I Became a Disaster-Class Newbie by Stealing Abilities - Chapter 48

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 48. The Auction (1)
By the second day of the Ball, the event’s true highlight had begun in the adjoining hall.
A grand auction was underway.
“Master, you seem to be in quite a good mood.”
“Did something happen last night?”
Baek Seol-gi and Amy tilted their heads in unison.
I couldn’t help but grin like a fool — naturally, it caught their attention.
“There’s truth to the saying that contentment flows from a full purse. With my coffers so pleasantly heavy, I’m finding even that bristle-faced knight over there rather charming.”
I smiled warmly at the thought of the High-grade Mana Stones I’d stashed away in subspace.
Namgung Cheon had likely realized the truth last night and thrown a fit for the ages.
But what of it?
In a world where the deceived are fools, there was no point in sympathy.
Especially not for trash who’d betrayed his own family and tried to sell out Namgung Soo-ho.
And what I’d gained wasn’t merely coin.
[Skill: Cang Qiong Da Yan Shen Gong]
[Acquisition Difficulty: A]
[Description: The Inner Energy cultivation method of the Namgung Clan. Allows rapid recovery of magical power and Inner Energy.]
[Basic Passive: Magic Recovery Speed +5%]
[Active Cultivation: +20%]
True to what one might expect from a secret treasure of the Namgung Clan, it was a remarkably potent ability.
‘It’s a shame it isn’t one of their legendary sword techniques, but this more than suffices.’
With the Ice Flame Divine Sword and Extinction Star Stream already in my possession, a cultivation method was actually far more attractive.
With this, I could dramatically shrink the gaps between battles.
The Drop of Longing had more than paid for itself.
And then there was the greatest prize of all.
A person.
“I am called Heuk-bi.”
Clipped, mechanical speech.
He hadn’t fully awakened yet.
‘Then again, this is the first time I’ve encountered him at this stage.’
Every previous meeting had been during the middle or late phases of the story.
His power distribution was admittedly skewed in one direction.
Yet that ferocity was no less terrifying than Baek Seol-gi’s or Amy’s — in fact, it surpassed them both.
A chill ran down my spine.
Without meaning to, my body shuddered at the memory of past encounters.
I had to win him over, bring him to my side by any means.
I never wanted to endure another battle like that — not once, not ever again.
“I don’t see why we’d need some retainer of the Namgung Clan. Unless you mean to display him as an ice statue, that is.”
“Are you suggesting we’re insufficient?”
At first, Baek Seol-gi and Amy had regarded Heuk-bi with undisguised irritation, scrutinizing his every feature.
His appearance was far too delicate.
Even a woman might fall for looks like that.
If a celestial maiden had descended from the Heavens, I imagined she’d look something like this.
But once they confirmed he was male, their suspicion eased.
Though admittedly, certain (?) verification procedures had been necessary in the process. In any case, he’d cleared the minimum threshold.
“The auction will commence in ten minutes. Please be seated at your convenience.”
The usher verified my invitation and led us to our assigned seats.
The finest positions belonged to the nobility.
Behind them sat those who held invitations.
My seat was at the very back of that section.
This was hardly surprising — the invitation had originally belonged to Kim Sang-ho, and the Hwarang’s prestige paled against guilds like Jushina or Ssawul-abi.
“Then, allow me to present our first item.”
An elderly gentleman wearing a monocle took the stage.
The first lot to come up was an Ancient Giant’s Eye.
A rare specimen, estimated to be at the threshold of 7-Star rank.
“Ohh!”
“Something precious right out of the gate.”
“Gracious. Did someone actually manage to hunt one down?”
Murmurs of astonishment rippled through the hall.
Though it was a juvenile specimen, no one had expected such a prize — Ancient Giants were known to inhabit only the largest of gates.
“As you’re aware, such items are rarely seen on the market. For that reason, we’ve set the opening bid at one billion. I trust you’ll all offer a price befitting this remarkable piece.”
“Two billion!”
“Three billion!”
The bidding ignited in an instant.
Of course everyone would be tempted.
The Ancient Giant’s Eye was one of the materials that raised Enchantment success rates.
For high-grade items with steep prices, Enhancement costs ballooned, so people would resort to anything just to gain another percentage point in success rate.
‘A shame. If I had more funds, I’d have made a play for it.’
