Level -99 Archmage

Chapter 8. Misconception

The Demon Manager, Andariel. He is a high-ranking demon and a Game Master. His role in Night Abyss is to conduct ‘games’ for the humans within his district. The most important ability required of a Game Master is discernment. So, there was no way he misjudged what he saw.

‘A staff made from the World Tree. Not only that, but one imbued with an incredibly high level of hierarchy. An artifact of an unfathomably high grade.’

Even the Lords of the Abyss wouldn’t be able to obtain such an item easily. Even if one sold hundreds of high-ranking demon souls, they wouldn’t be able to acquire such a supreme treasure. And yet, a mere human was holding it.

 ‘What if he’s not just an ordinary human?’

When he thought about it, a human who was able to approach unnoticed within Andariel’s district, despite his keen senses. Someone who stealthily got close to a Game Master, who has absolute authority within the game. That alone proved that this human was not ordinary. The problem was that the Abyss had only recently begun its invasion. There was no way someone could have already acquired such overwhelming strength and gear in such a short time.

 ‘…Could they be the Avatar of one of the Great Abyssal Lords?’

The Creators, the Lords of the Abyss, also have ranks among themselves. Among them, only nine are referred to as the Great Lords. However, those Great Lords have little interest in the human world. Naturally, they never grant their attention to humans.

But what if…?

What if one of them had made a pact with this human and granted them power? If it was one of the Great Lords, then it was entirely possible for them to bestow such overwhelming equipment and strength.

Gulp!

Andariel gulped nervously. Whether they were an Apostle or an Avatar, they were still human. Normally, demons wouldn’t care who they had formed a contract with. But, the Great Nine Lords were different. If this human was truly the Avatar of one of the Great Lords, then that meant they were a being of a higher rank than Andariel himself.

 ‘He must have mistaken me for an Avatar of the Great Lords.’

Park Chan-woo smirked inwardly. Everything was going exactly as planned. The moment Andariel’s gaze landed on the World Tree Staff, his expression changed. He had immediately recognized it as an Eternal-grade treasure, something beyond comprehension.

Of course, it was actually Level -98, but there was no way Andariel could know that. Park Chan-woo had approached him deliberately, to make Andariel aware of his presence. It was all to manipulate Andariel into a misunderstanding and confusion. At this point in the game, there was no possible way for a human to have such power and equipment, unless they were the Avatar of a Great Lord.

 ‘There’s no way to clear the game following the path set by the Game Master.’

One had to become a complete rebel to survive. Not just here, but also when facing the Dragon God’s Commander. If you followed the predetermined routes, failure was inevitable. After all, every single Creator had placed their bets on the players failing. The Abyss itself was built upon despair. Park Chan-woo straightened his posture and said:

“I’ll take that as a silent confirmation.”

His voice held no hesitation. It was spoken with such unwavering confidence that even Andariel was taken aback.

 ‘He must have something to rely on!’

No ordinary human would react like this. He had seen two people die before even stepping inside, but he didn’t so much as flinch. Instead, he stared straight into Andariel’s eyes.

 ‘…There’s no emotion in his gaze.’

There was nothing to be read in Park Chan-woo’s expression. It was proof that he knew how to conceal his emotions completely. And yet, his demeanor seemed to say. ‘Surely, you’re not thinking of denying me entry, are you?’

Andariel felt his lips dry up. If this person was truly an Avatar of the Great Nine Lords, then there was no downside to getting on their good side. Still, he needed confirmation.

“Unfortunately, those who have not formed a ‘Booking Party’ cannot enter Good Vibe Nightclub.”

“Take this.”

Ting!

A golden coin was tossed through the air. Andariel instinctively snatched it in haste. Then, he stared wide-eyed at what he held. No matter how he looked at it…

 ‘It’s a tip.’

And not just any tip.

“T-thank you very much, honored guest.”

It was a Coin, the exclusive currency of the Creators.

This was insane.

The only way for a human to obtain a Coin was to bankrupt a Creator. But for a mere human to bankrupt a Creator, a Lord at this stage was literally impossible. Finally, Andariel was completely convinced.

‘This human is definitely the Avatar of one of the Great Nine Lords!’

He was on a completely different level than normal humans. No doubt, he must have bankrupted a Creator in his first Abyss. That would be enough to attract the attention of one of the Great Nine Lords. Still, even if that was the case, who in the world dares to tip a demon?!

Sure, Andariel had introduced himself as a Manager, and on the surface, this place resembled a nightclub. So technically, tipping the waiter wasn’t out of place. But this was utterly unheard of. A human giving a demon a tip? And yet, rejecting it wasn’t an option. This Coin was something all demons desired. It was the only accepted currency within the Abyss. Andariel quickly resumed his role.

