Something Keeps Appearing in My Subspace - Chapter 147

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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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147. International Auction (3)
“200 billion.”
All eyes in the room fixed on me. I’d nearly sevenfold the opening bid in a single stroke.
It wasn’t a thoughtless move, I assure you.
I’d already witnessed how dramatically raising the price early in an auction worked wonders. The effect was undeniable.
Han Chul had explained it was a strategic tactic.
‘It breaks the psychological resolve of others. When you raise incrementally, the momentum builds naturally.’
A dangerous yet potent method, or so the explanation went. Still, it was worth the risk and investment.
If Chun-bae deemed it worthy of mention, this was no ordinary item.
I’d already resolved to borrow funds from the Hunter Association if my budget fell short.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd around me.
“They’re saying the Guild Master’s participation means there’s something special about this item.”
“Oh? I’m just using my funds, that’s all.”
I tilted my head at Han Chul’s remark and answered. With so many people present, I couldn’t speak my true intentions.
I’d raised my voice slightly, hoping someone would catch that I was bidding without particular calculation—I wanted to discourage unnecessary competition.
My eyes met those of Demian Rock, the Central Magic Tower Master who’d placed the initial bid. He showed no interest in further competition.
He held up both palms toward me in a gesture of withdrawal, signaling he had no intention of bidding further.
“He’s backing out. Is it goodwill?”
When we’d greeted each other at the Auction House, he’d mentioned wanting to test my Subspace abilities later.
I hadn’t pinned down a specific time, so I’d vaguely promised to do so when the opportunity arose.
“It’s more likely he’s reading the room. He’s not the type to concern himself with mere goodwill.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. When it comes to magical research, he loses all restraint. He’s not the type to lead Gate conquests directly, and he was mindful of public opinion. You’re currently America’s hero, after all.”
Han Chul’s assessment was cold and precise. True—I’d become a topic of conversation in America for rescuing domestic hunters.
If I took what was his, public sentiment would sour. It wasn’t particularly favorable to begin with.
“Moreover, the moment you placed your bid, the American Hunter Association signaled Demian to withdraw.”
“So they’re dressing up a forced withdrawal as goodwill?”
“Essentially.”
“Still, I’m grateful. At least he stepped back. Should I have bid more conservatively?”
Han Chul shook his head.
“No. You did well. Your strong show of intent made him withdraw. If you’d raised it more cautiously, he would have followed suit.”
With no other bidders stepping forward, a hand suddenly rose from the Chinese section.
Not hunters—the Chinese Hunter Association.
“210 billion.”
They stared directly at me with an obvious provocation, as if deliberately needling me.
Mister’s expression darkened slightly.
“Those bastards?”
“They must still be bitter about Liu Zhen.”
“Yes. They’re looking to interfere.”
“Well, let’s see what they can do.”
I was about to raise my hand with a shrug when it happened.
“215 billion.”
A hand went up from the American side.
Suddenly? I was caught slightly off guard. My gaze naturally shifted, and I realized it wasn’t the American Hunter Association—it was the Free Knights.
Blake, meeting my eyes, grinned widely. It was as if he were telling me not to worry.
And he nodded at me, as if urging me to bid.
“220 billion.”
When I raised my hand again, the American side fell silent.
“230 billion”
“235 billion”
And whenever the Chinese side raised the price, they responded again. They were clearly trying to help us.
It felt like they were declaring to the Chinese, “You’re not getting this!”
“They’re allies.”
“Does that mean they’ll buy it themselves if we interfere?”
“It seems like they’re doing this because we helped them with this matter.”
But the Chinese side didn’t back down easily.
“240 billion.”
Their desperation amused me, so I leaned back against my chair in a relaxed posture, as if stepping away.
Then the Americans also went quiet for a moment. I could see the Chinese side looked slightly flustered.
“Are there any further bids?”
In truth, spending this much money on an item whose secrets I didn’t know—like them—was unthinkable.
A B-rank elixir costs around 40 billion. Yet spending over 200 billion just because a flame skill got slightly stronger made no sense.
The starting bid for A-rank items being 30 billion didn’t necessarily mean they had extraordinary utility either.
‘I proposed 200 billion from the start to avoid unnecessary competition.’
The price climbing close to 240 billion was absurd. What was funny was that the Chinese didn’t look pleased either. It seemed they’d bid just to check me, nothing more.
If I bought this item for 240 billion, would the higher-ups have concerns about my decision?
“Three, two….”
The auctioneer continued.
“245 billion.”
I raised my hand. The Chinese side immediately turned their heads. They looked at me and then at the American side….
I shrugged, signaling them to bid higher whenever they wanted.
“Their hesitation is amusing.”
The Free Knights were also grinning, ready to raise their hands at any moment.
Eventually, the Chinese side backed down.
“Flaming Wings has been sold to the Dragon Guild for 245 billion!”
Well, I got what I wanted anyway. Though the Chinese cost me an extra 45 billion.
It was the price of a B-rank elixir, but considering the stats, it was quite wasteful.
‘Damn, I’d like to teach these bastards a lesson.’
My remaining funds were around 260 billion.
For someone attending an auction for the first time, outwitting the Chinese wasn’t easy. And I could end up losing money in the process.
As I was thinking it was a bit of a shame, I realized there was no particular reason why I had to be the one to do it.
That’s when the next item came up.
“120 billion!”
