1.

He had missed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but he quickly pushed the thought aside.

"Please come by often to bathe and play with Hwangdo," he offered.

"Just with Hwangdo?" she teased.

"I'm ready whenever you are."

The very fact that the opportunity had arisen proved that his relationship with Seora was more than just streamer and fan. This was no time to be clingy. He hadn't dated much, but he figured all human relationships operated on similar principles.

After finalizing the details for the Special Dungeon scheduled a week later, she left. Alone again, he began to ponder his next move.

'Where should I spend the rest of my gold?'

He had a whopping 199 gold. Combined with the daily income from 'Wait for Free Gold' and the rewards from completing all his 'Today's Missions', his total reached 251 gold. Seeing the numbers reminded him that even daily free gold was nothing to scoff at.

'The day I finally have passive income…'

Many of the missions required dungeon runs, but they were usually Normal or Rare dungeons and weren't particularly difficult. The payout was small compared to clearing a Unique dungeon, but he knew that if he kept leveling up Wait for Free Gold, his passive income would eventually surpass his active earnings. His experience with countless other games assured him of that. The important thing was the process.

'First, it's a choice between Enhancement and VIP Level.'

He needed balanced growth to level up efficiently without hitting a wall. That meant investing in whatever would directly help him clear dungeons now. In truth, it wasn't much of a dilemma.

"I'll raise the VIP Level right before a solo clear. For now, I'll focus on Enhancement."

There was no better option. It wasn't about being smart; the Gold Maker class simply didn't have many features unlocked yet. The problem was that the few available options were all gold sinks, devouring his funds like a vacuum.

Just as he braced for another battle with the enhancement system, a hologram appeared before his eyes.

[You have an unused item (VIP2 Gift Box).]

'Huh?'

'What's this? Did I have something like that?' He wracked his brain but drew a blank. The name sparked a faint memory. 'It must have been part of the VIP Level 2 benefits, and I just overlooked it.'

The system was kindly reminding him of an item he'd forgotten. He opened his inventory and eagerly selected the box. The thought that a gift box he believed emptied might hide more items sent a thrill through him.

[You have acquired '3x EXP Coupon (5)']

[You have acquired 'Lesser Healing Potion (30)']

[You have acquired 'Lesser Mana Potion (10)']

[You have acquired 'Beginner's Safe Campfire (10)']

[You have acquired 'Enhancement Success Rate +5% Ticket']

[You have acquired 'Lesser Weapon Rune (2)']

[You have acquired 'Lesser Armor Rune (2)']

As he carefully opened it, a cascade of items spilled out, making him instantly regret not discovering it sooner.

* * *

He thought he'd been meticulous. How had he missed such a jackpot? If the hologram hadn't alerted him, he might never have discovered it. His mind went blank, and a wave of guilt washed over him.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered to the system window, bowing slightly. "I'm sorry for cursing you in my head, calling you a money-grubbing pig that only gives out useless pets and other burdens. I was wrong."

At first glance, they seemed like trivial consumables, but the 3x EXP Coupon, Lesser Mana Potion, and Beginner's Safe Campfire were items only a Legendary class holder like him could obtain. He'd already tested their incredible utility in dungeons. Additionally, a ticket promised to boost the notoriously low success rates for higher-level enhancements.

[Enhancement Success Rate +5% Ticket]

▶ Grade: Legendary

▶ Increases enhancement success rate by 5% for enhancements up to +3.

▷ 'Consumed upon use. Please use with caution.'

Even with the +3 limitation, he felt no disappointment. For this ticket and the runes, their symbolic significance outweighed their immediate effects.

'As I raise my VIP Level, it will gradually hand out things like this.' It meant he wouldn't have to throw gold at every problem to grow stronger. Other paths to strength existed beyond mere enhancement.

The more I peel back the layers, the more surprises I find.

For now, with only a few systems available, he could tackle them methodically, one by one. Eventually, new content might overwhelm him, forcing him to leave some things behind. He'd have to be selective, focusing his efforts where they mattered most. He considered the most efficient path for a moment, then shook his head, a wry smile on his face.

"No—what a foolish thought." He chided himself, sharpening his focus. "I'll take it all."

This wasn't a game anymore. He had to discard old habits—chasing only efficient builds, hunting only the most profitable bosses. If he truly set his mind to it, there was nothing he couldn't achieve.

"Enhancement first."

With fierce determination, Buja's gold began to flow once more.

2.

Three days before the dungeon entry, the SJ and Jeong Cheol Guilds held an official press conference. It was a straightforward interview, scheduled at Sijun's request.

"Just cooperate," Seora had told him.

He had no obligation to attend, but since he was receiving fifty million dollars to help improve Sijun's public image, he went without complaint. Besides, there wasn't much for him to do.

"Is there a particular reason you chose a Special dungeon, and one with a five-person difficulty at that?" a reporter asked Sijun.

