The Price of Talent
Cha Jiyun spoke up in the middle of our meal.
"...Ah, and one more thing."
"Yes?"
"...Could you give me your account number?"
"Out of nowhere?"
"...I heard you paid for the sword that was stolen that time."
"Yes, that's true, but..."
"...I'll tell the auction house manager to refund that amount."
"Will they even do that?"
The Secret auction house was notorious for never returning money once it had been paid. Even if an item was damaged due to their negligence, if they'd already received payment from the buyer, that was the end of it. And the buyer couldn't demand compensation. Once blacklisted by the Secret auction house, you'd never be allowed back in.
"Are you really okay with this?"
"...Please give me your account number."
I recited my account number to her.
"...Understood. I'll step out to make a quick phone call."
She left the room. About ten seconds later—
10,000,000 won has been deposited into Nam Doyun's account.
"....?"
How the hell did she manage that?
The door creaked open again as she stepped back into the VIP room. I stared at her in a daze.
"...Is there something on my face?"
She tilted her head.
"No. It's just... what exactly did you say to get the Secret auction house to issue a refund?"
"...It was simple. I told the manager that if he didn't deposit the money, I'd kill him."
She said it with a completely straight face.
"...For real?"
I looked utterly dumbfounded.
"....As if. It was a joke."
"Ah... right."
What kind of person delivered a joke with that dead-serious expression?
"I simply revealed who I was, and they said they'd transfer the money immediately."
"...."
I stared at her in silence.
"...Was the joke not funny?"
She tilted her head again.
The auction began shortly after.
"Good evening. I am Lee Jiyun, your host for today's proceedings. Please treat me kindly."
Beyond the glass, the auctioneer bowed politely in greeting.
"Now, allow me to introduce our first item of the evening."
Staff members carried a large box onto the stage. The box had a transparent glass front, allowing a full view of its contents.
"Our first item is a blade once wielded by General Yi Sun-sin, known as one of the Four Great Sea Gods of the world."
Inside the glass case rested an enormous longsword that looked to be about two meters long.
"Of course, its authenticity has been verified. We'll start the bidding at fifty million won."
The audience seats erupted into murmurs in an instant. The very first item was a blade used by General Yi Sun-sin himself. Considering its historical value, it was worth an absolute fortune.
"Fifty million."
"We have fifty million from the gentleman over there. Any higher bids?"
"Seventy million."
"Seventy million. Do we have more?"
"Ninety million."
"One hundred ten million."
"One hundred thirty million."
The auction hall's atmosphere heated up in seconds. The price for Yi Sun-sin's blade shot skyward without restraint.
"Five hundred million."
"Five hundred million from the gentleman in the back. Any further bids?"
"....."
"Sold for five hundred million. Congratulations."
"....."
I glanced sideways at Cha Jiyun. The first item had already gone for a staggering five hundred million. The things I actually wanted wouldn't appear until the later stages. The problem was that the latter half featured the true highlight items of this auction. Their prices would likely dwarf even that sword's.
But... would she really buy them for me?
I was starting to worry. No matter how much influence Cha Jiyun held as the daughter of the Samhwa Group chairman, she was still technically a minor. Spending such enormous sums might be too much of a burden.
".....Still, if I can get it..."
I muttered under my breath.
In the original story, that item could only be obtained after grinding an insane amount of money in the late game. I'd never even considered trying to acquire it at this stage. But if I could get my hands on it now, it would be an incredible help.
"Next, we'll move on to the following item..."
The auction continued without pause. As it progressed, better weapons and armor began to appear. Naturally, the prices climbed higher and higher with each passing lot.
The first item: five hundred million. The next: seven hundred million. Then nine hundred million. The numbers were downright unreal.
"And now, we present the highlight item of this auction. Please bring it forward."
The auctioneer on stage gestured. Attendants carried in a small glass box. Inside was an old, worn-looking book.
The audience's eyes widened. That shabby thing was the highlight of the entire auction? No one could hide their confusion.
The auctioneer chuckled at their reactions.
"It seems many of you aren't familiar with this piece."
"....."
"This ancient tome dates back to the era when the Demon Realm and the Human Realm were still connected. It was a gift from Count Asura to a cherished human of his."
"...."
The audience erupted into murmurs once more.
"Is that for real?"
"I have to get that no matter what."
"If it's one of Count Asura's possessions, there's no need to hesitate."
Two hundred years ago, the Demon Realm and Human Realm had been linked. But for some unknown reason, the pathways between the dimensions had vanished. Since then, obtaining items used by demons had become extremely difficult in the human world. Of course, one could simply choose not to use them, but demonic artifacts boasted such absurd performance that demand remained sky-high. Supply, however, was pitifully low.
