Chapter 80. Auction (2)
“Don’t bid?”
It’s impossible not to respond. So Esther unconsciously asked why.
“That book is meaningless to bring home.”
Then Gi-ryeo revealed the secret of the auction item.
“It’s only good for display, and you’re saying you’d pay billions for that?”
“Display?”
“More accurately, it’s just kindling.”
He pointed to the book on the platform.
“That item is already used up waste.”
[Sealed Magic Book]…
The last auction item was a representative rare item.
It had the function of slightly increasing one’s awakening level just by reading it.
The increase wasn’t significant, but why were all hunters so eager for this item?
The magic book’s effects lasted permanently.
In short, this book was one of the few means to change one’s innate awakening level.
“Waste, you say?”
Given its function, the Sealed Magic Book was a thorough one-time-use item.
In other words, once used, it should be thrown in the trash.
“That’s true. If it’s a used magic book, there’s no reason to buy it at all…”
Esther lowered her hand with a serious face.
However, the guild appraiser she brought seemed unwilling to accept Gi-ryeo’s opinion.
“What? A used magic book? What basis do you have to say that?”
What followed was a simple debate.
“What basis do you want? Just look…”
“Is that information accurate?”
“Excuse me?”
“May I ask what level your analysis skill is?”
Kim Gi-ryeo hesitated but easily answered.
He had prepped for such a situation by researching analysis awakeners beforehand.
“Level 2.”
Upon revealing his skill level, the appraiser from the Korean Magic Tower shrugged.
“Guild Master, did you hear that? This person is a level 2 appraiser.”
“Uh, yeah.”
“My analysis skill shows there are no problems with the item. The usage status doesn’t even appear in our abilities.”
A confident voice.
Kim Gi-ryeo, not understanding the situation, remained silent, prompting Esther to speak up.
“Oh, I forgot to introduce him. This is our guild’s chief appraiser. He has a level 1 analysis qualification.”
The measure of an appraiser’s ability was to identify an item’s functions.
Among many appraisers, those who could detect hidden functions of top-tier items were called level 1 appraisers.
Common < Rare < Unique < Epic Level 4 < Level 3 < Level 2 < Level 1 Thus, the levels of analysis awakeners were divided according to the international unit of items. Well, the newly added “Legendary” grade items from last year hadn’t been analyzed by any appraiser yet, so that wasn't mentioned. ‘Great, just when I needed a level 1 to interfere.’ If that were the case, should I have claimed to be top-tier too? Gi-ryeo regretted for a moment but soon stopped. Appraisers were already few in number, and claiming to be level 1 would attract too much attention in this small industry. “Level 1, impressive. But can you just follow my suggestion this time?” “Pardon?” “That’s definitely a used magic book. I can’t provide immediate proof, but...” Kim Gi-ryeo sincerely tried to persuade the opponent, thinking of wasting the tens of billions. “Hm.” Hearing that, the appraiser squinted and whispered to the guild master. “Guild Master, that… I think it’s a tactic to reduce auction competition.” “Really?” “Otherwise, why would anyone stop bids on someone else's magic book?” It wouldn’t make sense for someone to present a used item at the national auction house; their inventory management couldn’t be that careless. His top-tier analysis skill detected no abnormalities. So how could he just give up a rare item based on that dubious hunter’s words? ‘With such a low skill level, how dare he act all high and mighty.’ Hrumph.
The Magic Tower Guild’s appraiser showed discomfort.
There’s nothing more unpleasant than someone bragging about nothing based on vague information.
Moreover, with a top-tier appraiser saying he was wrong, he stubbornly held his ground…
‘That guy seems desperate to get an S-Class hunter’s attention.’
Huh.
The appraiser scoffed as if he had heard enough.
“Oh right.”
But then.
Esther, observing the appraiser’s attitude closely, suddenly took the lead in the conversation.
“By the way, didn’t our appraiser Park look into the Cursed Sword when he was out of the analysis room?”
“Pardon?”
“That, you know, because of that separate task I assigned you, you were out on business for a while.”
“Oh, right.”
“Exactly. So you didn’t recognize Gi-ryeo’s face.”
Esther smiled softly.
“Want to let you know now? This handsome hunter here is actually a maze passer of our Magic Tower.”
However, the ensuing conversation was far from warm.
Though she smiled, a palpable chill oozed from her gaze.
“You’re talking about the same person who cleared the maze that took you 20 minutes in just 3 minutes and 32 seconds.”
The guild’s appraiser was stunned by the shocking news, but Esther calmly continued.
“Thanks to that, I’ve been trying hard to impress this hunter lately.”
“Oh.”
“Is there some misunderstanding? Appraiser Park, you’ve been giving Mr. Gi-ryeo a hard time since earlier?”
“G-Guild Master.”
Ssss.
The ominous magic power radiating from the S-Class hunter filled the auction house in an instant.
But none dared to voice their complaints. The S-Class awakening grade was akin to a predator’s mark.
