4.

He sidestepped the massive axe of the Orc Chieftain.

'CRASH!'

The beast was fast for its size, but Buja was faster. He'd dodged by a hair's breadth—his favorite margin for evasion—and it created the opening he needed.

'STAB!'

He didn't go for the neck. While the neck and heart were weak points, the chieftain's tough hide and the stat penalties of the Epic dungeon meant even his high-attack dagger couldn't deliver a one-hit kill. It wasn't a problem. A large target had plenty of other vulnerabilities. He started with the legs, systematically breaking down the creature's defenses. The Orc Chieftain, so drunk on its own power that it hadn't even bothered with subordinates, met a slow, miserable end.

The moment its suffering ceased, a notification appeared.

[You have acquired 10 gold.]

[☆ Requirement fulfilled.]

[Dungeon cleared.]

Buja casually flicked the green blood from his dagger. "That was manageable."

This was his fourth Epic dungeon. Humans were creatures of adaptation, and Buja adapted faster than most. He was already confident in his ability to handle them. No matter how many thousands of monster variations existed, they were all constrained by the dungeon's grade and level. They couldn't exceed the average.

"In the end, it's still just a one-star dungeon."

That wasn't to say they weren't strong. A single moment of carelessness, a single stray attack, could still be fatal. His Gold Enhancement and Epic gear weren't foolproof; a critical hit was just as deadly here as it was in reality. So he never let his focus waver. With that level of concentration, Epic dungeons felt easy.

"I can definitely take on a Unique."

His growth had accelerated exponentially once he'd figured out the optimal early-game strategy for his Legendary Class.

"Enhance weapon."

[Enhance Weapon?]

▶ Current Level: 1 → 2

▶ Gold Required: 30

▶ Success Rate: 90%

▶ Failure Rate: 10%

▶ Destruction Rate: 0%

▶ On Success:

1. Attack Power +3 → Attack Power +7

Right now, the simplest way to get stronger was to hoard gold and enhance his gear. He could invest in skills, but he decided to keep it simple for the time being.

"Enhancements alone are enough for a Unique dungeon."

VIP Level 2 was tempting. The VIP1 skill already provided a daily reward box, and he was sure the VIP2 skill would offer another significant growth boost. Plus, it would unlock the pet system. Considering how Gold Enhancement had opened the floodgates, leveling up his VIP status was a top priority. He also knew he needed to keep leveling up his 'Wait for Free Gold' skill.

Despite all that, he focused on enhancement for one reason.

"I need to clear a Unique to raise my market value."

This wasn't a game. In a game, he would focus on the most efficient long-term growth path. But this was reality, not a simulation of zeros and ones. He had to prioritize his immediate needs, even if it was slightly less efficient. He was fighting for his future, right here and now.

[30 gold has been used.]

[Enhancement has succeeded!]

[Weapon Level has increased: 1 → 2]

A ninety-percent chance was a safe bet. Unlike his first two dungeon runs, he now used his gold the moment he had a chance to breathe. Back then, there had been no rush. Now, every small advantage mattered. It was a player's duty to seize every possible stat increase, no matter how minuscule. No one could predict how a tiny change might alter the outcome of a battle.

▶ Enhancement Stage Level: 0

1. Weapon Level: 2 (Attack Power +7)

2. Head Level: 0

3. Chest Level: 2 (Defense +5)

4. Legs Level: 1 (Defense +2)

5. Gloves Level: 0

6. Feet Level: 0

Using the gold from his third and fourth Epic dungeons, he upgraded his chest armor and weapon by another level each. The numbers seemed small, but the base defense of one-star Epic armor was between five and eight. In effect, he was wearing an entire extra piece of armor compared to other players.

"I still need to buy some gloves and shoes, though."

[Monsters inside the dungeon will despawn in 3 hours.]

[The dungeon will be sealed in 24 hours.]

He sighed at the notification marking the end of his run. He could just buy a decent pair from the Dungeon Store. His defense was already high enough without them. But having received a class-exclusive Epic hat, chest, and leg piece for free, he felt it was a waste to buy the rest. He was holding out.

'Maybe the system will just give them to me. But where?'

There were five armor slots that could be upgraded, suggesting he should receive beginner's gloves and shoes eventually. He could only hope.

'It'd be nice if they dropped while hunting, at least.'

Of the two items he had acquired from the Epic Dungeon, one was the Wolf King's Ring. He had planned to sell it, but now it was a crucial piece of gear for his Unique Dungeon attempt. The other, a chest piece, had been left at the Dungeon Store for consignment. 'If I only knew where to find another set, I could at least grind for it,' he lamented. In moments like these, he almost missed the predictability of a game.

"Can't I just drop one gold and pull them from a gacha?" he muttered to the system, which offered only silence in return. "Fine. I'll wait a little longer." He redirected his frustration toward a group of passing orcs.

* * *

The moment Buja emerged from the dungeon, he felt a shift in the atmosphere.

"What the hell?" he murmured, taking in the scene. "Why are there so many people?"

It was a smaller crowd than the one that had seen him off on his first Epic run, but a considerable number of spectators were still gathered beyond the cordon, their eyes fixed on him. He knew why they were here, of course; a handful of reporters, guild members, and curious onlookers had shown up for his second and third clears, too.

