Chapter 224
CHAPTER 224
What is the true nature of the White Tower?
Needless to say, it functions as a refuge.
Each floor can be furnished like a real, livable world.
You can grant permanent residency permits and bring people in.
You can make self-sufficiency possible through farming.
And if there’s one more function, it’s this:
It serves as a stepping stone between dimensions.
You can tell just by looking at the elevator.
As you move to different floors of the White Tower, it connects to other Earths in parallel universes.
Even if those worlds were ruined.
You might think that makes it meaningless.
But no.
Why would it be meaningless?
What if even a single survivor remained on floors one through four?
Of course you’d have to rescue them.
And that chance might come someday—
bringing survivors from parallel-Earth worlds.
Later, as more floors open and you visit the 6th, 7th, 8th floors…
you might run into survivors.
Then you just rescue them.
Grant them permanent residency permits, issued at a minimum of 1 kg.
For that reason, the dimensional auction house on the 5th floor of the White Tower
is the easiest way to secure top-grade mana stones.
“An auction house on the 5th floor of the White Tower… I never would’ve imagined it.”
“Hmm, that’s not quite right.”
“It’s not?”
“It’s more like a terminal.”
That was right.
Juhyeok agreed with Gyeondallae’s words.
Even if you go to the 5th floor of the White Tower,
you still have to take a Link Gate to reach the auction house for dimensional travelers.
The 5th floor is just a relay station.
The real auction house for dimensional travelers must be somewhere no one knows.
Anyway, the auction was proceeding smoothly.
In truth, the watch had only been listed as a test.
Compared to the other impressive items in the auction house, it was trash-tier.
Would anyone even bid on it?
He thought no one would even glance at it.
But he was wrong.
- Accessory: Catech Flip Grand Complete Wristwatch
- Current bid: 6,203 kg of top-grade mana stones
Looking at the details:
- Starting bid: 1,000 kg of top-grade mana stones
- Time remaining: 18 hours (out of 24)
- Exchange item: Not specified
- Bid cancellation: Allowed until 1 hour before auction end
It started at 1,000 and had already climbed past 6,000.
Honestly, even now, he didn’t understand.
Is that really worth that much mana?
“The value of an item is decided by the buyer.”
That was true, but still…
“The bidding speed has slowed down a lot. I wonder if it’ll even pass 10,000.”
Early on, the bids had jumped by 100 kg, 200 kg at a time.
Now they were creeping up by 1 kg, 3 kg, 5 kg.
The excitement had died down.
Which was understandable.
After all, it was just a wristwatch.
Let’s not get greedy.
Even 6,000 kg of top-grade mana stones was absurdly expensive.
Watching it won’t change the bid anyway—
maybe it’s better to look at other items?
Juhyeok touched the auction status panel and checked the listed items one by one.
There were plenty of useful things.
Materials you could never get from the Tower,
weapons and equipment whose names alone stirred the heart.
“There’s even Great Return Pills. I never thought I’d see those in an auction.”
“Hm, even I’d want a staff made from Demon Realm wood.”
“That thing listed as the Demon King’s Heart—do you think it’s real?”
“They’re even selling Blood Crystals. Sounds delicious.”
Ding!
<Mari>: Jin wants gold ingots♡코
Yeah.
Mark them one by one.
Once the money comes in, I’ll bid and buy them immediately.
On the other hand, there were items he couldn’t even consider.
Drops of Creation, the Primordial Flame, Breath of Light, Dust of Origin…
so expensive he couldn’t even look at them.
One of them stood out:
- Divine item: One World Tree Sapling
- Current bid: 2,000,000,000 kg of top-grade mana stones
Two billion kilograms.
Is that even a real number?
It’s just a tree—why is it that expensive?
He’d heard of the World Tree several times while climbing the Tower.
Our stay-at-home alchemist Mari would know.
She’s an elf.
Ding!
<Mari>: The World Tree is the mother and identity of the elves.
“Oh.”
<Mari>: The World Tree is the foundation that allows elves to form societies and live together. We continue our race and flourish there.
<Mari>: It also creates the best possible environment for plants to grow. Herbs, crops—anything grows well.
