Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Underground Auction Showdown
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"This is my daughter."
"Oh, your daughter? She's so pretty."
"Hello."
A voice came from somewhere, and I turned my head.
A familiar face.
There were Choi Seo-yoon and her father, Choi Jae-hyung.
They had attended the Pioneer's Night last time, and it seemed they were participating again this time too.
In the original story, the Choi family had participated on this day anyway, so it wasn't all that surprising.
"Right."
Since Choi Seo-yoon was participating, that guy must be here too, just like in the original.
I looked around.
The person I was searching for was none other than Lee Seo-jun.
After the final exams, Lee Seo-jun had developed an interest in Jin Cheon-woo and ended up participating in the Pioneer's Night while tracking his footsteps.
Because he thought he might uncover some clue from the items Jin Cheon-woo had used in life, which were on display.
Then, an incident breaks out at the event venue, drawing him into some trouble—that's the story in the original.
'I need to avoid running into him.'
Lee Seo-jun had sensed something off about the relationship between Kim Seon-woo and Kim Jin-woo.
Right now, with no idea what he might be thinking, crossing paths and arousing suspicion would just give me a headache.
I activated Character Insight and waded through the crowd.
To identify the villains hiding their identities in advance.
'None in sight.'
They must all be well hidden—no one looked like a villain.
With so many people, maybe I just couldn't spot them.
As I walked along, scanning the area, a massive glass case came into view in the center of the hall.
Crowds of people were gathered around it.
Curiosity drew me slowly closer to the throng.
Voices chattering nearby reached my ears.
"Wow, is that the legendary item from history?"
"Hanseong Group's Vice Chairman Han Se-jin is impressive. Rumor has it he bought it for 300 billion."
"Whoa, 300 billion? For a broken sword?"
Inside the glass case was a single broken sword on display.
At the same time, Outsider's Benefit activated, and information appeared before my eyes.
[Broken Black Sword (F)]
Classification: Sword
Description: A broken black sword. Its mystical power has vanished.
I stared blankly at the black sword before shifting my gaze to the text below.
[The sword used by Jin Cheon-woo, the worst wizard in history.]
"......Hmph."
As expected, this item belonged to Jin Cheon-woo.
Right now it was broken and bereft of its original power, but this black sword was originally an SS-rank weapon named 'Black Heaven.'
Lost in admiration for a moment, I spotted a familiar face across from me.
Lee Seo-jun, sharply dressed in a black suit. His hair was parted slightly, revealing his forehead—he was annoyingly handsome.
What was Lee Seo-jun thinking about right now?
I gazed at him blankly before quietly stepping back.
Lee Seo-jun left the exhibition hall and walked down the corridor.
He had hoped to learn something about Jin Cheon-woo, but as expected, there wasn't a single hint to be found.
"Hoo."
Lee Seo-jun's mind grew complicated.
What was the connection between Jin Cheon-woo and me?
Was it really like the Tower said—did we share blood?
Was Jin Cheon-woo family?
That would explain a few mysteries. Like why Ja-un had approached him during the mercenary experience last time. Or why he had no memories of family from childhood.
Deep in thought, Lee Seo-jun noticed a familiar woman standing alone.
"Choi Seo-yoon?"
"Oh? Senior!"
Choi Seo-yoon approached Lee Seo-jun with a delighted face.
"You're here too, Senior?"
"Yeah. Didn't expect to run into you here."
"Hehe. Me neither. Wow, who did your hair, Senior?"
"Oh, this?"
Lee Seo-jun touched his hair with an embarrassed smile.
"The Association people did it. When I said I wanted to participate in the event, they said I had to dress up and did this."
"Ooh, it suits you perfectly, Senior."
Lee Seo-jun chuckled.
"How'd you end up here?"
"I came with my dad."
"Ah."
Lee Seo-jun recalled Choi Seo-yoon's family. The daughter of the Choi family, one of the five great magical noble houses.
Given that this was a social event for the upper crust, her presence was only natural.
And so, Lee Seo-jun chatted idly with Choi Seo-yoon for a bit.
That was when.
The back of a brown-haired man's head entered Lee Seo-jun's view.
It felt strangely familiar, even though it was clearly someone he'd never seen before.
"......What is it?"
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Lee Seo-jun spacing out, Choi Seo-yoon asked.
Lee Seo-jun shook his head, saying it was nothing.
Probably just his imagination.
The event continued. Time passed, and about 20 minutes remained until the underground auction began.
I wandered the hotel searching for Han Se-yeon.
After about two minutes, near the stairs, I spotted Han Se-yeon conversing with people, a soft smile on her face.
Everyone she was talking to were famous entrepreneurs I'd seen in the news. Probably discussing business.
Her hair and makeup looked incredibly elegant—had she gotten a full salon treatment? The crystal necklace I'd gifted her last time almost seemed overshadowed by her beauty.
The men around stole glances at her, and I could understand why.
I checked the time. About 20 minutes until the underground auction.
Time to move, but Han Se-yeon showed no sign of ending the conversation.
I couldn't just barge in and drag her away.
As I pondered, Han Se-yeon noticed me and broke into a delighted smile.
"Kim Jinwoo!"
Han Se-yeon bowed politely to the people she was talking to and approached me.
As she did, several gazes turned my way.
"Sorry. People kept talking to me."
"No, it feels like I interrupted your conversation. You okay?"
"Oh, it's fine. It wasn't anything important."
Han Se-yeon smiled and said, then stepped back a bit to look me up and down.
"Ooh, that outfit suits you well."
