WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator/Editor: Ryuu

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DAMNED 13TH REGRESSION

Chapter 9: GAME MASTER

"Register additional user Ha Yeon-si."

['Ha Yeon-si' has been registered as a user.]

[1F of the Cradle is now open.]

As the stone statue disintegrated, an elegant stone door formed.

As the stone door opened, a space on the other side became visible. Oddly, their current location seemed enclosed by stone walls on all sides.

"Being with oppa, it feels like there's nothing left to surprise me."

"That's quite a surprise."

As Gong-hyeok and Yeon-si passed through the stone door, it closed behind them. From the outside, the door reverted to its original form as a stone statue.

A stone slab floated in the center of the cavern, bathed in a faint blue light.

Gong-hyeok placed his hand on the slab.

['Joo Gong-hyeok' has Level 1 authority.]

[Access to the shop has been granted.]

An extensive list unfolded before Joo Gong-hyeok.

[1st floor special sale - Prices increase fivefold every 10 floors!]

[Avatar SS Thor, 3 yellow coins.

Avatar S+ Hanuman, 5 green coins.

Avatar S+ Zephyros, 5 green coins.

Avatar S+ Leizhenzi, 5 green coins.

Avatar S+ ......

.........

Skill Book SS Book of the Seven Heroes of Pezalon Continent, 1 yellow coin.

Skill Book SS Diary of the Dark King Numézar, 1 yellow coin

.......

Treasure SS Ruyi Jingu Bang, 3 green coins

Treasure S++ Manpasikjeok, 1 green coin

Treasure S+ Mowgli, 20 blue coins

Treasure S+ Geongongwon, 20 blue coins

.......]

It was a feast of items from S to F class. Avatars, skills, items – there was nothing missing.

"Oh, Oppa, what is this?"

"Seems like Yeon-si is always surprised by something new."

Despite Gong-hyeok's jest, Yeon-si couldn't close her mouth. The list was enormous, mostly unattainable dreams.

Gong-hyeok skimmed past thousands of unnecessary listings to find what he wanted.

[E class Avatar Evolution Stone, 10 blue coins.

F class Avatar Evolution...]

E class Evolution Stone. An item that artificially 'evolves' an avatar, fully unlocked to its final ability, to the next stage.

'Time to raise the Game Master (GM).'

Using this, Observer could evolve to the next stage, 'GM,' leaping into a new phase with infinite possibilities and potential.

Gong-hyeok counted his coins.

400 violet coins and 1 blue coin from [Bloody Battle (4) 1200/1200],

1 blue coin from [15-minute Sweep of Sewer Dungeon Floor 1],

150 violet coins and 1 blue coin as a first-time bonus from [100 Kills in Sewer Dungeon Floor 2].

Similarly, for 3, 4, and 5 floors, 450 violet coins and 3 blue coins for each 100 kills sweep.

From [500 Kills in Sewer Dungeon! 5-hour Time Attack!], 500 violet coins and 3 blue coins as a time reduction bonus.

Including the coins earned from monster kills, the total was:

1,752 violet coins and 9 blue coins.

'I've earned quite a bit.'

Including the achievements from Earth, the total was similar to three days of sweeping achievements.

Direct monster kills brought in just over 150 violet coins.

Mostly, the coins came from being the first to achieve various milestones and time attacks.

'But I'm one blue coin short. Though I have a way to get it now.'

There was no need to go out and find another blue coin. As Gong-hyeok was about to call Observer to solve this, Yeon-si shook her shoulder.

"Oppa, look at this. Something strange has appeared."

Yeon-si pointed to an avatar on the list.

[Special sale for Hunter Ha Yeon-si at this moment!

Avatar C+ Moon Lady, 5 blue coins (80% Sale!!!)]

"...."

Stunned by the home-shopping-like phrase, Gong-hyeok was momentarily speechless.

Avatar Moon Lady referred to a nameless female swordsman who served King Goujian of Yue during the Spring and Autumn period..

"Could I have two avatars if I buy this? Like oppa, wielding a sword impressively at the front doesn't sound too bad."

"Unfortunately, Yeon-si. That's beyond your reach."

“....Is there a reason?”

Gong-hyeok silently called Observer.

"Observer, covert access to the cradle system. Request to partially release Level 2 authority. Measure avatar space."

[Connection complete. Measuring avatar space.]

Observer displayed a rectangular window.

[Joo Gong-hyeok 1/1, Ha Yeon-si 1/1]

“This is....”

"It's the number of avatars you and I can hold. Both of us are limited to one."

"I see."

