A few days later.After taking some rest, Han Yuseong decided to return to Seoul.But before that, there was a place he needed to stop by.
"Welcome. Are you looking for something in particular?""I have some items to dispose of."
He was there to take care of some "Mamitems."They were items that belonged to the Vowed of the Dead. The problem was, using the dimensional auction house could easily draw attention.So instead, he decided to visit the black market.
"If you're getting rid of items, you should go to the dimensional auction house.""If these were the kind of items I could deal with there, I would have.""Huh, so these are items that can't be handled at the auction house?"
Black markets exist not only in Korea but in many parts of the world.On the surface, they look like ordinary shops, but by using the flavor of those guarding them, one can dispose of stolen or forbidden goods.Of course, such black markets couldn't be used by just anyone.
A plain and unremarkable general store.The clerk guarding the place, who also looked completely ordinary, silently stared at Han Yuseong.As if waiting for him to say something.
Han Yuseong opened his mouth.
"I seek things untouched by light, hidden in the shadows."
It was the passphrase required to use the black market.The clerk's expression changed the moment he heard it.Without a word, he pressed a button beneath the counter.The shop's windows and door immediately shut, and curtains drew closed, plunging the room into darkness.
"What kind of items are you here to deal with?""Stolen goods."
Han Yuseong laid out the items.Wands and staffs clattered onto the table in a heap.The clerk's eyes gleamed subtly.
"Items used by necromancers, huh? These can fetch a good price... I wonder where you managed to get your hands on things like this…""Isn't it better not to ask questions?""Fair point. My apologies."
The clerk gave a crooked grin and pulled out a calculator.As he started appraising the items, he asked casually, almost as an afterthought:
"Is there anything else you need?""A dimensional backpack. A hood that hides the face.""You're in luck. We happen to have both in stock."
The clerk waved his fingers through the air.Space itself split open, and two items floated out:a small backpack sized for the waist, and a pitch-black hood.
[Compact Dimensional Backpack (Unique)]· A dimensional backpack capable of holding a limited number of magical items. If the storage limit is exceeded, it automatically expels items.
[Hood of the Veil (Unique)]· Slot: Head· Defense: 5· When equipped, activates the "Veil" effect, concealing the wearer's face and making it difficult for others to recognize them.
Naturally, both were high-grade magical items.Dimensional backpacks were expensive and difficult to acquire—especially larger ones.What could be found in a modest black market like this would likely be the bare minimum.
"Even so, this Hood of the Veil seems decent enough."
He felt the need to hide his identity, which was why he decided to buy it.With the Veil effect, it should at least serve its basic purpose of concealment.
"With the backpack and the Hood of the Veil together, that'll be five marks. Seems fair—what do you think?""Cash.""Perfect."
It wasn't a generous offer, but neither was it a rip-off.The price was reasonable for a quick transaction.
"Come again anytime.""Your name?""Me? Name's not important—just call me Hank."
The name Hank sounded fake no matter who heard it.Han Yuseong gave a small nod and turned away.
"I should build some rapport with the black market too."
The black market operated on a hidden reputation system—the more rare and valuable items one sold, the higher one's tier would rise.And it was the clerks who decided that tier.If Han Yuseong could build a relationship with Hank, it might eventually grant him access to higher-level black markets.That was still a long way off, though.
[Are you finished with your business?]"Yeah, just about..."
Han Yuseong lifted his head.Beyond the distance lay an abandoned amusement park.
"Time to pay a visit to the Carnival of Delight."
He quickened his pace.
The "Carnival of Delight" was located within a theme park in Seoul.The park had long been shut down, no longer open to the public.And yet, even with no official operation, something had clearly moved in.The rides—old, rusting—were moving on their own,even though no one was riding them.They spun and creaked in eerie solitude.Endlessly.
"Come one, come all! Right this way, dear guests!""If you're late, you'll miss your ticket! Hurry!"
Figures dressed like theme park staff were calling out to invisible guests.They were Vowed of Delight—enticing souls into their domain.
