The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 143

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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 143
143
2.
City Auction House.
Not just anyone could participate here.
Players couldn’t simply walk in either.
And NPCs weren’t permitted entry without qualification.
Only players or NPCs possessing at least ten thousand gold could participate.
Of course, there were exceptions.
Those with titles could enter regardless of their gold amount.
But nobles with less than ten thousand gold were extraordinarily rare.
So typically, the exception didn’t apply.
However, Yoo Sung-hyun’s situation was different.
“Lord Yoo Sung-hyun! Your title has been verified! We’ve confirmed your companion as well. We hope you enjoy the auction.”
The NPC conducting the inspection at the entrance said this and handed me a numbered token.
I bowed my head lightly in gratitude.
“Ah, thank you.”
—Hmm.
And beside me stood Fiora, looking rather bewildered.
They had let her through without checking her gold amount.
Still, I was carrying no small sum myself.
Over six thousand gold.
But it fell short of ten thousand.
‘I’m glad I sold all those unique items.’
I had disposed of all the unused unique items I’d been hoarding.
I managed to obtain roughly thirty-three thousand gold from the sales.
Combined, it amounted to approximately forty thousand gold.
In Korean currency, that was roughly four hundred million won.
With this much, surely I could acquire a fragment of the Demon Dragon’s heart?
Though I had earned substantial sums in the past.
Now that I was about to spend it like this.
‘I can’t help but feel anxious.’
They say it’s important to spend money wisely.
It certainly seems that way.
Perhaps because I’d never engaged in transactions involving such enormous sums before.
I felt a slight tremor of nervousness.
Had I not possessed a composed temperament, I would surely be trembling with tension by now.
In any case.
According to what Lint had told me, this was where it had been consigned.
“I absolutely must obtain it here.”
Just to be safe, Yoo Sung-hyun checked the City Auction House for fragments of the Dragon’s Heart.
The last transaction had occurred four months ago.
And that had been both the first and the last.
In other words, I could obtain it elsewhere, but…
it would be considerably difficult.
It was best to seize this opportunity firmly when it presented itself.
That’s why I had sold all the unused unique items to scrape together the necessary funds.
It became possible by selling all the items I had obtained from the Crystal Palace last time.
The amount traded among users came to roughly thirty thousand gold.
‘This should be sufficient.’
It was a thought only possible because Yoo Sung-hyun still knew little about money.
If an auction house of this scale, or even nobility itself, were to participate…
I would need to think in multiples of that.
But that realm lay beyond what Yoo Sung-hyun could comprehend.
As Yoo Sung-hyun, somewhat tense, attempted to enter the auction house…
I heard the voices of a woman adorned with striking elegance and robust vitality, and a man similarly bedecked with ornaments to showcase himself, laughing and chattering in the lobby.
“Haha, what brings you here today, Countess? It seemed you had no interest in auctions like this before.”
“Well, I heard that a fragment of the Dragon’s Heart would be presented this time.”
A fragment of the Dragon’s Heart?
And it was spoken by the woman called the Countess.
Yoo Sung-hyun listened uneasily to their conversation.
“Ah, now that you mention it, I had forgotten that you were once a formidable Dark Mage, Countess.”
“Hehe, that’s right. And what are you hoping to acquire, Baron?”
“Oh, I’m just here to purchase various things.”
“I see. As long as you’re not after the Dragon’s Heart fragment I’m targeting, it doesn’t matter. Even if you were, it wouldn’t concern me. I will definitely obtain it.”
“Hahaha. I’m sure you will.”
At that exchange, Yoo Sung-hyun scratched his cheek awkwardly.
This feels like something has gone terribly wrong.
‘Should I try to gather more funds right now?’
I wasn’t entirely certain, but what if the money I currently possessed wasn’t enough?
Such thoughts bloomed from their conversation.
The robust and vital woman called the Countess.
Of all things, she was a Dark Mage targeting the very same item as me.
My luck was terrible.
As dark thoughts began to surface, Fiora regarded Yoo Sung-hyun with a worried gaze.
-M-Master, is something the matter?
In that moment, thanks to Fiora’s words, Yoo Sung-hyun shook his head.
Right, if I can’t obtain it, so be it.
It’s not as though this is the only item available for sale.
For now, I would simply do my best with the funds I have—that would suffice.
Let me adopt that mindset.
My heart felt considerably lighter.
“No, it’s fine.”
-Really, truly?
“Yeah, it’s fine. Shall we head in?”
At my words, Fiora nodded eagerly in agreement.
Her adorable reaction drew a faint smile from me as I stepped inside.
Before us lay the opulent interior of the auction house, adorned with classical marble columns and golden embellishments.
Curiously, it wasn’t designed like the theaters one might see in films or dramas, but rather resembled a grand ballroom—a party venue transformed into an auction space.
Glittering crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and noble NPCs occupied premium seats throughout, observing the proceedings from their respective positions.
A massive stage dominated the front of the hall.
‘How magnificent.’
The auction house gleamed like a lavish ballroom, so resplendent that one scarcely knew where to direct their gaze.
I made my way to the seat corresponding to the number ticket I’d received.
Perhaps it was still early?
Few people occupied the seats.
My table was empty save for myself, and no one had yet taken the stage.
‘Wasn’t the auction supposed to begin in thirty minutes?’
With time to spare before then, I surveyed my surroundings.
There were far more NPCs than players present.
Elaborately adorned noble NPCs, at that.
I’d nearly been startled by how many nobles gathered in a single city.
‘Weren’t they supposed to gather in the largest nearby city?’
The nobles from the surrounding region had apparently converged here, the largest settlement in the area.
According to the lore, this city held the most prominent position among those accessible to players in the vicinity, didn’t it?
I believe that was the case.
