Mir's Desperate Bid
Mir the Magician Archer.
Her skills blended physical attack power and magic attack power. That made choosing a weapon tricky.
Until now, she'd had no choice but to buy and use ones focused on physical attack power. But as time passed, she felt the strain growing.
This won't do.
The problem was, there was no solution.
Did weapons exist that had both physical and magic damage?
She'd never seen one.
"Haa..."
Clinging to faint hope, she checked the auction system again today.
Bow... bow...
But no matter how hard she searched, nothing.
As expected.
She closed the auction system and resumed her grueling hunt.
Break time.
She checked the system again.
By mistake, she tapped the staff tab instead of bows. Unaware, Mir's eyes landed on the top item.
◈ A staff with a skull dangling from the end. Imbued with Transformation Magic.
◈ Attack Power +55
◈ Magic Attack Power +75
◈ Wisdom +1
◈ MP Recovery Rate (10) Increased
◈ Durability 200/200
◈ Requirements: Strength 25, Agility 10, Stamina 15
[Time Remaining: 2h 22m 18s]
[Current Bid: 187 Gold]
Skull Staff?
Realizing her mistake, she moved to switch weapon types.
But then...
Transformation Magic...?
That word caught her eye.
Eh...?
And it had both attack power and magic attack power.
N-No way.
It existed.
A weapon with both types of damage at once.
She got excited.
Transformation, Transformation Magic?
What did it turn into?
A sword?
Maybe, just maybe... a bow?
She hurriedly clicked the Skull Staff and hit the inquiry button.
*
In two days of hunting with Sung Min-woo, she'd gained one level.
Today, he had plans in real life and said he'd log in late. So she was hunting solo for now.
Without spirit help, it was tough, but she managed somehow.
After a long hunt, during her break, a message popped up.
A detailed inquiry request has been received for 'Skull Staff'.
Mu-hyuk tapped the message.
Confirming detailed inquiry request...
A detailed inquiry on 'Skull Staff's Transformation Magic has been requested.
Accept? [Yes/No]
Someone had requested it.
Why not.
He selected Yes.
Please provide details on Transformation Magic.
[Recording...]
He explained briefly.
"Using Transformation Magic turns it into a bow."
He paused, then added one more thing.
"If a skill has both physical and magic coefficients, both damages apply to the Skull Staff."
He hit stop recording.
End recording? [Yes/No]
Yes.
Detailed information transmission complete.
Back to hunting Black Ghost Trees.
*
The reply came quickly.
"Using Transformation Magic turns it into a bow."
"If a skill has both physical and magic coefficients, both damages apply to the Skull Staff."
Mir's face lit up.
"Ahh...!"
The weapon she'd longed for had appeared.
It transformed into a bow!
And confirmation that both physical and magic coefficients applied.
Of course, it was just the seller's word, not 100% trustworthy. But since the seller didn't know her situation, there was no reason to lie.
Yes, I found it!
Her decision was swift.
She bid immediately: 200 gold!
Money was no object anyway.
All her gear except weapons was top-tier.
Just this weapon. If I get this...
Greed burned in her eyes.
It's mine.
She stopped hunting to watch the bid price.
Then it changed: 210 gold.
She countered: 230 gold.
1 hour 30 minutes left.
I'll wait it out.
Time dragged on.
Another change: 235 gold.
By now, her excitement had cooled, replaced by reason.
Her resolve to win the Skull Staff burned strong, but she knew bidding high now would just hurt her.
More time passed.
30 minutes left.
Her fingers itched.
A bit longer.
20 minutes gone.
The price jumped fast: 240, 242, 247, 250 gold.
Still low.
Others might want it under 300, but not her.
The only dual-damage weapon found. She'd empty her coffers for it.
Its attack power was excellent too.
Greed swelled.
3 minutes left.
1 minute.
30 seconds.
She held for 20 more.
10 seconds left. Current: 298 gold.
Just in case, she bid 350 gold.
Waited 2 seconds.
Damn...!
It rose: 400 gold.
5 seconds left.
It changed again, repeatedly.
Lightning struck her mind.
3 seconds passed; 2 left.
No!
In panic, she set her price hastily.
