Chapter 27
As Karpe stepped into the auction house building, Cheonma asked:
• First things first, do you have space at home to put the capsule? Do you need your parents’ permission to bring it in?
“I have plenty of space. Permission is fine too. My parents aren’t around.”
• Ah…
Cheonma swallowed his words.
He always thought Karpe grew up happily without much hardship, but he never imagined there was such pain.
• I lacked consideration. I’m sorry…
“Africa? East Timor? You went on a mission somewhere, right? It’s been about two years?”
• This guy?
“Since I was in middle school, right? He’s always been doing volunteer work abroad. Both of them do it as a hobby.”
• …Middle school? It’s funny to see a third party commenting, but aren’t your parents too cool?
He wanted to say “Isn’t it irresponsible?”, but he couldn’t bring himself to say such things to someone else’s parents, so Cheonma said it in a roundabout way.
“It’s okay. It’s not like it’s anything else, it’s just doing good things again. Besides, I’m not the type to feel lonely, my living expenses are taken care of regularly… Most of all, being able to play games to my heart’s content was great. It was a win-win situation.”
• …Alright. If you’re okay with it.
Cheonma was convinced. This guy’s occasional reckless tendencies were undoubtedly 100% inherited.
• Anyway, it’s good. Let’s go register your account at the auction house first.
“I’ve been curious for a while, but what does buying capsules have to do with the auction house?”
• Since you’re buying it anyway, it’s best to buy the best model.
“Really?”
• You’ll find out soon.
The auction house building was very large and spacious.
It wasn’t as big as a real department store, but it was big enough, about half the size.
Of course, the building was bustling with countless users and NPCs.
• See over there?
In that vast space, Cheonma pointed to a space that resembled a bank counter.
NPCs of both genders were standing at partitioned desks, smiling and assisting customers.
• The actual work here is similar to a bank. Just as you need to open an account to do banking transactions, you need something similar to use the auction house.
“I see.”
Karpe also understood the situation, so he grabbed a waiting ticket and waited.
Ding dong.
“Customer number 137. How can I help you?”
There were many users waiting, but there were also many counters, so the wait was short.
As Karpe sat in front of the counter, a female NPC greeted him with a smile.
“Welcome, customer. This is where you register your account information to use the auction house. Shall I assist you with the registration?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Then please place your hand on the bead in front of you. The registration process may take some time.”
“Ah, so this is the registration device.”
As soon as he sat down, Karpe saw what looked like a witch’s crystal ball in front of him and wondered what it was for.
As he placed his hand on the crystal ball as instructed, it began emitting a faint light.
• It’s reading your information. Things like your account details, fingerprints, linked accounts, and so on.
‘Wow, does it really need to do all that?’
• Well, since Lase directly operates the current brokerage office, there’s no way around it.
As long as a trading system between users is established in online games, current transactions are inevitable.
Especially after a precedent was set in court a long time ago, recognizing in-game assets as personal property, it became even more active.
However, online game transactions always had a persistent problem.
That is, scammers running rampant.
What if you deposit cash and the other party disappears?
Due to the anonymity of online transactions, it was difficult to catch them, and even if they were caught, it took a long time.
That’s why the concept of “item mediation” sites like Lase was introduced.
• Lase operates it directly within the game. Only taking a flat 1% commission.
‘Ah, I see.’
He thought the server was maintained by selling skins, but it turned out they were making money like this.
It wasn’t for nothing that people said, “The world’s wealth is flowing into Lase.”
• Considering that fees on other mediation sites exceed 30%, this is a real bargain.
‘Come to think of it, I think I saw an article about how most of the current transaction sites went out of business because of Lase.’
The auction house mediation system, channel Lase, and others. The existing platforms never overlooked the fact that Lase was making money for them.
“Why don’t the game’s creators get any money?”
“Because of that.”
‘Because of what?’
• Because of that grading system.
‘What?’
• We came to the auction house because of that grading system.
‘Does it matter? I’ll probably get the lowest grade.’
That would make sense, considering he hasn’t made a single transaction.
• Well, generally, you’re right.
As Cheonma said that, the light from the crystal ball disappeared.
“Measurement is complete. Your grade is… Oh my?”
For the first time, the female NPC, who had maintained a businesslike attitude, showed a human reaction.
Seeing her reaction, Cheonma chuckled.
• But, Lase isn’t your typical game in many ways.
The NPC, who momentarily erased her surprised expression, spoke with a bright smile.
“Your grade has been measured as ‘Black,’ the highest grade from headquarters, granting you the best benefits at all facilities operated by the headquarters.”
“…What?”
Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Black.
Among the six account grades, Black grade was exceptional.
It was akin to a special grade that only a chosen few, like the Black Card in real life, could possess.
