Chapter 105
Chapter 105
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 105
Chapter Title: Daboseok's Allure
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Twinkle, twinkle.
The glass case containing the Daboseok organic materials sparkled brightly.
It was a splendor befitting the name Daboseok. The flashy packaging made the contents inside seem extraordinarily special.
"Shall we watch a video first?"
Han Suhwan converted the pre-prepared video file and broadcast it through the projector and speakers.
It was footage captured through the Eye of Sharing during their brief stop at Daboseok. He'd handed it over to professionals for color correction and editing with grand classical music.
The place was beautiful to begin with, but with the color adjustments and filters, it took on an even more fantastical atmosphere.
A magical space that seemed like something you could only see in dreams.
At the deletion manager's request, he'd cut out the part where the dungeon spoke, showing only the vivid scenery.
"Wow... That was Daboseok?"
"So all the materials for the dungeon's Sparkle series come from there..."
"Amazing... It's even more fantasy-like than this place. I want to go too..."
Voices of admiration for the beautiful landscape rose from here and there.
-Wow, dungeon, can you go there?
-Where is it? Holy shit, it's insane.
-Can I get there by scouring the continent right now?
-But more importantly, where is this auction house?
-Fucking pissed, why exclude us? I wanna join the auction toooooo
The live streams sharing the Daboseok scenery in real-time with the auction house were also buzzing.
Han Suhwan smiled, pleased with the positive reactions.
"It's a beautiful place, isn't it? A mysterious world that the game company is still keeping hidden, perhaps because the world formation isn't complete yet. Location? Unknown. How to get there? Also unknown."
Han Suhwan raised his hand and pointed to the Daboseok organic materials package.
"You'll understand once you acquire this item and examine it closely, but the key feature of these organics is how they differ from those in this world or the real world. Look closely—the branches, the stones—they all have surfaces that sparkle like they've been dusted with gem powder. No soil or plants with such traits exist anywhere on the continent."
Serious expression, lowered tone, diaphragmatic breathing.
Han Suhwan gauged the crowd's reactions before speaking again.
"As the item description states, Daboseok doesn't belong to any region. It doesn't belong to any country. It's not part of Ardam Continent or the Continent of Elements either. It's a completely different world, with its own independent ecosystem and natural environment."
A completely different world.
Han Suhwan had no idea that the hypothesis he'd tossed out to sound impressive was actually true.
The crowd showed keen interest at the mention of another world not registered on the current Ninapinta map.
Existing Daboseok material items had "Otherworld" in their descriptions, but seeing footage of this otherworld called Daboseok and hearing it stated directly made it feel fresh.
"The instinct to seek out the new is human nature. New continents, adventures, new planets! Space! People read books, watch movies, and play games to embark on adventures."
He gave examples to indirectly convey the value of the Daboseok organics.
Han Suhwan made a pointing gesture into the air and slightly raised his voice tone.
"Do you remember when humanity first sent people to the moon? When humans set foot in a place thought impossible, every newspaper and news outlet was flooded with it. It was huge. Out of curiosity. What lay beyond the familiar Earth landscapes we'd grown used to? Moon rabbits? Aliens?"
Han Suhwan paced slowly in front of the display stands alone for a moment before stopping in front of the Daboseok organics.
"Curiosity swelled, and people began assigning meaning to even tiny moon rocks brought back from that small world. And moonstones from the moon still fetch high prices today. Even though they're just rocks, they haven't lost their symbolic value. The moon rock Neil Armstrong brought back first is worth even more."
Now he needed to link this example to the Daboseok organics in Ninapinta.
"Ninapinta. Do you remember the frenzy when it first launched? People raved about finally experiencing a fantasy world in 4D. The hyper-realism beyond just a game led many to immerse themselves as if visiting another country. Daboseok is like the moon in that hyper-real game world. Everyone knows about it, wants to go, but can't reach it."
Han Suhwan paused mid-sentence and turned his head toward Dun.
"Until now, only the dungeon can go there."
After the grand buildup mentioning the dungeon, everyone followed Han Suhwan's gaze to look at Dun.
Dun responded to the stares with arms casually crossed.
"What."
Dun's short word drew quiet laughter throughout the auction house.
Han Suhwan chuckled along before pointing back at the Daboseok organic series and continuing.
"These items are the core natural essences that make up Daboseok, gathered and brought here. Of course, the gem trees and Daboseok stones are already known through the dungeon, but today! Exclusive to this place, we're unveiling the organics for the first time!! Starting bid is 100 million won!!"
Since they'd grown accustomed to bids in the hundreds of billions earlier, starting at hundreds of millions felt natural.
"200 million."
Just in case, he'd asked friends among the participants to bid a bit higher.
To make it look like there was genuine interest.
Fortunately, the spark caught, and the fire spread.
Already captivated by Daboseok's existence and the elaborate explanation, people poured their reserved funds into the Daboseok series, eager to see what would come last.
"300 million!"
"1 billion!"
"1.2 billion!"
Daboseok itself was incredibly appealing, but the word "first" ignited frenzy.
The first adventurer village's first auction, the first reveal of Daboseok bait.
And the official first Daboseok organic package. The boxes and glass cases packaging the organics were stylishly impressive too.
Honestly, it didn't matter if the dungeon had sold these items before or not.
The plausible story and the attached label of meaning were masterfully crafted, and people placed value in that.
If it wouldn't become an issue, make it one.
Plenty of people with the power to do so were gathered here.
Rising bids. Voices growing louder.
-100 billion!
-1 trillion!
-WTF, why is this skyrocketing? LOLOLOL
-50 quadrillion!
-LOLOLOLOLOL
-5,000 won!
-Wow, how is that even possible LOLOLOLOLOL
-50,000 won!
