Chapter 59
Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Tracking the Darkness (3)
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What kind of place is the black market, especially an auction house?
A normal auction house is for selling legal goods at prices higher than their appraised value.
Or for selling things that can't be sold through ordinary channels.
For example, say something appraises for a million won.
If you sell it normally, you'd only get a million won.
But the moment it hits the auction house, things change.
Auction items are usually rare, and people compete to get them for themselves.
Sure, the price gets inflated with bubbles, but you still end up getting more than the appraisal.
Though sometimes, if there's no interest, you might get less than appraised.
That's on the seller to bear.
Auctions take a fair bit of time, too.
From registering the item, to when the auction happens, the introductions, and the bidding wars between buyers.
It's a method mostly chosen by people who aren't in a rush for cash.
Why am I explaining this?
"Ugh, this is boring."
The items up for auction are all so dull, one after another.
How can none of them be interesting?
Some look like obvious fakes at a glance, others just don't spark any curiosity.
The most entertaining part is watching the enthusiasts compete fiercely to buy them.
"Alright, we've got a million!"
"Hey! Back off!"
"Hah, you give up first!"
It doesn't quite come to fists, but shouts fly now and then.
I pulled out the crumpled template from my pocket while watching the spectacle.
"Is there really nothing here?"
I came all the way to the black market, after all.
Hoping to get some inspiration from stuff you can't find normally.
But now that I'm here, it's a letdown.
I scrolled through the template and my eyes stopped at one entry.
"World Tree leaf?"
No way, the World Tree I'm thinking of?
The World Tree is the elves' homeland, the great tree that holds up the world.
They say the world exists because the World Tree does.
Of course, in the Empire, it's just seen as the elves' god.
Was it called Yggdrasil?
Or the Tree of Life and Creation?
Ancient texts call it so many names, it's hard to keep track.
"Elves are so insular and mysterious, it's tough to know for sure."
Anyway, let's just call it the World Tree.
So why is one of its leaves up for auction?
"Another scam?"
Or is it the real deal?
Either way, it's worth a shot.
But since it's elven stuff, expect heavy competition.
"Guess I'll find out when it comes up."
The auction dragged on—fast in some ways, slow in others.
About an hour after I arrived, the auctioneer shouted excitedly.
"Here's a special item for today! We've got other treasures, but this one's one of the highlights!"
With a confident flourish, he pulled off the cloth.
A blue leaf emerged, emitting a subtle, iridescent glow.
A few participants murmured in admiration, clearly intrigued.
I stared at the leaf, lost in thought.
'That looks real.'
No mana I could sense, at least.
A World Tree leaf without mana is odd, but not proof either way.
My gut was screaming it was legit—buy it now.
Miss it here, and I'd regret it forever.
But something felt off, too.
Like someone was using charm magic to push me into buying it.
Normally, I'd trust my instincts.
But after tangling with that warlock recently...
And this being the black market, I couldn't fully trust my gut.
"Tch. Buy it? Honestly, I might not see it anywhere else."
As I mulled it over, the auctioneer called the starting bid.
An absurd amount.
"Starting at 100,000! Haha, this is the priciest of the day—record-breaking!"
"What? No way, what's so special about it?"
"Can't be helped. It's a World Tree leaf, after all."
The room buzzed at his words.
Some called it too expensive, others a scam.
A few smirked and raised their hands.
"If you can't afford it, don't bid. 120,000."
"120,000! Any other—"
"125,000."
Bids climbed fast.
Usually in 5,000 increments, sometimes jumping 10,000.
I watched, deep in thought.
How the hell do I snag this?
Money?
My max spendable right now is about 500,000.
That's the most I can pull together on the spot.
Roughly 3 billion won in imperial currency.
Not that the conversion matters—it's about what I have access to now.
Because it's already pushing 300,000.
"If it hits over 300,000, I bail."
You always need spare cash, and you shouldn't blow your whole stack.
Sure, sometimes you go all-in, but not today.
"257,000! Going once?"
The auctioneer scanned the seats for challengers.
No one raised a paddle or hand.
Now or never?
"No more bids? Counting down from five—"
"260,000."
I raised the paddle next to me and called out.
Timing it when no one else seemed to bite felt a bit awkward.
Eyes turned my way—uncomfortable, but no big deal.
"260,000! We've got 260,000! Anyone else?"
He scanned again, but everyone held back more than before.
Except one—the bidder before me, staring daggers.
"Tch. 260,000."
They—or she, maybe—wore a hood like mine.
She turned away in annoyance, slumping into her seat and crossing her arms, signaling she was out.
"Sold! To number 83! You can take the item after the auction ends or head backstage now—just pay up first."
Not exactly a fierce battle.
I just topped the last bid.
Still, I scored the leaf for a hefty sum.
Waiting till the end sounded tedious, so I headed backstage early.
The auctioneer was still going; the venue owner handled it instead.
So he claimed, anyway.
"The item?"
"Right here. Haha, upfront payment of 100,000 first."
"No problem. I've got plenty."
I fished a few gems from my pouch and tossed them over.
He appraised them with magic on the spot.
His face lit up like he'd won the lottery as he handed me the leaf.
It was now in an ornate box.
"Here, check it and take it."
I opened the box—item intact, no switcheroo.
Surprisingly honest business.
Makes sense, though. Step out of line here, and you'd get stabbed in the back quick.
In a lawless place, going full rogue gets you killed fast.
I closed the box, turned down the offer to watch more of the auction, and headed out.
"Now just to get back and analyze it."
Tucking the box securely, I hurried down the street.
I tried hiding it best I could, but somehow they sniffed me out—a few surrounded me.
"Greetings, noble sir."
"Not feeling very greeted."
Thugs with ugly mugs encircled me, snickering.
No idea how they spotted me, but they saw me alone and figured easy pickings.
I fidgeted with the box in my robe, on guard.
Five for now, but probably more lurking.
Without provoking them, I asked,
"What's this about? Mind letting me pass?"
"Oh ho, in a hurry? Thing is, we've got business with you."
Figured they wouldn't let me off easy.
As I sighed inwardly, the leader stepped forward.
"Just came from the auction, right? And the auction's not even over."
"Yeah, that's right."
"Hand it over. Then we'll let you go nice and easy."
Okay, they hadn't infiltrated the venue.
They were targeting me for leaving early with the goods.
Makes sense—either grab it quick because it's valuable,
or they had nothing themselves.
But they seemed dead sure I had something.
So maybe show them I'm empty-handed?
That's when I started to open my robe.
If the leader had more patience, anyway.
"Hey! Hand it over now! Grab him!"
"Yes, boss!"
No, damn it!
All five lunged at once.
No hesitation—I startled, then gripped my parchment tight.
Pouring mana in haste, I targeted them with a spell.
"Freeze!"
"Gah! A mage?!"
Cold shot from my feet, instantly icing their legs.
They panicked, trying to move—but no chance.
"Haha, worth smuggling from the Blue Magic Tower."
Just a basic freeze spell, but Tower-made? Powerhouse.
Precise enough to restrain without overkill, too.
Though I did pump extra mana in.
"Anyway, you lot stay frosted. I'm out!"
"You punk! Stop!"
Like I'd stop because you said so.
Shaking my head, I bolted down the street.
Luckily, no pursuit. I escaped the black market unscathed.
"Phew. That was close."
Wiping cold sweat from my brow, I kept up a brisk pace.
Now, back home—time to hunt that warlock.