1.

An abrupt silence fell over the chaotic scene.

"What the—did they just hug?"

"Jeong Seora did?"

"Who the hell is that guy?"

Countless jealous glares converged on a single point. If it weren't for the Jeong Cheol Guild's security perimeter, Buja felt like he'd be swarmed and beaten on the spot. Still, the overwhelming warmth of the embrace lingered. The sweet, fruity scent was a stark contrast to the stench of blood that had clung to him for two weeks in the maze, and it was so intoxicating that the hostile stares of the crowd seemed to melt away.

Unsure what was happening but grateful nonetheless, he murmured, "What's this? Did our relationship progress this much while I was gone?"

The time he'd spent in the dungeon was by no means short. If anything, the strange emotional current between him and Seora should have faded, not intensified. The saying "absence makes the heart grow fonder" came to mind, but he didn't think their relationship was that deep. No matter how he looked at it, this made no sense.

Besides, if this had happened in private, he might have chalked it up to her missing a man's touch. But not now. Hundreds of cameras were flashing. In five minutes, let alone by morning, the internet would be flooded with articles about them. Could Jeong Seora, who understood this better than anyone, really be so swept up in her emotions that she'd cast everything aside for a relationship he couldn't even comprehend?

Up close, she flashed a brilliant smile and replied lightly, "Not quite to that extent. Not yet, anyway."

"I wouldn't mind if it were," he shot back.

"We can work on that slowly. For now, we just need it to 'look' that way to other people. I'm sorry for doing this without telling you beforehand."

Unfortunately, he wasn't the protagonist of some dream-like movie after all. Her words made the situation click into place. Through the storm of camera flashes, he could see dozens of other players. It was public knowledge that he belonged to the Jeong Cheol Guild, a fact reinforced by the guild members surrounding them, but that wouldn't stop others from trying to poach talent. Guilds from all over Korea, and even overseas, would be sniffing around. For him, there was no better way to ward them off.

"So you're eliminating any reason for me to move to another guild?"

"It helps you avoid unnecessary trouble, Legendary Crystal Necklace, and it lets us preemptively shut down any awkward situations."

Since ancient times, blood ties have always been the strongest contract. Even in modern society, it was common for corporate dynasties to form alliances through marriage. Money could still trump family, but this single photo would neatly dispose of the riff-raff targeting him. Over ninety percent of the people here would now assume that Kim Buja, deeply involved with the perfect woman everyone desired, was unlikely to ever abandon the Jeong Cheol Guild.

"I'm fine with it," he said. Even if it was just for that reason, he had no complaints. "I'll just have to raise my value even more from now on."

A calculated relationship for public consumption, yes, but it was only possible because Seora had some genuine feeling behind it. There were plenty of other ways to achieve the same goal. The fact that she chose the simplest, most direct method meant she didn't care about the articles that resulted.

At his more forward response, Seora's smile widened.

"By the way, did something happen in there? I was worried when you came out last."

"Ah, I was just looking for something."

"It was a Special-grade dungeon, so there must have been a lot of loot. What will you do about the settlement?"

"It's fine." He had searched until the very end, but the second Legendary item was nowhere to be found, and he hadn't been able to properly divide the spoils. Nevertheless, the necklace around his neck and the shield on his back erased any lingering regret. "I need to wash up. You've got blood all over you."

"So I see," she said, unfazed. "I know a good bathhouse…"

"Thousands of people are watching."

"Right. I'll tell you about it somewhere more private next time," Seora replied.

As the tension finally drained from his body, the numerous holograms he'd ignored came into view. On his way to the settlement room, he spotted a waiting SJ Guild official and handed over Park Sijun's armor.

"Tell him I said, 'Thanks for the meal.'" He didn't forget to offer a polite nod as he passed.

* * *

—So what happens to Kim Buja's market value now?

An era had dawned where players were constantly evolving and dungeons were becoming familiar territory. The saying that dungeons were a player's grave no longer held true; a player's death was now considered an 'accident,' a testament to how much research had been done. Of course, countless players still died, but dungeons had transformed into lands of opportunity, spaces where one could showcase their abilities and change their fate.

Yet, for onlookers, this progress had a downside: safety. Caution was boring. Instead of challenging higher-level dungeons, most players chose to level up by safely farming easier ones. It allowed for steady growth without falling behind. The rewards for adventure were left to luck, but why risk your life when you could simply buy those same rewards with enough money?

