Chapter 53

Chapter 52. The Head of Ataraxia (1)

With the financial power of the Main Association, they could threaten to take over the entire round of this auction.

No, it's not just a threat.

They had the capability to do so.

Jinhyuk bit his lip.

'They're trying to pressure me, even if it means taking a loss.'

The situation had become complicated.

If they were determined to stick to him, even the 30 million dollars he had won in Las Vegas wouldn't be enough to feel secure.

However,

"Those guys don't seem like much, so why are they talking to you so casually?"

Ellis tilted her head, looking puzzled.

It was a casual remark.

But Cadric's face twisted into a menacing expression at her words.

Jinhyuk could endure it because he had his reasons, but...

The girl who had just met him was an exception.

"What do you mean by 'don't seem like much'?"

"Exactly that. Why is a person who thinks they own everything in the world with just a handful of sand from the ocean talking to my contractor so casually?"

...Indeed.

As expected, the concept of weighing one's words didn't exist in Ellis's dictionary.

Of course,

Cadric was no different in this regard.

"Heh heh. This is ridiculous, Player Gang Jinhyuk. I don't know where you picked up such a rude brat, but you should teach her some manners."

As expected, it was a remark thrown out without any filter.

However, the impact was enormous.

"Br... brat?"

Ellis mulled over the words she had just heard.

Very slowly.

And at that moment, a small spark ignited in her pupils.

"Brat!?"

What had been a mere annoyance like dealing with a bothersome fly a moment ago had now become an enemy she wanted to crush.

"Don't interrupt when adults are talking. There's a limit to how much I can tolerate your childish behavior."

"You son of a... I'll kill you..."

Just as Ellis was about to extend her nails,

"Ladies and gentlemen! Thank you for your patience. Now, let's begin the 175th Black Market auction!"

The amplified voice echoed throughout the circular theater.

"Ooh!"

"Finally, it's starting!"

The guests applauded.

Everyone waited with eager faces for the first auction item.

Thanks to this, the tension between Ellis and Cadric came to a halt.

"Player Gang Jinhyuk. I'll see you again later. Of course, by then, you'll have to beg me to hand over the item."

Cadric gave a brief nod and returned to his seat.

The auction continued.

"Before introducing the items, please note that in addition to the auction list distributed with the invitation, five additional items have been prepared. Please manage your funds appropriately."

Five surprise items not on the list!

The auctioneer, wearing a butterfly tie, hyped up the crowd.

"Then, the first item is a meteorite that fell in Arizona, USA. Not only is it in excellent condition, but it can also be used to make weapons or armor due to the magic power it absorbed from the Tower of Trials. The starting price is 1 million dollars!"

The first item was already infused with magic power.

Weapons and armor. Aren't those the most sought-after keywords these days?

"1.5 million!"

"2 million!"

"2.5 million!"

"It's mine. 5 million!"

The price skyrocketed instantly.

The atmosphere heating up was a natural result.

'These guys are fools.'

Jinhyuk, watching this, inwardly clicked his tongue.

Even if the meteorite is infused with magic power, it's useless without the refining technology. To pay 5 million dollars for it...

Unless they have a hobby of collecting trash...

Otherwise, it's just a waste of money.

'At least, there are no blacksmiths capable of handling meteoric iron at this point.'

However, Jinhyuk subtly joined the bidding madness.

"6 million."

A price that instantly set a new record.

"Are you going to buy that?"

Ellis asked immediately.

It was understandable to be skeptical about buying something that clearly wasn't valuable.

"Just watching. I'm not going to buy it."

Jinhyuk's lips curled upward.

If he spends money on this, it will definitely...

"6.5 million."

Cadric raised the bid even higher.

As expected.

'Since they don't know what I'm after, they'll have to bid on everything I do.'

No matter how much money they have, there's a limit.

If he continues to push and drain their funds, he can secure a favorable position when 'that item' comes up.

"7 million."

"7.5 million!"

Jinhyuk raised the bid once more, and Cadric followed suit. Then, Jinhyuk raised his hands slightly.

It was a sign of giving up.

"Sold for 7.5 million dollars!"

"..."

Cadric's brow furrowed slightly.

He had realized Jinhyuk's intention.

However, it was too late.

He had already spent 7.5 million dollars.

Moreover, without knowing what the other party was after, he had no choice but to keep following.

'Please, I hope you have a substantial balance prepared.'

Jinhyuk smiled at Cadric, who looked like he had eaten something foul.

"The next item is also quite remarkable. It's the logbook Columbus wrote when he discovered the New World of America!"

True to the Black Market's reputation, various rare treasures and historically valuable artifacts were unveiled.

A mysterious bowl of unknown origin, a Laplaceia contaminated by magic, torture devices used during the medieval witch hunts, and more.

