5.

Players are judged by a single metric—their level. Level is the universal measure of rank. Even the Hologram system organizes its rankings solely by player level, leaving no room for argument. Over the past five years, it has been universally acknowledged as the most reliable standard for evaluating a player's strength. Those who clear more dungeons more efficiently gain more experience and level up faster.

Higher-grade dungeons, in turn, offer far more effective leveling paths. The system neatly distills countless variables—a multitude of classes, individual skill, strategic depth—into a single, definitive number. It is the final conclusion drawn from all contributing factors, and no one refutes it.

—The world's number-one ranker is Fly.

Or perhaps it is because Fly is the world's number one that no one objects to level being the ultimate measure of strength. He is the undisputed king, a monster on the verge of Level 70, while the number-two ranker has just scraped past Level 66. A true dungeon specialist, he has conquered every Legendary dungeon up to 4-stars and every Special dungeon from 5 to 7-stars. Who could possibly compare? While a few exceptional latecomers have clawed their way into the rankings, none have ever been considered a genuine threat to his throne. It is a monopoly held by the early pioneers, and their fortress is unbreachable.

Many who envied Fly proposed countless other metrics for comparison, but their arguments always fell flat.

—Yeah, nice try. Even by your logic, Fly is still number one.

Elemental Wizard was an offensive Legendary Class. With his overwhelming stats and god-tier items, even his most basic defensive spells become an impenetrable suit of armor. The relentless bombardment from a mage whose safety is guaranteed is a force of nature that no monster would dare challenge. Dungeon clear time, party size, and recorded videos—Fly has never been surpassed in any category. And the level gap?

A few of his old growth videos still exist as a testament to his journey. They are both a provocation and a mockery.

—You should at least try to break the records in 'those' videos before you're even qualified for a comparison.

For five years, Fly's records had stood as an unbreachable fortress.

And Kim Buja just shattered one of them.

"He wouldn't be petty enough to claim, 'Actually, I cleared it in nineteen hours,' without any video proof, would he?" Buja mused aloud.

"He probably won't respond at all," Seora replied from a chair beside his hospital bed. "There's nothing for Fly to gain by creating a rivalry with you."

"True. He's not an idiot; he wouldn't do me any favors. Tsk."

Lying back, Buja smacked his lips. The fight with the Source of Evil had been brutal, but not as life-threatening as he'd made it out to be for Seora. He'd thought Hwangdo's Holy Light would be useless, but it turned out the little coward had the heart of a gold dragon after all. When it channeled all its mana, the skill was more than enough to deal significant damage. The creature's massive size also made it difficult for it to land a clean hit on him.

The event buff nullifying two dungeon penalties had been a massive help as well. He could have dragged the fight out, chipping away at the beast while staying out of reach. It would have taken longer, but he might have been able to save the Special-grade armor.

Normally, that's exactly what he would have done. For Kim Buja, who valued money above all else, taking such a risk with sponsored gear was unthinkable. But this wasn't a normal situation. He had already drawn the world's attention; now he had to push himself to go toe-to-toe with Fly.

"Still, not a bad outcome," he decided.

It wasn't as if he'd always been at the top. More often than not, he was the one looking up, fighting his way to the summit. In any given game, he'd spend anywhere from three months to two years climbing. Once he reached the peak, he'd sell everything and start over. That was his cycle.

He planned to do the same here. He would systematically shatter the achievements others had built until he stood at the top. 'Come at me if you dare. Try and stop me.'

His only real asset was his talent for gaming, but it was a talent that had allowed him to dominate every virtual world he entered. Fortunately, this new reality had a clear peak to conquer, and this Legendary dungeon clear was the first foothold. Of course, he had no intention of declaring all-out war from the start.

"This should be enough to draw them in."

If he attracted just enough attention, shouting to the world that someone was on their heels, the flies would start to swarm. That was his goal. He couldn't possibly stand on the same level as a man who'd spent five years reaching Level 69. He needed intermediaries, stepping stones to keep his name in the conversation until he could close the gap.

For instance…

"Punks like Park Sijun."

He needed people to fuel his growth and line his pockets. And there was no rule saying they had to be players.

—Wow, if Buja releases the video, he's undeniably better than Fly, right? Fly never released his 1-star Legendary video. Wait, did he not release it because he couldn't clear it?

One by one, viewers were flocking to his video channel. The rewards for pushing himself to the brink were already starting to pay off.

* * *

Just as Buja was soaking in the guild's private bathhouse, trying to ease the ache in his bones, a familiar voice echoed from the entrance.

"May I come in?"

This was a VIP bath exclusive to Jeong Cheol Guild members; there was zero chance of being asked to share. Besides, any official request would have come through the internal phone by the tub.

