Chapter 18: Pollute Gate! I like it!

The auction hall was so silent, I hesitated to even breathe.

Ornate lighting dimly illuminated the room, and deep purple curtains draped the walls.

‘Wow… this is wild…’

I’d resolved not to act like a newbie,
but the surreal atmosphere made me gawk despite myself.

The first thing that caught my eye was the array of masks.

Most awakeners in the hall hid their identities with thick hoods or masks, likely to avoid recognition.

– Among the participants, you’ll find high-ranking awakeners and business tycoons. Many will probably recognize you, Healer-nim.
– Wearing a mask is optional, but I’d recommend it.

Following the appraiser’s advice, I’d donned a mask before entering.

I’d thought wearing a mask for a simple auction was overkill,
but now, I was glad I listened.

Among this sea of masks, an unmasked face would’ve drawn every eye.

Like that woman over there.

Standing boldly with her face uncovered, she was breathtaking—beyond mere beauty.
Ebony hair, blood-red eyes, and skin so pale it seemed translucent.
Her features were so refined, they felt almost otherworldly.

‘She’s stunning…’

Lost in admiration, I didn’t notice her turn until she locked eyes with me.

I quickly looked away, pretending to be distracted.

What the—?
How did she know I was staring?

Does she have a sensor on the back of her head?

Embarrassed at being caught, I fidgeted.

The ceiling lights dimmed slightly, and a screen above the stage lit up with:
4th Government-Sanctioned Special Auction

The signal that the auction was about to begin.

“We will now commence the special auction.”

A white-gloved auctioneer stepped forward, nodding once.

A black-suited assistant handed over a box etched with ancient runes.

“First item: an A-grade unidentified relic chest.”

The auctioneer raised it for all to see.

“Strong mana emanates from its surface, suggesting it’s likely A-grade or higher. This is a pure, unappraised item, untouched by government inspection.”

A soft murmur rippled through the silent hall.

“Starting bid: 30 million won.”

Paddles shot up instantly.

The auctioneer began calling out sums I’d never even touched in my life, as if they were pocket change.

‘…Don’t they know what “unidentified” means?’

It’s just a random box!
They’re spending that much on something they don’t even know the contents of?

Unlike my shock, the participants remained stoic, unfazed.

Item after item followed, each more astonishing than the last,
all fetching tens of millions of won.
I was still struggling to adjust to the atmosphere.

Then, finally—

My mana potion was handed to the auctioneer.

Murmurs of discontent, barely audible, spread among the participants.

– Huh…? A potion?
– Why’s a mana potion here?
– Ugh, talk about a buzzkill…

It looked like an ordinary potion, so their lukewarm reaction was understandable.

But the auctioneer’s next words flipped the room’s mood entirely.

“This mana potion permanently expands mana capacity.”

The composed participants’ postures crumbled instantly.

– Permanently… expands mana?
– Did you hear that? A potion that boosts mana capacity!
– Sir, a potion that permanently increases mana is up. Should we bid now?

The once-calm crowd erupted, frantically making calls or sending messages.

The hall turned chaotic in seconds.

Thump-thump—

My heart felt like it would burst.
Staying calm was nearly impossible.

I took a deep breath and straightened my posture.

“Given its untested market value, we’ll start at 10 million won. Please raise your paddles to bid.”

At last,
the bidding for my mana potion began.

‘A mana potion that permanently expands mana capacity?’

Participant #21, Seolsan Guild Master Choi Junho,
doubted his ears.

He’d cleared countless gates, but never once had he seen—or even heard rumors of—a potion that permanently boosted stats.

‘Where did it come from…?’

A top-tier gate? An advanced undead gate?
He couldn’t even guess.

He tried imagining the final bid price.

300 million…
No, maybe over 500 million.

Every participant shared the same thought:

‘I have to win this.’

But the auctioneer’s next words doused their fervor.

“However, as the extent of the mana expansion hasn’t been appraised, we cannot guarantee specifics. Please understand.”

It could mean a massive boost—or just a sliver.

Still, one thing was certain: this was the first time a potion that permanently expands mana had appeared.

For those driven by ambition, that alone gave it immense collectible value.

Bidding heated up, and the price skyrocketed.

‘I’m out.’

Gambling huge sums was for top guilds and rankers.

For someone like me, just watching the potion’s value unfold was enough.

But as the price soared,
the participant next to me grew restless.

Fidget… squirm…

They rubbed their arms, scratched their knees, and fiddled with their paddle.

Each small movement grated on Choi Junho’s nerves.

‘If you want to bid, just do it. Stop acting like a rookie.’

This was a VIP auction, not some casual market.

As Choi Junho grumbled internally about the woman beside him—

“Top bid: 100 million won.”

The price had already surpassed 100 million.

‘120 million…?’

A potion I’d casually made was worth that much?

I sat frozen, mouth agape.

– Should’ve bid one more time…
– Ugh, I should’ve gone for it…

Regretful murmurs echoed around me.

“Next item.”

The auction continued.

This time, instead of an assistant presenting an item, a hologram displayed it.

“A gate once preserved as a tourist attraction but now neglected after contamination was discovered.”

The hologram revealed a gate in shambles.

Trees lay uprooted, and a lake frothed with murky bubbles, far from its former tourist glory.

“Based on current market averages, the starting bid is 80 million won.”

The auctioneer’s words chilled the room.

– Are they insane? Auctioning that?
– No one’s bidding on that…
– Who’d be crazy enough to want it?

Scoffs rang out, but one person was intrigued.

‘It’s mine…’

Me!

I could already vividly picture what that gate would become with my touch.

My Cleanse skill would transform the contaminated land into a vibrant green.
Withered trees would stand tall again, and the polluted lake would regain its pristine blue.

‘I can see it!’

The gate, consumed by decay, would teem with life because of me!

“Bidding starts now.”

The moment the auctioneer spoke, I raised my paddle.

As he counted down,
I bowed my head, praying no one else would bid.

After a brief silence,
his hand dropped.

“Sold to the first bidder for 80 million won. Thank you.”

– Someone actually bid on that gate…?
– It sold? Why??
– Let it go, they must be swimming in money… snicker.

Mocking laughs and incredulous sighs filled the air.

I slowly curled my lips into a smile.

This gate, won at the lowest bid, would soon be reborn as a treasure everyone coveted.