Chapter 41 - Auction 15 (4)
As the signal rang out that the auction was beginning, the noisy chatter in the spectator seats gradually died down.
Jin Yeonhwa and Seol Rokjin both turned their gazes toward the auction stage.
"We'll start with the first item up for bid today. This is a candelabra discovered in a castle during the raid on the AAA-grade Gate 'Vampire Village.' Its artistic beauty seems to transcend dimensions here too! Starting bid is five million won, with increments of two hundred thousand won."
Hearing that, Jin Yeonhwa spoke up.
"They say right in the heart of that Vampire Village they just cleared, there was this ancient castle that looked just like a medieval noble's manor~."
Apparently, it was so stunning that even the raiders stopped in their tracks and stared at it for ages.
Jin Yeonhwa, who hadn't awakened any combat talents, hadn't seen it with her own eyes, but she'd heard the details straight from someone who'd been there.
The castle was like something sculpted from someone's fantasy—utterly breathtaking.
"Since it was such a high-grade gate that couldn't be stabilized with gate maintenance devices, it collapsed right after the raid. Isn't it amazing they managed to bring back stuff like this~?"
Her listless tone contrasted sharply with the auctioneer's enthusiastic pitch.
"Behold this exquisite form!"
The auctioneer was hyping the candelabra for all it was worth. It was certainly beautiful. But that was it.
"Honestly, I wonder why they'd even bother putting something like that up for auction~. Isn't it just a waste of time?"
Jin Yeonhwa's bluntness bordered on rudeness. But no one there could call her out on it.
She flashed a sly smile and asked,
"Mr. Assemblyman Seol Rokjin, is there anything here catching your eye~?"
"Compared to you, Vice Guild Master, these all seem worthless."
"Oh? Trying to make my heart flutter with lines like that? Cut it out. Isn't there anything you want~?"
It sounded like she'd buy it for him if he just named it. Seol Rokjin didn't take the bait.
"From the perspective of a non-awakener like me, these are just horseshoes for dogs."
"Hmm, but you've got plenty of awakener friends. They'd love a little gift."
Even as Jin Yeonhwa pressed, Seol Rokjin kept his walls up.
"Those friends and I aren't close enough to exchange gifts."
Seol Rokjin glanced at the seat beside her and added casually,
"Speaking of, you didn't bring any other friends along either, Vice Guild Master."
Excluding Lee Hyewon, who was always glued to her side, Jin Yeonhwa was alone. Normally, at events like this, you'd bring promising rookies from your guild to network.
Even Kim Myeongcheol from Red Dog Guild had shown up with Jeong Hosan tucked under his arm, touting him as his top pick.
Seol Rokjin tossed out a probe.
"Didn't Sirius recently snag an amazing rookie?"
"Ah, Yuseonje?"
A smile crept across Jin Yeonhwa's face. Her eyes gleamed sharply.
"He's a real gem. We got so lucky~."
Yuseonje. An ability user with S-grade potential in lightning affinity. Nature-type talents were priceless. Even Kim Myeongcheol, an A-grade potential flame sorcerer, was treated as quasi-7-star for pushing past 7-star. How strong was Yuseonje now? Or rather, how strong would he become?
He was still a greenhorn, but he had the makings of an untouchable powerhouse down the line.
"So why didn't you bring him? Would've been nice to meet him this time."
"Nah, he's too innocent for a place like this. Still just a kid~."
Jin Yeonhwa clearly planned to keep him tucked away safe. Makes sense for such a prized talent.
'Too bad.'
Seol Rokjin instinctively knew he wouldn't get eyes on Yuseonje anytime soon.
He didn't want Sirius getting any stronger than this. He'd planned to nip it in the bud early.
Now he'd have to fall back on Plan B.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."
"Oh? I thought you were above things like bathrooms, Mr. Assemblyman~."
Ignoring Jin Yeonhwa's pointless jab, Seol Rokjin stood. As he moved, his eyes met those of Lee Hyewon, who was always shadowing Jin Yeonhwa.
In that instant, Seol Rokjin's pupils flashed yellow. It was so brief no one in the seats noticed, but that split second was enough.
Lee Hyewon, huh.
She'll do just fine.
For a six-month disposable.
As Do Chae-hee patrolled the area after the auction kicked off, a familiar face caught her eye.
"Oh, Jeong Hosan-ssi."
"Lieutenant?"
Jeong Hosan looked shocked, like he'd never expected to see her here.
"What brings you to a place like this?"
Kim Myeongcheol, standing behind him, answered instead.
"Haha, why do you think? To buy stuff at an auction. What about you, Lieutenant? What's your business here?"
He was drawing a hard line—clearly still pissed about her sneaking off to meet Jeong Hosan under surveillance last time.
Did he really need to hide Jeong Hosan behind him like that? It made her feel like some sleazy guy chasing a rich heiress.
