Kim Buja and Jeong Seora traveled separately. "There are a lot of rumors going around that you and I are a thing," he said, looking out at the crowd from inside the limousine.

It was impossible for rumors not to spread. He had been with Jeong Seora from the moment he awakened, and his entanglement with Park Sijun was also related to her. In addition to practically making the bet on her behalf, hadn't there been plenty of photos taken afterward that could create misunderstandings and stories? Above all, Jeong Seora was one of the most popular players in South Korea.

She was one of the few players whom people unanimously agreed could have been a world-famous celebrity if she'd debuted! As the vice-master of the Jeongcheol Guild and a player approaching level 60, there were no stalker fans, but there were many men who were curious about her every move. Naturally, in their eyes, just seeing Jeong Seora face-to-face, talking and laughing with someone, was considered a scandal. The unwanted scandal with Park Sijun had also arisen from these actions.

Even if the attention is unwanted, if someone is persistent enough, people will start to fantasize. But now, with happiness written all over her face as she unhesitatingly engaged in physical affection with Kim Buja—something she had never done before—people couldn't help but be certain, not just suspicious.

"There are also a lot of people saying it's more likely a business relationship for that very reason."

As a result, some fans who refused to abandon their delusions started spreading rumors that Jeong Seora was doing it on purpose, that she was in a contract relationship with Kim Buja to grow the guild or to distance herself from the unpleasant scandal with Park Sijun. Otherwise, they argued, there was no way she, who had never had a single scandal, would be so openly photographed.

"That's not wrong."

"The beginning wasn't."

They didn't react much to such rumors. Because it wasn't so far from the truth that they couldn't acknowledge it themselves. At first, it was just a contractual relationship. Her personal admiration for him had led to an immediate contract, but there was no clause about appearing as a couple in public. They didn't particularly act in a way that actively expressed romantic interest either.

Except for a few light jokes to make the time they had to spend together outside of dungeons less awkward, he was always focused on raising his stats. The same went for Jeong Seora. She was faithful to her work. She didn't become his dedicated support because she felt something for him as a man. She was just more faithful to her work than anyone else, and she worked tirelessly to get closer to Kim Buja, who seemed to have the highest potential.

As a result, they couldn't help but get closer on a personal level. They discovered each other's attractive qualities and grew to like them. While Kim Buja couldn't deny that her looks were the initial attraction, he could now confidently say that her personality, which grew more charming the more he got to know her, was now a bigger factor. In any case, the biggest reason they didn't deny the rumors was that there was no reason to needlessly feed the fire.

"Shall we get out?"

"Yes."

While they were chatting amiably, the limousine arrived quickly. Looking out the window, he could see a crowd stretching beyond the guardrails. From reporters to fans. "Good thing I wore my armor. About half of those are placards for you, so I wouldn't be surprised if some arrows came flying my way."

Without exaggeration, just looking at one section, exactly half of the fans were cheering for Jeong Seora. Among the rest, fans chanting for the SJ Guild's Shin Hyejeong took up about twenty percent, and Kim Buja's name was on just one. Rather than feeling disappointed, a wave of warmth washed over him first. 'To think someone is holding up my placard right next to Jeong Seora's fan club.'

He'd be lucky if they didn't drag him away somewhere. Admiring the fan club culture he was experiencing with his own two eyes after a long time, he got out of the limousine. The gazes of the numerous players who had already arrived, as well as the flashes of the cameras outside, poured toward the limousine door.

"Whoa."

How long had it been? No, this was the first time. The first time he had ever received this much attention in real life. Even in the game, receiving the attention of someone, let alone the majority, was not easy. There was a reason the term "noise marketing" existed. That's how remarkable it was to receive any attention at all. That's why Kim Buja wasn't intimidated.

"It's Kim Buja!"

"Wow, he's really getting out with Jeong Seora?"

"Are they for real?"

Most of the voices were filled with curiosity, envy, jealousy, and judgment rather than cheers and welcome for Kim Buja. The reason all eyes were on him was partly because Kim Buja was the most talked-about player in this selection match, but mostly because of Jeong Seora's modestly dressed appearance.

Still, he waved. Confidence is everything. Even if the people who didn't care about him would ignore him anyway, it would leave a better impression than looking pathetically intimidated. To support the waving Kim Buja, Jeong Seora stood right beside him. She didn't pay much attention to managing her public image. She was famous for not doing fan service and focusing solely on guild matters. Which, ironically, was what amplified her popularity.

She casually linked her arm with his. It wasn't just linking arms; she closed the distance until the soft pressure of her body against his arm was palpable. She told him, "Let's go."

