Chapter 326: Dopamine (5)

Translator: DreamscribeReist World!

A place overflowing with dreams and hope!

A heaven-like place where anyone can seize opportunity on equal footing!

The nobles who had attended the founding ceremony deftly exchanged their gold coins for chips and headed for the battlefield.

Countless game tables, slot machines, and neatly dressed dealers welcomed them. The nobles visiting for the first time gradually grew accustomed to Reist World with the help of the servants.

Next to the exchange counter stood a bank, which had introduced the first-ever online payment system. It was the first system of its kind in the Kalsus Dimensional Empire.

If they deposited gold coins or assets, they could enjoy Reist World to their heart's content through a bracelet and exchange for chips on the spot. Since the Imperial Prince Reist himself owned the place, they could entrust their money with confidence.

The bank's name was the Reist Golden Bank.

"I've been waiting all this time, so why does that man get his chips exchanged right away?"

"He is a special member. If you sign up for online payment, you can become a Tier 3 member immediately."

"How many tiers are there?"

The servant stationed in front of the exchange counter kindly answered the noble's question.

"Above Tier 1 is VIP, and above that is VVIP. Your tier is determined by the amount you deposit."

The Reist Golden Bank was a place that could never possibly fail, and not only did it pay generous interest, it also offered preferential treatment within Reist World. On top of that, it handed out raffle tickets for a chance to receive treasures from the 4th Imperial Prince Reist, so every noble who came to Reist World rushed straight to the bank.

"A VIP of Reist World! Count Guidgong is now entering!"

Whenever a VIP guest entered, the servants would make an announcement like this throughout all of Reist World. A host of servants came out to escort them personally, and a high-ranking dealer of Reist World stood by just for the VIP guest.

"I hear Count Guidgong's business has been doing very well lately...."

"Word is he exchanged five hundred head of rare slaves."

"Five hundred..., his chips must be pretty hefty, then?"

The nobles watched with envious eyes as Count Guidgong strode confidently inside. Slaves could be exchanged for chips at the exchange counter, and the bank bought them at good prices as well. It was the most efficient way to raise one's tier in Reist World and at the bank.

In this way, Jinwoo moved all the slaves to safety.

"Older sister, this way."

The moment they stepped into the lounge reserved exclusively for VVIPs, Scharnhilde's mouth fell open in awe. She fixed her expression the instant she caught Jinwoo's gaze, but she couldn't help her eyes being drawn in.

The nobles were all dressed in refined clothing.

They looked even more distinguished than she did, an imperial princess.

"I've prepared attire for you."

Wearing the dress Jinwoo had prepared, she kept gazing at herself in the mirror. When the maids carefully touched up her makeup as well, a woman so beautiful she could hardly believe it was herself was reflected in the mirror.

Jinwoo approached her with a smile.

"Are you satisfied?"

"...Not bad, for something you prepared."

"Then let's begin the real fun. This is a gift."

Jinwoo handed over a box filled with chips.

Nasko, the guard knight at her side, received it in her stead with trembling hands. She wanted to sit down at a table that very instant, but she was holding back with extreme self-control.

"This place is perfectly safe, so why don't you enjoy yourself as well?"

"B-But...."

Nasko hesitated at Jinwoo's words, but Scharnhilde nodded and gave her permission.

"Th-Then I'll stay nearby."

Jinwoo chuckled and pulled out another box, handing it to Nasko. She felt a joy far greater than when Scharnhilde had bestowed a sword upon her.

The highest-ranking dealer in all of Reist World personally stayed by Scharnhilde's side and taught her the rules of the games. Being fairly clever, she picked up the rules in no time and adapted quickly.

Jinwoo joined her for a few games as well.

Jinwoo's towering pile of chips dwindled rapidly.

"Oh dear...."

Jinwoo set down his cards and let out a sigh.

He looked at Scharnhilde with a crestfallen expression. She was savoring her victory.

The feeling of being alive!

The electric thrill of having truly achieved something!

The indescribable pleasure of feeling the future split apart at her very fingertips!

