*BANG!!!*

A man in a crisp suit grimaced fiercely as he strode into the sparring room.

“That son of a bitch really goes berserk—I told him to just quietly job-change, but he can’t even hold out that long before starting shit?”

He was from the Tower of Job Change. The first team leader of the Association-affiliated ‘Player Crime Management Division’. Ryu Chen.

He was the team leader of the ‘Crime Management Division’ that Hua Yian belonged to, and the one who’d recruited him into the division.

So the moment he got the report, irritation flooded him.

-A problem’s occurred at the sparring arena. A player using a transparent barrier has taken a child and a woman hostage, apparently.

‘Transparent barrier…’

If it was a transparent barrier, that was the reason Hua Yian had been recruited to the Crime Management Division, and it was a Top-Grade Trait. A characteristic of Cube.

Ryu Chen hurriedly made his way toward the sparring arena.

In the center of the sparring hall, packed with players, confusion painted every face.

‘What the hell is he pulling?’

Through the crowd, a transparent barrier came into view. Seeing it up close erased any doubt. That sheer membrane was unmistakably Hua Yian’s Trait.

‘Damn it.’

To Ryu Chen, Hua Yian was a lunatic through and through.

A man who’d stop at nothing to get what he wanted. Orders were suggestions he ignored; hierarchy could go screw itself.

But that one Trait of his? Unbelievable.

Back when he proctored the exam. That transparent cube barrier Hua Yian had shown.

Not a single person in that testing hall could break free—even Ryu Chen himself, ranked 991, had been trapped inside that cube, feeling its power firsthand.

And right then, Ryu Chen had been certain.

‘That’s the guy!’

Exactly the kind of talent the Crime Management Division needed—someone who could cage criminals alive. He’d wanted Hua Yian on his team.

So Ryu Chen had taken Hua Yian in.

‘Holding a kid and a woman hostage?’

But what was this report he’d gotten? Rage surged up his throat in an instant.

Ryu Chen scowled, stepping toward the sparring arena wrapped in that transparent barrier.

*Crack—shatter, shatter, shatter—*

That barrier, which had seemed so unbreakable, rained down like glass.

“Wha… what?!”

Ryu Chen stared blankly at the collapsing shield, and in the heart of that destruction…

…a man’s figure came into view.

A man in pristine uniform.

“Ahahahahaha.”

He walked toward Hua Yian, who was laughing like a madman.

‘Did he break it? That guy?’

Having only just arrived at the sparring arena, Ryu Chen was dazed by the scene.

The barrier he’d thought invincible, shattered so easily. Unbelievable.

Ryu Chen swallowed hard, staring at the unidentified man—right at that moment.

“Ha… Ha Gangwoo!”

“That’s insane… He just broke a barrier even max-level players couldn’t get through?”

Gasps of awe rippled from the surrounding players.

‘Ha Gangwoo?’

Ryu Chen heard the name and frowned in thought.

He’d definitely heard it before. But he couldn’t place the face.

In this world, players rose and fell as hot topics dozens of times a day.

But then—

“So that’s what an L-Grade is, huh… Looks like he’s here for the job change. Insane.”

A man beside him muttered those words.

‘An L-Grade Player.’

Impossible not to know the term.

L-Grade. The unique grade unique to Cha Yuseong, the one unparalleled in the world. And now a rookie player had received that same grade, known as the peak of all players.

The whole Association had been watching, so Ryu Chen had been curious too.

What the hell had he done in the Tutorial to earn an L-Grade? But that curiosity had faded fast.

*—So what? He’s still a Newbie.*

He’d thought it was just Trait-luck and good fortune. Figured it’d drop naturally as time passed.

Player grades are a constantly shifting scoreboard in the Gaia System.

Players who peaked at S-Grade at level 1 often ended up at E-Grade by max level.

A ruthless world, measured purely by growth and power. That was why she’d erased Ha Gangwoo from her mind.

“What kind of Trait could it be to…”

And yet, she couldn’t help but be stunned.

What kind of Trait earned the title of L-Grade? What kind of Trait could shatter Hua Yian’s Cube — something she’d considered an absolute barrier?

