Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: 4th Floor's Hidden Labyrinth (1)
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A dark auditorium lined with black silhouettes.
A brilliant light descended to the center of the auditorium, drawing the attention of everyone inside.
Beneath it lay a massive object shrouded in black cloth.
The setup was identical to what I'd seen before.
One of the black silhouettes that had brought me here stepped forward and raised its hand high toward the sky.
Then.
The first auction item, protected by a transparent cover, was revealed.
Shattered Heart of the Ancient Dragon.
A dragon heart obtained from battle against dragons, classified as the pinnacle of living creatures.
True to the description that only about a tenth of its original size remained, the dragon heart was on the smaller side.
As soon as the auction item appeared, the black silhouette in front raised a placard high.
The auction started at 1 million cash.
Just like last time, as soon as it began, the black silhouettes below raised their hands in unison.
『2,000,000 cash』
『3,000,000 cash』
『4,000,000 cash』
…
『30,000,000 cash』
The price of the dragon heart skyrocketed at an insane pace, soon reaching 30 million.
At this point, the bidding slowed down, as expected.
Time for me to join in.
I raised my hand, and the amount updated automatically.
『32,000,000 cash』
『33,000,000 cash』
"......"
Whenever someone raised their hand, the price updated immediately.
Not long after.
It ended at 100 million cash.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
With the sound of something tapping in the air, the auction was hammered down.
"......!!!"
The silhouette hosting the auction waved its arms toward me and hopped around excitedly.
It seemed thrilled with the successful sale.
I waited for it to return me as usual......
"?"
But no matter how long I waited, nothing happened.
Then.
Flick—
The light in the center of the auditorium went out for a moment, then came back on.
In that brief instant, the auction item in the center had switched to the second one.
The second auction item was the Fruit of Birth.
Consuming it permanently and massively boosts stamina, while also expanding mental capacity.
The price started at 300,000 cash.
I watched the bidding climb again this time.
Ziiing—
As I observed the auction, a headache struck my head once more.
The difference from before was that it didn't stop no matter how long I waited.
Instead, the pain intensified, as if urging me that time was running out.
"......"
Looking ahead, the Fruit of Birth was at 1 million.
Time seemed short.
First, I scanned the room interior.
Besides the placard with the auction item, there was a small blank placard in the room.
When I picked it up.
A status window appeared, indicating I could arbitrarily enter an auction bid.
I immediately tapped the amount field and inputted a custom figure.
The entered amount was 5 million total.
Looking at the current price of the Fruit of Birth, this should push it to end quickly.
I subtly raised the small placard.
The amount reflected instantly.
With the price jumping nearly threefold at once, the auction pace slowed dramatically.
『5,550,000 cash』
『5,700,000 cash』
『5,900,000 cash』
『6,000,000 cash』
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Final sale price: 6 million.
As the second auction ended.
Swoosh...
A sense of floating washed over me, as if my mind was being pulled away somewhere, and I returned to my lodging.
Checking my inventory, the items I'd won at auction were inside.
『Shattered Heart of the Ancient Dragon』
【Grade: Mythic】
—A fragment of Ancient Dragon Rafni's heart. Even this small piece radiates terrifying mana.
『Fruit of Birth』
【Grade: Legendary】
—A fruit brimming with vitality. Consuming it greatly increases life force.
"Hmm."
The Shattered Heart of the Ancient Dragon was tiny, being only a tenth of its original size.
This would be best attached to my staff... Next.
"Should I eat this one?"
I picked up the Fruit of Birth first.
A red fruit radiating a fresh glow, utterly appetizing.
The Fruit of Birth resembled an apple but seemed twice its size.
I boldly took a bite.
Then.
"...!"
My eyes widened at the taste!
The sweetness of a perfectly ripe apple drizzled with honey filled my mouth.
Yet it lacked the usual stickiness or heaviness of sweetness.
It was truly a fruit from heaven.
"...Ah."
When I came to, I'd devoured the entire Fruit of Birth.
A bit regrettable that I couldn't savor the moment, but considering it a bonus from buying the dragon heart, it was fine.
【Consumed Fruit of Birth.】
—Stamina stat increases by 50.
—Trait: Birth Legend unlocked.
