Relics from the Era of Destruction were expensive.
Of course, someone might think they were expensive simply because a long time had passed, giving them value.
Well, in a way, that thought was correct.
There were indeed collectors who gathered relics.
However, the reason relics from the Era of Destruction were expensive was less about their antique value and more because they still had practical uses.
Especially uses that could grant tremendous benefits with just a single use, if one was lucky.
...If there is a Constellation related to this relic, or one who likes it even a little...
The reason relics from the Era of Destruction held tremendous prices until now.
That was precisely because of the Constellations.
The Constellations that appeared after the Era of Destruction, when this world might have truly perished, strangely showed strong reactions to items created during that era.
To what extent?
30 years ago, there was a case where an ordinary person with no power contracted with an S-rank Constellation just by possessing a relic from the Era of Destruction.
S-rank Constellation.
They were Constellations of the same grade as Guardian Constellations, and unlike other Constellations bound to Holy Relics, they were beings completely free from such restrictions.
Anyway, that man who contracted with the S-rank Constellation was currently active as an S-rank Contractor named 'Alchemist John,' even 30 years later.
Of course, not every relic garnered such interest from Constellations just by being possessed.
Some were definitely from the Era of Destruction but received no attention at all.
Others received attention, but couldn't garner absolute favor enough to form a 'True Body Contract' like Alchemist John, ending up with just a normal contract.
However, the fact that there was even a slim chance to form a 'True Body Contract' with an S-rank Constellation, something difficult even for those belonging to major families, made relics from the Era of Destruction incredibly valuable items.
Especially for a merchant like him.
Because there were plenty of wealthy people in this Market willing to open their wallets if they could grasp an opportunity to gain power, no matter how small the probability.
...It's really genuine.
And looking at the small ring currently in Morris's hand, it was indeed a relic from that era no matter how many times he checked.
His Magic Eyes and the discerning eye he had developed rolling around the Market for 30 years easily deduced that the ring in his hand was authentic.
Above all, there are no fakes from that era to begin with.
Relics that survived the Era of Destruction retained a unique mana trace, albeit faint.
It was said these were minute traces left on the relics by the mana waves that erupted after the destruction was prevented. Although faint, this ring definitely possessed those traces.
Thus, Morris, who hadn't answered Kim Joohyuk for a while as he checked the item multiple times, finally spoke.
"...This is an item I simply cannot handle with the cash I have on hand right now."
Honestly, Morris hesitated several times in front of the jackpot placed before his eyes, but eventually, he spoke the truth.
Because over 30 years, he had seen far too many cases of people getting indigestion from swallowing something expensive and covetous incorrectly.
Besides...
Considering that young voice and the item he brought, Morris instinctively guessed he wasn't an ordinary person, so he decided to stick to his principles.
"Then where should I go to get paid?"
"I don't think there is any place in this Market right now that can pay the full price immediately. How about going to the Auction House?"
"Auction House?"
"Yes. If it's the Auction House, you should be able to receive the full value. Especially since it's a relic from the Era of Destruction, you might receive much more than I estimated."
"Roughly how much do you think I can get?"
At Kim Joohyuk's question, Morris seemed to ponder for a moment, then quietly wrote a number on the board he was holding and showed it.
"About this much...?"
"...?"
Kim Joohyuk looked at the board Morris held, counted the zeros attached next to it, and thought with an incredulous expression.
That's that expensive?
Of course, Kim Joohyuk also expected the jewelry he held to be somewhat expensive.
After all, Kim Joohyuk was one of the well-off individuals 300 years ago, and what he put in the Secret Vault were items he had carefully selected.
However, he never imagined a single piece of jewelry would fetch such a price just because it was a relic from the Era of Destruction.
"Of course, this is strictly the price when competition heats up in an auction. Normally, it would be about 10% to 20% less than the price I showed you."
"How long does an auction take?"
"The time it takes varies each time, but on average, it takes about 2 to 3 weeks."
"Why does it take so long?"
"The Auction House is always full of people. Still, if you wait just 2 or 3 weeks and participate directly, you should be able to receive the amount I mentioned."
"That means I have to participate directly after 2 or 3 weeks?"
"Correct. You just need to make a reservation first and come when the auction proceeds in 2 or 3 weeks."
At Morris's words, Kim Joohyuk nodded and pondered for a moment.
Soon.
"You said you couldn't pay the full amount if I sold it here, right?"
"That is correct."
"How much are you short?"
"...Roughly about a quarter short."
"Then I'll sell it for that price."
"...What?"
Morris unwittingly spat out a dumbfounded response at the man's words.
❋ ❋ ❋
The next day.
