Broadcast Cliffhanger and the BMW Lease

It was nearing 8 PM.

The world of Illusion was still broadcasting.

The reaction when they passed the second floor and reached the third was even more explosive.

Were they finally going to take down the third-floor monsters?

Would the strategy method appear?

In that moment of anticipation.

MC Yura suddenly bowed her head in apology.

With those words, the screen switched.

After the broadcast ended, a storm swept through the internet.

*

What thoughts would cross a player's mind upon receiving the info Mu-hyuk had leaked?

With the strategy, couldn't they clear it?

Even if not, hunting high-level monsters would mean rapid growth.

That kind of excitement was inevitable.

A massive number of users flooded into the Weibra Empire and formed parties to challenge the Red Tower.

While rankers who had reached the fifth floor screamed in frustration, the new challengers climbed to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠second floor with ease.

Then they kept hunting based on the strategy.

"Ugh, who knew we'd be farming level 60 monsters."

"The exp is insane, for real."

"And they don't die easy—perfect!"

Meanwhile, Sung Min-woo and Mu-hyuk were clearing the sixth floor.

They pushed to the end at full speed, then looped back to mop up the respawned Sandmen.

After reaching the exit to the fifth floor, they headed to the entrance for the seventh.

Repeating this endlessly: hunt, hunt, and hunt some more.

"So when do we jump back in?"

"When the rankers hit the sixth."

"Sixth?"

"Yeah."

"Hmm, wonder when that'll be."

"Who knows. The Small Ogres are brutal."

"Take 'em a week?"

"Longer?"

"But no guarantee we beat the boss anyway."

"True."

"What then?"

Mu-hyuk smiled faintly.

"Got ways."

"Like?"

"Teamed up with the broadcast folks."

"Huh? The station?"

"Yeah. Set to clear with them in five days. Figured just us two might not cut it."

"Makes sense."

"Leak the strategy, they'll carry to the seventh. Chip the boss HP too. We swoop in then."

Sung Min-woo tilted his head.

"Why wait for that?"

"Wanna go on TV?"

On broadcast?

Sung Min-woo grinned wide.

"Hell yeah! What's not to like?"

"Red Tower ain't easy. Rankers are struggling—if we shine, we'll get eyes. Helm hides faces, but feats draw attention. Might even dox us post-broadcast."

"Dox?"

"Yeah. Never underestimate netizens."

"True that."

Netizens in Korea were no joke—practically detectives.

"If someone IDs us? Our hunts, dungeons—everything exposed. No more solo grinding."

"Ah…"

"We need more growth. Top 10,000 rankers? Different story. Not yet."

"Right."

Sung Min-woo nodded.

"Could get messy."

"Exactly."

"So hang back, strike when recording's off?"

"Spot on."

Sung Min-woo agreed.

"Whatever works for me."

"My plan then."

"Cool."

By the time next week's broadcast drops strategies for floors three and four, Mu-hyuk would be on five with the crew.

A week later, six. Another broadcast.

Leak five and six details then.

Mu-hyuk planned timed posts for max profit.

Then the seventh-floor boss.

Math done.

At least one level up by then.

"Back to grinding."

"Yup. Up we go."

They rose slowly.

Next day.

Contract deposit plus incentive hit.

Contract deposit first.

Then incentive.

900k per 0.1%.

From the deposit alone, roughly 2% rise.

"Hoo."

Balance: a whopping 36 million KRW.

Wonder how much next week.

His heart raced with anticipation.

This the thrill of earning?

Mu-hyuk pondered, then called Sung Min-woo.

"Yo, whatcha up to?"

(About to eat.)

"Meet up."

(Why?)

"Car shopping. I suck at this. Find a good one, dinner's on me."

(No way, for real?)

"Dead serious."

(Sweet! On my way—hold up!)

Mu-hyuk prepped to head out.

Wash up, change clothes.

As he finished, a text pinged.

He replied.

Simple as hell.

He chuckled, pocketed his phone, and stepped out.

Less than three minutes later, he reached the park—and spotted Sung Min-woo walking up.

"Here."

"Whoa, jackpot. Finally decided?"

"Yeah, locked in, man."

"Sweet! Before you change your mind—let's roll!"

They chatted models en route.

"Budget?"

"Leasing."

"Hmm. Looked into it after you mentioned. I know cars inside out, but leasing? Solid deal."

"Right?"

"Leasing means luxury sedans are doable."

"Going big since I'm committing."

"Smart. First up…"

One brand popped immediately.

BMW.

Specifically the 5 Series. Stretch to 7 Series maybe.

BMW 5 Series: 20% down, ~1 mil KRW monthly.

7 Series: 20% down, 3 mil+ monthly.

Eight months in Illusion.

~90 mil KRW earned so far.

Averaged over 10 mil monthly—but 3 mil was still heavy.

"Hmm, then…"

More brands: Audi, Benz.

Audi A6 or A7.

"Benz S-Class…"

"Nah."

"Yeah. Safe bets: BMW 5, Benz E-Class, Audi A7?"

"Sounds good?"

"Hell yeah! All around 100 mil, bro!"

"Let's do it!"

They searched dealers, hit 'em one by one.

Audi first.

Nice rides, but lease pricier than expected—pass.

Benz next.

Great cars, shitty service—pass.

Finally, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠BMW.

"Welcome!"

Friendly enough—pass.

Details flowed.

"Honestly, 30s guys love the 6 Series Coupe or Convertible. But seating two-plus? Tight. Want space and stability? 5 Series."

No hard upsell.

Trust earned.

Even priced it out.

"20% down, 36 months… monthly lease…"

Fair.

Sung Min-woo nodded beside him.

"This one's good."

"Yeah?"

Brief hesitation, then decision.

"We'll take it."

"Excellent choice."

Contract signed on the spot.

"We'll call when it's ready."

"Thanks."

Out of the dealership, they searched nearby spots for dinner.

Chatting away.

"Oh, Shield of Joy?"

"Ah, that. Sold great."

Sung Min-woo grinned.

"700 gold flat!"

"Nice."

"Huge, right? 7 mil KRW in one go!"

Solid cash.

"Gonna earn big, swap my ride too."

"You will."

He raised a soju shot to grand ambitions.

*

MC Yura greeted viewers.

Co-host Woo-hyun chimed in.