Our LSSR farmer, Duu, would love that.
Should we buy it and plant it?
But what happens if an elf leaves the World Tree?
Like Mari.
<Mari>: Gradually, they lose their identity as elves. Not right away—but someday.
“Hmm.”
We really should plant a World Tree on the 17th floor of the White Tower.
For Mari and Duu, at least.
The problem is the price.
“Are there fruits or seeds, maybe?”
<Mari>: There are fruits, but a World Tree doesn’t grow from them.
Figures.
If you could get one from a fruit, it wouldn’t be this expensive.
<Mari>: Except in extremely rare cases where it differentiates into a sapling out of necessity.
Now I get why it’s so expensive.
But could we even afford it?
Guess I’ll have to sell items diligently.
The watch’s bidding price still wasn’t moving much.
It had clearly entered a stagnant phase.
“It’ll be hard to pass 10,000.”
Then—
“Hmmm.”
Kosak rested a hand on his chin, eyes gleaming.
Oh no… don’t tell me?
“May I, the auction master officially recognized by the universe, the master of push-and-pull, the undefeated auctioneer of Garak Market, the appraisal genius of Genuine Masterpiece—say a word?”
Here it comes.
Auctioneer Kosak.
“Of course you should.”
“Much obliged.”
Kosak began his analysis.
“No idea how many dimensional travelers there are, but they’re testing the waters right now.”
“Testing the waters?”
“The auction lasts 24 hours, right?”
“That’s right.”
“The big spenders don’t move early.”
Then?
“The real war starts near the end of the auction.”
“Oh!”
“So the bidding hasn’t even begun yet.”
I see.
“Can you predict the final price?”
Kosak shook his head.
“No one knows.”
“Why not?”
“There are variables.”
Variables?
“See that Dragon Heart?”
“Hm?”
“That item shot past 50,000 earlier.”
“Uh…”
“Now it’s at 10,000.”
That’s true.
Why did it drop?
“Looks like it was canceled, then re-listed.”
“Ah…”
“There are lots of items like that. Mass cancellations.”
Then that means the Catech Flip watch could be canceled too, just like the Dragon Heart.
Damn, things were going so well.
Guess I shouldn’t get my hopes up.
Please, just don’t cancel.
Even 6,000 kg would be an unbelievable jackpot.
But when the auction ends, how do I even receive the mana stones?
They won’t just fall from the sky.
Well, I’m sure there’s a way.
Time passed quickly.
The high-tier bids grew even scarcer.
About 10 hours remained until the auction ended.
Still, the current bid was:
- Accessory: Catech Flip Grand Complete Wristwatch
- Current bid: 6,411 kg of top-grade mana stones
Still hovering in the 6,000 range.
Let’s head home.
After sleeping, the final price should be decided.
He was about to go rest in the penthouse when—
“You’re not resting? You’re just going to keep staring at the board?”
The summoned ones were clustered tightly in front of the status panel, fully absorbed.
Unbelievable—they’re completely hooked.
Seems like they’re enjoying it.
“If there’s anything you want from the auction, think about it.”
“When the money comes in, I’ll buy it for you.”
Silence.
No response.
Alright then, I’m off.
The next morning.
Juhyeok woke up in the penthouse.
He washed up and finished a light breakfast.
I wonder how the bid turned out.
If it reached around 7,000, that’d be plenty.
Even that would be more than enough.
Who’d have thought dimensional travelers would be interested
in a wristwatch with no magical functions at all?
Have they never been to Earth?
They call themselves dimensional travelers.
If they want Earth goods, why not just go there?
They’re parallel universes, right?
There should be countless Earths with the same civilization—
Wait.
A thought struck him.
No… maybe not.
Maybe there aren’t that many.
There might have been before.
Our Earth alone was Earth No. 1,001.
Earth No. 675 was destroyed.
Another Earth connected to the 2nd floor of the White Tower was destroyed.
So were the 3rd and 4th floors’ Earths.
Worst case scenario?
Every Earth except No. 1,001 might be gone.
All 1,000 parallel Earths could have been wiped out.
