“Whoa… Fireworks like this maybe go off once a year — how many have we heard today?”

Clang!! A man driving a hammer with brutal force.

[Enhancement successful.]

Fwoosh — Boom!!! Fwoosh — Boom!!!

Fireworks exploding the moment the Enhancement lands.

“That’s insane… Must be an Enhancement Trait. S-Rank? Lucky bastard.”

Through a small phone screen, the raw heat of the scene crackles to life.

“Is this… really you, Gangwoo?”

Watching the video was none other than Anita Via.

Exhaustion clung to her face — she must have worked through the night.

“Just got lucky.”

Ha Gangwoo, now wearing his fully repaired Costume, patted his chest with a satisfied smile. Thump, thump.

[Redgun Uniform — Top]

Grade: A

Durability: 60/60

Description: A uniform issued exclusively to Redgun executives. Made from special fabric with outstanding durability.

Effects

– All Stats +10

* Set Effect (4/4)

– Movement Speed +50%.

– All Stats +20%.

The set effect he’d been aching for was live again.

The All Stats +20% option. If he’d had this from the start, the Enhancement run might have gone smoother.

Ha Gangwoo rolled his shoulders and checked his remaining balance.

[Gold Held: 3,715,000 Gold]

Seeing his once-fat wallet scrape the bottom sent a ripple of unease through him.

“Good thing it worked out.”

Ha Gangwoo flashed back to that last attempt.

What if it had failed? Just thinking about it sent a chill down his spine.

“Haaah… Master, I’m hungry…”

Mimic rubbed her eyes, looking tired, and tilted her head up at him.

‘Is she sleepy?’

She was saying she was hungry, but her actions screamed drowsiness. Then again, ever since humanization, she’d shown traits close to a person’s.

Developing a sense of ownership. Craving good food. Wanting sleep seemed natural.

‘Well, that works out.’

[50,000 Gold withdrawn from Inventory.]

Rustle—

A cascade of gold spilled into Ha Gangwoo’s palm.

Ha Gangwoo handed the Gold to Mimic with a warning.

“I’m going to step out for a bit. Wait here, got it?”

Munch, munch—

“Mik!”

Mimic crammed the gold into her mouth without hesitation as she answered.

Something about how quickly she agreed nagged at him, but at least her independence seemed solid.

Ha Gangwoo massaged his neck and planned his next move.

‘How many will show up?’

He was leaving Mimic here because he had to go deal with some high-and-mighty types.

‘Won’t be able to move freely from now on.’

And now the Costume face had a job to do.

He hadn’t intended it, but already, out on the internet—

— The Rise of an S-Rank Enhancer!

-THE MYSTERIOUS MAN OF LUCK!!! The Legendary Item Lost Five Years Ago, Now Forged to +12!

—the news articles plastered her shop’s walls with his photograph.

‘First, change clothes.’

Ha Gangwoo looked down at Barzel’s Appetite, the ring fitted around his right hand. That item, Mimic, the Costume—everything that marked him as Ha Gangwoo, the L-Grade Player.

Now was the moment to shed that identity. He needed new clothes.

‘Perfect timing.’

He turned his tired face toward Anita Via, who yawned wide—*haaahm*—and stretched. The repair work he’d left with her on a whim—she’d finished it flawlessly.

No need to doubt her skill.

[Redgun Uniform Cap]

Grade: A

Durability: 41/60

[Redgun Uniform Pants]

Grade: A

Durability: 38/60

[Redgun Uniform Boots]

Grade: A

Durability: 31/60

After all, the Costume pieces—except the top—had needed repairs too.

Gangwoo peeled off the Costume pieces one by one. With a soft *slip*, the red armor he hadn’t seen in a long while emerged into view.

That item—when he’d first put it on, both its effect and appearance had satisfied him.

[Red Steel Top]

Grade: E

Durability: 00/25

Defense: 26

Strength: +19

Vitality: +21

Description: Armor forged from red steel. Excels at fire resistance.

*Set Effect (0/3)

– Fire Resistance +20.

– Fire Attack Power +10%.

But looking at it now, the effects were mediocre, and its durability had bottomed out long ago, stripping it even of its luster.

It felt like time to let this armor go.

‘Buy a set.’

Gangwoo glanced around, eyeing the clothes on display.

As it happened, he was standing in an activewear shop. Clothes and items lined every shelf.

He set the peeled-off armor on the table and looked at Anita Via.

The dark circles under her eyes spoke of her exhaustion.

“Boss, I have a request.”

“Huh?”

Anita Via answered through bleary eyes, and Gangwoo laid out a few favors.

Repairing the Costume—and watching over Mimic.

Anita Via readily agreed.

He also bought a set of everyday clothes he liked.

A clean suit-style activewear set.

Far inferior to the Costume, but—

‘Not bad.’

It fit comfortably.

“Take care. I think I need to get some shut-eye for now…”

“Got it. I’ll see you later.”

Anita Via yawned wide—*haaaah*—and waved a hand. Gangwoo answered as he pushed the door open.