She shuddered, feeling an extreme catharsis.

"I'm no match for you after all, older sister."

"Hmph, you put up a decent effort yourself."

Jinwoo shook his head.

"I meant to keep things light, but I've lost quite a lot. Playing against a true gambler really is exhausting. I'd better go downstairs and mingle with the riffraff."

"Oho? Running away, are we?"

"Please have mercy on me."

Rising from his seat, Jinwoo made a show of bowing to Scharnhilde. Scharnhilde grinned and waved him off.

"Kyaaah! Your Highness! I won!"

"Oho? Not bad at all."

Nasko came running to Scharnhilde, screaming with joy.

A dopamine shower rained down on Scharnhilde and Nasko! Jinwoo chuckled and met Scharnhilde's eyes.

"Please enjoy yourself in moderation and return to your quarters. At this rate, older sister, you're going to ruin my entire business."

"I'll consider it. Heh heh."

Jinwoo deliberately let his shoulders slump for her to see as he slipped out of the room.

The moment he vanished from Scharnhilde's sight, Jinwoo's expression changed in an instant, and a wicked smile rose to his lips. He immediately instructed the dealer to give her the full 'treatment', keeping her on the edge of her seat.

He would get her completely addicted, then slowly bleed her dry, one piece at a time.

-great acting ㅋㅋ

-nice!

-that's the stuff!

The Vengeful Spirits marveled.

Going down from the VVIP-exclusive lounge, he saw high-ranking nobles enjoying their games. The moment Jinwoo appeared, they all stopped playing and rose from their seats.

"Don't stop, keep enjoying your games. That is your loyalty to me."

"Haha! Your Highness is generous as always!"

"To think you care for us so! Sob!"

The nobles now began to follow Jinwoo with genuine devotion. He treated them with generosity and mercy, and had even built such an entertaining space for them; their loyalty soared sky-high.

The nobles hooked on Reist World had no intention of attending social gatherings anymore.

Why bother going somewhere so dull and boring?

This was the finest stage on which to showcase one's own worth. Every scheduled noble social gathering was canceled.

Jinwoo approached Count Guidgong and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I hear our Count Guidgong brought in a great many of the slaves I favor."

Guidgong rose from his seat.

When Jinwoo personally applauded him, every noble nearby followed suit and clapped along.

A smile spread wide across Guidgong's face. Overcome with emotion, he bowed deeply toward Jinwoo.

"As you know, cooking up worthless wretches happens to be my hobby. Bring me more of them, and I'll exchange them at a good price."

"I shall offer them up at once!"

"Haha! I didn't say offer them up. Naturally, I will pay a fair price. That way you'll have more to play with, won't you?"

The nobles were awash with emotion at Jinwoo's words.

"Since Count Guidgong has graced us with his presence today, I shall grant each of you a Golden Chip."

"A-A Golden Chip!"

"Woaaaah!"

"Your Highness Reist! Thank you! We pledge our undying loyalty!"

When the servants handed out the Golden Chips, everyone beamed like children and cheered. In Jinwoo's eyes, they were all nothing but pigs gobbling up their feed.

"Well then, I'll take my leave. Reist World operates around the clock with no closing time, so head back the moment you feel tired. Your health comes first, after all."

Jinwoo entered his private passage amid applause and cheers.

Many nobles stood in line at the bank and the exchange counter, and most walked away with payment bracelets from the bank. Touching the bracelet brought up an Information Window. He had introduced the electronic payment system for the sake of the next phase.

Jinwoo moved to a room behind the exchange counter and the bank.

Slaves with missing body parts were gathered there. They had been trembling in fear, and when Jinwoo suddenly appeared, they flinched in shock.

"You've been through a lot."

Jinwoo restored all of their bodies and used Spatial Transfer to send them to a safe zone. It consumed quite a lot of Authority and Sacred Power, but he didn't hesitate.

'There's quite a bit of pressure.'

The moment he activated his Authority, he felt an immense pressure, as if the dimension itself were bearing down on him. It was a pain like being crushed to death, but pain was nothing.

