Privileges of the Provider
She removed her helmet and spoke in a curt tone.
"Hey."
Sung Min-woo, who was sitting beside her, straightened up.
"Aigoo, why's Yura here...?"
"I have something to discuss with the friend sitting next to you."
"Ah. Mu-hyuk, she's calling you."
"What's with that overly polite tone?"
"Ahem, anyway!"
Mu-hyuk let out a sigh and looked up.
"What?"
"Why aren't you joining the fights?"
"I told you beforehand."
"No, even if we're stronger than you, you could still help out. You planning to just watch from the back the whole time?"
"I'd only get in the way."
Yura furrowed her brow.
"You gonna keep stuffing your face?"
"It's the information provider's privilege."
"......"
She had nothing to say to that.
It was all thanks to Mu-hyuk's info that they were climbing the tower so effortlessly.
"Thanks to me, you're leveling up fast with all that exp. Pretty nice, right?"
"It's even distribution—you're getting exp too!"
"That's also the information provider's privilege."
The more they talked, the redder Yura's face got.
She was fuming—her nose twitching, fingers fidgeting. The atmosphere felt dangerously charged.
"You're the worst."
With that, she spun on her heel and stormed off.
As she walked away.
"Even pissed off, she's stunning. She's unreal."
"You're the crazy one."
"Dude, but you're impressive too."
"How so?"
"How do you stand there stone-faced in front of a goddess like that?"
"Beats me."
He was surprised by his own change too.
But what could he do?
His shoulders didn't hunch like before anymore.
And he liked it this way.
Much better than that pathetic old self.
*
The screen switched again.
Of course, this was only possible because Mu-hyuk had provided the information.
The Darkness Guild and Guardian Guild had just reached the 6th floor, so now that he'd shared everything and reaped his benefits, he planned to use Yura and her party's help to clear the 7th.
Mu-hyuk turned off the TV.
Last week, on November 9th, the incentive from that broadcast had come in on the 10th.
So tomorrow, he'd get the incentive based on today's viewership ratings.
And that wasn't all. Tomorrow was also the day Illusion paid out for the past month's accumulated views on old posts, plus the ones from a week ago and today's new uploads.
How much will it be?
Lost in pleasant thoughts, a text came in.
Tsk.
He clicked his tongue once, then logged into Illusion.
Welcome to the World of Illusion.
Ignoring the mechanical voice, he approached Sung Min-woo.
"You watch the broadcast?"
"Of course. We didn't show up, though."
Sung Min-woo chuckled deeply.
Then he whispered quietly.
"Still, sucking up all that sweet exp without lifting a finger? Feels good."
Even without participating in hunts, the even distribution meant they were racking up plenty of exp.
"Let's chill hard."
"You got it."
They'd have to grind like hell on the 7th floor anyway.
That's when Yura spoke up.
"Everyone, focus."
All heads turned to her.
"The broadcast only showed up to the 4th floor, but we're already on the 5th. At this pace, we might hit the 7th before the week's out."
Her words triggered negative thoughts in Mu-hyuk's mind.
Easier said than done.
The 5th floor monsters were Small Ogres.
Those things were seriously, seriously tough.
"That means we'll be the first team challenging the boss!"
He gave an awkward smile at that.
"So let's push till clear. With that in mind, let's hunt just two more hours today. Sound good?"
Who could say no to her smiling like that?
"Sure."
"Yeah, no problem."
Everyone agreed readily.
"Great. Let's move out."
Yura donned her helmet again.
Sung Min-woo looked wistful at the sight.
"Man, hiding that pretty face."
"Go rip it off her."
"What kinda lowbrow joke is that...?"
Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo bantered as they trailed at the rear with the other users.
Hearing their muttering, perhaps—Yura whipped her head back from the front, glaring sharply, and only then did the two shut up.
Thud. Thud.
The advance in silence didn't last long.
Grrr.
The monster's distinctive growl echoed.
They closed in slowly on the distant silhouette.
Up close, the Small Ogre really was small. It was easy to underestimate.
Even Yura wasn't immune.
"It's really tiny."
"Hmm, looks easy?"
The martial artist stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
"Wait a sec..."
"Don't worry."
Grinning, the martial artist charged ahead.
Whoosh!
He kicked off the ground hard, closing the gap in a flash, then swung his leg at the Small Ogre.
The speed was insane, and the Small Ogre hadn't even reacted, so Yura just watched.
Seems weak...
It didn't quite match what Mu-hyuk had told her.
That instant—
Thud!
A heavy impact rang out.
Ah, the attack landed...!
But Yura couldn't finish the thought.
The Small Ogre had clearly been hit, yet showed no damage.
It tilted its head, then reached out and grabbed the martial artist's face.
"Hup!"
A simple motion, but impossible to dodge.
The speed was on another level.
"Wh-what...!"
The martial artist flailed wildly with hands and feet.
