To the Future (5)

Alminus Central Exchange, Auction Hall No. 1.

The auction hall, which rarely filled even halfway during regular auctions featuring only high-quality items, was now packed with people.

And these weren’t just any ordinary people.

“Look, even the master of the Nenma Clan is here.”

“He’s not here for himself. He probably wants to get something for that explorer known as the ‘Iron Wall.’  Didn’t the guardian of the first team recently die? He’s probably looking to fill that void.”

From explorers with shiny equipment…

“Oh, so even the Ragman Company is after that essence?”

“If the price is right, there’s nothing a merchant won’t buy.”

“Hmmm, but the items in this auction might be hard to resell for the same value…”

“Value isn’t always about money. Isn’t Duke Kudo’s birthday coming up soon?”

“True, just getting into that banquet could make a lasting impression on many nobles.”

Though not explorers, these individuals reeked of wealth.

There were no mere spectators here.

Of course, this was expected.

The auction had generated such a buzz that even entry tickets had been sold at a high price.

‘It was a nightmare just trying to get those tickets, regardless of the price.’

If it hadn’t been for Amelia, who tipped me off before the auction information was fully released, I would have had to buy a single ticket on the black market and come alone.

“Stop looking around so much. Drawing attention won’t do us any good.”

Sensing the nagging was about to begin, I smoothly changed the subject.

“By the way, have you been to places like this?”

“…Enough to be familiar.”

Well, she has been an explorer much longer than I have.

“So if I have any questions, I can just ask you, right?”

After that, I spent time scanning my surroundings with a side glance.

“There are surprisingly many people wearing masks like us. Didn’t they say auction winners remain anonymous?”

“There are always those who don’t want to reveal their participation.”

“Oh, who’s that guy in the suit? He doesn’t look like an explorer or a merchant.”

He is an agent sent by an influential family; while his attire is clean, it is not the type chosen by a noble family, who would prioritize the family’s dignity even in such matters.

“Oh, really?”

It felt like I was talking to an encyclopedia.

Every question I asked, Amelia answered without delay.

So, while checking her knowledge, I continued to ask various questions until the auction began.

“Amelia… can we afford that?”

“…Only if we give up on the items coming later.”

“So we can’t afford it…”

It wasn’t just the level 3 essences; the other items up for auction were also quite impressive. Even the very first item was of high quality, and the following ones were just as good.

‘How does a Triple Numbers item even show up at a marketplace auction?’

And it wasn’t just any low-level Triple Numbers item.

Although it wasn’t useful to me, it was a versatile item that any damage dealer using bladed weapons would want.

‘If only I had the money, I’d buy it and put it in the vault.’

Each time a new auction item came up, I could only watch the heated competition with regret.

“1.4 billion Stones! 1.4 billion Stones have been offered. Are there any higher bids?”

“……”

“……Sold to the anonymous bidder!”

The auctions of this era were straightforward.

It wasn’t a gradual increase in small increments within a preset range by the auctioneer, but rather a free-bid system where you could place a large bid all at once.

Yet, the bidding process was strangely modern.

Click, click, click-click-click.

Each seat had a magical device on the right armrest where you could input numbers. When you entered a bid and hit enter, the price would appear on the screen on the stage.

Thanks to this, the bidders’ identities remained anonymous.

‘Well, without such anonymity, there could be fights later on.’

Incidentally, this method was first used at the Sky Auction House.

I learned about it while studying history in the library—a famous incident where noble houses, after revealing their names during a bidding war, ended up in a full-blown brawl—

“And now, the seventeenth item!”

As one auction ended, a new item was immediately brought onto the stage.

It was a test tube stored in an elegant box.

Although several essences had been presented before, this time the situation was different.

“Jandel.”

“I know.”

Unlike the previous essences, there was a large painting next to the box. It depicted a massive creature, its entire body covered in thick armor, roaring ferociously.

Bol-Herchan.

‘To think they prepared something like this. They really put a lot of effort into this auction.’

The participants began to murmur, awed by the dynamic painting that seemed almost alive.

“Oh my… indeed…”

“I thought this essence would come out last.”

“Yes, it’s a bit odd. There are still 35 items left to be auctioned, so we’re only halfway through…”

Some wondered why the essence appeared mid-auction, but to me, it didn’t seem strange at all.

No, it was a commendable sales tactic.

“Alminus Trading Company has used their brains.”

If the essence came out last, those who pooled their money would have to save their capital until then, limiting their chances to bid on other items.

But by introducing it in the middle and deciding its owner early?

That changes the story.

With the capital no longer needed, they can bid on necessary items without psychological hesitation.

“This essence was obtained by the ‘Thunder Flame’ of the Mar-El Clan, who personally defeated the ferocious monster during the recent expedition…”

As the auctioneer began to narrate the story of the item and describe its features, the atmosphere in the room shifted.

“Ahem…”

The participants, who had been casually chatting and building connections during the previous auctions, began to watch each other warily.

Desire flickered in the eyes of the explorers, while the merchants’ gazes sharpened like wolves eyeing an opportunity.

It was as if they were on the brink of a battle, despite the absence of swords.

And in such a situation…

‘Tsk, don’t even think about it.’

Click, click, click-click.

I entered my bid.

And then.

“The starting bid is 50 million Stones—”

As soon as the auction began.

Beep.

I pressed enter.

In response, the number appeared on the screen.

[870,000,000]

870 million Stones.

This was why the auction became famous enough to reach Amelia’s ears later.

There was only one bid.

***

A moment of silence followed the shockingly high bid.

“870 million Stones…! 870 million Stones have been offered.”