Seeing the bids already climbing past eight billion, I’d do well not to dream.
The five hundred billion I’d received from Namgung Cheon had a necessary destination.
I gazed at the various items awaiting their turn on the display stand.
Thick cloth covered the glass cases, so I couldn’t verify it, but it had to be among them somewhere.
How much time had passed?
“Next, lot number thirty-three: the Winter Ring. Crafted from sapphire and platinum with exceptional stonework. Our appraisal team believes it to be of Dwarf manufacture.”
…At last. It appeared.
I clenched my fists.
“Ho. A Dwarf creation, you say?”
“Now that’s a luxury item.”
“Indeed. It’s not bad, though I confess it pales beside what we’ve seen today.”
Merely an ornate and beautiful piece of jewelry.
Nothing more, nothing less.
To those who didn’t know better, anyway.
The opening bid was set at one hundred million.
“Two hundred million.”
I placed my first bid of the auction.
No matter how unusual a nobleman’s taste for collection, he wouldn’t throw around tens of billions here.
I would have this ring, no matter what.
But then, right at that moment.
“What about one billion?”
An unfamiliar voice cut in from directly behind me.
A tenfold jump without the slightest regard for propriety.
I turned to look back.
There sat a man with sky-blue hair in a pristine white coat.
His face bore stitches at multiple points.
As though he’d undergone major surgery.
“Heheheh. Why so startled? I simply found that ring quite charming myself.”
No aristocrat.
Not a Ranker from one of the Large Guilds native to this world either.
‘A hero.’
This would complicate things.
I hadn’t expected anyone to recognize the ring’s true value.
Regardless, I couldn’t back down here.
My remaining funds were still substantial.
“Three billion….”
“Whoa!? Thirty billion for a single ring? No matter how lovely a gift for the ladies, isn’t that excessive? Wouldn’t it have been better to visit a jeweler in Gangnam?”
At my bid, the scarred man made an exaggerated gesture.
“Is this real, Sang-ho? You’re really buying this for us?”
“I… I’ve heard that rings are gifts meant for one special person.”
Amy and Baek Seol-gi’s eyes went wide.
Their minds clearly spinning with fantasies, neither could keep their expressions in check.
You two need to stay out of this.
This is precisely when I need to concentrate.
“You made the first escalation.”
“Ah, true. True indeed. In a capitalist market, why should anyone fault another for flaunting their wealth?”
He nodded as though in complete agreement….
“Twenty-five billion.”
Then called out a price that defied reason.
“What?”
This time it was my turn to be stunned.
Even with an invitation to this Ball, could he really throw that kind of money around?
Even for a Large Guild, this isn’t easy.
“What, what is this.”
“What on earth is that ring?”
The nobility and other distinguished guests alike couldn’t hide their astonishment.
It was hardly surprising.
Twenty-five billion—it was among the highest sums ever to appear in an auction.
Several began hastily reaching out through their networks to determine if there was anything else hidden in the ring.
“Hehe. Well then, show us something amusing now, like you did at the ceremony earlier. Perhaps there’s a hidden emergency vault somewhere? Or shall we move straight to a display of force?”
Only then did I grasp who we were truly dealing with.
“So you belong to Ghoul.”
“Doctor, at your service. Should you require surgical procedures at any point, I’d be delighted to offer you a special discounted rate.”
I’d anticipated his arrival since word had leaked about the Mermaid’s Tears being put up for auction.
I didn’t understand why he’d decided to stir trouble in such a delicate place—whatever he wanted, he should pursue it elsewhere.
“Five billion.”
Ju-sang withdrew twenty High-grade Mana Stones.
Praying this creature’s reserves were no deeper than that.
But.
“Seven and a half billion.”
Crash!
As the Doctor’s briefcase opened, far more Mana Stones came pouring out.
* * *
A record price.
An absurd sum had been reached.
Having already poured out every coin I possessed, there was nothing left to do.
‘Damn it.’
Ju-sang’s expression hardened into stone.
And there were those watching his every move from right beside him.
“I want so much to help you… but I don’t know what to do.”
Baek Seol-gi bit her lip.
The real plan was to secure that ring, hand it to Ju-sang, and then receive it back from him once more.
It was at that moment.
-Child, you seem quite troubled. If you need money, you need only ask.
