Homecoming and the Auction's Fury

Mu-hyuk had some time to kill until sunset, but there wasn't much to do. So he logged out ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of Illusion and called Sung Min-woo.

The call just rang and rang without connecting.

He's still sleeping.

Yerin must be clearing her quest.

After some thought, he called Kang Ji-yeon.

"Hey, Sis."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

(What's up?)

"You said to come over for dinner, but the timing might be tight. Should I head over now?"

(Hang on. Dad!)

There was a brief burst of noise on the line.

(He says it's fine. Come on over.)

"Alright, I'll time it for lunch."

(Okay! Bye!)

He ended the call and checked the time.

11:15 a.m.

Still plenty of time, so he killed a few minutes browsing the homepage.

At 11:30, he showered, got dressed, and headed out.

He pulled his car out of the parking lot and arrived home just after noon.

Ding-dong.

A voice came through the intercom speaker.

(Who is it?)

"Mom, it's me."

(Oh, finally!)

"Yeah, open up."

(Okay, okay.)

The door unlocked, and he stepped inside to find his father and sister in the living room.

"I'm here."

"You're late."

"Ahem, yeah. We called you because we have something to discuss."

Ignoring his sister's words, Mu-hyuk watched his father turn off the TV. He naturally took a seat in an empty spot, and his father started asking questions.

"It's been a while since you quit the company, right?"

"Yeah."

"And you're doing Illusion from home now."

"Right. All from home."

"Then move back in."

"Pardon?"

"You moved out before because of work, but there's no reason now. Your mom's been nagging me every day about wanting to see you—it's getting on my nerves."

It was so sudden.

"Hmm."

"I won't force you to decide right now."

"Ah, okay."

His mother, who had been listening, chimed in.

"Mu-hyuk."

"Yeah?"

"You'll move out anyway once you get married."

"Sure."

"Why not live together until then?"

With his mother putting it so directly, he couldn't refuse.

Yerin... should be fine with it.

They lived far apart anyway, so their dates were mostly weekends. He hadn't even invited her over yet, and since they saw each other every day in Illusion, where he lived didn't seem like a big deal.

Besides, living alone had started to feel a bit lonely for Mu-hyuk too. It was fine most of the time, but at bedtime or upon waking, the silent emptiness felt desolate.

"Got it."

"Oh, really? You're moving back?"

"You told me to."

"I didn't expect you'd agree so easily."

"Was this why you called me over?"

"Obviously!"

Fine by me.

His mom would handle meals, and he'd save on rent and utilities.

"I'll move my stuff when I get a chance."

"Great, great. Mom'll make you a delicious lunch."

"Sounds good."

After a short wait, lunch was served.

"Everyone, come eat!"

They all gathered at the kitchen table.

"Whoa!"

Kang Ji-yeon let out an exclamation.

"See? We only eat like this when you're here."

"Yeah?"

"Exactly, so move back quick."

"Alright."

"Ahem, let's eat."

"Itadakimasu."

A steaming spoonful of rice with various side dishes.

Kuh, this is the stuff.

His mother's cooking was always delicious.

"Mom, one more bowl."

"Here you go."

He polished off the second bowl in no time.

"Son, have another."

"Huh? I'm good."

"Eat up."

"Uh, okay."

Before he knew it, he'd scarfed down three bowls.

Ugh, my stomach's gonna burst.

He patted his full belly, a satisfied smile on his face.

*

After spending some time at his parents' house, Mu-hyuk returned home and logged straight back into Illusion.

It was past 5 p.m. now, so sunset was approaching soon.

Near the castle entrance, two knights who had been loitering approached him.

"Lord Mu-hyuk?"

"Yes?"

"Duke Amur is waiting for you."

"Ah, already?"

"Yes, this way."

One knight hurried ahead, while Mu-hyuk walked leisurely through the castle grounds with the other, passing the mansion district.

Soon, he spotted Duke Amur approaching from afar.

Flanked by nine knights, the duke exuded an intimidating presence that made even approaching him feel daunting.

As the distance closed,

"I've been waiting."

"Am I late?"

"Not at all. Right on time."

"Did you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠verify it?"

"Of course. It really is an ancient dungeon. I was quite surprised."

Mu-hyuk chatted idly with Duke Amur as they exited the castle, accompanied by ten knights—a sight that drew plenty of stares.

"Whoa, knights?"

