Cashing Out the Ancient Dungeon
Was it because of the massive fortune sitting in his inventory?
His excitement just wouldn't fade.
This is ridiculous.
Thanks to that, the journey to the Hemil Empire felt incredibly short. Almost instantaneous, in fact.
"We're already here."
"Yeah. Oh, Your Grace."
A sudden thought struck him, and he called out to the duke.
"What is it?"
"Could I ask one more favor?"
"Speak."
"I'd like to use the contribution points that my companion and I have earned toward the Hemil Empire."
"Using contribution points..."
Duke Amur nodded.
"Very well. The stronger you become, the higher the chance you'll complete my commissions. Isn't that right?"
"Of course."
"Then come find me again with your companion when the time comes."
"Understood."
"We'll speak then."
"Yes."
Duke Amur entered the castle with his knight. Mu-hyuk watched them briefly before turning away.
Now it was time to convert that gold in his pouch into cash. He headed straight to the exchange and listed all 51,480 gold.
1 gold for 10,000 won each.
Registered.
Immediately, the gold began selling at an astonishing rate.
350 gold sold.
100 gold sold.
40 gold sold.
1,100 gold...
Less than an hour later, all 51,480 gold had sold. Mu-hyuk quickly logged out and checked his bank account for the deposit.
The amount after fees.
"460 million...!"
Calming his excitement, he called Sung Min-woo.
(Yeah, what's up?)
"You picked up?"
(Got plenty of rest. About to log in.)
"Cool. Come out for a bit."
(Why?)
"Sold the ancient dungeon."
(Already?)
"Yeah. That pork belly spot in Hongdae, you know it?"
(Know it. Heading there!)
"20 minutes."
(OK!)
He hung up and headed out immediately.
Ha, this is nuts.
Even while driving, he could hardly believe it.
460 million won in a single day.
It felt empty, absurd, and yet exhilarating in direct opposition to those feelings.
Clutching a whirlwind of incomprehensible emotions, Mu-hyuk arrived at the meeting spot, parked, and went inside.
"How many?"
"Two. One's coming soon."
"Yes, this way."
After taking a seat, he ordered three servings of pork belly.
"Here you go."
As the pork belly arrived, Sung Min-woo showed up.
"Yo."
"You're here. Sit."
"Yeah."
While grilling the meat, he showed him his phone.
"Sales amount."
"Screenshot?"
"Gotta be precise."
"What the hell."
There, smack in the center of his money pouch, was the massive sum.
"5,000 gold?"
"..."
Sung Min-woo ignored Mu-hyuk's gaze and rubbed his eyes.
"Damn, shit. Did meat get in my eye?"
"Pfft, what're you on about."
"I can't see it right. Am I crazy? Must be humidity making the numbers overlap."
"You see it right, idiot. It's 50,000 gold. Exactly 51,480 gold."
"F-for real...?"
"Yeah."
"W-wait. At 10,000 won per gold..."
His brain must have frozen solid.
"Shit, it adds up perfectly, but I can't believe it."
"Yeah, I was shocked too."
"Hooah, this is real?"
"Yeah. Sold it all at the exchange, got 460 million after fees. Here."
He showed him the deposit text too.
"Holy shit."
"I'll send your half tomorrow, so Kakao me your account."
"R-right. Ha, but why'd it sell for so much? I figured 5,000 tops. Even that felt like a jackpot in my head. Whew..."
"Asked Duke Amur for a favor."
"Duke Amur?"
"Yeah, private auction..."
He explained what happened, and Sung Min-woo let out an exclamation.
"Kuh, you're the man."
"Anyway, split it right down the middle?"
"Obviously. Straight 50%."
Maybe because of that.
"Damn, this meat tastes insane."
"Booze is sweet too."
The pork belly and soju tasted way better than usual after so long.
The next day.
After his workout, Mu-hyuk stopped by the bank on the way home. He took a number ticket and waited briefly until his turn.
Ding-dong—
The teller looked up slightly as he approached.
"How can I help?"
"Account transfer."
The teller handed him a form.
"Write the recipient's name and amount here. ID, passbook, or card please."
"Sure."
Mu-hyuk filled in the blanks first.
Sung Min-woo. 231,660,000 won.
He handed over the form, ID, and card.
"Here."
"Yes."
The teller checked the form first.
"Uh, um..."
Her face filled with bewilderment.
"Is the amount correct?"
"Yes."
"231 million..."
"Yes."
"Alright."
She hurried through the process.
"Processed."
A text arrived simultaneously.
Funds withdrawn.
"Thanks."
"Y-yes."
Mu-hyuk grabbed his ID and card and left the bank, then texted Sung Min-woo.
A reply came right away.