“Appraiser Park, please be a bit more cautious when dealing with Hunter Kim Gi-ryeo from now on.”
As the staff’s faces turned pale…
The predator with violet hair, seated in the shadows, raised his pristine hand.
“Well, anyway. As long as you understand, the only thing left is regarding that magic book.”
“Esther, you’re not…”
“Since the opinions of the two appraisers differ, I’m even more curious~ Should we just check it out ourselves?”
Then her cheerful voice echoed through the auction house.
“5 billion!”
“…5 billion has been bid. Is there any higher? 5 billion, 5 billion… Yes. The Sealed Magic Book has been sold to bidder number 38.”
.
.
.
After the auction.
In the G1 corridor of the Korean Hunter Auction House.
Is she crazy?
Gi-ryeo was walking down the long corridor.
He had to move again to receive the item he won.
“This is the room! Wait here, and the staff will bring the won items.”
There was a brief explanation from Esther, but it didn’t reach his ears.
Gi-ryeo pressed his nose bridge to quell the rising headache.
I warned not to buy it, yet she spends 5 billion just out of curiosity?
From a commoner’s perspective, this situation was quite shocking.
If you have that much money to waste, just donate it to me! Please!
But mulling over things like that wouldn’t change the outcome.
Esther had spent over 10 billion on this auction and ended up with these items.
“Hunter-nim, here are the two items you bid on.”
“Oh!”
Finally, the auction items appeared.
Drurururuk.
On the transport device brought by the staff were two blue boxes.
They unsealed the boxes before Esther’s eyes.
To prevent high-priced items from being stolen or damaged, a barrier was placed until the transaction was completed.
“Phew, I finally got [Hayangsae].”
Esther checked the movement magic tool first.
But no issues were found with this item. It was in perfect condition, not even a scratch.
“I was completely hooked watching Jeong Ha-seong use it, so I’m glad I got it safely!”
Esther petted the white pigeon-shaped item joyfully and then turned her gaze to the second item.
“Let’s see.”
Now, this is where the problem begins.
The Sealed Magic Book looked well-maintained, just like the Hayangsae.
But the important thing was its content.
Thump.
Esther held the magic book in her hands and spoke to the staff.
“Excuse me. This is mine now, so can I use it right here?”
The staff happily nodded.
“Sure. Then…”
Esther opened the book and began to flip through the pages.
Shwaaraaak.
However, that smooth action ended quickly. Esther soon took in all the pages, leaving only the last one.
“Hm.”
Flap.
“Right.”
After neatly closing the read book, she finally spoke.
“…Mr. Gi-ryeo was right. This is indeed a used magic book!”
A bombshell revelation.
To think a 5 billion item had already lost its function?
The appraiser from the Korean Magic Tower stood frozen-eyed in shock. But there were others who were even more shocked.
“What did you say?”
The auction house staff exclaimed in surprise.
“Used?”
“Exactly what it means. This magic book had already been opened once before it was sold to me.”
“No way…”
“I’m certain. I’ve used magic books before, and that didn’t feel like this. It was more like a whoosh! sensation!”
Esther immediately pointed out the issues with the magic book.
However, the staff weren’t easily convinced.
“No, that can’t be true. We handle high-priced items with extra care.”
“Exactly. Plus, if you look here, the red wax seal on the book cover was perfectly intact until you opened it…”
It seemed there were methods to check the opening status of magic books back on Earth.
“Are you saying I’m lying?”
“No, that is not what we’re saying, Esther Hunter. It’s just that…”
“If a used magic book has been auctioned, you haven’t even checked the facts and have just been insisting you manage your work properly since earlier?”
As voices began to rise in real-time…
Gi-ryeo watched quietly from the back with his arms crossed.
Ah, I should’ve just kept quiet during the auction.
He couldn’t step in rashly.
He had indeed been the first to realize that this magic book was useless, but given the circumstances…
Now that the moment to explain has come, it’s such a hassle.
The status of the magic book was actually pretty easy to figure out. No, in this case, it was so easy that it was a problem.
[~Usage Complete~]
Once that magic book has fulfilled its function, this text would blatantly appear on the cover…
Alphauri language!
Thus, Gi-ryeo immediately recognized that the book was kindling.
The circular pattern drawn on the cover of the book was none other than the traditional pictogram of the Alphauri.
At a glance, it might be mistaken for a magic circle, but the two had clearly different structures.
The lines were very thick. Or purely made of curves.
It’s not modern language, but ancient script used in a distant past. I learned the basics of that at school.
In any case, Gi-ryeo could read the cover of the magic book with knowledge from his previous life.
The identity of the book he discovered was even more ridiculous.
Isn’t this just a textbook for kids…?!
That a magic book worth 5 billion was actually just an obsolete learning tool aimed at immature children?!
That’s… a magic book?
Gi-ryeo pressed his forehead, recalling the ridiculous value attached to that useless book.
It was unbelievable.
Of all the civilizations of the Alphauri, only a textbook was selected as a treasure?
At this rate, the gates might just be complete nonsense…
