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How are you?
"Is Randolph really Phantom?"
Three people gathered at a cafΓ© in Gangnam Station: two identically built, burly men and a beautiful woman.
They continued their conversation at a corner table, sipping coffee and talking despite the noise around them.
"It's certain. Without extensive game knowledge, it's impossible to score higher than Gracia in the class section, even if you don't know the main quest 1."
The woman said.
As she said, the top-tier classes cannot be obtained by skill alone. Overwhelming luck and knowledge that surpasses even that luck are required.
If he's not Phantom, those scores are incomprehensible.
"Phantom, a five-year ghost player, has finally appeared. There will be chaos."
"Can we make contact first?"
The two identical men spoke heavily.
The woman shrugged.
"How? We couldn't find him even after years of searching, right?"
"That's because Phantom wasn't a real player until now. Now that he's a real player, there must be a way."
"Should we try 'phishing'? The secret auction house must be open, right?"
"Phishing...?"
"To get the top rank in Main 3, you need a lot of powerful items, so he will definitely use the auction house."
Phishing. A slang term used by players.
It involves placing high-quality items at low prices in the secret auction house and attaching the 'Twin' ability of a talisman to find the location.
The 'Twin Talisman' option allows you to know the location of the other talisman, even if they are far apart.
Inexperienced players would buy items from the auction house at low prices and end up being tracked and killed or robbed, both in the game and in reality.
"But isn't that a low tactic used by 'massacres' and the like?"
"Phantom would know all the options of the talisman. There's no way he wouldn't notice."
The two identical men both expressed their opposition.
Phishing is a low tactic used by 'massacres' who hunt inexperienced players.
Even if he used it, Phantom wouldn't know.
Only inexperienced players who don't know the name of the talisman would fall for it.
But the woman clicked her tongue.
"Still don't know Phantom? He's the one who went to kill the Demon King. Even though he failed, didn't you see his execution when he started the Great Expedition?"
Many people had already identified the character Wilhelm as Phantom.
And Wilhelm was truly a madman.
Despite numerous obstacles and the collapse of various forces, he still initiated the Great Expedition.
He failed despite possessing eight unique items, but Wilhelm's achievement was of a level that would be remembered in the history of Pangea.
A true legend.
"If there's a phishing item in the secret auction house, I'll buy it. If you want to try, go ahead, but he'll kill everyone who comes in. That's the Phantom I know."
The woman's eyes sparkled.
'A Phantom stan.'
Thinking the same thing, the two men simultaneously scratched their heads.
"What do we do after making contact?"
"Of course, we have to invite him to our guild."
"Would Phantom join our guild, which has nothing?"
"We have to try. Of course, Phantom is undoubtedly a remarkable person in reality as well... but we're better than other madmen."
Most Pangea players are insane.
They can't distinguish between the game and reality and commit murders as casually as eating a meal.
Some of them have successfully rehabilitated their image due to the previous 'collapse' phenomenon, which brought monsters into the real world. However, the root remains unchanged.
"By the way, what kind of person is he? A CEO of a large company? Ah, is he probably the son of a wealthy family?"
The woman's eyes sparkled as she imagined.
The two men shook their heads at her.
*
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The moment I completed the exploration of the sanctuary with Dramute, the sub-quest was completed, and the rewards were listed.
"Wow!"
I marveled at the rewards.
A Teleport Book and an achievement for being the first to complete it.
Holding the thick blue book, the related description appeared.
γ€ŽTeleport Book (Epic)
A magical book that transports you to a location you have fully explored.
Casting time: 30 seconds, usable once per day.
Current Waypoints – Desert Sanctuary』
This book allows you to return to a dungeon or location once you have fully explored it.
While there are warps that teleport you to different regions, they are limited, inaccurate, and expensive.
This epic item solves all those issues.
'One million gold, here I come.'
One million gold. The price of a large mansion in Pangea.
'If I put it up in the secret auction house, there might be quite a demand.'
The secret auction house, activated by reaching the top ranks in Main Quest 2, allows all players to trade anonymously.
I have no intention of selling it, but I'm curious how much demand there would be if I did.
The Teleport Book is a 'super rare' item, with fewer than 20 in existence.
'And an achievement...'
Achieving an achievement requires overcoming countless trials and adversities. You must accomplish something worthy of being called an achievement in Pangea.
If recognized, your reputation will skyrocket. With increased reputation, you can gain titles and form friendly relations with named NPCs who only respond to those with specific reputations.
Most importantly,
'Level 3.'
Finally, Level 3.
I gain a level each time I complete a main quest.
However, it's not fast. In fact, it's too slow.
'The system increases the required experience based on talent. My required experience is probably at least ten times the average.'
Normally, by the time you complete Main Quest 2, you should be at least Level 4, and sometimes Level 5.
But I'm still at Level 3, which means my required experience is unrealistically high.
Due to having too many talents.
'But in exchange, the cap has been broken. The +10 per level has been fixed at +12. It seems to be thanks to a hidden trait...'
Of course, there are advantages.
The increase in experience is insignificant compared to the unimaginable advantages.
'Status screen.'
