Chapter 15: The Auction and the Undervalued Treasures

Estimated value: 1.2 billion Gold.

Globally, Dungeon items are traded not with conventional currency, but with ‘Gold’ — a currency refined from magic stones dropped by monsters.

Converted to Korean Won, 1.2 billion Gold amounts to approximately 1.2 billion Won.

While certainly a high sum, it was one that made him furrow his brow in confusion.

The average price for a magic stone from an S-rank Dungeon was 1 billion Gold.

However, that average applied only to magic stones possessing a single attribute. One with *three* attributes should have been valued far higher.

It seemed rather apparent that it had been undervalued due to an inability to properly appraise it.

Regardless, even if it were valued at 1 billion Gold, it wasn’t a magic stone to be given away so freely.

Even if it had been mistaken for a regular S-rank magic stone, handing it over entirely was too grand a gift.

“You’re giving this to me? The whole thing?”

“Yes. They said it’s for saving their life, so you should keep it.”

‘Was there really a life-saving reward to be received? Shin Ji-ho had, after all, survived thanks to Seon Tae-woong as well.’

Shin Ji-ho tilted his head, still clutching the magic stone.

“They give *this*, and then they’ll give *more* compensation?”

At Shin Ji-ho’s bewildered reaction, Heo So-ri immediately chimed in.

“Suspicious, right? He’s not the type to do something like this. Did he eat something strange? But don’t send it back, okay?”

“I have no intention of doing so.”

Shin Ji-ho smiled, then carefully put away the box.

There was no reason to refuse a gift.

Considering all the trouble that man had caused him until now, he deserved at least this much.

He had been pondering his future plans, and this timely gift from Seon Tae-woong had, surprisingly, simplified things considerably.

“What will you be doing after your discharge today?”

At Heo So-ri’s question, Shin Ji-ho mentally organized his schedule.

“Today, first… I have some personal errands to run. There are also some things I need to test regarding my skills. I apologize for taking a break when you’re busy.”

“Oh, no, it’s fine. You’ve been through a lot, so you deserve a rest. Besides, Cheongram is already handling all the media responses anyway.”

“Hmm… that’s true.”

While he was currently relying on Cheongram, if his guild grew larger in the future, it would be beneficial for Noname to establish its own dedicated team.

Though it was still a pipe dream.

Feeling that he was getting ahead of himself, Shin Ji-ho briefly recalled the insults hurled at him.

‘That idiotic silver spoon who balances his own life’s difficulty,’ and ‘Shin Ji-ho, the rotten scum of the Hunter world, just die’ — strangely, recalling such vitriol brought a surprising calm to his thoughts.

With a noticeably calmer mind, Shin Ji-ho inquired.

“Are there any other matters?”

“Well, the Hunter Association just contacted us… They asked if you’d be willing to undergo a re-evaluation of your rank.”

“Ah… a re-evaluation.”

“Yes. I’ve put the answer on hold for now, and you’re free to refuse. They can’t force you…”

He had undergone so many re-evaluations that the very thought of them was tiresome.

Heo So-ri, knowing how much Shin Ji-ho had suffered in the past, wore a worried expression.

Shin Ji-ho hesitated before answering.

The Hunter Association’s method for determining a Hunter’s rank inherently involved the Association’s subjective judgment.

There were Awakened individuals who possessed appraisal skills, regardless of their own rank.

These Hunters, known as Appraisers, could roughly discern an opponent’s stats.

Since stats weren’t the sole measure of a Hunter, the evaluation process was inevitably subjective.

First, stats were verified, followed by internal tests to confirm the power of their skills.

After sufficient trials, a final Hunter rank was determined through an internal review.

Currently, Shin Ji-ho’s magic power stood at 3,000. He had also acquired several useful skills.

If all of these could be verified, his rank would undoubtedly climb higher than its current level.

However, his current concern wasn’t whether he would once again receive a B-rank, as in the past.

Hunter ranks were literally determined by a Hunter’s ability to ‘hunt monsters,’ meaning most support-type Hunters were capped at A-rank.

Merely rising to A-rank would be meaningless.

To decisively overturn public opinion, there was only one goal.

S-rank.

Moreover, he couldn’t just receive S-rank after protracted discussions; he needed to achieve undeniable results that would compel recognition from anyone, thereby earning an S-rank designation.

“I will undergo the re-evaluation, but not immediately. Please ask them to wait a little longer.”

“Yes. They did say they’d like it done as soon as possible. You really can refuse, though…”

“I understand. I don’t intend to drag it out either, anyway.”

The Association, having suffered greatly from rank controversies in the past, would likely want to quickly suppress any re-ignition of those discussions.

“Will you be alright?”

“I’ll be perfectly fine.”

Shin Ji-ho flashed a confident smile at a worried Heo So-ri.

Even Heo So-ri, who believed Seon Tae-woong’s interview to be true, didn’t seem entirely convinced; how much more skeptical would others be?

Clearly, thorough preparation was essential.

‘I need to move a bit faster.’

Shin Ji-ho parted ways with Heo So-ri, who needed to return to the guild, and descended.

Outside the hospital, several reporters were visible, waiting to snag any scraps of information.

However, with the full cooperation of Cheongram Hospital, Shin Ji-ho managed to exit safely without being noticed by anyone.

Shin Ji-ho drove diligently, arriving at the Hunter-exclusive section of Cheongram Department Store, located in Gangnam.

