Presumed Dead
The stairs leading up to the seventh floor.
Kokon and Oun, standing before them, sighed in relief as their comrades began to regain consciousness one by one.
But thinking of Mu-hyuk, who still hadn't returned, their expressions hardened with worry once more.
"Emergency treatment?"
"Done."
Those with minor injuries and serious wounds had all received first aid.
Of course, the two with severe injuries were still unconscious.
The rest were in no shape to move freely either.
"At least that's something."
"Yeah, no one's dead."
Even the two with serious wounds had survived. If they could get them to a temple, a high priest would heal them.
Then one aspirant spoke up.
"But what about the squad leader...?"
Kokon and Oun couldn't answer.
"The squad leader!"
"He stayed on the seventh floor."
A heavy silence fell at Oun's words.
Oun forced a smile and stood.
"I'll check it out first."
"Check?"
"Yeah. I'll pop into the seventh floor and come right back. Just a quick look—no danger. So wait here."
The recovering aspirants nodded.
Confirming this, Oun turned and ascended the stairs to the seventh floor.
Step.
In the quiet, only that sound echoed through the space.
How much time passed?
He returned.
"......"
Oun said nothing.
His grim expression told them everything, but they refused to believe it.
They pushed the thought away, waiting desperately for him to speak.
Clinging to a sliver of hope.
Only after a long while did Oun finally open his mouth, and his words were just as they'd feared.
"The squad leader... he's not there."
"Th-then...?"
Eaten by the Cyclops Giant.
Some wore hollow expressions, others faces twisted in rage.
One sighed deeply; another punched the wall hard.
He hadn't led them for long, but they'd grown attached. It hurt all the more.
Yet there was nothing they could do.
"What now?"
"We wait."
Oun's gaze drifted to their two unconscious comrades.
Only then did the others nod. In their current state, hauling those two down to the first floor would be impossible.
They'd have to wait until they woke and assess the situation further.
Yeah, wait.
We have to wait.
Even Oun, who had said it, didn't grasp its true meaning.
Wait for the two to wake? Or for Mu-hyuk, in case he was somehow alive?
All they knew was they had to wait.
*
The capsule door hissed open.
Hiss.
Mu-hyuk emerged and checked the time first.
6 PM.
He couldn't log back into Illusion until tomorrow evening.
Right now, the 24-hour penalty felt brutally unfair.
What to do until then?
It was a weekday—going home felt pointless.
Nothing he wanted to do.
Then his stomach growled, snapping him out of it.
Grrrrowl.
Food first.
He grabbed a bowl of gukbap at the diner near his place, then headed home to kill time with TV.
He fiddled with his phone now and then—searching random things, browsing Illusion's homepage for videos and posts.
Now 10 PM.
He usually didn't sleep until after midnight, so he was wide awake.
Boring.
Then his phone, dormant like a hibernating bear through winter, buzzed to life.
Bzzzzt.
Vibration in his hand.
A call...!
An alien sensation.
He'd made calls, but receiving one? It had been ages.
He'd even wondered if his phone was broken.
Not someone he was thrilled about, but it beat boredom.
"Hello?"
(Ah, hope you've been well?)
Kim Min-ho PD, producer for Illusion's World.
"Yeah, doing fine."
(Just calling to treat you to a meal tomorrow if you're free.)
"Oh, really?"
(Yes. You available?)
"Plenty of time on my hands."
(Perfect. Then tomorrow...)
Perfect timing.
A meal offer the day his character died.
Tomorrow wouldn't be so dull.
He noted the time and place as the PD spoke.
The next day.
After a gym session, he headed home on an empty stomach. Dressed sharp for once, he checked the time.
11:30 AM.
Right on schedule to arrive.
By 12:30.
He took the subway nearby, got off at Apgujeong Rodeo Station, and walked a bit to the promised spot: B Restaurant in Cheongdam-dong.
"Welcome."
"Yeah, we have a reservation."
"May I have your name?"
"Under Kim Min-ho."
The staff checked the list.
"This way."
Following her, he spotted them: Kim Min-ho PD and Yura, with their odd connection.
"You made it."
Yura greeted first, in her prim tone.
"Yeah. You're here together again?"
"Haha, bother you?"
"Not that so much as..."
"Sorry. She insisted on coming..."
"Wh-what are you talking about!"
"You said so, right?"
"When did I?!"
"Hey, don't raise your voice in a restaurant. People are staring."
Some already recognized her as Yura and approached for autographs.
Ever the idol, she smiled and signed for each.
