Artifact Devouring Player-Chapter 38: Open Market - (2)

[Chapter 38]

"As expected, it's quite tricky."

Sanghyun only received approval to enter the market after completing player verification, certification proof, and depositing a security fee on the official Hyunjung Market website.

The thorough preliminary verification process was a hallmark of Hyunjung Market.

Compared to regular open markets, where anyone could show up to sell, it was certainly much safer.

Considering that open markets often became prime targets for thieves, it made even more sense.

"I need to get some good sleep after this."

Though his body still felt heavy with lingering fatigue, it wasn't to the point where he couldn't move.

After pressing the accelerator and driving straight ahead, Sanghyun arrived at Myeongdong Station, parked his car in a suitable spot, and headed toward the market.

Player Han Hyunjung.

Her class was categorized as an adventurer and buffer.

She possessed exceptionally sharp eyesight, unmatched by others, allowing her to perceive distant locations with incredible clarity.

She also had skills that allowed her to see through objects when necessary.

It was the perfect composition for the adventurer's trait.

In addition, she possessed a variety of buff skills—so many and diverse that counting them was meaningless.

Healers and buffers were rare and valuable, making them highly sought after by players, and Han Hyunjung was exactly that kind of figure.

Naturally, her network of contacts expanded, and wealth accumulated just as naturally.

On top of that, high-level players constantly sought her out, accelerating her growth with every collaboration.

Her current known level was at least 480.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say she was on par with Do Kyungsoo.

Meanwhile, in front of the building named after her, a large sign displaying the guild's name was attached.

Hyunjung Corporation.

It was home to many skilled players, with a significant number of highly capable individuals.

It was said that when assembling a team specialized in scouting and buffs within Korea, going through Han Hyunjung was practically mandatory.

There were even rumors that the "Porter Alliance," which advocated for the rights of porters and spoke out for improving profitability, had been established under her influence.

In fact, Hyunjung Corporation appeared on the list of sponsors.

'I need to become that influential... Still a long way to go.'

Sanghyun couldn't help but let out a gasp as he admired the impressive structure of the Hyunjung Building, its sleek exterior soaring high.

It would be great if SH Guild could one day have an office in a skyscraper like this, using every floor to its fullest potential.

Step. Step.

As soon as Sanghyun entered the lobby on the first floor, a staff member requested verification, and he presented the pre-approved code.

Immediately, his entry information appeared on the massive monitor in the lobby, announcing the arrival of a new guest.

"Oh? Isn't that Shin Sanghyun?"

"What? Shin Sanghyun is here? You mean that bold player who had a standoff with Do Kyungsoo?"

"Isn't he better-looking than Do Kyungsoo? Kyungsoo gives off this blood-hungry vampire vibe.

He looks sickly."

"...."

Whether they knew Sanghyun was walking right past them or not, the players on the first floor continued to gossip.

The first floor mainly sold bronze-grade artifacts, filled with affordable artifacts.

Naturally, it wasn't a place of much interest to Sanghyun.

"That greatsword looks cool. Really high quality."

"People who use swords well just have this charm, don't they? Whether it's a man or woman, swordsmen are always impressive."

"Hey, did you hear? Apparently, Shin Sanghyun is Kim Miso's new boyfriend."

"Hey! She lost her ex-boyfriend in an accident because of her own greed—why would she want to date someone again?"

"Be careful talking about that."

Sanghyun's ears perked up at the unexpected gossip about Kim Miso.

Back when she had given him her number, was that columbarium photo on her smartphone screen where her ex-boyfriend rested?

The thought made his chest tighten.

At the same time, it was surprising to realize that more people were starting to recognize him.

The impact of recent exposure on major broadcasts and YouTube channels seemed significant.

Beep.

Sanghyun, having entered the elevator, pressed the button for the eighth floor, just below the restricted-access ninth floor.

This was the VIP level.

Only epic-grade artifacts or higher were handled here, with minimum transaction prices starting

at 125 billion won.

Though it was still nothing more than a pipe dream for him at the moment, he still wanted to take a look.

It could serve as motivation, after all.

"Welcome."

As soon as the elevator doors opened on the eighth floor, two staff members standing by the door bowed politely.

Though they wore friendly smiles, Sanghyun could sense a dense killing intent from them.

These were not just employees but elite guards responsible for security and loss prevention in the VIP area.

They likely possessed excellent mobility and attack skills, capable of patrolling the entire store in the blink of an eye.

"Is it okay if I just look around?"

"Of course. As long as you're inside the building, you're free to go anywhere except restricted areas."

The staff member guided him kindly.

Most open markets usually filtered out players who didn't seem wealthy enough just by appearance.

Before entering the VIP section, they often requested proof of funds or set level requirements as an entry threshold.

"These are epic-grade artifacts, but due to certain circumstances, I need to sell quickly, so I'll knock 10 billion won off the usual market price. I'll sell it for 115 billion won."

As Sanghyun walked past, a player showed off a bracelet worn on his wrist.

The player seemed to be at a fairly high level, but since Sanghyun didn't recognize him, they must not have crossed paths in his previous life.

He kept a reasonable distance, scanning his surroundings as he passed by the other players.

The VIP section was still bustling with sellers and buyers.

It was astonishing to think that transactions worth hundreds of billions, even trillions of won, were occurring among so many people.