Do Chae-hee swallowed her inexplicable irritation and replied coolly.
"Just providing security, in case of any eventualities."
Do you really need to be so prickly? she thought, clicking her tongue inwardly. But seeing Jeong Hosan's honest face, she got it.
He was the type who'd get fleeced by any bad actor.
Auctions like this drew crowds, and crowds meant politics. Not a world that suited Jeong Hosan at all.
"I see. Tough job."
Despite Kim Myeongcheol's glare, Jeong Hosan spoke to her kindly. His warmth nearly made her smile slip out.
Kim Myeongcheol, meanwhile, tsked in clear annoyance.
"With all these hunters here, who the hell lets in petty criminals?"
Do Chae-hee agreed, honestly.
Today's auction had drawn over five hundred people. More than half were hunters who raided gates.
Especially with the Vampire King's Ring as the finale—A-grades and above had flocked in droves. Kim Myeongcheol and Jeong Hosan right in front of her were both A-grade hunters.
Rob this place?
"No one's dumb enough to try, unless their head's cracked."
But orders were orders, and she'd been pulling all-nighters here for two days straight.
No suspicious types so far.
"Still, better safe than sorry."
Do Chae-hee sighed. Time to get back to patrol, but man, she hated climbing those boring rounds. She was so worn out even chatting with this prickly guy felt refreshing.
"What about you, Master? Eyeing anything?"
Kim Myeongcheol bit at her bait instantly.
"Oh yeah! The Vampire King's Ring this time. Total treasure. Perfect for our Hosan here."
"Th-that's too expensive! I don't need it."
"But it'd be nice to have, right?"
Do Chae-hee shook her head at their banter. Leaving the two lost in their own world, she resumed her patrol.
"This is the first floor. Nothing weird over there?"
Do Chae-hee vented her building frustration at Park Cheol-wan's words.
"Nothing, I said. Come on, would any thief with a brain come here? Just look—Red Dog's Kim Myeongcheol, Dohwa's Park Yeonsu, oh, and even Haorobi's Jenica!"
Top hunters shaking up Korea. No sane person would crash this party. Or they'd have to be brain-dead.
But she couldn't fully relax because if a thief did show, they'd be no pushover.
Confidence to steal amid this crowd? Yeah, they'd be tough.
'No, that won't happen. It better not.'
Do Chae-hee's one wish:
'Just let me clock out early and sleep today.'
On time.
I yanked Han Seohyun inside and started stripping off my waiter uniform.
"Ugh! What're you doing?!"
"Put this on."
"Eek."
"Suck it up, even if it's gross."
Once Han Seohyun was dressed in what I gave him, he stared at me with a terrified face.
"You sure this is okay? I've been watching—these people here ain't messing around."
"Yeah, every top hunter in Korea's here."
"Y-you're saying we're taking them all on? Just us two?!"
I shrugged at Han Seohyun's panic.
"No need to fight everyone. Remember what I said? You just summon skeletons on cue."
Han Seohyun nodded.
"Yeah, but... what if it goes wrong...?"
"It won't. And even if it does, you'll be fine."
If we got caught, maybe I'd be in trouble, but Han Seohyun? No way. And if I got nabbed... Cross that bridge later.
—Reckless bastard!
'That's why I've got confidence we won't get caught.'
But my words didn't ease Han Seohyun's anxiety. Time was short, but maybe I could calm him a bit.
"If anything, too many people is their problem."
"Huh?"
"They'll hesitate over who steps up."
This place was tangled in interests galore. If roles were clear, fine—but everyone sees it as "someone else's problem."
Especially in tight quarters.
The crowd filling this space—security included—topped six hundred. Over three hundred hunters.
Guards would be posted, sure, but pinpointing me in this mess? Tough.
I'll make it that way.
One person to watch, though.
"Just watch out for Do Chae-hee."
Do Chae-hee's talent: Shooting. Anything infused with her mana hits guaranteed—broken as hell.
But preempt it, and I could neutralize her twice over.
Enough to grab what I want.
I've rigged a few ways to keep her from firing anyway, so no big worries.
"Just remember what I said. Wait for my signal, then..."
"Summon skeletons."
"Right. Then bolt from here."
"Got it."
Auction was nearing the end. I clapped Han Seohyun's shoulder.
"Head downstairs."
"Boss."
Han Seohyun looked at me.
"Come back safe."
"Yeah. Don't worry about me."
I perched on the railing, waiting for the signal.
That signal being...
"Alright, you've all been waiting! The item everyone's here for—the Crimson Flame Mana Crystal from the Vampire King's ancient castle!"
The red-tinged mana crystal pulsed with massive mana even from afar. As it appeared, every eye locked on the stage. The auctioneer's chipper voice rang out. Just as he was about to call the bid...
A massive explosion rocked the auction house.
Perfect. Showtime.