[ Wednesday, 11:30 AM ]
The Seoul Central District Court Auction House was not a glamorous place.
Located in the bowels of the District Court Annex, it was a windowless concrete bunker that smelled of stale cigarette smoke, damp wool, and desperation. This was not an art auction for the elite; this was a slaughterhouse where the carcasses of bankrupt companies were carved up and sold to the highest bidder.
Kang Jin-woo walked down the fluorescent-lit hallway, his hands in his pockets. He wore a simple white shirt and black slacks, looking like a junior intern.
But to his eyes, the world was overlaid with a chaotic stream of data.
[ SYSTEM STATUS: ACTIVE (Tool Mode) ] [ Current Cash Reserves: 12.4 Billion KRW ] [ Objective: Acquire High-Value Assets. ]
The System buzzed in the back of his mind, processing the environment like a supercomputer on overdrive. Every person he passed had a floating blue tag above their head.
[ Target: Man in Grey Suit ] -> [ Value: Low. Just a tourist. ]
[ Target: Man with Scar ] -> [ Threat: Medium. Loan Shark Enforcer. ]
Beside him, Lee Ji-eun walked with a handkerchief pressed to her nose. She was still wearing her midnight-blue Midnight suit, which looked alien in this crowd of sweaty men in cheap polyester jackets.
"This place is vile," she whispered, stepping over a crushed coffee cup. "My father used to say that only vultures come down here."
"We are vultures," Jin-woo corrected calmly. "And today, we feast."
[ SYSTEM NOTE: Host is advised to purchase a mask. Air quality is 45% below optimal levels. ]
Quiet, Jin-woo thought.
He stopped at the display cases near the entrance. These were the "warm-up" items—seized personal property before the real estate auction began.
"Look at that," Ji-eun said, pointing to a gold watch in Case 4. "A Rolex Daytona. The starting bid is only 5 million won. That model usually sells for 50 million."
[ SYSTEM ALERT: High-Value Asset Detected! ] [ Item: Rolex Daytona (Gold) ] [ Estimated Market Value: 52 Million KRW ] [ ROI: +940% ] [ SUGGESTION: BUY IMMEDIATELY! ]
The System flashed green text frantically. It saw the brand, the gold, and the low price, and its algorithm screamed PROFIT.
Jin-woo leaned closer. He narrowed his eyes.
[ TRUTH EYE: ACTIVATED ]
The golden shimmer of the watch seemed to peel away in his vision, revealing the wireframe structure underneath.
[ Truth Scan Complete ] [ Component Analysis: Case (Real Gold). Movement (Chinese Replica - Grade B). ] [ Origin: Seized from a Counterfeit Ring Leader. ] [ Real Value: 300,000 KRW (Scrap Gold Price). ]
"Pass," Jin-woo said, turning away.
[ SYSTEM ERROR: Why? Market data suggests— ]
"It's a 'Frankenstein'," Jin-woo whispered to Ji-eun. "Real case, fake engine. The movement was swapped out. It's worth nothing."
The System fell silent, processing the data contradiction.
Jin-woo moved to the next case. It was a dusty cardboard box filled with folders. Lot #12: Miscellaneous Industrial Patents (Bankrupt Tech Startup).
"Just paper," Ji-eun muttered. "Useless."
[ SYSTEM ANALYSIS: Junk Data. No physical value. Recommendation: IGNORE. ]
Jin-woo activated the Eye.
[ Truth Scan Complete ] [ Contents: 40 Failed Patents. ] [ HIDDEN ITEM: Patent #KR-2024-998 (Lithium Ion Stabilization Method). ] [ Future Relevance: Critical component for Samsung's 2026 EV Battery series. ] [ Future Value: 4 Billion KRW (Licensing Fees). ]
Jin-woo smiled. The System saw junk. Jin-woo saw a retirement fund.
"Bid on the box," Jin-woo ordered. "Get it for under 1 million."
"The paper?" Ji-eun looked confused, but she nodded. "Okay."
She raised her paddle. She won the box for 500,000 won ($370 USD). No one else even looked at it.
[ SYSTEM NOTE: Host is wasting capital on garbage. Intelligence Stat questioned. ]
Jin-woo ignored the insult. He had just made 4 Billion won for the price of a nice dinner.
[ 12:00 PM - The Main Hall ]
They took their seats in the back row. The room was packed with real estate speculators, loan sharks, and corporate spies.
"Director Lee," a greasy voice called out.
Ji-eun stiffened.
A short, balding man with gold-rimmed glasses pushed his way through the row. He was smiling, but his eyes were reptilian.
