Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: The Man Worth 3.5 Billion
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“I have no intention of reselling the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist.”
Ha-ryeong sighed. Elena gulped.
“Why?”
Bakerd’s face twisted. He didn’t openly show his displeasure at Yuri’s response through his expression alone.
In Yuri’s eyes, he could see faint smoke-like wisps emanating from Bakerd’s body. The smoke cut through the mana in the air as it approached Yuri.
Goosebumps rose on his forearms, his skin prickled. His breath caught in his throat even though no one was choking him.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Elena’s expression turned fierce. The crackling sounds grew louder. Elena stepped forward, blocking Bakerd’s path.
“To pressure my friend just because the deal isn’t going your way...!”
“Lord Bakerd, that’s too much.”
Ha-ryeong’s face hardened as she drew her dagger. She glared at Bakerd and spoke.
“This is Rseun, managed by the Ascard Family. Are you thinking of opposing the Ascard Family based on your 6th Tier power? And Lady Elena is the prospective disciple of Heavenly Thunder Orca.”
“Ugh...”
At her words, Bakerd grimaced and withdrew the pressure.
“I let my emotions get the better of me without realizing it. Understand that it’s because I need the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist that badly.”
6th Tier? Yuri rubbed his goosebumped forearms and inwardly marveled. Bakerd, who had been in the 20s level back when he was with the Cyan Guard, was now at the 6th Tier after 30 years.
“But isn’t the one we should be discussing this with the Golden Lily?”
“Yes.”
Yuri answered.
“I’m the one who needed the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist and won the bid. So if you want it, you’ll have to talk to me.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m Yuri.”
“Alright, Yuri. From what I see, you’re... trying to start learning martial arts with the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm.”
Bakerd’s beard twitched. He scanned the standing Yuri, appraising him. His frame was decent, and there was no dullness in his eyes. He lacked internal energy, but he seemed more than adequate for pursuing the martial path.
“Why choose fists?”
Bakerd asked.
“The path of a fighter is extremely arduous. Most become crippled before reaching the 4th Tier, or they can’t endure and end up grabbing a weapon instead.”
“Not everyone is like that. You’re proof of that, Lord Bakerd.”
“I had no choice in my case. But you’re different from me. For 1.5 billion cells, you could get a sword art worthy of being called an ultimate technique.”
“I like fists.”
Yuri shook his head as he replied. Bakerd’s beard twitched again at the response.
“Do you know what kind of fist technique the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist is?”
“No.”
“Then why are you so fixated on it when you don’t even know?”
“It’s a martial art I’d never heard of before, but when I saw those five characters in the catalog, I felt fate.”
“U... fate?”
“Yes, fate. There were plenty of other martial arts in the catalog, but nothing else caught my eye except the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist. That’s why I resolved to win the bid and learn it no matter what.”
Bakerd stared blankly at his words. He blinked for a moment and opened his mouth to speak, but Yuri didn’t let him.
“So no matter how much you offer, I won’t sell the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist.”
“That’s... a problem. I need it just as badly.”
Sss... Smoke swirled around Bakerd again. But perhaps due to Elena and Ha-ryeong’s warnings, it didn’t press toward Yuri like before.
“So what do we do? I need it, and you need it too.”
“That’s why I’m offering to pay extra...”
“Standing around talking like this isn’t ideal, so let’s sit down and continue.”
“Sit down? Haha, you suggesting we go to a cafe? Or sit on the floor here?”
Bakerd let out a hollow laugh and sneered.
“There are plenty of good chairs back there, aren’t there?”
Yuri smiled back and pointed to the auction hall behind them. Being a VIP auction hall, the chairs were plush and comfortable.
“You want to go back to the auction hall?”
“Yes.”
Yuri headed to the auction hall without waiting for a reply.
“What are you thinking?”
Elena, who hurriedly followed, asked. Though she didn’t ask directly, Ha-ryeong’s face showed she didn’t understand either.
“It’s a good idea for you too.”
Yuri glanced at Elena and smiled. Right now, Yuri held the knife. As Ha-ryeong said, this was Rseun, managed by the Ascard Family, and Elena, who could be called Yuri’s guardian, was Heavenly Thunder Orca’s prospective disciple. No matter how muscle-brained Bakerd was, he couldn’t strong-arm Yuri in this situation.
How could he leverage this for maximum gain? 1.5 billion cells was a huge sum, but he didn’t want to give up the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist.
‘First, I’ll definitely learn the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist.’
With that as the foundation, he’d already thought about what else he could squeeze out.
[Most of the VIPs attending today’s auction have been waiting for this moment.]
[We’re honored to present at Rseun Auction House the unique magic of the 7th Tier freelance mage, Flame Bead Viscount Harabel Usia: the Incinerating Inferno Ritual.]
[This Incinerating Inferno was personally consigned by Viscount Harabel Usia. Before introducing the Incinerating Inferno, allow us to first introduce the renowned Viscount Harabel Usia.]
