By the time Noah arrived at the grand auction house, the place was eerily quiet. Normally, this hall bustled with hundreds of players shouting bids, trading rare loot, and arguing over prices. Now, barely a dozen people lingered inside, chatting in hushed tones or loitering near empty counters.
He smirked to himself, striding in with an easy confidence. "Heh, classic diversion tactic. Let everyone run off to fangirl over Demon-Slayer in Asura City while I shop in peace. Works every time."
The lavish interior screamed wealth and power. Gleaming gold trim lined the high ceilings, chandeliers scattered warm light across the polished floor, and even the tiles beneath his boots looked like a sheet of transparent crystal. Everything about this place was designed to remind you—you were standing where the rich played their games.
Noah didn't bother queuing with the handful of players who remained. Instead, he walked straight to an unoccupied counter and leaned casually against it. "Hey there. I'm here to buy some gear."
The clerk, a young woman with a voice as sweet as honey, replied politely, "Of course, sir. Please give me a moment."
He chuckled inwardly. Now this is service. The biggest trading hub in the Land of Divine Punishment never disappoints.
But then her tone shifted, hesitant and apologetic. "I'm terribly sorry, sir… but your level is too low. Unfortunately, we can't process high-tier equipment purchases for level one players."
Noah's expression darkened instantly. "Too low? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Since when do we discriminate based on level now?"
The woman fidgeted nervously, avoiding his sharp stare. "If you're looking for starter gear, we recommend heading outside to the street vendors to the right of the auction house. You'll find much more affordable options there."
He scoffed, unimpressed. "I didn't walk into the top auction house in the human territories to haggle over affordability. I asked if you're selling, not for shopping advice."
The clerk grimaced, voice low and careful. "Sir, this establishment deals in high-end goods. Our cheapest stock starts at one thousand gold coins. Perhaps…"
"One thousand…" Noah sneered. That was ten thousand yuan in real-world cash. Not outrageous for him, but the insinuation grated on his nerves. He could practically smell the disdain wafting from behind the counter. They think a level one's broke? Fine, let's test that theory.
With a dull thud, he tossed a heavy pouch onto the counter. The weight alone made the metal tray clatter. "There's ten thousand gold in there," he said coldly, meeting her eyes. "If that's not enough, I can add more."
"Ten… ten thousand?" The clerk froze, eyes wide. She stumbled out an excuse and scurried to the corner, whispering urgently into a shimmering holo-screen.
Moments later, a sharply dressed man in a tailored suit and slicked-back hair practically jogged out from the back rooms, the clerk trailing behind him with her head bowed low. The man—clearly a manager—smiled like his life depended on it.
"Our sincerest apologies, sir! New staff—she didn't know the rules yet. Please accept my deepest apologies for the misunderstanding." He turned to the clerk and barked, "Well? Don't just stand there. Apologize to our esteemed guest!"
"I-I'm so sorry!" The girl bowed repeatedly, flustered and red-faced like a child caught misbehaving.
By now, curious stares were piling in from every corner of the auction hall. Players gawked, jaws slack, as they watched an auction manager and clerk bowing to a level one player. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"What the hell? Who is that guy?"
"Must be someone loaded beyond reason."
"No kidding. You saw that pouch? Ten thousand gold like pocket change… and he's only level one!"
"Richest newbie I've ever seen, hands down."
Speculation ran rampant. Some were already betting he was a young master from a powerhouse clan, freshly awakened and out to flex his wealth.
Noah, meanwhile, was starting to feel a little awkward under the sudden spotlight. "Can I buy my gear now, or are we gonna keep putting on a show?" he asked, frowning slightly.
"Absolutely, sir, of course!" The manager's tone was pure reverence. "Please, this way to my office. We'll ensure you're treated properly."
Minutes later, Noah was lounging in a plush leather armchair, sipping high-grade tea served in porcelain worth more than some starter towns. This was VIP treatment, the kind reserved for elite clientele—and it was clear the manager meant every bit of his apology.
"So," the man began, leaning forward politely, "what kind of equipment are you looking for?"
"Level one gear," Noah replied casually. "Top-tier. SSS rank. Got anything that fits?"
The manager's jaw nearly hit the floor. "S-Sir, you're joking, right?" he stammered, trying to compose himself. "SSS-grade divine gear is beyond priceless. There are only a handful of pieces across the entire human race, and none of them ever enter the market. As for level one SSS equipment… I've never even heard of such a thing."
Noah sighed in disappointment. "Fine. Then SS-grade. What've you got?"
The manager blinked, realizing this man wasn't bluffing. He hesitated but finally nodded. "SS-grade is possible, but…" His eyes flickered cautiously. "With all due respect, sir, spending that much gold at level one is… unnecessary. You'll outgrow anything you buy before you even blink. Twenty levels fly by in a heartbeat."
Noah leaned forward, voice calm but carrying an unspoken edge. "I said I'm buying. You're selling. Just bring me the options."
"Yes, sir!" The manager straightened instantly, bustling away to fetch stock.
Soon, the low glass table between them was covered with glimmering equipment. He smiled nervously. "We don't have SSS divine gear in stock, but these are premium SS-grade items forged by master smiths—each a one-of-a-kind piece, usually snapped up the moment they appear."
Noah skimmed the array, noting the faint scratches and a layer of dust on some. Yeah, sure. Real 'hot sellers,' huh? More like clearance junk, no one else was dumb enough to buy.
He ignored the manager's sales pitch, eventually selecting a gleaming helm and a pair of enchanted boots.
[Helm of Hope] (SS): +20 Stamina, +15 Strength
Level Requirement: 1
Set Bonus: Winds of Velocity (5 pieces) – +200 Agility, +200% movement speed out of combat for 10 seconds.
[Boots of the Wind Spirit] (SS): +18 Intelligence, +21 Agility
Level Requirement: 1
Set Bonus: Winds of Velocity (5 pieces) – same effect as above.
He also picked up three unappreciated SS pieces—a gauntlet, a breastplate, and leggings—whose stats were hidden from anyone else. But with his Eyes of the Gods, he already knew their true worth.
The manager returned with more tea, eyes flicking over Noah's picks with admiration. "Ah, excellent choice! The Winds of Velocity set is incredibly popular among our high-profile clients, perfect for long-distance travel. Though…" He hesitated. "You're a mage, sir. Are you sure you want warrior gear?"
Noah's gaze was ice. "I buy. You sell. Don't overstep."
"Yes, yes, of course," the man said quickly, bowing his head.
"How much?"
The manager's salesman grin returned. "In celebration of Demon-Slayer's appearance, we're running a special promotion. Normally, these would total fifty-four thousand gold. But for you, we'll make it an even fifty."
Noah stood immediately, face flat. "Yeah, no thanks."
"F-Fifty thousand gold! Sir, wait—" The man scrambled after him as Noah headed for the door. "Name your price!"
"Five thousand a piece," Noah said with utter disdain, not even looking back. "That's all this pile of rust is worth."
SS-grade or not, level one gear was nothing more than overpriced scrap metal in his eyes—and nobody else would be dumb enough to touch it.
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novelmeister, Joe_Blow, thanks for u guys power stone(ㅎ-ㅎ;)