A S-Class Hunter With Great Agility - Chapter 102
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 102: Auction House (2)
What appeared on the platform was a pure white velvet cloth.
‘That’s it.’
I snapped my fingers. An artifact perfectly optimized for me, who wanted to enhance the Spirit General Sword.
The auctioneer continued with the explanation.
“This is an item that appeared in a dungeon in the Arctic. The story of how a Belarus Hunter’s C-grade axe was enhanced to S-grade after discovering this is quite famous.”
Soon the auctioneer switched to the next screen.
“The probability isn’t precisely known, but here are the records of 35 uses so far.”
‘Hmm, the probability isn’t particularly high…’
The probability shown on screen was literally random. Sometimes a D-grade weapon would come out as A-grade, and sometimes an E-grade artifact would change to E+.
However, there were quite a few failures too, like a B-grade transforming into D-grade. More than ten times out of thirty-five.
“It’s complete gambling…”
When I muttered, Hong I-jo glanced at me.
“Gambling, no good.”
“No, it’s just a metaphor, a metaphor.”
As expected from a guild that catches criminals. I emphasized my law-abiding nature and escaped suspicion.
Then the auctioneer listed the final explanation.
“And this artifact has three more uses remaining!”
The auction house stirred. Even those who had shown interest at first began expressing disappointment.
“Only three times? Hmm. I’ll have to pass this time.”
“Me too. If I’m going to gamble, I should go to a gambling house and lose big. The returns don’t match.”
“Who knows if a jackpot might hit? I’m going for it!”
Reactions began to split. Those who lost interest due to the low probability and people shouting ‘go for broke!’ were divided half and half.
“Then let’s start at 100 million, going up in increments of 10 million.”
Bidding began in the ambiguous atmosphere. This time mainly hunters raised their paddles.
“120 million.”
“130 million!”
“20 million more here.”
The price rose faster than expected. I bit my tongue briefly while pondering.
‘My current balance is…’
I thought of the number printed in my bank account.
‘After buying beef last time. The remaining money is thirty…’
…plus an additional 2.75 billion won.
After paying various taxes, about 2.5 billion came in. So roughly the available funds are…
“…Here. 180 million.”
I bid boldly.
Grandfather… You said I should live frugally, but. Sorry.
“Yes. 180 million is called. Any others?”
If not now, when else would I get to spend money on this scale? I cleared my throat.
And…
Actually, it’s not complete gambling either.
I looked at the pure white velvet cloth again.
‘A probability game.’
I know one method to guarantee success in such luck-based games.
“190 million.”
“200 million.”
I defended with 200 million and calculated the maximum amount I could invest.
Though my hands trembled since I wasn’t used to spending money yet, thinking about sweeping up A-Grade Magic Stones averaging 300 million each with a guaranteed enhanced weapon made it okay.
“Yes, 200 million. Good.”
The auctioneer proceeded with the auction in a cheerful tone.
Once it became double the starting price, the speed of paddle raises slowed down.
No matter how much 200 million was pocket change to them, it was natural to hesitate when thinking they might be throwing good money away.
‘Good.’
I grinned, thinking the item would soon be in my hands.
And that’s when it happened.
“250 million.”
“!”
Crazy. What bastard is that?
I turned my head toward where the voice came from. A very young child’s voice.
There sat Jung Su-hyuk, giggling away.
“That, this….”
Son of a bitch….
“260 million.”
“270 million.”
When I raised my paddle again, Jung Su-hyuk immediately countered. I ground my teeth.
“280 million.”
“290 million.”
‘Damn it. At this rate we’ll hit 300 million.’
I pondered for a moment. …Does that item have value worth over 300 million? My deliberation didn’t last long.
Phew….
I took a deep breath.
“Yes, we have 290 million. Are there any more bids?”
The auctioneer looked around the venue. Jung Su-hyuk crossed his arms in a triumphant pose as if he had already won.
‘I was going to make him a talisman later…. Cancelled.’
May you carry that misfortune on your back for life.
I clicked my tongue in annoyance.
“…300 million.”
Going all the way.
If I could just secure the probability, this was an artifact that could potentially get me an S-rank weapon. For someone like me who had ways to increase the odds, it wasn’t impossible to spend this much.
“…!”
Sure enough, I could see Jung Su-hyuk looking flustered.
‘He was probably just challenging me to mess with me.’
If he succeeded in winning the bid, Jung Su-hyuk would be stuck opening a 300 million won random box with terrible odds.
‘Oh, he’s hesitating.’
I smiled a victorious smile.
“Yes, 300 million. 300 million…. Are there any more bids?”
The auction house was quiet. No one would want to throw away 300 million they had worked so hard to earn.
Fortunately, most of the participants seemed to think somewhat rationally.
But….
There’s this thing called the law of crazy bastard conservation.
If neither you nor I are crazy, then there’s a law that says some other bastard must be insane….
“400 million!”
Fuck….
