The Master of Strength

“Wha…what?”

He couldn’t help but be surprised by the unexpected slew of messages. He trying entering the 331.65 million once more then clicked send.

[Unable to complete the transfer due to low rating]

[Please increase your account’s rating or lower the amount]

[With your current rating of 9, the transfer limit is of 500,000 won]

“…”

It hadn’t been an error. Breathing erratically, Myeonghu quickly logged out of the game.

* * * *

“…Legends Exchange”

After exiting the capsule he accessed the trading site through the official Legends homepage. The trading site had been renamed as ‘Legends Exchange’, but Myeonghu thought little of it and searched for articles regarding account ratings.

“Is it this?”

He soon found one related to ratings. It was an article which explained in depth the differences between the ratings, so Myeonghu began to read it thoroughly.

“Rank…this what came up in the messages”

Rank 9: Daily limit of 500,000 won, 5% Transaction Fee 

Rank 8: Daily limit of 1 million won, 4.9% Transaction Fee 

Rank 7: Daily limit of 2 million won, 4.8% Transaction Fee 

Rank 6: Daily limit of 4 million won, 4.7% Transaction Fee 

Rank 5: 4.5% Transaction Fee, + Benefits [Read More]

Rank 4: 4% Transaction Fee, + Benefits [Read More]

Rank 3: 6% Transaction Fee, + Benefits [Read More]

Rank 2: 6.5% Transaction Fee, + Benefits [Read More]

Rank 1: 7% Transaction Fee , + Benefits [Read More]

Premium: 10% Transaction Fee, + Benefits [Read More]

“I really need to raise my rating.”

Sending 300 million in batches of just 500,000 won per day would take him forever.

“Then what conditions…”

He wasn’t so naive to think that he could raise his rank just because he wished it. There would naturally be some conditions attached to a rating promotion.

“Hm, for Rank 5 or higher it can only be processed at their headquarters….”

Up to Rank 6 one need to simply satisfy the prerequisites, but from 5 and onwards it requires an in person visit to their HQ.

“Then what about the conditions for a Rank 4 account.”

A Rank 4 required a total sales volume of 300 million won and at least 80 million of these had to have been processed in the past month. Fortunately he was able to satisfy these conditions due to his recent selling spree, but the only inconvenience was that he would have to pay a visit to their headquarters.

“At least it isn’t too far.”

It didn’t take long for him to get ready and head outside, en route towards the Legends Exchange headquarters.

“Okay, let’s visit there.”

He soon arrived before a 11 stories tall building.

“It’s really huge….”

The Legends exchange dealt with any cash transactions for the game, so it actually occupied all 11 floors of the building.

Walking in the lobby he approached the reception desk.

“How can I help you?”

THe reception greeted him with a warm smile.

“I’m here to increase my rating, where should I go?”

“Rank 5 to 3 is on the 4th floor, 2 and 1 are on the 5th and Premium Rank is on the 8th floor.”

“Thanks a lot, have a nice day.”

After a friendly exchange, Myeonghu made his way to the 4th floor.

‘Is it this way?’

After arriving on the 4th floor, he simply walked strength and found the reception desk right away.

“I came to raise my rank, is this the right place?”

“Oh, could you tell me which rank you would like to apply for?”

“The Rank 4”

“For Rank 4 please go this way,”

The receptionist simply pointed to the side and Myeonhu followed in that direction.

‘There it is!’

He soon after arrived before a door labeled ‘Rank 4 department’.

Twisting the knob, he opened the door and headed inside.

“Hello?”

After opening the door a fit and muscled man standing nearby greeted him.

“Here is your number, there are currently 3 people in line ahead of you.

He said as he handed Myeonghu his number.

‘I feel like I’m at a bank….’

Taking the number her went to have seat, as he waited for his turn.

. . .

“Number 89 please.”

‘That’s me.’

He took the number out of his pocket to double check, then went up to the employee which just called out the number.

