Chapter 120
Chapter 120
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 120
Chapter Title: The Public Auction House
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Most players headed to the auction house when they wanted to buy items.
The convenient auction houses just for players, accessible via apps or websites.
Luke had bought items from those kinds of auction houses until now.
But today was different.
The second auction house.
He had come directly to the public auction house, which existed in most cities of decent size.
Real-time auctions, quick sales, antique exhibitions, item explanation sessions, and more.
A place where you could see items up close and buy or sell them right on the spot.
And that was why.
The facilities were run by NPCs.
And most of the people using them were NPCs, too.
The place Luke was visiting this time was a city close to the Adept's Gateway.
Bencuri's public auction house.
'Well, commercial cities have the grandest auction house facilities.'
Unfortunately, those commercial cities were mostly in mid-tier regions.
For now, he'd have to settle for a low-tier city's auction house.
Luke approached the round building in front of him, thinking that.
The staff in suits guarding the entrance bowed their heads.
"Welcome, adventurer. Are you here to use the public auction house?"
"Yeah."
"Then we'll need to check your identity before entry."
As expected.
These facilities required identity checks, too.
They couldn't let criminals inside the auction house.
Unfortunately, Luke was exactly the kind of criminal they were worried about.
Except...
"All clear. Sorry for the inconvenience, adventurer."
"If you know it's a hassle, move aside."
His infamy level was hidden, so they had no idea.
"We sincerely welcome you to our auction house. We hope you have a pleasant time..."
The staff parted to the sides.
They grabbed the door handles and pulled them open simultaneously.
Creeeak.
The widening gap revealed the auction house interior.
NPCs were already milling about everywhere.
A very small number of players were visible here and there.
Luke grinned and stepped inside.
Luke took a light breath inward.
'Ah, jackpot.'
He could smell it.
The thick scent of money wafting from everywhere.
"Now, let's proceed with the auction for the third item!"
A staff member conducting a real-time auction on stage.
"1 gold!"
"2 gold!"
"No, 4 gold!"
Buyers below raising their hands high and calling out bids.
"This pottery on display looks like a fine piece."
"You have a good eye."
"Hmm, who consigned this? It looks exactly like the one I saw at the market yesterday..."
And people closely examining the displayed items, deep in thought.
Money was changing hands everywhere.
Items were moving, too.
For a thief, this place was nothing short of paradise.
He wanted to steal everything in sight, but there was a huge problem with that.
No skills of any kind were allowed inside.
If caught using one by staff, you'd at least be forcibly ejected.
'They sometimes fine you on top of ejection for breaking the rules.'
That was why casually attempting theft was impossible.
Too many eyes watching.
Once marked, it became a headache.
'If there was a way to evade the staff's gaze, it might be possible...'
Security in these places was always tight.
Staff stationed everywhere.
Detection magic throughout the building.
Traps and security devices prepared for intruders.
Evading their eyes was one thing; sneaking into the building was nearly impossible.
And that wasn't all.
The auction items had ironclad security, too.
Items constantly handled by staff.
They had solid precautions against theft: security magic.
Display stands, exhibits, auction items—no exceptions inside.
The security magic wouldn't lift unless you bought and owned it outright.
Luke had experienced that security magic once before.
'Drauuder.'
Yes.
The moment he tried to steal the secret map from Drauuder, the revolutionary leader.
That was when the security magic activated.
Non-transferable.
Non-stealable.
Indestructible.
Impossible unless the caster or an authorized person dispelled it.
'Unless the owner dies and drops it, you can't touch the damn thing.'
Of course, it didn't last forever.
Higher-level nullification effects could dispel it.
Or items or skills with those effects.
But those were rare, and in these facilities, they reapplied the magic whenever it wore off.
'I need a separate countermeasure for security magic.'
He had to avoid another Drauuder situation at all costs.
Only then could he attempt steals with peace of mind.
And steal those auction items right in front of him.
'Lock level 3, but...'
Unlocking it wasn't impossible.
Once his Unlock level hit 3, he could open cases like that.
Of course, staff would swarm before then from skill use.
Luke smacked his lips in regret.
Staff gazes, security systems, security magic.
If he could handle those three, he could clean out the auction house.
'No way right now.'
Nothing for it at the moment.
So focus on the original goal first.
The reason he'd come despite no theft possible: the public auction house.
Luke calmly scanned his surroundings for it.
'Let's see.'
Of course, it might not be here.
But public auction houses weren't limited to this one.
Cities in low-tier zones.
Luke was prepared to visit every single one.
'Hmm, not here, huh.'
As he rolled his eyes around.
'Huh?'
His gaze belatedly locked on one auction item.
A crowbar displayed in a corner.
It looked like just an old, outdated weapon at first glance.
But that didn't matter.
What mattered was the pattern visible on the equipment's surface.
'Found it!'
A black mask pattern.
What did Luke need most right now?
The answer was simple.
Night King's items.
Or more precisely, job skills.
That's why he'd thought of public auction houses.
The black mask pattern.
You had to see it with your own eyes to know.
Auction house apps or sites couldn't distinguish it.
Unless you bought it directly.
Public auction houses were different.
Real-time auctions or on-site displays let you check beforehand if it was a Night King's item.
'Like that cloak sold at Parten's entrance. The Night King's collection standards aren't that strict.'
A bit unusual, with a story, or valuable as treasure.
The Night King collected them all.
The world's greatest collector, born of infinite greed.
And that's why.
Items like the wrist guards from corpse looting sometimes carried the Night King's aura, even if unremarkable.
Luke had targeted that by visiting public auction houses.
From lowest to highest grade.
They handled all kinds of items.
Of course, he'd checked markets and shops in cities, too, but none had rare items as often as public auction houses.
"Oh, you have excellent taste, sir!"
"Get the item out before I get LASIK."
"Ah, choosing this one. Unique taste. As for its origins..."
"Shut up."
"Sorry, these items don't have an immediate purchase price set."
"Then enter my name at one copper above the highest bid."
And Luke's guess was spot on.
Public auction houses.
Night King's items started appearing inside one by one.
One per auction house in various places.
Sometimes none at all, but the yield was better than expected.
Each time, Luke bought immediately.
Or topped the bid to claim them quickly.
'I could wait for someone else to buy and steal outside, but...'
He couldn't wait forever for sales.
Many items never sold.
"What a rip-off!"
"Rip-off? No, sir, it's fairly priced..."
"Argh, I wanna smash a pot over this rip-off!"
Some had absurd prices, but Luke stayed patient and waited.
'Those get remarketed at discount later anyway.'
Price adjustments possible.
He toured every auction house in the south like that.
Remembering names and locations of some.
How much time passed?
Four items ended up in Luke's possession.
Various types of items.
But one thing in common.
'All Night King's items!'
Every one bore the mask pattern.
He'd spent a good chunk of money, but it was satisfying.
If all had skills, that's four new skills acquired.
Gulp!
Pounding heart.
Luke pulled out the crowbar-shaped weapon first.
Black haze rising from the crowbar.
It soon seeped into Luke's body.
'Alright, what's first!'
Sparkling eyes.
A message appeared before his eyes simultaneously.
New skill!
Exactly what he'd hoped for.
'Yes!'
A cheer escaped involuntarily.
A great start.
The problem was, like with Parkour, the item vanished.
'Tch, just for the skill, huh.'
Luke shook off the regret and moved to the next.
Black haze seeped into his body again.
Luke swallowed dryly, awaiting the result.
'Huh?'