Just beyond the Vowed stood the towering Gate of Trials.Han Yuseong silently gazed up at it.
[Trial: Carnival of Delight]A trial opened by the Lord of Delight. A variety of themed games await within.Challengers must complete the games and reach the end of the trial.
Rule 1: Game contents may change in real time depending on the Lord's mood. Difficulty may increase—be warned.Rule 2: You may give up at any time. If you've managed to entertain the Lord, you'll still receive a reward worthy of that performance.
Entry Fee: None
This trial was layered with numerous gimmicks.It might begin with simple monster hunts, then shift into mock investigations, tower defenses, labyrinth traversals, and more.
But among all those mechanics, one thing mattered above all else.
"Step right up! Welcome to the land of dreams—The Carnival of Delight!""Please use the attractions properly and remember—this park exists for one thing only: to entertain the Lord!""If the Lord is entertained, guess what? Rewards rain down~ Isn't that lovely?""And don't worry—dying in the more dangerous games won't even count against you!""So don't be shy—join in the fun!"
The "staff" shouted joyfully, giggling as they did so.
That's right. The core mechanic of this trial was exactly that.
"To entertain the Lord of Delight."
Even if a challenger cleared every game,they wouldn't necessarily receive a good reward—if the Lord hadn't enjoyed the performance.
"If you fail to entertain, clearing the trial means nothing."
That's why those strange rules were posted so clearly.Fortunately, there was at least one helpful aspect: a kind of gauge that showed whether the Lord was currently amused or not.
"Alright then! Let's count how many participants we've got today!""Whoa... looks like we've easily passed a thousand!"
The Carnival of Delight was no easy trial.And yet, a huge number of players had gathered, all aiming to clear it.The reason was simple:
"That guy who cleared it last time walked away with insane rewards... I want in, too!""A trial that hands out prizes like that and doesn't even charge an entry fee? Worth it.""And you can even quit partway through if it gets too rough…""The Lord of Delight may be eccentric, but at least he plays fair."
Three things drew in the masses:Powerful rewards. Free entry. The option to quit midway.And strangely enough, despite being the Lord of Delight,this particular sovereign had gained a reputation among players…for being trustworthy.
"Wonderful! Looks like the Lord will be quite pleased!""Oh, and don't worry if you're concerned about the number of participants!""The Carnival is infinite! It has endless space and endless fun!""Do your best to entertain our Lord, everyone!""Well then! Shall we begin?!"
The gate that had been firmly shut—swung wide open.
From beyond it, a brilliant light burst forth,engulfing the players who had been waiting at its threshold.
Their vision spun for just a moment.
"Lately… it feels like I've been ending up in places like this a lot…"
[I share the same thought.]
Han Yuseong stood in the spacious lobby.Of course, he wasn't alone. There were other Flavers (플베이머), though not many.At most, about a hundred.
"Huh? Did the others go to Muddy?""They were probably summoned somewhere else. They said various mini-games were waiting.""Looks like they divided people up based on the mini-games.""Hmm, I wonder what kind of game it'll be... Did anyone hear anything?""Not really. The Playground of Ecstasy is known to change every time it gets destroyed… I've heard some things, but they probably won't matter."
The Flavers chatted among themselves, trying to figure out the situation.Just then, a noise came from the direction of Muddy.
— Waaaahhh!
"...What the heck? That sounds like a kid crying.""Is there a child in the playground or something? Why is it so...?"
It was a cry full of frustration.If you had to guess the age based on the sound alone, it would be about that of an elementary schooler.And then, at that very moment:
[The Lord of Ecstasy is bored. Unable to endure the overwhelming boredom, the Lord is crying like a child.][Ecstasy Level: 0%.]
A message appeared before everyone's eyes.The expressions of the Flavers twisted in strange ways.The Lord is crying? And not because of some great sorrow or tragedy, but just out of sheer boredom, like a kid throwing a tantrum?
It was a situation too unbelievable to believe, even after seeing it with their own eyes.