That would make Earth artifacts incredibly rare.
“Shit.”
Still, some Earths must have survived.
Like the Earth connected to the Immortal Realm where the Sword Immortal lived.
He even heard there was no Black Tower there.
Well, of course.
In a world where immortals bow in reverence,
there’s no way a Black Tower would dare appear.
If it did, the Sword Immortal and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven
would’ve ripped the entire tower out by the roots.
Let’s go check the bid.
Spot!
Juhyeok entered the 17th floor of the White Tower.
The summoned ones were still gathered in front of the board.
Have they been here this whole time?
The auction status—
About one hour remaining.
- Current bid: 7,207 kg of top-grade mana stones
Yes!
Over 7,000.
Heh. With that, I can bid on other items too…
Suddenly—
“Summoner Bong.”
Kosak spoke with a tense expression.
“Yes?”
“It’s about to start.”
“Start what?”
“One hour and one minute left until the auction ends.”
“Ah!”
“After one minute passes, cancellations are no longer allowed.”
Which meant—
Within one minute, mass cancellations could still happen.
Worst case, he might not even get 7,000 kg.
A tense moment.
Would the bids be canceled?
Then suddenly—
the numbers started moving.
- Current bid: 7,199 kg of top-grade mana stones
“Huh?!”
The bid dropped.
The top bidder who had placed 7,207 kg canceled.
And then again—
- Current bid: 7,100 kg of top-grade mana stones
The next bidder who had bid 7,199 kg also canceled.
- Current bid: 7,010 kg of top-grade mana stones
Another cancellation.
- Current bid: 6,888 kg of top-grade mana stones
“Damn it.”
- Current bid: 6,507 kg of top-grade mana stones
It kept sliding down.
- Current bid: 5,622 kg of top-grade mana stones
What the hell—
this is like a stock hitting the daily lower limit.
Are they all canceling in a chain?
At this rate it’ll hit rock bottom.
But Kosak’s expression didn’t change at all.
He stared sharply at the status board.
“Twenty seconds left until cancellation closes.”
After twenty seconds, bids can no longer be canceled.
The highest bidder will be forced to take the watch.
Please—no more cancellations.
It’s already in the 4,000 range.
I thought I’d get 7,000 kg.
Three thousand evaporated in an instant.
“Countdown starting. 10, 9, 8… 4, 3, 2, 1.”
The last moment.
“Zero.”
Cancellation locked.
The current amount?
- Current bid: 4,517 kg of top-grade mana stones
Phew.
Thank goodness.
At the very least, I’ll get 4,500 kg.
That alone is huge.
4,517 kg of top-grade mana stones means 4,517 permanent residency permits.
I’m more than satisfied.
And then—
Squirm.
The number on the auction board moved again.
- Current bid: 5,017 kg of top-grade mana stones
“…Huh?”
The bid jumped by 500 kg in an instant.
Tap!
- Current bid: 5,517 kg of top-grade mana stones
Another 500.
Gulp.
Juhyeok swallowed hard.
Something was happening.
Kosak seemed to sense it too.
He sprang to his feet, pointing at the numbers on the board.
“Go! Catech Flip Grand Complete!!!”
That was the signal.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap—
The numbers went wild.
The bid price shot upward violently.
- Accessory: Catech Flip Grand Complete Wristwatch
- Current bid: 6,044 kg of top-grade mana stones
It passed 6,000.
- Current bid: 10,874 kg of top-grade mana stones
It broke 10,000.
- Current bid: 21,115 kg of top-grade mana stones
Over 20,000.
- Current bid: 30,052 kg of top-grade mana stones
Reached 30,000.
“Holy hell…”
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap—
It was climbing like it had gone insane.
My god.
Is this a dream or reality?
“It’s reality. The big spenders are finally clashing.”
Ah, our generous big spenders.
As a fellow dimensional traveler, I truly respect you.
Spend more.
More, more, more!
- Current bid: 54,114 kg of top-grade mana stones
Ohhh yeah.
It just keeps going up.
Relentlessly.
Blink once, and the number leaps by thousands.
One hour passed in a flash.
