Level 18. The level Kim Buja reached in twenty-four hours. If he had only focused on leveling up, he could have gone even higher. But he didn't consider the level that important.

"Items first, levels later."

In this world, unlike in a typical game, a player didn't automatically get stat, attack, and defense boosts just by leveling up. The only benefits were three stat points and the ability to challenge higher-level dungeons. It was the same in this event. In a place with no level restrictions on hunting, the meaning of "level" was even more diminished.

For someone like Kim Buja, who could gain eighteen levels in a day, the accumulated stat points would certainly create a significant difference. But that was only because he had just passed through the early, tutorial-like levels. From here on, it wouldn't be so easy. The monsters would get stronger, and their cunning movements would make his own growth feel less impactful. In fact, fighting monsters of the same level might even make him feel weaker. That's why he needed items.

He had already felt keenly in the real world how significant equipment could be. Of course, his Legendary-grade items made the stat increases from leveling seem trivial; for Normal, Rare, and even Epic gear, the stats gained from each piece weren't that large. At most, a combined 5-10 points.

But those small numbers added up. And this was an event island.

"What kind of Epic-grade item is almost as good as a Unique?"

A shabby cloth shirt dropped from a regular goblin was an Epic-grade item with stats that surpassed those of a Unique item. If this were reality, everyone would be challenging Legendary dungeons with gear like this. This meant that as long as players survived the initial phase, a solid foundation for growth was guaranteed. He was confident he could win even after they grew, but there was no need to give them the chance. So, Kim Buja headed out.

"Look at them all swarming here to take down the field boss."

Thirty to forty players had gathered at the location of the level 8 field boss. The system, having summoned the boss as a "curse," also allowed players to track its location if they wished. Most of them were likely around the same level as the boss, or slightly higher. A strange war of nerves unfolded around the giant, sludge-like creature, which made no move unless one entered its territory.

If it had been a smaller group, a fight might have broken out. Though only twenty-four hours had passed, a gap was already forming between players. Anyone who thought they had an advantage could have started a free-for-all to thin the competition and accelerate their own growth. But with over thirty people, no one could risk it. You could die just by getting swept up in the chaos. Besides, in a large-scale brawl, ranged classes had a clear advantage. In the midst of this tense standoff, a player most of the international representatives would recognize stepped in to mediate.

"How about we cooperate, just this once?"

It was Fly.

The atmosphere stirred as he appeared, already as well-equipped as Kim Buja, looking as if he had no need to farm anymore. 'To think he would come, too.' His steps were unhesitating as he walked into the center of the crowd. It was a clear display of confidence. He was certain that even if a fight broke out with everyone here, he, at the very least, would not die. The others acknowledged that Fly had earned the right to such confidence.

"Look at his gear already…"

"What the hell is his level?"

Spectators could see the players' levels, but the participants themselves could not. That made him even more intimidating. They had just spent a whole day farming for one decent weapon, while he was walking around in a complete set. And it was he who was now speaking. He felt like the number one ranker even here, and no one could object.

"That field boss doesn't seem like a monster that can be hunted by an individual or a small group. I think it would be best to cooperate, just this once. Of course, this is my personal opinion, so I'm not forcing you. But since we've all invested precious time to gather here, I believe it's not a bad choice."

His plausible logic had people nodding in agreement. Most of them had come chasing a huge reward, only to feel they had wasted their time after seeing another player get knocked out in one hit. The only reason they hadn't left was a sliver of hope. 'What if someone else manages to kill it? Then I'll have wasted my time while they profit.' To them, Fly's mediation was a welcome relief. If any other player had suggested it, they would have ignored it. There was no guarantee they wouldn't be betrayed during or after the raid.

"The field boss is powerful, but I believe we can take it down if we work together. Even if we have to consider the possibility of no reward, since it was summoned as a 'curse.'"

As the atmosphere shifted to one of acceptance, Fly smiled warmly and turned his gaze to a dimly lit corner, where Kim Buja was leaning against a tree, listening quietly.

"What do you think, Buja? Do you agree?"

Instantly, all eyes focused on him. Caught by the unexpected attention, Kim Buja smirked.