"Does it?"
"Yeah. Whoever picked it did a great job."
I chuckled at Han Se-yeon's wit.
"Yeah, wonder who."
"Ah! What time is it? We haven't missed the time, have we?"
"About 20 minutes left. Plenty of time."
"Good. Let's head out."
Now joined by Han Se-yeon, I walked down the hotel corridor.
This auction was held in a hidden underground space within the hotel.
Hanseong Group, which dabbled in plenty of shady dealings, had built these secret basements for various illicit purposes.
Of course, it wasn't your average basement—you couldn't enter with ordinary methods.
"This way."
Han Se-yeon confidently led the way down a secluded hotel corridor.
Rooms marked "Staff Only—No Entry" lined the area.
She opened one door and went inside.
There was furniture and a huge bed. It looked just like a standard hotel room.
Exactly as described from Ja-un's perspective in the original.
"Jinwoo, you brought your mask, right?"
"Of course."
Masks were mandatory for underground events hosted by the likes of Ha-ryeong, just like in the underground arena.
I pulled a rabbit mask from my pocket.
The one I'd bought at the underground arena last time. Han Se-yeon saw it and smiled quietly.
"This brings back memories of the underground arena."
Han Se-yeon murmured nostalgically.
"Back then, you were grumbling so much about losing money gambling. Your face when you won it back was hilarious."
"......Quiet."
Han Se-yeon narrowed her eyes and spoke in a pouty tone.
I laughed lightly and handed her the other rabbit mask.
With the mask on, Han Se-yeon said to me,
"Shall we go?"
Creak.
Han Se-yeon opened the wardrobe door in the corner of the room. Tapping the back wall made it slide open, revealing hidden stairs.
"You know not to tell anyone about this, right?"
"Of course."
Han Se-yeon nodded and descended the stairs.
Other staircases branched off midway. Probably alternative entrances to the underground auction.
After about two minutes, we arrived in a vast space.
A massive entrance loomed ahead, guarded by a masked man.
"I'll check your entry ticket."
As we approached, the burly man said. Han Se-yeon pulled out a card from her pocket and presented it.
The burly man nodded upon seeing it.
"You're a VIP member. With company behind?"
"Yes."
"Confirmed. No need to verify funds—right this way."
The burly man led us somewhere.
A pitch-black corridor, nothing visible.
But thanks to Adaptive Trait, the interior was clear as day. Rooms lined the hall, each numbered.
He stopped in front of room '18.'
"This is your VIP lounge. Please enter and wait."
"Yes, thank you."
At Han Se-yeon's words, the burly man vanished again.
Han Se-yeon and I entered the room.
It wasn't very spacious. Just a sofa and a huge glass window with a clear view of the auction hall.
The auction wasn't detailed much in the original, but I could guess how it worked.
Bidding via the magic tool pad on the table, probably.
"So, what are you here to buy at this underground auction?"
Han Se-yeon asked, her expression hidden by the rabbit mask.
Before I could answer, she continued.
"Oh, are you after the holy relic that's up for auction this time?"
I checked the auction item list and order on the table.
Exactly as in the original.
The centerpiece, 'Core of Mana,' was first up.
"No."
The Core of Mana was tempting for future plot developments, but with my funds, I couldn't compete.
As a holy relic, it would fetch an unimaginable price.
What I was after was something else.
Of course, in the original, it would go to Ja-un too, but with my intervention, he'd have to give it up.
"I've got my eye on something specific."
[Thank you for waiting. The underground auction will now begin.]
A man who looked like the host stepped onto the stage outside the glass.
He bowed deeply and spoke.
[Thank you all for participating in the underground auction. We have many distinguished guests today. We'll start with the first item, the centerpiece of this auction.]
He gestured, and the floor opened. A small table rose, bearing an orb of pure white light.
[The holy relic, 'Core of Mana.']
—Ooh.
A murmur of admiration leaked through. Guess the soundproofing wasn't perfect.
I stared at the Core of Mana in awe.
A holy relic.
First time seeing one in person.
True to its name, the condensed mana pulsed even here.
[Starting at 30 billion.]
At the host's words, I picked up the bidding pad.
"Huh? I thought you weren't buying."
Han Se-yeon said, eyes wide in surprise.
"No, just raising the bid."
"Huh?"
Underground auctions always verify accounts and cash on entry.
To prevent disruptions from fake bids without funds.
But there was an exception.
VIP members.
The VIP pass, granted only to conglomerates like Hanseong, allowed bidding any amount without checks.
That was exactly why I wanted Hanseong's underground auction VIP pass.
To bleed Ja-un dry without spending a dime.
I entered 100 billion on the pad.
[Room 18 bids 100 billion!]
Han Se-yeon turned to me in shock.
"100 billion? Kim Jinwoo, you have 100 billion?"
"Nope."
"What? You bid 100 billion with no money? What if you win?"
I gave her a relaxed smile to ease her worries.
"Don't worry. It won't go to us."
"Huh?"
[Room 26 bids 110 billion!]
The host's shout rang out again.
Room 26. Definitely Ja-un's crew. As expected, they were after the Core of Mana.
It would end up with them anyway, but I had no intention of letting them have it easy.
I entered another amount.
[Whoa? Room 18 bids 170 billion!]
Han Se-yeon's face filled with horror again.
"170 billion? Hold on, even for bluffing, that's too high. If this actually gets awarded, Hanseong takes the hit."
"Sheesh, it's fine."
[Room 18 holds at 170 billion top bid.
170 billion...... Room 26, 180 billion!]