Family Ties and Dungeon Secrets
Mu-hyuk's eyes stopped on one post amid the countless others he was scrolling through.
The fragmented pieces of information he'd gathered so far had finally clicked together.
Hmm, so...
The Phoenix Guild's scouting party had cleared the dungeon and handed over detailed intel to the Guardian Guild.
The dungeon Guardian Guild now controlled was a Unique one.
Three floors meant it took some time to clear, but the difficulty wasn't that high.
And the Dark Knight at the end? It didn't use any skills—just charged mindlessly on horseback.
Probably one Guardian Guild member blabbed to friends, and the story spread from there.
Thanks to that, Mu-hyuk now knew.
The quest was influencing the dungeon.
Definite.
This was luck. Clearing a quest-linked dungeon meant a high chance of snagging a skull.
Of course, he'd need a few more runs to confirm.
That was when it happened.
Kiiik.
The study door creaked open.
"Hm?"
Father Kang Seon-woo spotted Mu-hyuk, adjusted his glasses, and put them on properly.
"When'd you get here?"
"Oh, about 10 minutes ago."
"Yeah?"
"Yep."
"Stick around for dinner."
"Sure."
It wasn't a warm tone, but that was just how he was.
Stoic personality.
But Mu-hyuk knew. He remembered how his father had fought tooth and nail just to scrape together medical bills during those full-body paralysis days.
"Ahem."
Kang Seon-woo settled onto the living room sofa and unfolded the newspaper on the table.
Right on cue, Mother's voice rang out.
"Son, come get your sister."
"Got it."
He replied, opened Kang Ji-yeon's door, and stepped inside. He pressed the button on the capsule in the corner.
Once. Twice. Three times.
Until she came out.
Finally, the capsule door hissed open.
Chiiik.
There was his sister, Kang Ji-yeon, with a twisted scowl.
"Mom! I said I could log out myself...!"
She spotted Mu-hyuk mid-sentence and yelled.
"Hey, what the hell?!"
"What? Your little brother."
"Ugh, you're so annoying!"
The emergency logout button blasted a deafening noise straight into your brain in-game.
No way you could ignore it.
Even mid-quest or hunt, you had to drop everything and log out.
Mu-hyuk knew but played dumb.
Shrugging his shoulders.
"I was just doing what Mom said."
"Ugh, you...!"
Just as a full-blown war seemed ready to erupt.
"Come eat! Dad's waiting!"
Kang Ji-yeon swallowed the words bubbling up her throat.
"You'll regret this later."
"Whatever."
Mu-hyuk grinned and followed behind her.
Teasing her after so long? Kinda fun.
Somehow, a laugh slipped out.
"Don't laugh!"
She whipped around and bellowed. At the shout, Kang Seon-woo, seated at the kitchen table, chimed in.
"Hey now."
That was it, but she clamped her mouth shut.
Fathers had that effect.
"Let's eat."
"Thanks for the meal."
Dinner together.
It's been a while.
Eating with family beat solo every time.
As long as it wasn't Mother's usual grilling.
"How's work?"
"Uh, yeah, going fine..."
"Good. Work hard. Getting along with the folks there?"
"Of course."
Lying made his conscience prick a bit.
Sigh.
But he couldn't spill the truth yet.
Once he had solid proof, he'd come clean.
Until then, stay under the radar.
"Tomorrow's Sunday. Get some real rest."
"Yeah."
Kang Seon-woo piled on.
"Eat up."
"You too, Dad."
Unease mixed with happiness.
A strangely blended time.
The next day.
Somehow, he ended up crashing at his parents' place for the first time in ages.
His old room was spotless, like he'd never left.
No issues there.
He woke early as usual, but the gym was too far.
Light jog it is.
Donned a cap, threw on leftover workout clothes, and headed out.
"Hm? Up already?"
Mother Lee Hye-yeon was prepping breakfast.
"Yeah, gonna exercise. Back soon."
"Exercise? Since when?"
"Every day lately."
"Oh? Eat first—don't dawdle."
"Got it."
Out the door to the nearby park.
Plenty of early birds.
Mu-hyuk joined in. Lapped the park lightly, hit the equipment to loosen up.
About 40 minutes later, sweat soaked his back.
Good enough for today.
Planned light anyway. Left the park.
On the way home, popped into a 24-hour convenience store for a drink.
Line was long, so he waited. Someone in a mask and cap entered.
Tall, curvy—definitely a woman. She brushed past Mu-hyuk and flinched.
"You...!"
Mu-hyuk tilted his head.
Someone he knew?
Couldn't tell with just eyes visible.
