episode_0297

The next morning.

Jeong Yushin decided to go to the central district auction house with the middle-aged Scar.

The robe guy returned to the magic tower branch yesterday.

Boob Scar planned to go shopping with Karin, Mion, Xian, and Vivian.

The wolf beastman Scar decided to guard the inn.

‘Where’s the rat guy…?’

Jeong Yushin looked around.

‘He’s here.’

The rat guy wasn’t far away.

Right next to the wolf beastman Scar.

The rat Scar had placed a palm-sized armchair next to the counter and was sitting in a relaxed pose.

As if he was on vacation.

The wolf Scar poured juice into a small cup and handed it to the rat guy.

The rat guy took the cup with one hand and gulped it down.

Lynn, who had appeared unnoticed, carefully handed him roasted nuts.

The rat guy just turned his face and crunched on the nuts.

Jeong Yushin scratched his head.

“I’m going to buy some equipment, are you coming with me?”

“Squeak.”

The rat guy shook his head.

It was such a firm refusal that it was difficult to say anything more.

‘Is that guy really stronger than me?’

It’s perplexing.

I was curious about what abilities he had.

The rat guy, noticing Jeong Yushin’s gaze, squinted his eyes.

“Squeak, squeak.”

“Okay. I’ll be back, so take good care of the inn.”

“Squeak.”

Just as the ‘Scars’ were about to step forward, the middle-aged Scar raised his hand.

“Wait a minute.”

People’s attention focused on the middle-aged Scar.

“We can’t spend time with the same name like this. Think of your own new name for today. We need to go in a direction that minimizes confusion.”

Boob Scar nodded.

“I’ll tell the robe guy too. Have a good trip.”

“Okay.”

Jeong Yushin and the middle-aged Scar left the inn and headed to the central district.

A warm spring breeze swept through the streets.

Jeong Yushin walked along, looking at the bustling people.

“There are a lot of aspiring Seekers.”

How many will survive this time?

I don’t know.

The middle-aged Scar opened his mouth.

“Scar, wasn’t there a reward for defeating the Outer God this time?”

“I haven’t received it yet. I can get it if I go to the Seeker Guild headquarters.”

“Why did you postpone the reward?”

“Because I haven’t decided what to receive.”

The middle-aged Scar stroked his chin and nodded.

“Good idea. It will be a card that can pressure the Seeker Guild later.”

“I don’t think a giant guild will move with just one request from me.”

“Then we’ll use various carrots at that time.”

Jeong Yushin smiled at the middle-aged Scar’s words.

It was exactly in line with his own thoughts.

We get along too well?

It felt like talking to the ego in my head.

The middle-aged Scar continued to ask questions.

“Scar, what kind of weapons do you mainly use?”

“I don’t really have a preference for weapons. If I were to choose, it would be a rapid-fire crossbow and a longsword. I had a bastard sword, but it broke while fighting. I also had a black iron greatsword, but it was a treasure of the Barbaroi tribe, so I sent it to the previous chieftain with a subordinate.”

‘Ah.’

Come to think of it, my armor and rapid-fire crossbow were damaged while fighting the Outer God.

The rapid-fire crossbow that I threw into the air while fighting fell to the ground and was half-broken.

Because the Outer God’s slimes spewed out acidic fluid, the plate-covered parts melted.

The middle-aged Scar nodded.

“How many floors have you been to in the Labyrinth?”

“20th floor.”

“I heard that from the 21st floor, it’s an underwater cave area. The monsters that appear there generally have tough skin, so a heavy greatsword would be suitable. Most of the attacks are also things that cause bleeding or paralysis, so the armor must be strong.”

Useful tips poured out of the middle-aged Scar’s mouth.

Jeong Yushin nodded.

‘This is great.’

Jeong Yushin and the middle-aged Scar arrived at the central district auction house while having various conversations.

A huge marble building. It wasn’t far from the Seeker Guild headquarters.

Even though it was morning, the outside of the auction house was crowded with people.

Jeong Yushin opened his mouth wide and scanned the bulletin board.

“It’s diverse.”

There was a huge bulletin board hanging outside the auction house.

It listed magic tools, equipment, or herbs found in the labyrinth.

There were also equipment from famous workshops and magic tools invented by the magic tower.

Jeong Yushin and the middle-aged Scar crossed their arms and read the auction items listed on the bulletin board one after another.

The middle-aged Scar raised his hand and pointed to one side of the bulletin board.