Another voice echoed in my mind.
Helheim.
“Is that really true? There are all these expensive things appearing—billions upon billions, Mana Stones, and more.”
-As the Lord of Niflheim, such trivial human wealth is laughable to me. Do not worry. I shall crush them with things they dare not even imagine.
“If you would do that, I’d be so grateful.”
-In exchange, your body shall….
“I’ll think about it.”
-Less thinking, and more something practical and concrete….
“I’ll just think about it!”
-…Do consider it most favorably, I implore you.
A clandestine bargain between Helheim and Baek Seol-gi was struck.
Then a small rift opened in the empty air.
Patter-pat!
Flame-shaped Mana Stones came tumbling down.
Their form was utterly unlike ordinary Mana Stones.
Meanwhile.
“There….”
Amy murmured toward the ground beneath her feet.
To hear the voices of the dead—something that had begun after her confrontation with Barkan.
Squelch.
At once, the shadows around where Amy sat stirred and writhed.
-Ohhh! Holy Mother of the Black Death!
-Speak, we beseech you. Do you wish us to sweep away all the humans in this place?
-Or do you require them for experimentation or some other purpose? Merely speak your desire!
Immediately, damp and ominous voices answered.
Eager, anticipating all manner of cruel and terrible deeds.
“Do you have any money?”
-…?
Money, then…?
“Whether it’s buried in some rich man’s vault or a royal tomb, I don’t care.”
Whatever it is, hand over something worth cash.
It was Amy’s first command as the leader of the Black Society.
* * *
“Seven hundred and fifty billion. Is there anyone willing to go higher?”
The auctioneer stammered through the question.
“There won’t be.”
“Yeah, absolutely not. The figure’s already absurd.”
“At that price, you could recruit an 8-Star Ranker.”
Naturally, no one placed another bid.
You couldn’t wager your entire fortune on a ring whose identity remained unknown.
But right then.
“I’m not sure what this is worth, but I’d like to try.”
Baek Seol-gi produced a mineral that radiated beautiful light.
“A Mana Stone?”
“It appears to be a similar type, though I doubt a single piece would be sufficient…”
The appraisers responded with considerable irritation.
They had no desire to waste appraisal magic on something meaningless.
Had she not been a VIP, they wouldn’t have bothered at all.
Yet that indifference vanished in an instant.
Their listless expressions twisted into shock.
“A r-relic from beyond the Wall, my lord.”
“It exceeds our measurement range. Heavens above—we didn’t know such things existed. We cannot even appraise it here.”
A mineral suffused with power beyond imagining.
A Divine Artifact that surpassed even the highest-grade Mana Stones by an immeasurable distance.
“If I may, I’d like to have one verified as well.”
Now it was Amy’s turn.
Clang.
A Wrist Guard with a dragon embossed into its surface.
Somehow it bore quite a bit of dirt, yet even that could not diminish its value.
“Wait. This looks like a relic belonging to Grand Duke Hamelton…”
That couldn’t possibly be true.
A legend among legends—the first to receive the title of Grand Duke in the Empire. His tomb was guarded with more severity than the estates of minor noble houses.
In any case, the appraisal confirmed it was a treasure beyond all monetary valuation.
The auction hall erupted into chaos.
“Who exactly are these people?”
Even the Doctor found himself bewildered by the situation.
Until he’d received substantial capital backing from the Ghoul, he’d believed he would never be outbid on money.
He had gravely miscalculated.
The game was played at a level where he couldn’t dare even enter.
“Well then, I’ll add ten more Mana Stones identical to the one just now.”
“And I’ll throw in shoes, a sword, and—oh, this is a skull. Why did that come along? Anyway. Everything goes.”
It nearly came to the point where even the Grand Duke’s remains were put on the block.
Though the situation had long since become disproportionate, for these two competitors consumed by pride, the actual amount of money had ceased to matter.
“That should be enough. Someone please just take it. Please.”
Even the auctioneer had resorted to pleading.
“You brat!”
“What?”
Baek Seol-gi and Amy snarled at each other.
Boom!
Forehead against forehead.
A collision between a short child and a tall adult.
Invisible sparks seemed to shower in all directions.
Well.
What matters is a good result, right?
[You have successfully bid on the Winter Ring.]
Thanks to the two of them, the auction had ended in a happy conclusion.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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