Sealing the Deal
Yura blinked in surprise, repeating the question.
"You remember me?"
"Yeah, we've met once before."
In truth, Yura was flustered. She hadn't expected him to ask so directly.
She hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Wait, why am I even agonizing over this?
She furrowed her brow for a moment before meeting Mu-hyuk's gaze head-on.
"Of course I remember you."
"Ah, I see."
Mu-hyuk dipped his head slightly.
"Sorry about that time."
"……."
What could she say to an apology?
She nodded.
"Yeah, well……."
Kim Min-ho PD, who had been watching the exchange, glanced between them.
"You two know each other?"
"Ah, PD-nim, it's not like that."
"Then?"
"We ran into each other in the game once. I... interviewed him."
"Ah, got it."
He grinned at Mu-hyuk.
"An interview with Yura? Sounds like fate to me."
"Does it?"
"Haha, definitely."
Perhaps sensing the mood lighten, Kim Min-ho PD got down to business.
"Alright, let's talk contract details. The value of your tip depends on viewership ratings. Our show's average over the last month is 19.7 percent."
In this era, 19 percent was an astronomical figure.
"We'll pay a base of 5 million won, plus incentives if it exceeds 19.7 percent."
"Incentives?"
"500,000 won extra for every 0.1 percent increase."
Mu-hyuk pondered it.
Hmm, if it blows up...
At least 1 percent rise, probably. With luck, 2 percent or more.
That'd net him 10 million in incentives on top of the base.
Broadcasting paid big.
A ranker appearance could easily top 20 million per episode. Specials even more.
"Since it's a tip purchase, we can't go much higher than this."
"Hmm."
"But we'll get you on the show."
From Kim Min-ho PD's view, that was his ace.
Mu-hyuk wasn't thrilled, though.
"Appearance is fine."
"Pardon?"
"But bump the incentives."
"Uh, well……."
"Base down to 3 million, incentives to 700,000 won per 0.1 percent."
He'd cut the base.
Kim Min-ho PD mulled it over.
Then Mu-hyuk added,
"Honestly, it'll probably hit 1 percent, right?"
Kim Min-ho PD knew it too.
At best, 1 percent. Stretch goal, 3.
"You know your stuff."
"So it's not unreasonable."
"True."
After some back-and-forth, they settled: base 3.5 million, 650,000 won per 0.1 percent.
"One sec."
Kim Min-ho PD chatted with the cafe owner and returned.
"They've got a printer. We can sign now."
He pulled out his laptop.
Tap tap, clack clack.
He edited the template contract, printed it via the owner, and they signed on the spot.
No stamp, but seals worked fine.
"Base pay hits your email soon. Incentives after ratings drop. Hidden quest mail by 9 a.m. on the 17th, sharp."
"No worries."
"Cool, we trust you."
Kim Min-ho PD and Yura stood. While he paid, Yura stared at Mu-hyuk.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"What's your game ID?"
"Why?"
"You pulled that stunt on me. Least you can do is share your ID."
No real reason to refuse.
"Mu-hyuk."
"Mu-hyuk?"
"Yeah."
"Got it."
She whipped her head away.
"Yura, let's go."
"Yes, PD-nim!"
They left the cafe.
Kim Min-ho PD and Yura headed to their car; Mu-hyuk the opposite way.
"That direction?"
"Yeah."
"Opposite. Safe travels. Awaiting your mail."
"Got it."
"See ya."
Kim Min-ho PD and Yura to the lot.
Mu-hyuk homeward.
Meanwhile.
In the car.
"Hmm, what's the deal?"
"With what?"
"That guy."
Kim Min-ho PD and Yura chatted about Mu-hyuk.
"The one from earlier?"
"Yeah."
"What's to say?"
"You know him, right?"
"Sort of."
"How'd you meet? What's he like?"
Yura frowned.
"Just bumped into him in-game."
"How?"
"Looking for Dark."
"Ah, yeah."
"But he's not exactly a great guy."
"Why? Seemed fine."
"Just... a bit with me."
Kim Min-ho PD eyed her.
"Weird."
"What now?"
"You always get prickly around guys you like. Snippy remarks, furrowed brows."
"Wh-what? Uncle!"
"Your fluster sells it."
"No!"