This time, however, the crowd was much larger. The question was not 'why' they were here, but 'how' they had known.

"I didn't publicize it, if that's what you're wondering," a familiar voice said. Seora stepped forward, answering his unspoken question. "A player solo-clearing four Epic Dungeons in a row is big news. If you'd bought the dungeon access from the Dungeon Store, you'd probably be a household name by now."

"Huh? Weren't you heading into a dungeon yourself?"

"I'm already done," she replied with a smile. "Finished up about three hours ago."

,Ah, I see. So, what brings you all the way out here?"

He could not deny that seeing her was a pleasant surprise, but he always had to decompress at a hospital after a clear, treating it like his own private sauna. It struck him as odd that she would come here instead of doing the same.

"Are you attempting a Unique Dungeon next?" she asked, her tone shifting.

"Yes."

When he finally grasped the true reason for her visit, a serious expression settled over his features, and he gave a firm nod.

"I just finished speaking with the Guild Master," Seora stated, getting straight to the point. An employee at her side stepped forward and presented him with a contract. "These are our terms."

There was no sales pitch, no grandstanding about their guild's prestige or guarantees of industry-best treatment. Not a single word. Buja was genuinely moved. 'Letting the contract do the talking.'

Contracts did not lie. This was pure confidence. A quick scan of the document confirmed it; the terms were exceptional.

"A four-million-dollar penthouse, a company car, and a one-and-a-half-million-dollar signing bonus?" he read aloud, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Check the profit split, too. I think you'll like it."

"That's something we probably shouldn't discuss with an audience," he said, lowering his voice. The split was eighty-twenty, just as she had promised.

"The house and car are guild assets anyway, so they're not the most important part."

"I'll take it." Buja readily accepted the lavish offer. His original plan had been to prove his value by clearing a Unique Dungeon, hoping to elicit an offer that transcended mere personal goodwill. Yet here they were, presenting him with their absolute best before he had even taken that step. "I'll join."

An opportunity like this had to be seized.

"Ah, Ms. Jeong," he added.

"Yes?"

"By any chance, do you have any spare 1-star gloves or boots lying around? Normal or Rare Grade is fine. It's just… my everyday ones keep getting shredded in the dungeons." He let out a dry laugh. Good gear was not easy to come by.

"Buy a new pair with your signing bonus," she retorted coolly. She was not one to be easily swayed, either.

5.

He arrived at the Jeong Cheol Guild HQ with Seora. He had been here twice before to acquire the Epic Dungeons, but the sheer scale of the place never failed to impress him.

"An elite guild with less than a hundred members, yet they occupy an entire 21-story skyscraper in the heart of Gangnam," he mused aloud. "One of the top three guilds in South Korea. It's incredible."

At a glance, it could have been mistaken for a major corporate headquarters. The lobby boasted soaring ceilings and was lined with ancient artifacts—relics that could only be found within dungeons. Without them, no one would ever guess this was a guild house.

"Appearances matter," Seora remarked as the elevator ascended to the top floor—the Guild Master's domain.

As they entered the office, they found Jeong Cheol seated at his desk, engrossed in his work. Five years had passed, but Buja recognized the face instantly.

"Dad, we're here," Seora announced.

The two men's eyes met.

"You haven't changed a bit," Jeong Cheol said, a faint smile playing on his lips. He saw the same audacity, the same unshakeable confidence in the younger man's gaze.

Buja returned the smile.

"I heard the stories. I honestly felt a little guilty, thinking you'd quit the game because of me. But here you are, leading a powerhouse guild. I suppose I'm the one who lost in the end." He was not being sarcastic; the respect in his voice was genuine.

"I never imagined we'd meet again like this," Jeong Cheol admitted, rising from his chair and extending a hand. His grip was firm, a silent test of strength.

"Haha, surely you're not holding a grudge over what happened back then, are you?" Buja quipped.

"Of course not."

"Your handshake seems to be telling a different story," Buja shot back.

Only then did the pressure in his hand relent. The old grudge was finally laid to rest.

"I'm counting on you," Jeong Cheol said, his tone all business.

"Likewise." All that remained was the future.

"I hear you're entering a Unique Dungeon."

"That's right. Will the guild be providing support?"

"Naturally. Our operations manager, with her famously keen eye, drafted a contract with the best terms we've ever offered—better than anything we'd propose to even a Legendary-class player."

"You won't regret it."

"See that I don't. Unlike my daughter, I'm a pragmatic Guild Master. Now that you're part of the family, the guild will spare no expense to help you achieve results that surpass even a Legendary class."

Like father, like daughter. His words were gruff, but the sentiment behind 'family' revealed how the Jeong Cheol Guild, despite its small size, had managed to challenge the top guilds in the nation. This was the first time Buja had ever belonged to an organization, but for a man like this, he could make a promise with absolute certainty.

"Soon, every media outlet in the world will be talking about one thing: Kim Buja of the Jeong Cheol Guild." A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. He looked Jeong Cheol in the eye, the memory of their clash five years ago flashing between them. "And you'd better work harder, too. Because I'll be catching up before you know it."

* * *

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