"Looks like an escort."

"Who's that?"

"Some noble, idiot."

"That guy's a player, though..."

"No way."

"Nah, he looks familiar."

"Shut up and let's go."

"For real, though..."

Mu-hyuk chuckled inwardly as he passed them and headed to the portal behind the central square. He bypassed the line and teleported directly to a remote village.

"Wear this mask from here on."

"Ah, got it."

Mu-hyuk removed his helmet and donned the mask.

Hmm, need to change my armor too.

His outfit was too conspicuous, so he swapped it for something more subdued.

Better.

They rented horses in the village and rode on.

About fifteen minutes later, a vast plain appeared. The grass was withered and rotten, and the encroaching darkness amplified the eerie chill.

There, incongruously, stood a massive building.

"This is the place."

"Ah..."

It was the site of the private auction.

Pretty secure.

As they approached, two men guarded the entrance.

Duke Amur flashed a token, and they bowed, stepping aside.

They entered, twisting through corridors several times.

"Here we are."

The knight opened the door.

Creeeak.

Inside, a transparent glass wall revealed the view beyond.

"This is...?"

"No one outside can see in, so don't worry."

"I see."

Mu-hyuk took in the many people seated—quite a few NPC nobles and a good number of players.

He glanced at Duke Amur.

"Ibangin here too?"

"Naturally. I leaked the info to guilds with deep pockets."

Mu-hyuk nodded instinctively.

Thorough.

"Shall we watch?"

"Sure."

Mu-hyuk settled into a chair to enjoy the auction leisurely.

*

The auction was plenty entertaining just to watch.

Though I've seen a few before.

This private one featured staggering sums flying back and forth.

Someone raised their paddle.

"6,000."

In cash terms, that was 60 million won.

This was the sixth item.

As time passed and better pieces appeared, it was hard not to get hooked.

Wonder what's next.

"Surprised it's so modest?"

"Huh?"

"We threw it together quick, so not many items."

"Oh, uh..."

It wasn't modest at all.

"Still, your item's the star—no need to worry."

"Ah, yeah."

He wasn't worried one bit.

This is something else.

Some worlds were truly beyond imagination until experienced firsthand.

Mu-hyuk prided himself on selling items for hefty sums, but this blew it away.

The ninth item wrapped up.

Duke Amur stood.

"Be right back."

"Sure."

Mu-hyuk nodded, unsure where he was going, then refocused on the auction.

A map appeared.

Normally, there'd be murmurs about why a map was the finale, but not this time. Most had come armed with prior intel.

Duke Amur appeared from the back, mask removed.

"It's real."

"Duke Amur himself..."

"Hoo."

With that, the map's authenticity was virtually guaranteed. Duke Amur's reputation carried that weight.

Paddles shot up.

The bidding heated up.

Creeeak.

Duke Amur returned.

"Hot from the start."

"Yeah."

Had he sold the ancient dungeon location via the Illusion homepage, it'd have topped out around 100 million won.

A fortune, sure, but underwhelming for players given the unprecedented ancient dungeon's value.

Inevitable, without guarantees. Bigger sums bred bigger doubts.

But this private auction had ironclad certification: Duke Amur himself.

Prices soared wildly as a result.

Then—

100 million in cash.

"Now it begins."

Indeed.

The deep-pocketed heavyweights were finally raising their paddles.

*

The auction concluded.

Mu-hyuk squeezed his eyes shut.

520 million won.

Such a massive sum, earned so effortlessly.

Not mine, though.

Split with Sung Min-woo, it'd be exactly 260 million each.

Minus fees, a bit less.

He wanted to give his friend the full share, but that'd just make Sung Min-woo uncomfortable.

Between friends, money matters needed to be precise as a scalpel.

"Good price."

"Honestly, never dreamed it'd go that high."

"Ancient dungeons are worth it."

A knock sounded.

Knock knock.

Duke Amur said come in, and the door opened.

"Your payment, minus 1% fee."

"Good work."

"Just grateful."

"Until next time."

"Yes."

"You're dismissed."

As he left, Duke Amur handed Mu-hyuk the pouch from the man.

His hand trembled slightly.

"Ha, haha..."

A hollow laugh escaped him.

"Your nerves ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠are still green."

"Tell me about it..."

Mu-hyuk shook his head and stowed the pouch in his inventory.

"Let's go."

He left the private auction house with the duke.