[The Ecstasy Gauge applies individually to each of you. The higher your gauge, the greater your final reward.][But if the gauge continues to drop…]
[Ecstasy Gauge: -3%6.]
The Ecstasy Gauge doesn't stop at 0%.Beyond that, it can go into the negatives.And when it goes negative...
[Your body becomes heavier. All stats decrease by 3%.]
[That's the penalty you receive! So make sure to entertain the Lord of Ecstasy—whatever you do, don't bore them!][Now, opening the playground!]
The scenery twisted.The wide, empty lobby warped as if the space itself folded in on itself, and turned into a massive platform.Stairs rose on either side, and at the center of the platform stood a large crystal.
[Mini Game 1: Guardian Stone Defense][Protect the Guardian Stone from the approaching monsters—from the skies, from the ground! Monsters will swarm in from all directions, so do your best to hold out!][If the Guardian Stone is destroyed, the game is considered failed.][Tip: Good things might happen if your Ecstasy Gauge rises?]
Just as the explanation ended, shrieks erupted from all sides.A cacophony of footsteps and the flapping of wings echoed throughout the space.
— Kyaaaaahhh!— Groooooaaaarrr...
"Monsters! Monsters are swarming us from all directions!"
Crystals appeared in the sky and on the ground, and then portals burst open.From beyond those portals, countless monsters emerged.In the sky—monsters resembling harpies.On the ground—trolls, ogres, and all kinds of beasts.It was truly a full-on monster invasion.And they all targeted one thing.
BOOOOM!
"They're attacking this place!""Damn it all…!"
At the center of the platform floated the Guardian Stone.The harpies swooped through the air, directly aiming for the stone.The ground monsters charged up the stairs.The Flavers grabbed their weapons, tense and alert.
"Form up—quickly!""Archers, mages, priests in the back! Warriors up front! Everyone else, just—damn it! Do something! I don't care what, just don't let those bastards through!""Move!"
The monsters charged toward the Guardian Stone.The Flavers fought desperately to hold them back.A fierce battle erupted in every direction—and the gauge responded in kind.
[Ecstasy Gauge: 5%.][Ecstasy Gauge: 11%.]
The Ecstasy Gauge had started to rise.And just as the message had hinted, a "good thing" happened.
[The Lord of Ecstasy feels a slight interest.][Due to the Ecstasy Gauge effect, all stats have increased by 10%!]
"A buff! So this is the good thing it was talking about!""Alright, this is doable now!"
The Flavers received a buff.Buffs, or things that could aid in the mini-game—these were the so-called "good things" mentioned in the message.The higher the gauge rose, the stronger the buffs would be.At this level, the players finally felt a sense of hope—we can do this!
But then…
[Ecstasy Gauge: 12%6.][Ecstasy Gauge: 8%.]
"Wait, what the hell?! The gauge is…!"
It didn't last long.The Ecstasy Gauge started to drop again.
[The Lord of Ecstasy is bored by the simple defense pattern.][Buff removed.]
Naturally, the buffs were stripped away.Seeing this, the Flavers let out hollow laughs with bewildered expressions.Just seconds ago, the Lord had claimed to be interested—was that fleeting curiosity already gone?Was their attention span really that fickle?
Even more alarming was what came next:
[Ecstasy Gauge: -1%.][Warning! The Lord of Ecstasy is yawning.][If the boredom becomes too severe, debuffs may be applied!]
As previously warned, the gauge could drop into the negatives.The hands of the Flavers gripping their weapons began to tremble.Debuffs, on top of everything else? To prevent that, they had to keep the Lord of Ecstasy entertained.But how? While also holding off the monsters—how on earth were they supposed to do that?
"Simple."
Only one person knew the answer.Han Yuseong.A deep smile spread across his face, half hidden under his hood.
"All I have to do… is make it so the Lord can't take their eyes off me."
He just needed to create a battle so compelling, so irresistible, that the Lord of Ecstasy would be glued to it.And that—was Han Yuseong's specialty.