Muttering the words, a parchment appeared before my eyes.
Name: Randolph
Class: Heir of the Stars
Level: 3
Strength: 36 (+5) Health: 36 (+5) Agility: 36 (+5)
Intelligence: 36 (+5) Spirit: 36 (+5)
... Every time I level up, all my stats increase by exactly 12.
If someone saw this, they would probably yell, "Stop using bugs!"
It's an impossible value with normal gameplay.
'I understand that all my talents are maxed out, so my stats increase to the maximum value every time I level up, but the maximum should be 10.'
Stats increase randomly based on your talents and experience when you level up.
The maximum increase per level is 10, and you need to reach the pinnacle to have 100 individual stats at Level 10.
To exceed that, you need to transcend.
But I increase by 12, and all my stats do.
'At Level 10, I will have 2-star stats.'
I will have the stats that require transcending and eating two stars at Level 10. This is unprecedented.
Moreover, the 'Star Possession Effect' of my class increases all my stats by 5.
In five years of playing Pangea, this is the first time I've seen such a sight.
Once might be a coincidence, but twice is a pattern.
'There's a hidden trait I haven't seen before that's related to this.'
I stroked my chin thoughtfully.
Thirteen hidden traits. Three of them are new to me.
【Gourmand】, 【Great Sage】, and 【Heavenly (倩上)】
I don't know exactly what they are, but one of them is likely directly related to this phenomenon.
I can only discover their effects through trial and error.
In any case, I've obtained everything I can from this sanctuary exploration.
'Shadow Cloak, Fairy Queen's Tears, Teleport Book.'
Just looking at them makes me smile.
None of them can be discarded.
All are raid boss items with extremely low drop rates.
Especially 'Fairy Queen's Tears' is a must-have talisman. It's an extremely rare item that grants special options to equipment.
"Monster!"
"A giant sea creature has appeared in the sanctuary!"
Perhaps because we spent too much time exploring the sanctuary, warriors started to arrive and discover Dramute.
"We need to escape before the Great Warrior and the Queen arrive."
Isabella's expression hardened.
The number of warriors is increasing. We need to escape before the sanctuary is sealed.
"Dramute, cause chaos."
Swish!
Dramute moved at my command.
Even if he doesn't want to, he has no choice but to obey.
As Dramute started causing chaos, I slowly raised the Shadow Cloak.
"Use it together."
"Excuse me?"
"We need to leave the desert before a tracking party is formed. To do that, we need to leave without being noticed."
"Ah."
To slip away quietly during the chaos, this is the only way.
If soldiers spot me or Isabella directly, things will get worse.
Isabella entered the cloak.
"Get closer."
"...... Yes."
Isabella's eyes trembled slightly.
We stuck together and quietly began to leave the sanctuary under the cloak.
*
The warp to leave the desert.
It takes about half a day to activate.
"Don't worry. The curse is lifted."
Due to the curse, Isabella couldn't use the warp.
She couldn't escape the desert forever.
But now, with the blessing of the stars, she can use the warp.
"I trust... you."
Isabella nodded.
At the end of the desert, the opposite side is a black cliff. Only endless darkness fills the view.
Isabella's eyes were filled with a mix of desperation and urgency.
The only way to reach the next region is through the warp.
This part is the same as the game. The regions are not connected.
In any case, it's too late for Isabella to return. The Queen must have already noticed and sent search and tracking parties.
"I need to communicate with the stars until the warp activates."
"I will protect you."
Isabella showed a wary expression, understanding my meaning.
Communicating with the stars.
It means logging out.
But this place is not safe. If I log out, I might be attacked by beasts, monsters, or tracking parties.
I'm entrusting my safety entirely to Isabella.
If I had chosen the Guardian Charm instead of the Fairy Queen's Tears, I could have set a safe zone. But I have no regrets.
The Fairy Queen's Tears is an excellent talisman.
'At least it's a hopeful start.'
Before me lies a golden carpet leading to the Royal Road.
Considering the connection with reality, growth in Pangea is crucial.
If more Pangea monsters invade Earth in the future,
'... The Demon King. He might also descend.'
A monster that even Wilhelm couldn't defeat might appear in reality.
That chilling destruction.
Sitting down, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
'Log out.'
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*
Shower!
I shave while the shower water hits me.
After finishing the shower, I dry my body with a towel and dry my hair.
"Ah, refreshing."
How long has it been since I had a shower and shave?
The shower feels incredibly refreshing. I regret not having done this sooner.
'... I really lived like a shut-in.'
Sighing at the state of my room as I exit the bathroom.
After all, I've been living without contact with the outside world for over a month. I haven't cleaned properly and just lived haphazardly.
Going out to fight the giant mantis doesn't really count as going out.
Shut-in. But I can't stay depressed and holed up at home forever.
Even though I quit my job, I can't keep living like this.
"Let's clean up."
Just as I decided to clean the room,
Ding!
My phone vibrated with a notification of an incoming message.
Picking up the phone from the desk and checking the message,
I couldn't help but frown.
- Big brother, how are you?
... It was a message from my ex-girlfriend, who broke up with me because I had no future.