My eyes widened. A completely unexpected interloper had appeared.
The one who raised the bid by 100 million in one go was that National Assembly member from earlier. The one with assault charges.
‘Seven-time drunk driving offender….’
Ah! Really!
I barely managed to hold back from screaming.
‘What should I do?’
I’m really just an honest citizen. Even with my strange talents of using talismans and seeing ghosts, I don’t have the guts to throw away over 300 million.
‘I might go to an abandoned house with just a bell…. But this is really tough.’
Just when I’d gotten rid of Jung Su-hyuk, some corrupt official blocks my path….
I glared at the National Assembly member who was grinning broadly. When I saw him on the news he was definitely bald. Now with his mask on, he has a full head of hair.
But suddenly, I heard a low voice next to me.
“1 billion.”
…1 billion?
It was Hong I-jo.
He calmly called out 1 billion in a very ordinary appearance, without his Red Wings or the scar across his face.
“Cough, what?!”
I asked back in surprise. No, I was beyond surprised. Why suddenly….
“Repayment.”
“…!”
“But still. With just this…”
He muttered to himself without making eye contact with me. It seemed like he was saying something about this not being enough… Well, it wasn’t an immediately important topic anyway.
— The Guild Leader’s personal assets are quite substantial! She could probably get her hands on any item.
Now I finally understood what Wi Seo-jin had meant. This was insane.
“…Did you just bid 1 billion?”
“Hah, I’m getting curious about their real identity. Has anyone seen their actual face?”
“Does that artifact have some hidden function…?”
As the price shot up instantly, the participants began murmuring. Now the grass seemed greener on the other side.
However, the masks thoroughly concealed everyone’s identity, and no one was willing to easily jump into a 1 billion won bid following someone they didn’t even know.
“Yes, 1 billion, 1 billion, 1 billion. Sold.”
Soon after, the cheerful sound of the gavel rang out.
Bang bang.
I turned my head to look at the bald National Assembly Member. He was scowling and grumbling with a deeply furrowed brow.
‘Well, you should have lived more virtuously.’
I didn’t hold back the laughter that escaped. It was a very worthwhile harvest.
* * *
“Do you need it?”
“Are you asking if it was something I needed?”
“Yeah.”
“Yes. Very much so.”
I answered yes while nodding my head. Honestly, if I had the money, this artifact would be worth every penny of that 1 billion.
“I see.”
After confirming my intentions, Hong I-jo turned his gaze back to the platform. He didn’t even ask for reasons. Just my answer that it was something I needed seemed to be enough.
“I’ll put it to good use. …Should I enhance a weapon for you?”
“Gambling, no good.”
“I keep telling you it’s not gambling…”
He didn’t seem particularly interested in Yeti’s Gluttony. Since 1 billion was quite a large investment, I thought I should at least offer him one use.
‘…I’ll just accept it this time.’
I learned that you shouldn’t refuse things given with good intentions. Besides, it’s not like I was getting it for free.
I finished pondering and rested my chin on my hand.
‘Speaking of which…’
It was about time for it to come out.
The auction was racing toward its final stages. Various items had appeared on the platform, and I’d seen several quite interesting pieces, but that was all.
‘Doesn’t seem like there’s anything else worth buying.’
Then what remained was…
“Yes, this is the final item of today’s auction.”
The item I was selling.
“Since this is an item we received after the consignment period ended, we’re concerned that many of you may not have heard the preliminary information… Therefore, we’ll provide an explanation first before proceeding with the auction.”
At those words, the participants looked up. Except for the Hunters, everyone looked a bit tired. It was natural since the auction had been going on for over 2 hours already.
‘The decorative cord’s effect really is good.’
Thanks to the Blood Cord artifact, I didn’t feel any particular fatigue.
This made me realize that items, when used properly, could really be of great help.
‘I wonder if that will… be quite helpful to someone too.’
Soon after, a bracelet studded with brilliant gems appeared.
It was the item from the Elf Castle that Baek Kyul had plundered, which I had consigned through Hong I-jo.
“This is an artifact that can actually convert stamina stats into strength stats for a limited time. Our organizing side guarantees the performance of this artifact under the appraisal of a high-grade appraiser.”
The auctioneer explained in a calm tone. A brief description of the item also appeared on the screen.
Only then did the participants shed a layer of fatigue from their faces and begin buzzing with excitement.
“…Is that effect real?”
“Hah, that’s impossible. The appraiser must have made a mistake.”
“Items that can manipulate stats actually exist?”
“I’ve heard they exist. But I’ve never heard of anything at that level.”
Indeed…
‘It must really be a rare case.’
I stared intently at the item that had left my hands.
‘Please sell for a high price.’
Preferably enough that I could eat Korean beef all year without worry!
I had been wronged by the Lord, so I needed to get at least that much back. I silently prayed to the Heaven and Earth Deities.
Soon the auctioneer opened his mouth to call out the starting price.
“Then the starting price is…”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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