Crack—

Liu Chen clenched her fist without realizing it, her gaze fixed on the sparring arena where Ha Gangwoo and Hua Yian now stood.

***

“Wha… what the hell! An L-Grade Player?”

The max-level Player who’d tried to stop Gangwoo earlier. He set his massive hammer down with a heavy thud, his voice thick with shock.

A barrier that hadn’t budged under his own full power — shattered that easily.

The legendary L-Grade Player he’d only ever heard about was standing right in front of him.

As the hammer-wielding max-level Player swallowed dryly, still stunned…

“AHAHAHAHA!”

Hua Yian cackled like a madman and lunged at Ha Gangwoo.

Rust-colored Demonic energy cloaked his entire body.

‘Not bad… but something’s off.’

Gangwoo spread his legs wide and dropped his stance, watching that Demonic energy.

From a distance, he’d thought it resembled that bastard’s. But up close? No.

A counterfeit — forced mimicry. And because of that, the quality was pitifully low.

Just as Gangwoo sank into thought…

Hua Yian, already in front of him, swung his sword at Gangwoo’s head with a sharp whistle.

Clean and vicious —

*Wh-oooosh-*

But to Gangwoo’s eyes, it crawled as if frozen in time.

‘Let’s just end this.’

The act that had nearly killed Mimic, the Mimic — that was what burned in his heart.

He wanted to exact a thorough revenge — but there were too many eyes watching.

So instead, Gangwoo curled his fist and thrust it forward — *shuuk-*

— Force Discharge.

CLANG!!!!

The instant that clean strike hit Hua Yian’s abdomen —

BOOM!!!

Hua Yian’s body crumpled and slammed straight into the far wall of the sparring room.

And just like that, the entire commotion ended with one blow.

***

“Get over here fast! Ribs, organs — everything’s ruptured! Healer! Hurry!”

At the dented far wall of the sparring arena, a healer scrambled into action.

“Impossible…”

Liu Chen stared at the crater where Hua Yian’s body had smashed into the wall, replaying the moment in her mind.

The instant Hua Yian had charged at Ha Gangwoo — whatever trick he’d used, he’d seemed twice as fast as usual.

That was why she’d almost stepped into the ring herself.

An L-Grade or not, he was a fresh Player barely two months out of the Tutorial. She was certain he’d be no match for Hua Yian.

Hua Yian was a living weapon who’d spent six months learning techniques to kill rogue Players from the Crime Management Division.

And yet, he’d fallen in a single hit.

‘He really is a monster.’

Liu Chen swallowed dry spit and stepped forward to stand before the people in the sparring arena.

“The commotion is over for now. The man who caused the disturbance is Hua Yian, a Player from the Crime Management Division. We will manage things thoroughly to ensure this doesn’t happen again. I apologize.”

Liu Chen bowed his head deeply to the crowd, offering his apology, and with that, the incident was settled.

“I’m sorry. I’ll apologize in person.”

Liu Chen finally stood before the parties who had been directly harmed.

There were four direct victims. One had been taken to the treatment room, so those remaining were Kim Jisoo, Ha Gangwoo, and Mimic — three in total.

“Ah! No, it’s fine. I’m okay. This kind of injury is nothing!”

Kim Jisoo was the only one among the three who had been injured. She was already restored to full energy after a single Healer skill.

And so the incident drew to a close.

“Hey, little one. You alright?”

Kim Jisoo asked the little girl who had saved her — Mimic.

Back when Hua Yian’s sword strike had exploded the floor, she’d thought it was a disaster.

But now that everything had settled, the little girl stood in the sparring room without a single scratch.

“No…”

Mimic, however, was slumped and deflated. Well, having gone through that mess, it would be stranger if she were cheerful.

“Why? Does something hurt?”

Kim Jisoo asked Mimic with worried eyes.

“No…”

But Mimic stayed drooping.

Mimic stared — *Zing* — in one direction with a piercing look.

‘…’

At the end of that line of sight stood Ha Gangwoo.

‘That’s unsettling.’

