NOVEL NEXT Chapter 80
The auction for the Green Dragon Heart slipped through my fingers.
Was it the majesty of the first legendary item? The auction prices were skyrocketing.
“5,000 gold!”
“5,800 gold!”
“6,500 gold!”
I was tapping my feet anxiously.
The Hong Baek guild had promised a 30% share of item drops classified as resources upon successfully taking down this World Boss. That’s a far better deal than the GG Guild alliance, who would have to split the remaining 70% among hundreds of members. Even if the GG Guild alliance had the upper hand in the war, it would have been tough to defeat the World Boss without the Hong Baek guild.
However, anyone in the alliance could participate in the auction for the legendary item. The auction funds would also be distributed, meaning the higher the bid, the better it generally was for everyone—unless someone hoarded the legendary item for themselves.
“7,000 gold!”
“10,000 gold.”
“Whoa!”
“Who!?!”
All eyes in the hall turned to the user who bid 10,000 gold.
It was Woogyeol, the guild master of the GG Guild, smirking with his arms crossed.
Wow, that guy is loaded.
That guy, Jo Hyun-Soo, was decked out in elite-grade ecos stones worth thousands of gold, so I guess you’d need that much money to be a leader of a faction?
The excitement in the auction quickly fizzled out. No matter how rich someone was, 10,000 gold was still a hefty price. But I could see players trying to borrow gold from each other.
A seemingly rich player gulped down and made a high bid.
“10,500 gold!”
“13,000 gold.”
Ohhhh!
Gasps filled the air as Woogyeol raised the bid once again.
That hammers it down. Other users with extra funds seemed reluctant to invest in a weapon with unclear options.
Woogyeol, wearing the smile of a victor, wanted to wrap up the auction.
“Is there anyone who wants to make a higher bid? You’ll still receive a satisfying amount upon distribution.”
“Definitely. There will be other chances for legendary items next time.”
“The gold from the bid, plus resource items, should add up significantly for personal shares!”
“Looks like our guild master is going to be the owner of the first legendary weapon!”
The users, pleased with the auction results, started congratulating Woogyeol on acquiring the legendary item.
Just then, a woman’s voice resonated in front of the Dragon Lair.
“20,000 gold.”
“What?”
“Whoa!”
Whaaaaat!?
Once again, the excitement of the auction surged. Woogyeol stared, shocked, at the person who made that outrageous bid.
I looked up at the woman beside me who had bid 20,000 gold.
“Chris, sis…!”
“Yeah?”
Chris looked at me and smiled widely.
I couldn’t help but shoot her a jealous look.
I knew she was wealthy, but spending 20,000 gold without hesitation was something else entirely.
Woogyeol shook his head and raised both hands. While he could increase the bid further, he respected the raid leader of the Hong Baek guild who played a crucial role in taking down the Green Dragon.
“Haha, 20,000 gold is a bit much for me as well. Congratulations to Hong Baek guild master Chris on obtaining the first legendary item.”
Chris handed 70% of the promised resource item along with the auction funds to Woogyeol. He immediately began distributing to the GG Guild members.
The 30% share went to our raid group. Even split among thirteen of us, it was quite a chunk.
“Oh, with this I can try crafting an elite+ ecos stone.”
“Woooah! We got so much gold and resources from just one World Boss raid!”
“I’m cashing it all in!”
Deathly Death, Bae Merong, and Cherni sported satisfied expressions. I too licked my lips as I received the auction funds and resource items.
While I regretted not acquiring the legendary item myself, it was still cause for celebration that my favorite sister, Chris, got it.
Whispers Whispers
The distribution was nearing completion, yet those gathered seemed reluctant to leave, hoping Chris would share and show off the options of the first legendary weapon.
“Ah.”
Suddenly, Chris exclaimed in surprise.
What was it about?
She only had to move the last remaining legendary item into her inventory.
Chris looked at me with an oddly apologetic expression.
“Rain, what should I do? I think I might have messed up.”
“Huh?”
I was left dumbfounded.
What was with her all of a sudden?
[New item]
An interface popped up in front of me, indicating I’d obtained a new item.
What is this?
[Green Dragon Heart]
[Legendary grade]
[Bound upon acquisition]
[Reveals its true form in response to the user’s power]
“Huh…!”
Flap flap!
I was so shocked that I instinctively flapped my arms.
With trembling hands, I quickly fetched the Dragon Heart from my inventory and thrust it towards Chris.
“Uh, sis! H-here! You, you accidentally…”
But I couldn’t transfer it. The moment I acquired it, it was bound to me.
Chris shook her head, looking troubled.
My head spun.
20,000 gold.
A whopping 200 million in cash.
What am I going to do?
I shot a pleading look at Chris.
Sister, what should I do?
Chris smiled breezily as though it didn’t matter to her.
“No choice now. You’ll have to use it, Rain. Don’t worry about the gold. It was my mistake.”
