Chapter 890. Vacation (8)
I was a bit surprised when I realized that the hall was bigger than I thought. This was not enough information for me to deduce the size of the black market, but this place, which was definitely the main auction house of the black market, reminded me of Castlerock's black market in its early days.
The stage was really big, and the seats were filled. It was so big that I couldn’t understand how they managed to create a place like this capable of accommodating so many people. My ears were hurting because there were too many scums screaming at once.
“A hundred thousand gold... A hundred thousand gold!”
'Why are you even screaming in the first place?'
“Two hundred thousand gold!”
They were ignoring auction etiquette and procedures. They just had to raise their finger or the sign in their hand, and the host would handle everything. However, this scene resembled more like a market rather than an auction.
“Two hundred and ten thousand gold! Two hundred and ten! Two hundred and TEN!”
“Shit... Two hundred and forty-thousand gold!”
It was strange paying so much gold for a servant. It was safe to think that something else was included with the main event item. Greed filled everyone's eyes.
'I really don’t want to be sold to that particular guy.'
Eventually, the host started calming everyone down.
“Please calm down, everyone. Calm...”
“Two hundred and seventy thousand gold!”
“E-Everyone, please follow the established rules and procedures! Calm down and follow the auction procedures!” the host shouted.
“Three hundred thousand gold!”
I felt like I was staring at hell, and these people were great examples of human nature.
The old millionaire and the chubby higher-up were all screaming.
Even a noblewoman... Why, though?
I wasn’t sure whether someone had ordered the host or if he had decided to do it on his own, but he decided to let this market-like atmosphere continue. He probably thought that this kind of atmosphere would help with the auction from time to time, as it was a big hit.
I felt out of place seeing them so immersed in the auction to the point that it appeared unrealistic.
‘Are they using a potion or something?’
This could be a type of illusionary magic.
I looked around, but I didn’t notice anything.
‘There are so many crazy people here.’
I had several theories in mind, but all I saw were lumps of cancer. Obviously, the people participating in auctions like this weren’t ordinary people. They were wealthy and powerful individuals. I was sure Ji-Hye noona knew most of them, as they made their wealth illegally.
'Yeah, I knew there was something fishy about you. Federation, Federation, wait, you’re a senator of the Sacred Democratic Country. You’re all dead. And you... you... and...'
‘Wait, why are you here?’
And that was when I saw a familiar face...
‘Why is he here?’
I knew I wasn’t seeing things.
We were in a hall full of crazy people, so a pretty calm-looking guy stuck out like a sore thumb. He was sitting quietly in his chair and was frowning for some reason. He sighed and attempted to stand up. The frown on his face allowed me to deduce that he had come here for the necklace
He still looked wicked and cocky; it looked like he wasn’t planning on changing out of that Chinese-style outfit. I was sure he owned several sets of that outfit. He still had that same old expression, and he looked like he was looking down on the people here as if he wasn't like them.
‘You two-faced masked scum. Since you knew about the black market, why did you not tell me about it?’
“I heard three hundred and ten thousand gold! Three hundred and forty thousand gold! That was three hundred and forty-thousand gold!” “...”
“The price has gone up to three hundred and fifty-thousand gold! Anyone else? It’s at three hundred and fifty thousand gold!”
The auction house was chaotic, and I heard voices everywhere. I was sure some of the people here were trying to pool their money together to purchase me, as they were too broke to purchase me without the help of their peers.
Meanwhile, a few cannon fodders came out and grabbed my wrist.
“Kyah!”
As soon as I screamed...
“I got three hundred and seventy gold! Wait, it’s four hundred thousand gold now!”
Masked Scum Jin Cheong of the Republic unknowingly looked at me upon hearing my screen.
‘Ah, shit. Come to think of it, you’re pretty rich.’
Our eyes met...
'You know it’s me, right? You’ve already realized that it’s me, right?'
Kim Hyun-Sung's slow-wittedness was pretty rare, and Jin Cheong was especially quick-witted, so I felt like he had already noticed my true identity.
