Episode 13: Galaxy Agora (Part 1)
"Thanks for your service."
Thud.
The taxi door closed.
Kim Si-moon stepped out and craned his neck upward, taking in the massive building before him - so vast it couldn't be comprehended in a single glance, so tall he had to tilt his head back fully to see its summit.
"Still unchanged."
The structure stood exactly as he remembered from his past life before Korea's collapse. Si-moon gazed at the colossal edifice with eyes tinged by nostalgia.
Whoa~. It's ridiculously big. This is that player holy ground?
"Right. To be precise, it's called Galaxy Agora."
A department store in Apgujeong, positioned above Rodeo Street with Han River views - this was none other than the players' sanctuary known as Galaxy Agora.
Galaxy Agora? Did the Arena authorities provide this?
"Not exactly. Galaxy Arena directly manages only the broadcast operations."
Well, they rarely intervene physically. Then why the Galaxy branding?
"Window dressing. Every country has at least one Galaxy Agora besides this."
Hmm~ I get the picture now.
The Philosopher's Stone inquired with curiosity:
So this is where you trade Arena goods?
"Correct. Auctions, personal shops, party recruitment. Even with online communities, many prefer using Agora."
Though offline commerce seemed antiquated in this age, more players utilized it than one might expect. The reason was simple:
'You need to see things personally to feel secure.'
Given the high price tags, players favored inspecting items firsthand. While online trades through communities weren't rare, they were mostly limited to basic materials or potions. For equipment worth millions of won, delivery posed too many risks.
The same logic applied to party recruitment.
'Since you're matching with people, you should meet at least once.'
It functioned like an interview. Many players preferred face-to-face meetings before committing to shared Arena runs. This kept Galaxy Agora thriving across all nations.
Mid-conversation with the Philosopher's Stone:
"Pardon me. Are you Awakened?"
"Yes."
Si-moon found himself at the entrance where a black-suited woman barred his path, retrieving something from her breast pocket.
"We require brief verification. Could you store and retrieve this from your inventory?"
Nodding, Si-moon accepted the low-grade potion she offered.
"Inventory."
He opened his storage interface, deposited the vial, waited two seconds, then withdrew it. To observers, the potion simply blinked out and back into existence.
"Thank you for cooperating. Your Player Watch."
She presented a sleek bracelet - an advanced artifact handling everything from transaction logs to party matchmaking and Agora navigation. Si-moon fastened it to his left wrist with practiced ease.
A faint chime resonated from his chest.
Ooh~ Oppa, this is synthetic alchemy?
'Right. Alchemist-made.'
True to its nature as an alchemical entity, the Philosopher's Stone immediately discerned the watch's essence.
Though alchemy's the base, there's multi-disciplinary work here. Who made it?
'Hmm... Never considered that. Probably Association alchemists or major guild affiliates?'
Large organizations maintained numerous production-specialized players. This was likely crafted by national Association members or commissioned guild experts.
"First time at Galaxy Agora? Need instructions for the Watch..."
"Unnecessary. I've used one before."
"Understood. Then enjoy your visit."
Perhaps confirmed as Awakened, the woman softened her gaze and bowed respectfully.
Si-moon fiddled with his Watch past the gates. Miniature holograms materialized above it, strikingly similar to Galaxy Arena's system interfaces.
'They really put effort into mirroring the aesthetics.'
After syncing basic profile data, Si-moon moved through the cavernous interior that dwarfed even its imposing exterior.
"Hey hear? Scorpion Guild purged their low-ranks yesterday!"
"Someone in America got Constellation's Choice! Ugh! So f***ing jealous!"
"Check this! Straight S-rank! Opponents screwed up so hard I feasted! Hah!"
"Damn... My viewership halved after last Arena's controversy. What now...?"
The bustling crowd amplified the building's energy.
Yikes. Disgustingly crowded. All these people are players?
"Mostly. Some might just be Awakened, but inventory access is mandatory for entry."
While conversing with the Stone, Si-moon boarded a nearby elevator marked for the 4th-floor auction hall. As doors closed on additional passengers:
"Heard this Academy batch's insane?"
"Historical class. Kim Si-hyuk and Lee Yu-jeong leading."
"Those brats cracked Diamond ages ago."
The elevator chatter proved irresistible:
"Diamond-ranked? When?"
"Months back. You living under rock? First Koreans to hit Diamond in four years."
"Bullshit! I've been stuck in Gold four f***ing years!"
The four players conversed like established teammates:
"Silver spoon advantage. With Association backing or Samsung heiress status, I'd rank too."
"F*** off. Academy's merit-based. They're just freaks."
"Exactly. Admissions are all about Awakening stats and traits. Rumor says both have dual traits?"
"Heard that too. Maybe they found trait-granting items?"
Ding.
The doors opened. Si-moon chuckled involuntarily upon exiting.
Huh? Why laugh?
"Amusing irony."
Awakening-bestowed stats and traits recognized no earthly status. Whether nobility or pauper, all stood equal before these gifts. This equality drove millions to crave Awakening - the ultimate social elevator.
Yet people misunderstood:
'In the end, your Awakening gifts become your new silver spoon.'
