Four hours after James entered the gate, everyone wore tense expressions as they waited.
Philia said that James had insisted on solo clearing the gate himself.
Then, it happened.
The red gate’s light began to shift to a pure white.
The boss monster had been defeated.
In an instant, reporters swarmed toward the gate.
Soon, James’s figure was revealed.
Click-click–
The dazzling flashes kept going off nonstop.
Reporters thrust their microphones and phones forward.
“Mr. James, did you really defend the gate all on your own?”
“As you can see, that’s exactly what happened.”
“How did you manage to defend a gate that hadn’t been defended for the first 24 hours? Did you have any involvement with the player association visitors from Korea?”
“I won’t comment on that part.”
James flashed a faint smile and slipped away from the reporters.
He slipped into a back alley and boarded a van that had been waiting.
Inside the car, Dohyun removed his sunglasses and spoke.
“So, how was it? You said performance was guaranteed.”
“It was truly amazing. Honestly, I want to buy one right now.”
James laughed heartily and patted Dohyun’s shoulder.
This was the first time he had seen such a desirable item.
It felt like a completely different person now.
But James showed no greed.
He carefully unfastened the bracelet he had been wearing, letting out a sigh.
“But it’s only right to return it to the original owner.”
“Tell them to use it again next time. I’m already working on a new project in Korea.”
Dohyun accepted the bracelet and hinted with a subtle tone.
There was a reason he had personally come all the way to America.
“A project? So you quit the Korean association, huh? Or were you kicked out, knowing your personality?”
Being longtime friends, James knew Dohyun’s temperament well.
He couldn’t stand injustice.
Especially since Dohyun hated the dark side of the association the most, he wouldn’t hesitate to charge right in.
But Dohyun shook his head as if to deny it.
“To be exact, it’s not my project. Do you remember Seo pildu, whom I introduced to you before?”
“That smart guy? Of course I remember. I only know two Koreans, so how could I forget?”
“That friend’s starting a business that lends items like the bracelet you used—not just for condition management and treating complexes, but also for players.”
Since it was something unusual, Dohyun naturally assumed it was his.
Though the chance was slim, with high-floor gates, legendary-grade items sometimes appeared.
The bracelet he used this time was no different.
In terms of effect, it wasn’t inferior to legendary items.
In fact, it was even better.
It was an item every player would covet.
“Is that friend a player too? Judging by the fact they got such an item, they must be really lucky.”
James smiled pleasantly.
“You could say that.”
Dohyun hid the owner of the item.
It wouldn’t do any good to say otherwise.
James didn’t distrust him.
In fact, in some ways, Dohyun was the most honest and righteous friend he had.
But knowing Dohyun’s personality, if he found out the true identity of a rank SSS player, he’d immediately storm over to Korea.
That had to be prevented at all costs.
With the most popular star in America making a move, all eyes would focus on him.
“If it’s your friend’s business, of course I’ll help. How about acting as an advertising model or something?”
“That sounds good.”
Though it was a joking exchange, their intentions were clear.
James wasn’t foolish to accept the American association team leader position for nothing.
The true nature hidden behind that smile was even more cunning.
“Let’s talk about the price later. It’s been a while since we met, so how about a drink?”
As expected.
He knew what really mattered.
Price.
The power of the flower bracelet was incredible, but whether it was worth 1,000 tons of magic stones was a difficult question.
That much money could buy five decent legendary-grade items.
This time was a special case that couldn’t be helped.
They couldn’t just watch New York collapse.
Still, Dohyun wasn’t backing down easily.
Now that the business was getting serious, a wide network and good trading partners were essential for stable growth.
In that sense, there was no better trading partner than James sitting before him.
He had America’s backing.
The world’s strongest nation.
Not only money, but magic stones could also be freely circulated.
“That’s a good thought. I definitely want to take it a step further.”
That was why now, after experiencing the item’s effects, was the best time.
As time passes, people become clearer-headed.
They can make broader and more rational choices.
But when they have tasted such overwhelming power like now, even the smartest person’s judgment becomes clouded.
Overwhelming strength.
The person who understood this best was James himself.
James dropped the frivolous smile and put on a serious expression.
Philia’s flame magic had maximized the item’s effects, but even without that, the effect was absurd.
“No matter what, 1,000 tons is way too much.”
“For America, 1,000 tons of magic stones isn’t unreasonable?”
“Hahaha, not wrong. But the association’s recent movements are suspiciously sluggish.”
James’s gaze dropped low.
“So that rumor might be true.”
“It’s not confirmed yet. I’m investigating secretly too.”
The rumor Dohyun mentioned was that the association was trying to tame magical beasts.
There were even talks that their special treatment of tamed players was an investment for the future.
The association had already abandoned human players.
They wanted powerful magical beasts that obeyed only them.
“Well, besides this, we plan to lend various items going forward, so don’t think they’re too cheap. We only lend them in urgent situations like today.”
Still, Dohyun wouldn’t back out over price.
He wasn’t the one using the item.
It was an action for an SSS-rank player.
In a way, it was for the entire world.
“Ha, can’t be helped. Alright, but promise me you’ll introduce me to the owner of the item later.”
“!!”
Dohyun couldn’t help but show a surprised expression at James’s request.
“Haha, I may look like this, but I’m James. I can tell the item isn’t Mr. Seo’s. Well, there must be a reason you’re hiding your identity, so I won’t pry.”
The American association team leader was not someone to let his guard down even for a moment.
“Hmm, I’ll have to ask the person involved directly, but I’ll try my best.”
