#15 Auction (2)
I slid into the car. The burner vehicle I'd bought through a proxy at the Black Market was as shitty on the inside as it looked on the outside. It was a one-and-done ride before ditching it, but still, it felt off.
I loaded the rattling junker with our gear and picked up Han Seohyun and Kim Jaeho.
Han Seohyun climbed into the passenger seat and whispered to me while glancing back.
"You sure it's okay to bring him along?"
"Call him 'hyung' like I told you."
"Looking like that? No way."
Han Seohyun shook his head at Kim Jaeho, who had his face smashed against the window, mouth gaping wide open.
Unlike Han Seohyun, whose hair I'd managed to cut, Kim Jaeho's Tarzan mane made him look even dumber today. At least I'd gotten some clothes on him to make him look vaguely human. That damn shaggy hair, though—no fixing it.
And he was still wearing that collar. I wanted to rip it off, but he'd growl every time I got close. Dealing with Kim Jaeho felt like starring in one of those animal rehab shows with Dr. Oh-something-or-other.
Screaming done? Good, now let's put on some clothes.
Thrashing over? Alright, time to brush your teeth.
The Kim Jaeho Humanization Project was tougher than raiding a decent Gate.
Well, whatever. For now.
At least he listened to me.
"By the way, do you have to wear that mask?"
"I'm kinda a nationwide fugitive, y'know."
I'd been wearing the mask since earlier. The hologram projected a registered middle-aged guy's face, making Han Seohyun flinch every time he looked at me.
Couldn't be helped. As Kang Ishin, I couldn't even set foot in Seoul anymore.
We hit a salon the second we rolled into the city. That's when Han Seohyun's duck-bill lips finally turned human again.
Even he, who didn't care much about looks, couldn't stand that ratty nest on his head.
I'd tried trimming Kim Jaeho's too, but the quick bastard vanished and only showed up after it was done.
Tch, slippery one.
Next, we checked into a nearby hotel.
"Room for two, please."
I pulled up mana right away toward the front desk staff, bullshitting the ID and details with my Lie Talent. We hopped into the elevator.
"Where'd that guy—no, Jaeho hyung—go this time?"
Kim Jaeho had vanished again while we checked in.
"Who knows. Hope he finds his own way back."
"What if he just bails?"
"Eh. That'd suck."
Han Seohyun scolded me like what the hell, but I meant it.
Run off and I won't chase you down?
Yeah, like I told you last time.
Deep down, I had no plans to brainwash Kim Jaeho like Seol Rokjin. It was all up to him.
"Ah shit! You scared me!"
Han Seohyun screamed as he opened the door.
Kim Jaeho was already inside. How the hell did he know this was our room?
He looked at our shocked faces and said,
"Hungry."
Yeah, right on cue.
I nudged Han Seohyun's stiff side and said,
"Room service it is. Tell me what you want."
We ordered a ton, piled it on the table, and I spoke up.
"Jaeho sits this op out."
Future Kim Jaeho? Pro material. Current one? No clue. Han Seohyun asked,
"Then why bring him?"
"No one to feed him otherwise."
Han Seohyun stared like that's it? But I was dead serious.
"We just need you and me for this."
"Really just us two?"
He'd asked before. Could we pull it off solo?
Objectively, our "team"—hell, we weren't even an org—had crap firepower.
But this auction? Different story.
Because it was crawling with hunters.
The auction was three days out. Already, guards swarmed the area.
Items like these meant heavy security. And our proud Han Seohyun had mapped it all.
He said,
"About fifty outside, same inside. Underground's packed—artifacts block it, even rats can't get close."
Han Seohyun grinned.
"But I parked a rat nearby. Overheard some fun stuff."
The guards included Gakbeombu teams. Do Chae-hee had been patrolling since three days ago.
"Do Chae-hee, huh. She visited the hospital once."
I perked up at Han Seohyun's words.
"Asked if I knew anything about Boss. Doesn't seem the quitting type."