Even items used by ordinary demons were incredibly powerful. And this was no ordinary demon's belonging—it had been used by a noble-ranked demon, a count no less. It was only natural the auction hall's temperature would spike.
"...."
I looked at Cha Jiyun with worried eyes. This was the item I needed to obtain right now. The problem was, given the current frenzy in the hall, the price would easily reach tens of billions. It would undoubtedly be a heavy burden even for her. That was what worried me.
At that moment—
"...Do you need that item?"
Our eyes met.
"Yes."
"...Understood."
With that, she turned her gaze toward the auction stage.
"...Aren't you going to ask?"
"...Pardon?"
She looked puzzled.
"The auctioneer hasn't even explained the item's abilities yet. Doesn't it make you wonder why I'm saying I need it?"
"....Ah."
"....."
"...I've decided to set aside such questions when it comes to you. You've always had your reasons."
Cha Jiyun smiled faintly as she spoke.
The auctioneer continued.
"This tome increases one's innate talent."
The audience began murmuring again.
"It raises talent? Is that even possible?"
"I absolutely have to buy it."
People were born with innate talents. Talent for the sword, for the bow, for magic. People chose their weapons based on those talents. But as was always the case, the scale of talent varied wildly from person to person. Even among those with sword talent, one person might barely be able to defeat a single monster while another could manifest sword energy. The differences were vast.
And talent was generally considered a fixed, unchangeable value. Yet here was an item that could increase it? It was enough to drive people mad with desire.
"Auctioneer, start the bidding already."
"What's the starting price?"
The heat in the audience was rising rapidly.
The auctioneer spoke.
"It would be best if you listened to the end. In exchange for raising talent, it demands the remainder of one's lifespan as payment."
"....."
The audience froze in an instant.
"Demons have always demanded something in return for granting power to humans. In this case, that price is lifespan."
"......"
"We'll start the bidding at three hundred million won."
"Three hundred fifty million."
"Three hundred fifty million. Any other bids?"
"Four hundred million."
"Four hundred million."
Despite the brief chill, the auction hall's fervor quickly reignited. The people here were high-ranking figures from politics and business. That meant they didn't have to use the item themselves—they could have their subordinates use it. This way, they could strengthen their forces without sacrificing their own lifespans. There was no reason for them to pass it up.
"Five hundred million."
"Five hundred fifty million."
"Six hundred million."
"Six hundred fifty million."
"Seven hundred million."
Before long, the book's price, which had been rising in five-hundred-million increments, had surpassed one billion.
"We have one billion. Any further bids?"
I swallowed hard. These numbers were completely unreal.
"....May I ask just one thing?"
Cha Jiyun looked at me.
"Yes."
"...Do you intend to use that item yourself?"
"Yes."
I answered without hesitation. In truth, the book's real effect wasn't simply raising ability at the cost of lifespan. I knew how to unlock its hidden function.
".....Understood. I'll ask one final time. You absolutely need it, correct?"
"Yes. I need it without question."
With that, she pressed the bidding button.
"Two billion."
"!!!!"
Every eye in the audience widened as they stared at Cha Jiyun. The price, which had been climbing by fifty million at a time, had just jumped by a full billion in one go. The middle-aged man who'd been racing along in fifty-million increments ground his teeth.
I smirked as I watched him. He would need that item desperately. In the future, he would become quite a troublesome demonic human. One who had made a contract with none other than Count Asura.
He would request a contract from Count Asura in his thirst for power. In return, Count Asura would demand this very tome. Right now, he was likely under orders from Count Asura to secure it at any cost.
"Two billion five hundred million."
He shouted, his lips trembling.
Cha Jiyun pressed the button again.
"Three billion."
"......."
Not a single sound came from the audience seats. They simply held their breath, staring in our direction. Even for them, this price escalation was abnormal.
"Th... three billion. Any further bids?"
"Three billion five hundred million."
His hands were shaking as he spoke.
"Five billion."
Cha Jiyun drove the final nail in. After the words "five billion" echoed through the hall, the faces of everyone seated in the audience began to fill with shock.
"F... five billion. Any other bids?"
"........."
No further voices came from the audience.
"Then I'll begin the countdown."
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
Bang. Bang. Bang.
The auctioneer struck the gavel.
"Congratulations on your successful bid."
I stared blankly at Cha Jiyun. My worries had been pointless. Her financial power far exceeded anything I could have imagined.
Cha Jiyun spoke.
"...Then I'll go collect the item. Please wait here a moment."
As she began to rise from her seat, I called out to her.
"Um... would it be okay if I called you Noona?"
".....Yes?"