The avatars for sale were mere pipe dreams. Having multiple avatars was often unrelated to stats, and rumors suggested that once Mind or Willpower stats surpassed 1000, avatar space increased, but even Gong-hyeok wasn't sure about this.

Extra avatar space was strictly a matter of talent, innate to those born with multiple avatars or sufficient avatar space.

The avatars here were prepared for such individuals.

Gong-hyeok lacked the talent to hold more than one avatar. Yet, he possessed twelve god-class avatars.

His GM had the ability to meddle with the powers of the game called Babel.

'Let's unlock the additional features.'

"Observer. Generate a coin exchange machine with Level 2 authority."

[Temporary authority, 30 minutes remaining for Level 2 authority.]

[Coin exchange machine is being created.]

Ding-a-ling! Ding-a-ling!

A machine resembling a casino slot machine emerged before him, with various scales indicating the exchange rates for coins.

250 violet coins: 1 blue coin

"It's expensive. But considering the rarity of blue coins, it's not an unreasonable rate."

Without hesitation, Gong-hyeok poured in 1,500 coins.

"Isn't that too many to exchange?"

"Violet coins can be acquired depending on the hunters' situations, but blue coins are harder to get, and we only have 30 minutes left to exchange them now."

Once the security is breached, it becomes harder to breach again. Of course, it would be possible with time and effort after evolving to GM.

Jingle! Jingle!

The slot machine devoured the 1,500 violet coins and whirred into action. Soon, 6 blue coins dropped out, ringing crisply.

Gong-hyeok gathered the coins and smiled at Observer.

"Observer, it's time for a new world."

Understanding its master's resolve, Observer enthusiastically opened its coin slot.

"Purchase an E class Avatar Evolution Stone."

[10 blue coins have been paid. Remaining blue coins: 5.]

Light gathered in the air, forming the Evolution Stone, and Gong-hyeok snatched it roughly, inserting it into Observer's coin slot.

Whirring!

Observer's entire body screen emitted light, and it began to disassemble.

- New possibilities sprout for the avatar 'Observer.'

- Owner 'Joo Gong-hyeok’s' strong will and traits influence the avatar.

- Observer's new possibilities are:

1. Far seer. One who sees farther places than others.

2. Debugger. One who corrects faulty laws.

3. Panopticon. One who grasps everything at a glance.

?. Game Master. ?? ??? ?? ??? ?? ???? ?

The choice was clear.

Hadn't he always been saying it?

"It's the Game Master."

[Yes. Your majesty. As your wish.]

A sleek metallic body whirled rapidly, transforming into a new shape.

A silky black magician’s hat.

Undulating red eyes and bizarrely twisted teeth.

A red velvet cape connected to the head.

Hands in thick, white gloves, floating like a cursor from classic games.

Inside the velvet cape, there was no body, just an unfathomable abyss.

An ominous form, neither hero nor demon.

There stood an avatar with a strange presence.

[Avatar 'Observer' has transformed into 'Game Master'.]

[Class changes from E class to ?? class.]

At last, it appeared.

Joo Gong-hyeok's starting avatar, which had brought him the title 'Tyrant of the 12 Divine Thrones' and led all his stats and skills to top rank over 200 years of comradeship.

"GM."

[Operating normally.]

[Avatar 'Game Master (GM)'] LV. 01

Rate of stat increase - ???

1st Ability Unlocked '--- Not found.'

2nd Ability Unlocked '--- Not found.'

3rd Ability Unlocked '--- Not found.'

Final Ability Sealed 'Authority Expansion.'

'As expected.'

GM had no 1st or 2nd abilities, only the first and final ability 'Authority Expansion.'

"Activate Authority Expansion."

[Authority Expansion list has been updated.]

[Avatar space expansion]

[Skill space expansion]

[Skill Devouring authority granted]

[Job space expansion]

[Transcendence authority expansion]

[Title space expansion]

[Title synthesis manipulation]

[Skill combination...]

[Skill .......]

.......

"Check avatar slot."

[Current avatar slot 1/1. Owned avatar 'Game Master(GM)']

[To expand avatar space, black or white coins are required.]

Black and White coins.

Special coins, beyond the range of ordinary rainbow coins from red to violet.

These are special coins given for mythic, legendary achievements or approaching the origin of Babel.

[Master, more coins will grant you more power.]

"Yes. For now, we need to have a tea time with this dungeon's boss monster."

More coins, more special coins.

Gong-hyeok had the methods to acquire them all in his mind. The issue was the choice of what to sacrifice and what to gain at the same time.

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