"Hm."
Do Chae-hee on my case? Damn, that woman's a pain.
"High-level assemblymen coming too."
Awakener conference downstairs. Shock: Seol Rokjin was on the list.
Figures. Him skipping this? Weird.
Politically anti-awakener, but insiders liked him. Talk shit publicly, deal privately.
Pathetic.
Two months back, he trashed Sirius Guild on news. Now sneaking off to meet execs? Thick skin.
My face darkened as Han Seohyun rambled.
Red Dog Guild folks too, naturally. Master Kim Myeong-cheol. My pal Jeong Hosan.
Minefield for "Kang Ishin."
But treasure smack in the middle.
A drool-worthy prize.
Vampire King's Ring.
Sucks ambient blood to boost wearer's regen. Useless in some Gates, but most monsters bleed. Game-changer.
Extended fights? Yours.
Perfect for vanguards.
Jeong Hosan would love it.
But not my target.
Crimson Flame Magic Core.
Mana stones form from ambient mana clumps. Magic cores? Monster innards.
Way pricier. High-rank ones? Instant artifact.
Socket in staff: legendary staff. Sword: legendary blade.
Ring's niche for frontliners. Core? Mold to fit. Infinite value. I had plans for it.
Other lots? Buyable elsewhere.
Key: auction order for those two.
No climax bait early. Late-game drop.
That's our window.
Prep: three days.
"Minded up?"
Han Seohyun gulped, nodded. I eyed Kim Jaeho inhaling leftovers like a beast.
Just don't fuck up.
Three days to auction.
I buzzed like a debutante noble lady.
A coffee table buried under mug mountains. A woman sprawled on the sofa next to it, humming tunelessly—peak shut-in vibes. Hair in a messy updo with stray wisps everywhere, gray tracksuit riddled with holes and wear.
Just that? Average NEET. But three suited men stood by, impeccably groomed.
In this mismatched scene sat Jin Yeonhwa. She pushed up her slipped glasses and drawled,
"Uuuuum, sooo. No matter how I slice it, this auction's a tough bite for us, neoyoo."
Her habit of stretching ends grated, slow enough to choke anyone watching.
"Can't even snag what we want clean. Sirius name's weepin', weepiiin'."
She flopped deeper into the sofa.
"Sheesh, they could yield this once. So greedy. Gotta hook Yuseonje-ssi with a staff to save face."
New S-potential hunter Yuseonje: Sirius's fresh face.
Four S-grades already, but he shone. Lightning mastery. Handsome. Nice guy.
Rumors of youngest 7-star, maybe 8. Entertainer gold.
Polish him? Needed extras.
"Gotta grab that Crimson Flame Magic Core. But bidding? Backlash city, rightoo?"
Bidding meant bullets and favors.
Issue: Last auction, Sirius "hogged too much." Master warned: watch eyes.
"No S-prospects, yet strutting like peacocks."
Jin Yeonhwa blinked lazily from the couch. Money buy? Fine. Politics after? Headache.
"Total bullshit."
She glanced at the woman beside her and murmured,
"What if we just... steal it?"
"No."
Secretary Lee Hyewon gave the sane reply.
Jin Yeonhwa's wild ideas made her core exec, but so did her nonsense. Blocking it? Hyewon's job... sorta.
"But otherwise, core goes elsewhere. Hate thaaat."
Hyewon sighed at the ignored advice. That's Jin Yeonhwa.
"Auction's three days out."
"Three days? Plentyyy?"
Jin Yeonhwa bolted up.
"Yes! Not baaad. Make 'em think it but can't say it!"
Lightning struck her brain.
Why no think sooner?
Can't bid fair? Steal. Sirius had dirty-work pros. Send them.
"No traces, perfectoo."
Hyewon sighed at the grinning Jin Yeonhwa. Knew the boss was plotting crazy again. No power to stop her.
"Make it airtight."
"Yesss, got it."
Hyewon prayed the "plan" was flawless.