1.

[You have fulfilled the ☆.]

[You have fulfilled the hidden ☆.]

[The dungeon will be cleared.]

The two holograms that appeared after he defeated the Source of Evil signaled a surprisingly anticlimactic end to the ordeal.

(☆) Defeat the boss monster "Source of Evil"

In a way, he was incredibly lucky. The clear condition hadn't been something tedious like "survive for a set amount of time." Or maybe it was just his day from the start. Luck was a crucial factor not just in gacha pulls and enhancements, but in dungeons as well. Whatever the reason, it was a golden opportunity, and by seizing it, he set a new record: the fastest 1-star Legendary dungeon clear at just twenty hours.

[You have achieved "Achievement: Your First Legendary! (L)."]

[You have achieved "Achievement: Legendary Hunter (L)."]

[You have achieved "Achievement: Time Attack (U)."]

The subsequent holograms were the spoils of his victory. The moment his achievement count surpassed ten, his Basic Achievement Effect had already leveled up.

▷ 14 achievements are in your list. Basic Achievement Effect Lv2 is active. Next Level (14/30)

▷ Basic Achievement Effect Lv2

→ Strength +1 / Stamina +1 / Agility +1 / Magic Power +1

An extra point in Agility and Magic Power. Buja wasn't thrilled that his useless magic power stat was now tied for his highest, but a stat was a stat. He hadn't even been trying to collect achievements; they were just passive bonuses that accumulated and converted into a small power boost.

"I should start farming achievements later," he decided.

That thought solidified when he saw his three Legendary achievements combine into a single, powerful effect.

▷ 3 Legendary achievements are in your list. Legendary Achievement Effect Lv1 is active. Next Level (3/10)

▷ Legendary Achievement Effect Lv1

→ Additional Attack Power +2%

"Definitely."

His total additional attack power was already at 23%. While his Legendary necklace was doing the heavy lifting, an extra 3% was nothing to scoff at. He was still just a newbie. As he collected more achievements and performed more enhancements, this number would stack, and eventually, he'd have a baseline power boost that rivaled a Legendary item.

"Achievements are the best!"

A fresh wave of energy surged through his weary body. Rewards were the ultimate motivator, and they were pouring in at a rate that defied his wildest expectations. Getting exactly what you wanted was enough to make you give your all, but getting unexpected, game-changing bonuses? That sparked a true desire to conquer.

"I hope I keep getting Legendary achievements."

Of course, he knew it wouldn't be easy. All three he'd obtained so far were tied to monumental, Legendary-tier feats: acquiring a Legendary pet, being the first to clear a Legendary-grade dungeon, and defeating a Legendary boss. Future Legendary achievements would likely follow the same pattern. The silver lining was that all three were repeatable.

"From one to ten times. Not bad."

Collecting ten Legendary pets seemed impossible, but clearing ten Legendary dungeons and defeating their bosses was an achievable long-term goal. And his satisfaction didn't end there.

[You have acquired "Special Stat Points (2)."]

The reward for "Your First Legendary!" and "Legendary Hunter." While not part of the repeat rewards, completing it for the first time earned two precious points. He invested them in Gold Power without a second thought. Even if he had other options, Gold Power was the only choice.

"I'm growing, little by little."

To any other player, it would look less like "little by little" and more like he was becoming a completely different person every time he took a bath.

Humbly, he closed the achievement window. He desperately wanted to brag to Seora, but he couldn't.

[Gold Owned: 712G]

It wasn't over yet. Monsters had dropped 5 to 7 gold, elites around 20, and the Source of Evil had yielded over 400 gold. He had not only recouped the 500 gold spent on "Holy Light" but had come out far ahead. And then there was the most important reward of all.

The one he had prayed for.

[You have acquired ★(L).]

He had gotten everything he wanted from this raid, and more.

* * *

All that remained was his choice.

"Should I take the safe bet, or the gamble?" he muttered.

[Event Status]

▶ 1-Star

→ 1st: Sergei Dicapro (Lv 9) 2,810 Points

.

.

.

→ 5th: Kim Buja (Lv 2) 2,350 Points

A 460-point gap. Eight days were remaining. The gamble was a relatively safe one. The current leader was earning about 150 points a day. If he entered another Legendary dungeon and cleared it within forty-eight hours, he could easily overtake him.

