Chapter 9

The vast World of Illusion.

An item that would become a minor issue appeared.

“Oh, not bad.”

“It’ll be useful for early to mid-level users.”

“We don’t need it, though.”

High-level users passed by casually. However, users in the mid to late teens of levels eyed the sturdy iron sword and the robust iron sword.

Users in the early to mid-twenties were captivated by the artisan’s iron sword.

Such items occasionally appeared, but the quantity was so rare that many waited for the moment they appeared.

Monsters didn’t drop items, and the leveling speed was very slow, so once an item was replaced, it could be used for a long time.

People with money had no reason to save.

Of course, excessive investment was forbidden.

After estimating the limit each person thought of, they began preparing to spend money.

“The artisan’s sword is really tempting.”

“That’s mine.”

“Whoever wins the bid gets it.”

Remaining time: 20 minutes.

Current price: 35 Gold.

15 more minutes passed.

“Is it starting?”

The competition began among wealthy users who hadn’t been in the World of Illusion for long.

The price jumped to 45 Gold.

4 minutes left.

The price increased sharply.

46 Gold.

47 Gold.

48 Gold.

3 more minutes passed.

1 minute left.

No, now 59 seconds.

Only then did the auction begin to heat up.

52 Gold.

53 Gold.

54 Gold.

The bid changed several times in a single second.

Time passed in an instant.

Time remaining?

About 10 seconds.

The really wealthy users were exercising patience.

Just a little more…

And with 2 seconds left, they moved. Many didn’t move until only 1 second remained.

Many people thought the same thing.

In an instant, the price fluctuated frighteningly.

Soon, the auction time ended, and the amount was determined.

Remaining time for the quest: only 5 minutes.

“Hoo, please…”

He had already crafted dozens of swords, but all had failed.

If this one didn’t have any options, the quest would fail due to lack of time.

Check information.

He checked the hologram that appeared.

[Sturdy Iron Sword]

Attack Power 14

Health +1

Durability 70/70

His fist clenched involuntarily.

Muhyuk hurried to Luke.

“Here, I finished it.”

“Hmm, time… still remains.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s see.”

He examined the sword and nodded.

“Good work.”

A message appeared with Luke’s words.

[Quest completed.]

[‘Dexterity (1)’ has increased.]

Dexterity one.

It was a small but significant reward.

“You’ve worked hard, so take a rest.”

“Yes!”

It was time for the item he had put up for auction to have been sold.

With a slightly nervous heart, he checked the auction system.

Artisan’s Iron Sword.

He searched for the item’s name, but it didn’t appear.

It was sold.

Thump.

How much did it sell for?

He turned on the message notifications.

He checked them one by one.

[‘Nimble Iron Sword’ has been sold for ‘16 Gold’.]

[‘Tough Iron Sword’ has been sold for ‘23 Gold’.]

[‘Robust Iron Sword’ has been sold for ‘38 Gold’.]

[‘Artisan’s Iron Sword’ has been sold for ‘120 Gold’.]

Muhyuk’s eyes widened.

It was because it had sold for a higher price than expected.

Especially the artisan’s iron sword.

120 Gold…?

It certainly had no usage restrictions, but still, it was beyond imagination.

He quickly checked his inventory.

The money was really there. Except for the 1% commission.

At first, he was flustered, but as time passed and he accepted that it was real, a smile naturally appeared on his face.

“Ha, haha…”

At this rate, he could buy all the necessary items and still have some left over.

Yes, let’s buy them right away.

Muhyuk activated the auction system.

A hologram appeared.

Let’s take a look slowly.

He leisurely looked at the items.

Thinking about the Gold he had in hand.

A decent pair of shoes caught his eye.

[Leather Boots]

Defense 2

Health +1

Durability 60/60

Usage Restriction: Strength 15

[Instant Sale Price: 15 Gold]

The defense stat was low, but it had a health stat attached. The price was cheap because of the usage restriction.

Even with the help of items, you would need to be in the early to mid-twenties of levels to wear them.

But Muhyuk had a strength of 20 despite being level 15.

The usage restriction was not a problem.

Not bad?

He looked at the boots a little more, but there was nothing cheaper and better than this.

Okay, let’s go with this.

Each stat was important right now.

[Would you like to purchase?]

[Yes/No]

A message appeared, and Muhyuk selected yes.

[‘15 Gold’ will be deducted.]