'You can only perceive the scale of the world you're living in.'

Sanghyun nodded involuntarily.

Someone living on 10,000 won a day couldn't possibly understand the world of someone who spent a million or ten million won daily.

The same applied to players.

For those only familiar with bronze and silver-grade artifacts, the world of unique or higher-grade artifacts was an unreachable realm, reserved for those at the top.

The world of players who laughed at high prices was already vast and expansive.

It was the so-called "mainstream."

Hadn't he already experienced thirty years of living on the fringes in his past life? By now, he had tasted everything there was.

And Sanghyun was determined to become part of the mainstream.

At that moment—

"Oh...."

In the center of the VIP section, a temporary stage surrounded by murmuring players caught his attention.

Curious about what artifact was being sold, Sanghyun approached, but there was no seller present.

Instead, there was a sample artifact on display, along with a boldly written description.

「Mage Stone」

■ Artifact Grade: Almighty

■ Seller: Player Jerron Decay (British Nationality)

■ Domestic Sales Representative: Player Han Hyunjung (South Korean Nationality)

'Almighty...?'

Sanghyun's mouth dropped open.

It was an artifact grade he had never seen before in his previous life.

Almighty. The highest rank in the nine-tier artifact grading system!

The average transaction price was an astronomical 3 trillion won—this wasn't in billions, but trillions.

'So Jerron had already gotten his hands on an artifact beyond belief, even at this time.'

For a moment, he felt as if he were standing before a mountain far taller than Everest, leaving his chest heavy and suffocated.

Since returning, I thought I had been going full throttle, but the road ahead was still far—very far.

It felt like he had already completed several more laps and was now running alongside Sanghyun, maintaining an impossible gap.

'No time to feel good about earning 4 billion won. There are guys out there holding artifacts worth a thousand times more than this.'

Sanghyun's goal now aimed even higher.

At this point, it was a place so distant he couldn't even guess where the peak was.

But it was enough motivation to make him want to look even higher.

Jerron Decay was a player worthy of that aspiration.

So was Do Kyungsoo.

'Someday, I'll get there.'

Sanghyun stared at the sample Mage Stone, burning with determination.

He could definitely achieve it.

It might take time, but he didn't believe it was an impossible dream.

Five minutes later.

Sanghyun took the elevator straight down to the floor where platinum-grade artifacts were sold.

Sure enough, the platinum level was bustling with people.

It couldn't compare to the lower floors, but there were overwhelmingly more people here than in the VIP section.

"Are you a swordsman? I may be a mage, but I think this artifact would suit you well!"

At that moment, a man naturally stopped Sanghyun, who was walking around with a greatsword strapped to his back.

'Perfect Storm, Jung Junhyuk?'

Sanghyun recognized him immediately.

Jung Junhyuk, the mage with striking odd-eyes—one blue and one black—that left a strong impression.

Though he hadn't yet made a name for himself, in the future, he would become a renowned player representing South Korea.

He was also known for his incredible work ethic and an exceptionally positive mindset.

"What kind of artifact is it?"

"It significantly boosts mana, and part of that mana can be used to induce health recovery."

"Could you show me the information?"

"Of course."

Jung Junhyuk shared the details of the artifact he was trying to sell.

It was a screen-sharing function.

'Exactly the kind of stats you'd expect from a platinum-grade artifact. No unique features—just standard options at this level.'

It was certainly an attractive artifact, but its options were nothing extraordinary—things that could be found elsewhere at any time.

What Sanghyun wanted was an artifact with trashy options so bad that others wouldn't even consider using it.

Such artifacts often allowed Sanghyun to repurpose them in entirely different ways.

"I'll take a look around first. It's a good artifact, but it doesn't quite align with the direction I have in mind."

"Of course! It was a pleasure meeting you!"

Jung Junhyuk took Sanghyun's polite rejection with good grace.

As expected, his manners were excellent.

"Ugh! What's the point of having platinum artifacts if no one buys them? Mmm. Munch, munch. Chomp, chomp."

Just then, someone caught Sanghyun's attention.

In a corner, a woman was sighing heavily, displaying artifacts while devouring pizza greedily.

"Hey, you shouldn't be eating here, you know?"

"There should be some level of class. This isn't some local market—what do you think you're doing?"

The reactions from nearby players selling artifacts were cold.

This was a place where artifacts worth around 1 billion won were being traded.

Even luxury car dealerships that sold vehicles in this price range exuded a sense of sophistication.

Yet, here she was, eating cold pizza in front of valuable artifacts like it was some noisy flea market—it was bound to draw disapproval.

'If she's lamenting over not selling anything, it must mean the artifact has some severe handicap by default.'

Sanghyun's curiosity was piqued.

Without hesitation, he approached her and spoke while looking at the artifacts displayed on her stand.

"Could you show me the information?"

"Munch, munch. Hm. That one? Just pick it up and look at it yourself. Not like you're gonna run off with it, right?"

Crouching down, she pointed at the artifact with her eyes before shoving another piece of pizza into her mouth.

She was definitely an odd one—on a completely different level from the other sellers.

Or maybe she just really loved eating?

"Alright then."

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Sanghyun picked up the bracelet-shaped artifact and examined the information.

The moment he did, a smile crept onto his face.

'Now I see why it hasn't sold.'

There was a clear reason for disqualification.