The auctioneer, maintaining professional composure, announced the bid in a calm voice, though chaos soon erupted.

“870 million Stones?”

“Who’s this crazy person bidding that high right from the start…?”

Some gaped in disbelief.

“Who on earth could afford to make such a bid…?”

Others were curious about my identity.

While those who had given up on the competition looked on with interest, those who were seriously aiming for the essence reacted differently.

“You need to make a decision quickly before it’s sold.”

Their expressions changed as they hurriedly began to deliberate.

Oh, by the way, the reactions varied.

“870 million Stones is out of the question…”

Those who had already exceeded their budget.

“We could afford it, but… paying that much for an essence only used by guardians is madness. We’re out.”

Those who made a decision based purely on cost-effectiveness.

And then…

“Why are we not bidding?”

“It could be a plan by the trading company.”

Those who were so suspicious they hesitated to bid.

“You think it’s a plant?”

“It’s possible. The trading company might have used the essence as bait, without any real intention to sell.”

Some even considered the possibility that Bol-Herchan’s essence was a decoy to lure customers, but…

That wasn’t the point.

“……”

“……”

Dazed by the unexpected bid and confused by the chatter around them, they hesitated on whether to place a bid.

Tick, tock—.

Time was ticking away.

“Is there… no one else?”

The auctioneer, who typically announced the winner briskly, took three times longer than usual before making the final announcement.

And then…

“……”

“……”

As the bidders continued to eye each other, the auctioneer closed the bidding.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of the gavel signaled the end.

I nodded to myself with a satisfied smile.

Indeed, the best part of an auction is the “Buy It Now” option.

***

After the auction, which felt like a storm had passed, we headed to the delivery room to pay the amount and collect the essence.

“870 million Stones… confirmed.”

The staff member handling the transaction appeared to hold a high status within the exchange. Despite the strange rumors we had stirred up, he seemed more curious than resentful.

But is this what professionalism looks like?

“Have a nice day.”

The staff occasionally glanced at us behind our masks, but didn’t ask about our identities or make any unnecessary conversation.

“What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

As we left the delivery room, I could feel eyes on us from all directions. People seemed curious about what we had bought.

However, since they couldn’t know which of the 35 items we had bought, no one dared to approach us.

“Is anyone following us?”

“No. Judging by their skills, it seems they were just trying to satisfy their curiosity by trailing us for a bit.”

“Really?”

“Where are we heading?”

Where else would we go?

“There’s only one place— to the temple.”

We boarded a carriage and left Commelby, heading straight for the Temple of Leatlas. It was nearing the time when they usually blocked visits from outsiders, but we arrived just in time.

“You’ve come to erase the mark engraved on your soul.”

“Here’s the donation.”

“Yes. Would your companion mind waiting outside?”

“That’s fine.”

After paying the exact amount I had set aside, I removed the essence.

As planned, the essence I removed was the Corpse Golem.

‘Come to think of it, I’ve never had an essence removed at the temple before.’

Although I’d heard about it from others, the actual experience was far stranger than I expected.

‘Quite the show. In the game, it only took a few keyboard clicks.’

Wrapped in a pure white light, I found myself in a white space.

Awakening there in my naked form, I held the blue dagger that had just been given to me by the priest…

And around me were massive monsters.

All were locked in sturdy iron cages.

Ogres, Orc Heroes, Stormgushes, Manticores, Bayons.

And today’s target, the Corpse Golem.

After briefly observing them, I used the dagger to sever the thread of light connecting the Corpse Golem to my body.

And…

Whooosh!

When I came to, I was back in the temple.

“This feels so strange.”

“The bond engraved on your soul has been severed, so it’s natural to feel that way. Most people experience this at first, so don’t worry too much. You’ll get used to the emptiness in a few days.”

“Cutting off a bond, huh…”

It sounded like something a priest from the Leatlas Temple would say, but somehow, it made sense.

The sense of emptiness was too strong to simply be the result of a drop in stats.

“You okay?”

“Oh, it’s nothing serious. I’ll probably be fine after eating some meat.”

After finishing our business at the temple, Amelia and I returned to our lodging.

I then took out the test tube we had won at the auction.

“Amelia, are you ready?”

“…?”

Amelia looked puzzled, not understanding my meaning.

“When you consume this, the Fragment of Records might react, so don’t be surprised.”

“Oh…”

I had met the GM, stored my equipment in the vault.

Amelia had even taken steps to follow her sister around, ensuring she wouldn’t be taxed to death in the future by making financial arrangements in advance.

So if my prediction was correct…

‘This should be the final piece of the puzzle.’

I took out the Fragment of Records from my subspace and absorbed the essence.

‘Ah… this is why essences are so satisfying.’

I felt a dense fullness that made it hard to feel the void in my body.

The light within the test tube was absorbed into my body, and I felt a surge of power.

Of course, it wasn’t as intense as when I absorbed the Ogre essence.

Essences that increased raw strength weren’t common, even among the higher grades.

‘But, well, its the skill that matters.’

I savored the sensation as I slowly opened my eyes.

Then, looking at the still silent Fragment of Records, I clicked my tongue in disappointment.

“…So this wasn’t it either.”

So what do I have to do next?

Would I have to be trapped here for a few more years?

Caught up in such worries, I couldn’t even fully enjoy the joy of acquiring a new essence.

“Well, I guess it’s time to head back…”

Amelia sighed as she muttered.

“Hmm?”

I tilted my head in confusion, and Amelia smiled at me as if to reassure me.

“Don’t worry, we’ll go back by tomorrow.”

Her eyes seemed a bit regretful.