Chapter 420. For Sale / Hydra / Mint Grade (4)
However, what concerned him wasn't the petty rumors, but the potential legal disputes.
'Especially since this is a foreign country, I need to stay even quieter to avoid getting sued.'
Kim Giryeo, having made a certain resolve, took another step forward.
***
Just getting all the way to this sumr's special artifact auction must have been quite an ordeal. The interior of the building, befitting the place's reputation for handling truly impressive items, exuded a sense of luxury. Above all, the extensive use of glass throughout the space, creating a sense of openness, had a major impact on the overall impression.
'The architectural design lets in an incredible amount of sunlight. For an Alphauri, though, this would probably be more of a slight burden than a benefit...'
Of course, not every visitor could praise every aspect of the interior design.
'But since Seo Esther keeps exclaiming in admiration and calling it neat, it seems that by common standards, this really is an impressive building.'
Step, step.
A man nad Kim Giryeo mulled over various thoughts. At the sa ti, he took a brief assessnt of the surroundings of the place he had just arrived at.
'My impression is that it's kind of like an enormous departnt store.'
Another architectural style greeted him as soon as he stepped abroad. Since the scale was completely different from the item auction houses back in Korea, Kim Giryeo looked on with a sense of unfamiliarity, as if peering into an entirely different world.
'Where did they install the air conditioning? It's not hot at all, so it seems like the temperature must be controlled from over there...'
For reference, the auction event took place in a city in Switzerland. Yet, moving just that short distance on this small planet made the atmosphere feel completely different. Thus, it was around the ti when the alien archmage was started by the dry sumr.
'There are more ordinary people inside than I expected.'
"Ah, yes."
Finally, the companion beside him spoke up.
"They hardly took any commission from high-grade artifact trading to attract participants. I guess they intended to make money this way on the side from the start."
"Sell low-grade tools, which even non-awakened people can handle safely, at a high price?"
"In other words, it's also like picking the pockets of traditional tourists. Still, since they're not charging double or anything, this is reasonable for the sake of mories."
As he saw in an example from Japan, it seems that the 'campaign to reduce aversion to dungeon items' isn't limited to just one country.
"Hmm."
For so reason, Esther didn't know, but around this ti, the blonde man showed a displeased reaction.
"Then, shall we move upstairs first and find a spot?"
Moreover, Kim Giryeo wasn't exactly the type to have big reactions, either in body or in spirit. A woman, whose hair was dyed completely in her favorite color, spoke casually as if she hadn't noticed anything unusual. She explained that S-rank hunters like us, who were specially invited, had reserved seats and could unpack as much as we wanted there.
"If you don't want to bump into people for no reason, it's perfectly fine to stay in the VIP room until the auction ends."
"._."
"First, take this. I brought a pocket Wi-Fi in advance."
But for now, she's using such an ordinary reason...
'Maybe it's because you're a young sorcerer. You still can't lie as naturally as breathing.'
Tuk.
Kim Giryeo held the small router the other person had handed him and thought. The Seo Esther before him was most likely concerned about his health. But he couldn't exactly say to her face, "You outdated person should just recuperate at your East Coast mansion." That must be why she hadn't outright refused his proposal to follow him all the way abroad.
'Although she did co along, maybe she's worried that a fellow countryman might collapse in an area where the national health insurance doesn't apply.'
Kim Giryeo's thoughts continued.
'But if she treated openly like a patient, I might take offense. So she suggested I sit down in a way that naturally avoided the crowd...'
In the early days of reincarnation, even small incidents were often interpreted sarcastically.
'I'd like to learn so delicate expressions like Esther. Anyway, even a primitive person has sothing to teach.'
At this point, he thought, shouldn't it be okay to say he had beco fully Earthling?
A mont later, Kim Giryeo nodded to himself, appreciating his own process of interpreting his emotions. However, this gesture didn't an he was heading toward the VIP room.
"Hunter Esther, where do you plan to stay from now on?"
"Huh? ?"
From the perspective of soone who had fully leveraged the tumor diagnosis, he felt guilty in many ways—but in truth, his body had no physical problems at all.
"Well... actually, since I'm here anyway, I was planning to check out Switzerland's specialty items. J, just a mont."
"Then let's go together."
"Yes?"
"I'll follow you and explain the items as we go."
Wasn't the guild's [Appraiser] brought along for this very purpose? As Kim Giryeo explained, Esther accepted it, still sowhat bewildered.
"No, really, you don't have to worry about . If it's a hassle, Giryeo-ssi, it's totally fine for you to just rest."
"Anyway, I'm tired of checking the news on my phone. It's always the sa kinds of incidents being reported."
"Yes?"
"Alright, let's go and check out the items."
For reference, there was still so ti before the epic-level auction, the highlight of the entire event. Co to think of it, it was the perfect opportunity.
'I need to make a golem. I should check if there's anything that could be used as a material.'
The two S-rank Awakened from South Korea began exploring the event venue.
.
.
.
[Sturdy Boots]
"It's an artifact that literally offers defensive advantages. From an ordinary person's perspective, it would almost feel like a nearly indestructible item."
[Sharp tal Arrow]
"This has a defense-piercing attribute, but what does the star symbol in front an?"
"After translating the description below, it seems this is an enchanted item. It's only sold to hunters ranked C or higher according to international standards."
"Only to C-rank or higher?"
[Sharp Knight's Longsword]
"But even so, as soon as they step slightly outside the surveillance, everyone would break the rules anyway."