“I shall serve you to the best of my ability. However…”

He bowed his head, then hesitated before continuing.

“You still cannot enter alone. Even if a party isn’t formed, a minimum of two people is required.”

“Then I just have to pick someone from the remaining people, right?”

“Of course, you can choose more if you like. I promised to serve you in the best way possible.”

Andariel’s eyes gleamed. That meant the game, which required at least two participants, would take place inside this venue.

“P-Please choose me!”

“I’m confident I can fight well!”

The ones who had not yet joined a party desperately stepped forward. They were all either physically impaired, emaciated, or just too young. Choosing all of them was one possible option.

“You should never trust the words of a demon.”

However, Park Chan-woo knew very well that demons never spoke only the truth. On the contrary, they were inherently deceitful.

“Booking works better with two than one, better with three than two, and better with four than three.”

‘The fewer, the better.’

That meant the opposite must also be true. Fewer was better. Two people were just the right number. Park Chan-woo raised his hand and selected a man.

“…?”

The man, future Sword King Lee Hyuk-soo, looked at Park Chan-woo with slight confusion.

“I’ll take him.”

“You’re only choosing one?”

“Yes.”

“……Understood.”

There was a hint of regret in Andariel’s tone. That only made Park Chan-woo more confident in his decision.

“The remaining entrants will be assigned to parties at my discretion. Now, let’s begin the entrance process.”

Inside the Nightclub.

The nightclub’s interior was filled with dazzling lights. The participants who had formed their ‘Booking Party’ took their seats. ‘Booking’ was originally slang used in clubs when a waiter paired up men and women, but in this place, it had a different meaning.

“From now on, you will experience a new kind of ‘Booking.’”

“The ‘Booking of Death.’”

At that moment, the expressions of the people hardened. They had expected something bad, but hearing the word ‘death’ made it more real than ever.

“Based on the number of members in your party, you will be matched with an appropriate ‘Booking opponent.’ If you say ‘Made,’ a battle will take place. However, if you wish to ‘Pass’ without any fight there is a price to pay.”

“Wait. Don’t tell me that price is…?”

“Yes! As you guessed, it’s the life of one of your party members!”

“This is insane…!”

The participants’ faces turned ashen. Now, it was clear why Andariel had seemed regretful earlier. If Park Chan-woo had chosen the remaining weaklings, his party would have been at a severe disadvantage.

“You may use any method you wish. However, you must offer up one life within five minutes. If you fail to do so, the entire party will be annihilated. If you achieve three ‘victories’ or successfully ‘pass’ three times, you will be granted rewards based on your performance and gain the right to leave this nightclub.”

If a party had four members, they could afford to pass three times. Of course, that would mean only one person would survive in the end. If a party had fewer members, passing wasn’t even an option. For Park Chan-woo and Lee Hyuk-soo, this meant that out of the three ‘Bookings,’ they had to win at least two times for at least one of them to leave this place alive.

“After three rounds, you may proceed as you wish. You can continue Booking or simply leave. Oh, does anyone have questions about the prizes?”

“I am curious.”

Park Chan-woo spoke up. Andariel’s eerie eyes glowed.

“Very well. I shall now reveal treasures that even I do not dare to touch.”

Ssssshh!

A red curtain was drawn back. Behind it, there was a transparent wall. And beyond that wall, There was something. A collection of dazzling treasures. And among them, there it was. The Philosopher’s Stone. And with it, all the treasures that could be obtained from the First Night Abyss. Everything that Park Chan-woo desired.

“The Twelve Generals who rule over the First Night Abyss. Here, you can acquire powerful weapons and tools capable of facing them. Of course, the higher the grade of the item, the greater the price… You will need ‘Booking Points’ to obtain them.”

Numbers were written beneath each treasure. The lowest was 10, while the highest reached 10,000.

“Simple enough.”

“Indeed. Please enjoy your ‘Booking’ to the fullest.”

Andariel looked at Park Chan-woo with a leisurely smile. As a being powerful enough to bankrupt a Lord in the First Abyss, and as an Avatar chosen by the Great Nine Lords, winning three rounds should be an easy task.

‘That’s a mistake.’

But that was a misconception. It would never be that easy. Booking, by nature, always matched people of similar levels. The ‘Booking of Death’ in this Nightclub of Good Vibe was designed so that the opponent was determined by the party’s strength and numbers. That was how the system was set up.

Therefore—

‘The stronger you are, the higher your level, and the larger your party, the more impossible it becomes to win. You foolish human.’

Andariel sneered at Park Chan-woo.