Chapter 55

EP.55 The God of Auctions (2)

Han Hyun-min concealed a smile at the corner of his mouth and bid in a low voice.

-400 million.

-500 million.

Another unexpected event occurred.

Do Jae-hyun bid the competing price without hesitation this time.

When he bid 300 million, he grimaced, but when he bid 500 million, his face was expressionless.

It was the same face as when he first bid.

To others, it might seem like there was no change.

But Han Hyun-min understood the meaning.

'He's determined to get it.'

When a competitor appeared for the item he wanted, he bid without hesitation, showing his intention to purchase the item.

And that attitude...

'That's your mistake, Do Jae-hyun.'

To him, a seasoned auction hunter, Do Jae-hyun was just a vulnerable prey.

-1 billion.

Han Hyun-min, with confidence, raised the bid by a large margin.

The price, which had been increasing by 100 million, suddenly jumped by 500 million.

While it's common in auctions, such a price competition for an unappraised item is rare.

Of course, there are times when unappraised items can fetch bids over several billion.

For example, items classified as 'items' among domestic relics.

Historical items have the potential to be legendary, and even if they're not, their performance can be significant.

Auction prices are set considering these factors.

For instance, the [Sangin Chamsageum] recorded an auction price of 900 billion, despite being an unappraised item, based on its excavation conditions and appearance.

However, this auction item had no related background...

A completely unappraised item.

Frankly, it would be a good deal even if it sold for 100 million.

And at that point...

The previously quiet surrounding holders began to murmur.

"What? 1 billion?"

"What's so special about it to bid 1 billion? It's an unappraised item, right?"

"Hey, that guy is from the Sunset Flower clan, a dedicated auction holder. They say his success rate is amazing. Shouldn't we follow him?"

"Man, what do you think you'll get from an unappraised item? 1 billion is a ridiculous amount."

Unappraised items are, by definition, speculative items.

No matter how much money the holders make, spending over 1 billion on such an item is crazy.

Only A-grade holders can handle 1 billion without hesitation.

And they aren't interested in unappraised items.

They have enough funds to buy already verified items.

'Well, how will you react, Do Jae-hyun?'

Han Hyun-min looked at him with excitement.

Though he was far away, he could see Do Jae-hyun's grimace.

A look of frustration.

It was the second change in expression since Han Hyun-min joined the bidding.

-1 billion has been bid. Is there anyone else? If not, I'll count to three and close the bid. 1 billion, 1 billion...

Just before the auctioneer declared the sale...

Do Jae-hyun bid a new price.

-2 billion.

"2 billion?"

"What's going on? What's so special about this item?"

"Really, is there something in that item? Shouldn't we buy it now?"

"Man, I don't know. If you want to buy it, go ahead. I've already lost a lot of money on unappraised items."

The bid price of 2 billion.

The price doubled instantly.

The murmurs grew louder, and Han Hyun-min was also surprised.

'So, it's this strong.'

There must be something.

There's definitely something.

A situation that's hard to understand.

Suspicious actions.

Han Hyun-min felt his hypothesis gaining strength.

'There must be a rune or an item.'

A skill or item to roughly check unappraised items.

He hasn't experienced it himself, but he's heard stories from other holders he met at auctions.

They participated in the auction knowing something.

And the unappraised item turned out to be a huge success.

The special auction conditions he had only heard about.

Do Jae-hyun must be participating in the auction with such conditions.

No matter how he felt, he wouldn't bid 2 billion right away?

Unless he could check the unappraised item with a related rune.

It's an amount that can't be easily bid.

'He probably thought I would back off.'

Of course.

This amount can't be followed just by competitive spirit.

If someone followed, they would be the fool.

But Han Hyun-min smiled inwardly.

'You're still far from ready, Do Jae-hyun.'

He was a veteran in holder auctions.

"Yoon-cheol, are the holders with appraisal skills waiting?"

Han Hyun-min asked his junior clan member.

Before this auction,

He received 400 billion from the clan and support from clan members with appraisal skills.

The clan required him to win the items they wanted and to use his discretion to buy items that would help the clan.

This support was possible because Han Hyun-min had achieved many auction successes as a member of the <Sunset Flower> clan.

Thanks to this, he spent about 330 billion and secured several good items.

The remaining funds were about 70 billion.

A sufficient amount to deal with a rookie holder.

"Yes, they are waiting outside."

"After this item's auction ends, go to the 6th floor collection desk and get it. Have it appraised immediately."

"Understood."

Unlike regular items,

Unappraised items can be collected by proxy.