And the final result?
[The Catech Flip Grand Complete Wristwatch has been sold.]
- Final price: 104,397 kg of top-grade mana stones
“Woooo!!!”
“Th-th-th-this is a massive jackpot!”
“Congratulations!”
“You did it!”
Clap clap clap clap clap clap!
Thunderous applause filled the air.
Juhyeok looked overwhelmed with emotion.
Thank you, seniors.
This junior, this newbie dimensional traveler—
I’ll live diligently.
Vrrrr!
Ding!
On the 5th floor of the White Tower,
the elevator doors opened.
“I’ll go collect the mana stones.”
“We’ll wait here.”
“Don’t worry about us—go comfortably.”
Whoosh!
Stepping into the Link Gate that led to the auction house for dimensional travelers—
“Hm.”
No one here?
What if I run into the dimensional traveler who bought the watch?
“…No one.”
They wouldn’t let us meet.
If you could meet here, auctions would be meaningless.
You’d just trade face-to-face.
“Where was my locker again?”
There.
My locker, shining.
I couldn’t even touch the others.
No name tags, either.
Creak.
Juhyeok opened the locker.
“Huh?”
Several tickets were visible inside the payout space.
Nine red tickets, one white ticket.
“What’s this?”
He picked one up.
[The auction proceeds have been delivered to your locker.]
[Each red ticket contains 10,000 kg of top-grade mana stones.
The white ticket contains 3,958 kg of mana stones.]
[Once sufficient space is secured, tearing the ticket will grant the mana stones.]
“Like subspace tickets, huh?”
But the math doesn’t add up.
That totals 93,958 kg.
The final bid was 104,397 kg.
[Approximately 10% has been deducted as an auction fee.]
…
There’s a fee too.
Well, the auction house has to make a living.
“Do the tickets go into the inventory?”
Slip.
“They do.”
Next, all that’s left is listing another item for auction.
There’s something I want to test.
Juhyeok removed the bracelet from his wrist.
Rajiks Trading’s cash cow—
the Bracelet of Weight Loss.
He placed it in the auction registration slot.
[You have applied for an auction.]
[Please set the starting bid.]
[If no starting bid is set, the auction house will assess the value. Do you agree?]
“Agree.”
[The auction item has been registered.]
Earth’s most popular product.
How much would this go for?
The starting bid?
“Auction board!”
Shrrrk!
He tapped the ongoing auctions.
- Accessory: Bracelet of Weight Loss
- Starting bid: 1 kg of top-grade mana stones
“…What?”
Only 1 kg?
That’s the minimum.
They’re lowballing it this hard?
On Earth, it’s so popular you can’t even keep it in stock.
But dimensional travelers must see it differently.
So he waited.
Waited for bidding to begin.
But—
- Current bid: 1 kg of top-grade mana stones
After 10 minutes.
- Current bid: 1 kg of top-grade mana stones
After 20 minutes.
- Current bid: 1 kg of top-grade mana stones
After 30 minutes—still the same.
They had zero interest.
Well, it was expected.
This was just an experiment.
Alright, then let’s list the item I actually planned to auction.
[There is already an item currently being auctioned. Duplicate auctions are not allowed.]
Hmm.
Can I cancel the bracelet auction?
[Canceling Bracelet of Weight Loss.
Since it has been less than 1 hour since registration, no cancellation fee will be charged.]
“So there’s a cancellation fee too.”
Now for the next item.
Something that wouldn’t fit in the inventory, so he brought it by hand.
An Apple Pad Pro, 13-inch, 2TB, black.
Much less popular on Earth than the weight-loss bracelet.
And it’s even used.
The one Kosak downloaded tons of movies and dramas onto.
[The auction item has been registered.]
- Smart device: Apple Pad Pro 13-inch, 2TB Black
(Large quantity of movies and drama content stored) - Starting bid: 1,000 kg of top-grade mana stones
Different from the start.
And the moment it was registered—
- Current bid: 1,078 kg of top-grade mana stones
The bids began climbing rapidly.
- Current bid: 1,545 kg of top-grade mana stones
The response was explosive.