“Auction house room 8 would be better. Can you see it? A greatsword that increases strength. It would be useful.”

A greatsword that increases strength.

It’s a simple but not bad choice.

“Room 8, is it? There are about 10 minutes left. Let’s go take a look.”

Jeong Yushin entered the auction house with the middle-aged Scar.

The inside of the auction house was crowded.

There were many people dressed as Seekers, and quite a few merchants from outside.

He approached the rabbit beastman in the corner of the reception desk.

“Hello? Good morning. Mr. Scar.”

The rabbit beastman perked up his ears and smiled.

Jeong Yushin had a bewildered look on his face.

“Do you know me?”

The rabbit beastman twinkled his eyes and replied.

“Yes. I heard you were active on the 20th floor! But who is the person next to you…?”

How should I explain this?

“He’s my older brother.”

The middle-aged Scar’s expression changed awkwardly.

“Our parents cared for each other a lot. He’s the youngest.”

“Ah! I, I see!”

The rabbit beastman coughed several times to hide his embarrassed expression.

“Ahem!!! I, I understand! The age difference between my siblings in my hometown is also large!”

Jeong Yushin tilted his head.

“Do you have many younger siblings?”

“I think there are about 10 below and 10 above?”

How can there be 20 siblings?

“Your parents must care for each other a lot.”

At the middle-aged Scar’s words, the rabbit beastman smiled brightly.

“That’s right. Hehe. Well, it’s also a characteristic of our tribe. Ah! Which auction room would you like to go to?”

“Number 8.”

The rabbit beastman handed over some documents.

“Okay. Please write down the name of the person making the purchase.”

Jeong Yushin quickly filled out the documents and handed them over.

“Confirmed. Room 8 can be found by going straight down the hallway to the right of the central hall.”

“Thank you.”

Following the rabbit beastman’s guidance, they headed to room 8.

The inside of auction room 8 was like a large auditorium.

It was similar to a place for watching movies.

The surroundings were a little dark, and the stage area was the brightest.

There were already many people occupying seats, so Jeong Yushin took a seat in the back.

After waiting about 10 minutes sitting in the chair.

The door closed and a human in a suit walked onto the stage.

“Welcome!!! We have quite a few good items today. Recently, there have been several major incidents in the labyrinth, making supply difficult, but a hero has appeared and it has become peaceful again!!!”

The host in a suit looked directly at Jeong Yushin.

Jeong Yushin had an embarrassed look on his face.

The middle-aged Scar smiled and patted Jeong Yushin’s shoulder.

The host didn’t stop there and added more.

“Today is your lucky day. Why? Because that person is here! Barbaroi Scar!!!”

People’s eyes moved busily.

A moment of silence.

The people who found Jeong Yushin widened their eyes.

“Wow!!!”

“Scar!!!”

“To see him here!!!”

Loud cheers and applause followed.

Jeong Yushin had a bewildered expression.

‘Was it to this extent?’

“Mr. Scar! Please stand up and say a word!”

As soon as the host finished speaking, the magic lighting attached to the ceiling turned to Jeong Yushin.

The atmosphere was sparkling with anticipation.

Jeong Yushin had no choice but to stand up and look around.

Some people were casting doubtful glances, and some people were looking blank with faces that didn’t know what was going on.

But.

Most of them were smiling and looking at Jeong Yushin’s face.

He soon understood the situation.

‘They’re all Seekers.’

Judging by the equipment and atmosphere, there were many intermediate Seekers.

Then.

Jeong Yushin opened his mouth.

“I know that among the people gathered here, there are those who fought with me on the 20th floor.”

“That’s right!!!”

“Scar!!!”

“Thank you!!!”

“How could I have overcome that crisis alone? Thanks to the many people who fought together, we were able to overcome the difficult situation. Those are the heroes. Thank you.”

Scar took his seat with a neat and humble greeting.

“Wow!!!”

“He’s handsome, and even humble!”

“Scar!!! Scar!!!”

“Then we will start the auction!!! The very first piece of equipment is···.”

The host took advantage of the excited crowd and immediately introduced the items.

A bow that speeds up arrows.

A spear with ice properties.

Chain armor that creates a shield when hit.

Most of the equipment contained one-time magic, but he had no intention of ignoring it.

When life is on the line, it was a trump card to create variables.

Jeong Yushin carefully watched each weapon that came up for auction.

‘If I could use all of those as Sacred Weapons…?’

Maybe I could get close to being the strongest?

