Joon-ho sat in silence, still digesting Blaze's explanation. After a long pause, he glanced at her, scratching his cheek awkwardly.
"…Hey, is there… like, a shopping center here or something?"
Blaze looked at him, surprised. Then the corner of her lips curved into a faint smile.
"Oh? You finally ask. Let's go then."
The Spawn Hub was buzzing more than ever. Dozens upon dozens of players wandered about, their avatars wildly different from each other.
A towering man with horns shaped like a minotaur brushed past. Nearby, a ghostlike figure drifted lazily above the ground, transparent mist trailing from their body. A girl with fairy wings argued with a hooded cyborg wielding mechanical arms. The hub was alive with all sorts of fantastical beings—proof that here, people had embraced their wildest imaginations.
Amidst all of them, Blaze pulled up her appearance like she was preparing for a runway show.
A long, deep-purple coat with featherlike trim settled over her shoulders. A creamy white bodycon dress hugged her frame, elegant yet fierce. She wrapped a stylish scarf loosely around her neck, slid on oversized sunglasses, and flipped her hair as though cameras were flashing.
Meanwhile, right beside her stood Joon-ho… still in the same old jacket and pants he had always worn.
Blaze gave him a long look from behind her shades.
"You're really gonna pull up like this?"
Joon-ho blinked at her, confused. "…What's wrong with it?"
Blaze sighed, shaking her head. "Forget it. Let's get you some clothes."
She opened her menu, scrolling casually before selecting something. A glowing icon appeared at her fingertip: Teleport – Shopping Center.
Blaze lifted her hand toward him.
Joon-ho stared, his mind instantly twisting the gesture. His face reddened a little.
"W-wait… What? Oh, I get it." He smirked faintly. "You like me, don't you? That's why—"
Blaze snapped her head toward him, cheeks faintly pink but her voice sharp.
"Shut up and hold my hand, idiot. The teleport won't work otherwise."
"...Oh." Joon-ho muttered, ears burning. He hesitantly grabbed her hand.
A glowing circle expanded beneath their feet, symbols whirling upward in spirals of light. In the next instant, the hub dissolved away, replaced by a gleaming new world.
They stood inside the Shopping Center.
It stretched endlessly in all directions—a futuristic megamall filled with glowing signs, floating holograms of outfits, and glass walkways suspended high in the air. Robotic shop assistants whirred past on wheels. Entire sections sparkled with displays of armor, sleek casual wear, even accessories glowing faintly with enchantments.
Above, a massive holographic board flickered: Welcome to Avalon Mall – Fashion, Gear, and More!
Joon-ho's jaw dropped.
"…Okay. This is insane."
The premium shop was unlike anything Joon-ho had ever seen.
Crystal chandeliers floated in midair, shining a soft golden light across shelves lined with designer coats, gleaming boots, and accessories that looked fit for royalty. Velvet carpets stretched across the floor, and even the mannequins shimmered with a faint magical aura.
Joon-ho's jaw nearly hit the ground.
"…This place looks like a palace…"
Blaze, arms crossed, gave him a side glance. "Well, it is premium. Don't embarrass me."
Joon-ho ignored her warning and immediately grabbed the first outfit he saw—a sparkling silver jacket with neon stripes and shoulder spikes. He disappeared into the fitting room, then came strutting out like it was a fashion runway.
"What do you think?"
Blaze's face remained neutral for three seconds before she burst out laughing.
"You look like a rejected backup dancer from a music video."
"Wha—hey!" Joon-ho scowled and hurried back in.
Next he tried a glowing red leather coat with chains hanging from the sleeves. Blaze tilted her head, squinting.
"…You look like a budget villain from a superhero movie."
Her smirk widened as Joon-ho groaned and stormed back inside.
The process repeated again and again—bright hoodies, long capes, even a strange medieval knight suit with bunny ears for some reason. Each time he walked out, Blaze's expressions shifted from stifled laughter to full-blown amusement.
Finally, after watching him suffer enough, Blaze pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Okay, that's enough. You really don't have any taste in outfits."
Joon-ho pouted. "Hey, I'm trying!"
"Step aside." She walked past him, selecting something from the rack without hesitation. "Wear this."
A few minutes later, the fitting room door opened slowly.
Joon-ho stepped out.
He wore a long beige trench coat that reached just above his ankles, flowing slightly with his movements. Underneath, a jet-black shirt clung neatly to his frame, paired with slim, dark-blue pants. His hands were wrapped in black gloves, sharp and clean.
For the first time, Blaze's laughter stopped. She just… stared.
Joon-ho adjusted his coat awkwardly. "So… how do I look?"
Blaze blinked, quickly shaking her head as if to snap herself out of a trance.
"…It's… fine. It suits you." She turned away too quickly. "Not bad at all."
At the cashier, a sleek-looking robot scanned the tag on the coat.
"That will be 10,000 Units, sir."
Joon-ho nearly tripped. "WHAT!? For just clothes!?"
A moment later, the two stepped out of the store, Joon-ho grumbling with a paper bag in hand.
"Ten thousand units… that's robbery. They better give me stat points with this thing."
Blaze smirked, walking ahead with her scarf swaying.
"Relax. At least you don't look like a circus act anymore."
Joon-ho sighed, pulling at his new coat. "…Still expensive for just cloth."
"Alright," Joon-ho said, tugging lightly at his new coat, "let's go eat somewhere."
Blaze adjusted her scarf, nodding. "Okay."
The two walked side by side down the glowing avenues of the Shopping Center. Glass walkways reflected neon lights above them, holographic advertisements shifted and danced in the air.
But what caught attention wasn't the scenery—it was them.
Everywhere they went, heads turned.
Groups of girls whispered loudly from behind clothing racks.
"Woah, look at him."
"He's so hot!"
"Is he new? I've never seen him before."
Even some of the male players glanced with envy, muttering under their breath. Blaze, ever composed, ignored the stares, but Joon-ho shifted uncomfortably, pretending not to hear.
Finally, they entered a high-end restaurant, the kind with glass tables and levitating candles. They sat across from each other, menus projected in midair. After ordering, silence lingered for a moment before Joon-ho leaned forward.
"With those stats you showed me," he said, "you must be one of the top players here, right?"
Blaze didn't even flinch.
"I'm nowhere near even the top 100."
Joon-ho froze, blinking. "…What?"
"You can check the leaderboard in your menu," she said, sipping water calmly. "The top ten players? They're already above level 300. At minimum."
His jaw almost dropped. "Three hundred!?"
Blaze's tone remained steady. "And as for me being the richest or having the most kills? Not even top 100 in either category."
Joon-ho leaned back, stunned. "Just… how? With your stats, I thought—"
"It's not that simple," Blaze cut in. "Climbing up there is… difficult."
Joon-ho stayed quiet for a while, tapping his fingers on the glass table, his mind racing. Finally, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"…Alright then. I've decided." He stood slowly, coat swaying behind him.
Blaze tilted her head. "What now?"
"Tomorrow," he said, eyes sharp, voice steady. "Let's go for a massive grind."
A faint smirk appeared on his face, confidence burning through his expression.
Blaze stared at him for a moment, then a small, almost invisible smile tugged at her lips.