Chapter 18: Superhuman Auction House

Finally, I was going to make money from eggs.

The restaurant owner at the market, who was pleased with the quality of the eggs, said they wanted to purchase eggs regularly.

They said the eggs were so delicious that they planned to add side dishes made with eggs, like steamed eggs and rolled omelets.

Now that I was officially selling eggs, it was unthinkable not to know their grades.

“There must be eggs laid in the evening, so I need to check immediately!”

Humming happily, stepping with pure excitement, I jumped over and arrived at the chicken coop.

Peanut shells were scattered everywhere, probably because the chickens had fallen asleep right after eating peanuts.

“I have to be careful not to wake the sleeping ones.”

I tiptoed over and picked up an egg.

[Egg – A+]

An egg from a chicken in communion with its owner.

This is the highest-quality egg from a chicken living happily, receiving its owner’s daily love.

• Permanently increases Force by 1 upon consumption. (One-time use only)

“First, an A+.”

I picked up the next egg — another A+.

Considering last time there was a mix of A grades with some B+ and A- eggs, this was a success.

And these A+ eggs also had the “Force +1” option attached.

Now that I thought about it, recently the feed bags didn’t feel as heavy when I carried them.

I had just assumed I’d gotten used to the weight.

“Sta… Status Window!”

Forgetting my caution about not waking the chickens, I shouted “Status Window.”

After shouting, I quickly glanced around, but thankfully, the chickens were still sound asleep.

Name: Do Minho
Force: 16
Agility: 12
Stamina: 16
Magical Power: 5
Innate Ability: Sympathy
Special Abilities: Communication–Chicken (+), Communication–Elf (+), Communication–Peanut

“I was definitely at 13 Force before, so it really did increase by 3.”

It seems A-, A, and A+ grade eggs each increased Force by 1.

And maybe because I sampled some peanuts, my Stamina had gone up by 2 as well.

“Well… even a +1 stat matters. It’s also a requirement for Promotion.”

I’d worked hard to become a Hunter, and the shock from awakening with such pathetic stats was huge.

“Other eggs and peanuts didn’t have stats attached though. Hmm, but since it’s one-time use only, maybe it won’t be too expensive.”

I wondered if I was making too big a fuss.

Since B-grade eggs didn’t have stats attached, it meant I was done once I ate one of each A-grade egg and raised my Force by 3 total.

“I’m already done. What a pity.”

I knew it was difficult to raise stats, but compared to superhuman items, I wasn’t sure these were that great.

Especially because it was limited to one use.

“If people only buy three each… I might not sell that many.”

Also, since supply wasn’t huge, hoarding or price-gouging could happen.

“I need to find reliable clients who I can trust to sell safely. Same goes for the peanuts.”

All four stats weren’t easy to get, but not impossible either.

There’s no leveling system like in games, but through rare chances like Elixirs found in dungeons or extreme training, you can raise stats.

There’s also the option to wear superhuman items that boost stats.

“That’s why initial stats after Awakening are said to be the most important.”

The same goes for Promotion.

Usually, whether you get promoted depends on combat ability shown in clearing high-level dungeons, but you must surpass a set average stat requirement to qualify.

“I should tell Minjun. Since he’s a tank, even that +1 Stamina from peanuts would be valuable.”

Besides grade checkers to view item grades or item inspection devices for detailed info, there’s no way to check item details.

So normally, no one bothers to check detailed info on crops.

“For now, I’ll hide these elsewhere.”

After deciding, I gathered all the eggs and moved them to the fridge, then sent Minjun a quick Kkaetok before going to sleep.

“Wake up!”

“Ugh… What is it this early? Minjun?”

I struggled to lift my heavy eyelids, and Minjun was standing there fidgeting as if he really needed to go.

Looking outside the window, it was still dark.

“Where is it? Hurry up!”

“What?”

“The peanuts that raise Stamina!”

Minjun was stomping his feet.

Just as I finished a dungeon raid, I got his Kkaetok, and he said he left right away after seeing it.

That’s probably why there were dark purple liquids, unrecognizable, smeared on various parts of his dull armor.

“They’re drying in the warehouse.”

“Okay.”

I hurriedly grabbed Minjun as he headed out.

“First, wash up. The villagers would freak out.”

“Living out here, what villagers?”

Would it kill him to be a bit polite if he was going to move anyway?

I watched his back as he grabbed his clothes and went to the bathroom, then got out of bed myself.

From the peanuts drying, I picked one each of A- and A-grade and prepared them.

“What about the peanuts?”

Maybe because he was anxious, Minjun hadn’t even dried his hair properly and water was dripping.

“Hey, hey, each grade gives +1 stat. Since I brought one of each grade, just eat them all.”

“What? One per grade? Are you crazy?”

“You think that’s stingy too? How great would it be to get +3 all at once?”

“What are you talking about? You have no idea how precious even +1 is.”

Isn’t it just 1?

Well, my stats were between 10 and 16, so +1 could feel significant…?

Minjun was about to explain, but then…

“Nah, never mind.”

“You said you raised these well. Then you have to tell me!”

“So these are the peanuts that raise stats, huh…”

“Hey!”

Sigh.

Even though we’re twins, I really can’t understand him.

Or maybe because we’re twins, I feel like this is exactly how he is.

“I never heard you can check grades before?”

“Actually, you can see grades and detailed info too.”