Ha Gangwoo knew exactly why Mimic was acting like that. Was it because of the Link? He could sense her intention inside.

‘Should I give her at least a little?’

The reason? She hadn’t earned any Gold.

Mimic wasn’t down because she lost a spar. She wouldn’t cry from getting cut by a sword.

There was only one reason she was like this now.

She’d lost, so she got no Gold — and the despair that meant she couldn’t buy food to eat.

Mimic kept staring intently at Ha Gangwoo. Her gaze conveyed the message: *I tried hard, so please give me just a little.*

-No.

*Ding-*

[Your intention has been conveyed to Mimic.]

When it came to moments like this, he had to be firm.

He needed to teach Mimic the clear connection between work and reward. If his heart softened and he gave her Gold, she might just start whining again.

“Tch!”

Whether she’d heard the command or not, Mimic made a sulky face and whipped her head away.

“Oh my! What’s wrong? Hungry? Want to go eat with Unni?”

Kim Jisoo noticed Mimic’s behavior and asked, sounding concerned.

No sooner had those words ended —

“BUY ME CHICKEN STEW!!!”

Mimic beamed, raising her hand high.

“So you’re hungry! You saved my life — I have to buy it for you! Let’s go.”

Kim Jisoo watched Mimic’s smile and wore a pleased expression.

‘Is she going to follow?’

Ha Gangwoo frowned as he watched the scene.

Maybe it was because he’d poured everything into swordsmanship until now. He’d never taught anyone that way.

And to think she’d sell her soul for a piece of fried chicken.

-No, don’t go.

Just as Ha Gangwoo was about to send Mimic a message saying no—

“Hold on a moment. There’s still a procedure I need to verify.”

Liu Chen called Kim Jisoo and Mimic back. Then he turned to Ha Gangwoo and gave a polite bow.

“Thank you for handling what I should have done.”

With that, he pulled out a tablet PC.

“It’s a simple process. Just need to confirm identities, so could I see your Player Certificates?”

‘Identity check?’

Ha Gangwoo narrowed his eyes at Liu Chen. An identity check all of a sudden. Something felt off.

And then he caught the intent immediately.

“Little one, what’s your name?”

Liu Chen asked Mimic casually. He must have heard about her PVP with Hua Yian, and doubt had crept in.

Well, a tiny kid barely a meter tall had crushed a level-50 Player. Of course it’d draw attention.

“Huh?”

Startled by the sudden question, Mimic lifted her head and stared blankly at Ha Gangwoo’s face.

Naturally, Kim Jisoo and Liu Chen’s gazes also fixed on Ha Gangwoo,

“Ahem!”

Ha Gangwoo forced his eyes away and cleared his throat.

‘A name, huh…’

Mimic’s name was Mimic. But having humanized, she clearly needed a different one.

-Say Mik.

Ding-

[Message delivered to Mimic.]

“It’s Mik!!!”

Mimic shot her hand up and answered. Whether she liked the name or not, her voice brimmed with energy.

“Mik, huh. Never heard it before. Who came with you to the Tower of Job Change? Your parents?”

Liu Chen threw another question at Mimic, and she once again stared at Ha Gangwoo.

‘……’

Ha Gangwoo ignored the gaze, sinking into thought.

‘Should I just tell the truth?’

Mimic was a warehouse, a byproduct of the System altered by the Fragment of Evolution. But this had to stay hidden.

This entire start came from an ability rooted in a trait—the DLC Shop. And Ha Gangwoo still lacked the power to protect himself.

‘Call her a relative? Or… a daughter…’

He recalled Jo Seunghyun’s thrown-out excuse about a daughter, then made his decision.

‘A wanderer.’

A survivor from a fallen nation. Someone with no identity by right—someone in need of help. A perfect fit for Mimic right now.

“I brought her.”

“What?”

“She was being chased by Monsters in the Scenario 1 area. I saved her and I’ve been taking her along.”

A plausible lie.

Scenario 1 area. A now-ruined nation, and a zone managed by the Association.

The bustling parts near Scenario 1 were well-maintained, but the border region adjoining China was not.

An abandoned land crawling with Monsters—hell itself for any survivor.

