6.

People were surprisingly sensitive about strange things.

While they easily let things pass where they might think 'Well, that can happen' even if it felt humiliating to others, they became stubborn and offended when they failed at something they were convinced would succeed.

To Kim Buja, probability was just that.

Living a life that rejected high risk, high return, he had little experience challenging probabilities, but he had always thought of himself as a lucky person whose win rate was higher than average when he did fight the odds.

That was why he was surprised when he failed at a 1% probability before, and now that he failed again, he frowned.

"This damn thing."

Of course, he was an efficiencyist who valued extreme efficiency.

Thinking that he had failed at 1% twice in a row—an experience others would struggle to have even once in a lifetime—actually put his mind somewhat at ease.

"If this had been, say, +150 enhancement and the success rate was 0.01%..."

What determines positivity and negativity is always a speck of difference in a person's mind.

Whether a glass is half full or half empty depends on the observer's perspective.

Kim Buja decided to think that way too.

The reason was simple.

"How much did I save?"

He had no desire to count the equipment polishing slot as a profit.

After all, if he pressed it again, it would succeed, and he had already paid the cost.

Instead, due to the achievement generated in connection with the failure of the Gold Enhancement a long time ago, the enhancement level of Gold Enhancement had risen as well.

At that, Kim Buja's mind turned infinitely positive.

It couldn't be helped.

It wasn't simply a concept of rising by level 1.

"All enhancement levels went up."

As the Enhancement Stage level rose from 3 to 4, the levels of the weapon, top, and bottom, which were level 3 or higher, also increased by 1 each.

It wasn't just that the Enhancement Stage level was set to 4, but that the enhanceable parts rose by 1 each.

Even if it had just been set to 4, the stats gained from the hat, gloves, and shoes enhancement would have increased by 1 each, and the Attack/Defense and all stats and special abilities from the Enhancement Stage level effect would have risen substantially. But with the weapon and top/bottom—which were most helpful in combat—rising as well, this wasn't simply luck on the level of picking up a coin on the street.

"At this rate, it's a success."

Unintentionally, for 100 gold, he had gained a profit of at least 10,000 gold or more.

Since he had intended to invest the remaining gold into Gold Enhancement anyway, he would invest as much as he profited into Equipment Polishing.

With that decision, he checked which part to apply the now-available 1 polishing to.

▶ Polishable Slots: 1

1. Weapon

2. Hat

3. Top

4. Bottom

5. Gloves

6. Shoes

The same parts as Gold Enhancement.

As he clicked one by one, the method of how polishing applied appeared.

"Oh."

[Weapon Polishing]

▶ Freeze Lv1

▶ Sever Lv1

▶ Explosion Lv1

.......

When attempting polishing by paying gold for each part, polishing skills applicable to that part were randomly applied to the slot.

"Are they all just level 1?"

The levels attached to the polishing options, which felt more natural to call weapon traits than skills, were all 1.

Putting aside the question of where to get level 2s, he decided to insert a polishing option into one slot for now.

[Do you want to attempt Weapon Polishing?]

▶ Current Weapon Refinement Option: None

▶ Required Gold: 3,000

▶ Refinement Option

…….

Three thousand gold per attempt.

It wasn't bad.

He could easily blow through ten thousand gold in a heartbeat if he rolled two or three times, but he had absolutely no intention of doing so.

After all, having an equipment refinement option didn't carry much weight for Kim Buja as he was now.

It was simply a question of whether he could hunt a little more comfortably.

Naturally, equipping a weapon with a high-tier refinement option would produce noticeable effects. Investing gold for that purpose wasn't a loss, either.

However, as always, it was a matter of priorities.

Right now, his focus was on leveling up and increasing his stats, attack power, and defense. The refinement option was merely a supplementary aid.

'From a glance, they all seem like decent skills. I'll just slot in whatever pops up and use it until I roll a level 2 skill later.'

That was his mindset.

With that easygoing attitude, 3,000 gold was consumed. One out of countless refinement options was selected, revealing itself before its master.

And along with the tuition fee of 3,000 gold, Kim Buja learned a lesson.

[ Weapon Refinement: Firecracker Lv1 has been equipped to the slot. ]

"Huh?"

He learned that appearances can be deceiving, and that behind a delicious-looking treat, there often hides a hollow shell.

* * *

Late at night, Jeong Seora returned.

"Are the Dungeon Breaks still happening?"

"Yes, it's chaos everywhere. Fortunately, there was only one instance of a Dungeon Break involving a 3-star or higher dungeon, but I heard over ten reports were filed nationwide just today."

"I guess the conditions depend on the level."

Seora, who practically lived at Kim Buja's house these days, threw her body onto the bed. Her eyes were heavy with fatigue, a testament to just how busy her day had been.

"Don't you need to stop by your own place?"

"Let's just say I've moved out."

He stroked her head as she closed her eyes and snuggled into him, speaking boldly.

Even players who had transcended human limits couldn't help but feel the weight of mental stress. While it didn't immediately lead to a severe physical slowdown, prolonged stress was just as harmful to them as it was to ordinary people.

The best method would be to stand by and only step in when necessary, regardless of whether a Dungeon Break occurred—just like Kim Buja did. However, he cheered her on from the sidelines, knowing that Jeong Seora, a core leader of the Jeong Cheol Guild, could not afford that luxury.

"Ah!"

Suddenly, a way to melt away the day's fatigue came to mind.

