Chapter 136: Sky Auction House
A thousand masked people gathered in one place.
The masks provided here had special functions.
They altered the wearer's physique and voice. Of course, you could remove them at will, but most people kept them on until the auction ended.
There was no need to reveal their identities, after all.
Even so, they busily scanned their surroundings.
‘No way that guy's been invited, right?’
It was because of Kim Minwoo, the hottest Awakener rising these days.
Normally, there'd be no reason to worry.
Getting an invitation to the Sky Auction House was incredibly difficult.
The prevailing theory was that Awakeners below level 500 couldn't get one no matter what they did. And understandably so—how much fame could you really have in the low levels, and how much wealth?
There were plenty of real-world examples.
Awakener tycoons from the Middle East and Arabia.
They had personal assets starting at tens of trillions, and they were famous public figures. Even they often failed to receive invitations.
There was the infamous story of one Middle Eastern tycoon who grinded all the way to level 600 out of sheer resentment before finally starting to get invites.
That said, even high-level Awakeners didn't always get invitations easily.
Even if they met the fame and level requirements, they often fell short on asset scale.
The higher you went, the more money you burned.
Even among world rankers, it wasn't uncommon to see assets below the trillion mark.
Usually from reinforcing A- or S-rank skillbooks.
Anyway.
‘Normally, he shouldn't have gotten one…’
But Kim Minwoo was full of anomalies.
Five months since awakening.
Yet his NewTube subscribers were already at 100 million, and his assets were said to exceed 40 trillion won.
And that was the conservative estimate.
The consensus was that he'd received massive payouts from China and Saudi Arabia. Still, his level was generously estimated at the high 300s.
No such Awakener had existed before, nor would one after—except Kim Minwoo.
Had he really gotten an invitation?
Whenever reporters asked, he'd just smirk and say, “Who knows?”
‘Please, start next year.’
Awakeners from major powers like Japan, India, Russia, and Canada prayed fervently in their hearts.
—Necromancer gear. Acquire it at all costs.
Strong government directives.
Even the greatest Awakeners were half as effective without proper gear.
Having turned an SS-rank into a Necromancer, the governments demanded they secure equipment somehow…
‘If that bastard Kim Minwoo got invited too…’
‘How much do we have to bid?’
Competition would intensify, so they'd received more generous funding than usual, but it still felt insufficient.
At that moment.
Something appeared on the auction stage.
It resembled a pierrot.
—Awakeners who fought through fierce competition to reach the Sky Auction House! Rastan welcomes you all!
Boom boom boom!
Fireworks exploded spectacularly in all directions with the pierrot's words.
Rastan grinned as he looked around.
—We've got some fantastic items this year! And even our auction house's very own 'special items' will be up for bid.
Special items.
These were items provided by the auction house itself, not consigned by Awakeners.
They appeared some years, not others.
As the name suggested, they were exceptionally unique.
The problem was their sky-high starting bids.
Even major powers struggled to snag one. They usually came at the very end.
—The auction order is simple! First, items consigned by Earth Awakeners, then the special items! Check your catalogs!
Holograms popped up before the Awakeners. Detailed info on the auction items appeared above them.
A total of 157 legend-grade items.
Only two ancient-grade.
Nothing unusual.
Ancient-grade items were rarely consigned to begin with.
To meet national quotas, they sent legends, not ancients. Why sell off treasures like that when they barely had enough for themselves?
Kim Minwoo eyed the items.
‘Both ancients are duds. No attributes either.’
A druid armor set and a two-handed sword.
He had his soul-binding sword, Siwoo used a holy sword, and Cedric wielded his dedicated bone spear. The two-hander might suit the Dullahans, but…
Level 400 restriction. The lowbies couldn't even touch it.
‘Hope something good pops in the specials.’
Otherwise, he'd be stuck with legends.
To blow his saved cash satisfyingly, he needed a lottery hit in the specials.
He checked the special items list.
[Special Auction Items]
[Revealed at special auction start.]
[1.???]
[2.???]
Two items.
What came up was pure RNG.
‘Legends first, then.’
Gear for guildmates and legion commanders.
Plus accessories, attribute items, Necromancer gear.
Out of 157, about 50 were worth grabbing.
—For smooth bidding, activating translation! You all understand each other now! See something you want? Great. Pay up. And lots of it! Let's start the regular auction!
[The first item, 'Farsight Helm', is up!]
[Farsight Helm]
[Grade: Legend]
[Restrictions: Level 400+, Ranged Class.]
[A helm with mystical eyes that peer into the distance. Grants the wearer sharp vision.]
[Effect 1: Wearer's field of view increased by 1.5x.]
[Effect 2: Wearer can discern distant enemies' weak points with a certain probability.]
[Effect 3: Damage to discerned weak points increased by 20%.]
‘Oh.’
The first item was one he'd eyed. A helm—perfect for Yerim, who missed one in the last box smash.
Other Awakeners' eyes gleamed too.
It was solidly performant and versatile.
“120 billion.”
“180 billion.”
“220 billion.”
Bids climbed rapidly.
Kim Minwoo, who'd been watching casually, called out.
“300 billion.”
“…330 billion.”
“400 billion.”
“…450 billion.”
“500 billion.”
…
The opponent scowled fiercely.
‘Damn it.’
Farsight Helm?
Great item, sure.
450 billion was his final push.
Anything more felt over market.
But the guy jacked it up by 100 billion each time, suffocating.
‘Keep going, or fold?’
The opponent rolled his eyes, then sighed in defeat.
Funds were limited. Call higher, and if he folded, you'd eat the flip instantly. No guts for that.
—No more? 500 billion. Three. Two. One. Congrats to bidder 7!