A wanderer from that Scenario 1 area. An alibi with no room for suspicion.

“I see.”

That was enough for Liu Chen to accept it easily.

“So Mik has no registered identity. Wanderers fall under Association jurisdiction. Did you report her?”

“No.”

“You can’t just drag her around like this, sir. Little one, come with me for a moment.”

Liu Chen scratched the back of his head, looking like this had just become a complication he hadn’t signed up for.

At this rate, Gangwoo was about to be separated from Mimic for good.

-Act like you want to stay with me. Do it naturally and I’ll give you fifty thousand Gold.

Ding-

[Intent relayed to Mimic.]

Perk!

Mimic’s ear twitched slightly. As expected, Gold got an immediate reaction out of her.

“No! I’m staying with Master!!!”

Mimic grabbed Ha Gangwoo’s leg and shouted. Her acting was top-tier — genuine enough to convey a child’s desperation.

“Master?”

Liu Chen’s brow furrowed at the unexpected honorific, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face,

“Hold on…”

as he rubbed his chin and sank into thought. Then,

“Haa…”

he let out a long sigh before speaking.

“The kid wants it that much, and I do owe you a favor. If Player Ha Gangwoo is willing, I’ll handle the paperwork on my end. What do you say?”

He’d offered to register her with the Association himself. This was exactly what Gangwoo had hoped for.

‘Worked out nicely.’

Ha Gangwoo gave a faint smile and answered.

“Please do.”

He’d gotten tangled in an annoying incident, but came away with plenty to show for it.

Checking Mimic’s level and getting her registered — not bad at all.

“I’ll take my leave now. If the opportunity arises, I’d like to talk more another time.”

Liu Chen hurried off to clean up the mess Hua Yian had made.

As he left, Kim Jisoo bent down to look at Mimic and broke into a bright smile.

“Then let’s go get something tasty, Unni.”

“Okay!”

Mimic answered with a wide grin. One treat and she’d sell her soul without hesitation.

“Ah! Master, may I go?”

But then, unexpectedly, Mimic suddenly asked permission.

‘Did Link transmit my thoughts to her?’

However it happened, the fact that she’d asked at all was meaningful.

“Go ahead.”

Ha Gangwoo agreed readily,

-I’ll give you the Gold later. Fifty thousand. Good job.

Ding-

[Intent relayed to Mimic.]

and added that he’d honor the promised fifty thousand Gold.

“Yes!!!! Thank you!”

Mimic bowed her head deeply in reply. Seeing her beam like that, Gangwoo found himself smiling faintly without meaning to.

“…”

Watching this, Kim Jisoo’s expression turned subtle. Her eyes brimmed with suspicion.

She seemed put off by the word “Master” that Mimic had used,

“I’ll borrow Mik for a bit. See you in the Association lobby in an hour.”

She gave a polite bow.

And with that, Mimic and Kim Jisoo left the sparring arena.

“Excuse me, Player Ha Gangwoo.”

“Just one photo.”

“Could I get an autograph, please?”

Ha Gangwoo’s fans began to gather around.

***

“Haah…”

Roughly thirty minutes later.

Ha Gangwoo let out a weary sigh and slumped onto a bench.

Was it since I appeared on the news? People suddenly act like they’ve met some celebrity, begging for photos and autographs.

Just now alone, he’d taken about a hundred tiresome pictures.

“Hoo…”

Ha Gangwoo forced himself to focus, hunched over and clasping his hands together.

‘Almost there.’

Sure enough.

Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-

The phone he’d set as an alarm went off.

Just when he had nothing but dead time, something to do appeared.

[DLC-Shop]

–

–

–

(Refresh)

The alarm was a timer synced to the Refresh cooldown.

Thump—thump—

This was Ha Gangwoo’s favorite moment.

[Gold Held: 277,501,215,000 Gold]

With Gold overflowing, he no longer wasted time worrying about money.

‘What’ll pop up this time?’

Ha Gangwoo felt a pleasant anticipation.

Ding-

[The DLC-Shop’s listing is being refreshed.]

He clicked the Refresh button.