A man who appeared to be the host stepped onto the stage beyond the glass window.
He lowered his head deeply before speaking.
[Thank you all for participating in the underground auction. Many esteemed guests have joined us today. We will begin the auction with the first item, which is also the highlight of the event.]
At his gesture, a section of the floor opened, and a small table rose, carrying a radiant white orb.
[The holy relic, ‘Mana Core.’]
—Ooooh.
A few gasps of admiration could be heard. I had assumed the soundproofing was perfect, but it seemed that wasn’t entirely the case.
I stared blankly at the Mana Core.
A holy relic.
This was my first time seeing one in person.
True to its name, I could feel the concentrated mana radiating from it, even from here.
[The bidding starts at 30 billion.]
At the host’s announcement, I picked up the bidding pad.
“Huh? I thought you weren’t buying it.”
Han Se-yeon looked at me in surprise.
“No, I’m just going to raise the bid.”
“What?”
Before entering the underground auction, participants’ accounts and cash holdings are always verified.
This prevents false bids from disrupting the auction.
However, there is one exception.
VIP members of the underground auction.
VIP status, granted only to major corporations like Hanseong Group, allows members to enter any amount without verification.
That was the reason I wanted the underground auction’s VIP membership held by Hanseong Group.
To drain Jaun’s funds without spending a dime of my own.
I entered 100 billion on the pad.
[Bid from Room 18: 100 billion!]
Han Se-yeon turned to me, her eyes wide with shock.
“A hundred billion? Jinwoo, do you have that much money?”
“No, I don’t.”
“Then why are you bidding a hundred billion? What if you win?”
I gave her a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry. I won’t win.”
“What?”
[Bid from Room 26: 110 billion!]
The host’s announcement rang out again.
Room 26.
It had to be the room occupied by Jaun’s people. As expected, they were here for the Mana Core.
The Mana Core would end up in their hands anyway, but I had no intention of letting them get it easily.
I entered another bid.
[Oh? Bid from Room 18: 170 billion!]
Han Se-yeon’s face turned pale with shock.
“170 billion? Hold on. Even if you’re raising the bid, isn’t that too big of a jump? If this actually gets sold to us, Hanseong Group will be the one taking the heat.”
“Oh, relax. It’s fine.”
[Bid from Room 18: 170 billion. 170 billion. …Room 26 bids 180 billion!]
Hearing 180 billion, Han Se-yeon let out a sigh of relief.
Then, I entered another bid, and her face stiffened again.
[Bid from Room 18: 190 billion!]
I put down the pad and turned to Han Se-yeon.
“This is the last one. You don’t have to worry anymore.”
Despite my reassurance, her face was still filled with anxiety.
[Bid from Room 18: 190 billion! 190 billion! Highest bid: 190 billion! Any further bids?]
The host kept repeating the amount.
Han Se-yeon watched anxiously.
Then, the host’s face showed astonishment as he shouted.
[Room 26 bids 200 billion! 200 billion!]
At those words, Han Se-yeon relaxed, leaning back into her chair.
I smirked as I looked at the host through the glass.
Everything was going according to plan.
According to the original story, Jaun had prepared exactly 200 billion won for this auction.
They had come for two items, but their top priority was the Mana Core.
Now that they had spent all their funds, they would have to give up on the next item.
That meant the next auction item would be mine.
Room 26 of the underground auction, where Jaun was seated.
They had successfully won the item they wanted, but the atmosphere in the room was tense.
“Who the hell are those guys in Room 18?”
Bert muttered, looking dumbfounded.
Jin scratched his head.
“Yeah, seriously, who are they? That was nerve-wracking.”
“I mean, what kind of lunatic bids 190 billion on that useless relic?”
The Mana Core.
It contained near-infinite mana, but since there was no effective way to harness its power, it was considered a relatively low-value holy relic.
Their expected winning bid had been 80 billion.
Yet, they had ended up paying over twice that—200 billion.
“Don’t you think it’s strange?”
“What do you mean?”
“They stopped at exactly 190 billion, as if they knew we had only prepared 200 billion.”
“That’s just a coincidence. Besides, once the leading digit changes, the psychological pressure is different.”
At Jin’s response, Bert let out a deep sigh.
“Damn it, I almost wiped out everyone in this auction house.”
“Yeah, that could’ve really screwed up our next plan.”
“Well, at least we won the item. The spending was higher than expected, though.”
Jin nodded.
Bert looked through the list of auction items and sighed.
“So, we have to give up on ‘Hephaestus’s Hammer’ after all.”
“No choice. It’s a valuable item, but we don’t need it immediately.”
“Still, it’s a shame.”
Hephaestus’s Hammer.
A relic capable of restoring the mystical power of broken artifacts.
Jaun had always coveted it since they possessed many treasures that had lost their original power.
As they brooded over their loss, the host’s voice rang out again.
[This item is a relic! ‘Hephaestus’ Hammer’! It has the effect of restoring the lost mystical power of items!]
“Oh? It’s here.”
[Bidding starts at 2 billion!]
The auctioneer shouted loudly.
[Bid from No. 6: 2.5 billion!]
