Chapter 15
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Pointy-Ears and the Auction House
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"If you want, I'll compensate you generously. Return the item to its rightful owner."
She said it with her arms crossed.
"I was in such a hurry that I forgot to introduce myself. No need to be on guard. I have no intention of harming you."
"I'm Ellicia. A B-Rank Hunter, and one who seeks lost history."
Her archaic speech.
A subtle mismatch with modern Korean vocabulary.
She acted just like a noble straight out of a historical drama.
"Now that I've shown my face with proper courtesy, you should reveal yourself as well. Take off that dingy rag."
Ellicia's finger pointed at Seo-ah's hat.
Seo-ah hesitated before removing her hat and mask.
Silver hair cascaded down with a soft shimmer.
As her youthful, childlike face came into view, Ellicia's expression twisted oddly.
"...Huh?"
Ellicia narrowed her eyes and examined the sides of Seo-ah's head.
They were ordinary human ears.
Her gaze filled with bewilderment.
"Hey. Where are your ears?"
"Huh? My ears are right here."
"No, I mean the pointy ones. That hair color, those eyes... I definitely sensed the aura of one of our kin."
It was true that most Koreans had black hair and black eyes.
"Don't discriminate based on race. Not every elf has that look."
"Ahem... That's not it. I just didn't expect it."
Ellicia leaned in close to Seo-ah's face, as if she couldn't believe it.
Her nose nearly brushed Seo-ah's cheek.
Sniff sniff.
"Hm... No phytoncide scent, just cheap shampoo. You're really not an elf."
"Cheap? It's the 1+1 deal from the mart—it's not cheap!"
Seo-ah backed away indignantly.
Ellicia pressed a hand to her forehead with a deflated look.
"Haa... A human. And a milky-scented little kid at that."
"I'm an adult, okay? I'm over twenty."
"I'm 272 years old. To me, you're past great-grandma territory. All humans are kids to me."
"... "
Age attacks were unbeatable.
Seo-ah shut her mouth.
Ellicia scanned Seo-ah again with a serious expression.
"Then that's strange. How did a human like you recognize the value of that box? Even basic appraisal skills would rate it as 'trash.'"
It hit the nail on the head.
Without Seo-ah's Insight ability, the box would look like nothing more than a rotten log to anyone.
Even the auction house appraisers had only noted that the material was unusual—they hadn't detected the 'elf skillbook' inside.
Seo-ah averted her eyes and played dumb.
"Just... a gut feeling. It seemed like it could be a big score."
"A gut feeling? You burned 700 million on that alone?"
"Gamblers live by their instincts."
"Lies."
Ellicia took a step closer.
Her green eyes gleamed as if piercing into Seo-ah's soul.
"That box has ancient Elvish magic on it. No non-elf could read it. What are you, really?"
"Just a regular hunter."
"I've never heard of a hunter who can appraise an elf box. No more lies. Surely you've heard that elves can see the truth."
"Ugh, I'm just an F-Rank hunter! Go ahead and background-check me!"
Seo-ah yelled.
There was no need to reveal her abilities.
She just wanted to quietly suck the honey by herself!
'It's mine—I won the bid fair and square.'
Ellicia glared at Seo-ah for a moment before sighing and shrugging.
"Fine. I don't care about your identity. What matters is that item."
She got back to the point.
"That box is a relic of our people. Especially one that shouldn't fall into human hands. Hand it over to me. I'll pay you handsomely."
"I said no. I bought it."
"Have you ever seen such a stubborn kid? Look at the engraving on the box. It's a book. Probably a history tome or a scripture from the World Tree Order."
"So?"
"Only elves or researchers know Elvish. Meaning it's just an academic trinket."
'It's a skillbook.'
Seo-ah met Ellicia's eyes.
She didn't seem to be lying.
She genuinely believed the box held nothing but a simple book.
"Then it'll sell for a good price."
"Are you not hearing me? To humans, it'd fetch maybe a million won at best, a few hundred if you're lucky. It's niche."
"You won't know until you open it."
"How many times do I have—"
Seo-ah cut her off.
She puffed out her chest confidently.
"And don't you know auction house rules? The highest bidder owns it. If you're mad, you should've bid more earlier."
"Urk..."
Ellicia groaned.
Even a 272-year-old elf was speechless before the iron fist of capitalism.
She bit her lip in frustration, but Seo-ah wasn't wrong.
"If only I'd scraped together a bit more money..."
