Chapter 137: Dice of Fate
[Dice of Fate]
[Grade: Special]
[A small die. Depending on the roll, it might bring tremendous fortune or extreme hardship. But at the end of that hardship, a corresponding reward might be waiting. Are you ready to challenge fate?]
[Effect 1. The die shows a number from 1 to 6. 1 to 3 is misfortune, 4 to 6 is fortune.]
[Effect 2. The closer to 1, the greater the misfortune; the closer to 6, the greater the fortune.]
[Effect 3. If misfortune occurs, the fortune correction for the next roll increases accordingly. Conversely, if fortune occurs, the misfortune correction for the next roll increases.]
[Effect 4. The die must be rolled at fixed intervals. Failing to do so treats it as the most unfortunate result.]
[Effect 5.???]
The awakeners who saw the item swallowed hard.
‘This thing…’
‘A double-edged sword?’
It was clear at a glance that the misfortune wasn't your average difficulty.
Of course, the flip side meant fortune could come too…
The odds for the first roll were 50-50.
It was no different from flipping a coin to decide whether you'd live or die.
On top of that, it came with the harsh condition of mandatory rolls at set intervals.
While some awakeners gazed at the item with ambivalent expressions, others in the crowd had eyes gleaming with interest.
Kim Minwoo was a prime example.
‘Now that's tempting.’
Misfortune?
Wasn't that his bread and butter?
The harder the challenge, the better the reward—that was the golden rule.
In other words, this thing was basically forcing an upgrade on rewards.
Fortune was always nice when it hit.
And even if misfortune came,
The boosted rewards and the fortune correction on the next roll made it appealing.
Plus, his new trait, Indomitable, gave special bonuses the more he refused to yield to hardship.
For Indomitable to trigger, it had to get tough first.
Extreme misfortune? It'd practically force Indomitable to activate.
‘Gotta buy this.’
Missing out on an item like this would be a crime.
—Behold, the Dice of Fate! What an incredible item. Minimum bid starts at 60 trillion… Oh ho?
Rastan’s eyes lit up.
—Fascinating. Who knew Earth credits had risen so much in value? Looks like a lot's happened here. Fine! Roughly 40 trillion should do it. A very reasonable discount! Your golden chance to snag the Dice of Fate!
‘Crazy.’
‘40 trillion?’
‘Is he joking?’
The awakeners' jaws dropped at the price. No item so far had commanded such a high sum.
The priciest had topped out at 20 or 30 trillion.
Yet the starting bid was 40 trillion.
And that was after a discount.
Even with governments pumping up subsidies, only a tiny fraction of awakeners had that kind of cash.
Even if they did,
Spending it all on a single die? The government might show up with guns blazing.
And its performance wasn't straightforwardly amazing—it had its ambiguities.
Kim Minwoo scanned the room.
‘Some competition, huh.’
Even at that brutal 40-trillion price tag, certain awakeners weren't backing down.
They coveted it?
Hard to tell who exactly under the masks.
But one thing was clear.
‘World rankers.’
The moneyed elites confident in their skills. At that level, yeah, they'd want the die.
The rewards from misfortune?
Irresistible bait.
Those guys were all a special kind of crazy.
And to even be here, they had the funds. They weren't the type to burn everything on skillbooks and end up broke.
‘Gonna have to spend big here.’
There was still a second item, so no need to go all-in yet.
And with that, the auction began.
“40 trillion.”
The moment Kim Minwoo called the first bid,
The surrounding awakeners turned to him in shock.
The Celestial Auction House was system-run. Calling a bid meant you had the cash to back it.
‘Insane.’
‘Hasn't he already dropped 40 trillion?’
And now another 40?
It meant Kim Minwoo's wealth dwarfed the rumors.
They'd suspected as much, but speculation and seeing it firsthand were worlds apart.
Then.
“41 trillion.”
An awakener in a leopard mask jumped in.
“42 trillion.”
“43 trillion.”
More and more piled on.
‘Three of 'em.’
Subsidized government pups couldn't swing that boldly.
World rankers? Maybe.
But he had zero intention of yielding.
“45 trillion.”
“…46 trillion.”
“50 trillion.”
“…51 trillion.”
“55 trillion.”
“…Good grief.”
Two awakeners clicked their tongues and backed off. Only the leopard mask remained.
“…57 trillion.”
“60 trillion.”
It was getting dizzying.
Not for nothing had he been hauling cash from hunts everywhere.
World ranker?
If they wanted to come at him with money, they'd better brace for a money slap.
“…Hah.”
Even the last rival, the leopard, threw in the towel.
—60 trillion! Anyone higher? Three. Two. One. Bidder 7, congratulations on your win!
[Acquired Dice of Fate! Entering inventory!]
Snagged for 61.2 trillion including the 2% fee. Felt like his stomach was full already, and he hadn't even rolled it.
‘One more to go.’
Already buzzing about what the next item would be.
—Alright, straight to the next item! The second special item!
[The second special item list is revealed!]
[Ainel's Second Slab]
[Grade: Special]
['For Ainel.']
[A stone slab inscribed with something profoundly meaningful.]
[Effect 1. Can be combined with Ainel's First Slab.]
[Effect 2. Combining the two slabs opens a dimensional gate. Destination unknown.]
“Ahh!”
“…?”
The moment the item appeared,
One awakener suddenly cried out. If it were just any nobody, no big deal—but this was…
‘That guy who just money-fought Kim Minwoo…’
‘Leopard?’
