A S-Class Hunter With Great Agility - Chapter 103

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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 103: Auction House (3)

 

“We’ll start at 700 million.”

 

Perfect.

 

I cheered inwardly. It was a good start.

I didn’t know how much S- grade artifacts traded for on average, but looking at the number 700 million alone, it was a very satisfying amount.

 

‘They’re really going to give me 3 billion after all.’

 

I decided to forgive the Elf Lord for chewing those eyeball-shaped vegetables in front of me.

But the moment the auctioneer called out the bid increment, my eyes widened.

 

“Bids will increase by 100 million increments.”

 

100 million?

 

“800 million.”

“Here, 900 million.”

“1.1 billion!”

 

Paddles shot up rapidly. Not just hunters, but political figures and people of unknown identity were bidding continuously without pause.

Despite being the final auction, the atmosphere in the hall was burning with excitement.

 

“1.3 billion!”

“1.4 billion.”

 

The auctioneer skillfully turned his gaze to check every paddle. Before I knew it, the amount had doubled from the starting price.

 

‘It’s going up way more than I expected?’

 

I made a flustered face. At this rate, it might sell for more than what I earned from the magic stones.

 

“1.6 billion.”

 

A voice I’d heard earlier brushed past my ears. I looked toward the seat next to Jung Su-hyuk.

There sat a brown-haired Yu-kyung holding up a paddle.

 

‘As expected… Eden’s financial power must be tremendous too.’

 

Yu-kyung didn’t even blink while spending such a fortune. Even with her face hidden by a mask, her resolute posture and eyes were so characteristic of her.

 

“Yes, 1.6 billion. Any more bids?”

“1.7 billion!”

“Damn it, 1.8 billion!”

 

However, when someone called 1.7 billion, she irritably raised her paddle again.

…Even that was so like Yu-kyung. I laughed awkwardly and pretended not to know her.

 

‘Anyway, at this rate it should easily pass 2 billion… I wonder where it’ll stop.’

 

Actually, even thinking in units of billions didn’t feel real.

I’d have to get used to it from now on. Both income and expenses beyond common sense – that’s the hunter ecosystem.

 

“Section Chief, can I ask you something?”

“Yeah.”

“About how much do you think it’ll sell for? I still can’t guess.”

“Hmm…”

 

He thought for a moment. Then slowly held up his fingers. Three total.

 

“3 billion… I see.”

“Yeah.”

 

Hong I-jo seemed to choose his words carefully before adding a couple sentences.

 

“Attack, important.”

“…”

“But more important than life… no.”

 

It was roughly the reason I’d expected.

From experiencing various battles, I’d learned that inside dungeons, it ultimately comes down to ‘endurance fighting.’

Monsters don’t come one at a time – there are countless enemies to fight. In that situation, if a hunter could choose between strength and stamina, choosing the latter would be more rational.

You can’t kill all the monsters in a dungeon with 10 minutes of strength gained by spending stamina.

 

‘The hunters’ bids are gradually decreasing.’

 

Checking behind the masks, many were ordinary people whose grades didn’t show up in the status window.

Since artifacts that affect stats are rare, they seemed to be people wanting to purchase them for research.

 

‘Should I be satisfied with this much?’

 

I felt lightly relieved. This bracelet had been like a bonus from the start anyway.

Just having similar profits to the magic stones was enough to serve its purpose.

 

“2.8 billion.”

“Ugh… 2.9 billion!”

 

A couple more people dropped out. The auctioneer checked the paddles rising more slowly than before and picked up his gavel.

 

“2.9 billion, any more bids?”

“…3 billion!”

“Yes, 3 billion.”

 

With the person who finally called 3 billion as the last, no more paddles went up.

 

“Ah, it would’ve been perfect for our company’s research investment…”

“Ugh, what a waste. If I’d known an item like that would appear, I would’ve brought more budget.”

“3 billion, are there no more bids?”

 

The auctioneer looked around the hall for a few seconds, making a final confirmation.

I slowly raised the corners of my mouth.

 

‘With zero investment, how much profit am I making right now…’

 

I even cleared the Elf Dungeon with the Association President’s money, and all I did was swing my sword and slice up monsters.

Just by putting my life on the line for a bit, I’m making dozens of times more money than I would earning a living as a shaman…

I touched the tip of my nose with a proud expression.

 

‘When I get home today, I should call Choi Yu-il and throw a beef party…’

 

Finally, the auctioneer raised the gavel.

Soon, when the clear sound rings out, I would finally become a former shaman with 5.7 billion won in my bank account.

 

“3 billion, 3 billion, 3 billion. Yes, it has been sold…”

 

However, unexpected events are called unexpected because they can happen at any time.