[You have acquired ‘Leather Boots’.]

The leather boots entered his inventory. He immediately wore them and looked at the items again.

The trading speed was faster than he thought, so if he lost focus for a moment, the existing item would disappear and another item would be uploaded.

That’s why there was no end to looking around. But it wasn’t easy to find something he liked.

It’ll take a few days.

After waiting another hour, he was able to purchase a belt.

[Light Belt]

Agility +1

Usage Restriction: Health 10

Durability 30/30

[Instant Sale Price: 10 Gold]

It was a belt that raised the agility stat by one.

The price was 10 Gold.

It was not a small amount of money, 100,000 won in cash, but he didn’t save it. It was because he knew the potential of agility.

After getting those two items, he felt a little tired.

The time was also past 11 PM.

I should go to sleep today.

He logged out and came out of the Capsule. He took a shower, lay down on the bed, and tried to sleep.

Was he tired?

Muhyuk fell asleep in an instant.

The next day.

As soon as he logged into the World of Illusion, he used the auction system again.

Now that he was level 15, he needed to enter a Dungeon.

Equipping all the items to clear the Dungeon safely was essential.

The most necessary thing was, of course, armor to protect his body.

He didn’t need a weapon because he could use the one he made himself.

A shield, top, bottom, helmet, gloves, and shoes?

Oh, right, accessories too.

Muhyuk opened his eyes wide and carefully examined each one.

[Arkran’s Helmet]

Defense 3

Durability 70/70

[Instant Sale Price: 20 Gold]

The defense was at a decent level, but he passed because there were no stats.

[Tough Top]

Defense 4

Durability 60/60

[Instant Sale Price: 30 Gold]

He passed for the same reason.

He couldn’t buy a decent item even after looking for an hour.

“Hoo.”

Buying items was not easy.

That’s when it happened.

As the items were being replaced, the item in front of him changed to a ring.

[Black Gilding Ring]

Reaction Speed increased by 0.5 percent

Durability 50/50

Usage Restriction: Strength 10, Health 10

[Auction]

[Time Remaining: 3 hours 59 minutes 59 seconds]

[Starting Price: 5 Gold]

[Current Bid Price: None]

It was a ring that increased reaction speed.

A whopping 0.5 percent!

World of Illusion users still don’t know the importance of agility.

The extremely poor reaction speed that only increases by 0.1 for each agility point.

You have to reach 100 agility to increase it by 10 percent.

Since the effect is not visible, they naturally focus on strength and health rather than agility.

But Muhyuk knows the importance of agility very well.

The higher the level, the stronger the monsters become.

Destructive power, speed, health, and defense.

The ability to see and avoid those quick movements that they attack with is agility, that is, reaction speed.

The time it takes for the brain to react to movement is approximately 0.1 seconds. Action comes after that.

Swimmers or sprinters also react only after 0.15 seconds after hearing the gunshot.

The best record in this field is 0.104 seconds.

What if you raise agility and increase it by 10 percent?

The time it takes for the brain to react is reduced to 0.09 seconds.

What about 20 percent?

It’s possible even in 0.08 seconds.

You are living in a different world.

Reacting, moving, and attacking before others.

If you are a job that fights in close combat, agility is an essential stat that you must increase in the World of Illusion.

His hesitation was extremely short.

Bid.

The user who acquired the item must have put it up for auction because the options looked good, but it was ambiguous to set a price.

Muhyuk immediately applied for a bid of 20 Gold.

Time flows.

He watched without taking his eyes off it.

Around 10 minutes passed.

It went up to 21 Gold.

No, let’s wait.

He decided to wait until there was 1 minute left.

He set an alarm and scanned other items.

Time passed quickly.

Ding.

The alarm rang.

Muhyuk quickly turned on the list of bids he had applied for.

Current price: 35 Gold.

10 seconds left.

40 Gold, 45 Gold, 46 Gold.

The price is increasing rapidly.

50 Gold, 55 Gold.

Damn it…!

Muhyuk swallowed a curse and waited for it to be 1 second.

3 seconds, 2 seconds.

[Would you like to bid ‘80 Gold’?]

[Yes/No]

1 second left.

Wait a little longer.

Really a fleeting moment.

Only then did Muhyuk press yes.

A message appeared soon after.

[You have successfully bid.]

[You have acquired ‘Black Gilding Ring’.]

It was the most satisfying moment since he started the World of Illusion.