"Hmm? Suspiciouser."
"Uncle!"
A small commotion erupted.
*
Eight Broadswords.
Four Blade Archers.
Two Blade Mages.
All 14 unleashed hell.
Shhh!
This time, Mu-hyuk pulled some skeletons to hit the archers and mages.
The rest guarded him and Sung Min-woo.
"Whew, numbers make it brutal."
"Told ya."
So they never strayed from the center.
Sung Min-woo focused on spirits; Mu-hyuk stayed calm, safety assured.
"Wrap it up."
"Roger!"
Mu-hyuk eyed his four positioned Skeleton Mages.
Mages, magic attack.
Each had different attributes.
Made them deadlier.
Water and lightning mages together? Even Mu-hyuk was impressed.
They unleashed again.
Slick, wet floor.
Soaked monsters.
Lightning struck.
Kreeeeek!
Foul screech.
Powerful Arrow Shot.
Arrow pierced distant Blade Mage's chest.
-656 HP
Cumulative damage did it.
Poof—gone.
Nice!
Mu-hyuk directed two Enhanced Bones and three Bone Swords to pin the Broadswords.
Meanwhile, finished the last Blade Mage and archers.
Only Broadswords left.
No ranged threats—easy.
One.
Another.
Keek!
Fewer foes, faster kills.
Last one down.
"Corpse Dissection."
Grabbed Broadsword bones, then rested.
"Whew, break time."
"Yeah."
Both pulled one-use crafting kits, made gear to taste.
Clang, clang!
Hammers rang endlessly.
Crafting completed.
Mu-hyuk finished first—higher strength.
Then Sung Min-woo.
"Whoa!"
He gasped.
"What?"
"Pretty sweet drop."
"Yeah?"
Sung Min-woo's was knuckles.
◈ Damage: 68
◈ Strength +2
◈ Durability: 110/110
◈ Req: Strength 25
Solid reqs, high damage.
"Nice."
"Right? Kyah, first good one in ages."
His strength helped.
Game under a year old—blacksmith subs still profitable.
Soon, main blacksmiths would surge ahead.
Then pocket change only. Time to grind now.
"List it slow."
"Yup. 72-hour auction!"
Both hit auction house.
Mu-hyuk: 10 gold buyout.
Sung Min-woo: 72-hour.
"Onward."
Rested up.
Chatted en route.
"Whew, day 4 already. When's the end?"
"Soon-ish."
"Man, draggy."
"This ain't bad."
"Not bad? Others worse?"
"Duh. Some two weeks. Multi-floor too."
"Holy……."
Then.
Dead-end wall ahead.
"Huh?"
Approached.
Sealed tight.
"What? Blocked?"
"Cleared."
"Ah, done?"
He nodded—and light burst.
Special dungeon cleared.
Acquired 'Random Stat Box (x5)'.
Both got identical rewards.
"Whoa, whoaaa!"
Sung Min-woo howled.
"Random Stat Boxes—five of 'em!"
"Chill."
"Better rewards exist?"
"Obviously."
"Whoa, jackpot!"
"No hype. Exit first."
"Wait! Checkin'!"
"Fine."
Mu-hyuk checked inventory too.
Five Random Stat Boxes, Destroyer's Shield.
Boxes first.
Opened one—message popped.
Next four in sequence.
Strength, Agility, Stamina +1 each. Wisdom x2.
Decent haul.
"What'd you get? I got Strength x2, Stamina x3."
"Wisdom x2, Strength, Agility, Stamina x1 each."
"Kuh, insane. Free five levels! Mad!"
Five stats total.
Solid dungeon run.
*
Snapped to, exited.
Spawned at mine's end. Empty—slipped out casual-like.
"Decided."
Sung Min-woo suddenly serious.
"On what?"
"All-in on Illusion, like you."
"Set?"
"Yeah."
Firm resolve.
"Smart."
Reached Carben Kingdom's north gate mid-chat.
"Help a bro out then."
"No sweat. Do your quest first."
"Quest?"
"The level 50 one."
"Ah, find the master?"
"Yeah, might take time."
"Roger! Quest done, link up!"
"Cool."
Mu-hyuk waved, vanished.
Alone at last.
Solo hunt time.
Through plaza to south gate.