and not much time had passed.
No one could claim supreme-level gear and power this early.
'...An avatar contracted with one of the great lords of the Abyss?'
The creators.
Even among the Abyss's lords, there were ranks.
And among them, only nine were called "great lords."
Yet they showed no particular interest in the human world.
Naturally, they paid no attention to humans either.
But what if... he'd formed an "avatar contract" with one of them?
A great lord could certainly bestow that level of power and equipment on a human.
Gulp!
Andariel swallowed nervously.
Whether apostle or avatar, they were ultimately "human."
Demons didn't care who they contracted with.
But... the nine great lords were different.
An avatar contracted with one of them would outrank even Andariel himself.
'He must think I'm an avatar of one of the great lords.'
Park Chan-woo smirked inwardly.
Everything was going according to plan.
The change in Andariel's expression the moment his gaze landed on the World Tree Staff.
Eternal grade. He'd recognized it instantly as a treasure beyond measure.
Sure, Park Chan-woo was level -98, but Andariel had no way of knowing that.
He'd deliberately approached to make Andariel aware of him, precisely to induce this misunderstanding and confusion.
At this stage, the only human who could possess such power and gear would be thought to be an avatar of the nine great lords.
'You can't clear it by following the game master's rules.'
He had to be a thorough rebel.
Not just here, but against the Dragon God General too.
Sticking to the prescribed route led only to failure.
In fact, every creator had bet on "failure," making this Abyss utterly hopeless.
Park Chan-woo straightened his chest.
"I'll take that as silent affirmation."
He spoke without a hint of hesitation.
His confidence was so overwhelming it left Andariel flustered.
'He really does have backing!'
No ordinary human could react like that.
He'd seen two die just trying to enter, yet he didn't blink.
Instead, he stared straight into Andariel's eyes.
'...No emotion shows in his eyes.'
But Park Chan-woo's gaze revealed nothing. It proved he could perfectly conceal his feelings.
At the same time, it felt like he was pressuring Andariel: 'You wouldn't dream of denying me entry, would you?'
Andariel felt his lips go dry.
If he really was an avatar of one of the nine great lords... it wouldn't hurt to stay on his good side. But he needed confirmation.
"I'm sorry, but those who haven't formed a 'booking party' cannot enter the 'Mool Joha Nightclub.'"
"Take this."
Ting-!
A single golden coin floated through the air.
Andariel instinctively snatched it midair.
Then he widened his eyes and examined both sides.
No matter how he looked...
'A tip.'
And not just any tip.
"Th-thank you, sir."
...It was a "coin," the exclusive currency of the creators.
Insane.
The only way a human could obtain coins was by bankrupting a creator.
But for a single human to bankrupt a creator—a lord—at this point was literally "impossible."
Now it was certain.
'This human is definitely an avatar of one of the nine great lords!'
A being incomparable to ordinary humans.
He must have bankrupted a creator in the first Abyss.
Worth catching the eye of one of the nine great lords.
But even so...
...To think he'd tip a game master like him.
Of course, he'd introduced himself as the "devil manager," and this was ostensibly a nightclub, so tipping a waiter wasn't odd. But it was boldness beyond common sense.
A human daring to tip a demon.
Yet he couldn't refuse.
This "coin" was coveted by all demons.
The only currency valid in the Abyss.
Andariel resumed his role.
"I'll serve you to the utmost. However..."
He bowed his head and trailed off slightly.
Then continued cautiously.
"You still can't enter alone. By the rules, even without a full party, you need at least two people."
"So I just pick one from the remaining people?"
"Of course, you can pick more. I did say I'd serve you to the utmost."
Andariel's eyes gleamed.
The game required at least two for the rules to proceed, and it would happen inside.
"P-pick me!"
"I fight well!"
Those without parties yet stepped forward desperately.
They were all flawed—crippled, emaciated, or children.
Picking them all was one option.
'Can't trust a demon's words.'
But demons never spoke pure truth.
Park Chan-woo knew they were liars above all.
«Bookings go better with two over one, three over two, four over three.»
'Fewer is better.'
Then the opposite.
The fewer, the better.
Exactly two was ideal.
Park Chan-woo raised his hand and selected one man.
"...?"
The man—future Sword King Lee Hyuk-soo—looked at him with slight confusion.
"Him."
"Just one?"
"Yeah."
"...Understood."
A tone laced with lingering regret.
Park Chan-woo was certain his choice was right.
"I've formed parties for the remaining entrants at my discretion. Now, let's begin entry."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Inside the nightclub.
In a space filled with dazzling lights everywhere, those who'd formed "booking parties" took their seats.
"Booking" was club slang for a waiter pairing men and women, but here it was used differently.
"You'll now experience a special kind of 'booking.' Death Booking."
Everyone's faces hardened instantly.
They'd half-expected it, but the word "death" hit harder than ever.
"You'll face a 'booking opponent' suited to your party size. Fight a 'maid' to win, but 'passing' requires a price."
"Wait. That price wouldn't be..."
"Yes! As you guessed, the life of one party member!"
"Crazy...!"
Their faces turned ashen.
As expected. Now he understood Andariel's regret.
If he'd included the last dregs in his party, disaster would have struck.
"Use any method you like. You must offer one life within five minutes, or the whole party dies. Three 'wins' or 'passes' grant rewards based on performance and exit rights from this nightclub."
Four people could pass three times.
But only one would survive.
Fewer meant no passes possible.
For Park Chan-woo and Lee Hyuk-soo, they'd need at least two wins out of three bookings for even one to escape.
"After three, you're free to proceed. More bookings or leave, your choice. Ah, questions about prizes?"
"I have some."
Park Chan-woo spoke up.
Andariel's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Very well. I'll show you treasures even I dare not touch."
Whoosh!
A red curtain drew closed.
Behind it, a transparent "wall."
'It's there.'
Beyond the wall, dazzling treasures filled the space.
Among them.
The Mage's Stone.
And all the treasures obtainable from the first Night Abyss, including it.
Everything Park Chan-woo wanted.
"Gear and tools to dominate the Twelve Divine Generals of the first Night Abyss. Of course, higher-grade items require corresponding 'booking points.'"
Numbers were listed below each item.
From 10 to 10,000.
"Simple enough."
"Yes. Enjoy your 'booking' to the fullest."
Andariel smiled leisurely at Park Chan-woo.
Someone strong enough to bankrupt a lord in the first Abyss, chosen as an avatar by one of the nine great lords—he might think three wins were easy.
'A misunderstanding.'
But it was.
Far from easy.
Bookings always matched "similar levels."
This "Mool Joha Nightclub's" Death Booking assigned opponents based on party size and "combat power."
That was the setup.
Thus.
'The stronger you are, the higher your level, the more party members—the more impossible victory becomes. Foolish human.'
Andariel sneered at Park Chan-woo inwardly.