Bargain with the Guardians
Dozens of users were all wearing the exact same cloaks.
All their gazes locked onto a single person: Mu-hyuk.
What the hell?
A brief silence fell.
“……”
Mu-hyuk, and the group staring at him—they were all equally flustered.
Guardian Guild.
A massive powerhouse ranked among the top 30 guilds on the Forma Continent, and in Korea, it was one of the top 10.
Even the infamous Black Guild could barely scrape into Korea's top 30, so that said it all.
Anyway, after the dungeon's existence came to light, Guardian Guild had launched a massive search operation.
Thanks to that, they'd discovered this dungeon here in the pavilion late yesterday evening—but someone had already entered, so they couldn't go in.
They'd stationed guild members around the area, and now that someone had finally emerged from the dungeon today, of course they were thrown off.
“Uh, excuse me.”
At that moment, one man stepped forward.
The situation was awkward as hell.
How did this happen?
No, more importantly—what do I do?
His head was spinning.
It was pure chaos.
Then, suddenly, the faces of the surrounding users came into focus.
The moment he registered their sneers and superior stares, his emotions cooled to ice.
It must have overlapped with the looks people gave him back during his paralyzed days.
His confusion vanished in an instant.
Yeah, I didn't do anything wrong.
Wrong? Of course not.
He'd just used the dungeon.
And a dungeon was just Illusion content, nothing more.
It didn't belong to Guardian Guild.
No reason to shrink back.
“I'm Kyle from Guardian Guild.”
“Yeah.”
Mu-hyuk answered casually.
Kyle mistook it for tension and smiled softly, continuing.
“Did you clear this dungeon?”
“Yeah.”
“Could you explain the situation to us?”
“What situation?”
“How you found this place, the circumstances, the types of monsters inside. And any clear methods or peculiarities.”
Mu-hyuk stared Kyle down.
“Why?”
“Why do I have to tell you that?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked why I should tell you.”
“Ah, we're Guardian Guild…”
“Looks like you didn't get the question. Does this dungeon belong to Guardian Guild or something?”
“No, but we're planning to manage it going forward.”
“Going forward? On what authority?”
“Well, we found it first…”
“By that logic, I should manage it.”
“……”
“Right?”
“Haha, well…”
Kyle laughed awkwardly, but his face was stiff.
Then a woman stepped up.
“Hey, do you not know Guardian Guild?”
“I do.”
“You gain nothing from making enemies of us.”
“Did I?”
She smirked.
“If we see it that way, then yeah.”
“That's weird. This dungeon isn't Guardian Guild's. I just found it first, cleared it, and came out. You're the ones suddenly demanding info.”
“Sigh, you're dense. If we see it that way, it is. Wanna end up on our hit list?”
“Hit list, huh.”
“Getting the picture now?”
It was definitely prickly.
But they didn't know.
That Mu-hyuk had been recording video since the dungeon.
He still was.
What if I release this footage?
Some might brush it off as not their problem, but others might sympathize with Mu-hyuk's position and rain hell on Guardian Guild.
A guild leader couldn't ignore that backlash.
“Must be the guild master, huh.”
“Nah, why?”
“Everything so far—your actions and words—it's all being recorded.”
“Pardon…?”
“From the moment I exited the dungeon, every coercive word and move you've made is captured. Release this vid, and you'll face massive user backlash. That'll hurt Guardian Guild plenty. That what your guild master wants?”
“Th-that's…”
“Fine. Put me on the hit list. Let's see who takes the bigger hit.”
Mu-hyuk stepped forward.
Tapping her shoulder aside as he passed.
But there were too many Guardian Guild members. The pavilion was packed, so naturally, they blocked the way.
They weren't parting, making escape tricky.
“You gonna keep blocking?”
Only then did the woman snap to.
“W-wait!”
Mu-hyuk didn't respond.
Logout.
He just left Illusion.
At the spot where Mu-hyuk vanished, the woman reached desperately into empty air, face crumpling.
“Ah, uh, what do we do…”
“Sigh, told you to be careful.”
Kyle approached.
“Who knew he'd be recording!”
“Whew, if that vid spreads, it'll be a huge blow…”
There was nothing they could do.
Eh, no way it'll actually happen…
They could only wait in vague hope.
*
Video?
No intention of uploading it.
Keep it private, and negotiation stays open. Release it, and he'd be hit-listed for sure.
Couldn't afford to make enemies of a giant like that yet.
It pissed him off, but…
Without the power, he had to endure.
About two hours later.
Mu-hyuk logged back in.
Kyle and the woman were there.
“Y-you're back!”
The woman rushed up first.
Her desperation plain on her face.
“Sorry about earlier…”
“Hmph.”
The recording had worked, apparently.
Her apologizing first?
Still unpleasant, though. And a waste of time.
No desire to tangle further, so Mu-hyuk nodded.
“Got it. Now clear the way.”
“Uh, wait…”
“What now?”
“The guild master's coming soon.”
“Pardon?”
“I-it's not bad. Give us dungeon info, and we'll reward you properly.”