 

“Here.”

 

From somewhere, a language other than Korean could be heard. My gaze moved to find the owner of that voice.

 

‘English?’

 

It was a man sitting in the very corner of the auction house, in a seat that was barely visible.

He raised his paddle and opened his mouth.

 

“8 billion.”

 

Wait a minute.

What did he just— what did he say?

 

At that suddenly uttered phrase, the auction house was instantly filled with commotion.

 

“8 billion? He, he definitely said that, right?”

“Yes, it was in English but… I think that’s right.”

“Huh. Is he some kind of foreigner? Isn’t this just a disguise tactic?”

 

The appearance under the mask was no different from a typical Korean.

Bronze-colored hair and light eyes that glinted occasionally. Just an Asian man who was a bit bigger than other people.

 

“Didn’t you hear? I said 8 billion.”

 

However, he spoke irritably again with fluent English pronunciation.

People were busy trying to gauge whether his English was a smokescreen or genuine.

 

‘That guy…’

 

I activated my Spiritual Sight. When someone suddenly calls out three times the current bid, I should at least know their identity.

 

Crackle.

 

But an error appeared in the status window.

 

‘Damn. Too far.’

 

The seat where the man was sitting was too far from here. The interior of the auction house was quite spacious, and it was impossible to check someone sitting in that far corner with Spiritual Sight.

 

Crackle crackle.

 

No matter how many times I tried, the result was failure.

 

“…Yes, 8 billion has been called.”

 

The auctioneer, who had been wearing a dazed expression for a moment, immediately continued speaking.

 

Bang bang.

 

“Sold.”

 

Until the sound of the gavel rang out. That 8 billion was never broken.

 

* * *

 

I pressed my forehead with a serious expression.

 

“….”

 

Next to me, looking like I was carrying all the world’s troubles, Hong I-jo was still there.

 

“…Manager. Could this possibly be a dream?”

 

I opened my mouth that wouldn’t move. My voice trembled. Of course it did.

 

‘8 billion…’

 

Not 800,000 won, not 80 million won, but 8 billion won. I felt an indescribable emotion.

 

In the end, I couldn’t reveal that man’s identity. The moment the auction ended, I quickly followed him with my eyes, but he had already disappeared as if he had evaporated.

 

‘…Right. Let’s move on for now.’

 

What’s important right now isn’t the identity of the person who paid the money, but the money I’m going to receive as a result.

 

“A dream?”

“Yes. It’s definitely a dream. Ah, but you don’t need to hit me to confirm it.”

 

That would be a direct trip to the afterlife. Hong I-jo withdrew his hand and canceled his action plan.

 

“It’s not time to sleep yet.”

“…That’s right.”

 

It was too early to be dreaming. So this all means it’s reality, right? Haha, ha…

 

“When does the money come in… to the consigner?”

“2 weeks.”

 

2 weeks later…

 

I clenched my fist. Now it’s truly farewell. To all those overdue bills for electricity and water that had piled up.

No more having to survive on ramen because I had no money, no more days of handing out business cards hoping for just one more customer – those days are gone forever…!

 

‘To think one dungeon could hit such a jackpot.’

 

I covered my face as waves of emotion washed over me. …L-let me calm down first.

 

“It’s not my money until it hits the bank account…”

 

I deliberately muttered to myself, trying to calm my heart. Enjoying this situation could wait until after the numbers appeared in my account.

 

Hong I-jo glanced at me and added an explanation.

 

“The item too, delivered in 2 weeks.”

“Ah.”

 

Right. I need to prepare to use Yeti’s Gluttony too. Mentally and physically, it seemed like I’d be busy in many ways.

 

Huh. But…

 

“But where are we going now?”

 

The auction was already over. People were leaving the auction house, and Sister Yu-kyung had also given a light greeting and headed outside.

I thought Hong I-jo and I would be going home now too.

 

“….”

 

Hong I-jo silently began to walk.

 

“…?”

 

I made a puzzled face. Where else was there to go from the lobby in front of the auction house besides the exit?

 

“Where are you going?”

“Still…”

 

Hong I-jo muttered absentmindedly.

 

“Things to do.”

“….”

“Remaining.”

 

And he didn’t stop walking. Come to think of it…

 

 

‘Was it something unrelated to the auction earlier?’

 

“I see. Then what about me?”

 

I asked while following Hong I-jo. He hesitated for a moment at my question.

 

“You can go. This is my business.”

 

…What?

 

At those words, I urgently asked back.

 

“Wait a minute. You’re joking, right?”

“….”

“How am I supposed to get home…?”