In any event, as I surveyed the auction hall,
the noble NPCs appeared to be socializing as though they’d gathered at a social gala.
“Hmm.”
Everyone was mingling so actively that I wondered if I should join in as well.
Even the few players present were making considerable effort to socialize with the NPCs.
I couldn’t help but feel somewhat conscious of this myself.
Though I hadn’t quite resolved to do so.
-L-Lord, would you like me to bring you something to eat?
“Something to eat?”
-Y-Yes, yes!
As I continued observing my surroundings,
Fiora made her offer.
Judging by the saliva glistening at the corners of her mouth, she was quite eager to indulge.
Had I been inconsiderate?
Yoo Sung-hyun pondered this thought and nodded slowly.
“Sure, bring Fiora’s portion as well.”
-R-really!? Th-thank you, Lord!
The moment permission was granted, Fiora dashed off excitedly.
She had dressed in formal attire to match the occasion.
Yet here she was, scurrying about with such unbridled enthusiasm.
But that was precisely Fiora’s charm.
Look at her.
Even now, as Fiora hurried to fetch the food, countless eyes turned her way.
Whether man or woman, Fiora possessed an irresistible allure.
As Fiora bustled about, bringing the dishes with characteristic clumsiness.
“Is that woman your traveling companion?”
A middle-aged man suddenly approached Yoo Sung-hyun and struck up a conversation.
They couldn’t possibly know each other.
Yoo Sung-hyun had only arrived in this city today.
As for Fiora, that went without saying.
Fiora had been active hundreds of years ago.
So why was he approaching him?
Judging by his antiquated manner of speech and bearing, he appeared to be a nobleman like the other NPCs.
Yet despite his aged appearance and refined demeanor.
His sudden approach left Yoo Sung-hyun with no choice but to remain cautious.
“…Yes, that’s correct, but?”
The middle-aged man seemed slightly taken aback by the wariness in Yoo Sung-hyun’s tone.
Then he realized his mistake and apologized.
“Ah, my apologies. I was rude to approach without introduction. I assumed you would know of me and acted presumptuously. I am Paragon de Gridley, the Lord of this city.”
“Huh?”
The Lord?
Yoo Sung-hyun was equally startled and rose from his seat.
He was about to introduce himself.
“Ah, but I’ve already heard of you. They say you’re a wandering knight who caught a murderer.”
He asked if that was accurate.
Yoo Sung-hyun nodded and replied.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Haha, Sir Yoo Sung-hyun, was it? I’m grateful you’ve helped maintain order in our city.”
“Not at all, I simply did what was necessary.”
“Indeed, but your companion also appears to be quite formidable, which is why I ventured to speak with you. Please, don’t be overly cautious.”
“Ah.”
I see.
Yoo Sung-hyun relaxed his guard somewhat.
So that was it from the start.
Though I was startled, my guard remained undiminished.
Now it was time to lower my defenses a bit.
Paragon de Gridley, who had introduced himself as the lord, also subtly relaxed his expression and spoke casually.
“This auction has drawn quite the crowd, and it seems a new hero has graced our city by chance. Do enjoy yourself while you’re here. Oh, and if you happen to be accepting commissions, do visit Lord’s Castle sometime. Then.”
As the lord finished speaking and turned to leave, Yoo Sung-hyun’s eyes gleamed slightly.
Visit Lord’s Castle if I’m accepting commissions?
What could that possibly mean?
‘He’s offering me a Quest?’
A Quest from the lord himself.
That was truly rare.
It might even be a hidden Quest.
Especially in this Labyrinth City where Quest efficiency was maximized, a Quest from the lord was invaluable.
If I wasn’t interested in this, I should have quit Eternal World long ago.
Yoo Sung-hyun was equally satisfied and stroked his chin.
‘I’ve gained an unexpected benefit.’
It would be nice to obtain a fragment of the Dragon Lord’s heart.
But even if I don’t obtain it, I’ve gained something new.
This was hardly a loss.
Though there was no entrance fee required to enter.
Still, there was the time I would have spent wandering the Labyrinth instead.
This was far from a loss—it was an enormous gain.
To have made the acquaintance of the lord.
Just as Yoo Sung-hyun was delighted.
[You have made the acquaintance of Paragon de Gridley, the Countess of Pentagrid.]
[You have gained the authority to enter Pentagrid’s Lord’s Castle.]
[You have formed a connection with a true-born noble NPC.]
[You have acquired the title, ‘Steadfast Patron’.]
‘Steadfast Patron’
→《Rare》
→A title granted to users who have formed a connection with a true-born noble NPC.
→Your prominence increases in social gatherings.
A title just from making an acquaintance?
Now I understood why the users here were desperately trying to form connections with noble NPCs.
Yet the noble NPCs seemed to maintain their aloofness, refusing to mingle with users.
Indeed, if forming connections were easy, they wouldn’t award a Rare-grade title.
Yoo Sung-hyun thought this over and moved on lightly.
Just then, Fiora returned with a buffet plate piled high with food.
The dishes were stacked so high it was almost unbelievable.
Yoo Sung-hyun chuckled at the sight and sampled the food with Fiora, finding it surprisingly delicious.
If I had to compare it.
‘It’s similar to Kwon Restaurant?’
The taste resembled Kwon Restaurant, which had recently earned three stars.
Though to be fair, this place wasn’t exactly open to just anyone either.
Still, to implement such exquisite flavors within a game was remarkable.
I couldn’t help but be amazed.
While Yoo Sung-hyun savored each bite with deliberate appreciation,
someone watched him with sharp, piercing eyes, their expression darkening with displeasure.
‘Did you think I’d simply stand by?’
Yet Yoo Sung-hyun remained oblivious to the hostile gaze.

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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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