Chapter 59

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Translator: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠penny

Chapter: 59

Chapter Title: Ember Court

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『I'm Isaac, the auctioneer who will be hosting with you all today.』

The spotlight focused on the stage, where someone appeared and politely bowed to the audience.

『Today, we have items meticulously selected from all corners of the continent. Ancient relics, magic tools, objects infused with mysterious powers! Treasures prepared exclusively for those of you seated here!』

'It's finally starting.'

Ember Court, the auction house challenge.

Players who enter this place can dive into the auction with whatever money they have.

The items up for bid vary widely. From worthless common gear to top-tier Transcendent-grade items.

'At least it's not dangerous, so that's a relief.'

One of the rare challenges among the [Challenge Tasks] with no risk involved.

After twenty rounds of bidding, players can claim their winnings and return to their original world.

The huge drawback is that without money, you're stuck twiddling your thumbs.

'Auction houses are tough, whether in the early or late stages of the Selection Process.'

It's somewhat easier to snag something in the mid-to-late stages when you don't need cash for survival,

but even then, it's no cakewalk—the bidding prices and premium markups on items depend on which-numbered Rest Area the auction pops up in.

'Makes perfect sense, really.'

Just as item performance ramps up with each successive Trial, the same logic applies to challenge tasks.

The value of auction items skyrockets, and so does the money needed to match it.

'That's why only a handful ever turn a profit here.'

Unless you're on the level of the Golden Castle Lord, bidding is a pipe dream.

And it's not just about money. The other lords could scrape that together somehow.

『Now, take a deep breath and prepare to embrace the night of Ember Court.』

At the host's signal, an item rose smoothly from the stage floor. It sat on a pedestal draped in luxurious silk, its contents still hidden.

『Introducing our first item.』

Only after the host whisked away the red cloth could we lay eyes on it.

『An ancient sword unearthed from a forbidden tomb. The blade is badly worn, but it harbors a mysterious power. Starting bid: 200 points. Who would like to make the first offer?』

I pointed to one of the items on the table beside me.

Opera glasses.

The distance from here to the stage was considerable. That's why auction houses provide binoculars that make far-off items look like they're right in front of you.

I peered through them at the sword on stage.

'Worn blade, just like the host said... and it's ancient.'

They claim it holds special power, but I couldn't tell what it was.

'Even my Mythic ability [Full Appraisal] can't read it.'

The item was sealed in a special glass case that apparently blocked [Full Appraisal]'s power—no matter how hard I focused, no info came up.

'That's why it's so hard to score big in auction challenges.'

Players have to judge purely by eye.

But sizing up value from looks alone? Good luck.

Like that ancient lantern I gave the Saintess recently, [Flame of the Watch]—looks like junk, but priceless.

'You don't know what it really is until you win the bid and hold it.'

『400 points!』

『450 points!』

『500! 550! 600 points!』

I turned my head, scanning the surroundings.

No sign of my companions anywhere in the seats.

'Wonder how everyone's doing.'

This was a sort of solo dungeon. Every player enters a separate channel to run their own auction. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Meaning no meeting up or pooling resources until it's over.

'Makes winning bids even tougher.'

You can't combine funds mid-auction, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and even if you could, who'd trust handing over big bucks to a stranger?

That's why this challenge succeeds for almost no one except the ultra-rich.

'Unless luck's on your side, anyway.'

『No 750? Last chance, folks. Miss it, and this goes to someone else.』

I pressed down hard on the button in my seat's armrest. The host's voice boomed instantly, and the number on the screen above him ticked up with a ding.

『800 points!』

Meanwhile, at that very moment.

In another auction house, Shin Seo-yeon was racking her brains while watching the bids.

'Let's see... so pressing this button raises the bid by 50 points each time?'

She'd observed cautious bidders and gauged the flow over five items. Now she had her plan.

'I've only got 1,600 points, so better focus on one good thing.'

The Crimson Flame Witch instinctively knew going all-in on a single quality item beat grabbing a bunch of junk.

"Now, the question is what to target..."

Normally, she'd bet on whatever sparkled brightest—higher odds of quality. But a clever idea struck her.

'Don't those guys who've done tons of auctions know item values better than me?'

Her strategy: follow the hot bids from experienced bidders and go all-in.

Not too pricey, but with 1,600 points, she could snag something.

'Yeah! I'll make more than I spend!'