 

Hong I-jo didn’t answer. He just rolled his eyes slightly as if he didn’t understand.

 

“…Hong I-jo, you know.”

 

I finally stopped walking. This was a problematic situation. And quite a big one at that.

I raised one hand to point outside the building and spoke frankly.

 

“This place is in a remote area…?”

 

Right. I came here by flying through the sky too. When everyone was busy hiding their identities, would the auction house be located in the city?

There were no buses running around here, and I hadn’t gotten a car yet since I couldn’t afford one. But in this situation, if my only means of transportation declares they’re leaving first, how am I supposed to get home…

 

“Ah.”

 

Hong I-jo finally seemed to realize the problem and stopped.

 

“…Hmm.”

 

After hesitating, he soon opened his mouth.

 

“…This way.”

 

In the end, Hong I-jo took me along. The option of taking me home and coming back seemed difficult to consider.

Well… can’t be helped. I’m also a bit curious about what kind of business this is.

 

‘I wonder if it’ll take long.’

 

I followed Hong I-jo out with the feeling of having reserved a taxi.

 

* * *

 

The place we arrived at was the underground of a building.

 

“Welcome. Let me help you with code verification first.”

 

A masked staff member spotted me and Hong I-jo and blocked the entrance.

 

‘…That’s strange. The staff members weren’t wearing masks before.’

 

When I checked with Spiritual Sight, he was a C-rank Awakened.

Not only that, but several other B~C-rank Awakened were standing guard at the door wearing masks.

 

‘Security guards?’

 

“Hmm…”

 

I tilted my head briefly as if finding it strange, but it was only for a moment. Because Hong I-jo handed me something.

 

“This.”

 

It was red paper. On it were seat numbers and dates written like a performance ticket.

When I followed Hong I-jo and handed the ticket to the staff member, he scanned the code with a machine on his wrist.

 

“Confirmed. Please enjoy your viewing.”

 

Creak.

 

After the staff member finished speaking, the black door opened. Up to this point, it was unmistakably the entrance procedure for a theater performance.

 

“Are you planning to watch a performance?”

“…Yeah.”

 

‘I don’t think so though…’

 

I looked suspicious. And for good reason, since I didn’t have a particularly good feeling about this. That characteristic chilling sensation that gnawed at the back of my neck.

It seemed I needed to be careful.

 

Flash.

 

Soon bright lighting entered my eyes.

 

“This place is…”

 

The interior decorated in luxurious red, with audience seats and stage clearly visible below my line of sight.

It was an opera theater, specifically a box seat.

 

‘It really is a performance hall?’

 

“….”

 

Hong I-jo walked to the edge of the balcony and looked down.

In the audience seats below, several audience members were already seated.

 

“It’s a wonderful place. Spacious.”

“Yeah.”

 

It was like a place that would only appear in movies.

 

The important thing was here.

What were we going to do.

 

My curiosity was resolved not long after.

 

Click.

 

The theater lights went out.

 

“…!”

 

Complete blackout.

I couldn’t see anything.

 

Click.

 

And then the stage lighting turned on. In the dark, pitch-black space, only that place was.

 

“Thank you for waiting so long!”

 

Brightly illuminated.

 

I furrowed my brow. What had stepped onto the stage where an opera performance should have been held was that auctioneer I had seen earlier.

 

‘The appearance is different but… That’s right. It’s the same person as before.’

 

What was he trying to do?

 

The auctioneer, dressed in a much more luxurious and flashy suit than before and even wearing a mask on his face, stretched both arms toward the audience.

 

“Ah— you really have waited so long. You must have been bored, right? We should have started sooner for you, but this is quite embarrassing.”

 

His tone, which had been calm and professional, had changed to something clear and quick, like that of a ‘show host.’

 

“Ladies and gentlemen! All the boring stuff is over. Ah, really. It’s all finished.”

 

The auctioneer adjusted his mask and continued his lines smoothly.

 

“Then without delaying any longer, shall we slowly begin now?”

“….”

“From now on, a very unique show will unfold.”

 

Snap.

 

The auctioneer snapped his fingers.

 

Rumble.

Clank.

 

Something descended from the ceiling.

 

“…Section Chief, no. Mr. Hong I-jo.”

 

I spoke in a sunken voice. I couldn’t believe the scene before my eyes.

 

“The task you mentioned… is it perhaps this?”

 

Hong I-jo answered with a silent expression.

 

“Yeah.”

 

What descended from the ceiling were dozens of iron cages made of steel.

 

Inside those iron cages….

 

Growl.

Graaaaaaah!

Groooooowl.

 

There were monsters flashing their sharp teeth.

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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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