Mu-hyuk, waiting with her companions, found it annoying.
Once the fans left, he spoke.
"Hmm, maybe next time come separately."
"Pardon...?"
"Fans recognize you."
"Did I cause you trouble?"
"Wasted time waiting. That's trouble enough."
Yura's eyes narrowed.
Mu-hyuk cleared his throat, averting his gaze.
"Ahem, let's order first."
Kim Min-ho PD chuckled at the exchange.
What's so funny?
Anyway, ordering went smoothly.
"Two medium-rare tenderloin steak courses, one medium sirloin steak course. Correct?"
"Yes."
"Please wait a moment."
A brief silence followed ordering.
But the PD wasn't one for awkward pauses.
"You must've been surprised by the sudden meal invite."
"A bit, yeah."
"You know viewership spiked, right?"
He knew—thanks to the incentive.
He nodded, and the PD beamed, continuing.
"I never dreamed it'd jump three percent. Chaos everywhere. Oh, tip board views shot up too."
"Yeah, huge increase."
"Two won per view, right?"
"Yes."
"That's a nice chunk."
Two posts combined: about ten million views.
Two won each.
Twenty million won from Illusion by month's end.
Huge sum.
Matched a mid-tier or small firm's annual salary.
Unimaginable back at the office.
Then the PD's eyes sharpened.
"But here's the thing."
"Yes."
"I saw you posted on the info board too."
Info board?
Ah...
The slow poison and hallucination poison posts.
Mu-hyuk smiled faintly.
The meal invite had seemed odd. This was the goal.
"Yeah."
Yura relaxed at that.
Not anger at the callout—curiosity won out.
"How do you know all that?"
"Pardon?"
"How do you know that stuff?"
Mu-hyuk gave her an incredulous look.
This woman—what?
Did she think he'd just spill because she asked nicely?
No idiot would.
Some guy might cave to her looks, but not him.
"You serious?"
"What? What did you just say to me...?"
"You know how valuable info is, and you still ask me?"
"Well..."
"Top-tier info's worth billions alone. Asking how I know is like going to a famous restaurant, tasting the food, and demanding the recipe."
"That's not the same as..."
Mu-hyuk cut her off.
"If I asked how many boyfriends you've had, and every intimate detail? You'd tell me? Knowing that much means paying a price. Don't ask so casually."
Yura's mouth opened and closed.
Shameless.
The PD nodded too.
"Mu-hyuk's right. Yura, you messed up this time."
"S-sorry."
Mu-hyuk brushed off her apology.
Perfect timing—pre-meal bread arrived.
The PD shifted gears.
"Anyway, dig in."
"Sure."
As they ate the bread, the next dish came.
"This is an amuse-bouche. Smelt fish fried—whets the appetite."
He tasted it amid the explanation.
Hmm, good.
The tasty bite eased his irritation.
Kim Min-ho PD steered to casual topics.
More dishes followed, then the main: steaks. Smaller than a palm but thick—mouthwatering.
Man, steak after so long.
As an ordinary salaryman, how often had he come here?
Courses ran 50k to 100k won—burden for two.
Paralyzed, he couldn't even eat properly.
New life meant focusing on Illusion—no time for this.
Eyes gleaming, he gripped knife and fork.
Slice, cut.
The handfeel was exquisite.
Dipped a small piece in salt, into his mouth.
Ah...
Beef aroma and tenderness flooded.
One chew: crisp exterior teased, then soft interior melted, drawing a smile.
Impossible not to grin.
The watching PD asked.
"Good?"
"Yeah, amazing."
"Oh, meant to ask: got more valuable info? Sharing via our show could be great."
Food had him in high spirits.
No backlash to the words.
"Well, a few bits..."
The reply slipped out.
The PD froze.
"A few... you say?"
"Yeah, decent stuff."
His eyes turned predatory, like a snake eyeing prey.
He knew how badly users craved Illusion secrets after the broadcast.
Dungeons proved it—first explorers reaped huge rewards.
"Interested in working with us?"
Mu-hyuk didn't commit.
Needed caution.
Hmm.
He had info now: on the ongoing tower.
If plans worked, he'd open it.
Share now?
But if he failed...
He pondered, decided.
Play safe.
Tower open? Monster strategies alone would pay big.
"I'll think positively."
"That's enough."
No more business talk.
Just enjoy the steak.
Yura seemed miffed, but he ignored it.
"Great seeing you."
"You too."
They parted.
Time up, Mu-hyuk logged into Illusion.