The night before the announcement was the longest of Kang-dae's life. He sat in his small, cramped apartment, the same one he had been threatened with eviction from just forty-eight hours ago. It was ironic. On paper, he was now a property owner in one of the most expensive districts in the world, yet he was still sitting on a floor that smelled of mold and cheap ramen.
He opened his System interface.
[Host: Kang-dae]
[Level: 2 (700/5000 EXP)]
[Titles: Convenience Store Owner, Budding Tycoon]
[Skills: The Eye of Business (Lvl 2), Tycoon's Aura (Passive)]
[Assets: Old Myung-dong Building, 170,000,000 Won Cash]
"System," Kang-dae whispered into the silence of the room. "Why me?"
[Ding! The System selects hosts based on a high 'Desperation Index' combined with 'Calculated Ambition'. You were the only individual in this sector who didn't give up when your bank account hit zero.]
Kang-dae let out a dry laugh. So, his suffering had been a qualification. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep, but the Tycoon's Aura was humming in his veins, making his heart race with a strange, predatory energy.
The next morning, the city of Seoul woke up to a bombshell.
Kang-dae stood in front of a giant public screen in the middle of a crowded plaza. Thousands of salarymen and students stopped in their tracks as the news anchor's voice boomed across the square.
"Breaking News: The Ministry of Land and Infrastructure has officially confirmed the 'Line 7 Extension'. The centerpiece of this multi-billion dollar project will be the new 'Great Myung-dong Station'. Real estate experts predict that property values in the immediate vicinity will increase by at least ten-fold overnight..."
A collective gasp went through the crowd. People immediately pulled out their phones, calling brokers, screaming, or crying with regret.
Kang-dae just stood there, his hands in his pockets. He looked at the old building across the street—the one he now owned. In his vision, a massive golden pillar appeared over the roof.
[Asset Update: Old Myung-dong Building.]
[Current Valuation: 4.8 Billion Won.]
[Profit Increase: 1,000%.]
Suddenly, his phone began to vibrate violently. It was Ms. Choi, the real estate agent from yesterday. He let it ring. Then, another number—the previous owner. He let that ring, too. They weren't calling to congratulate him; they were calling because they realized they had sold a diamond for the price of a pebble.
But then, a third call came through. This one had no caller ID.
"Hello?" Kang-dae answered.
"Mr. Kang-dae?" The voice was cold, professional, and feminine. "My name is Secretary Kim. I represent the Shinhwa Group. We noticed your recent... timely purchase in Myung-dong. Our Chairman would like to have tea with you this afternoon. We are prepared to offer you a price you cannot refuse for that land."
Kang-dae felt a chill. The Shinhwa Group was one of the 'Big Three' chaebols in Korea. They owned everything from shipping to smartphones.
[Ding! Warning: Secret Quest Triggered—'The Lion's Den'.]
[Task: Attend the meeting with Shinhwa Group without selling your land.]
[Reward: ??? and 10,000 Experience Points.]
"Tell your Chairman," Kang-dae said, his Tycoon's Aura flaring up, making people nearby instinctively step away from him. "That if he wants my land, he'll have to come and meet me at my convenience store. I have a shift to finish."
He hung up. He knew it was a dangerous move, but the System had taught him one thing: in the world of monsters, the only way to survive is to be the biggest monster of them all.