“Haaahm. Master, take care.”

Mimic, yawning beside Anita Via, saw him off as well.

She’d stuck close to Rain in Scenario 1 territory without any trouble, so he wasn’t really worried—but somehow, she still nagged at his mind.

‘Focus on the auction for now.’

*Creak—* *Clank.*

Gangwoo stepped outside, his expression hardening.

The people he was about to meet were some of the world’s most elite figures. He had to keep his mind razor-sharp.

And so Ha Gangwoo set off toward the place he’d promised to hold the auction.

***

This was a VVIP-exclusive Auction House located in the workshop district.

Inside the old-world interior, a crowd in crisp suits had gathered.

Among that sea of people stood the Pairing Guild’s Finance Director.

Kelden Elysifer greeted him with a bright smile.

“Whoa! How long has it been?!”

“It’s been a while, Guild Leader.”

The man receiving the greeting was Yashimoto Murata, Kelden’s old comrade.

Yashimoto Murata was currently Rank 41 and a fellow veteran who’d shared life-and-death battles with Kelden. They’d always had an age gap, so Murata remained unfailingly respectful.

“‘Guild Leader’? I handed the reins to my daughter ages ago. But I didn’t know you had an eye for items, old friend.”

“That’s the legendary sword that disappeared five years ago, isn’t it? And at +12 enhancement, no less. I’m dying to know what its effect is even now.”

Murata seemed genuinely interested in the Seal items.

‘……’

Kelden didn’t like that look on his face, but it didn’t matter.

As far as he was concerned, the Seal items were already as good as in his hands.

And so Kelden started with Murata, moving through old comrades and acquaintances, trading words with each.

Kelden kept up the small talk for thirty minutes solid,

Thump—

and then, done with every conversation, he sat down.

He loosened the tie constricting his throat and let his expression relax.

‘Still, this is a relief.’

Given that the auction had been announced so suddenly, there weren’t many true heavyweights here. And even the big names who had shown up were mostly driven by curiosity. There was nothing to worry about.

Just as Kelden finished analyzing the situation.

His daughter — the most beautiful woman in the world — closed her eyes softly and asked,

“What do you think?”

The sudden question. She had seen through the fact that his round of greetings was a way of gauging the crowd.

Kelden’s lips curled into a sly smile.

As expected of his daughter — a sharp question.

“Well, I’m not sure.”

Kelden propped his chin on his hand and answered leisurely.

She was his daughter, but here she was a competitor. There was no reason to hand over information.

And so Kelden turned his gaze to the auction stage, his expression cooling into ice.

‘What a nuisance.’

Kelden recalled the video from this morning.

[The Sealed Sword:Seal +12 has appeared in the Gaia System!!!]

A single System window had flashed in that footage. The moment he read the message, he doubted his own eyes.

The final puzzle piece he’d scoured the entire world for, turning it upside down, was right there in that video.

And on top of that, the nearly impossible +12 unlock condition — it was already fulfilled.

The moment Kelden saw that video, only one thought filled his mind.

‘I want it!’

A fierce hunger seized his entire body.

If that item fell into his hands, returning to the world of Players wouldn’t be a problem at all.

No. A wall vast enough to make him abandon being a Player. Power that could even challenge the Rank 1 seat would be his.

That was why Kelden Elysifer was so certain. And he made a vow.

‘I’ll get it, no matter what.’

Even as madness crept over Kelden, the video kept playing.

—We will now begin the auction for the S-Rank item, Radiel’s Sword:Seal +12 Enhancement.

In the footage, a man slowly opened his mouth.

A flat expression—similar to his own daughter’s, yet different.

The moment he saw those eyes, he knew.

A desperate want for something. That man was burning with desire for something right now.

—Starting bid is 10 billion Gold. Come to the Auction House in the public grounds by 11 AM today.

The man in the video named the price with easy composure.

Straight pupils stared out from the screen, as if looking directly at someone.

—I’ll be waiting. The conditions should stay the same as before.

The man in the video spat out his final words, then—shrrk—faded from view.

Cheek—

The moment Kelden heard that last message, he was certain.

‘Interesting bastard.’

[The conditions should stay the same as before.]

He could feel the man’s intent from start to finish.

‘Testing me?’

That was something only someone who’d monopolized Seal items five years ago could know. A remark aimed at him—who’d always traded only in Gold.

Kelden smirked and crossed his legs.

The plush VVIP chair cushioned his back just right.

‘Let’s see your face.’

He was curious what kind of bastard had set up a game this big, and from where.

Just as Kelden smiled, watching the stage where the auction would be held.

Ziiing—

A message flew in on his phone.

—50% has been liquidated.

It was from the secretary he’d instructed before coming here.

Now that the ammunition was perfectly ready, there was only one thing to think about.

‘Guess I’ll test the waters.’

Nerves tight, Kelden waited for the auction to begin.

***

“Are you sure you’re all right with this?”

“Yes, I’ll handle it myself.”

The auction host looked flustered, as if this was a first for him.