"Now then...."

Left alone like this, Reist World would grow all on its own. Its influence would reach not only the Dimensional Barrier and the Sanctuary but even the regions beyond.

However, he needed a means of targeting those who couldn't visit Reist World. That was exactly why Jinwoo had introduced the bracelets.

'No one can resist mobile games.'

He had never properly made a gambling-style game before, so he would need some advice. Since they had been completely wiped out on Earth, finding someone to ask wouldn't be easy either. Every last one of them had gone utterly bankrupt, after all.

'There's plenty of time, so....'

He would take things at a leisurely pace.

* * *

Reist World became the talk of the Sanctuary!

Once rumors spread that Imperial Princess Scharnhilde had been all but living there since her visit, nobles from deep within the Sanctuary began visiting Reist World as well. Even members of the imperial family were spotted with some regularity.

No one could ever win money at the gambling hall.

Since it faithfully obeyed the law of large numbers, the structure guaranteed losses. Yet the nobles engaged in meaningless pursuits, each hunting for their own winning strategy.

Jinwoo's fortune grew by the day, and the nobles began surrendering their possessions one after another. Of course, he made slight adjustments to keep them coming back to Reist World.

'Even the illegal is legal here.'

Rigged gambling was legal in this place!

If they didn't like it, they could go become an imperial prince themselves.

Jinwoo lounged in his room in Reist World, delightedly watching the nobles' descent into ruin.

THUD THUD!

There was a knock at the door.

The door burst open and Scharnhilde walked in. Heavy dark circles hung under her eyes. She had spent days on end absorbed in the games without even sleeping.

"Hm? Older sister, what's the matter?"

Jinwoo rose from his seat, feigning ignorance.

"Little brother. Lend me some chips."

"Pardon? Didn't you bring quite a lot of gold coins?"

When Jinwoo asked with a puzzled look, her expression turned grave.

"I only brought pocket change. Going back for more would take far too long. I'm anxious that my luck will vanish if I leave my seat."

"Older sister, please get some sleep first. You look exhausted."

"Out of the question. My luck is in right now. I must bet immediately!"

Could a person really change this much?

Falling apart took only an instant.

"Rather than lending them, I'll simply give them to you."

"R-Really?"

"Yes. We're family, after all."

"Th-That's right! We are family."

Scharnhilde broke into a wide smile.

It was a smile brimming with sincerity.

Jinwoo smiled along as he looked at her, then took out a box filled with chips and handed it to her.

"Older sister, please enjoy yourself slowly. Health comes first."

"To think you worry about me this much..., I've misjudged you all this time."

Scharnhilde seemed genuinely moved.

"Please finish just that much and then go back and rest."

"Understood! Don't you worry!"

DASH!

Scharnhilde sprinted off toward the gambling hall.

Watching someone fall into corruption was unexpectedly enjoyable.

'That was easy.'

Scharnhilde's Affection Level has risen dramatically!

He could almost hear a voice announcing as much. Suckers were being mass-produced inside Reist World.

'Hm?'

He felt as though his Authority had somehow risen.

Jinwoo ran a proper analysis through his communication link with Arsilan.

[Evil God's Influence (Dimensional Scale) has been generated!]

[E] Terrifying Superstition

Still at a level dismissed as mere superstition.

Those steeped in Evil Karma feel fear and pain whenever they picture the Evil God or any image associated with him.

*The probability of the Evil God's Tower appearing to slaves of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire increases dramatically.

*The stats of the Evil God's followers, Avatars, Arsilanians, and Heroes increase according to Influence. (Currently 5%)

*The Evil God's resistance to the Sanctuary (Kalsus Dimensional Empire) increases.

*Evil God Disease now breaks out naturally within the Kalsus Dimensional Empire.

[Evil God Disease grows stronger.]

[A] Evil God Disease

A curse arising from Evil Karma.

The more Evil Karma one has accumulated, the higher the chance of onset, and the higher the chance of infection as well. Those who contract Evil God Disease transform, in extreme agony, into creatures of the Evil God, becoming monsters that crave only souls and bodies steeped in Evil Karma. The soul of one afflicted with Evil God Disease belongs entirely to the Evil God.