[No. 12, 3 billion! No. 2, 3.5 billion!]
Jin, who had been watching the auction, muttered quietly.
“Ugh. If we had the money, we could’ve just called out 10 billion and taken it.”
“Because of those bastards from No. 18, look at this mess.”
Just then, a vibration came from Jin’s pocket.
“My guys are calling.”
“Take it.”
Jin pulled out a round communication artifact from his pocket and put it to his ear.
“Yeah, what’s up?”
—Jin, how’s the auction going?
“We got the Mana Core.”
—How much did you win it for?
“200 billion. Used up all our money just to get it.”
—What? Isn’t that too expensive? Then what about Hephaestus’ Hammer?
“We have to give up on it.”
—Hmm, got it. So your part is done, right?
“Yeah. We’ll head up after picking up the Mana Core.”
—Alright. We’re almost done with preparations too.
“Got it.”
Click.
He hung up. Watching Jin’s call, Bert asked.
“What did they say?”
“They said they’re ready.”
“Yeah? Then let’s go get our item right away.”
“Yeah.”
At that moment, the auctioneer’s booming voice rang throughout the room.
[Bid from No. 18: 9 billion! 9 billion! Highest bid is 9 billion! Any more bids?]
“……It’s No. 18 again.”
[5, 4, 3, 2, 1! Sold!]
“Tsk.”
The item they had wanted was taken by someone else. Clicking her tongue in disappointment, Bert walked out.
Knock, knock.
Then, a knocking sound came from behind.
—Member No. 26, please follow us to receive your item.
“Here is your item.”
“Thank you.”
I grasped the worn, steel hammer in my hand. At last, I had obtained what I wanted.
Even though I had spent a massive sum of 9 billion, I didn’t regret it. Money was something I could earn anytime I wanted.
━━
[Hephaestus’ Hammer (Relic)]
Category: Hammer
Description: A hammer once wielded by the god of blacksmiths
[Usage Effect]
▶Mystical Restoration
Restores lost mystical power to broken items.
*Cooldown: 30 days
*Mystical power within holy relics cannot be restored.
Durability: SS
━━
Hephaestus’s Hammer.
It was a special item capable of restoring the lost mystical power of broken artifacts.
Though it had the drawback of being unable to restore the mystical power contained within sacred relics, such instances were rare to begin with, so it wasn’t much of a disadvantage.
I wanted to examine it a bit more, but there was no time to linger.
With the underground auction concluded, it was time to prepare for the next event.
I acted like placing Hephaestus’s Hammer into my pre-prepared bag, But I instead stored it in my subspace.
“Is everything settled now?”
A voice came from behind me.
I turned to face her.
“Yes, everything’s done.”
“Alright. Let’s head up then.”
Han Se-yeon and I ascended the stairs.
She kept sneaking glances at me through her mask.
“What is it?”
“Nothing. Just… it’s fascinating. You predicted all the auction bids today, didn’t you?”
“Well, more or less.”
“Then, did you know that Number 26 only had exactly 200 Billion? And that the item you won was actually the one Number 26 was after?”
“Hmm, who knows?”
“Tch.”
My nonchalant response made Han Se-yeon click her tongue.
“Fine, I won’t ask. So, about that commotion that’s supposed to happen during the social gathering today—when exactly is it?”
I checked my wristwatch.
The current time was 9:25 PM.
With the incident set to occur at 10 PM, there were about 30 minutes left.
“In about 30 minutes.”
“…That’s oddly specific.”
Muttering to herself, Han Se-yeon then spoke again.
“You didn’t… plan all of this just to deceive me, did you?”
She said it jokingly, but there was a hint of genuine concern in her voice.
Seeing that, I couldn’t resist teasing her.
“How did you know? I actually orchestrated everything just to trick you.”
“…Don’t joke about that.”
Her voice wavered with unease.
It seemed she was genuinely worried.
The sight of her reaction made me chuckle.
“I’m kidding.”
A short response, but it was enough to reassure her as she nodded.
We climbed the underground auction’s stairs and emerged through the wardrobe in a hotel room.
Taking off my mask, the stifling sensation on my face vanished.
Han Se-yeon adjusted her appearance in the mirror.
Not that she needed to—she was already plenty beautiful.
Once she finished tidying up, she turned to me and spoke.
“Shall we head back?”
“Yeah.”
We stepped out of the room.
As we walked down the hallway, the sound of an orchestra’s performance gradually grew louder.
A sign that we were nearing the social gathering.
I came to a stop and turned to her.
“We’ll part ways here.”
“Here? Hmm. Alright then. I’ll see you again after the incident.”
“Yeah.”
I responded with a smile.
Han Se-yeon returned a bright smile before walking off in another direction.
Watching her retreating figure, I called out once more.
“Han Se-yeon.”
She stopped, then turned back with a questioning look.
“This place is about to get very dangerous. Find somewhere safe to hide. Don’t get hurt.”
She gazed at me silently before speaking.
“Are you… worried about me?”
“Of course.”
Hearing my answer, she smiled softly.
“Alright. I’ll stay somewhere safe.”
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