Chapter 353
Chapter 353
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 354
Chapter Title: Unexpected Encounter
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I felt a momentary doubt at the unexpected meeting with Lee Geon-yong, but I quickly composed myself and replied.
"Yes. Kim Sunwoo, that's me."
"Oh. I knew it!"
Lee Geon-yong's face lit up brightly.
"I could tell just by looking. I've had my eye on you, Sunwoo, even before you became famous as the Starless Martial Emperor."
His voice carried the excitement of someone who'd just met a celebrity.
I'd been suspicious of some ulterior motive, but seeing him now, it seemed like a genuine approach.
"Haha. I was hoping to scout you to our company before you got even more famous... Ah! Let me introduce myself—"
"You're Lee Geon-yong, president of K Company, right?"
K Company.
A company that sells dungeon-related products, so famous that any wizard would know it.
The reason he was after the 'Blood Crystal' was to provide medical goods to wizards conquering dungeons.
Seeing that I recognized him, Lee Geon-yong smiled warmly.
"I didn't expect you to know me. These days, young folks don't seem to."
"Kim Sunwoo."
That's when Lee Seo-jun approached, as I'd fallen behind.
Lee Geon-yong spotted him and broke into a welcoming smile again.
"Lee Seo-jun is here too. Nice to meet you."
Lee Seo-jun seemed to recognize him as well and bowed his head.
"......Ah, yes. Hello."
And then.
"Whoa? It's Kim Sunwoo and Lee Seo-jun."
"Even Yu Ah-ra's here."
"Hello. Oracle Mystery Department reporter, Baek Sung-chul. Mind a quick interview?"
People who recognized us started crowding around.
Just as the growing throng threatened to create chaos,
[This is a reminder. Those planning to participate in the Mystery Auction in one hour, please register your names at the first-floor desk.]
An announcement voice came over the ceiling speakers.
The chaotic atmosphere settled down, and Lee Geon-yong paused thoughtfully before speaking to me.
"As much as I hate to, I should get going. If you're ever interested in the company or need a favor, feel free to contact me anytime here."
Lee Geon-yong handed us his business card and vanished somewhere.
The crowd followed suit. Everyone seemed headed for the Mystery Auction and dispersed in an instant.
"Phew. Now I can breathe."
Lee Hyun-joo let out a sigh of relief. Yoon Ha-young grinned teasingly at me.
"Sunwoo, aren't you a bit too famous these days?"
"......Yeah."
The sudden surge in attention lately was exhausting. Lee Seo-jun probably had it worse.
"But hey, anyone planning to join the auction?"
Lee Seo-jun asked the group.
"I blew my allowance already."
"Me too."
Shin Young-jun and Lee Hyun-joo replied.
"What about you, Sunwoo? You've got money, right?"
I shook my head at his question.
"Nah, not interested."
If it were an anonymous auction like the 'Underground Auction' from last year, I might've joined, but this was a public one.
Everyone would know who bid on what, so drawing eyes to 'Kim Sunwoo' for no reason wouldn't help.
"I see."
"Yeah, but I'm planning to watch."
If my guess was right, Jaun would definitely participate in this Mystery Auction.
High chance they were after the 'Blood Crystal,' but they might target something else contrary to my expectations, so I had to keep watch.
That way, in this ever-shifting future, I could predict their next moves.
"Then let's watch the auction together later. First, check out the Mystery exhibit."
We aimlessly browsed the displayed Mysteries.
As it was an exhibition hall, it featured more intuitive, art-like Mysteries rather than obscure ones.
Pieces that cleared the viewer's mind, or special-power stone guardian statues.
As a result.
[You've achieved the 'Mystery Art Viewing' accomplishment.]
[You've earned 3,000 points as a reward.]
[You've viewed numerous Mystery artworks.]
[All stats increase by 0.5, and skill acquisition rises by 30% for one week.]
[Charm increases slightly.]
I gained various buff effects.
Skipping other outdoor performances to visit the exhibition had been worth it—very satisfying.
And at 8 p.m.,
The main event, the 'Mystery Auction,' began.
We gathered at the fourth-floor hall to watch.
Participants sat in the central seats, while spectators stood at the upper railings.
As spectators, we leaned on the railing and looked down at the auction below.
—Thank you all for participating in the Mystery Auction.
A sharply dressed host bowed in greeting.
The noisy atmosphere hushed instantly, and I scanned the participants, using [Character Insight] on each one by one.
Total participants: 100.
A quick glance revealed famous wizards and corporate figures I'd seen in the news.
"Looks like it's starting."
Yoon Ha-young whispered beside me.
I nodded faintly while searching for the key players in this incident.
First, Lee Geon-yong, who with overwhelming capital would secure the auction's star item, the 'Blood Crystal.'
Lee Geon-yong sat relaxed in his chair, sipping his drink.
He exuded confidence that he could claim whatever he wanted, as the one with the most money in the room.
But tonight, that very confidence would lead to him being found dead in his hotel room.
Next, Demon Yoo Cheol.
He sat tensely at the far right.
With blood supplies—Demons' staple—running short, the 'Blood Crystal' was a must-have for them.
Finally...
Jaun.
Where were they hiding?
Scanning around, I spotted Bert and Baek Eun-seong together in the left corner.
"......What."
But they were looking right at me.
Bert with unreadable eyes. Baek Eun-seong with an oddly pissed-off glare.
Locking eyes with the two criminals who terrorized the world sent a chill down my spine.
Scary. Real scary.
—The first auction item will now be revealed.
As the host finished his explanation, all eyes turned that way.
Rumble!
The floor parted, revealing the displayed item.
