I Entered a Gacha Game That Had Been Abandoned for 10 Years

43 – Truth (3)

Kim Hyun-woo was well aware of the auction house.

It was only natural because the auction house was a part of Arteil’s system when Kim Hyun-woo played the game, and he often made use of it.

In fact, the auction house in Arteil was more accurately described as Arteil’s integrated trading assistant system than just an auction house. People were interested not so much in the auction house system itself but in the convenience of buying and selling items with a small fee.

However, since the auction house system that Kim Hyun-woo favored while playing Arteil was inherently a ‘system’ element, he asked Adriana about the auction house in Rapenghan.

“It’s an auction house held in the commercial zone Rapenghan, to put it simply. Although auctions are occasionally held in other commercial cities, the scale of the Rapenghan auction house is different.

Adriana began to answer Kim Hyun-woo’s question.

“Unlike other auction houses, the items put up for auction at the Rapenghan auction house, which opens three times a year, are fundamentally of a different quality. Therefore, those who gather there are also different. Moreover—”

“—It seems that, due to the gathering of influential figures in the auction house itself, a friendly atmosphere naturally forms, and the current Rapenghan auction house functions almost like a social gathering.”

“I see.”

“Of course, as the Rapenghan territory has practically established itself, the auction fees are no joke…”

Adriana said, looking at the execution sword placed on the office desk.

“This, I think it will be fine.”

“This, it will be fine?”

“If the item brought by the lord is truly an execution sword as I perceive it, you might even be exempt from all fees at the Rapenghan territory.”

Of course, that’s just my opinion, and in reality, it’s likely to be around 3% or so. Adriana continued her explanation.

“…Is it because it’s an execution sword that you receive special treatment?”

When Kim Hyun-woo asked the next question, Adriana replied.

“More precisely, it’s not because it’s an execution sword, but because of the value it holds. As I mentioned, since the Rapenghan auction house holds a far superior position compared to auction houses in other commercial territories, they make efforts to maintain that status.”

“Ah.”

Even though Adriana did not provide further explanation, Kim Hyun-woo seemed to understand, and he sighed before continuing.

“…So, if an item of this good grade were to be auctioned in other auction houses, it would attract attention, and they give special treatment for that, is that right?”

“That’s correct. Regardless, since Rapenghan is a territory famous for auctions, they wouldn’t want to give others a chance. The lord probably knows, but being the best at the moment doesn’t mean you will be the best forever.”

“You’re smart in your own way.”

“Traders believe in the unseen value more than what is visible… just like the lord.”

Kim Hyun-woo, who momentarily nodded his head as if thinking, “Like me?” in response to her words, soon shrugged his shoulders and replied.

“Anyway, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Understood. However, this time, I’ll make a slight change to the conditions.”

“What are the conditions?”

“Well, for this execution sword, I won’t charge any separate fees.”

“…?”

Kim Hyun-woo looked puzzled at Adria’s words.

“In the end, this execution sword will be sold at the auction house, so the only help I can provide is anonymity.”

“Well, I appreciate it, but are you sure it’s okay?”

“Of course. But if you’re still concerned… perhaps, could you do me a favor later?”

“…A favor?”

He threw a question in response to her continued words.

“It’s just that there’s someone I’d like to introduce to you when the time comes.”

“Introduce? What do you mean?”

“Yes.”

“Well, if it’s just an introduction, it’s naturally possible.”

“That’s a relief.”

With her positive response, she smiled and that was the end of her reply.

“Well then, we need to move quickly this time, so let me bid farewell here.”

Adria quickly left the territory.

####

“Contact Laphengane immediately. Tell him I want to enter the execution sword in this auction.”

“Understood.”

After meeting Kim Hyun-woo in the Lartania Territory and immediately leaving, Adria watched her secretary leave and let out a sigh, thinking to herself.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Last time it was the recovery potion, and now it’s the execution sword.”

Adria unknowingly chuckled as she looked at the execution sword in a dignified case placed on one side of her office.

“…How on earth does a lord possess such an item?”

At least as far as Adria knew, the execution sword was an extremely rare treasure and practically impossible to find since the ‘Great Cataclysm’ a few years ago.

But how does the Lartania Territory have it?

No, beyond that.

“…How can one casually give away such an item without any thought?”

Adria made a contract with Kim Hyun-woo.

However, it was difficult to see it as a building of trust between the two beyond just a contract.