Despite its smaller stature, the ogre shrugged off the indiscriminate blows.
GRRRAAAH!
Belatedly roaring, the Small Ogre swung its left fist.
BOOM!
One punch sent the martial artist's body flying into the air. But with its grip on his face unyielding, he couldn't escape.
As his body arced skyward and fell, another fist slammed into his gut.
KABOOM!
The martial artist's pupils dilated.
Th-the damage...!
Unreal levels.
"H-heal first!"
"Heal!"
Finally snapping to, his teammates rushed to their roles.
"We'll take it down!"
As Yura took command, the chaos settled, and everyone poured their effort into downing the Small Ogre.
True to form, Yura led the charge, wielding sword and shield, deploying skills as needed.
"Haat!"
Even in her armor, the glimpses of exposed skin conjured her figure effortlessly in his mind.
"Everyone, fall back!"
As the melee users retreated, the curvaceous Yura plunged her sword into the ground.
With a kiai, she slashed upward—the earth split, hurling stones skyward.
She bashed them aside with her shield, spun once, and hurled it like a boomerang.
Then her body glowed.
Skill activation.
Suddenly faster, she closed in on the Small Ogre and unleashed a sword strike.
Too quick to track.
All the prior moves had set up this skill.
Hoo...
Even Mu-hyuk, watching, was impressed.
The Small Ogre ignored the stones but dodged the shield.
She'd predicted its path, set the target, and blitz-attacked with her skill.
Solid damage, but the Small Ogre's HP was higher than expected.
That was why only one appeared per spawn, unlike other floors' one-two-three.
This single beast covered all three. But Yura didn't realize it yet.
So she wasn't prepared for the counter—and crossed her arms to block the barrage, only to take a fist to the face.
"Ngh!"
The massive shock spun her body sideways; the Small Ogre pursued, pummeling her midair.
The priest healed, the mage shielded.
Damage mitigated, but the recoil still slammed her into the wall.
The Small Ogre landed one final blow on the rebounding Yura, then turned leisurely.
GRRRAAAHHH!
Roaring, it faced the charging users.
"It's seriously strong."
"Yeah."
But without dropping it, the Cyclops Giant was a pipe dream.
"Should I help?"
"Hmm."
Mu-hyuk watched Yura rise, then glanced at her eyes—cold and settled.
A strange smile tugged at his lips.
"Nah, she'll be fine."
The next day.
Mu-hyuk received his incentive from the World of Illusion.
8.7 million won.
Viewership up about 1% from last week. Plus payment for views.
That alone was a whopping 19 million won.
Satisfied, his phone buzzed.
"Ah..."
Expectant, Mu-hyuk stood. Changed clothes, left home, and headed to the dealership.
The staff greeted him warmly.
"You're here."
"It's ready?"
"Yes, this way."
Following, they reached the warehouse.
There sat a single car.
A BMW 5 Series.
"Ah...!"
It gleamed.
His heart raced.
He wasn't even a car guy, but mine made it pound.
"What do you think?"
"Great."
"Glad to hear it."
The staff beamed.
"Can I drive it out now?"
"Absolutely."
Mu-hyuk slid in.
Spacious.
Sleek, clean.
Nice, for real.
Turning the key brought a solid, steady hum.
"Come back anytime."
"Will do."
After a light drive and a refreshing mood, he returned home. Then logged in on time.
Yura, waiting, approached immediately.
"Hey."
"Yeah."
"Is there really no way to tackle Small Ogres?"
Seemed they'd struggled.
"Nope."
"For real? Nothing at all?"
"Hmm, having a tough time?"
"W-well..."
"Well, there is one way to make it a bit easier."
Yura's eyes lit up.
"What's that?"
"Use Slow Poison and Hallucination Poison first. You guys aren't using any support stuff that could help in combat."
"That's..."
"Probably pointless pride."
Yura frowned.
"Got it. And?"
"Something to restrict its movement would be good."
"Like...?"
"Earth spirit's Plant or Dig skills work well."
"Ah..."
Too bad—no spirit mages here.
Though there was a spirit fighter.
"Or six high-defense, high-HP users surrounding it."
"Ah, limit its movement."
"Exactly."
Yura nodded.
"Anything else?"
"Hmm, dunno."
As a necromancer, Mu-hyuk's style differed too much. Hard to give more direct advice.
"No, this is plenty. Thanks."
"Good to hear."
Yura glanced away briefly.
Sung Min-woo was there.
"Um..."
"Me?"
"Yes."
Sung Min-woo jumped up.
"Heh heh, what's up?"
"You handle spirits, right? Could you maybe help..."
Mu-hyuk cut in—he knew Sung Min-woo might nod eagerly.
"Yura."
"Yes?"
"We two made it clear from the start: no combat participation."
"But just a little..."
She fell silent at his follow-up.
"Promises are made to be kept."
---