"I'd be honored. To think you'd even ask for my opinion... It was my dream to raid with you once, Fly. This worked out perfectly."

'It didn't matter how things turned out.' Buja, too, had wondered if he could raid the field boss alone after witnessing its power. He could probably create an opening if he used enough gold, but the other players were the problem. They wouldn't just stand by and watch. In such a situation, Fly had extended an olive branch. 'He must have his own reasons.' The most likely one was the conviction that he couldn't lose as long as he kept growing. Comparing the public's speculation about Kim Buja's abilities with his current gear, Fly probably assumed his strength was limited to the early game.

"Then, let's skip any grand rules or party command systems. This is an event, after all. We'll just agree not to attack each other during the raid."

He didn't need everyone's consent. Those who disagreed could simply leave. But no one did. Immediately, they turned their weapons away from each other and toward the boss. Formation, strategy, coordination—they ignored it all and charged. This wasn't a dungeon where they could calmly plan their attack. This was an event where every second was a stepping stone for growth. While they delayed here, the players who hadn't come were getting further ahead. Kim Buja quietly followed.

6.

Finding the situation amusing, Kim Buja participated with gusto. He, too, had been wondering what to do with the unexpectedly large crowd, and Fly had conveniently set the stage. This was a chance to kill his most dangerous competitor. With the help of the other players, the individual match could be considered practically over. That's why he gave it his all. He diligently dealt damage against the field boss, a creature so covered in filth it was hard to tell if it was made of the stuff or if it was gushing from its body like a foul fountain.

"Ugh! My attacks aren't landing!"

"God, the smell!"

"This isn't just filth! Damn it! Look at the damage it's dealing!"

Of course, he didn't get up close like the others. The creature looked like it would swallow his sword whole if he tried to stab it. It was so vile he wanted to ask who in their right mind would summon something like this as a level 8 field boss. He transformed his Gold Ring into a bow, nocked a fire-aspected arrow, and let it fly. At a glance, it looked like a simple flaming arrow, but as it lodged itself in the boss's vast body, it made its presence known.

'Graaaah.'

The massive body writhed, and filth splattered in all directions. A solid hit. The field boss charged with a speed that defied its size, laying waste to the area. It looked like you could die from suffocation just by being crushed under its weight. Indeed, players who couldn't get out of its path were flattened and disappeared in droves. But Kim Buja didn't move. Even as it charged toward him, he just drew his bowstring again. It could have looked like a desperate last stand.

"Fuck."

His expression was dead serious. The curse that escaped his lips was filled not with despair, but with anger.

"What sin did I commit in a past life to get a class that forces me to hunt with money for a living?"

It was the agony of a salaried worker watching his bank account drain, powerless to stop it. Of course, he earned far more gold than he spent. He could replenish it through hunting, and this time, he'd get it back as an achievement reward. He had earned enough to consider the arrows, which cost two gold per shot, a worthy investment. Still, his stomach churned. It couldn't be helped.

Even as he spent the gold, knowing it was fine, his heart and mind still grieved the waste. It was a habit, an instinct, ingrained in him over twenty years. That's why he could be frugal even while spending. If there was ever a moment Kim Buja spent lavishly, it was because he was confident he would get even more in return. So he didn't dodge.

He had made an investment that could stop even a boss this huge.

The ground shook violently. Not just where he stood, but the entire area trembled as if it would collapse. No one was confused as to the reason. They could all see the field boss, which had been charging with the intent to sweep everything away, stop dead in its tracks and shudder. It was more than just a sight to behold.

"Aargh!"

"It's a shit-storm! Dodge!"

The byproducts flying in all directions, mixed with flames that flickered amidst the black filth, were a vision of hell itself. It was powerful and disgusting.

"That's some powerful shit!"

What was the worst way to die? Being killed by flying feces had to be on the list. And that applied to Kim Buja as well. Dodging the airborne crap, he glanced over at Fly. Unlike him, who fought with gold, Fly's display lacked the flashiness seen in videos. But his steady stream of fire-based magic, consistently dealing damage even in this chaos, showed exactly why he was number one.

The timing of it all. The reason he had always wanted to meet Fly. The moment to achieve his goal had arrived.

Kim Buja ran towards Fly.

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