Jinhyuk focused on spreading bait among the items infused with magic or that seemed special.

Very tempting bait.

Moreover, he skillfully played a psychological game, making it seem like he might give up, and continuously set new bidding records.

A devilish talent that could be called the worst in a gentlemanly auction.

As a result, Cadric had to spend over 70 million dollars on completely useless items.

***

Crunch!

Cadric ground his teeth.

"You... you slippery bastard."

His face, red with anger and humiliation, was filled with the desire to tear Jinhyuk to pieces.

It wasn't about the money.

70 million dollars was a significant amount, but the balance allowed by the Main Association far exceeded it.

It was just that...

He was incredibly frustrated by the opponent's despicable and vile strategy.

"Master, perhaps we should give up once? It seems like the capital he has isn't much. We could even bankrupt him."

When you win an auction, you must pay the money.

It means that excuses like making a mistake in the bid won't be accepted.

"Idiot! If we do that, he'll get what he wants easily."

"That... that's..."

"You're the one who failed to recruit him properly, so shut up. There will be a slight financial loss, but in the end, I will be the winner."

Yes.

Whether it's 70 million dollars or a few hundred million dollars.

In the end, the winner was already decided.

An auction is a game where the person with the most capital wins in the end.

Right at that moment,

"The next item is for the enthusiasts. Let me introduce the 'First Chessboard'!"

The auctioneer introduced a new item.

An old and crude-looking chessboard appeared.

"Hmm."

"It doesn't really appeal to me."

"At least there are no chess pieces. I play occasionally, but this..."

"Who wouldn't say that? If it were made of high-quality wood, it might be different."

"Anyway, the 'Heart of the Dragon' will come up soon. Let's save our money for that."

"You're right. That's the main event of this auction."

The heated atmosphere cooled down.

Compared to the treasures that had been unveiled so far, this was too mundane.

No wonder the auctioneer had to emphasize it as something for enthusiasts.

Of course, it was undoubtedly a tempting item for some collectors, but most people were indifferent.

"The starting price is 50,000 dollars. Please start bidding if you're interested."

"100 dollars. I'll use it to hold up my bathroom slippers."

"Haha! I'll bid 150 dollars. I need a piece of wood to sharpen my cat Alexander's claws."

"200 dollars here."

"Completely a fool. I won't go over 200 dollars."

Laughter echoed.

However, one person.

Jinhyuk clenched his fist to calm his rapidly beating heart.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

'Finally, it's here.'

The key material for the third-floor boss strategy.

The reason he participated in this auction!

Jinhyuk glanced sideways at the back.

Cadric and Alex didn't seem particularly interested.

'The bait I've been spreading should be working...'

There was only one way to see if his efforts had borne fruit.

"50,000."

Jinhyuk started the bidding.

"What?"

"50,000 for that?"

"Is he sane?"

Confused reactions poured in.

Who would spend 50,000 dollars on something like that?

However, the next voice made the laughter disappear.

"100,000."

Cadric joined the bidding war.

"150,000."

"500,000."

Jinhyuk immediately raised the bid, but Cadric followed without hesitation.

Damn. That look on Cadric's face.

He's hesitant but determined not to give up.

"1,000,000."

Jinhyuk raised it again.

"10,000,000."

This time, the unit changed.

It's a probing bid.

He's asking if the other party will follow even if the price jumps this much.

And if they don't give up, it will give them confidence.

That this is the item he's after.

"What the hell. Spending 10 million dollars on a chessboard?"

"Is there something we don't know?"

"Insane. I can't follow that price."

The atmosphere changed.

It was 180 degrees different from before.

The guests in the circular theater were now focused on this auction.

"15,000,000."

Jinhyuk spoke heavily.

He was already approaching half of his available funds.

But Cadric continued to raise the bid absurdly.

"30,000,000."

At that moment,

Jinhyuk couldn't speak anymore.

He had reached the maximum of his available balance.

"Huh. That was your limit."

Cadric folded his arms confidently.

The auctioneer, who had regained his composure a few seconds later, quickly grabbed the microphone.

"30,000,000! Is there anyone willing to bid more than 30,000,000?"

With a 10% commission, 3 million dollars would go to the Black Market.

When he first listed this item, he thought it would be lucky to get a 5,000 dollar commission,

but 3 million dollars was 600 times that amount.

There was no point in watching further.

No one would bid higher.

"Then, the 56th auction item, the 'First Chessboard,' is sold for 30,000,000... "

Just as the auctioneer was about to announce the end,

"100,000,000."

A voice that had never participated in the auction before interrupted.

And it came from right next to Jinhyuk.

"Ellis?"

Jinhyuk's pupils dilated rapidly.