Actually, it hadn’t been long since Kim Hyun-woo and Adriana made the contract, and it hadn’t been long since she had shown her face, either.

However, despite that, the Lord of Lartania handed over the execution sword to her as if he trusted her, as if it was no big deal.

And not just any execution sword, but a device that could earn an enormous amount of money that couldn’t even be compared to the recovery medicine for comatose patients.

“…”

Of course, Adriana knew to some extent that the Lord’s actions could be born out of ignorance, but she didn’t think that Kim Hyun-woo’s actions were ignorant.

From the very beginning, his actions were too inconsistent with the image he had shown in their first contract.

“…Is he trying to gain trust this time?”

That was why, when Adriana finally reached that conclusion she had been thinking about for a while,

“Lord on the Upper Floor.”

At the voice of the secretary who came back before she finished her thoughts, Adriana turned her gaze.

“I just received a call from Laphenghan.”

“What did they say?”

“They said they will immediately create a seat as soon as they hand over the information on the execution sword stored as an artifact. And they also said they will do extensive promotion in the surrounding areas.”

At the secretary’s words, she nodded with a satisfied expression.

“That’s good to hear.”

“Are you heading to Laphenghan right away?”

“Probably, right? It’s a matter that needs to be dealt with right away.”

“Of course, right?”

“Why?”

“No, as I reported to you last time, the time is approaching when we have to offer sacrifices to the Guardians. In fact, I was planning to go straight there, but since we stopped by Lartania… I’m not sure if the schedule will match…”

“Don’t worry too much about that. Even if we arrive a little later, the schedule was planned to arrive at the original deadline with three weeks remaining, so we’ll have plenty of time even if we stop by Laphenghan. And since we didn’t find what we wanted this time either… we should bring a lot of money, even if it’s in gold coins. Well.”

After the secretary’s words, Adriana indicated not to worry.

“When the time comes, I’ll introduce you to some good people as well.”

“…Good people?”

“Yes.”

At Adriana’s words, the secretary lowered his head, and the Upper Floor of Lartania began to move towards the commercial territory of Laphenghan.

And,

‘If there’s any way to obtain the non-existent item, then he might possess what she wants.’

Adriana thought of the Lord of Lartania and smiled softly.

####

Honestly, when the Supreme of Darkness first heard Loryel’s words, the emotions that surged within were a mix of confusion, anger, and anxiety.

The confusion stemmed from the unexpected encounter with the Lord of Lartania without her permission.

Anger and anxiety arose from the fear that she might have spoken recklessly to the Lord about matters concerning her.

In the present moment, receiving an evaluation from the Lord was, in itself, terrifying for her.

…To be honest, she hoped against hope that her already fragile hopes wouldn’t be completely shattered by his negative assessment.

So, the Supreme of Darkness was about to burst out in anger in response to Loryel’s words, but…

“My Lord thinks highly of his teacher…!”

In response to Loryel’s continuation.

“…What did you say?”

The Supreme of Darkness unintentionally threw a question.

Soon after, inside the grand hall, the Supreme of Darkness, who had returned with Loryel, could hear the detailed story from Loryel about her approach to the Lord through the territories of Halensia and Sertova.

Loryel narrated the case and presented a brief story about the Supreme of Darkness, drawing out the Lord’s thoughts.

And…

“Did he really… say that?”

“Yes, Lord Lartania genuinely praised the Supreme of Darkness as a great hero and expressed regret that the teacher is no longer with us.”

With a slight smile, Loryel conveyed the Lord’s words.

“Ah, um… huh?”

Confirming the gradual appearance of a blushing smile on the once gloomy face of the Supreme of Darkness, accompanied by a short, subdued moan as she lowered her head with both hands pressed against her cheeks.

Observing the moistened eyes of her teacher, which were clearly filled with emotion, Loryel sensed an instinctual urge to protect, even though she was well aware that her teacher was physically present before her.

And…

Three days after Loryel brought such blissful news to the Supreme of Darkness.

“Ah, ugh-“

In contrast to the three days of solitary ecstasy she had been reveling in, the Supreme of Darkness frowned at the sudden appearance of Ruen without any prior notice.

“The executioner’s sword you were looking for, Master, is going up for auction at the Rapengen Auction House!”

!”

At the subsequent voice, a joyous smile spread across the face of the Supreme of Darkness.