“I came to raise my rank.”

The work quickly and efficiently handed him four different documents.

“Please fill these out and hand us your ID card.”

“…”

He took the time to thoroughly read through each form, before filling them out and handing them back along with his ID card.

“Please wait one moment.”

Having received the forms, the worker proceeded to input the information into his computer. He then took out a pen and checked a certain box before stamping all four forms and placing them in a large envelope which he filed away.

Having dealt with the documents, he picked up the phone and made a call.

“I just uploaded some files and sent them your way, have a look and call me back.”

After ending the call he finally looked back up at Myeonghu.

“Unfortunately since you’re currently Rank 9, I’m unable to promote you directly to Rank 4.”

“…?”

“You’ve done more than 300 million in sales and at least 80 million were in the past month, so the conditions are indeed satisfied. However our system is set up in a way that one can at most jump from Rank 9 to 6. The next upgrade has to be authorized by the Rank 5 department and only then can we upgrade your account to Rank 4. Please bear with me one moment, it shouldn’t take too long.

“I see…”

After hearing his explanation Myeonghu understood what the latest phone call was about.

“There was something I was wondering about….”

Since they had some time to kill before the process went through, he went ahead and asked a question.

“Yes what is it?”

“If I were to go one month without selling 80 million won worth of transactions in my account, would it be demoted to Rank 5?”

Myeonghu curiously asked the employee

“No, once you are Rank 4 you wouldn’t drop for such a reason. However, If you don’t process a total of 150 million won within 6 months, then your account would indeed drop to Rank 5

“Ah…”

Myeonghu nodded back and began to think.

‘So the system is set up in a way that requires constant payments of fees in order to maintain one’s Rank’

It meant that one had to constantly be selling items of gold which would result in generous fees for the company.

Ring! Ring!

“Yes, I see, good job.”

He hung up the phone and confirmed the information on the computer, before turning to Myeonghu with a beaming smile.

“Congratulations, you’re now Rank 4.”

“Ah, thanks for your hard work.”

Myeonghu was excited that his rank had finally been adjusted, so he got up and headed to a computer which was made available for customers in the department. Logging into his Legends account, he proceeded to transfer the money into his personal bank account.

Having done all he came to do, he quickly went downstairs and left the building. Walking around the block he went up to an ATM and inserted his bankbook. He wanted to be absolutely sure that the money had been properly transferred.

“…”

He was left speechless upon seeing his account contain more that 300 million won. Swallowing nervously, he stored his bankbook safely in his inner jacket pocket and then went back home.

* * * *

“Myeonghu you’re back?”

Myeonghu looked at the bankbook in his hands with a smile as he heard his mother call out.

“Yes, I’m home.”

“Do you want some coffee?”

“Sure”

Walked to the kitchen and sat down, waiting for his mom to prepare him a cup of coffee.

“Mom, I have something I’d like to talk about.”

I felt it was time to tell her about that time.

“Hm?”

“I went for some water the other day and overheard you on the phone, talking about some debt.”

“Oh the 200 million?”

“… uh yeah.”

He felt somewhat confused by her casual response.

“I’ve already paid it back!”

“…?”

Myeongu couldn’t help but scratch his head, confused. This wasn’t 20,000 won they were talking about, but 200 million! How could she have simply paid it all back?

‘Is it because she is trying to insulate me from this?’

“Seriously, you can tell me the truth.’

‘Myeonghu asked once more. His mother then replied earnestly while looked straight at him.

“I’ve really paid it all back.”

“For real…?”

Myeonghu replied in a tone that sounded quite unconvinced. Why would she keep lying to him?

“Yes, I spent a bit of cash and exchanged it into game money”

“What?”

“I bought an item for 20,000 won in cash and later sold it for 700 million in the game, so I was able to pay back Minseo’s mom with interest even.”

“…”

The 200 million debt wasn’t in real cash.

‘It had all been some game currency all along.’