[ Target: Han Dong-soo ] [ Role: Real Estate Speculator ] [ Hidden Trait: Lecherous / Greedy ] [ Relationship: Former Supplier for Hansung Textiles (Betrayer) ]
"Mr. Han," Ji-eun said, her voice dropping to zero degrees.
"Aigoo, it really is you!" Mr. Han laughed, looking her up and down with uncomfortable familiarity. "I heard about the engagement dinner disaster. Terrible business. And now? You're down here in the mud with the rest of us?"
He looked at Jin-woo.
"And who is this? Your driver? He looks like he should be in school. Did you bring a student to carry your bag?"
[ SYSTEM ALERT: Host is being insulted. ] [ SUGGESTION: Use 'Intimidate' skill (Unlock for 500k Won). ]
I don't need a skill to scare a rat, Jin-woo thought.
"Mr. Kang is my associate," Ji-eun said sharply. "Excuse us, Mr. Han."
She tried to step past him, but Han blocked her path, grinning.
"Don't be cold, Ji-eun-ah. Look, if your father is really struggling, I can buy that old warehouse in Incheon from him. 50% of market value. It's a generous offer for a sinking ship."
Jin-woo stepped forward. He didn't say a word. He just activated the [ Truth Eye ] fully on Mr. Han.
[ Truth Scan: Han Dong-soo ] [ Financial State: High Leverage. ] [ Vulnerability: Borrowed 3 Billion Won from the Seven Star Gang to bid today. Interest payment due: Tomorrow. ]
Jin-woo smiled. It was a terrifyingly polite smile.
"Mr. Han," Jin-woo said softly. "You should worry less about warehouses and more about the 15% monthly interest you owe the Seven Star Gang."
Mr. Han froze mid-laugh. His face went pale.
"If you don't win a bid today," Jin-woo continued, leaning in, "Chairman Jang might take your kneecaps instead of cash. Isn't that right?"
"How... how do you..." Han stammered, looking at the teenager with pure fear.
"Move," Jin-woo ordered.
Han scrambled out of the way as if Jin-woo were a ghost.
Ji-eun looked at Jin-woo as they sat down. "How did you know that?"
"I can smell the desperation," Jin-woo lied. "It smells like cheap cologne."
[ 12:30 PM - The Main Event ]
The auctioneer, a man who spoke at the speed of light, banged his gavel.
"Item 85 sold! Moving on to Lot #88: The Gangnam Blue Tower (Officetel)!"
A hush fell over the room. This was a prime asset. A 10-story building in the heart of the business district. It was fully tenanted. It was a gold mine.
"Starting bid: 8 Billion Won!"
[ SYSTEM ALERT: SSS-RANK ASSET DETECTED! ] [ Analysis: Prime Location. 98% Occupancy. Clean Title. ] [ Projected Profit: +200% in 2 years. ] [ SYSTEM COMMAND: BUY! BUY! BUY! THIS IS FREE MONEY! ]
The blue screen flashed red and gold, filling Jin-woo's vision with arrows pointing at the stage.
Mr. Han raised his paddle instantly. "8.5 Billion!"
"9 Billion!" shouted another man.
Ji-eun grabbed the paddle. Her eyes were gleaming. "Jin, this is it. It's undervalued. We can flip this for 15 Billion next year."
She moved to raise the paddle.
"No," Jin-woo said. He placed his hand over hers, forcing the paddle down.
Ji-eun blinked. "What? Why?"
[ SYSTEM WARNING: Host is making a Critical Error! ] [ Logic Check: Failing. This asset has a 98% Success Rate! Why are you passing?! ] [ HOST IS INCOMPETENT! ]
Jin-woo crossed his arms, ignoring the System screaming in his brain.
He looked at the building on the screen. He remembered the news report from his past life.
Two weeks from now. Heavy rains. A massive sinkhole opens up under the foundation of the Blue Tower due to poor groundwater management. The building tilts 15 degrees. Condemned by the city. Value drops to zero.
"It's a trap," Jin-woo said simply.
"10 Billion!" Mr. Han shouted, looking back at them with a sneer. He thought he was stealing a prize from them.
"Sold! To the gentleman in the front row for 10 Billion Won!"
Mr. Han cheered, pumping his fist. The room applauded. He had just bought his own grave.
[ SYSTEM ERROR: Calculation Mismatch. Host rejected a 98% probability win. System is experiencing a headache. ]
Jin-woo smirked. Just wait.
[ 1:15 PM - The Garbage ]
"Lot #104!" the auctioneer shouted. "Commercial Land. Seongsu-dong Block B. Former Chemical Factory site!"
