The Game of the Greatest Black Mage
Chapter 143

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Chapter 143

2.

The City Auction House.

It wasn't a place just anyone could enter.

Users couldn't simply walk in.

And it wasn't a place NPCs could just enter either.

It was a venue where only users or NPCs possessing a minimum of ten thousand Gold could participate.

Of course, there were exceptions.

Those with a title could enter regardless of their Gold amount.

However, nobles with less than ten thousand Gold were extremely rare.

So, this exception usually didn't apply.

But Seonghyun's case was a bit different.

“Sir Seonghyun! Your title has been confirmed! One companion also confirmed. We wish you an enjoyable auction.”

The NPC inspecting at the entrance said so and handed him a number tag.

Seonghyun bowed his head slightly and expressed his gratitude.

“Ah, thank you.”

-Heuk.

And beside him stood Fiora, looking thoroughly bewildered.

They had let him pass without checking his funds, but…

Seonghyun himself was holding a considerable amount of Gold.

Over six thousand Gold, no less.

However, it was still short of the ten thousand mark.

‘Good thing I sold all those Unique items.’

Upon selling all the unused Unique items he previously owned, he had obtained roughly 33,000 Gold.

In total, that amounted to a whopping 40,000 Gold.

An amount equivalent to about 400 million Korean Won.

‘With this much, shouldn’t I be able to get the Fragment of the Demonic Dragon’s Heart?’

Seonghyun had earned a lot of money up to this point, but…

Now that he was about to spend such a large sum,

‘I can't help but feel a bit on edge.’

They say spending money wisely is also important.

It certainly seemed to be true.

Perhaps because he’d never dealt with such a large sum of money changing hands before, he felt a little shaky.

If he didn’t have a calm personality, he would surely have been trembling from nerves long ago.

In any case.

Lint had said he sold it to this very auction house.

“I absolutely have to get it here.”

Just in case, Seonghyun had searched for the Fragment of the Demonic Dragon’s Heart on the user auction house.

The last recorded transaction was four months ago.

And that was the first and last time it had appeared there.

In other words, while it might be possible to obtain it elsewhere, it would be exceedingly difficult.

It was best to seize the opportunity now that it had presented itself.

Wasn't that why he had sold all his unused Unique items to scrape together the money somehow?

It had been possible because he sold all the items he had obtained from the Crystal Palace last time.

The amount it had traded for among users was roughly 30,000 Gold.

‘This should be enough.’

This was a thought possible only because Seonghyun still didn't know much about money.

If an auction house of this scale, or even nobles, were participating, one would have to consider multiples of that amount.

But that was a realm beyond Seonghyun's current understanding.

As Seonghyun, somewhat tense, was about to enter the auction hall, he heard a man, who was also elaborately adorned with various accessories to make himself stand out, laughing and chatting in the lobby with a woman of striking, healthy beauty, also extravagantly dressed.

“Haha, Viscountess, what brings you here this time? I thought you usually had no interest in such auctions.”

“It's because they say the Fragment of the Demonic Dragon's Heart is appearing this time.”

Fragment of the Demonic Dragon's Heart?

And those words came from the woman called the Viscountess.

As Seonghyun anxiously eavesdropped on their conversation:

“Oho, now that you mention it, I had forgotten that the Viscountess was an accomplished Black Mage.”

“Hoho, that's right. Baron, what are you aiming for today?”

“Me? I'm just here to buy this and that.”

“I see. Well, as long as it's not the Fragment of the Demonic Dragon's Heart that I'm after, it's fine. Though, it wouldn't matter even if you were. Because I will absolutely buy it.”

“Hahaha. I'm sure you will.”

At their conversation, Seonghyun scratched his cheek, looking troubled.

It felt like things were getting seriously complicated.

‘Should I try to get more money, even now?’

He didn't know for sure, but couldn't the money he had now be insufficient?

It was a conversation that sparked such thoughts.

The vibrant, healthy-looking woman called the Viscountess.

Of all things, for her to be a Black Mage and aiming for the same item as him.

What bad luck.

As bleak thoughts began to surface, Fiora looked at Seonghyun with a worried gaze.

-I-Is there a problem?

Thanks to Fiora's words, Seonghyun momentarily shook his head.

‘Right, if I can’t get it, then I can’t. It’s not like that’s the only one in existence anyway. For now, isn’t it enough to just do my best with the money I have?’

As he adopted that mindset, he felt much more at ease.

“No, it's fine.”

-R-Really?

“Yeah, it's okay. Shall we go in then?”

At Seonghyun's words, Fiora nodded her head with a couple of blinks, indicating she understood.

Her appearance was quite cute, and Seonghyun also gave a slight smile before heading inside.

Upon doing so, he could see the opulent interior of the auction hall, adorned with antique-style marble pillars and gold decorations.

Unusually, it wasn't a theater-style auction house like one might see in movies or dramas, but rather one styled like a party venue.

A shining crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, and noble NPCs were seated on luxurious chairs in their respective spots, observing the auction.

At the very front, a large stage was set up.

‘How glamorous.’

An auction house so dazzling it resembled a ballroom, making it hard to know where to look.

He went to the seat indicated by the number tag he received.

Was it because it was still early?

Few people were in their seats.

There was no one at Seonghyun's table, and no one was on the auction stage yet.

‘Did they say the auction starts in 30 minutes?’

Feeling bored waiting until then, he looked around.

There were far more NPCs than users.

And they were all extravagantly dressed noble NPCs.

He was almost surprised by how many nobles there were in one city, but then he remembered.

‘Didn’t they say they gather in the largest city in the vicinity?’

The nobles from the surrounding areas were said to gather here, in the largest city.