“What?! Don’t item inspection devices cost a fortune to use? You should’ve told me earlier, I could’ve brought some unchecked gear.”

“Crops are limited though. You can’t see other stuff no matter how hard you try.”

“You should’ve told me that earlier!”

And he didn’t say a word beforehand.

And why tell him now when he’s this excited?

I like teasing him and watching him react.

“Enough. Anyway, these peanuts raise stats even if eaten raw, right? Eat them now?”

“Yeah, you can eat them.”

Minjun popped both peanuts into his mouth with the shells still on.

“Ugh. Not that tasty. The shell is dry and flaky.”

“Ha, who eats peanuts with the shells on…”

Ignorant guy.

He chewed and swallowed, half-listening.

“Status Window.”

“Huh? You can see your Status Window?”

“Of course. Someone talented like me is special from the start of Awakening.”

He stared into the air, carefully checking his Status Window for any changes.

Not all Awakened can see their Status Window.

That’s why they have to visit the Association of Superhumans to check their stats and info.

But even so, there are some Awakened like me who can see theirs — usually the world-famous ones, though the exact criteria are unknown.

“I can see mine too, you know? Cocky bastard.”

“What? You? Why didn’t you say? If I’d known, people would’ve fought to recruit you.”

“So what? I don’t have any combat skills. There was that too…”

Look at him pretending not to hear.

“Your Stamina really did go up… by 2.”

“Told you.”

Then Minjun spotted something strange and rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

“Huh? Force also went up by 1? Why?”

Force? Oh, maybe it’s because I ate eggs last time? Don’t you check your Status Window often?”

How can a Hunter be so careless about their Status Window…?

“Unless it’s a special case like this, there’s no reason to check. And eggs increase stats too…”

He hurriedly urged me to bring eggs by grade, eyes full of expectation.

He looked like he was ready to chew raw eggshells.

“Don’t do that, I’ll cook for you. A Hunter shouldn’t get so excited so easily.”

I finally calmed him down and sat him at the table.

“Yeah, you got a bit too excited. But this is really unbelievable.”

“Okay, okay. Here, eat up.”

I placed one boiled egg and two fried eggs on a plate in front of Minjun.

“Ketchup.”

“What ketchup? Just eat it. You’re not a kid.”

“Ah! You know I don’t eat fried eggs without ketchup! You know how I like it?”

Hmph…

Even though he’s over thirty, he’s still a kid.

He’s usually so stoic, but he fusses over these trivial things.

I wonder what my Hunter colleagues would say if they saw this…

In the end, I drew ketchup in a 😀 smiley face before Minjun took bites of the fried eggs one by one.

If you’re going to do that, just squirt it on messily. What’s with the smiley face? Seriously.

“When are you going back to Seoul? I need to go finalize the egg contract soon.”

“Contract? Not selling at the Auction House? You wouldn’t just sell them off like a fool, even though they have stats attached?”

Ouch.

Since this was my first contract, I had planned to accept a decent price.

Besides, I knew the market restaurant owner personally.

“Never mind. It’s not the first time. There should be an Auction House in Gangwon too.”

Minjun searched on his smartphone for a moment.

“Found it. Association of Superhumans Auction House Gangwon Branch.”

“Auction House?”

The Association of Superhumans Auction House is where you can trade items suitable for Awakened.

Sellers can choose whether to reveal their identity or stay anonymous.

Though anyone can use it, it’s called the Superhuman Auction House because of the nature of the items traded.

When you register items for sale, staff appraise them and set a minimum value.

If the grade is appropriate, the item is included in the auction list with a sequence number.

The auction takes place in Incheon, but items can be registered at branches in various provinces.

“So what do I tell the person I was going to contract with? I want to trade just this once.”

“No way. Each of these is precious to at least one Hunter.”

Unlike selfish Hunters, Minjun believed all Hunters had to grow stronger to clear dungeons threatening the Earth.

Especially since there are no S-Grade Hunters in the country yet, leaving many S-Grade dungeons uncleared.

“Ha. Alright, then. I’ll go meet and explain in person.”

“First, let’s stop by the auction house. I have my own schedule too.”

“What’s the auction fee like?”

Since we’d decided to sell there, I asked about details.

“The higher your membership grade, the lower the fee. Since this is your first sale and the items are eggs and peanuts, you’re probably Bronze grade. That means about a 10% fee.”

Grades are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and VIP.

Fees are 10%, 5%, 2%, and 0% respectively.

It doesn’t seem like a huge cut at first glance.

But since there are only four levels, it’s hard to rank up, and VIP is only selected by the auction house.

To rank up, you have to meet a certain number of purchases and sales for each grade.

“10%?! Isn’t that way too much?”

“Safe transactions guaranteed, identity protection possible, and if your item gets damaged or lost during storage, you get twice the expected value as compensation. If you don’t like it, then you have to rank up.”

And since the trading price isn’t low, even after 10% cuts, the final amount is surprisingly good.

“Hurry up and get ready.”

“What? You said you had a schedule?”

Minjun clicked his tongue and urged me to hurry.

In the end, he decided to go with me since it was my first time at the Association of Superhumans Auction House.

Said I was getting taken for a fool or something.

The Gangwon branch is located in Hongcheon.

Since I’d never left the village after coming to Chilcheon-ri, I couldn’t help but feel excited.