A ripple of laughter went through the room.
"That dump?" someone shouted. "You'd have to pay me to take it!"
"Silence!" the auctioneer yelled. "The land is 4,000 square meters. However, take note: The soil requires Environmental Grade 1 decontamination. Estimated cleanup cost: 6 Billion Won."
Mr. Han, still high on his "victory" with the Blue Tower, laughed loudly. "Toxic waste! Who wants to buy cancer?"
Ji-eun frowned. "Let's skip this, Jin. The cleanup costs are astronomical. It's a liability."
Jin-woo looked at the screen.
[ Truth Eye: ACTIVATED ]
The image of the abandoned factory flickered. The grey "Toxic" warning peeled away.
[ Target: Seongsu-dong Lot #104 ] [ Current State: Contaminated Wasteland. ] [ HIDDEN ATTRIBUTE: City Planning Zone Change (Confidential). ] [ Status: Finalist for 'Green Line' Subway Extension Station Exit 3. ]
The System processed the data instantly.
[ SYSTEM ANALYSIS: ] [ Attribute Found: 'Zoning Candidate'. ] [ Probability of Selection: 12% (Too Low). ] [ Risk: EXTREME. ] [ If selection fails, Host loses 6 Billion in cleanup fees. ] [ RECOMMENDATION: ABSTAIN. DO NOT GAMBLE. ]
The System flashed red warning signs. [ DANGER ] [ DANGER ].
Jin-woo's heart hammered against his ribs.
The System saw a 12% probability. Jin-woo saw a 100% certainty. He remembered the Mayor's speech. He remembered the groundbreaking ceremony.
The station would be built here. And when the government builds a station, they pay for the cleanup.
"Starting bid: 1 Billion Won!" the auctioneer called out. "Do I have 1 Billion?"
Silence. No one moved.
[ SYSTEM SCREAMING: Host! I forbid this! The math does not support this action! ]
"Raise the paddle," Jin-woo ordered softly.
Ji-eun looked at him, horrified. "What? Jin, it's toxic—"
"Raise. The. Paddle."
Ji-eun swallowed hard. She looked at his eyes. They were burning with that same cold fire from the dinner. She trusted him.
She raised paddle 402.
"1 Billion from the lady in the back!" the auctioneer shouted, sounding shocked. "Going once?"
"1.1 Billion!"
It was Mr. Han. He turned around, grinning maliciously. He didn't want the land. He just wanted to drive the price up to screw over Ji-eun.
"He's baiting us," Ji-eun hissed.
"Good," Jin-woo said. "Bid 1.5."
"1.5 Billion!" Ji-eun called.
"1.6!" Han countered instantly.
"2 Billion," Jin-woo said calmly.
[ SYSTEM CRITICAL ALERT: Host is overpaying for a liability! Stop! ]
"2 Billion!" Ji-eun echoed. Her voice trembled.
Mr. Han hesitated. 2 Billion was a lot for a joke. If she dropped out, he would be stuck with the toxic land.
Han laughed and put his paddle down. "It's yours, Princess! Enjoy the dirt! Maybe you can build a cemetery for your father's company there!"
"Sold! To Number 402 for 2 Billion Won!"
The gavel banged.
[ SYSTEM CRITICAL ERROR: Host has acquired a massive liability! ] [ Calculating Loss... -6 Billion Won estimated. ] [ SYSTEM EMOTION SIMULATION: Extreme Disappointment. ] [ Suggestion: Seek psychiatric help for gambling addiction. ]
Jin-woo leaned back in his plastic chair, watching the System have a meltdown.
"We got it," he breathed.
Ji-eun slumped in her chair. She looked nauseous. "We just spent 2 Billion on a chemical dump. Plus 6 Billion for cleanup. That's 8 Billion down the drain. Jin... please tell me you have a plan."
Jin-woo stood up, buttoning his jacket.
"In 72 hours," Jin-woo said, "The Mayor is going to announce the new Green Line Subway extension."
He looked at the map on the screen—the "trash" land.
"We didn't buy a factory, Ji-eun. We just bought Station Exit Number 3."
Ji-eun stared at him. "The city... the city pays for the cleanup if it's public infrastructure?"
"Exactly," Jin-woo smiled. "And they will pay us 80 Billion won for the land rights."
Ji-eun's jaw dropped.
Jin-woo tapped his temple, dismissing the angry red System windows.
"Let the System calculate probabilities," he whispered to himself. "I calculate fate."
"Let's go," he said aloud. "We have a factory to inspect"