Players and industry affiliates who frequent the Dungeon Store all say the same thing:

—A VIP of the Dungeon Store VIP is a true VIP of modern society.

The conditions for entry aren't particularly strict. Unlike exclusive credit cards or other VIP systems that offer a limited number of spots based on nebulous criteria, the Dungeon Store cares about only one thing.

Money.

It was a corporation founded for money, one that stubbornly endured opposition from countless organizations and governments for money. It was a company that provided dedicated one-on-one staff and shamelessly used attractive employees to entice its customers. To such an entity, other conditions were irrelevant. Social status? They knew fame didn't put food on the table, and that fame could be bought with money. They didn't kowtow to the wealthy; they proved their worth by offering items that matched their clients' status, doing business with players as equals.

That was the secret to how the Dungeon Store had thrived for five years alongside the dungeons. In fact, it grew stronger by the day. While holding a monopoly on the market and tolerating no latecomers, it wasn't greedy.

They knew. The profits they could gain just by maintaining their position would only grow over time. There wasn't a single country without a Dungeon Store. They even existed in remote, lawless regions that lacked internet access.

It is everywhere, and it has everything. This single motto was the foundation of their industry dominance, and they never hesitated to invest in strengthening that foundation. That's why it was possible.

—You're paying a million a month and 15 million a year? Are you a sucker?

It's why you rarely heard comments like that.

—It's not like the Dungeon Store adds VAT, and there's no safer place for high-value transactions. In fact, they only charge a minimum fee. They also handle dungeon settlements on a percentage basis. Players have to spend what they earn, so rather than using the black market to save a few pennies, high-earners are better off buying from the Dungeon Store and getting VIP membership. Looking at the benefits, honestly, if I had the money, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

With a single Dungeon Store VIP card, you could enjoy the best benefits anywhere in the world. Luxury boutiques, airlines, and hotels. This wasn't some measly one percent mileage bonus. From discounts to premium services, you received treatment that surpassed any other VIP program.

You might argue that someone who spends over fifteen million dollars a year wouldn't care about such perks, but treatment is more important than money. The prestige that came with being a Dungeon Store VIP was everything. In an age where how you spend your money is more important than how you earn it, receiving social recognition for your spending held deep meaning for players.

It was a badge of honor. An unofficial medal bought with money earned by risking your life to clear dungeons. It was proof that you were a person capable of spending over fifteen million a year. It's no wonder that Dungeon Store VIPs were the most sought-after partners at matchmaking agencies.

Not that such people would ever need a matchmaking service, but that was the level of prestige it carried. Such was the influence of the Dungeon Store, and such were the benefits its VIPs enjoyed. Of course, there was something far more important than any real-world perks. After all, what did worldly affairs truly matter to a player? Far more of them were dedicated to improving their levels and items than to worrying about public opinion.

"I think there are quite a few useful things in this VIP auction," Jeong Seora said. "It seems like there will be a lot of participants, don't you think?"

And the greatest of those efforts was this: the services the Dungeon Store provided exclusively for its VIPs.

"An auction just for the rich," Kim Buja mused. "And it's only held in Korea. You'd think we were a world power."

"Well, the Dungeon Store certainly has that much influence," Jeong Seora replied. "It just isn't state-owned."

"True."

This was an auction featuring items even better than the Special-grade piece he had recently acquired—the kind of place where most rankers bought their endgame gear. Since items superior to his own impressive bow would be available, he could imagine the quality without even needing to see them.

"Will there be anything I can use?"

"Hmm, I think we'll have to go to the VVIP auction to find out."

Of course, there was no guarantee he'd find what he was looking for, even there. The item Buja sought had incredibly specific requirements. It wasn't just a matter of money; the item had to be available, and the timing had to be perfect. The fact that it had to be Legendary was a huge obstacle to begin with. Additionally, it had to appear at an auction and be relatively inexpensive for its grade.

Jeong Seora's answer to this dilemma was the VVIP auction.

"There's a VVIP one, too?"

"It's not a formal membership, but they occasionally hold auctions for their top-tier VIPs. People just call it the VVIP auction. You can assume that only the best items available from the Dungeon Store are sold there."

It was an auction for those in the know. This was the first he was hearing of it, but he knew that didn't matter.

"Can we go?"

She wouldn't have brought it up unless they could, right? He looked at her with renewed interest.

"The invitation wasn't for me personally, but one came to the guild."

"The Jeong Cheol Guild must be pretty big, then."

"I'm sure you'll start getting them regularly after this, Buja. The requirements aren't as strict as you'd think. From what I've seen, it's about ten times the VIP spending requirement. So there are actually quite a few participants."

One hundred fifty million dollars a year. It was another stark reminder of how numb he'd become to the value of money.

"To think that much is considered a reasonable amount… It's terrifying."

