Chapter 70

Godwin’s House.

“You’ve already finished?”

Godwin looked at me with disbelief.

He had given me two tasks, and considering one of them involved actual combat, he thought it was impossible for me to have finished so soon.

“That’s right. If you don’t believe me, test me.”

I said, tilting my head.

Since I had surpassed the level of task completion, it was natural for me to be confident.

“Hmm, of course, I’ll have to test you.”

Godwin scoffed and drew his sword.

It was a lethal executioner’s sword.

“I’ll strike you with my sword right now. If you want to live, block it.”

He meant to strike me with the Executioner’s Strike.

The opponent was Godwin.

He was not a man to show mercy in his hands.

It meant a moment of carelessness could cost me my life.

However,

I was overflowing with confidence.

I even turned my back to him as I spoke.

“Go ahead.”

Showing one’s back to someone with a sword?

There was no more defenseless posture than that.

Therefore, deliberately adopting such a posture was tantamount to mocking the opponent.

It was as good as saying, “I can handle you in this posture.”

“Have you ever seen such a madman?”

Cold anger could be felt in Godwin’s voice.

Though I couldn’t see his face, he was undoubtedly glaring at me with a fierce look.

“Can’t you see I’m prepared?”

My hands were tightly gripping the sword, ready to counter with the Executioner’s Strike at any moment.

To be precise, it was the evolved strike.

Since there were no blind spots, I could counter from behind at any time.

But Godwin didn’t know that, so his anger was somewhat understandable.

“Fine. Let’s see if you’re prepared or just fooling around.”

Bang!

A powerful stomp.

Whoosh!

Simultaneously, I felt Godwin’s sword cutting through the air towards me.

My body reflexively responded.

It was the result of training and real combat.

A single turn.

And immediately transitioning to an upward slash.

Boom!

The collision sound was unimaginable for a clash of swords.

It was the result of the shock from the Executioner’s Strikes colliding.

From my hand to my arm, I felt a tingling sensation.

The strong pressure made it seem like my whole body would stagger.

However, I clenched my teeth and stood my ground without retreating.

Eventually, we stopped in a standoff, swords clashing.

“You blocked it?”

Godwin muttered in disbelief.

He knew the technique he had taught better than anyone.

That it was impossible to turn around and execute the technique in an instant.

“Any problem?”

I said, grinning.

Godwin frowned and withdrew his sword.

“No, no problem. It was a good strike.”

“Thanks for the compliment.”

“But.”

“But?”

“That wasn’t the technique I taught you.”

“I made some improvements on my own. It seemed useful.”

“Hmph, you’re not an ordinary guy.”

Godwin gave a meaningful snort and continued.

“If you’ve learned everything, hand over the medicine and get lost.”

“Come on. We’re not just any acquaintances, are we? Saying something so heartless? Of course, I’ll give you the medicine.”

I took out the medicine pouch and tossed it to Godwin.

Thud.

Godwin caught the medicine pouch.

“Don’t expect a thank you.”

“Ah, that’s not enough.”

“You’re changing your tune now?”

“Would I do that? It’s just that we have a good relationship, so I thought you could do me another favor.”

I pressed on, knowing full well.

Godwin was subtly feeling indebted.

His mental illness, which no place in the world could find a cure for.

Me, bringing him the miraculous medicine that could cure him.

He subtly felt that the value of the medicine and the technique he taught me were not equivalent.

That’s why, despite his outward appearance, he was feeling uneasy inside.

Knowing his true feelings, I boldly asked for a favor.

“One is not enough.”

Godwin wasn’t a character to be discarded after learning just one sword technique.

He had more value to be utilized.

Having learned the Strong Sword, the next was the Illusory Sword.

He was the character who could help me learn that Illusory Sword technique.

Though he kept his mouth shut, I could see Godwin’s pupils slightly shaking.

I pushed further.

“Wow, the medicine really works wonders. You look much healthier. Now you finally look human, truly human.”

Eventually, Godwin shook his head in resignation and grumbled,

“Fine, what do you want?”

I smiled slyly at the response I wanted.

“It won’t be bad news for you.”

“So what is it?”

“The casino.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s go to the casino together.”

Casino.

Of course, there were casinos in this world too.

A shortcut to ruin, just like in reality.

So it wasn’t about going to win money.

There was a different purpose.

“There’s a casino here.”

Godwin muttered.

“Never been here before, I take it?”

“Yeah. Wasn’t exactly in a state to do so.”

“Figures.”

I chuckled and nodded.

“Then you must be feeling excited to the point of madness now.”

“Tch, it’s not that much.”

Despite his words, I could feel the excitement on Godwin’s face.

It was inevitable.

He was a typical gambling addict.

Among executioners, it wasn’t uncommon.

They would fall into something addictive to somehow alleviate the stress of having to continually kill people.

It could be alcohol, drugs, or gambling.

Or all three.

In Godwin’s case, it was gambling.

Hidden behind the notorious banner of an executioner, he was also a gambler known to all in the kingdom’s gambling circles.

In terms of skill, that is.

“There’s something I want to say before we go down.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll pay, so feel free to enjoy yourself. But later, just catch one guy for me.”

“One guy?”

“Yeah. He’s not too famous around here, but…”

I explained the person I was targeting.

A man named Dan.