Finally, she sighed in relief.
Meanwhile.
Mu-hyuk got a message at the same time.
'Skull Staff' has been sold.
810 gold acquired (after fees).
Fees didn't apply on purchase, only sale. It stung a bit.
But it's convenient...
He swallowed a groan and kept hunting.
Two days later.
Today, Mu-hyuk had business, so Sung Min-woo hunted alone. Unable to handle Black Ghost Trees solo, he moved to a lower hunting ground.
"See you after the auction."
"Okay!"
Mu-hyuk returned to the village and headed to the auction house as planned.
"Ah, you've arrived."
"Yes."
"Please, come inside."
The guide led him to the 7th floor.
The auction house manager waited.
"Have a seat."
They exchanged brief words.
"The sword you consigned will be the fourth from the end."
"Not last, then."
"Yes, there are three more special items after. But it's the last weapon."
He nodded.
Not bad.
"When does it start?"
"In 5 minutes. But your item will take a bit."
"Guess I'll watch."
"This way."
The manager guided Mu-hyuk.
An underground room.
Through transparent glass, the auction hall was visible.
"They can't see this from outside."
"I see."
"Make yourself comfortable. I'll post someone at the door—call if needed."
"Yes."
The manager left. Mu-hyuk watched alone.
Yes! 700 gold so far. Any more? Three calls then sold. 700 gold, 700 gold...
750 gold!
Yes, bidder 14. 750 gold!
The world's most entertaining spectacle: watching a fight.
This was a fight too.
A fierce battle over money.
How could it not be fun?
No boredom here.
Each new item astonished Mu-hyuk.
Wow, impressive stuff.
Only the absolute best, unavailable in the regular auction system, appeared here.
Dozens of items sold.
Now, next item!
Info floated above the white paper screen behind.
◈ Attack Power 69
◈ Additional Damage +10
◈ Strength +3
◈ Durability 150/150
Bidders craned their necks.
"Hmm...?"
Attack power a bit low.
But additional damage and strength.
And...
"Huh?"
She noticed late.
"No usage restrictions?"
"Whoa."
Now they grasped its value.
Quick mental math began.
One in particular, bidder 11, focused intensely.
Attack and strength alone: 300 gold? Add damage: 500. But no restrictions—even level 1 can use it? Wait, my friend's starting soon. This would skyrocket early levels. At least to 40 insanely fast. And viable to 50. Perfect for him.
He stepped out, logged off.
Back in under a minute, sat down.
Must buy. But limits.
That price... yeah.
Auction started.
Auction starts! Starting bid 200 gold! 20 gold increments!
Paddles rose.
Bidder 1, 220 gold. Bidder 8, 240 gold.
Price soared.
50 gold increments now! Bidder 11, 600 gold! Bidder 23, 650 gold!
Battle of the value-knowers.
It intensified.
Especially bidder 11.
His dominance showed. He'd skipped once, jumping from 300 to 500.
750 gold! 800! 850 gold...
Now he shouted.
"One thousand gold!"
The heavy mood dipped.
But all here were moneyed.
Bidding resumed.
1,100! 1,150! 1,200 gold!
Climax neared.
Paddles dropped fast. Only three left.
They eyed each other. Great options, but rankers were late 50s now.
60s soon. Too low for them.
Buying for prospects or other reasons, but at this price? Hesitation.
Better items remained.
Burn all funds early? No entry later.
1,400 gold. More? Three calls then sold. 1,400, 1,400! 1,400...
A paddle rose.
Bidder 11's face twisted.
Damn! Could've had it at 1,400, now more spending.
Annoying, even for the rich.
After thought, he yelled.
"1,600 gold!"
100 over his 1,500 limit.
But to crush spirits.
No more interference.
"..."
As expected.
Mood broke further.
Competitors' faces hardened.
Good, end it. Please.
Auctioneer called.
Three calls.
Once, twice.
1,600 gold!
Thrice.
Done.
Yes!
Bidder 11 nodded.
Item acquisition and payment right after auction ends. He went onstage, paid, took the sword.
A smile crept on his lips.
Congratulations!
1,520 gold after fees.
Mu-hyuk, holding that sum, smiled too.