Jeong Yushin suppressed the rising greed.

Even if you can use all the weapons.

It’s over if you don’t deal with the situation appropriately.

The most important thing is the ability to read the numbers and create a plan.

The auction continued.

There were only a few remaining items left.

“The next weapon is the Flame Sword!!!”

A longsword with a red blade appeared on the stage.

The host pointed to the longsword with a confident expression.

“It’s a weapon that’s often found in the labyrinth, but there’s a reason why it sells well!!! It’s because it’s a weapon with permanent magic!!! Do you need a detailed explanation?!! With just a rat’s worth of magic power, you can unleash a fiery slash at any time!!! We’ll start at 50 gold coins!!!”

The price range of the equipment, which had been hovering around 10 gold coins so far, jumped significantly.

Some Seekers swallowed hard.

The merchants’ eyes lit up as if they had been waiting for this moment.

“Yes!!! 51 gold coins!!! 52 gold coins received!!! Oh!!! 55 gold coins!!!”

The amount went up in an instant.

But.

Jeong Yushin felt like his stomach was getting twisted. His hands were also trembling slightly.

‘They have a lot of money.’

Well.

They wouldn’t be able to enter the auction house if they didn’t have money.

Everyone is living by diligently farming in the labyrinth.

The red-haired man sitting in the front row won the bid for 84 gold coins.

“Now!!! The next piece of equipment is!!! Huh?”

At that time.

A young man who appeared to be an employee rushed over and whispered in the host’s ear.

“What?!”

The host glared at the employee as if to kill him, then looked at the auction stone.

“Haa. Due to a disruption in the order, a different item has come out. The next item is the Tear of the Abyss!”

Tear of the Abyss?

Jeong Yushin had a bewildered expression.

‘What is that?’

The atmosphere of the auction house, which was full of excitement, changed drastically.

“Ah.”

“Hey, we came to see equipment! What’s with the sudden accessory?!”

“Get rid of it!!!”

As people started to get angry, the host was sweating profusely.

“I’m sorry!!! B, but please take a look at the item first···.”

“What do you think we are?! Tear of the Abyss? You’re putting out a mediocre item like that?!”

A bald giant stood up from his seat and shouted.

“E, even if you gather all the magic power···.”

“It’s already difficult to survive for a year, so you’re saying we should sit down and gather magic power for a long time that may take years?!”

“Wow, can’t you combine a fully charged Tear of the Abyss with another weapon? If magic power is added···.”

The bald giant’s face turned red.

“Ha! Hey! Who are you trying to fool?! The weapon will become stronger in proportion to the magic power you have. But think about it. Let’s say you spend all your magic power on that black crystal for a long time that may take years. On top of that, let’s assume you find a good quality weapon and try to combine it with the Tear of the Abyss! But why would you use that weapon at all? No matter how much you level up, there’s a limit to the magic power of warriors!”

A long, long speech.

The host’s face became haggard.

“I, if mages use it···.”

A young man in a robe made a sullen face.

“If a mage has to engage in close combat in the labyrinth, isn’t it generally an urgent battle? We’re rear guards, not vanguards. And like the vanguard said, you use a weapon combined with the Tear of the Abyss after spending a long time and effort? I’d rather buy and use several defensive artifacts with that effort. It’s not cost-effective.”

Negative opinions prevailed.

“Bring out the next weapon quickly! The greatsword of strength!!!”

“It’s ruined! It’s ruined!”

“That’s a scam! It’s nothing more than a gem that just eats magic power!”

There was anger in people’s voices.

But.

Jeong Yushin and the middle-aged Scar looked at each other.

“Same thought?”

Jeong Yushin smiled at the middle-aged Scar’s question.

“Sounds good? It might be better than the greatsword that increases strength.”

The host felt like his heart was burning.

An auction that would have ended well was being filled with dissatisfied voices.

‘That newly hired guy!’

Because that guy acted clueless, a useless item popped out.

It was originally supposed to be at the front of the auction order.

Well.

Even he wouldn’t use a weapon that wasn’t cost-effective.

In short, a non-mainstream item with little demand.

It seemed that there were several Seekers who had suffered losses after being tempted by the words that it was a weapon with magic power.

“T, then this item will be, n, next time···.”

“Wait!!!”

Jeong Yushin raised his hand and shouted.

The eyes of the people gathered at the auction house were focused.

“I’ll buy that Tear of the Abyss.”

“…”

At the unexpected shout, people stared at Jeong Yushin, speechless.