—The first item is S-Rank crafting material, 'Sea King's Scales.' Bidding starts at 300 million.
At the same time, Bert raised his hand.
Contrary to my expectations, Bert dove into the auction enthusiastically.
Of the three revealed items, he'd already won two.
My prediction that he'd save money for the fourth key item, the 'Blood Crystal,' was off.
What was their game?
They had to know Lee Geon-yong was after the Blood Crystal.
—The fourth item will now be revealed.
The floor opened again, lifting something up.
A small crystal emitting a beautiful red glow.
The main item of today's Mystery Auction and the spark for the fiercest battle: the 'Blood Crystal.'
—The medical Mystery 'Blood Crystal,' used five years ago in the London subway explosion to save 176 lives!
—Ooh...
Gasps of admiration erupted as the bidding began.
As in the original story, Lee Geon-yong raised his hand first.
Then Yoo Cheol.
Lee Geon-yong countered.
"......Whoa. Isn't that the guy who greeted you earlier?"
Yoon Ha-young muttered in surprise, staring at the auction.
"Yeah."
—80 million!
"Wow, what a big shot. Already over 80 million... How does he not even blink?"
Yoon Ha-young's voice trembled—she who griped over ten thousand won bills.
I chuckled.
"You'll make that much after graduation too."
Wizards were dangerous work but paid well. With her talent, Yoon Ha-young would rocket to star wizard status.
"......Even if I make that, I'd just save it."
"Bet it'd be different once the money's real."
—100 million!
—Oh...
It crossed 100 million in moments.
Rivaling holy relic prices. Possible due to its high economic value despite being a plain relic.
I glanced at Jaun.
Bert and Baek Eun-seong watched expressionlessly, uninterested in this bidding war.
—Yawn. I'm tired.
Baek Eun-seong yawned hugely, looking sleepy.
Staring blankly at them, I felt puzzled.
......Is the Blood Crystal not their goal?
—180 million from number 7. 190? 190 million. No more?
Number 7, Lee Geon-yong, called 180 million.
As in the original, Yoo Cheol should give up here and plan to assassinate and steal from him.
Glancing at Yoo Cheol, he bit his lip in frustration.
—Tch...!
—190 million? Then the count: 10, 9, 8...
I turned back to Jaun.
Maybe they'd swoop in dramatically at the last second.
Or pull a classic Jaun cliché and start a terror attack...
—4, 3, 2, 1.
But they remained disinterested, unmoving.
Baek Eun-seong wasn't just yawning—he was even rubbing his ears.
Their nonchalance left me flustered instead.
—Sold for 180 million!
The Mystery Auction, lasting about two hours, concluded.
Total items: 25.
Jaun snagged three Mysteries among them.
Sea King's Scales, Eyes of the Heavens, Hestia's Flame. Unknown purposes, as they didn't appear in the original.
—That was more fun than I thought. Hey, Bert. Let's make clothes from the Sea King's Scales. Couple outfits sound good?
—No way. I bought it with my money.
From their conversation, it seemed they'd bought impulsively today.
But recalling yesterday's talk with Baek Eun-seong, there had to be another purpose.
"Hmm..."
"Why's this guy's face so serious since earlier?"
On the way back to the hotel with Lee Seo-jun's group.
I snapped to at Shin Young-jun's words.
Lifting my head, everyone stared at me questioningly.
"......Just thinking about that last fireworks show. It was pretty."
I made something up, and Shin Young-jun nodded as if remembering.
"Oh yeah, it rivaled the Taehwije fireworks."
The fireworks at the Magic Academy festival 'Taehwije,' made by Chancellor Jang Bong-jin himself, were famed as one of the world's top three.
"Yeah, super flashy. Took a ton of pics."
Yoon Ha-young showed fireworks photos on her smart student notebook.
Lee Hyun-joo peered at them and said.
"Ooh... Nice shots. Send me those."
"Then I'll post all the pics in the group chat."
Tap tap.
Yoon Ha-young tapped her notebook.
Message alerts pinged on everyone's smart student notebooks.
[Yoon Ha-young: (Fireworks photo)]
[Yoon Ha-young: (Fountain show photo)]
[Yoon Ha-young: (Exhibit hall group photo)]
[Yoon Ha-young: (Hotel front group photo)]
[Choi Seo-yoon: (Lonely squirrel emoticon)]
"Ah, forgot about Seo-yoon."
Yoon Ha-young muttered at the messages, and Shin Young-jun and Lee Seo-jun chuckled softly.
"What? We planned to take Choi Seo-yoon out later anyway."
"True."
Time passed, and we arrived at the hotel.
Lee Seo-jun looked up at it from the main entrance and muttered.
"Sleeping tonight ends the trip."
"Yeah. Kinda feels lacking."
The school trip was three days, two nights—tonight wrapped it up.
Then Yoon Ha-young smiled.
"Let's come back sometime. With Seo-yoon, on a graduation trip, even after graduation."
"After graduation... Sounds good."
Lee Seo-jun murmured.
"But Kim Sunwoo, you won't just ghost us after graduation, right?"
Shin Young-jun eyed me warily. I smirked.
"Don't worry. That won't happen."
With that, we headed back inside. The official school trip schedule was over.
But I still had work left.
Namely, eliminating Demon Yoo Cheol before he caused trouble.
Plus, a chance to test my new 'Demon Slayer' ability—I couldn't pass that up.
No good letting the Blood Crystal fall to a Demon anyway.
I'd already scouted his room: 1201.
Midnight. Hotel room 1502.
Bert zipped up his black jacket and turned.
"Ready?"
Baek Eun-seong zipped his own and nodded.
"Ready. Lee Geon-yong's room, 1206, right?"