“How did this happen?”
“Lase’s account grade is determined by evaluating various factors comprehensively. It’s not simply based on wealth alone. Of course, as Karpe mentioned, transaction records are also crucial for grading. However, there’s something else that has the greatest impact on grading.”
“It’s about how much of a giant footprint Lase has left in the game.”
All user play information was stored in the user’s account. And this crystal ball, it was a device that read the user’s stored play information.
As Karpe placed his hand on it, the crystal ball made a discovery: a massive footprint hidden within the play records—a “myth,” so to speak.
“At this point, is there a bigger footprint than a myth grade? Among Blacks, it stands out without a doubt.”
“…So there are hardly any Black grade holders?”
“Of course. Ordinary users might not even know that the Black grade exists. Let’s see, at this point… Maybe around five in Korea?”
“Five?!”
Shocked beyond measure, words blurted out of me.
Karpe looked around in confusion. Thankfully, no one seemed to pay attention to his sudden outburst, thanks to the good soundproofing of the cubicle.
“Sir?”
“Oh, yes.”
“All registrations are complete. From now on, you can enjoy Black benefits at all subsidiaries of the headquarters. Do you need any further assistance?”
“No, I’m fine. It’s enough.”
“Alright. I’m planning to send you the details of the specific benefits that Black grade receives via email. Would that be alright with you?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ve sent it now. Feel free to contact us if you have any further questions. That’s all.”
The female NPC, after saying that, rose from her seat, clasped her hands together, and bowed her waist.
It was a perfect farewell, to the extent that one might wonder if she could be any more polite.
“It was an infinite honor to be a part of Lase’s history. We hope you continue to enjoy the games of the headquarters for a long time to come.”
Karpe briefly stared at the NPC’s farewell with a vacant expression.
An NPC that could distinguish between reality and the game—where had he seen such a lifelike program? He suddenly wondered if it wasn’t a character directly played by a real Lase employee.
‘Another world, indeed.’
As he looked at the NPC, whom he couldn’t help but think of as a person, the catchphrase of Lase came to mind. And he somewhat understood.
Karpe nodded slightly to the NPC and then left the auction house without delay.
***
After leaving the auction house, Karpe logged off.
Of course, before logging off, he had received instructions from Cheonma on how to purchase capsules. Despite hearing them, he wasn’t entirely convinced.
“Cheonma, even if it’s a Black grade, they won’t just give away capsules for free, right?”
“Of course not. They might provide them at almost cost price, but you still have to pay.”
“But what if I don’t have the money?”
“I’ll provide you with a treasure map, so take out what you need. Spend it all if you want.”
With that said, Cheonma provided Karpe with some information. Based on that information, he arrived at a gym not far from Gangnam Station.
“Let’s see, Neon Fitness Club. This is it.”
After confirming the signboard, Karpe walked confidently into the gym.
Ping!
“Hello. Welcome to Neon Fitness.”
As he entered the gym, a staff member at the counter greeted Karpe. He nodded slightly and headed towards the locker room.
“Phew.”
His heart pounded.
He worried that a staff member might stop him, thinking he was a newcomer… But then again, desk staff couldn’t possibly remember the faces of all members at all times.
“Locker number 163… Ah, here it is.”
It was obvious, but Karpe hadn’t come to the gym to work out. He was here to retrieve something from the locker.
Click!
The locker operated on a digital lock system. When Karpe entered the four-digit password Cheonma had provided, accompanied by an electronic sound, the locker opened.
Inside, just as Cheonma had described, there was a large black crossbody bag. When he took it out, it felt quite substantial.
Having completed his mission, Karpe left the gym and headed to a restroom near Gangnam Station.
Once inside a cubicle, he locked the door, then checked the contents of the crossbody bag.
“…Is this for real?”
He burst into a hollow laugh, unable to believe his eyes.
Inside the black crossbody bag were bundles of 50,000 won bills. As he rummaged through, a few gold bars even popped out.
“…Ha.”
If Cheonma were here, Karpe felt like he’d want to grab him by the collar and shake him.
Who in their right mind would leave bundles of cash in a gym locker?!
“Wait, seriously? You left a wad of cash in a gym locker?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“What if it gets lost?”
“If it gets lost, there’s nothing we can do about it. Gyms are surprisingly safe for storage. There’s no risk of account tracing, and if you register for long-term storage for about two years, there’s no need to worry about others touching it.”
“This is crazy, seriously.”
It was unjust for Cheonma to often call him abnormal or crazy. Who was calling the kettle black?
After calming his heart enough in the restroom, Karpe headed to the headquarters of Lase’s Korean branch.
Enjoying the story? Don't forget to rate 5 stars and review in NovelUpdte!