"Many have supported me, but some say I'm too timid for my class, or that I rely too heavily on my party's stats and gear," Sijun said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "And then there was the recent unfortunate incident. I chose this to prove myself. If my good friend Buja and I clear a Special dungeon together, I hope some of these negative perceptions will finally vanish."

Sijun was putting on a masterful one-man show. The reporters, who seemed well-compensated for their time, dutifully lobbed soft questions, typing out what were clearly pre-written articles.

"Quite the performance," Buja murmured to Seora.

"We live in an age where players are celebrities," she replied, clicking her tongue. "Many people consider image-making more important than actually clearing dungeons."

Her nod reminded him she was deputy guild master of a major guild, a world-class player in this game of public perception.

"Does your father do that, too?"

"Of course," she said. "Though his image isn't as heavily fabricated."

"That makes sense." The impression Buja had gotten of Jeong Cheol at the guild house matched his public persona perfectly.

"Public image aside, the impression you leave on people is crucial. Recognition equals money," she explained. "That's why guilds fight so desperately for first place in every event, from guild competitions to national ones."

"So that's why you're so determined to be number one." He threw her a playful question, moved by her candor. "Then why aren't you doing any image-making for me?"

Seora laughed. "I already am."

"You are?"

Buja had been a master of gaming-world politics, but in reality, he had little interest or experience in it. Seeing his confusion, she leaned in and whispered, "The mysterious type. There's nothing better for a player. In terms of class, it's Legendary. It's an image you can't buy with all the money in the world, so just keep being yourself."

He nodded at her half-joking, half-serious advice. ''Just be yourself,' huh.' Could there be an easier request?

Having filled their quota with Sijun, the reporters turned their attention to Buja.

"Mr. Kim," one of them called, "since your debut, you've cleared every dungeon from Epic to Unique solo. Do you plan to do the same for this Special dungeon?"

How could he answer and maintain that air of mystery? Seeing Seora's silent encouragement, he answered confidently, channeling the persona he had cultivated in his videos and in the game.

"Yes," he said, calm and even. "You can think of this dungeon clear as me simply tagging along to experience how dangerous a Special dungeon is. It's a favor for a friend."

"Hey, you—!"

He could feel Sijun's fury beside him, but Buja shrugged. No matter how much the world cared about recognition, viewers ultimately cared about one thing: skill. That was the conclusion he had reached after watching countless dungeon-clear videos as a spectator.

"What is your goal?" another reporter shouted.

Buja met their gaze and spoke with absolute certainty. "To solo clear a one-star Legendary dungeon before I reach level ten. That is my ultimate goal."

A chilling silence fell over the press. Every eye fixed on him, and Buja silently absorbed their stares. No—he reveled in it.

'How long has it been since I had this much attention?'

It had been exactly five years. It felt like he was back in the spotlight he had commanded at the height of the gaming world, during his fierce rivalry with Jeong Cheol.

The grand finale of Park Sijun's carefully orchestrated press event had been stolen by Kim Buja.

* * *

A vase shattered against the wall. Sijun drew a ragged breath, struggling to rein in his fury.

"Hah… that bastard," he hissed through clenched teeth. "He dares to screw me over like that?"

His subordinate stood silent at his side, wise enough not to speak. Only when Sijun's breathing steadied did he venture a reply.

"Should I have declared it first?" Sijun muttered, his voice low and dangerous. "I could have said it outright, then brushed it off once I hit level ten. They'd have had no choice but to forget."

"My apologies, sir."

The community was already ablaze with speculation, accusing him of being carried through the Special dungeon. If he'd declared a Legendary dungeon instead, the backlash would have been instant, merciless ridicule. But the subordinate didn't dare point that out. Sijun wasn't seeking the truth—he was seeking a target. And the man knew better than to become one.

"Please remember the true goal, young master," he said smoothly. "This dungeon isn't the end. Once you clear it properly, you'll be qualified to challenge a true Legendary dungeon."

"Right," Sijun sneered, lips curling into a cruel smile. "Dammit. To think that was hidden inside. If I'd had it, I wouldn't have wasted my time grinding in some pathetic Unique dungeon."

Publicly, this was his first attempt at the Special dungeon. In reality, the SJ Guild had already tried—and failed—two years ago. The memory made his smile widen. They had wagered everything: every one-star Legendary item they owned, two of their prized Special-class players. And in one spectacular collapse, they had lost it all. If not for the bottomless coffers of the SJ Group, the guild would have been crippled.

'Fifty million dollars and a Vitality Accessory Set… a cheap price to pay for two Legendary items, you foolish bastard.'

Once he erased SJ's hidden disgrace, he would rise higher than ever—two Legendary items in his grasp, his rivals left choking on his dust. As the fantasy grew vivid in his mind, he forced himself to erase the name that had stained every headline.

'Kim Buja.'

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