The moments of maintaining his dignity and projecting the confidence of a rising star were rendered meaningless in just a few seconds. If most people were looking this way when he got out of the limousine, after Jeong Seora's touch, it felt like everyone here was looking this way. 'Is this what they call wifely support?' It certainly made his shoulders straighten. It was the first time in his entire life that the attention he received was not because of his skills, but because of a woman.

"This feeling isn't so bad."

"What kind of feeling?"

It didn't hurt his pride at all; in fact, he liked it. He already had more than enough confidence and conviction in his skills. In just a few hours, when he proved himself, those looks of envy and jealousy would turn into awe and admiration. So, he enjoyed it. Not the gazes, but the reality.

"Well, look who it is. You made it?"

If only Park Sijun, with his annoying face filled with more envy and jealousy than anyone else gathered at Namsan, hadn't approached him, he would have enjoyed it more.

"Yeah, buddy. How's life treating you after running off with that shield?"

"Hey, that's—!"

The ownership issue had been settled. Park Sijun had no intention of giving it, and Kim Buja had accepted what was offered as a substitute. However, since it fell far short of the original value, he had no hesitation in using it as a taunt. Seeing that talking would only put him at a disadvantage, Park Sijun changed his target.

"The rumor is you've been preparing a lot to try and beat us. Are you confident?"

The question was directed at Jeong Seora, who was watching with an interested expression, her arm still linked with his. Calling it a rumor was just a roundabout way of saying he'd been digging for information. A remark meant to sound unpleasant. This, too, was a preliminary skirmish before the match began. Of course, Jeong Seora was no pushover.

"There wasn't much to prepare for. Our competitor for the individual match is so reliable. There was a rumor that you might be participating, but that's not true, is it?" she asked.

"Well, even if I were to participate…" Sijun trailed off.

"I suppose so. Even if you are the youngest of the SJ Group, there are some things you can achieve with performance and some things you can't. If they had any sense, they wouldn't put you in the selection match. I guess I believed the rumors too much."

He fell silent.

Even before meeting Buja, she had a history of firmly rejecting Park Sijun's advances. Seora had nothing to lose in a comparison with Sijun in the first place, so she still had no hesitation in dealing with him. Above all, they were now standing here as guild versus guild. It would be foolish to just laugh and take the enemy's provocation.

Park Sijun's face, who had come over for nothing and couldn't even get his money's worth, turned bright red. Being looked down on by the pair of them, he wanted to retort but had nothing to say, and if he made a move, there were too many eyes watching. The core members of the formidable SJ Guild were behind him, and he wanted to show them something, but if he did, he would be captured by countless cameras as a pathetic loser who threw a punch over a few taunts. But retreating was also awkward. Fortunately, a voice of salvation came from elsewhere.

"The individual matches for the National Team Selection will begin shortly. All players participating in the individual matches, please proceed to restricted area number 2."

As if he had been waiting for it, Park Sijun turned around. With a smirk, Kim Buja also stopped tormenting him and followed. "I'll come back with first place."

Even guild members couldn't enter restricted area number 2. It was a space only for participants. He bid farewell to Jeong Seora. A soft kiss touched his lips.

"If you get first place..."

"If I do?"

"We'll talk after you do. For now, just go."

He felt a sudden surge of motivation. As he turned his steps with vigor, his eyes met Park Sijun's, who had returned to the SJ Guild group and was watching. His mouth was itching. He wanted to say one more thing, but looking at his expression, it seemed unnecessary.

He gave him another smile. This was enough. The one who enters restricted area number 2 and the one who cannot. Having relaxed before the real competition began, Kim Buja erased his playful expression and entered to fight against the real contenders.

* * *

The individual and team matches were held separately. The schedule wasn't arbitrarily set by the Dungeon Association but was brought over exactly as the official event schedule. So, except for the players participating in the individual matches, the rest of the guild players didn't have much to do. Practicing for the team match during this time was one option. But almost no guilds went to practice.

It was obvious. The point distribution for the individual and team matches was almost the same. In effect, how well one performed in the individual matches determined whether they would go all out in the team match. Everyone watched the golden pillar flash and looked at the hologram appearing before their eyes.

['Preliminary Event Individual Match (Provisional)' has been activated.]

[Would you like to spectate?]

They didn't have to spectate right away. They could activate the 'Preliminary Event' hologram and press the spectate button at any time. But all the players gathered here immediately sat in the prepared seats and activated spectating to watch the players who had entered the 'Individual Match (Provisional)'. It was an individual match, but not just any individual match. It was an individual match with the fate of their guild on the line.

Naturally, the ace of each guild was most likely to participate. And that ace was also likely to appear in the team match after the individual match was over. Sizing up the opponent's strength was helpful in many ways. And so, the individual match, watched by ten people, and millions of eyes, began.

* * *

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