"Yes," Buja replied.

The man who entered was Jeong Cheol. As the guild master submerged himself in the steaming water, Buja subtly scooted to the side.

"Sir, there are plenty of other tubs. Why this one…?"

"I washed up before coming in, so you don't have to worry," Jeong Cheol said, missing the point entirely.

"That's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about my own safety."

The casual way he said it was what made it terrifying. Sensing Buja's unease, Jeong Cheol spoke first.

"Don't worry too much about the armor. I was dismayed when I was forced to lend it out, but your contributions to the guild have been significant. Consider it an investment."

His words were blunt but held an underlying warmth. His treasured armor, even if it was retired, Buja understood the sentimental value of such an item.

"I'm sorry, sir," Buja said, offering a sincere apology.

"But an apology isn't much of a substitute. I brought you a gift," Buja added, quickly settling the score. He unclasped the bracelet from his wrist and held it out. "It's not like I was reckless with the armor, planning to just hand you a consolation prize."

He offered the Special-grade bracelet he'd gotten from the Source of Evil. Jeong Cheol studied his expression for a long moment before nodding and accepting it.

"So, can we call it even?" Buja asked, his tone light again.

A rare chuckle escaped Jeong Cheol.

"In terms of value, I think my armor was worth considerably more."

"It was second-hand, though. Worn by you, Guild Master."

"I'll let it slide," Jeong Cheol conceded.

The environment of the bathhouse helped people bond, and as the atmosphere finally relaxed, Jeong Cheol stood to leave.

"Well then, I have another appointment."

The bath's restorative effects were potent, but ten minutes wasn't nearly enough. He had come just for this conversation. As Jeong Cheol turned to leave, Buja hesitated.

"Um, Guild Master?"

At the tentative tone, Jeong Cheol paused and looked back. After an awkward silence, Buja took the plunge.

"By any chance, do you have any spare 1-star armor in your warehouse? Special-grade would be great, but even a decent Unique would be—"

He saw it instantly: Jeong Cheol's hand instinctively drifting toward his waist, where a weapon would be.

"Just kidding, just kidding! Haha!"

Jeong Cheol cracked a small smile, nodded, and went on his way.

"Tsk. If I ask for another sponsorship, I might actually get stabbed," Buja muttered to himself.

He smacked his lips, feeling a pang of regret at the emptiness on his wrist. It was a shame to give up the first Special-grade accessory he'd ever found in a Legendary-grade dungeon, but if it cleared his conscience, it was worth it. Buja had always hated being indebted, even in games. He'd take any freebie he could get, but they always came with a psychological price.

Besides, the accessory wasn't the only thing he'd gained.

"Time for the main event."

A cascade of holograms filled his vision. The real rewards were just beginning.

* * *

Jeong Cheol's expression was noticeably brighter when he left the hospital. Seora watched him, letting out a quiet sigh of relief.

"I was worried, Dad. I know how much you cherished that armor."

"If I had expected to get it back in one piece, I never would have lent it out," he said, holding out the bracelet. "And I received a gift."

"What is it?"

Seora's eyes went wide as she examined the item.

[Bracelet of Purification]

▶ Grade: Special

▶ Magic Power: +18

▶ Holy Power: +18

▶ Grants immunity to Status Ailments (★★★) when equipped.

▷ A bracelet cleansed of the "Source of Evil's" power. Through purification, it has been imbued with the strength to vanquish evil.

"Don't tell me…" she gasped.

"In terms of value, it's practically a Legendary item," Jeong Cheol confirmed.

"A 1-star item that grants immunity to 3-star status ailments? That would sell for more than most Legendaries."

"He gave it to me," Jeong Cheol said with a wry chuckle. "Said we should call it even."

A smile lingered on his lips. Encounters with Kim Buja were always like this—unpredictable, constantly catching him off guard. While his armor was certainly valuable, worth millions, it couldn't compare to a three-option accessory with such a rare ability. This bracelet was worth hundreds of millions, at least. Buja must have known.

He was simply repaying a debt of gratitude.

"Tell him I'll put it to good use."

"I will."

"And if he needs anything else, lend it to him in my name."

"In your name, Dad?"

Unbeknownst to him, Kim Buja's sincerity had earned him a massive return. As Seora watched her father leave for his next appointment, she glanced back toward the hospital with a fond, lingering look. Who wouldn't be drawn to someone who treated their parents with such respect? And to her, Jeong Cheol wasn't just her father; he was her idol.

Engrossed in his rewards, having casually tossed away a priceless accessory to settle a debt, Kim Buja had managed to kill two birds with one stone.

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