Many holders want to complete the appraisal and check the information as soon as possible due to the long auction times.

So he assigned his junior clan member to handle the proxy collection.

This unappraised item.

He was sure he would get it.

-3 billion.

-4 billion.

Han Hyun-min bid 3 billion.

And Do Jae-hyun immediately followed with 4 billion.

It was hard to believe that a rookie holder had that much capital, but he probably wasn't bluffing.

If the required amount wasn't available at the time of collection,

A huge penalty and fine would be imposed.

This wasn't a market where you could bluff.

'Haha. You've lost your cool.'

Do Jae-hyun, seen from a distance, looked desperate.

He probably thought Han Hyun-min would back off after 2 billion, but following with 3 billion must have made him angry.

This unappraised item must be a treasure known only to Do Jae-hyun.

'You started well, but you make mistakes at crucial moments. You're still inexperienced.'

Han Hyun-min clicked his tongue.

He thought this was a rare opponent.

Unfortunately, it ended here.

Unexpected competition led to hesitation and bidding.

When the price reached an unwanted level, he lost his cool and bid.

The buildup at the beginning was good...

But he made mistakes when it mattered.

Han Hyun-min felt a vague sense of disappointment as he pressed the buzzer and spoke.

-7 billion.

That was the end.

"Ah..."

A desperate sigh of despair reached him.

Do Jae-hyun gave up on the bid with the overwhelming price increase.

No matter how skilled he was, he was still a rookie holder.

He couldn't match Han Hyun-min, who received clan support.

After a fierce psychological battle,

Han Hyun-min's victory, backed by his financial advantage, was secured.

'Got it!'

The auction was completed.

The next auction continued,

But Han Hyun-min was too excited to pay attention to anything else.

His interest was solely on the item he just won.

The mysterious unappraised item.

'Haha. At least epic, maybe even legendary if I'm lucky.'

The outcome of the auction was already decided.

Han Hyun-min had hunted auction participants like this many times.

He used the psychology of rookies to sell mediocre items at high prices, and when he met a more experienced participant, he used psychological warfare and overwhelming funds to secure victory.

This time, it was a new opponent, and the initial buildup was so good that it was a bit confusing...

But targeting the weakness, the reversal was quite easy.

A little shake, and the opponent crumbled.

This was another moment for his high auction success rate to rise.

About 30 minutes later,

His junior clan member returned from the collection desk.

"Han Hyun-min holder?"

"Ah, you're back. How did it go?"

"Well..."

The junior clan member hesitantly handed over the sword.

It meant he should check it himself.

'What is it?'

If it was an amazing item, the junior should have been shocked.

But Han Hyun-min wasn't too worried.

His auction today was perfect.

If the result was bad,

It was more likely that the person checking the result had poor eyesight.

After receiving the sword, he checked the information.

And...

His face turned to one of disbelief.

"This, this is..."

His auction today was perfect.

If the result was bad,

It was more likely that the person checking the result had poor eyesight.

'Do I have poor eyesight?'

Such a doubt arose.

At least epic.

Maybe even legendary.

But the result was...

<Item Information>

◎Name: Rusty Iron Sword

◎Type: Sword

◎Grade: Normal (N)

◎Durability: Critical (Needs Repair)

◎Maker: -

◎Special Effects: -

◎Detailed Information:

A common iron sword. Due to excessive rust, the durability is damaged, and it seems like the sword might break if used to cut anything.

A hard-to-find,

Useless sword.

"This can't be... "

Just.

Just for this sword.

He invested 7 billion of the clan's funds?

On a normal sword that looks like it will break at any moment?

7 billion down the drain?

Han Hyun-min quickly turned his head to look at Do Jae-hyun.

He was supposed to be frustrated about losing the unappraised item...

But he wasn't.

He was participating in the auction again with an expressionless face!

'I was tricked!'

There was no rune or item to check unappraised items.

The expressionless face.

The signs of panic.

The hasty bidding.

It was all an act.

He just removed one competitor with a bluff.

Just like

How Han Hyun-min hunted rookie auction participants.

'No. Who builds up like that from the start of an auction?'

He looked at Do Jae-hyun with disbelief.

Han Hyun-min had been aware of Do Jae-hyun all along but was also participating in his own auctions to meet the clan's requirements.

He used 330 billion for his own auctions.

And with the remaining 70 billion, he tried to hunt Do Jae-hyun's pick.

But it was all planned from the beginning.

He even waited for the 330 billion to be spent.

Thinking about it, he just laughed.

And a muttered comment came out.

"That kid... is the God of Auctions."