And yet, it didn't seem that high. Rationally, if Legendary and Special-grade items were being sold, you'd need bidders with that kind of spending power just to be in the room. Even with over a billion dollars saved up, he questioned if he could afford anything. The barrier to entry, much like the Dungeon Store's standard VIP status, wasn't insurmountable.

That made him even more excited. The Dungeon Store, purveyor of every item in the world, was holding an exclusive event for its VVIPs. What treasures would be unveiled?

"As a rule, the auction items are revealed on the day of the event. The auction is in three days, and the venue is a bit far, so we'll be leaving on an early morning flight tomorrow. It's probably best not to enter any dungeons today."

"Okay, I'm already excited. So, is it just the two of us going, Seora?"

"Yes. My dad said he doesn't need anything. When I told him we were going together, I had to stop him from trying to tag along."

He could feel the anticipation building.

"And they provide one room per team, right?"

"Something tells me it's not the auction you're looking forward to," she questioned.

"It's a two-for-one deal."

Being forced to spend money you don't have is terrifying. But being able to spend money you 'do' have is always a thrill. What could he buy?

Of course, despite his words, he kept his expectations low.

"If there's something good, I'll buy it. If not, oh well. I worked hard to save this money, so I can't spend it rashly. Even if I don't buy anything, I'll consider this a successful date with you."

He knew all too well that the world rarely handed you what you wanted. He wasn't even hoping for a Legendary. A Special-grade item would be enough. If he could just get two accessories that would serve him well up to 2-star difficulty, that would be a win.

That small wish kindled a spark of hope.

* * *

A towering hotel stood on a quiet, scenic green pasture in Switzerland. Owned by the Dungeon Store, it operated exclusively for their VIPs and was available free of charge ten times a year. It boasted top-class facilities and service—a self-contained cultural hub with everything one could need, making the lack of nearby amenities a non-issue.

The guest rooms, located on the tenth to the fortieth floors, were all identically configured, and every single one was currently reserved for the VVIP auction. They were provided free of charge to all participants for the duration of the event.

Naturally, Buja was impressed.

"I'd gain so much weight living in a place like this."

Everything he could possibly want was just an elevator ride away. A swimming pool and a gym were standard, but there were also luxury boutiques and even an item shopping mall. The Dungeon Hotel, with facilities spanning from the first floor to the fifteenth basement level, was the dream living space he had always imagined.

But what he liked most was that they had been given only one room.

"One room per team. What other company is this considerate? From now on, I'm using the Dungeon Store exclusively."

They could have requested two rooms, but he was grateful for Jeong Seora's thoughtful decision not to, and he enjoyed himself to the fullest. They started with movies; although the hotel had a separate theater, watching a film in the room's private mini-theater had its own unique charm.

Buja announced, "When I make more money, I'm going to build one of these."

"Someone like you could definitely afford it, couldn't you? You could probably start construction next month," Seora responded.

"You're right. I did come here with $1.5 billion, didn't I? If I get a good deal, I'll build a place just like this somewhere scenic overseas."

He was living a life where he could make such jokes freely. They spent their time sightseeing until the auction began.

The auction itself required no special effort. Participants simply had to enter the auction room within their assigned suite to take part in a completely private bidding process, free from prying eyes. They didn't even have to leave their suite.

Kim Buja entered with Jeong Seora and began appraising the items as they appeared.

"Hmm, this is definitely on another level. If this were a game, I would've spent a month grinding just to craft a single weapon with materials like that."

From weapons and armor to accessories, materials, and herbs, the items at the VVIP auction were incredibly diverse. While player gear was the main draw, other goods still made up about thirty percent of the listings. And every single one sold. Some materials even fetched higher prices than mediocre weapons or armor.

With wealthy bidders from all over the world, the competition was fierce. Decent items saw their prices inflate to absurd levels, making him wonder, 'That thing for that price?' Meanwhile, items with even the slightest flaw often failed to sell at their starting bid.

The bidders' judgment was cool and calculated. Even Kim Buja was impressed. He had expected a free-for-all of reckless spending, but it was nothing of the sort. Everyone was just like him: carefully and decisively spending only on what was absolutely necessary.

Because of that, few opportunities came his way.

"Nothing's really catching my eye."

There was no shortage of Level 1 items, but the promising ones were quickly bid up by competitors, soaring far past the price limit he had set in his mind. He could have bought them if he'd pushed, but he had no intention of overextending himself, so he let them go.

Time passed, and just as he was growing tired of merely watching…

The auctioneer's voice filled the room. "Thank you for your patience. We will now introduce the highlights of the auction. This time, we have prepared three. Now, for the first item!"

The crown jewels of the VVIP auction—items counted among the most difficult to obtain. They called them highlights, but in other words, they were Legendary-grade.

'What else could it be?'

The first item was revealed: a ring that glowed brightly on its own, its bumpy, crystalline yellow surface shining like starlight. Beside it, the item's stats materialized in a hologram.

"Whoa."

Kim Buja, who had been lounging with Jeong Seora and munching on popcorn, shot up from his seat.

* * *

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