“So you’re Mr. Kang after all. Shall we head to the old pub you used to visit during your academy days?”
James activated the auto-driving system and headed toward the familiar pub.
Dohyun had a drink there just yesterday, but this was all part of business.
He smiled awkwardly and sent a successful sales message to Pildu.
***
A leisurely Sunday.
Woo Min prepared to go out early in the morning.
He had always been a homebody, but since becoming a player, he had barely gone outside.
Maybe just to circle gates or go to convenience stores occasionally?
But today was special.
It was his mother’s birthday.
He planned to go to his family home and reveal that he was an SSS-rank player.
Everyone would surely be shocked.
If I say I’m the SSS player praised on the web, they’ll flip out.
He also packed some proof carefully.
A Polaroid photo signed by Seolha.
That would definitely convince them.
After finishing all preparations, he boarded the train.
It took about two hours to reach his family home in Suwon.
Bbyak!
Bbiee—
Pachi.
The adorable triplets had come along.
How could he leave his younger brothers behind?
Knock-knock-knock-knock—
Beep beep beep beep.
After entering the four-digit door lock code and opening the door, a lavish feast was already laid out.
His father and younger brothers had gotten up early to prepare everything for their mother.
“You’re here!”
“Ah, our player son is here?”
The first to greet him was his father.
Maybe because he gave him money to buy fishing gear, he seemed happier than usual.
“Bro, are you really a player now? I don’t know about others, but that doesn’t suit you at all.”
As soon as he put down his luggage, his younger brother bombarded him with questions.
He had just started college and dyed his hair.
Of course, Woo Min ignored his little brother’s teasing and sat at the dining table.
“Happy birthday.”
“Yeah, our son’s the best.”
“Hey now, the food was made by me and Woo Hyuk.”
“Hmph, Woo Min gives us pocket money. You think I don’t know you and Woo Hyuk got some too?”
His mother’s words silenced the room.
She was definitely the family’s supreme authority.
That’s why money was great.
The supreme authority always had your back.
“Actually, I have something to tell you. Today’s a good day to say it.”
He cautiously brought up the topic.
It was finally time to reveal his SSS rank.
“What is it? Say it already.”
“Yeah, yeah. Our dutiful son. Even if you quit being a player, your mom will understand.”
“Well, knowing your personality, being a player sounds dangerous. Living cautiously isn’t a bad thing.”
Everyone seemed to see him as a fragile man.
Well, safety had always been the top priority no matter what since childhood.
He understood that.
But—
“Bbyak, Somi and Toto. We’re family, say hello.”
Today was different.
Bbyak Bbyak!
Bbiee Bbiee!
Pachi!
The triplets appeared, peeking their faces out from his hoodie.
“I’m actually a rank S player.”
“Cough cough.”
His father was surprised and choked on his words.
His younger brother stared at him wide-eyed.
The only one who remained unfazed was his mother.
“Really?”
“Of course. These are the magical beasts I raise.”
He slowly introduced the triplets to his family.
The dependable eldest, Bbyak.
The versatile inventor, Somi.
The nimble troublemaker, Toto.
“So your special ability is raising magical beasts?”
“That’s right.”
“Woo Hyuk, what are magical beasts exactly?”
“It’s similar to monsters but a bit different.”
Since Woo Hyuk knew about the Tower and gates, he explained to their father.
“Such cute creatures can really be indestructible?”
Bbyak!
Before he knew it, Bbyak was perched on their mother’s shoulder, acting affectionate.
As the eldest, he immediately recognized who the supreme authority was.
Not to be outdone, Somi clung to their father.
Toto was held in Woo Hyuk’s arms.
“I can’t believe such adorable creatures are magical beasts.”
Fortunately, no one in the family seemed to dislike the triplets.
After all, who could hate such cuties?
Having introduced the new siblings, it was time to show the proof he had brought.
What would their reaction be?
“Here, this is a photo and signature of Seolha.”
“Seolha? You mean the Seolha I know?”
As expected, Woo Hyuk’s reaction was exactly as predicted.
“Really?”
“Of course.”
“These are the magical beasts I raise.”
The respect in Woo Hyuk’s eyes, who had lived with him all this time, was unlike anything before.
“Bro, are you close with Seolha?”
“Hmm, you could say that.”
“Really? Awesome. Can you get me her number later? I’m a fan.”
“I’ll think about it.”
He scratched his shoulder awkwardly.
Next time they met, he’d have to give a gift or something.
“By the way, tell us about what happened in the Tower.”
“Yeah, Dad’s curious too.”
“Hmm, can’t be helped. But don’t talk about it anywhere else, alright?”
He blushed a little.
Everyone was looking only at him.
Well then, it was time to let loose.
From his first meeting with the triplets, reaching rank SSS, various items, stories of Taejin who was his school bully, to the reactions of association members.
He talked so much that his throat got dry.
“A few days ago, I even acquired some land inside the Tower.”
“Really? Where? Was it dangerous?”
“Of course not. I wish I could show it all to you.”
He smiled shyly, rubbing the back of his head.
Even if not everything, it’d be great to invite the family to the plains.
Grill some meat, go fishing together.
Weekend farm, campfires, sunbathing.
There’d be plenty to do.
At that moment, he thought to himself, and a system window appeared before his eyes.
[You can invite guests to the Hidden Plains.]
Free pass: 1,000 kg magic stones
Daily pass: 50 kg magic stones
Prices were listed according to the pass type.
What? You could invite people to the plains too?