The auction hall they returned to was now at the highlight: the turn for the Incinerating Inferno, today’s star item. Clap clap clap... Amid the applause, a woman appeared at the center of the auction hall.
True to her nickname Flame Bead Viscount, Harabel Usia’s hair flickered like flames, and her red eyes sparkled similarly. Her personality seemed fiery too. Wearing a leather jacket, she stood with her hands shoved in her pants pockets in a cocky pose.
“Minimum bid: 1 billion.”
Harabel stated bluntly.
“Not selling for less. It’s a ritual worth that much. Don’t care who wins it or how they use it. Learn it yourself, analyze it for other spells—I don’t give a damn.”
Her blazing gaze swept over the VIPs in the auction hall.
“Maybe some bastard’s planning to analyze the Incinerating Inferno and come after me. Whatever, if you’ve got the guts, try it. As long as you’re ready to die.”
Yuri was one who put some stock in physiognomy, so Harabel’s rough speech felt natural. If someone with that look spoke sweetly and kindly, that’d be weirder.
“Cool...”
Elena, who had returned to the auction hall without knowing why, clasped her hands in front of her chest as she watched Harabel turn away without ever pulling her hands from her pockets.
[Haha, as expected of Viscount Flame Bead. Now, let’s start the bidding at 1 billion.]
The auction for the Incinerating Inferno began. Bakerd, who had sat down next to Yuri with arms crossed, grumbled as he glared at the back of Harabel’s head, clearly displeased.
“Is 1 billion cells some dog’s name?”
He seemed annoyed that a single ritual—not even the full unique magic formula—was starting at a minimum of 1 billion.
“So, what more do you want to talk about?”
“As I said before, I won’t sell it for extra money.”
“Get to the point.”
“Are you planning to learn the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist yourself, Lord Bakerd? Or do you need the manual itself?”
“Is that a question I have to answer?”
“If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have asked.”
Bakerd shut his mouth for a moment and glared at Yuri. It was a sharp gaze, but Yuri didn’t flinch. The look he’d received from Lorellia in the waiting room before possession was far scarier.
“I’ll learn it myself.”
Bakerd’s lips parted after the silence.
“So you don’t need the manual itself.”
“I don’t know why you’re asking...”
“Then I’ll sell a copy of the manual.”
Bakerd blinked at the swift response.
[1.4 billion cells... 1.5 billion cells, 1.5 billion cells bid!]
Even as they talked, the bidding for the Incinerating Inferno kept rising.
“There’s only one Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist manual, but I want to learn it, and so do you—what can we do?”
“A copy... you’ll sell?”
“Yes. Same price: 1.5 billion cells.”
“W-What...”
Was he in his right mind? Bakerd stared at Yuri in disbelief.
“You and I, both learning the same martial art?”
“Yeah. What’s the problem?”
“There is one...! We’re not master-disciple or senior-junior brothers!”
“Who created the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist?”
“The ancient Spectral Fist Yang Il-su.”
“You’re not master-disciple or senior-junior with Spectral Fist either, Lord Bakerd.”
Bakerd couldn’t continue, his beard trembling furiously at the retort.
“It’s a martial art bought with money anyway—what’s wrong with making a copy and selling it?”
“No... that... sharing one martial art between two people in this era...”
“The Incinerating Inferno, which just hit 1.8 billion, is being sold to some unknown VIP while Viscount Flame Bead is still alive and well.”
“That’s true, but...”
“I don’t care about outdated traditions. You desperately want my Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist, so I’m just offering a proper solution. If you don’t like getting a copy, I’ll take the copy and you take the original. If that’s still no good, give up on the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist.”
Bakerd didn’t reply rashly. He desperately needed the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist.
He couldn’t take it by force. He couldn’t anyway. Against someone else, maybe, but this guy was connected to Derusia Magic Tower Lord’s prospective disciple.
“You... if you’re learning the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist too, 1.5 billion cells is too much.”
“You’re the one who bid that price.”
“That’s true! But that price is only fair if I’m the sole inheritor in this era...”
“You didn’t say that earlier.”
Yuri didn’t back down.
[2.3 billion! The Incinerating Inferno Ritual by Viscount Harabel Usia goes for 2.3 billion!]
The Incinerating Inferno auction, starting at 1 billion, ended.
[An astonishing 2.3 billion! The Incinerating Inferno Ritual has set a new record for our Rseun public auction!]
[Hoping this hot fervor continues, we’ll now introduce the next item.]
[Lightning Chase Soul Flash, the unique magic formula of the ill-fated brain attribute mage Jang Un, deceased three years ago at the 5th Tier! Composed of a total of seven rituals.]
Contrary to the host’s hopes, the excitement didn’t last. The Incinerating Inferno had sold for such a high price, Jang Un’s fame didn’t compare to Harabel Usia’s, and right here in Lutran were the era’s top brain attribute mage Heavenly Thunder Orca and the Derusia Magic Tower, which had pursued brain attribute magic for generations.