“Understood. If you insist…”

The MC shrugged helplessly and handed over the mic in his hand.

Ha Gangwoo took the mic and stepped forward.

Normally, auctions had set rules—items went to the highest bidder through the host.

But Ha Gangwoo intended to deal directly. The fee was still the same, so it wasn’t a big issue.

“Hoo…”

Ha Gangwoo took a deep breath, then—swish—pushed through the curtain and stepped onto the stage. A massive spotlight blazed down, like a scene from an opera.

As Ha Gangwoo climbed up, the people in the plush seats murmured—buzz, buzz.

“That’s the Enhancer?”

“Same face as in the video.”

Everyone licked their lips as they looked at Ha Gangwoo.

‘I’m more nervous than I thought.’

Feeling their gazes, Ha Gangwoo scanned the room.

‘Did they come?’

Five years ago, they’d monopolized the Seal items. Word was they only dealt in Gold.

That’s why he’d dropped a hint at the end of his interview.

He wasn’t sure they’d be here, but Ha Gangwoo felt certain.

‘Where are they?’

They’d definitely come. And somehow, they’d reveal themselves.

Once the auction started, he’d know soon enough anyway.

“Hm!”

Ha Gangwoo leaned into the mic, slowly parting his lips.

“Thank you all for coming despite your busy schedules. Time’s tight, so let’s begin right away.”

Gulp—

Everyone leaned in, swallowing dry spit as they hung on his words.

The crowd here were all high-ranking Players, the kind who held real seats at the table.

There was only one reason they’d shown up with no information at all.

They knew about the legendary Seal item that had vanished into the past.

A legendary item that made headlines every time it surfaced, boosting any Player’s reputation.

-Let’s just see how good it really is.

-It’s just an item. They’re all the same.

Half curiosity, half anticipation.

The crowd waited for the item’s stats to appear.

Ha Gangwoo reached into the air and slowly, smoothly, pulled out an item.

*Whoooom—*

A sword wreathed in a fierce crimson aura. Blade to hilt — every inch of it radiated an ancient, stately presence.

“Whoa…”

“No joke.”

The audience was overwhelmed by Radiel’s Sword, mouths hanging open in awe.

The red aura of an S-Rank item. It was fierce, extraordinary.

Ha Gangwoo placed Radiel’s Sword onto the apparatus on the stage.

The sword floated serenely above a pedestal that looked like it belonged in a museum.

This device displayed Gaia System info on the monitor.

Everyone stared at the screen with bated breath. And the moment the info appeared — Ding-

[Radiel’s Sword:Seal+12]

Grade: S

Attack: 1325 (+3091)

Strength: +395

Agility: +290

Vitality: +358

Mana: +410

Description: The legendary heaven-sword, called the finest blade. Its powerful seal has broken, restoring its original might. A potent holy light lingers on the sword.

Effects

– Gains Light-element effect on attack.

– Light-element attack power +100% (+28%).

– Enables use of Light’s Judgment.

– In moments of crisis, blessed by radiant light.

[Item Evaluation Rank: SSS-Rank.]

“NO WAY!!!!”

“That’s impossible!!!”

The crowd shot up from their chairs, unable to contain their shock.

There was one reason they were this stunned: the evaluation rank the machine had given.

Top-tier items got an SS grade. Even those numbered fewer than five hundred in the entire world — the supply was abysmally scarce.

And yet here was an SSS-Rank item—something that surpassed even SS-Rank.

The crowd stared, unable to believe what they were seeing.

The rank might be slightly inflated due to the enhancement value, but that didn’t matter to them.

What mattered was that this weapon was about to shatter every record so far.

“…….”

In an instant, the chaotic atmosphere of the Auction House shifted.

Once the numbers appeared on the monitor, everyone’s eyes and posture turned dead serious.

-With that weapon, the guild rankings will flip!

-One of those and Rank 30 won’t even be a problem!

Madness swept through them all as they clamored for Radiel’s Sword.

That dizzying silence stretched on.

Ha Gangwoo picked up the sword with easy calm and opened his mouth. A red aura rippled around the razor-sharp blade.

“Starting at 10 billion Gold.”

Those words were the starting pistol.

“10.1 billion!”

“10.5 billion!”

“11 billion!”

The price of the Radiel’s Sword:Seal+12 began surging like a frenzy.

***

“20 billion Gold + S-Rank item Ventra’s Necklace! That’s 145 billion in value.”

“20.1 billion + 6% stake in Black Company. That’s 150 billion in value.”

The auction had been running for about half an hour. Maybe it was the lack of an auctioneer—this was a goddamn mess.

On top of that, because the Radiel’s Sword:Seal+12 held such ridiculous value, what kept climbing wasn’t the Gold price but the additional conditions.

Just as the Auction House descended into chaos.

A single man stepped forward onto the auction stage.

“51 billion Gold, payable today.”

The man who had monopolized the Seal items five years ago, and a former Rank 9 player.

Kelden Elysifer was stepping forward.

Ha Gangwoo looked at him and gave a cold, thin smile.

‘So that’s him.’