『1,300 points! Anyone higher? Last call.』

Shin Seo-yeon bid without hesitation.

"Alright, here we go!"

While Shin Seo-yeon executed her strategy, Song Ha-na was just enjoying the show. She pondered briefly, then decided.

"Hmm! I don't like gambling. No clue here, so I'll just sit tight."

Choosing for herself was tough for the indecisive girl. In the end, she spectated the whole auction.

"No money. But this is yummy."

Lee Sera, broke as well, wandered snacking on the complimentary treats meant for other guests.

'Hm. I pride myself on a good eye, but even treasures from my vault often exceeded expectations.'

Han So-hee reflected on past experience, weighing options ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠endlessly, then gave up on bidding.

Just in case winning nothing meant no return home, she snagged the cheapest lot at 350 points.

But one person moved entirely differently.

『9,050 points! Higher bids?』

In Kang Min-jun's auction house, the heat was rising.

'First item's already bidding high.'

I coolly eyed the ancient sword and its rabid competitors.

'Out of twenty items, only one's the real deal.'

The rest? Junk.

That's why even moneybags lords rarely profit here.

Five percent hit rate.

'Everything else is trash you can't even use.'

Yet with hordes of extras here driving up bids on crap, players can't tell real from fake.

So rookies go all-in on what they "need," and smarts follow the crowd thinking it's hot.

Both dumb moves. So what's smart?

『No more than 9,050? One, two, three. Sold!』

『Ancient Sword goes to Kang Min-jun in 3rd Floor Seat B! Congratulations! Next item...』

Press. Press. Press.

『Mysterious Stone goes to Kang Min-jun in 3rd Floor Seat B! Congratulations!』

『Magitech Shoes to Kang Min-jun in 3rd Floor Seat B! Congratulations!』

I outbid everything. Money was burning a hole anyway.

Fifty percent from the girls,

funds from selling my duffel bag personally,

plus cash from offloading 990 gear pieces from inventory.

Pooling it all let me sweep every single one of the twenty.

'Burn cash—that way, 5% or 1%, it lands in my hands for sure.'

Not without close calls, though.

『51,400 points!』

『51,450!』

『51,500!』

『51,550!』

Over half my funds nearly vanished on one lot.

I considered torching the competing extra with [Primordial Flame], but causing a scene here was bad form. I held back.

『Ancient Ring to Kang Min-jun in 3rd Floor Seat B! Congratulations!』

After that, no major hurdles—the auction barreled to the end.

'That was close.'

Who knew it'd guzzle so much?

Part of me regretted the spend—could've done a lot with it.

'But snagging one real gem beats hauling cash for survival.'

Especially since [Challenge Tasks] are the sole theoretical path to Transcendent items.

Slim odds, but worth the gamble.

'Even a Mythic would do.'

The Saintess's [Robes of Lumina] alone boost all stats by 10—40 total. Like four levels ahead in Trials. And Mythics pack three options average. Worth it.

『That concludes this Ember Court auction.』

With the final item done, the host bid farewell with a touch of regret.

『Thank you again for your valuable time. We'll deliver your lots personally...』

The stage lights faded out like a slow dissolve, while the auditorium's dimmed ones flickered back on one by one.

A serene silence settled in.

But something eerie: only the lights in my room came on.

The stage and other seats stayed shrouded in pitch black.

As if my space was isolated, the light refusing to leak beyond.

Staring into that impenetrable dark...

Knock knock.

A knock at the door.

I rose and opened the one at the back. There stood the auctioneer from before.

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Isaac."

A silver-haired middle-aged man with slicked-back hair and a stylish beard bowed politely.

He wheeled in a fancy cart bearing my lots and gazed at me in awe.

"Impressive. That was unforgettable. Sweeping every item... we haven't seen your like in ages."

The perks didn't stop there.

He rummaged in the cart's lower compartment and pulled something out.

"A token of appreciation for the guest who participated and made history."

Costume.

Special outfits for wearing in Rest Areas, each with unique perks.

Usually packed with handy prep for the next Trial, and so rare they're tough to get.

'Only from challenge tasks. No clue what's inside, but worth at least 10 million points.'

The box he handed over morphed into clothing upon touch. I stowed it in inventory.

"I'll take my leave then. Exit via this door anytime. Hope you enjoyed Ember Court."

The host bowed and departed. The doorway vanished, replaced by a glowing blue portal.

I turned from it to survey my winnings.

One real prize among them.

'This one's it.'