As he sat up, her puzzled gaze followed him.

Kim Buja looked at her and asked with a chuckle.

"Do you want to go see a fireworks show?"

7.

→ Firecracker Lv1: There is a certain probability that fireworks will explode upon attacking.

When he first saw it, he doubted his eyes.

'Surely the firecracker I know isn't this kind of firecracker?'

Even if he had only skimmed through the list, he was certain he hadn't seen such a ridiculous refinement effect when he scrolled down earlier.

So, he examined the list closely once more.

After scrolling down for quite a while, he finally found it.

It was located in a cluster of effects that made him wonder why anyone would ever attach such things as weapon options.

At the very top were options that looked usable, but as he went lower, options unrelated to combat appeared. Finally, at the very bottom—in the abyss—he occasionally saw descriptions that would actually be detrimental to combat.

There were about fifty such options.

And out of all those possibilities, the one he landed on was 『Firecracker』.

Suspicion that he might have misread it blossomed alongside doubts regarding the selection method and probability of the refinement effects.

'Surely it's not a system where you have to roll ten times just to get one or two good things, is it?'

Since the probabilities weren't publicly posted, the only way to verify this was to roll again and experience it himself.

He wanted to re-roll immediately, but he struggled to control the urge and held back.

'Still, I should try using it once before rolling again. I might be misunderstanding how it works.'

He held back and trusted.

In the hologram.

In the Gold Maker.

'Surely it wouldn't mock me to this extent.'

He recalled the symbols of faith shown to him so far.

He fell silent.

The miracle of 1%. The miracle of 0.01%.

Come to think of it, it seemed like he was exactly that kind of guy—the type destined to succeed—but he denied the reality.

While he was in the midst of that denial, Jeong Seora arrived.

He promptly dragged her outside.

"Coo."

For the first time in a while, Hwangdo was with them, too.

The place they headed to was a 1-star dungeon located near the banks of the Han River.

"Why are we here?"

Ignoring the questionable look in Jeong Seora's eyes—who had been dragged out by the promise of fireworks—he extended his hand.

She clasped it without knowing the reason.

And then, a hologram unfolded before her eyes.

[ Today's Mission!: Monster Hunt ]

▶ Grade: Normal

▶ Content: Defeat 20 monsters in a Normal Grade Dungeon

▶ Reward: Beginner's HP Recovery Potion (3)

▷ This is a shared mission. During the mission sharing period, the Companion buff is applied.

Although Jeong Seora spent most of her time handling guild-related work, her level was still 58.

For someone approaching level 60, three Gold Maker-brand HP Recovery Potions were a reward that made little difference.

She knew it, and Kim Buja knew it.

Nevertheless, the reason she looked at Kim Buja with an expression that said 'This makes no sense' was pure shock.

She wasn't surprised to see the reality of the "Gold Maker" she heard about every day. She was surprised because something that shattered common sense was happening right before her eyes.

"Let's go."

She remained silent.

With a gaze half-filled with suspicion and half with curiosity, Jeong Seora let herself be led by Kim Buja's hand.

It was a gate she should absolutely not be able to enter.

It was one of the few absolute rules for players: A player can only enter a dungeon that matches their level.

Wasn't the biggest reason countless players were enthusiastic, tense, and curious about this recent Dungeon Break phenomenon because it allowed them to temporarily break free from that rule? It allowed them to face dungeons of "different levels"—something they had desired for five years.

But now, this wasn't some modified workaround like a Break.

They were entering directly.

'Will it work?'

Even as she took steps, even as they reached the front of the gate, doubts constantly arose.

Her gaze naturally followed Kim Buja's back.

He had also passed level 10.

A body that could not enter a 1-star dungeon.

Yet, his stride was so natural that it instilled a sense of belief.

The hesitation was long, but the result came quickly.

Flash!

Bursting light.

The moment the Cheonggyecheon stream, which had been rippling with the city's nightscape and lights, transformed into a blue sky and grassy plains.

"Wow!"

Jeong Seora gasped in admiration.

[You cannot enter this dungeon.]

[The Companion buff is currently applied. Entering the dungeon.]

How long had it been since she visited a 1-star dungeon?

"Haah!"

A peaceful landscape.

A space where beasts cute enough to pet ran around, revealing their ferocity only through growls!

For the level 58 Jeong Seora, dungeons had always been danger zones where she walked on thin ice.

She challenged her limits every moment, and the only time she could catch her breath was when she entered a Normal Grade dungeon of her own level.

Even then, Normal dungeons simply had no penalties; the monsters' levels and stats weren't that low, so she always had to stay on high alert.

That was why this was so moving.

Was this what it felt like to visit a resort where you were the only person in the world?

In front of monsters, in any dungeon, a player must not let their guard down.

It was a maxim engraved in her bones, but it didn't apply when a level 58 entered a 1-star dungeon.

"This is so good."

When she turned around with those words, Kim Buja was not there.

He had already run far off toward where the monsters were frolicking and was swinging his sword.

Only then did she remember what Kim Buja had said when he brought her here.

Fireworks.

Was he trying to catch monsters and set off fireworks?

The moment she thought that—

Fweee!

Along with the sound, a single streak of five-colored light shot up into the sky.

And then.

Crackle-crackle-boom!

"Wow!"

A massive firework—one that looked quite expensive and painstakingly made—exploded overhead.

* * *

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