Thus, the public's fascination with the few who 'did' take on challenges only grew. It wasn't a culture that looked down on safe players; it was one that applauded the bold. And that was why Kim Buja was drawing so much attention.

—What was he thinking, attempting a two-man Special-grade dungeon?

—The fact that he cleared it is even crazier.

—Is there a video?

Above all, it was a 1-star dungeon—the ultimate test of a player's raw potential.

—Wasn't a 1-star Special dungeon impossible even for the #1 ranker?

—What are you talking about? Look it up. The #1 ranker soloed one.

—Still, that means he's at least ranker-level, right?

—If he survives, yeah.

The initial spark of interest quickly grew into a wildfire, fueled by endless speculation. It wasn't orchestrated by anyone; it was just human nature to compare and project. It was the unavoidable fate of anyone in the public eye. But the flames of this interest, the very engine of competition, truly erupted for one final reason.

—He's also Jeong Seora's boyfriend.

—Jeong Seora? As in, the goddess?

—Check the articles. There's a pic of her hugging him the second he got out.

—Holy shit, what? Is it a contract relationship?

—Why would Jeong Seora be that desperate? She turns down world-class chaebols.

—Maybe the guy's packing a dragon down there or something.

That was the hook. It made even those who would have otherwise ignored Buja take notice and look him up at least once.

—He looks pretty average, though.

—I'm definitely better looking than that guy.

—How did they even meet?

—I heard even a world-famous singer got shot down by her.

—Is he rich?

—So is she.

The mystery was unsolvable, making it impossible for people to look away. The attention wasn't entirely positive, but it wasn't bad, either.

—Kim Buja. Go check his video channel. Damn, his control is insane.

—Wait, hold on. 'Rule the Play'. There was a guy who got a no-hit run on the final boss?

—It's not even edited. Most of his vids include the attempts, and he clears them in one or two tries, five at most.

—Don't even get me started on the boss raid videos. Wow.

His gaming channel, which had long since faded into obscurity, was suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Though many were still more interested in his connection to Jeong Seora, the number of people looking into Kim Buja himself was undeniably growing. And they had demands.

—Dungeon clear video. Please upload it.

—I'd pay to watch it. Please.

And they had hopes.

—Please let it just be a contract relationship.

—If he lays a single finger on my dear Seora, I'm challenging him to a duel.

—Hugging is the absolute limit.

* * *

Kim Buja, the center of the controversy, sank into a hot bath, letting the warm water soak away his fatigue.

"Haah…"

Was this the first time since his awakening that he'd spent so long in a single dungeon? The accumulated exhaustion felt palpably heavier than after any other raid.

"This is definitely reality."

In gaming terms, it felt like the mental fatigue after playing for sixty hours straight on four hours of sleep, repeated for a month. Still, it was better in one crucial way: his brain wasn't nearly as tired. He was exhausted from lack of sleep, yes, but the sense of accomplishment, combined with the tangible rewards now in his possession, was an experience a game could never truly replicate.

"My first Legendary item in the real world."

He had taken off all his other clothes and items, but the necklace remained. He stroked it gently, a smile playing on his lips. It might look strange for a man taking a bath, but he didn't care. No one was watching, and the item was more than worthy of his admiration.

[Legendary Crystal Necklace]

▶ Grade: Legendary

▶ Magic Power +20

▶ Health +10

▶ Attack Power +20%

▶ Defense Penetration +20%

▶ 5% chance to inflict Status Ailment (★★) on attack

▷ A necklace imbued with legendary power. It can never be destroyed.

The stats alone screamed Legendary. But on top of that, it had three additional options that made the stat boosts seem trivial.

"Is this really a 1-star Legendary?" If a level-one Legendary with no restrictions was this powerful, what kind of stats would 2-star, 3-star, or 4-star items have? It suddenly occurred to him that closing the gap with the top rankers might not be as easy as he'd thought.

Of course, he wasn't discouraged. How could he be while holding an item like this? He just clicked his tongue in disbelief.

"If it were me, I would never have entrusted an item like this to someone else."

The phrase "name your price" was made for things like this. He offered a silent bow in the bath to the SJ Guild, who had trusted a guild member with an item so valuable you couldn't trade it for a country. 'I will use it well.' He didn't know what tricks they might pull to get it back, but with the solid backing of the Jeong Cheol Guild, he wasn't too worried.

No, he didn't have 'time' to worry.

"Haaah!"

The flood of holograms, finally making their presence known after being ignored, didn't give him a single moment for such thoughts.

* * *

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