Black Market Sweep
Flash!
Golden light flooded the room where Kim Jehyun had been staying.
Ellen's Treasure Chest+5 has been opened.
Along with the system message, a ring emerged from the opened golden chest.
“……!”
Kim Jehyun's eyes sparkled at the sight of the ring. It was a ring radiating an extraordinary dark sheen.
◈ A ring forged from glossy iron infused with dark attribute energy.
◈ Its original functions have been greatly diminished since its initial creation.
◈ Reforging it with glossy iron infused with dark attribute energy will restore its true power.
◈ Wearable with Dark Affinity +10 or higher
◈ Dark attribute attack power +3%
◈ Dark attribute resistance +30%
◈ Dark attribute affinity +50%
Kim Jehyun took the dark ring and immediately checked its details through Dragon Eye.
“Ah!”
After reading the ring's description, he let out a sigh mixed with admiration and regret.
“Dark attribute... it's good, but it's Unique grade.”
The ring's options were solid. Dark attribute. He was in need of dark affinity right now, so it was obvious this would greatly aid in awakening dark powers later. But the explanation and grade were the issues. The fact that it was in a degraded state meant its true power was far beyond this, and he'd secretly hoped for Legendary grade, so this fell short.
—It's not something to regret that much. You're just used to getting Legendary items unusually often lately. Normally, Unique is extremely hard to obtain.
“I've been getting them easily though?”
—Ahem, well...! That's because you've had insane luck and freebies. Anyway, it looks like it can be upgraded to Legendary or higher if you meet the conditions later, so don't be too bummed.
“Hmm. But finding the conditions seems tough with so few clues.”
—The dwarves might know. Go see the dwarf tribe.
“Oh ho. Dwarves, huh.”
Kim Jehyun nodded at Alkasha's words. He'd been thinking of seeking them out ever since hearing about them from Alkasha. Dwarves were elusive, but they definitely existed somewhere on Earth—traces related to them popped up occasionally.
“Guess I should check the Magic Tower's Alkasha soon.”
Alkasha. A repository of worldly knowledge and information. One of the Magic Tower's prides. It was on the upper floors, which he normally couldn't access yet.
“But I've got this seal.”
Kim Jehyun smiled, pulling out the silver pigeon seal.
Lots to do ahead.
“Alright. First up, dungeons.”
* * *
“People's reactions are hilarious.”
Kim Jehyun chuckled, setting down his smartphone. He'd seen it while heading to the black market for dungeon raid tickets.
Welcome. Global No. 1, Taeri's Black Market welcomes you. Please present your invitation.
As Kim Jehyun arrived at the black market entrance, a mechanical voice greeted him. He promptly presented the invitation from his pocket, received confirmation, and was given a blue-eared rabbit mask. The mask covered from the upper face down, leaving the lower jaw exposed.
To think I'd end up in a place like this.
Taeri's Black Market wasn't for just anyone. It started as an illegal black market but had become a quasi-legal mega-market. Invitation and verified identity required.
Bought the invite with cash, and as a formal Magic Tower mage, identity's no issue.
Kim Jehyun smirked inwardly at his elevated status compared to his past life and stepped inside.
Taeri's Black Market lived up to its No. 1 reputation with its massive scale. Following directions, he headed to the dungeon raid ticket auction hall, entering the C-grade bidding room.
“We have 17 C-grade dungeon raid tickets up for bid today. Let's start with the first: C-grade monster pickaxe dungeon—you know, the violent pickaxe ones. Bidding starts at 100 million!”
“120 million.”
“190 million.”
“200 million.”
“250 million.”
“300 million.”
“320 million.”
The auction was heated. About twenty people in the room, all intent on snagging at least one ticket.
“320 million! Anyone higher? If not, countdown from five: one, two, three, four...”
“400 million.”
Just as Kim Jehyun opened his mouth, the red-bearded wolf mask—who'd been silently arms-crossed—spoke up. From 100 million to 400 million. Other animal masks tapping calculators gave up.
400 million for a C-grade wasn't worth it.
“400 million! As expected from Red Beard Wolf Mask, our VIP! Will you sweep all C-grades again? Anyone else? If not, first dungeon goes to...”
As the auctioneer was about to close, Kim Jehyun spoke.
“500 million.”
“……!”
“500 million?!”
Murmurs rippled. Those buying C-grade tickets on the black market were mostly small-mid guilds. Few had discretionary funds for 500 million on C-grades.
“550 million.”
The Red Beard Wolf, who'd seemed relaxed at 400, now bid with trembling hands.
“550 million.”
Kim Jehyun matched instantly, raising higher. The wolf whipped his head to glare silently. Kim Jehyun met the gaze, shrugged, and the wolf snapped away with a whoosh of wind—furious at the interference.
“Blue-Eared Rabbit Mask! A new whale appears! 550 million. Anyone higher? Countdown: one, two, three... five! Sold! First dungeon to Blue-Eared Rabbit Mask! Congratulations!”
With the auctioneer's cheers, the second dungeon bidding began.
“200 million.”
“230 million.”
“290 million.”
“450 million.”
Red Beard Wolf's 450 million halted the rise again.
“Damn. Tough to snag any today.”
“Yeah. Red Beard Wolf shows up and ruins it.”
“That new guy's no pushover either. Might as well pack up.”
Other masks grumbled.
“450 million! Anyone higher?!”
The auctioneer eyed Kim Jehyun—he'd pegged the big players as him and the wolf.
Feeling the gaze, Kim Jehyun casually bid.
“500 million.”
“Kuh... 550 million.”
Red Beard clenched teeth, raising after Kim Jehyun's call. Seemed he had extra budget after losing the first.
“550 million! Anyone else?”
“600 million!”
Red Beard glared and yelled, mouthing at Kim Jehyun.
Follow market etiquette?
Kim Jehyun read the lips and chuckled.
Like etiquette exists here.
“1 billion.”
Cash is king.
* * *
The black market auction ended. Kim Jehyun, on his first visit, rocketed to VIP.
“I bought out all C-grade tickets. Of course.”
Indeed, he'd swept all 17 C-grade raid tickets. Red Beard Wolf, who clung at first, eventually slumped defeated in his chair midway. Some participants, relieved, thumbs-upped Kim Jehyun—Red Beard usually monopolized them. Today was a tie, but seeing the hated wolf powerless felt good.
“Money really is great.”
Kim Jehyun grinned. Sure, he'd splurged big-time, but way more incoming soon. Plus, selling dungeon byproducts would cover it—no loss.
This must be flexing.
Kim Jehyun smirked inwardly. Gotta have the cash first.
“Time for the main course—leveling.”
* * *
“Kiyaaak!”
The ferocious great pickaxe, C-grade boss, screamed and collapsed. Couldn't withstand Kim Jehyun's magic.
“Oh, already?”
Kim Jehyun felt the thrilling energy surging through him. This was his seventh dungeon. Thought he'd need at least ten, but pre-stocked EXP must've carried over.
At this rate, a few more laps including respawns should do it?
Kim Jehyun pocketed the magic stone and byproducts from the pickaxe boss, muttering inwardly. Planned to loop without breaking cores till break thresholds, and he'd hit level 40 before all reached limit.
Then.
“Hey, hold up. You the guy who bought out all C-grade dungeons around here?”
Eight rough-looking thugs blocked Kim Jehyun.
“……?”
Kim Jehyun puzzled, scanning them with Dragon Eye. Reading their info, his lips curled amusedly.
Well, well?