"Who?"
"N-no, nothing."
She ducked into a back aisle.
Weird one.
His turn came.
"Checkout."
"Yes, 1,500 won."
Paid and left, glancing back. The masked woman stared right at him.
Eyes met; she startled and looked away.
What the...?
Shaking off the unease, he hurried home.
She watched him intently.
"Lives around here, huh?"
Deep in the Orc Settlement.
The spot where the Orc Warlord spawned—the place they'd crossed paths before.
How embarrassing that day was...!
The guy who'd ignored her and even trapped her in pitfalls. And now here he was.
I remember your face. Just you wait.
Once an idol group member.
Now MC of a certain program—Yura.
*
His body shivered.
Why's it so chilly?
Bad vibes clinging as he got home. Showered, then dug into the breakfast Lee Hye-yeon had set out with the family.
So good.
Living alone, he'd missed this taste.
"Good?"
"Yeah, delicious."
"Aigoo, already done? More rice?"
"Just one spoonful."
She scooped into his bowl.
"Whoa, that's too much..."
"One spoonful. Eat up."
One spoonful? That's like ten.
Silly thought as he nodded. Two bowls later, belly full.
"Hoo, gonna burst."
Set down the spoon.
"Thanks for the meal."
Then to the living room sofa for fruit and chit-chat.
Kang Seon-woo on economy and politics.
Lee Hye-yeon on company life.
Kang Ji-yeon on Illusion.
Soon, everyone touched on Illusion.
"World changes fast."
"Doesn't it, dear."
"Illusion, huh. Started off looking sketchy, but now it's everywhere. Buddy of mine's running a business in-game."
"Really? Possible?"
"Mom, Illusion's no joke these days. Tons start as merchants just to do business."
"Makes money?"
"Duh. Even hunters grinding levels for rankings hawk items on streams, pulling millions a month."
"M-millions?"
"Yep. I snagged a decent item recently—made 800k!"
Father nodded.
Worldly experience told him Illusion was massive.
Mother was just starting to get it.
Not bad.
Mu-hyuk relaxed a bit.
Would help when he revealed his all-in on Illusion later.
"See? Every channel's Illusion talk."
Kang Ji-yeon flicked on the TV.
She was right.
Every channel: Illusion, Illusion.
Not all, but 3-4 out of a dozen? Hyperbole was fair.
And no exaggeration—the hype was real.
"See?"
"Incredible..."
Perfect timing: guild war scene.
Users armed with spells, skills, flashy moves dominating foes across the battlefield.
Overwhelming spectacle.
Vast arena.
Anyone's heart would race.
"Oh my, oh my..."
Mother gasped at the screen.
"Ah..."
Sighed in awe as it ended.
Busy with chores and dramas, she'd been oblivious. Now hooked like everyone else.
Snapping to.
"My girl..."
"Yeah?"
"Think Mom could try that?"
Lee Hye-yeon beamed like her young days. Couldn't say no.
"S-sure."
Kang Ji-yeon's face soured—of course.
*
Lunch too, then back home. Mu-hyuk sprawled on bed, then dialed someone like an idea struck.
(Hello?)
Sung Min-woo.
"Yo, what level?"
(Me? 39!)
"Ooh, said you'd hit 38. Overshot?"
(Baseline! I do what I say! You?)
Mu-hyuk smirked faintly.
"42."
(...)
(Phone glitching? Can't hear?)
"42."
(Guess my ears are shot.)
"Heh, 42."
(For real?)
"Yeah."
(Crazy bastard.)
"Anyway. What class again?"
(Was Fist Fighter, but two days ago switched to some weird one.)
"Secret?"
(Dunno. First time hearing it...)
"Name?"
(Spirit Fighter.)
Mu-hyuk's eyes lit up.
Spirit Fighter.
Never guessed Sung Min-woo found it.
Well, yeah—he wouldn't brag a secret class to his paralyzed buddy.
"Free today?"
(Yep. Why?)
"Party hunt."
(Ooh, sweet! Where?)
"Hemil Empire square first."
(Roger! When?)
"50 minutes."
(Cool. See ya!)
"Yeah."
Hung up, hit the Illusion homepage, browsed boards.
Death penalty lingered—killing time. Dropped by notices: site revamp in 30 minutes.
Two hours downtime.
Details: Top 10 best-selling info posts from boards get ranked display.
Users could monetize personal videos: 50 won per view.
Getting serious.
Free boards and tips same.
All posts free, but top 3 got 2 won per view from Illusion.
Individuals only—no corps.
No broadcasters or giants muscling in.
Purely for users.