“H-Help me,” I stuttered and collapsed. Then, I started crying as if I had given up on everything. I represented caution and innocence, so I couldn’t endure the hideous desires and dirty gazes in this auction house.
There wasn’t anything dirty about Lee Ki-Yeon, so I was simply scared because all of this was new to me. Naturally, I looked at Jin Cheong again with a look of anticipation, but...
‘You bastard. How dare you ignore me?’
As if looking away wasn’t enough, he even covered his face. He grabbed his stuff, and he looked like he wanted to leave as quickly as possible. He clearly showed that he didn’t want to get caught up in this ridiculous situation, but...
[Creating an Average-rank Forced Quest.]
[Commander, why are you ignoring me? (0/1)]
[An Average-rank quest has been delivered to Jin Cheong. No quest rewards were declared, so Player Jin Cheong will not receive a reward.]
'Buy me.'
[Creating an Average-rank Forced Quest.]
[Have a seat. Let’s make a deal. I’m in a really bad spot right now. Colorado might end up getting destroyed, so I’d appreciate it if you participate in the auction as soon as possible. (0/1)]
[An Average-rank quest has been delivered to Jin Cheong. No quest rewards were declared, so Player Jin Cheong will not receive a reward.]
Hurry.
[Creating a Rare-rank Forced Quest.]
[All right, fine. So you’re just going to ignore me. I don’t know why you’re here in this black market... but you’re going to regret it. I guarantee that you will. I’m not asking you to do it for free. I’ll even declare a quest reward. Get up from your seat if you can. Do it. Did you stand up just now? Sit back down. Are you really leaving? Don’t go. (0/1)]
[A Rare-rank quest has been delivered to Jin Cheong.]
[A quest clear reward has been declared...]
[A tea time with Father Lee Ki-Young (0/1)]
He could only ignore me for so long. He was acting like he couldn't hear me, or he had no idea of my identity, but I kept sending him messages, so he mumbled as if he was in a bad mood.
- Damn it. I remember telling you that I no longer wanted anything to do with you... did you not agree to it?
He had taken the bait.
- What the hell are you... You crazy bastard. Damn it! No wonder things weren’t going my way today. Damn it!
[You keep saying that you don't want anything to do with me, but you're still using this private communication channel. (0/1)]
- What do you want? And why are you here looking like that? Actually, it’s disgraceful for me to even ask that question. You have a pretty disgusting kink.
[It’s a long story, Commander. Actually, I haven’t been able to contact you because I’ve been so busy these days. Wait, I did contact you, but you ignored me. I was going to visit you, but I was so busy in Lindel. Anyway, have you been well? (0/1)]
- I was feeling great until you showed up...
[Ah! I can’t explain all the details. Do you really think that I want to be here looking like this? I didn’t even know that there was a black market here. But why are you here, Commander? Depending on your answer, things might become a bit... (0/1)]
- What I do is none of your business. At least, it’s not as bad as you standing on that stage while looking like that. Anyway, all I'll say to you is that all of this has nothing to do with me. Are you done?
[No, we’re not done. Just bid for me. I have a reason for doing this, and this isn’t a request. (0/1)]
- You think your threat—
[It’s a bribe. (0/1)]
- ...
[I’ll give you a decent position. What do you think about the current continent, Commander? Which direction... do you think our continent, the Republic, and the Sacred Democratic Country should take? Even a god needs the help of talented people to manage the continent... (0/1)]
- Stop talking nonsense.
[Anyway, we've started off on the wrong foot, but aren’t we in the middle of building a great relationship? This is a cliche where our relationship improves after fighting the same enemy. I considered you my enemy when we first met, but not anymore. We’re comrades. (0/1)]
- Bullshit.
[Hurry up and bid. Stop changing the subject. You don’t want to regret this, do you? (0/1)]
Jin Cheong looked like he was gritting his teeth, but in the end, he sat back down as if he had no choice but to do so.