‘According to the lore, doesn’t a city like this, accessible to users, hold the position of the largest in the region?’

That seemed to be the case.

Anyway, as Seonghyun looked around the auction hall, most of the noble NPCs were busy socializing, as if they were at a social gala.

"Hmm."

Everyone was socializing to the extent that he wondered if he should also go and strike up a conversation.

Even the few users present were doing their best to mingle with the NPCs. Seonghyun couldn't help but feel a bit conscious of it.

Not that he actually intended to do so.

-L-Lord, sh-shall I bring some food?

"Food?"

-Yes, yeees!

As he was looking around, Fiora had said that. Seeing the saliva subtly trickling from the corners of her watering mouth, it was clear she really wanted to eat.

‘Was I being inconsiderate?’

Seonghyun nodded, having such thoughts.

“Yes, Fiora, you can bring some for yourself too.”

-R-Really!? Th-Thank you, Lord!

As soon as permission was granted, Fiora excitedly dashed off.

He had dressed her in formal attire to suit the atmosphere, but… for her to go bustling about like that.

Well, that was Fiora's charm.

Look at her.

Even now, as Fiora hurried off to get food, quite a few eyes were drawn to her.

Whether men or women, Fiora was a child overflowing with charm to behold.

As Fiora was clattering back with the food,

“Are you that young lady's companion?”

A middle-aged man who had appeared suddenly spoke to Seonghyun.

It was impossible they knew each other.

Seonghyun had just arrived in this city today.

As for Fiora, it went without saying, considering her active period had been hundreds of years ago.

Then why had he struck up a conversation?

Judging by his rather archaic manner of speaking and demeanor, he seemed to be a noble, like the other NPCs.

However, contrary to his dignified appearance that befitted his age, his sudden approach made Seonghyun inevitably wary.

"...Yes, that's right, but?"

The middle-aged man who had spoken was slightly surprised by the wary tone evident in Seonghyun's voice.

Then, realizing his own mistake, he apologized to Seonghyun.

"Ah, my apologies. To approach you so suddenly without an introduction. I presumed you would know me and rashly committed a rudeness. I am Lord Paragon ze Gridley of this city."

"Ah?"

He was the Lord?

Seonghyun, also startled, stood up from his seat.

And as he was about to introduce himself:

"Ah, I've already heard about you, Sir. I heard you are the wandering knight who captured the murderer."

He asked if this was correct.

Seonghyun nodded his head in reply.

"Yes, that is so."

"Haha, Sir Seonghyun, was it? Thank you for protecting the peace of our city."

"Not at all, I merely did what had to be done."

"Hmm, hmm, you are commendable, Sir, but your companion also appeared to be quite skilled, which is why I ventured to speak. So please, do not be too wary."

"Ah."

So that was it.

Only then did Seonghyun lower his guard a little.

When he first heard he was the Lord, although surprised, he hadn't entirely relaxed his vigilance.

Now that he eased his wariness somewhat, Paragon, who had introduced himself as the Lord, also subtly relaxed his expression and said casually,

"This auction is being held on a rather grand scale, and by chance, a new hero has come to our city. I hope you enjoy your time here. Ah, and if you happen to be accepting requests, please do visit the lord's castle sometime. Well then."

As the Lord finished his words and walked away, Seonghyun's eyes lit up slightly.

If he was accepting requests, come to the lord's castle?

What could this possibly mean?

‘He’ll give me a quest?’

A quest from the Lord.

This was truly rare.

It might even be a Hidden Quest.

Especially a Lord's quest in this Labyrinth City, where quest efficiency was maximized.

If this didn't pique his interest, he should have quit Eternal World long ago.

Seonghyun, likewise, stroked his chin, feeling quite pleased.

‘I’ve gained an unexpected benefit.’

It would be great if he got the Fragment of the Demonic Dragon's Heart.

But even if he couldn't, he had gained a new advantage.

This wasn't a loss by any means.

Well, it wasn't like there was an entrance fee to get in.

Still, wasn't there a potential loss of time he could have spent in the Labyrinth?

This was far from a loss; it was an enormous gain.

To get acquainted with the Lord.

Just as Seonghyun was feeling pleased:

[You have become acquainted with the Lord of Pentagrid, 『Viscount Paragon ze Gridley』.]

[You have gained the authority to enter Pentagrid's Lord's Castle.]

[A bond has been formed with a noble NPC holding a true title.]

[You have acquired the Title, 『Reliable Backing!』.]

『Reliable Backing!』

→ 《Rare》

→ A title bestowed upon users who have formed a bond with a noble NPC holding a true title.

→ Increased attention towards you at social gatherings.

You get a title just for getting acquainted?

He realized it wasn't for nothing that the users over there were trying so hard to form connections with noble NPCs.

However, the noble NPCs seemed to act aloof, not mixing words with users.

Then again, if forming a bond was easy, they wouldn't give out a Rare-rank title.

Seonghyun thought so and let it pass lightly.

Just then, Fiora returned, having piled a mountain of food onto a buffet plate.

Food stacked so high it made one wonder how she managed it.

Seonghyun watched her, chuckled, and tasted the food along with Fiora. It was more delicious than he had expected.

If he had to compare:

‘It’s similar to Kwon Restaurant, isn’t it?’

To think it tasted similar to Kwon Restaurant, which had recently received three stars.

Mind you, this wasn't a place just anyone could enter either.

Still, to implement such flavor in a game.

He couldn't help but be surprised.

While Seonghyun was savoring the food like that,

someone watched Seonghyun with sharp eyes, their face contorting in displeasure.

‘You think I’ll just stand by idly?’

However, Seonghyun did not notice it.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

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