Her bank balance had been insufficient—that was her sin.
"Haa... Fine. You win."
Ellicia raised both hands.
But her eyes didn't signal surrender.
"Then let me make a proposal."
"What now? I said I'm not selling."
"Not selling. Just let me 'check' it first."
"Huh?"
"The moment the box opens, let me see what's inside first. If it's a holy relic of our people, I'll buy it—even if I have to empty my entire fortune."
"You don't have much money."
Ellicia's lips twitched at Seo-ah's words.
"I'll even write an IOU. I'm a B-Rank hunter. I can earn more than you can imagine."
B-Rank hunter.
Among Awakeners, that put her in the top 5%.
At that level, turning her own value into big money was a piece of cake.
'A B-Rank...'
It tempted her.
Efficiency-wise, it wasn't a bad deal.
As Seo-ah fell silent, Ellicia drove the nail in.
"It might be worthless junk to you. But I'll pay as promised. To me, it could be more precious than life. What do you say? We can decide after checking."
The price and conditions were clear.
No loss, all gain.
She only knew the box held a 'skillbook'—not exactly what skill.
What if it was elf-exclusive and unusable for her?
Or if it turned out to be a crappy F-Rank skillbook not worth registering?
Then selling it to Ellicia at a premium would be the play.
'She said she'd empty her fortune for it.'
A chance to hook a sucker.
But she didn't show it.
Seo-ah pretended to mull it over, stroking her chin.
"Hmm... I dunno. Why should I?"
"I beg you. This concerns the mission of my lifetime."
Ellicia bowed her head.
'Elves are supposed to be arrogant and rude...'
Yet this elf.
Was bending her pride before a little human kid.
Seo-ah felt a strange thrill at the sight.
Money and goods made the boss, after all.
"Fine. Whatever. But!"
Seo-ah raised a finger.
"Just checking. If you try to take it, I'll report you right away."
"I promise. On my name and honor."
Color returned to Ellicia's face.
She grinned brightly, as if she'd never snarled.
Her smile was so dazzling that Seo-ah had to blink.
"You're more reasonable than I thought, human! Good kid!"
Ellicia patted Seo-ah's shoulder.
The B-Rank hunter's grip made Seo-ah's bones scream.
"Ow! That hurts!"
"Ah, sorry. Got too excited. Haha!"
Ellicia laughed heartily as she looked at Seo-ah.
Her eyes gleamed like she was gazing at a cute puppy.
"I'll buy you something as thanks. Human kids like sweets, right? Candy? Or chocolate?"
Her ears twitched.
An elf trait that showed when they were happy.
Seo-ah frowned.
"Hey. I'm not a kid, okay? And that's rude for a first meeting."
"Hoho, playing shy. They all look the same age to me."
"... "
No point arguing.
To this elf, humans were just 'cute critters that die quick.'
"Let's go! There's a teahouse nearby where humans line up. I'll repay your kindness there!"
"No, I'm not going. I'm staying here."
"Aw, don't refuse. I hear humans warm up to elves who offer food. I'll give you the best treatment."
"It's late. Almost five."
"Pickup's good until six. Come on."
Ellicia grabbed Seo-ah's hand.
And started dragging her off.
"Wait! Let go! I'll walk myself!"
Seo-ah flailed, but Ellicia's strength was overwhelming.
The Hunter Market scenery blurred past as she was pulled along.
In that moment.
A voice echoed in her mind.
-[Got it, got it. But promise me. If any weird guys talk to you, don't reply. Don't take anything even if it's free.]-
Jin Su-bin's morning warning.
'Not a guy, but... a weird auntie—no, grandma. Does that count?'
Seo-ah bit her lip in injustice.
Why did all these strong, quirky women keep latching onto her?
She clutched her skewer stick tight as she was dragged.
Thinking of it as a weapon, at least.
But when they arrived at a cafe wafting sweet cake scents.
Seo-ah's resistance melted like snow.
"They say the strawberry cake here is divine."
Ellicia's whisper.
Seo-ah's stomach growled again.
Women always had space for dessert.
'...Eat first, think later.'
Before capitalism and appetite, race, age, and pride meant nothing.
Seo-ah meekly followed Ellicia into the cafe.
The clock tower chimed five behind her.
'She said a little late is fine...'
A bit of time remained until the fateful box opened.
What this chance encounter would lead to.
Seo-ah had no idea.
She just focused on the sweet scent before her.