Don’t bid? It’s hard not to question that. So Esther asked what the reason was, almost without realizing it.

“The book won’t mean anything even if you take it.”

He then revealed the secret of the auction.

“Why would anyone pay tens of billions for something that’s at best just for display purposes?”

“For display purposes?”

“To be more precise, it’s just a decorative item.”

He pointed to the book on the platform.

“Because that item is waste that has already been used.” 𝑓𝓇𝘦𝘦𝔀𝓮𝒷𝘯𝓸𝓋𝓮𝘭.𝓬𝓸𝘮

[Sealed Grimoire]…

The last item up for auction was a prime rare item, known for its ability to slightly boost awakening points just by reading it. The increase was never high, but why would all hunters be so obsessed with this item? The effects of the grimoire lasted permanently. In short, this book is one of the few means by which you can change your innate awakening value.

“Did you say it’s a waste?”

As such, sealed grimoires were strictly one-time-use items. In other words, they ended up in the trash can once used.

“Indeed. There’s really no reason to buy a grimoire that’s already been used…”

Esther lowered her hand with a serious expression. However, the guild appraiser she brought along seemed unwilling to accept Kiryeo’s opinion.

“What? A used grimoire? On what basis are you making such a claim?”

What followed was a simple war of words.

“On what basis? Well, if you just take a look, you’ll see…”

“Are you sure about this information?”

“Yes?”

“Excuse me, but what level of analytical skills do you have?”

Kim Kiryeo hesitated for a moment but answered easily. He had researched analysis-type awakened individuals in advance for situations like this.

“Grade 2.”

When Kiryeo revealed his skill level, the appraiser from the Korean Magic Tower side shrugged his shoulders.

“Guild leader, did you hear? This person is a Grade 2 analysis-type awakened individual.”

“Ah, mhm.”

“According to my analysis skills, there doesn’t seem to be any issue with the item. Whether it’s been used or not is not something that’s indicated in our abilities to begin with.”

With a confident tone, Esther, who couldn’t bear Kim Kiryeo’s silence any longer, spoke up to clarify the situation.

“Oh, I’m late for an introduction, right? This is our guild’s chief appraiser. He’s qualified to be a Grade 1 analyst.”

The measure of an appraiser’s skill lies in their ability to understand the functions of an item. Among the many appraisers, those who can discern the hidden functions of top-tier items are called Grade 1 appraisers.

General < Rare < Unique < Epic

Grade 4 < Grade 3 < Grade 2 < Grade 1

In this way, the level of analysis awakeners is divided according to the international standard of items.

Well, the newly added legendary-grade items from last year couldn’t be analyzed by any appraisers yet, so they’re not mentioned here.

‘Of all times, why does a Grade 1 have to barge in now?’

If this was going to be the case, shouldn’t he have just called he’s the top-tier?

Kiryeo briefly regretted it but soon stopped. There were already so few appraisers, and if he went around saying he was Grade 1, he would attract too much attention in this small industry.

“Grade 1, that’s impressive. But would you mind just following my suggestion this time?”

“Yes?”

“That’s definitely a used grimoire. It’s hard to provide immediate evidence, but…”

Kim Kiryeo sincerely persuaded the other party, realizing he couldn’t afford to let tens of billions go to waste.

“Hmm.”

After hearing this, the appraiser narrowed his eyes and whispered to the guild master.

“Guild master, that… It seems to me like a tactic to reduce auction competition.”

“Is that so?”

“Otherwise, why would he try to stop someone else’s grimoire bid?”

In a national exchange like this, it’s highly unlikely that they would mismanage items to the point of auctioning off used ones. And if their top-tier analysis skills find no issues, why would they give up a rare item based on one hunter’s dubious statement?

‘As far as they know, my skills aren’t that great either.’

Ahem.

The Wizard Tower guild’s appraiser showed signs of discomfort.

Indeed, there’s nothing more annoying than someone pretending to be knowledgeable with inaccurate information. Plus, it’s even worse when they stick to their argument despite being corrected by a top-tier appraiser….

‘That brat, he’s just trying to impress an S-Class hunter with that attitude.’

Huh. The appraiser snorted as if he had nothing more to hear.

“Ah, right.”

But then. Esther stared at the appraiser’s attitude and suddenly began to lead the conversation.

“Come to think of it, wasn’t our analyst Park absent from the analysis room when he was examining the cursed sword?”

“Yes?”

“Oh, that’s right. You were out on a field assignment because of the task I specifically assigned to you.”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

“Yeah. So that’s why you didn’t recognize Kiryeo’s face.”

Esther smiled softly.

“Then, should I tell you right now? This handsome hunter here is actually a person who passed the maze of our Magic Tower.”

But the conversation that followed was somewhat far from cordial. Even though she was smiling with her mouth, a coldness that couldn’t be hidden was flowing from her eyes.

“He’s the one who cleared the maze in just 3 minutes and 32 seconds, which took you 20 minutes to complete on the test.”

The guild’s appraiser was shocked by the surprising news and remained speechless for a while, but Esther calmly continued speaking.

“Thanks to it, I’m trying hard to look good to this hunter these days.”

“Ah.”

“I wonder if there was some kind of misunderstanding. Appraiser Park has been a bit harsh towards Kiryeo for a while, huh?”

“G, guild master.”

Sssk.

The ominous aura emanating from the S-Class hunter instantly filled the auction house. However, no one at the auction house could carelessly express dissatisfaction because the S-Class awakening level was the mark of a predator.