He'd told Yerin to pause her quest and come.
Arriving home, Mu-hyuk changed clothes and logged into Illusion.
He kept the simple attire he'd worn to the private auction with Duke Amur and headed to the square.
It might have drawn eyes if it were his usual gear, but not now.
Feels relaxed.
No users paid attention to Mu-hyuk in his plain clothes. He thought wandering like this occasionally wouldn't be bad.
"Oppa!"
"Hey, you made it?"
"Yeah!"
Yerin ran up and hugged him.
"Whoa!"
Male users' gazes converged on her beauty.
Maybe because it was due to his girlfriend's looks rather than his own fame.
"Ahem."
His shoulders puffed up for no reason.
"Hehe, missed you."
"Me too."
As he spent sweet time with Yerin, Sung Min-woo approached.
"Public place—manners!"
"Got it."
"Ahem. Anyway, rest over? Straight to mercenary commissions?"
"No, gear first."
"Sudden gear?"
"Asked Duke Amur to let us use contribution points."
"Gasp...!"
Sung Min-woo's intense reaction made Yerin tilt her head.
"Oppa, what's that mean?"
"Follow and see."
"Tch, so curious."
"Better if you don't know beforehand—more joy."
"Mm, okay!"
He led them into the castle. Guided by soldiers, they reached Duke Amur's residence, where a knight recognized Mu-hyuk.
"Wait a moment."
Soon, a guide came down.
"Follow me."
"Yes."
Thus, they arrived at Duke Amur's office.
"These your companions?"
"Yes."
"Iron Fist here."
"I'm Yerin."
"Pleased. Sit."
They all sat.
"You want to use contribution points?"
"Yes."
"Understood. No need to drag it out since I approved beforehand. I'll assign a knight—pick whatever within your limit."
"Thank you."
Before discovering the ancient dungeon, from around level 120, he'd stayed solely in the Hemil Empire.
Mercenary commissions gave extra rewards thanks to his nameplate, so his points had piled up substantially. He planned to burn most of them now.
"Someone outside?"
"Yes."
The door opened, revealing a knight.
"Important guests. Guide them to my private vault."
"Understood."
They followed the knight down corridors. The path was complex, but they arrived easily.
"Here. Wait a moment."
The knight showed his nameplate to the door guard, who disarmed the magical lock.
The iron door slowly creaked open.
"W-whoa...!"
The entrance alone was no joke.
"Enjoy."
The door shut behind them.
Sung Min-woo gawked, frantically checking items, while Yerin froze in place.
"O-oppa, what is this?"
She asked Mu-hyuk with wide eyes.
"You know contribution points?"
"Y-yeah!"
"You earn them from commissions and can use them in various ways. Accessing a noble's private vault like this is one. Items show required points. More points, more items. Like a contribution shop."
"S-still, this is..."
"Surprised?"
"Beyond surprised. Shocked silly."
"Relax. Take your time. We've got plenty."
Yerin took a deep breath at his words.
"Hoo, haa."
She seemed to pull herself together.
"Got it. Thanks, oppa."
"Sure."
Mu-hyuk smiled, patted her head, then turned away.
Alright, my turn.
This was a duke's private vault, second only to the emperor.
What items would be here?
His heart raced with anticipation.
*
The moment he checked the first item, he thought, As expected.
◈ Dragon's most powerful attack, the breath. All affected by it burns to ash. What's left is the remnants of a world-scorching breath, forged into the blade.
◈ +185 Physical Attack
◈ +20 Additional Attack
◈ +11% Attack Speed
◈ +8% Movement Speed
◈ Special: Heavy Strike
◈ Durability 350/350
◈ Req: Strength 70, Agility 90
◈ Required Hemil Contribution: 1,450
◈ Current Hemil Contribution: 3,120
The required contribution was insanely high.
A whopping 1,450 points.
Considering items from Weibra Empire were around 1,000, this was 50% more.
Buyable, but...
He didn't need it.
He set the dagger down and scanned others.
After a while, nothing perfect for him. Taking a break, he approached Sung Min-woo.
"Kuh, killer!"
He was exclaiming nonstop.
"That good?"
"Yeah, insane! Thinking this one. No, wait—better might be ahead."
"Nutjob."
Shaking his head, he went to Yerin.
"Whatcha doing?"
"Oh, checking a ring. What do you think?"
He looked at the options.
"Pretty good."
"Right? Hehe."
"Going for it?"
"Hmm, thinking."
She picked up an earring below.
"Wow, pretty..."
Seemed more focused on looks than stats, but whatever. Her satisfaction mattered most.
Mu-hyuk resumed browsing. Swords, shields, armor, etc. After dozens...
"Huh...!"
He spotted an unexpected item.