The vast world of Illusion.
A minor item that could spark some buzz had appeared.
"Ho, not bad."
"Useful for early-to-mid users."
"We don't need it, though."
High-level players brushed past it. But those in the mid-to-late 10s eyed the Robust Iron Sword and Tough Iron Sword greedily.
Early-to-mid 20s players were captivated by the Craftsman's Iron Sword.
Such items popped up occasionally, but they were incredibly rare in quantity, so plenty of players waited eagerly for the moment they appeared.
Monsters rarely dropped items, and leveling was painfully slow, so once you upgraded, you stuck with it for ages.
No reason to hold back if you had the cash.
Of course, over-investing was a no-go.
Everyone gauged their personal limit and prepared to open their wallets.
"That Craftsman's one is tempting."
"It's mine."
"Highest bidder wins."
Twenty minutes left.
Current bid: 35 gold.
Fifteen more minutes passed.
"Here we go."
The bidding war kicked off among wealthy newbies who'd just started Illusion.
The price jumped to 45 gold.
Four minutes remaining.
It climbed steeply.
46 gold.
47 gold.
48 gold.
Three more minutes gone.
One minute left.
No—59 seconds.
That's when the auction finally ignited.
52 gold.
53 gold.
54 gold.
Bids flipped multiple times per second.
Time flew by in a blink.
About 10 seconds remaining.
The real big spenders were biding their time with iron patience.
Just a bit longer...
At 2 seconds left, they pounced. Some held out until just 1 second remained.
Many shared the same thought.
The price surged wildly in an instant.
And as the auction timer hit zero, the final amount locked in.
⚙ AUCTION END ⚙
Final sale confirmed.
Only five minutes left on the quest.
"Phew, please..."
He'd already forged dozens of swords, but every one had failed.
If this one lacked options too, time would run out, and the quest would fail.
Check info.
⚔ ITEM INFO ⚔ Sturdy Iron Sword
Attack Power: 14
Vitality: +1
Durability: 70/70
Mu-hyuk's fist clenched involuntarily.
He hurried to Luke.
"Here, it's done."
"Hmm, time... still some left."
"Yes."
"Let me see."
After inspecting the sword, he nodded.
"Good work."
📜 QUEST COMPLETED 📜
Quest Complete
Handiwork (1) has increased.
One point in Handiwork.
A small but significant reward.
"You've earned a break."
"Yes!"
Right on time—the items he'd auctioned should have sold.
With a touch of tension, he checked the auction system.
Craftsman's Iron Sword.
Searching the item name yielded no results.
Sold.
His heart pounded.
How much?
He toggled messages on.
Checked one by one.
🎁 AUCTION SOLD 🎁 Nimble Iron Sword Sold for 16 gold 🎁 AUCTION SOLD 🎁 Robust Iron Sword Sold for 23 gold 🎁 AUCTION SOLD 🎁 Tough Iron Sword Sold for 38 gold 🎁 AUCTION SOLD 🎁 Craftsman's Iron Sword Sold for 120 gold
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened.
Higher than expected.
Especially the Craftsman's Iron Sword.
120 gold...?
No usage restrictions, sure, but still beyond imagination.
He quickly checked his inventory.
The gold was there, minus the 1% fee.
Stunned at first, but as it sank in, a grin spread across his face.
"Ha, haha..."
This haul would cover all the gear he needed and more.
Yeah, time to shop.
He activated the auction system.
Hologram popped up.
Take it slow.
He browsed leisurely, mindful of his gold.
🛡 AUCTION LISTING 🛡 Leather Boots
Defense: 2
Vitality: +1
Durability: 60/60
Usage Limit: Strength 15
Instant Sell: 15 gold
A decent pair of boots caught his eye.
Low defense, but with a Vitality stat. Cheap due to the usage limit.
Probably for early 20s players, even with item boosts.
But Mu-hyuk was level 15 with 20 Strength.
No issue.
Looks good?
He checked similar boots—nothing cheaper or better.
Decision made.
Every stat point mattered now.
⚙ PURCHASE CONFIRM ⚙
Proceed with purchase?
Yes / No
⚔ PURCHASE COMPLETE ⚔
15 gold deducted.
Acquired Leather Boots.
Leather Boots entered his inventory. Equipped immediately, then back to browsing.
Items sold fast—if you blinked, they'd vanish, replaced by new ones.
Endless scrolling, but few hits.
This'll take days.
An hour later, he snagged a belt.
🛡 AUCTION LISTING 🛡 Light Belt
Agility: +1
Usage Limit: Vitality 10
Durability: 30/30
Instant Sell: 10 gold
Boosted Agility by one.
10 gold—100,000 won in cash, no small sum—but worth it. He knew Agility's potential.
Two items down, fatigue set in.
11 PM already.
Log out time.
He exited the capsule, showered, and hit the bed.
Exhaustion pulled him under instantly.
Next day.
Logged in, straight to auctions.
Level 15 now—dungeon time.
Gear up for stable clears. Essential.
Defense first: shield, top, bottom, helmet, gloves, boots.
Oh, accessories too.
Mu-hyuk scoured carefully.
🛡 AUCTION LISTING 🛡 Arkrans Helmet
Defense: 3
Durability: 70/70
Instant Sell: 20 gold
Decent defense, no stats—pass.
🛡 AUCTION LISTING 🛡 Tough Top
Defense: 4
Durability: 60/60
Instant Sell: 30 gold
Same reason—pass.
An hour in, no buys.
"Phew."
Harder than expected.
Then, an item swapped—a ring appeared.
🛡 AUCTION LISTING 🛡 Black-Plated Ring
Reaction Speed: +0.5%
Durability: 50/50
Usage Limit: Strength 10, Vitality 10
Auction
Time Left: 3h 59m 59s
Starting Bid: 5 gold
Current Bid: None
A reaction speed booster.
A whopping 0.5%!
Illusion players didn't grasp Agility's value yet.
Abysmal gains: 0.1% per point.
100 Agility for 10%.
No visible effects, so they prioritized Strength and Vitality.
But Mu-hyuk knew better.
Higher levels meant tougher monsters: power, speed, HP, defense.
Spotting and dodging those swift attacks? Agility—reaction speed.
Brain reacts in ~0.1 seconds. Action follows.
Even elite swimmers or sprinters take 0.15s after a gun.
Best record: 0.104s.
10% Agility boost? Down to 0.09s.
20%? 0.08s possible.
A different world.
React first, move first, strike first.
For melee in Illusion, Agility was mandatory.
Decision: instant.
Bid.
Seller went auction due to vague pricing despite good options.
Mu-hyuk bid 20 gold straight away.
Time ticked.
He watched without blinking.
Ten minutes: up to 21 gold.
No—hold.
Wait till 1 minute left.
Set alarm, browsed others.
Time flew.
Ding.
Checked bids.
Current: 35 gold.
10 seconds left.
40, 45, 46.
Climbing fast.
50, 55.
Damn...!
Mu-hyuk swallowed a curse, waiting for 1 second.
3, 2.
⚙ BID CONFIRM ⚙
Bid 80 gold?
Yes / No
1 second left.
Hold a bit more.
Split-second.
Yes.
⚔ BID WON! ⚔
Bid successful.
Acquired Black-Plated Ring.
The most satisfying moment since starting Illusion.