"Yes?"
"It's nothing. The one next to it also has the sa defense-piercing attribute."
Step, step, step.
The footsteps of the two echoed through the lobby.
"Why not just write so basic ability info alongside it..."
What began as a lant-like remark turned into a brief conversation between the two South Korean hunters. No—let correct that. More precisely, one was an active hunter, and the other was a retired hunter who hadn't yet regained her license. They spent quite so ti examining the surrounding items—
"As expected, this civilization is a bit advanced for Earthlings."
Sshk.
Kim Giryeo checked the item that caught his eye two, three more tis for no particular reason. A magical attribute that hinders mana users from establishing barriers, much like the relationship between bacteria and penicillin.
Piercing.
When dealing with thick-skinned enemies, there's really no better magic than that—but the problem has always been that humans don't use artifacts solely on beasts.
'This kind of item should be rarer, but the Osiminche released too many of them.'
Even so, these "absolute hit" items are still rampant in the world. Looking at it from another perspective, he could also propose a solution using the example he ntioned earlier.
'Calling it bacteria to an Earthling feels kind of rude, though...'
Like the ergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, all kinds of mutations would naturally surpass the tools over ti. In other words, once the gates disappeared, even these miniature cri tools would catch up with technological progress. Kim Giryeo briefly imagined the future of Earth and then fell silent.
'Still, defeating the Osiminche isn't sothing you can start on a whim.'
Let's put aside the position of a wizard who has to lead alone for now. Here's an alien being who's first concerned about the Earthlings, who would be affected by every action.
"Ah! Damn it!"
It was one of those monts. Whether she knew the Archmage's complicated feelings or not, the woman who had been browsing the display windows with him suddenly started cursing.
"No wonder it's been so quiet."
"What?"
"Apparently, that problematic Awakened's kid just got on a plane? A news article just ca out from abroad."
"So he hasn't been at the venue at all until now."
"Ugh. I'm already worried about what nonsense they'll spout if we run into them."
However, it wasn't really a big deal.
"Anyway, if anything happens, I can just stop it..."
The main concern of the Korean Magic Tower Guild Master was the escalation of conflicts among hunters of the sa rank. But here, there was soone capable of diating disputes even among S-rank hunters.
"The only dilemma is who to restrain: the person claiming to be [Cursed] or Seo Esther."
He set aside his worries early on and continued exploring the interior of the event venue.
[84,628 US$]
A situation filled with prices he could never have imagined back when he was doing delivery work surrounded him on all sides. Yet Kim Giryeo no longer felt any interest even when seeing those numbers. He had been pretending to be fine until now, but he still wasn't fully recovered.
'Phew.'
He felt sad.
'Maybe it's because I'm an old soul. My emotional resilience isn't what it used to be anymore.'
And lost in such deep thought, Kim Giryeo failed to notice the people approaching him.
"Wow! Hunter Esther!"
But it wasn't too late to hear the voice.
'What is that? That voice before the translator started working...it feels familiar.'
When he belatedly turned his head, he saw a woman with bright blue short hair. Beside her, a lanky man with a matchstick-like fra awkwardly bowed his head.
"They're Japanese."
Imdiately after, a very basic impression ca to mind. The ones who greeted the Korean Magic Tower Guild Master were none other than the Awakened of the Imabari Guild.
"Hello!"
"Oh my. Oh my, it's amazing to see familiar faces here."
"I heard that you're putting up epic items for auction! We've also co to sell so things, but in any case, it's nice to et you!"
A ripple of excitent spread. As the S-rank hunters gathered and started talking, the atmosphere around them changed in an instant.
"R, Ranker Kim Giryeo, it's been a long ti since we last t. Haha."
"I don't have a ranking anymore."
"Th, th, then... can I call you Mr. Kim?"
"Kim isn't a first na, it's a last na..."
Standing beside him, Esther wore a peculiar expression at this point. To explain in depth, it was also a sign that she regarded Kim Giryeo with renewed admiration. She had often noticed whenever communicating with the neighboring country that Japan's S-rank hunters always seed to struggle with one particular blonde Awakened. Unaware of the truth from the Kagoshima raid, Esther began exchanging greetings while entertaining various assumptions in her mind. Yet, she wasn't the only one whose thoughts were elsewhere.
'What the... now they're just wearing it openly?'
As if carved from matte marble, a massive greatsword with a distinctive texture appeared. It was the only legendary item from Japan that had appeared when the Black Dragon King was slain.
"So that's why you were so wary of ."
Moreover, that item had nearly caused a bloodbath in the past. Kim Giryeo didn't show any expression; he simply gazed quietly at the sword before him. The Japanese hunters, on the other hand, were so flustered that cold sweat ran down their backs.
'It seems like sothing was added on top to hide the exact shape...'
At first they were just idle thoughts. But as he kept examining the legendary weapon, the archmage suddenly had this thought.
'Hmm?'
An Alphauri-style tool equipped with various functions for the user's convenience—in short, a [sword with a conscious sness]. Using it directly as a weapon was practically useless, since its AI level was extrely poor and its utility was limited in many ways. But the crucial point lay precisely here.
"Huh, wait."
A storage device capable of recording a vast number of commands. Along with that, a high-strength core that could even withstand so of modern Alphauri's magical output. Co to think of it, the swords referred to as legendary were rely filled with these kinds of extraordinary components.
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