Before stepping out of the car, Shin Ji-ho pulled down a black cap and put on a mask.

It was a suspicious get-up, but given his infamous reputation, it was better to cover himself.

Quite a few people recognized Shin Ji-ho.

Especially in places frequented by Hunters, hostile glances were often cast his way.

He wasn’t personally hurt by every stranger’s gaze.

However, to avoid the frequent annoyances that arose, he generally kept himself concealed.

As Cheongram Department Store was always bustling, Shin Ji-ho smoothly blended into the crowd.

Following the Rift Incident, Cheongram, which had been expanding its business based on the terrifyingly influential Cheongram Guild, acquired a failing department store.

They then restructured the existing building, converting Annex 2, next to the main building, into a Hunter-exclusive zone that sold only Hunter items.

The first through fourth floors of the Hunter Wing were accessible to the general public without restriction.

Potions crafted by alchemists and certain items approved for sale by the Association could be purchased by anyone with sufficient funds.

However, from the fifth floor upwards, where genuine Dungeon items were sold, only Hunters were permitted entry.

“Hunter Shin Ji-ho, identity confirmed.”

A guard at the entrance, recognizing Shin Ji-ho, bowed respectfully.

Shin Ji-ho gestured for them not to, then quietly proceeded inside.

He usually visited after the department store’s closing hours, so this was his first time coming when it was crowded.

Instead of browsing the stores, Shin Ji-ho went straight to the uppermost floor.

On the top floor of the Hunter Wing, Dungeon item auctions were held periodically.

The Hunter auction house at Cheongram Department Store was where the highest-grade items were most frequently traded globally.

This was because Joo Yi-won, the world’s only SS-rank Hunter, and the Cheongram Guild exclusively supplied items to this auction house.

Special auctions, featuring high-grade items, took place once every two weeks.

Today, coincidentally, was the day for one such special auction.

Shin Ji-ho submitted his magic stone to the auction and then headed to his assigned seat.

The seat provided by the auction house was a VIP table tucked away in a corner.

The auction house had thoughtfully arranged for no one to sit next to Shin Ji-ho.

As he had no desire to encounter anyone and attract attention, Shin Ji-ho quietly took his seat, accepting the consideration.

All the surrounding seats were filled with high-ranking Hunters.

Even a cursory glance revealed them adorned with numerous precious items.

The auction began in a relatively quiet atmosphere.

The very first item presented was a C-rank equipment piece.

It wasn’t a given that special auctions exclusively featured high-grade items.

Many of the Hunters present were either guild masters or had at least formed their own teams.

They diligently bid on items suitable for their guild members or teammates.

Unlike them, Shin Ji-ho sat quietly for a while, merely observing.

How much time had passed?

The moment a short, ivory-colored cloth armor piece was presented, Shin Ji-ho’s eyes glinted.

Shin Ji-ho, who had been sitting leisurely, straightened his posture.

“This is a C-rank defensive item dropped by a flying monster from Sokcho’s Second Void-attribute Dungeon, offering an agility boost of 10. As its size cannot be adjusted, it would be well-suited for Awakened individuals under 170 cm in height.”

“A C-rank agility-boosting defensive item for 2.5 million Gold. Are there any further bids?”

As he watched the price slowly tick upwards, Shin Ji-ho read the item’s information window.

[Information]

[Volureth’s Wish]

The agility boost of 10, as described by the auctioneer, wasn’t a particularly significant figure.

However, the option to reduce fatigue every two hours while worn was quite valuable.

During prolonged Dungeon raids, injuries could be healed with potions or skills, but the gradual accumulation of fatigue was difficult to alleviate.

Unlike the auction house’s appraisal, the item window displayed an A-rank.

It was certainly not an item that should be traded for a mere 2.5 million Gold.

In truth, it wasn’t uncommon for valuable items to be sold for a pittance.

Current item appraisal techniques had their limitations.

Discovering unexpected effects in cheaply bought items, or finding expensive items to be less impressive than anticipated, happened quite frequently.

The items Shin Ji-ho was targeting today were precisely of this kind.

Items that, due to improper appraisal of their effects, were released at a bargain price far below their true worth.

Shin Ji-ho didn’t actually possess a great deal of Gold.

Gold, as Hunter currency, could not be exchanged for conventional money.

While it seemed possible to exchange it in the underworld, Shin Ji-ho had no intention of dabbling in such dealings.

Having meticulously saved every Gold he earned, equipment had somewhat taken a backseat, but today, he planned to acquire as much as possible.

To prepare for the future.

Shin Ji-ho immediately placed a bid on the item.

“Ten million! Ten million Gold!”

The auction house stirred at the appearance of a ‘sucker’ who suddenly quadrupled the bid for an item almost sold for 2.5 million, securing it.

In contrast to the bewildered reactions, Shin Ji-ho offered a relaxed smile.

He had bought it at a high price, yet it was still a profit.

‘If it had been properly appraised, wouldn’t it have fetched tens of millions?’

Shin Ji-ho proceeded to sweep up all such undervalued items that had received low ranks due to improper appraisal.

Occasionally, he also bid on items that, while priced fairly, were simply too tempting to pass up.

Once he started buying, he purchased as if he were someone who had longed for things all their life.

He wasn’t usually wasteful, yet he had also never been denied something he desired since childhood.

However, after meticulously calculating every single Gold coin while managing the guild… buying like this now felt like a catharsis.