The moment China placed their bid, the United States and Saudi Arabia immediately raised their hands.
“130 billion!”
“140 billion!”
The Free Knights smiled at me, and Saudi Arabia also exchanged a nod with me.
The face seemed somewhat familiar, and it turned out to be a high-ranking official I’d met when I visited Saudi Arabia before.
Was he royalty? He held up a single gold coin in his hand and showed it to me.
‘So that person was the one who bought my gold coin?’
And until the auction ended, I could watch the United States and Saudi Arabia torment China.
“How are they doing this?”
“It’s because they have information. They know the Chinese hunters, what items they want, and how much they can invest.”
“But even so, to be this aggressive….”
“And from the perspective of the United States and Saudi Arabia, it doesn’t matter if they have good items in abundance.”
In short, it felt like ‘I can have it too, but if you’re going to take it, pay a premium for it.’
Han Chul let out a hollow laugh while looking toward the Chinese side.
“I mean, even if their pride was hurt over the Liu Zhen incident, how can they pick a fight with a guild master who saved their own hunters on American soil?”
“Right. Our relationship with Saudi Arabia is pretty good too.”
Lee Shin-hee nodded and smiled.
In the end, when the auction ended, the Chinese Hunter Association had no choice but to retreat with a bitter expression.
* * *
[A farce at the year-end international auction?]
[China attempts petty revenge against the Space Mage]
[China loses face even at the auction house. Spending 1.7 times the appraised value of goods?]
[The Chinese Hunter Association exits with a bitter expression]
-These guys are actually hilarious lolololol
┗Their expression says it all~
┗Legendary legendlol
-These guys made the Space Mage spend 45 billion more, how much did they lose?
┗Their expression says something’s going to blow up when they get back to China lol
┗Shouldn’t they be applying for asylum in the US?
This international auction became unusually controversial, unlike usual, because the American Hunter Association conducted interviews immediately after the auction ended.
-There was something unseemly at the international auction. We’re grateful we could help a hero because of it.
Well, calling someone a hero isn’t that grand. I only earned the nickname Korean Hunter Hero because I saved the American hunters.
As the response to that spread positively, the American Hunter Association took another step forward.
-The amount the hero lost due to unseemly conduct will be paid by the United States. In return for saving our hunters.
The American Association decided to repay the additional 45 billion I had to spend.
Honestly, it was something I hadn’t expected, so I was quite grateful.
I knew the intention itself was to win my favor, but regardless, wasn’t this beneficial to me?
There was an old saying: when something comes, something goes, and when something goes, something comes.
“Wow, they’re really generous. Four billion five hundred million just like that.”
“It does seem like compensation for the Gate having almost no rewards.”
“Right? That cooperation ring seemed like something they’d prepared in advance anyway.”
Han Chul nodded in agreement with our assessment.
“Correct. In the United States, promising foreign hunters receive particularly favorable treatment. They use psychological techniques to provide compensation exceeding their promises. The same applies to domestic hunters.”
Psychological techniques, huh. It certainly felt good—good enough that I’d rush to help if they asked again next time.
Later, when the guild members gathered, I explained my reasons for purchasing this item.
Even at twenty billion, I’d paid more than the conventional valuation.
“Actually, Chun-bae recommended it.”
“Chun-bae did?”
“Yes. He said there might be something hidden, like a Gate’s hidden element.”
I pulled out the item I’d received from the Auction House.
[Fluttering Flame (Grade A)]
-A living flame that appears to flutter ceaselessly.
-If possessed, flame-related skills are strengthened.
Now it was time to ask Chun-bae about it.
‘What’s the hidden element here?’
-For now, I recommend simply using it. Confirmation is impossible at present.
‘Why is that?’
-In Gates of level 75 or higher, under certain conditions, you can summon an ancient fire dragon through the Fluttering Flame.
What? Summon a fire dragon?
My eyes widened involuntarily. Yong-yong Mark 2? I absolutely couldn’t resist that. I’d always wanted to ride a dragon too.
-Negation. That would not be an ally.
However, Chun-bae shook his head at my thoughts.
‘Huh? So it’s an enemy then?’
-Affirmation. However, if you defeat the fire dragon, you can obtain a Dragon Heart.
Oh? Then that changes things. According to Chun-bae, isn’t that better than an S-grade elixir?
It seemed like a boss-summoning item in a game. And the reward was a Dragon Heart.
“What? An ancient fire dragon?”
“That’s possible?”
“Since it’s Chun-bae’s assessment, it should be reliable. Either way, defeating it at our current level is impossible.”
“True enough.”
For now, using it as my Inferno Launcher would be the best option. Once Chun-bae judged we’d reached a certain level, it would be worth attempting.
With a level 75 Gate ahead, there was considerable time remaining.
“This will be my personal item until then, so I’ll cover the cost myself.”
My two billion went out, but it wasn’t a waste. Money could always be earned again.
I tested Inferno while holding it, and the efficiency improved by roughly 1.5 times, which was quite satisfactory.
“We’re departing tomorrow, so enjoy your last night in the United States if you’d like, and let’s meet early in the morning.”
We dispersed to rest, but then something unexpected happened.
I’d been lying down for about an hour, testing the searing heat of my ability, when Seo-ung suddenly rushed in with urgent news.
“Han Hye! A Trial Gate has appeared.”
“What? A Trial Gate?”

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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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