“Ahhh… That’s, that’s impossible!”
“I’m good with it.”
Holding the Green Dragon Heart, I was at a loss for what to do.
Hush hush, whispers echoed around.
“What? Did Chris mess up the item placement?”
“Why’s the white one holding it? It’s bound, so it can’t be traded. What’s going to happen?”
“We don’t care. We already got our share from the auction. It’s a problem for those two to settle.”
Chris lowered herself and gave me a firm look.
“Rain, this is my mistake. You didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t have to feel burdened at all. It’s bound to you, and you have no way to give it back, right? Since it’s come to this, I want to see you use it to obtain a weapon. Please, can you do that for me?”
“Y-yes, yes!”
I hurriedly clasped the Dragon Heart with both hands.
As I used the Dragon Heart, a brilliant light erupted from my palm.
Woooom!
Out of that light emerged a blade, forming into shape.
The Dragon Heart transformed into a magnificent and splendid sword.
“Ah…!”
I gasped as I stared at the sword in my hand.
A dark obsidian blade flowed with a silvery-white aura.
It didn’t particularly shine with green like it came from the Green Dragon. Since it reacts to the user’s power, could it be resonating with my eye and hair color?
“Can you show the stats? Others seem curious too.”
“Y-yes!”
Following Chris’s words, I shared the stats of the newly acquired sword with those around us.
[Astaroth]
[Legendary grade]
[Attack power 500]
[Player attack power 500, additional player damage 30%]
[All skill damage increased by 60%]
[Socket1: EMPTY]
[Socket2: EMPTY]
…
[Socket6: EMPTY]
[Unique ability: Resets cooldowns of all skills (recharge time 10 minutes)]
[Unique ability: 50% additional player damage and 50% reduced damage taken for 10 seconds (recharge time 10 minutes)]
(‘Drizzle Rain’ exclusive item)
“500 attack power and 60% increased damage for all skills!? The elite-grade weapon only enhanced specific skills!”
“Six ecos stone slots! A unique ability to reset cooldowns and buffs for additional damage and damage reduction for players!”
“If that unique ability activates in a war, you’re practically invincible for those 10 seconds.”
“Player attack power is a given? What does that mean?”
“Definitely seems like a PVP-focused weapon, considering it’s from faction warfare. If I special enhance it to convert basic attacks to player attacks and add additional damage, I could dominate in the next war.”
“Sadly, the white one is an instance dungeon user, so the focus will likely be on enhancing base attack power, right? Even for PVE, it’s going to be insane.”
“Wow~ This is what a legendary weapon looks like!”
“Woogyeol must be incredibly jealous.”
People began discussing the weapon’s options, casting envious glances at me.
It’s like a treasure trove of features stuck onto it.
The base attack power itself is nearly 200 points higher than the shrine weapons.
With six slots, how on earth should I fit in the ecos stones? Too many slots can be a problem too.
The cooldown reset ability means I’ll now have a total of two, including the bracelet? Chain casts of One Flash could become possible, and maybe even dodge more than 15 times?
Incredible plays would be possible. Even if an outlandish rampaging pattern gets in my way, with this weapon by my side, I can carve through it.
My first legendary weapon, Astaroth, seemed to focus mainly on PVP options. It’s unfortunate, but PVP options are of no use to me since I don’t enjoy faction war content that much. At least I wouldn’t have to switch to a weapon with PVP options while doing daily faction battlefield quests.
But still.
“Wow….”
I absolutely adore it.
Aside from the options, the weapon itself looks fantastic.
The dark blade radiating a silvery-white aura. A well-designed sword blade.
My very own legendary weapon, Astaroth.
“What do you think, Rain? Do you like it?”
Chris asked softly, beaming at me. I answered dreamily, with glazed eyes.
“I… I love it.”
But, 20,000 gold.
Chris said it was her mistake and didn’t need to pay me back, but that’s just impossible.
How could I possibly repay such a massive sum?
I glanced at Chris, torn between joy and despair.
“I promise, I will repay the 20,000 gold! Just, just give me some time.”
“It’s fine! It was my sister’s mistake.”
Chris waved her hands dismissively.
I am effectively an employee hired by Chris. Think of it like being on a company loan.
With Chris, it’s okay. She can rough me up a little, and she will manage Lee Seulbi’s body well.
All I have is this body here in this continent.
But, using this body to hustle for weapon sales, and grinding to fill the gold through those means, I can repay it.
As long as I have this body, I’ll be able to repay it.
Summoning my courage, I shouted,
“I-I’ll work hard to pay you back with my body!”
A momentary silence.
Then the surroundings erupted into chaos.
Male users inhaled sharply. Female users shrieked with high-pitched screams. Bae Merong sat down, covering her mouth. Chris, sweating nervously, urgently shouted.
The day I effectively revealed myself to the users for the very first time ended in a small commotion.