I knew he'd do that. I had no idea whether he had a change of heart or if he thought that he could get something out of this deal, but he made a great choice.
- I only want one thing, and it’s no longer getting involved with you. I honestly don’t think that you’ll keep your promise, but if you’re indebted to me, then make sure that I won't get caught up in a ridiculous situation like this again.
[A wise choice, but I’m telling the truth about giving you a good position. I’ll send you the offer another time, so read it over and decide. Ah, the auction is almost over. Hurry. (0/1)]
“Four hundred and twenty thousand gold, everyone! This is great news. Just now, we've broken our auction house's highest record! We’re planning on offering the buyer an option of their choice, and...”
The host held up two fingers.
“Now it’s four hundred and twenty five thousand gold! Please note this product has yet to receive any training,” the host added.
“Four hundred and thirty thousand gold!”
“Four hundred and forty thousand gold! Four hundred and forty thousand gold!”
Jin Cheong held up his sign, but no one noticed him.
Even the host didn't notice him, but how could the host notice him amidst the excited crowd?
Jin Cheong seemed to have realized that as well because he revealed an annoyed look before slamming his hand on the table in front of him.
BOOM!
The entire hall seemed to vibrate as mana pervaded the hall in the blink of an eye. I knew things weren't going to become dangerous, of course. Jin Cheong was just trying to make his presence known to the host.
As expected, everyone looked at him.
‘He sure tries hard to look cool.’
I felt like Jin Cheong actually enjoyed acting. He stared at the host amidst the quiet hall before murmuring, "Six hundred thousand gold."
Some of the members of the crowd had to pick up their jaws from the floor upon hearing Jin Cheong's declaration. The remaining members of the crowd merely stared at him, but it was like he had become the protagonist of this auction.
‘He’s seriously annoying. How much more annoying can he get?’
“Okay... okay... six hundred thousand gold... We got six hundred thousand gold,” the host announced.
I felt kind of uncomfortable because it was like we were forcing everyone to give up, but I honestly wanted to deliver a heavy blow to them as well.
I looked at the chubby higher-up who had decided to participate in this auction, and he looked like he was questioning his finances, but at the same time, he looked confident that he could win this auction.
After a while, he raised his hands and shouted, “I’ll pay six hundred and fifty thousand gold!”
“Okay, we got six hundred and fifty thousand gold!” the host announced.
'Hey, you beautiful noblewoman. Are you going to give up? I want you to become my master. I really want you to take me. I want to serve you and wake up in your arms.'
“I can’t give up. I’ll give seven hundred thousand—seven hundred thousand gold!”
“The auction price has increased to seven hundred thousand gold!” the host shouted.
Our Jin Cheong frowned, and it was all because of his rivals' actions.
I thought he was feeling embarrassed, which would actually make sense, as he had unleashed a powerful fatal blow, but the villain easily avoided it and punched him back.
I was sure his pride was hurt.
He was the Hero of Shadows and a great symbol of the Republic, so I was sure he was heartbroken by the fact that these strange people were beating here.
It was probably like the time when Kim Hyun-Sung was beating up Hee-Ra noona. The embarrassment was definitely amplified because I was watching him.
He wanted to look cool, but he was getting embarrassed instead, so I started laughing to myself. Since things had already come to this, Jin Cheong definitely thought that he could no longer retreat.
I was sure that this was more about his pride now rather than my offer and request.
“Damn it. I’ll offer seven hundred and ten thousand gold!”
'Great job, gentleman with a mustache.'
"Seven hundred and twenty thousand gold!”
The beautiful noblewoman’s name was Sarubia.
'I like you the most out of everyone here.'
"Seven hundred and fifty thousand gold!”
It was a mess.
The auction was heating up.
Everyone started shouting as if they had been possessed by something.
And that was when Jin Cheong's arrogant voice pervaded the hall.
“One million gold.”
“...”
“In cold hard cash...”