Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Polluted Gate? Even Better!
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The auction house I stepped into after opening the door was so quiet that even breathing felt like it had to be done with caution.
Antique lighting dimly illuminated the interior, while deep purple drapes hung all around.
'Wow... this is incredible...'
I'd promised myself not to act like a total newbie...
But the feeling of stepping into a completely alien world had me instinctively looking around.
The first thing that caught my eye was the array of masks.
Most of the Awakened gathered here seemed intent on hiding their identities, their faces concealed behind thick hoods or masks.
- There might be high-contribution Rankers or businesspeople among those participating in this auction. Plenty of them will recognize you, Healer.
- Wearing a mask is optional... but I personally recommend it.
Following the appraiser's advice, I'd put on a mask before entering the auction house.
I'd wondered if it was overkill for just an auction.
But now that I was inside, I was glad I'd listened.
If I'd been the only one showing my face amid all these masks, every eye would have been on me in an instant.
Just like that woman over there.
The woman boldly showing her bare face possessed a beauty that went far beyond mere "pretty."
Her hair was as dark as ebony. Her eyes were blood-red. Her skin was pale to an almost ghostly white.
Her exquisitely sculpted features created an aura so unreal it was hard to believe she was human.
'She's gorgeous...'
I was absently admiring her face when she suddenly turned toward me, locking eyes with mine.
I hurriedly averted my gaze, pretending to look elsewhere.
What the...?
How did she know I was staring?
Does she have a sensor in the back of her head or something...?
Just as embarrassment started creeping in from getting caught peeking,
the ceiling lights dimmed slightly, and the words "4th Government-Supervised Special Auction" appeared on the screen above the podium.
It was the silent signal that the auction was about to begin.
"The special auction will now commence."
The auctioneer, wearing white gloves, stood at the podium and gave a single nod.
At that, an assistant in a crisp black suit handed over a box engraved with ancient script.
"The first item is an A-rank unidentified relic box."
The appraiser held the box high for all the seated Awakened to see.
"Given the strong mana detected on the surface, it's likely an artifact of A-rank or higher. This is a pure unidentified item that hasn't undergone government appraisal."
A subtle murmur rippled through the previously silent auction house.
"Starting bid is thirty million won."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than placards shot up from all over the room.
Eye-watering sums I'd never dreamed of touching poured from the appraiser's lips as if it were nothing.
'...Do they not get what "unidentified" means?'
It's just a random loot box.
Who buys something when you don't even know what's inside for that price?
Unlike me, stunned in shock, the participants maintained their composed silence and rigid postures.
One astonishing item after another followed, each fetching tens of millions and more. I still couldn't get used to the atmosphere.
Then, finally,
I saw the mana potion I'd brought being handed to the appraiser.
At the same time, murmurs of discontent rose from the participants, barely audible.
- Huh...? A potion?
- Why's a mana potion showing up here?
- Ah... there goes any interest...
It looked like an ordinary potion at a glance, so their lukewarm reaction was only natural.
But the auctioneer's next words flipped the mood in an instant.
"This mana potion permanently expands mana capacity."
The participants, who had been sitting ramrod straight, suddenly slouched in surprise.
- Permanently... expands mana...?
- Did you hear that? A potion that expands mana?
- Sir, a potion that permanently expands mana just came up. Should I start bidding right away?
Those who had stayed calm whipped out their phones to call someone or fired off urgent messages, buzzing with activity.
The auction house erupted into chaos in seconds.
Thump-thump-thump—
My heart felt like it was about to burst out of my chest.
Sitting still and keeping calm was torture.
I took a deep breath and steadily straightened my posture.
"Considering it hasn't been priced yet, we'll start at ten million won. Those who wish to bid, please raise your placards."
Finally.
The real bidding on my mana potion had begun.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ 'A mana potion that permanently expands mana?'
Participant number 21, Snow Mountain Guild Master Choi Jun-ho.
He couldn't believe his ears at the appraiser's words.
He'd cleared countless gates, but he'd never seen a potion that permanently boosted stats.
He hadn't even heard rumors of such a thing.
'Where the hell did they get it...?'
A top-tier gate? An upper undead gate?
He had no clue.
He imagined the final bid price in his head.
300 million...
No, it'll blow past 500 million easy.
Choi Jun-ho and every other participant shared the same thought.
'I'm bidding on this, no question.'
But the appraiser's follow-up deflated the soaring tension instantly.
"However, since the appraisal couldn't confirm how much mana it expands, we can't guarantee that detail. We appreciate your understanding."
It might massively increase mana—or just by a fingernail's worth.
Still, one thing was certain: this was the first "permanently mana-expanding" potion to appear in the world.
For thrill-seekers, that alone gave it collector value.
Bids soon poured in, driving the price sky-high.
'I'll sit this one out.'
Gambling big bucks was for top guilds and Rankers.
For a regular guy like him, just watching to see its market value was enough.
But the higher the price climbed,
Twitch...
Fidget...
the more the restless movements of the participant next to him grated on his nerves.
Rubbing her arms, scratching her knee, waving her placard...
Every little gesture was getting on his nerves.
'If you wanna bid, just jump in already... Stop acting like a newbie.'
This was a VIP auction, not some public one.
Act like you belong here.
As Choi Jun-ho grumbled internally about the woman beside him,
"We have a high bid of 100 million won."
The price had already surpassed 100 million.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ '120 million...?'
The mana potion I'd made on a whim was worth that much...?
My jaw dropped, and I froze solid.
- Should've tried bidding once more...
- If only I'd bid again...
Regretful murmurs echoed around as
"Next auction item."
the auction continued.
This time, instead of an assistant handing over the item, it was displayed via hologram.
"This is a gate whose demolition was on hold for tourism purposes. But after a contamination zone was discovered, it's now abandoned."
The gate's interior in the hologram was a utter wreck.
Trash blanketed the place, making its past as a tourist spot unbelievable.
Trees lay uprooted, and the lake was polluted, bubbling with murky foam.
"Based on current average sale prices, the starting bid is set at 80 million won."
The appraiser's words ended, and the room's atmosphere turned ice-cold.
- Are they insane? Putting that up for auction?
- No one's gonna bid on it...
- Who in their right mind would?
Sneers and snickers rose from all sides, but one person was hooked.
'This one's mine...'
Me!
And why not? I could already vividly picture what my touch would do to that gate.
The contaminated soil inside would gradually turn lush green under my Purify skill.
The withered trees would stand tall again, and the polluted lake would reclaim its pristine blue.
'I can see it, I can see it!'
The gate, consumed by pollution, would brim with life thanks to me!
"Bidding starts now."
I shot up my placard the second the appraiser spoke.
He began a slow count,
and I bowed my head, praying for no competitors.
A moment of silence passed.
Then the appraiser's hand dropped.
"Sold to the first bidder for 80 million won. Thank you."
- There's someone crazy enough to bid on that garbage gate...?
- It actually sold?? Why??
- Let it go, they must have more money than sense... Heh.
Disbelieving gasps and mocking laughs filled the air.
In response, I slowly curled up the corners of my mouth.
This gate, snagged at the floor price, would soon be reborn as land everyone coveted.