The leopard-masked awakener.
The one who'd played chicken with Kim Minwoo up to 57 trillion.
Dropping that much on one item?
Government subsidy or personal stash, one thing was sure.
‘World ranker.’
The kind who could swing that cash without sweating the fallout.
One of the true elites among the thousand gathered here.
Just couldn't pin down who exactly. Masks changed yearly, even for regulars.
Then.
Pierrot smirked at the leopard.
—What's wrong? Recognize it, perhaps?
“…”
—Well, if not, no harm done. Up for auction: the mysterious slab! Collect the first, and it connects somewhere…! Fun fact—we don't even know exactly where it leads. But safe to say, it won't be boring!
‘Hidden gate item.’
Awakeners' eyes gleamed.
Dimensional gate?
Gates were basically shards of other worlds, right?
Entering a gate was dimensional travel by another name.
An item kickstarting a hidden gate. Priceless.
And more.
—Want it? Pony up! And make it a lot! Minimum bid starts at 30 trillion!
Pierrot's starting bid subtly confirmed the item's worth.
Ordinary stuff would've kicked off at 10 trillion.
But 30?
And that was discounted due to inflated Earth credit values. Original price was way higher.
Considering the special items weren't gouging profits…
‘Gotta grab it.’
Who knew?
Hunt with it in inventory, and the first slab might drop.
Nail one hidden gate, and life's set.
Unlike the iffy die, this had guaranteed returns.
And the good news didn't stop there.
‘That should wipe him out.’
Kim Minwoo had burned nearly 100 trillion already. Even if he had leftovers, maybe 10-20 trillion tops.
Not enough to even bid…
“30 trillion.”
—Oh! Bidder 7. As expected. A stellar customer!
“35 trillion.”
“40 trillion.”
The slab's price climbed steadily.
Last auction item, so plenty gritted their teeth to chase it. The leopard especially.
‘He got the first slab?’
Kim Minwoo's eyes sharpened.
That earlier shout.
Pure instinct. Like spotting a related item out of nowhere.
Price rocketed to 50 trillion in a flash.
That was the moment.
“…57 trillion!”
Leopard bet 57 trillion instantly, eyes blazing.
‘All-in?’
Same with the die, now the slab.
Always stalled right there.
Other rivals had dropped out ages ago.
Eyes from under the mask bored into him.
Time to deliver.
“57 trillion 100 billion.”
“…57 trillion 200 billion.”
“57 trillion 300 billion.”
“…!”
Shaken gaze.
Then, gritting teeth.
“…57 trillion 3221 billion 4232 million won!”
Specific amount, going all-in.
“57 trillion 3221 billion 4233 million won.”
“Hey!”
Practicing thrift flipped the leopard out, thrashing wildly.
Pointless tantrum.
Celestial Auction House: system turf.
Even a Sword Sage couldn't pull violence here.
—Oh my! Just 10,000 won difference! Bidder 332! Got another 10,000? Such a shame…
The trembling leopard hung his head.
“…4233 million 5237 won.”
“4234 million won.”
—Oh dear… No extra 5,000? Truly a pity…
“…”
Leopard's head drooped fully.
No borrowing cash from others here.
Only what you had.
And he'd blown it all.
Rastan shrugged at the sight.
—Capitalism's ruthless, eh? But what can you do? World's like that. Don't feel too hard done by. That bidder 7? Still got plenty left.
“…You said it was a shame?”
—Sorry. Gotta eat too, you know.
Rastan shrugged again, scanning the awakeners.
—57 trillion 3221 billion 4244 million won. Higher? Three. Two. One. Bidder 7, congratulations!
[Acquired Ainel's Second Slab! Entering inventory!]
—And that's a wrap on this year's Celestial Auction House! No need to be sad. See you next year…
Pierrot was mid-closing spiel when lightning-fast, the leopard closed in, staring him down.
“You're Kim Minwoo, right?”
“Who're you?”
“…Isabella.”
Baguette?
Truth was, this event's invites were so selective, even he didn't know attendees.
Bigger fish than expected.
Leopard's masked eyes fixed on him.
“I've got the first slab.”
“Lucky you. Come tourist in Korea while you're at it.”
“Busy.”
“I'm busier. Take it or leave it.”
Hidden gate from the slab?
No rush to crack it now.
Orc gate, then trainee trials, ascension rites.
Plenty on the plate.
Then.
—See you next year, Earthlings!
Flash!
Scenery shifted in a blaze of light. Back in the familiar room.
‘Scored big.’
Legionnaire and guild gear first, plus a ring and armor for himself.
The rest…
Dumping gear from inventory,
—Kuuu!
Hayangi popped out, wings fluttering excitedly.
No wonder— not the usual magic or rare, but full legend-grade elemental gear.
Pork to prime beef in one leap.
Weird if he wasn't hyped.
“Oh, my baby. Dinner time.”
—Kuuu!
Flap flap!
Landed swift on the gear, mouth agape.
[Fire attribute from 'Lava Armor' fully absorbed!]
[Wind attribute from 'Gale Boots'…]
[Lightning attribute from 'Thunderstruck Gauntlets'…]
[Fire attribute up 5.1%…]
[Wind attribute up 4.9%…]
[Lightning attribute…]
Attributes skyrocketed per piece. While feeding Hayangi,
TV news blared.
—Breaking news. French awakener Isabella has just departed for Korea on her private jet…