A good-for-nothing living off alcohol and gambling, coming from a background of pickpocketing in back alleys.

Hearing this, you might think he’s just trash, but even such a guy had one incredible talent.

Deceiving people’s eyes with dazzling movements.

A talent that was nothing short of a divine blessing in the realm of gambling.

However, he didn’t flaunt this talent.

He knew too well that excessive skill in the gambling world could threaten one’s life.

Therefore, his actual gambling win rate was rather below average.

He kept his true nature well hidden, attracting no one’s attention.

That was his perfect survival strategy.

But.

When it was absolutely necessary, he would surely win.

Especially when it came to fleecing a target he had set his sights on.

“What a petty man.”

Godwin commented after hearing the story.

“It’s also a wise way to handle oneself.”

I added.

“Anyway, I need to get something from him. So help me out.”

“How so?”

“That is…”

***

The Temple of Fortune.

It was the name of the largest underground casino in the holy city.

Fitting for a city of religion, it was ironically named a temple.

There were rumors that high-ranking officials of the religious order ran the place,

but nothing was certain.

With so much money changing hands, they were likely not uninvolved.

After all, the order also needed money to operate.

“Do I exchange chips here?”

“Yes, sir. How much would you like?”

“This much.”

I placed a bundle of gold on the counter.

The counter employee looked surprised.

“Sir, are you exchanging all of it?”

“Yes, exchange it all.”

“Ah… Understood.”

The employee quickly counted the amount and exchanged it for chips.

While doing so, he said,

“You have more than enough to qualify for the Royal Room, would you like me to show you there?”

“No, today I’ll just enjoy myself here.”

Dan is here.

It meant there was no need to go to the Royal Room.

“Understood. I hope you have a pleasant time.”

The employee bowed at a right angle in farewell.

Money is indeed good.

When I came here as the protagonist, I was just another customer A, but now I’m seen as a VIP.

‘Those were tough times.’

I had a hard time hooking Dan because I didn’t have much money.

But today is different.

Now, I’m the perfect rich sucker.

Even if I just sit still, the money-hungry flies will naturally swarm to me.

I could already see the flies sneaking glances this way.

‘Ha, these little bugs sure have a nose for money.’

I chuckled inwardly and made my move.

To avoid suspicion, I had to show that I was gambling.

I went to the blackjack table.

I played carelessly, not caring whether I lost money or not.

While doing so, I checked the location of my target.

‘I can feel you, you bastard.’

I smirked to myself.

The target, while playing poker, was cautiously glancing over at me.

He was fully aware of me.

This was a sure catch.

“Looks like my luck’s rotten today.”

I stood up from the table.

Then I sat down at an empty table and lit a cigarette.

Normally, I wouldn’t touch it for the sake of my health, but today was an exception.

It was to create a natural atmosphere for Dan to approach me.

As soon as I moved to an empty table, Dan’s butt lifted as if he had been waiting for this moment.

But before Dan could approach, another fly came first.

The fly offered me a chip.

“Sorry, but can I bum a cigarette?”

“I have a prior engagement, so buzz off.”

Thwack.

I flicked the chip away with my hand.

The fly seemed angry but also unsure of what to do.

A sucker telling him to buzz off at first sight was probably a first for him.

He seemed to be pondering what to do next.

I gave him an answer.

“Buzz off, I said.”

“Jeez, what a freak.”

Eventually, the fly left, clicking his tongue and cursing, looking like he had seen all kinds of weirdos.

Good, one fly down.

Now, what about Dan?

The target seemed tense after seeing my attitude.

His face was stiff.

No, buddy.

I’m an easy man.

Come on.

Come at me.

As I muttered to myself,

Fortunately, he approached me.

He seemed to have decided to take a chance.

“Excuse me.”

“What is it?”

“May I sit and have a smoke?”

“Do as you please. It’s not like I’ve rented the whole place.”

“I thought you had a prior engagement…”

“That was just to get rid of a beggar.”

“Ha ha, I see.”

Dan’s expression finally relaxed.

He sat down in front of me and lit a cigarette.

“Puff puff.”

We focused on smoking for a while.

When I finished my cigarette and stubbed it out on the table,

Dan finally spoke again.

“Do you gamble often?”

“Not really. Just to kill time.”

“Ah, I see. Me too.”

Dan chimed in.

He had a pleasant smile on his lips.

“It’s refreshing, isn’t it? Right?”

“Sure.”

I nodded.

“But isn’t it a bit complicated for a hobby? I find it so.”

Dan began to throw bait.

Of course, I welcomed it.

I had to play along.

“Definitely a bit annoying. I hate anything complicated when I’m just trying to pass the time.”

“I feel the same. That’s why I ended up looking for something simpler and clearer.”

“Got something good?”

“If we’re talking simple and clear, it has to be dice, right?”

“Dice. That’s true.”

“Ha ha, I’m glad you agree with me. How about a game of dice with me? There’s a dice room over there.”

I could feel his fingertips trembling slightly with excitement.

He was on the verge of hooking a sucker, naturally.

But who’s going to be hooked?

Obviously, it’s going to be you, right?

I smirked inwardly and nodded.

“Not bad. Let’s go.”

“Ha ha, sure. Let’s go.”

And so, we headed to the dice room.

Of course, I didn’t forget.

To subtly signal Godwin with my eyes as we went.