He might even snag another Special or Unique item and lay the groundwork for his next Legendary achievement with the help of the event buff. On the other hand, if he ran out of time, he'd have to grind even harder in regular dungeons for the remaining days.

"Hmm."

When he'd first emerged from the dungeon, he'd been confident about tackling another Legendary. But now, sitting in the hospital, feeling the empty space on his wrist, he was having second thoughts.

"Maybe I should just secure the event win safely."

He had already gained so much. It might be wiser to lock in his remaining rewards and finish on a high note.

"And if I want to take both boxes, including our dear Sijun's…"

Park Sijun. The guy had been so insufferably cocky at the start of the event, but now he was barely a blip on Buja's radar. Yet, he was still clinging to first place in the 2-star group. A wicked smile spread across Buja's face.

"Yes, that's the perfect way to wrap this up."

A nail-biting, down-to-the-wire victory against a foreign rival was one thing. But an overwhelming, soul-crushing victory that also served up a delicious dish of poetic justice? That would be far more satisfying for his viewers.

2.

Park Sijun would never hand it over. No one, unless they were a complete idiot, would give up a priceless Legendary item over a bet made in a fit of pique. Buja knew that. Last time, he'd had leverage—the ability to harm Sijun directly.

This time, all he had was public opinion. At worst, viewers would call Sijun pathetic, but a guy like him, backed by the SJ Group and its massive channel, was immune to such criticism.

Still, Buja wasn't giving up.

"I'll just have to be a thorn in his side until he pays up."

He didn't actually expect to get the item, but he wasn't going to let Sijun off the hook, either. He casually started a stream, pretending to interact with his viewers while carefully planting the seeds.

—Mr. Buja, you're cutting it close for first place. Are you still going through with the bet you made with Mr. Park Sijun?

"Oh, that? Of course," Buja said smoothly. "We bet our first-place rewards on who could get the higher score. This isn't for pocket change; I have to put my life on the line."

What had been a one-sided taunt from Sijun had now been framed as a mutual, high-stakes wager. When another viewer asked what he'd do if Sijun refused to pay, he answered with practiced nonchalance.

"To be honest, I'm not really expecting to get it. We don't have a contract, and even for the youngest son of the SJ Group, I doubt he'd want to give up an item of that value just because he ran his mouth. I'm just using it as motivation to work hard for the rest of the event."

He made it sound as casual as possible.

"Frankly, it's not like I'll fail a dungeon just because I'm missing one Legendary item. If a piece of gear is more valuable to him than his own word, I understand."

He passed the buck. Anyone with no intention of paying would just scoff and ignore it. Sijun wasn't afraid of the SJ Group's image taking a hit; if he were, he wouldn't have acted so recklessly in the first place. Buja was doing this for one reason: to ensure he didn't look like a pushover later.

"I've done my part. I put my own reward on the line, too. No one can blame me now."

He was stripping Sijun of any possible excuse. Having said his piece, Kim Buja headed back into a dungeon with a light heart.

* * *

The Fly Guild took one week to clear their Special dungeon. It was an eternity compared to Buja's time, but objectively, it was an unbelievably fast clear.

—Wow, is it even possible to clear a 7-star Special dungeon in 7 days?

—That means they cleared one condition per day? Damn…

—Is Fly actually a god?

A dungeon with seven stars was a different beast entirely from one with a single star. There was a reason 1-star dungeons were called tutorials. For a moment, comparisons to Buja were forgotten as a wave of pure admiration swept through the community. It felt like the grand finale of the event.

—What's the 5th-week buff?

Or perhaps, it was the turning point before the true climax. As Day 28 began, the final event buff was revealed.

▶ 5th Week

→ Event Points x2

It was a buff for the latecomers, a final push. The buffs from the first four weeks had catered to those enjoying the event as a festival, but this last one was for the grinders, the point farmers.

—Well, the point farmers worked hard, too.

—They spent their own money and got so much hate for it.

—Hope everyone finishes strong.

The event had been tumultuous, but in the end, it was a celebration for the players. It had made people laugh and cry, and it had pushed them to attempt challenges they'd never dreamed of. Even if their motivation was just grinding for items, no one could belittle their effort. And so, the final day concluded in a surprisingly warm atmosphere.

[The "Event" has ended.]

The rankings, which had been in constant flux until the very last second, were now set in stone, forever dividing the victors from the vanquished.

* * *

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