“Appraiser Park, I hope you’ll be a little more careful when dealing with Hunter Kim Kiryeo from now on.”

By the time the employee’s complexion turned pale. The red-violet-haired predator sitting in the shaded seat raised her pale white hand.

“Well, anyway. I hope you understand. Now all that’s left is about that grimoire.”

“Esther-ssi. Don’t tell me…”

“Since the opinions of the two appraisers are conflicting, now I’m even more curious~ Shall I try it myself?”

Her cheerful voice then rang out at the auction house.

“5 billion!”

“…5 billion won. Do you have any more? 5 billion, 5 billion. …Yes. The sealed grimoire was sold to number 38.”

After the auction is over. Korean Hunter Auction House G1 aisle.

‘Is she crazy?’

Kiryeo is currently walking down a long hallway. In order to receive the winning item, they had to move again.

“This is the room! If you wait here, the staff will bring the auctioned item to you.”

After that, Esther’s explanation flowed for a moment, but he didn’t hear it. Kiryeo massaged the bridge of his nose to relieve his surging headache.

‘Even after being warned not to buy it, you’re willing to spend 5 billion just because you’re curious about the results?’

From the point of view of the common people, this situation is quite shocking.

‘If you’re willing to throw away that much money, just donate it to me! Please!’

However, no matter how much he muttered in his mind, the outcome wouldn’t change. Esther spent a huge amount of money, over 10 billion won, in this auction, and eventually obtained these items.

“Hunter, here are the two items you won in the auction.”

“Oh!”

Finally, the items won in the auction were revealed.

Drrrk.

The employees of the exchange brought a transporter with two blue boxes on top. In front of Esther, they unsealed the boxes. They had placed a barrier around them until the transaction was completed, fearing that high-value items might be stolen or damaged.

“Phew, I finally bought [White Bird].”

Esther first checked the magic tool for movement. However, no problems were found with this product. There wasn’t even a small scratch.

“It’s a relief that I got it safely, especially after seeing Jung Haseong’s use of it caught my attention!”

Esther stroked the item shaped like a white pigeon, then belatedly turned her gaze to the second item.

“Let me see.”

Then the problem starts here. The sealed grimoire. It seemed to be in good condition, much like the white pigeon. However, the crucial point lies in its contents, doesn’t it?

Tuk.

Esther held the grimoire in her hand and spoke to the staff.

“Excuse me. This is mine, so can I try it right here?”

The staff then nodded readily.

“All right. Then.”

Esther opened the book wide and began turning the page.

Srrrrk.

However, her straightforward actions didn’t last long. Esther soon scanned through every page, leaving only the last page of the book unread.

“Hmm.”

Ssrrk.

“Yeah.”

Esther neatly closed the fully read book before finally speaking.

“…Kim Kiryeo is right. This is really a used grimoire!”

This is a bombshell statement. The thing she bought for just 5 billion won has actually already lost its function? The Korean Magic Tower appraiser stood frozen with wide-open eyes. But there were people here who were more shocked than him.

“What did you say?”

The auction house staff were surprised and asked back.

“What do you mean it was used?”

“That’s exactly what it means. This grimoire had already been opened once before it was sold to me.”

“It can’t be…”

“I’m sure. I’ve used grimoires before, but it didn’t feel like this then. Should I say something is coming?”

Esther immediately pointed out the abnormalities in the grimoire. However, the staff didn’t easily accept this.

“No, that can’t be true. We take special care of high-value items like grimoires.”

“That’s right. And if you look here, the red wax on the book cover was perfect until Hunter opened it…”

It seems there is a way to check whether a grimoire has also been opened on Earth.

“So you’re saying I’m lying now?”

“No, Hunter Esther. That’s.”

“The fact that a used magical book was auctioned off, don’t you think you should verify that rather than just assuming that your handling of the matter has been correct since earlier?”

Around the time when voices were getting louder in real-time. Kiryeo watched quietly with his arms crossed behind them.

‘Ah, I guess I’ll just shut up during the auction.’

He couldn’t rush in hastily. While he had indeed realized first that the grimoire was useless, his approach was different.

‘I’m getting tired because it’s time to explain.’

The fact of whether the grimoire had been used or not could actually be determined quite easily. No, it was too easy to be a problem in this case.

[~Used~]

The grimoire, once its function is fulfilled, displays these words prominently on the cover…

‘Alphauri language!’

So, that’s how Kiryeo immediately recognized that the book was a dud.

The round-shaped emblem depicted on the book cover is none other than the traditional hieroglyph of Alphauri. At first glance, it may be mistaken for a magic circle, but the two have clearly different structures. The lines are very thick. It’s made up of only simple curves.

‘It’s not a modern language; it’s an ancient character that was used in the distant past, but I learned that as a basis when I was in school.’

Anyway, Kiryeo could read the cover of the grimoire with the knowledge from his previous life. However, the book’s identity revealed through this method was even more surprising.

‘It’s a textbook that kids read…!’

A magic book worth 5 billion won was actually just an old-fashioned learning tool for inexperienced children!

‘That thing… a magic book?”

Kiryeo reflected on the value of 50 billion attached to that useless book, touching his temple once again.

It was unbelievable. Among all the riches of the Alphaworld civilization, was only a textbook chosen as a treasure? Isn’t this why the gate is complete nonsense…