[Bidder 7 acquires 'Farsight Helm'…]
[Bidder 7 acquires 'Lava Armor'…]
[Bidder 7 acquires 'Gale Boots'…]
[Bidder 7 acquires 'Ring of Courage'…]
Bidder 7 was on a rampage.
Sweeping up gear like a starved wolf pack.
Even hiking bids didn't faze him—he just went higher. Hopeless.
Even America didn't buy that savagely.
‘Buying Necro gear too?’
‘No way that's…’
Kim Minwoo?
If it were national funding like most, that aggression was impossible.
It was government money, not personal.
‘He's jacking prices like a maniac…’
‘Piggyback hard once?’
Some Awakeners' eyes lit up.
No brakes on the first ten items, hiking relentlessly.
They'd yielded to the momentum so far.
Early bids were probes; slight over market, and they'd fold easily.
Result?
Sweeping gear at prices not far over market.
This couldn't continue.
The guy's loaded already.
‘Time to check him.’
Drain his funds now for a shot at later gear.
Awakeners exchanged subtle glances.
Among them, Manato—the fox-masked Japanese Awakener.
Anticipating Kim Minwoo's participation, SS-rank Necro-holding nations had secretly coordinated.
Japan included. Simple plan: Spot him, then jack bids to bleed him dry. Wind-up roles assigned.
Japan's turn first.
Kim Minwoo.
The Awakener who'd lately not just irked Japan but shattered it. Perfect—next item was Necro gear.
‘You won't take it easy.’
Japan desperately needed Necro gear too.
You rich?
Fine, take it.
Pay the toll first.
Poison filled his eyes.
Soon, the next item.
[Eleventh item, 'Rotten Bone Boots'…]
Kim Minwoo checked it.
Rotten Bone Boots.
Legend grade.
Description similar to Wraith Step from the last box smash.
He scanned around.
Awakeners eyeing the boots hungrily.
One Necro item in the first ten.
Eighth: Necro-exclusive armor.
Good options, bid hard, snagged it.
Less competition than expected from his aggression.
But now…
‘This'll heat up.’
Scooped ten items cheapish—jitters spreading.
Auction was competitive; checks expected.
One thing they overlooked.
‘Same here.’
Bleed others out?
No reason Kim Minwoo wouldn't.
Perfect item now.
Necro-exclusive, solid options.
Enough for others to crave.
Market around 600 billion on effects.
‘Time to light a fire and pop one.’
Good warning to the schemers.
With Necro hopefuls booming, bids would stack.
“400 billion.”
“430 billion.”
“470 billion.”
Sure enough, climbing fast.
Kim Minwoo slipped in.
“600 billion.”
The silence was brief.
Fox-mask and others dove in.
700, 800, 900 billion.
Price soared.
Kim Minwoo casually bid next.
“1 trillion.”
Hitting trillions, others backed off contentedly.
Manato stared at Kim Minwoo.
Rotten Bone Boots.
Good options, but not 1T+ good.
Yet he bid 1T without hesitation.
Meant he really wanted those boots.
‘Jack it more?’
His momentum screamed he'd keep bidding like a sucker.
“…1.05 trillion.”
“1.1 trillion.”
Fox-mask paused at the instant counter.
Debating stop or go.
Kim Minwoo smirked at him.
Not his first rodeo.
Eyes full of greed.
That type—can't resist igniting the powder keg.
Shrugged leisurely.
“…1.2 trillion.”
The guy gritted teeth and bid.
—Oh! 1.2 trillion! Anyone higher?
He shook his head.
‘Right there.’
Higher, and he'd exit satisfied.
Nope.
That moment.
Fox-mask paled—definitely not imagination.
600B item at 1.2T?
That aggression deserved the win.
—1.2 trillion. Three. Two. One. Congrats to bidder 13!
The fox-masked Awakener slumped, legs giving out.
Waved cheerily.
Dream Necro gear—hope he uses it well.
Or not.
Scanned the Awakeners.
Now realizing he could screw them too, wary glares.
157 items, needs ~50.
107 worthless.
Planned to chill on those.
‘Figures.’
Can't play nice.
Stay quiet, they peg you as a mark. Already scheming checks.
If that fox's gamble worked earlier?
They'd all cheer.
‘Time to rampage too.’
Need discipline.
* * *
157 items and ancient-grade auction done.
Tumultuous first half over.
‘Damn.’
‘Crazy bastard?’
Awakeners eyed bidder 7—Kim Minwoo—with dread.
Bid on everything.
Even obscure class gear, inflating bubbles across the board.
Necro or otherwise, total sweep—scheme or real?
Couldn't leave empty-handed despite prices, so they joined grudgingly.
Result.
—Wow! Average hammer at 600 billion per item for 157! Up 20% from last year! Earth's economy must be booming.
Only the ecstatic, nose-twitching pierrot truly profited.
Awakeners grimaced.
Kim Minwoo, though.
‘Not bad haul.’
Shrugged, satisfied.
Snagged all 50 wanted.
~40 trillion spent.
Accessories hiked it, but expecting cost in auction? Unrealistic.
Competitors everywhere.
No rampage, it'd be 50-60T.
Still cash left post-spend. Thanks to cozy donations.
Then.
Rastan scanned around.
—Earth items done. Now, the real auction?
Awakeners' eyes gleamed.
Special items.
Not annual, but when they appeared: starting bids from 10T+. Prime stuff.
—Revealing the first special item!
[First special item list revealed.]
['Dice of Fate' appears!]
Dice of Fate?
Awakeners' gazes locked on the tiny die atop Rastan's hand.
Kim Minwoo too.