On Earth, in the Main Headquarters of the Yandere Corporation.
The avatar of the Goddess of Identity was looking down on the mundane Capital City of Seoul from the hundredth floor of the Yandere Corporation's main building. Her expression was serene yet it was painted with mischievousness; her light pink eyes were gleaming, though behind those abyssal gaze were thoughts only known to herself; and her long amethyst hair was cascading similar to the sky clouds driven by the winds.
"Hehe." The avatar of the Goddess of Identity giggled.
"The Stripper, huh? Ryder isn't taking his situation too seriously. Perhaps being in that hellhole all those years deprived him of a sense of reality. It doesn't matter… it doesn't matter! I will give you all the love you deserve that you haven't received throughout your dark times. Hehe. Isn't that right?"
"Yes, my Goddess."
"Yes, my Goddess."
"Yes, my Goddess."
Behind the avatar of the Goddess of Identity, three distinct women each donning a traditional attire; an intricate kimono, a gothic dress, and a robe, lowered their heads in genuine delight as they synchronized in response.
One of the women, someone wearing the traditional kimono who possessed long orange hair, whose eyes with the same hue as those shimmering strands were slit, opened her mouth to speak.
"The Dimensional Fall update will be released after Ryder completes his first mission that aligns with the Main Storyline, Goddess."
Hearing this, the persona of the Goddess of Identity smirked.
"As it should be, Hehe."
***
In the World of Chuuni, within the rented room of a particular tavern.
Ryder assessed his situation upon learning about Lihan's existence. The former tried to recall every bit of information posted on the official forum of the Cosmic Nomenclatures about the circumstances surrounding Lihan and his connection to the Venerable Sky Clan.
"One thing is for sure though… the player who reported Lihan after discreetly verifying him became instant rich…"
With the exception of the Kum Coins given to every beginner, the ones acquired through commissions, dungeon raids, monster hunting, and any other source of income through life and death could be exchanged to the real world in the form of real currency and cryptocurrency solely established by the Yandere Corporation.
"It's highly likely that the item in his possession is worth more… but I think the player who managed to snitch on him did not get a glimpse of it. Was it perhaps a Starlight? It's highly probable… Sigh, since I have some time, I guess I'll check for that essence first."
Even though every eye-related skill possessed an innate ability to inspect a person's Status Window, it could not penetrate the [Affair's Space] since it was a different function under the system.
"Let's go to the nearest auction house first," Ryder muttered, leaving him to ponder.
"No, wait… Even if I'm lucky enough, strangely so, for a hobgoblin to drop an essence, it's still suspicious in a sense as a newly registered Awakener."
After some introspection, and taking into consideration the nature of the World of Chuuni partly molded in the image of lawless Murim, Ryder decided to consult the particular guild receptionist of the Awakener's Guild.
***
"Wow, is this perhaps what you call the beginner's luck?!" With her dilated green eyes, Reina exclaimed.
In her grasp, was the palm-sized amethyst crystalline sphere that Ryder acquired from the hobgoblin. "Also, in retrospect after the verification of your first completed commission, it's a surprise that you've managed to kill a hobgoblin. You're more skilled than I thought! Maybe you're blessed with a great [Title]!
'Great [Title], my foot.' Ryder restrained himself from blurting such words.
"I'll take your compliment. Anyway, what can I do with it?" He still asked though he was aware of the options.
"Hm, since it's an unexpected harvest… I guess you aren't aware yet as a newbie Awakener. In any case, if someone acquires a valuable item such as Essences, which are commonly known for being valuable, he or she can choose between the three options: trade, commercial selling, and auctioneering."
Reina briefly explained the difference between the transaction options. After a while, she then asked,
"How would you like your goods to be handled, Awakener Ryder?"
"Wait, may I know the current market value of such an essence?"
'Come on, it should be half a million!'
"Of course, wait a moment," Reina said as she retrieved a ledger of prices from her own spatial storage.
After some time, Ryder attentively listened to the answers to his query.
"A Hobgoblin Essence, generally speaking, ranges from half a million in terms of market value. However, considering that what you've acquired possesses Low-level Heightened Senses, it's highly likely to jump around a million and maybe more if it's auctioned. Moreover…"
Listening to everything, Ryder pondered and considered every factor possible.
"I will go for auction, Miss Reina. Please process it for me." He casually responded.
"All right, Awakener Ryder! I'll process your request. Just remember that there's an eight percent (8%) tax for the guild and seven percent (7%) for the auction house, which will be deducted from the final bidding price. Will that be fine?"
'Even the horrors of damn taxes exist in this world.' Ryder inwardly lampooned before nodding to the receptionist.
"Okay, come back here on the seventh day of the week! Thank you for trusting the Awakener's Guild!"
***
In a few days, since Ryder transmigrated to the World of Chuuni through the mysterious existence known as the Goddess of Identity, he completed various subjugation missions that were either guild-assigned or personally-assigned.
[You have slain an Orc.]
[EXP has been obtained!]
[You have leveled up!]
…
[You have slain an Orc Chief.]
[A great amount of EXP has been obtained!]
[You have leveled up!]
…
[You have slain a Wood Troll.]
[EXP has been obtained!]
[You have leveled up!]
Soaked with blood from the elusive trolls in the depths of the Erindem Forest, Ryder set up a camp for the cold night.
"Sigh, eight more levels since the qualification to raise by Cultivation Rank." He muttered while his gaze focused on the grilling jerkies atop the bonfire.
According to the cultivation system of the World of Chuuni designed by the Yandere Corporation, or maybe just by the Goddess of Identity alone, an Awakener from the Virgin Soul had levels ranging from 0 to 20. After breakthrough using some means, the Awakener would become a Dual Soul, with levels ranging from 21 to 40… It was the same process and standards. However, leveling up was far easier until one reached the Trinity Soul, which was the current Cultivation Rank of the Royal Princess of the Queendom of Eclipse-Luna Valentine.
"Speaking of that two-fanged goddess, I wonder how she's doing…"
"Why? Do you miss me that badly?"
At that moment, the familiar serene yet seductively warm voice echoed behind him. Her breath moistened his ears.