“No matter what... original or copy, if you learn the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist too, 1.5 billion cells is excessive.”
“Then you should’ve won the bid, Lord Bakerd.”
“If you hadn’t been there...!”
Bakerd’s fists trembled. He too was frustrated by the unexpectedly high winning bid. Who would’ve thought there’d be competition for the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist...! Bakerd ground his teeth and glared at Yuri.
[Lightning Chase Soul Flash by Jang Un, starting at 50 million cells.]
“If 1.5 billion is too much, how about this?”
Yuri surveyed the mood among the VIPs in the auction hall. The heat from the Incinerating Inferno had completely died down. Bids were coming in sporadically, but not quickly.
“Win the Lightning Seven Strikes that’s up now and transfer it to us, and you personally teach me the basics of the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist.”
“What...?”
“As you can see, I’ve never properly learned any martial arts. I felt a fateful pull and won the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist, but honestly, I’m worried about how to even start learning it.”
Elena, who had been lingering on the Lightning Seven Strikes until the end, couldn’t have imagined Yuri twisting the deal like this; she gaped at him in a daze.
“If you don’t like that either, nothing I can do. I won’t yield anymore, so I’ll just learn the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist from Ha-ryeong.”
Though suddenly targeted, Ha-ryeong’s expression didn’t waver. She knew exactly what response to give now.
“Awesome.”
“...”
“I’m so thrilled. Thanks to you, Yuri, I get to study the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist manual for free. Yay!”
“Ahem.”
“Don’t worry, Yuri. It’s embarrassing to say it myself, but my martial talent is quite good—I can definitely teach you, a complete novice.”
Ha-ryeong maintained her impassive expression as she cheered.
“An assassin... learning the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist...!”
“What’s wrong with an assassin having two good hands? Why couldn’t she learn a fist technique?”
“Why sell it to me for money, but let the assassin learn it for free...?!”
“Ha-ryeong didn’t offer to buy it from me, and unlike you, Lord Bakerd, she’s my friend.”
“Can I cry for a moment? Your words are so touching, Yuri. We’re close, huh. Friends from now on?”
Ha-ryeong kept her blank face as she fussed in a low voice.
[200 million cells, 200 million cells bid.]
Still, being a valuable spell, it had already surpassed 200 million. Bakerd alternated glances between Ha-ryeong’s impassive face and Yuri’s relaxed one, ears tuned to the rising bids on the Lightning Seven Strikes.
“The basics... you want me to teach...? Uh, how far does ‘basics’ go?”
“Just check if my stance is roughly correct.”
“That’s the basics?”
“It’s not the pinnacle—just teaching the forms and sequences. If that’s not basics, what is?”
Ha-ryeong answered for him.
“Yuri. From what I see and feel, Lord Bakerd is very reluctant. Just give up. I may not match his depth in fist techniques, but my passion is unmatched. If you learn from me, I’ll guide you beyond basics to advanced and pinnacle levels.”
At this point, was she really eager to learn it? Yuri wondered inwardly, looking at Ha-ryeong’s unchanged face.
“Absurd nonsense...! How could an assassin discuss advanced and pinnacle fist techniques?!”
“Lord Bakerd, stop scattering rice and just leave if you’re not buying.”
[300 million cells, 300 million cells bid.]
Bakerd whipped his head to look at the host. Confirming Bakerd chewing his lips, Yuri continued leisurely.
“If the Lightning Seven Strikes sells, the deal’s off. My terms won’t change, so take your time thinking.”
“Is it really okay to take time? It seems about to sell soon...”
Elena said in a trembling voice. If played right, they could get the Lightning Seven Strikes too. Only now did Elena understand what Yuri had said earlier.
‘It’s a good idea for you too.’
Just as he said. Along with the Southern Heaven Free Cloud Fist for himself, she could get the Lightning Seven Strikes she wanted. This was a stage Yuri had set for Elena. She couldn’t help but be purely touched. To think she’d get such a gift from that Yuri...!
‘I haven’t gotten a present since I was 8...’
The stuffed doll she brought from the orphanage. Not handmade, but it was a birthday gift from Yuri.
Probably stolen from a shop, but it was the first and last birthday present Elena got from Yuri. Even after leaving the orphanage, they exchanged birthday letters every year, but no separate gifts.
Worn from hugging it so much in childhood, the doll Yuri gifted her still decorated Elena’s room. Elena clutched her skirt, lost in thoughts of ‘gifts’.
Yuri didn’t press Bakerd anymore. He’d only raise the terms higher, never lower them.
[350 million, 350 million cells bid. No more bidders?]
The host’s voice pushed at Bakerd’s back. He took a deep breath and pressed the button on his seat’s armrest.
“400 million... cells.”
Yuri grinned.