Ultra-Rare Drops Only Favor Me (2)

18th floor clear—safety zone. I rubbed my hands together eagerly and smacked my lips. Another jackpot after just two days... it looked delicious.

"An item even normals can use dropped!!!"

It was pretty much useless to me, honestly. But to others? Total cheat item. Everyone needs to persuade someone at least once in their life. Business types especially.

Bundles of cash were already dancing in my vision.

'This could fetch 10 billion, easy.'

"...Can't hold back."

I kicked off the bed and jumped up. Sorry, Luca—I'd put off climbing the 2nd stratum for a bit. Just a tiny detour. For real.

"Do-hwa, you go in too."

"Kkiing...?"

"Won't take long. I'll list it on the auction and come right back."

"Kaeng!!"

Do-hwa unsummoned. I reached for my status window too.

Unlike usual, a red glow enveloped me.

"Okay."

Return after two days, huh. After sniffing orc stink, this air hits different. Kinda nostalgic, but not really.

-Sniff sniff.

"...Ah, shit."

'Shower first, maybe.'

After that, I moved like water. First stop: scrub clean at the nearest sauna. Changed into fresh clothes from inventory.

'One hour should do it.'

Fresh as hell, I plopped into a PC bang seat. Phone works fine, but might as well check other info on a real computer.

Let's skim the news first.

'Same as two days ago.'

Everyone's still hunting for me. Makes sense. I've been holed up in the tower just two days. And in that time, another British hellgate got cleared. I'd search too if I were them.

Who the hell is this Ironclad guy? Why reveal all Seven Great Gate strategies then go hermit?

"Whoa."

'How many people is that?'

Lots like me, apparently. My last post had turned into a national unity fest. Guild invites galore. Countries I helped begging to say thanks. Official event or not, just show your face.

My reaction? 'Nah, pass.'

British knighthood? Already a Dragon Knight, bro. India's top medal? Sorry, I only eat katsu curry. Guilds dangling riches? Tempting, but contracts mean hassle. No free lunch in this world.

Zero value to me.

'This one's decent.'

A few solid offers, but anyway. Browsed a bit more, closed the gallery. No regrets.

'I just gotta sell this.'

"Alright then..."

Next stop: Blue Auction. The go-to Korean awakener auction site—aka just "Auction."

Click. No hesitation, hit signup.

"Yup, yup. See it good."

Pulled a 500-won coin and phone from inventory. Answered the video call. Showed the coin every angle, proved no tricks.

Finally, 'Play it safe, act strained.'

"Nngh...!!"

Crunch—!! Bent the coin in half.

Auction's famous verification—impossible for normals.

"Okay."

Signup success. Pumped, scrolled listings. Others selling stuff cheap—10 mil minimum. Meh.

...Not like I planned to sell cheap anyway.

Tap tap.

"For sale... artifact from the tower..."

Artifact—only 100 worldwide. Usable by non-awakeners. Rare of the rare. Let's see the bids.

"...Right, appraisal."

Momentum killed. Duh—I appraise anytime, but most can't. Makes sense to require it.

'Self-appraisal won't fly.'

Appraisals from legit spots like ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Cheonghwa Guild. Sigh, searched costs.

Jaw dropped quick.

'Minimum 3 mil?!'

Common gear: 3 mil. Rares climb higher. Artifacts? All "contact us"—probably billions.

Pay that? When I can click once? Hell no.

'Over my dead body.'

Info traits are rare, so fair price maybe. But not to me.

Tap tap, click.

Posted on Auction: [For Sale: Unappraised Artifact, Unused]

'Perfect.'

Unappraised dump—usually insane. Who knows if it's real or knockoff? Curiosity bids max a few mil. I'd look like a sucker.

Normally. But...

'Help me out, Ironclad!'

I got another persona. One word from him, bids explode.

Gallery post from me = better than Cheonghwa cert.

'Can't post right away—too obvious.'

"Time for groundwork."

Switched to phone. Posed as mid-tier awakener, teased gallery users with Auction tour. Flashed pricey items for hype.

"Okay."

Slipped my listing in slyly among tons of items. No ad vibes.

'First comment primed perfectly.'

Exploited the bandwagon hate. My alts steered the narrative.

Result? Bait spread. Everyone dogpiling the "dumb unethical awakener."

Would fizzle soon, but...

'Now's the time!!!'

VPN spinning on phone. Logged in as familiar nick. The hot one.

"Okay."

'Hands off now.'

No more fuel. Just chill. Gulped water from PC bang dispenser. Bathroom break. Added another hour.

Took minutes, but flipped the narrative.

"Heh heh, heheheh."

3 bil already? How long was that?

'Se-rin, hang tight.'

Sick of sharing a room with bro? Sending you to a mansion.

Couldn't stop grinning.

-Halt.

"...Huh?"

Till a notification popped.

Thought it'd last forever.

"......What?"

8 billion? Straight to me? No cut, instant?

'Cheonghwa Guild's trustworthy.'

No scam—admin account verified. That massive corp owning Korea's #1 guild with Hwang Hee-chan. Not some punk you'd dodge like "I'm army, sir."

They'd handle everything. Smart to take it but...

-Grit.

'Screw it, go big!!!'

I countered 1.5x. 40 bil more—straight robbery.

Admin's reply?

"Holy crap."

Cool as ice, accepted the deal. Carrot market temp at 99°.

"Whoa, whoa..."

Mesmerized, typed address and stood. Left PC bang. Clutching phone, legs shaking as I waited...

-Creak.

"Ryu Hwi-min?"

"Y-yes, yep!"

"Cheonghwa Guild A-rank awakener Kim Dong-hoon. At your service."

"Yep!!!"

Luxury sedan pulled up. First foreign whip of my life.

"No need to remove shoes."

"B-but the floor..."

"......"

A tad more awkward than thorns, but whatever.

-Thump thump.

'Se-rin, bro's making bank!!!'

Off to Korea's #1 guild, Cheonghwa. To snag 120 bil easy.

But soon after.

"Nice to meet you."

"H-Hwang Hee-chan...?"

Went to sell artifact. Ended up meeting Korea's living legend.

"You the Ironclad Awakener Analysis 2 guy?"

His instincts sharp as hell.