Though players could transcend their initial advantages through effort, one's starting traits largely dictated futures.
'Can't blame them though.'
Si-moon understood their frustration.
'I was worse once.'
He'd felt greater resentment. Memories surfaced - Kim Si-hyuk and Lee Yu-jeong. If he had...
Smack!
'No! Kim Si-moon, stop this.'
He shook his head sharply, slapping his own cheeks. The past was immutable. Reflecting on his previous life, those choices had been correct. Crucially:
'I've already forgiven.'
His internal declaration drew another bitter chuckle. "Forgiveness" was nonsensical - it had been pure accident. Even given another chance, he'd choose identically.
Oppa?
The Stone chimed from his sternum.
Don't know what happened, but stop hitting yourself. Serious.
"...Right."
Si-moon quietly lowered his hand.
His destination was the auction house's periphery on fourth floor central - a marketplace dominated by guild stores rather than individual vendors.
'Better for items too awkward for auctions.'
He glanced at his inventory's [Hobgoblin Battle Axe]. Classified as standard-issue combat gear with top-tier STR+5, it was quality equipment. But "standard-issue" categorization doomed it to fixed pricing.
While surveying outer stalls, an oversized store caught his eye. Familiar blue logo.
'Samsung.'
Maintaining global prominence post-Galaxy Arena's emergence, Samsung's guild store occupied the floor's most expansive plot.
'Must've invested in Agora's construction.'
No corporate hands stayed clean, even in nationally managed zones. As a top player guild, Samsung's influence was inevitable.
Approaching Samsung's store, his reasoning was simple:
'Major guilds mean swift, clean transactions.'
Whoosh.
"Welcome."
True to its name, Samsung's store boasted sleek automated doors and minimalist design. Every item ranked C-class or higher, with layout segregating tiers.
'Corporate might shows.'
Si-moon headed straight to the counter where a middle-aged man polishing artifacts glanced him over before smiling.
"Seeking anything specific?"
"Here to sell, not buy."
"Ah, a seller..."
The clerk's smile deepened.
"First sales visitor in ages. This way."
He led to a section lined with appraisal scrolls and artifacts, indicating a scale-like platform.
"Place your item here."
As Si-moon produced the axe:
"Oh?"
The monocular-spectacled man's eyes gleamed. Upon placement:
"Hobgoblin Battle Axe. Maximum strength variant."
"Yes. Can we proceed immediately?"
"Naturally."
The clerk manipulated his more intricate Player Watch.
"Current Galaxy Agora pricing history."
Neat charts appeared. Si-moon's eyes widened.
"42 million won?"
Unthinkable for standard B-class gear.
"Correct. Yesterday's +4 STR model sold for 38 million."
Realization struck.
'Right - this is eleven years prior.'
Pre-Cataclysm B-class items held different value when Diamond ranks were scarce.
'Unexpected windfall.'
Doubling his initial 10-million-won estimate, Si-moon smiled.
'Can upgrade the planned elixir.'
As he prepared to accept:
"However..."
The clerk's gaze turned icy.
"May I inquire how you obtained this?"
He scrutinized Si-moon head-to-toe.
"I'm a production-class player. You don't strike me as high-level."
"Ah."
Understanding dawned.
'Suspicion.'
Logical - as Samsung staff, the clerk's level couldn't be low. To him, a level 7 obtaining Platinum-tier loot was inconceivable.
"May I ask your level?"
"Seven."
"Seven? And you want full cash payment?"
"Yes."
The clerk removed his spectacles, interlacing fingers.
"Sir, this is Samsung. Any establishment would refuse questionable goods."
Si-moon protested:
"There's misunderstanding-"
"Seven? Obtained Platinum-tier loot?"
The clerk's incredulous tone made Si-moon's head throb.
'Complicated...'
Material items favored cash over AP among production-class buyers. But a low-level selling high-tier loot?
'Naturally suspicious.'
Who'd believe a level 7 cleared Platinum content? Even Si-moon found it absurd. Yet truth remained.
"Sir." The clerk summoned a female employee.
"Customer at section B."
"Yes, Manager."
Despite the empty storefront, she withdrew without question.
Once alone, the manager sneered:
"Let's be brief."
He nodded at a red button.
"Pressing this summons Agora security. The owner would be found."
"You're accusing without evidence-"
The manager cut him off, voice dropping:
"Your type always has sob stories. Let's make this easy."
He displayed a 10-million-won transfer screen.
"Accept this, and I won't press it. Total discretion guaranteed."
The manager's greasy smile widened.
"Choose."
Though security involvement would complicate matters, Si-moon had witnesses like Samsung's Kim Min-hyung and Scorpion Guild trio. But first-
'This is ridiculous!'
A corporate manager accusing customers without proof?
"Are you joking-"
A crystalline voice interrupted:
"Fascinating discussion, Manager Kim."
Si-moon turned as if bewitched.
"Quite bold since your Apgujeong promotion."
There she stood - purity incarnate.
"Running scams in Samsung stores at noon? Lost your mind?"
"Miss?! How-"
Her cold smile melted into warmth upon seeing Si-moon's stunned face.
How could he forget?
Nine years hence:
"Lee Yu-jeong..."
The architect of Korea's final collapse.