In addition, the Vengeful Spirits the Evil God carries may come to dwell within the Evil God's creatures.

Was it thanks to all the havoc he had wreaked in Erosion's domain and at the very heart of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire?

His Influence as the Evil God had been generated!

It felt strange, as if he had well and truly become an Evil God, but either way it was a good thing.

'If I raise the Influence further....'

Arsilan's power would grow even stronger.

He could also move about more freely within the Sanctuary.

Jinwoo fell into thought for a moment, then nodded. With benefits like these on the table, it seemed fine to move up the plan he had originally meant to take slowly.

Turning every last subject of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire into a sucker!

That was Jinwoo's plan!

If that came to pass, his Influence would skyrocket as well.

'Let's start right away.'

He intended to meet an expert in this field.

Jinwoo generated an ego for Reist and switched to another body. All that remained was waiting for Reist World to grow, so he was free to move about as he pleased. And as it happened, there was business that required him to head to Arsilan.

"Berto, manage this place while I'm away."

"Understood."

Jinwoo handed Berto a few high-grade Authority Stones and cast Spatial Transfer.

The place Jinwoo arrived at was the interior of a massive ship.

Everyone he had rescued so far was aboard this massive ship. With their numbers running well past the hundreds of thousands, the massive ship bustled with activity, filled nearly to capacity. He had cast spatial magic on it so that no one would be uncomfortable.

Since the massive ship bore Prince Reist's official seal, no one dared lay a finger on it. If anything, nobles stepped aside at once, showing their respect.

If Reist had been a good-for-nothing until now, he now felt more like a celebrity setting cultural trends. An image could change in an instant.

The massive ship crossed the Dimensional Barrier without a hitch.

After that, it passed through several Dimensional Portals and reached the outskirts of the Kalsus Dimensional Empire. The moment it arrived somewhere devoid of people, the massive ship turned transparent and vanished on the spot.

Jinwoo had personally cast a concealment spell on it.

Jinwoo brought up an Information Window and looked at the people's faces.

Perhaps because they had all eaten and rested well during that time, everyone had filled out. Above all, there was life in their eyes. Within them dwelled the hope of dreaming of a future.

The sound of joyful laughter could be heard.

That laughter became Authority for Jinwoo.

It transformed into light-filled Sacred Power, granting him the strength to make Arsilan even more abundant.

To set the mood, Jinwoo picked up a crude microphone. He could have simply spoken, but even with something like this, the small theatrical touches mattered.

[Our ship will now depart for Arsilan.]

People burst into loud laughter at Jinwoo's friendly announcement.

To the Kalsus Dimensional Empire and to Erosion, Jinwoo was the Evil God, but to Arsilanians and Heroes, he was the kindest Lord God of all. The hometowns of those aboard the ship had become Bubble Dimensions and vanished, but Arsilan could become their new home.

FWASH!

Guided by the Dimensional Transit Ship, the massive ship moved into the skies above Arsilan.

When the beautiful sight of Arsilan appeared, Jinwoo projected a huge Information Window for everyone to see. Everyone aboard who saw Arsilan marveled.

The massive ship passed through Arsilan's barrier and began descending toward the land.

[The city you see below is Alusion, capital of the Sillion Empire.]

"Wow!"

"It's beautiful."

"So this is the Evil God's homeland!"

"Is this heaven?"

Raphne's eyes welled up as she gazed at Alusion. A vast forest lay quite some distance from Alusion. It was a forest that looked just like home.

[Arsilanians. Welcome to your new home.]

"Hngh...."

"Thank you."

"Truly..., thank you."

Some shed tears while holding their children, and others wailed, unable to contain their emotions. Many more cheered with smiles of joy.

"Haha."

Those who had endured endless suffering in despair yet never lost their good hearts.

Those who carried light in their souls even while buried in darkness.

Their happiness and joy, that was Jinwoo's dopamine.

*****

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