“Reward.”
“Gold or items, your pick.”
Just explain the enhanced zombies and maze layout, get gold or items.
Huge payoff for minimal effort—no reason to refuse.
“Fine.”
“Thanks! Oh, I didn't introduce myself. I'm Nile.”
“Uh, yeah.”
Who cares about her name.
Awkward vibes with Kyle and Nile.
“Ah, looks like he's here.”
Three users approached from afar.
The one in the center.
High-level, decked in top gear at a glance.
Kim Bada.
He knew the guy.
Brash type who hated hassle, strong leader.
At his peak, he'd pushed Guardian Guild to top 3 on Forma Continent.
Even in decline, consistently top 20 in Korea—real skill.
“Nice to meet you. Guardian Guild master, Kim Bada.”
“Mu-hyuk.”
“You cleared the dungeon?”
“Yes.”
“Solo?”
He nodded.
“Impressive.”
Kim Bada cut to the chase.
“You've heard already. Share the internal details, and the reward will be generous.”
“I'd like to see the reward first.”
“Kyle.”
“Yes.”
“Bring it.”
Kyle pulled out several items and a pouch.
Showed them to Mu-hyuk.
Greatsword, boots, chest armor, hat, ring.
◈ Attack Power 67
◈ Strength +2
◈ Vitality +2
◈ Durability 120/120
◈ Req: Strength 20, Vitality 15
◈ Defense 13
◈ Vitality +2
◈ Movement Speed +2%
◈ Durability 110/110
◈ Req: Vitality 20, Agility 10
His eyes widened a bit.
Hoo…
Two options plus solid damage—top-tier.
Low requirements too.
Damn good.
At least 250 gold.
The rest were similar caliber.
And the gold pouch?
300 gold.
Not excessive at all.
If you knew how to clear it, everyone who entered would snag a reward on clear.
That made this chump change.
Kim Bada knew it too, hence the generosity.
But they screwed up.
They didn't know a normal dungeon vanishes after 100 clears.
And above all, they couldn't imagine that item was among their offers.
“Like 'em?”
“Yeah, plenty.”
“Pick any one.”
No need to think.
Mu-hyuk chose the ring in the corner.
“This one.”
“Odd choice. Picking a sealed item. Anyway, fine.”
Mu-hyuk pocketed the ring, then explained the dungeon.
Kim Bada nodded, satisfied.
“Can I go now?”
“Of course.”
As Mu-hyuk turned to leave.
The woman, Nile, shouted.
“Hey!”
“What?”
“Delete the video!”
“Why should I?”
“Pardon…?”
“What if you slap a hit order on me the second I do? No need for me to announce it first. Don't worry. Later.”
Kim Bada, watching, said nothing. Finally, the users parted.
Once far enough from the pavilion.
“Kuk…”
Mu-hyuk couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.
Just a level 30 normal dungeon—best reward would've been something like his Combat Gloves or equivalent.
But this ring?
◈ Wisdom +1
◈ Durability 50/50
Sealed state, low durability and pathetic option.
No one would think it valuable.
That's why they tossed it in as filler.
But this was Grokion's item.
Part of a famed set with killer bonuses per piece.
And this ring was one of the best-rated.
He knew how to unseal it too. Once done, that lame +1 Wisdom would skyrocket, plus hidden options revealed.
Unseal first?
Plans shifted.
In a very good way.
*
Weibra Empire library.
He sought the librarian.
“Been a while.”
“Yeah, thanks to you, I made a good connection.”
“Glad to hear.”
Didn't know the librarian's true identity.
But he had ties to big shots.
Even acquainted with the Gangster Necromancer lord.
Wonder who else.
Hard to imagine, but he knew a few.
One of them.
Grokion.
“Actually, came to ask a favor.”
“A favor?”
“Got an item recently. Heard you have a good eye.”
“Hmmm, who said that…”
“Ah, Master Valsian mentioned it…”
Pure bullshit, of course.
But the librarian bought it.
“I see. Let's have a look.”
“Thanks.”
“No need. Just looking.”
Mu-hyuk handed over the ring.
The librarian examined it leisurely. But his expression shifted.
Calm eyes turned confused, then shocked.
“This is…”
“What do you think?”
“Hmm, you scored big time.”
“Meaning…?”
“Lucky—you got something I know. Magic item made by my friend Grokion. Sealed now, so mana purity's low.”
“Sealed?”
“Yeah, he sealed his remaining items before dying. To keep them from the unworthy. And you brought it here.”
“Ah, had no idea it was that special…”
“No, possessing it proves your fate. You're qualified for Grokion's trial.”
Grokion's Trial
📍 Holder of Grokion's item, undergo the trial to unseal it.
🎁 Success: Ring unsealed. Hint on 'Grokion's Heirloom'
❌ Failure: Cannot unseal ring. No hint on 'Grokion's Heirloom'. No retry.
💡 Accept?
The librarian continued.
“Will you take the trial?”
“Of course.”
He knew exactly what it entailed—answer came easy.