The term “flea market” originally referred to smaller local markets where anyone could set up a stall to sell registered items, but the Flea Market had long become its own beast. 0

A multinational corporation had adopted its namesake and expanded, opening up branches all across the globe. The Flea Market modeled itself around brokering the purchase and sale of items. As a pioneer and innovator, it was able to quickly leave its competitors in the dust and monopolize the practice. 0

One of the company's key innovations, created through heavy investment, was the virtual reality marketplace that hunters used to trade registered items. Kim Do-Joon had come to a capsule room to access it.0

"Welcome!" greeted an employee.0

After returning the greeting, Kim Do-Joon paid for an hour and proceeded to an unoccupied machine. Laying down in the capsule, he secured his hands and feet with bands and pulled on a pair of goggles bristling with wires.0

As Kim Do-Joon loaded into the virtual reality network, scores of statues appeared before his eyes: a soldier with a gun, a dragon breathing fire, and a swordsman swinging a blade. They were icons guiding players to different games. 0

Proceeding past them, he approached an archway with a sign that read "Flea Market." 0

When Kim Do-Joon opened the door and stepped through,...0