Kim Joohyuk, who had been exercising continuously in Valhalla's training room, unwittingly smiled looking at the amount stamped on the anonymous bank account he made at the Market.
Money is always right, no matter what.
Additionally, just looking at money was enjoyable.
That was a thought Kim Joohyuk had held since 300 years ago.
Of course, recently he hadn't paid much attention to money because of the Tower of Destruction, and his gaze was elsewhere since he didn't need money immediately, but money was still good.
Watching Kim Joohyuk's behavior, someone might ask:
Why did he give up the ring for less than the standard price when he likes money so much?
And to that, Kim Joohyuk could answer with absolute certainty and conciseness.
Because it's annoying.
Kim Joohyuk liked money.
However, that didn't mean he was greedy.
Fundamentally, he always held the thought that 'the more the better', but he wasn't the type to scrape together every penny like a money-crazed ghost while enduring wasted time and annoyance.
Doing so naturally entailed annoyance.
Furthermore, given Kim Joohyuk's situation of being tied to Valhalla, where outings were only permitted once or twice a month, it was difficult to go back and forth to the Auction House on set dates.
Well, actually.
More than that, the reason Kim Joohyuk just sold the ring quickly wasn't anything else, it was simply because he had a filthy amount of jewelry.
Specifically, the accessories from the Era of Destruction he had buried 300 years ago!
Just the rings I took out right now number eight.
Adding the number of gems and accessories likely remaining in the Secret Vaults he hadn't dug up yet, it would easily exceed twenty.
In short, this meant Kim Joohyuk no longer needed to worry about money.
As long as he didn't do anything crazy.
HODLing coins tastes sweet~
Thinking this, Kim Joohyuk put the bankbook in his pocket and began training with a pleasant mind.
"Joohyuk! Should we eat?"
"...Instructor, today is the weekend."
"I have to come to work on weekends to help with the paper you're writing, so keep practicing!"
"Are you really a psychopath?"
"If I'm a psychopath, will you be my assistant?"
"..."
—Not long after he restarted his training, he stared blankly with his mouth open at Liliya, who suddenly barged into the training room.
❋ ❋ ❋
A private room in a famous restaurant near Jamsil Station, Seoul.
"Long time no see? Brother."
Lokdil Ventric looked at the man smirking in front of him, Disera Ventric.
Although he had blond hair like Lokdil, his appearance was vastly different.
First, unlike Lokdil, Disera's face was covered in various scars.
On top of that, he had a massive physique, about twice the size of Lokdil's average frame.
Furthermore, the scars visible between his clothes and that massive body spoke of just how roughly Disera had been living.
However, Lokdil Ventric felt not a shred of sympathy or pity for Disera.
No, if asked whether he liked or disliked Disera, Lokdil was on the side of dislike.
He was dull and stupid enough to make Lokdil ashamed to call him a collateral relative of the same Ventric Family.
Yet, the reason Lokdil consistently kept in touch and talked with Disera was—
"Long time no see. Hyung-nim."
—because he possessed quite good skills and handled the work Lokdil wanted done exceptionally well as long as the price was paid.
They exchanged greetings and ate for a while.
Soon, Disera spoke.
"So, why did you call me this time? Is the girl you were trying to take more feisty than you thought?"
When Disera turned his gaze to look at Yuria in the distance with lust-filled eyes, Lokdil clicked his tongue inwardly but continued speaking with a smile.
"That is not it. Because you handled it better than I thought, Hyung-nim, she is docile."
"My work processing is a bit perfect, isn't it? Then what is it this time?"
"It is nothing other than—"
Lokdil brought up the topic and began talking about Kim Joohyuk. Disera, who listened to the story for a while, smiled appropriately and spoke.
"So, you're saying you were humiliated by Kim Joohyuk, the 1st year top ranker of Valhalla, and you want me to pay him back?"
"Correct."
"If he's 1st place, he must hit pretty hard?"
"That is so. But he wouldn't be comparable to you, Hyung-nim."
Lokdil spoke with a smile.
Disera smirked at that, then nodded as if agreeing and spoke.
"So you want me to kill him?"
A chilling word came out of his mouth.
Lokdil answered with a smile.
"I would be grateful if you took care of that part as you see fit, Hyung-nim."
"Then I'll handle that myself. Is the board set properly? You're not telling me to run wild without setting the stage properly like last time, are you? Last time was easy because it was the Palace Family, but Valhalla is tough to do that."
At Disera's words, Lokdil smiled as if telling him not to worry—
"Do not worry, Hyung-nim. If you wait just a little, I will set the entire board myself, so you just need to do that to him."
—and smiled with his characteristic despicableness.
(End of Chapter 17)
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