-They must all have money to burn LOLOL
The chat exploded too. The auction house grew rowdy again over the final item.
He'd worried what to do if the 100 million starting bid flopped, but it was needless anxiety.
As prices climbed higher, Han Suhwan's mouth curved up to his ears.
"Yes, yes! 3 billion!"
"4 billion!"
"4.3 billion!"
The money figures and values shot up relentlessly.
Even those not thrilled with the Daboseok series started throwing in their reserved cash at the end, bidding high to snag something.
Bored rich folks hunting value clashed in the final stretch.
900 million, 950 million, 1 billion...
"1.05 billion! Yes, 1.05 billion—going higher?"
In the end, the random organic clumps Dun had picked up sold for 1.05 billion.
An amount not far off from rare legendary items not yet revealed worldwide.
Even Dun was a bit surprised it fetched such a high price.
Since Dun took 90% of the proceeds, it meant a massive windfall in one go.
Dun's eyes sparkled with emotion.
"Wow, Mom... We're rich now...!"
-LOLOLOL Dun's rich now LOLOLOL
-Feel good? Must feel good... LOLOLOLOL
-Calling for mom like a real baby LOLOLOLOLOLOL
-LOLOL so cute
-Dun made bank, so no more selling stuff, right?
-Cutiepiewewe LOLOLOL
-Oh yeah, fuck... Don't ditch us now that you're rich, Dun
-Dun, do a money-burning stream
[Quest completed!]
Succeeding in selling the Daboseok organics Dun had gathered triggered the quest completion notice.
Han Suhwan, who'd been tense throughout the handler quest for Dun, clenched his fist and let out a quiet cheer upon seeing it.
He was about to play some classical music and usher people out when suddenly one of the NPCs in the auction house spoke up.
"Everyone, please pay attention."
[NPC Minuel]
A stunningly handsome man with golden hair and pink eyes.
He walked to the center of the auction house.
"Hello, I'm Minuel from Happy NPC. I'm speaking on behalf of the operator of this place."
Minuel revealed he was here as a spokesperson for the adventurer village operator and affiliated with Happy NPC.
In truth, he was a fictional persona created to evade the emperor's pursuit.
To avoid linking the adventurer village to Dun or Prim, they'd deliberately drawn attention to Happy NPC.
And currently, Minuel was Primavera in a body-transformed disguise, acting the part.
"Aren't you all curious what this suddenly appeared village is for?"
Everyone had tons of questions about the place, but the auction had consumed their focus, missing the chance to ask.
They'd planned to inquire after with the masked auctioneer and surrounding NPCs when Minuel suddenly addressed their curiosities.
"What is this place?"
As one voice reached Minuel, he smiled.
"New Ninapinta player content!"
Murmurs grew at "new content."
They'd come for Daboseok bait, but other content teases were welcome too.
Minuel patted the desk where items had been displayed and continued.
"This location is the Adventurer Village. Going forward, we'll exclusively sell items only adventurers can use, like the Eye of Sharing."
So that's why the Eye of Sharing vendor had vanished—they'd moved it here.
"Plus, there's a PVP Colosseum, and it'll be the regular delivery spot for the dungeon's items, so item auctions will happen often. Lots more fun content in the works, so look forward to it."
-Oooooh
-Jackpot
-But seriously, where is it
-I need an Eye of Sharing
With everyone showing huge interest, Prim glanced at Dun.
Time to mention what Dun had asked for.
"But we'll restrict visitors. You have a 'Popularity' stat in your system window—only those above a certain threshold can enter."
-Is it an influencers-only spot?
-We're screwed
;;;;
-WTF discriminating against people
-Really? LOLOLOL
"Popularity rises naturally with high NPC affinity. It's a perk for players who live harmoniously with NPCs."
-Hate it
-LOLOL Player content but you gotta suck up to NPCs?
-What kind of petty condition is this?;;;
Dun stared at the chat reactions before clicking his tongue.
"I set that condition. It's what I got in exchange for supplying auction items here."
As soon as Dun spoke, the auction house, including Minuel, fell silent.
"I want to bar people who torment NPCs for fun from this world entirely, but since I can't, I racked my brain for this restriction instead."
Dun smiled as he continued.
He'd held back mentioning it so far out of necessity, but now he aired what he'd wanted to say all along.
"How many assassination threats did I face living in Genesis? Before gathering players to protect me, how many times did I flee from those rushing to steal my items? How many times did I stop threats to Lihaowel or the villagers' lives?"
His usual light tone carried a hint of anger, suddenly hushing the room.
"Streamers living off harassing NPCs? I'll make sure they can't loot or buy Eyes of Sharing. Players who harass NPCs? My goal is to block them from job changes entirely."
You listening, Seol Do-yun?
If you're monopolizing the awakening route, then keep players like Kim Woo-sung from gaining power too.
He'd worried about blanking mid-speech, but plenty had built up—words flowed easily.
Dun felt relieved midway, his mood lifting slightly, but he kept a solemn face to the end.
"We feel emotions too, you know. We're programmed that intricately. Don't treat us like toys. I just want to live peacefully and quietly with Mom."
Dun finished seriously and took a step.
The stares felt odd. Shocked expressions.
Some looked scared, others pitying—and there were plenty of those.
Han Suhwan's gaze lingered intensely. It seemed misty.
Dun turned off the broadcast and approached Han Suhwan.
"Congrats, handler. Your job now is to systematically develop this adventurer village. Sell the items I give you from now on just as profitably—pluck 'em good. To effectively let in only high-popularity users, contact Happy NPC. They keep user popularity data."
And so, they'd secured a foothold in Happy NPC—the massive money line Seol Do-yun had controlled—while curbing excessive violence toward NPCs a bit.
No clue if it'd stick, but they could tweak based on how things played out.
Now, time to help Prim with this adventurer village too.