『Birth Legend』
—Upon receiving a fatal blow, instantly recover 20% of life force.
【Soul rank rises by one level.】
—Mental power increases by 50.
『Mental Power: 250 -> 300』
A status window popped up, confirming the stats had applied properly.
After dismissing them all, I reopened my inventory and took out the dragon heart.
The shattered heart resembled a small crystal, shaped like a large gem.
Back in the game days, it could be equipped via an item socket.
I pulled out my staff and held it against the heart.
Then.
"Oh."
At the timely status window, I hit confirm and socketed the Shattered Heart of the Ancient Dragon into my staff.
The heart glowed briefly, then melted into the staff as a red crystal.
I checked the staff's changes.
『Imperfect Branch of the Ancient Tree』
【Equipped】
『Shattered Heart of the Ancient Dragon』
—Magic power increases by 100.
—Mana increases by 2000.
『Special: Dragon Heart』
—Mana recovery increases proportionally to surrounding mana density.
"Hmm."
With the Shattered Heart of the Ancient Dragon equipped, a red gem-like protrusion appeared at the staff's tip.
Even shattered, it was a dragon's heart.
Holding the staff, tremendous power surged through my body.
Magic power and mana had surged massively, but the main draw was the special Dragon Heart ability.
Mana recovery scaling with ambient mana density—crucial for solo players.
Plus, with my infinite-use mana recovery rune, I could now spam up to 2nd circle magic indefinitely.
Even 3rd circle spells seemed usable without mana worries, with just short intervals in combat.
"Alright... shall we head out?"
The items were sufficient now.
I left the lodging immediately.
The streets were shrouded in midnight darkness, so I stopped at a tavern in the bustling district and ordered some food for the dungeon—mostly bar snacks, but I got skewers and meats packed to go.
Once the food arrived, I stored it all in my inventory.
【Inventory】 16/21
『Portable Magic Stone Pouch 4 slots』
『Giant Forest Bag 12 slots』
『None』
『None』
『None』
"Hmm."
I hadn't sold magic stones in a while, so inventory space was tight.
Magic stones take up extra slots once they exceed a certain weight.
I was using 5 slots just on them.
"One day should be fine."
Bags sold in town max out at 6 slots.
Larger ones drop from elite monsters.
I'd assumed they'd drop eventually, but the drop rate was lower than expected.
Maybe fill up with 6-slot bags for now.
"First, the dungeon."
It was late, so the general store was closed.
Bag shopping would have to wait until tomorrow.
With food secured, I headed back to the dungeon.
『Register Designated Return Scroll location?』
—Dungeon Underground 4th Floor Entrance.
Upon arriving at the 4th floor, I registered the return scroll's location first.
Designated return scrolls let you return to a pre-registered spot.
But those spots are limited to specific locations.
The condition: right in front of gates.
Sadly, no registering arbitrary spots and teleporting.
With the return scroll location set, I began properly exploring the 4th floor dungeon.
Step.
Only the soft sound of my footsteps echoed around; no signs of life.
As I exited the entrance, the protective barrier enveloping it dissolved.
I activated 【True Sight】 to scan for hidden presences and ventured deeper into the dungeon.
Today's goal: enter the hidden labyrinth via a specific gimmick on the 4th floor.
Most people here probably didn't even know it existed.
A perfect spot for hunting without prying eyes.
- Grrooo...
- Guooo...
Lost in thought, flesh zombies began swarming from around me.
The 4th floor theme: City of the Dead.
In this cursed city, countless undead crawled about.
The farther from the entrance, the more undead there were.
Getting bitten caused rapid infection and rot at the wound, requiring antidotes or priestly aid.
Of course.
【4th Circle: Black Hole】
—Power limited due to insufficient mastery.
- Wooong.
If I could sweep them before they closed in, no problem.
【Defeated Flesh Zombie.】
—Gained experience.
【Defeated Bone Golem.】
—Gained experience.
【Defeated Giant Maggot.】
—Gained experience.
…
One Black Hole sucked in over a dozen undead at once, exploding them.
Even limited, 4th circle magic was 4th circle.
"This is the taste."
I stepped deeper along the freshly cleared corridor.