A change had occurred in the Porti, the plant known for its healing properties imported from the Elven world.
“Wow, it’s blooming? I never heard Kasia say that Porti flowers bloom. It’s really beautiful.”
The day I crossed into the Elven world to gather Porti, the smaller ones looked like weeds and the larger ones resembled mugwort, making it difficult to tell them apart.
They were that common, but the Porti I had grown bore thick and sturdy long stems and broad leaves as large as a palm, crowned with magnificent flowers.
Especially, the flower’s vivid red color, intense and clear like fresh blood, seemed as if it would bleed when crushed.
If a Vampire saw this flower, they would surely love it.
It was like a perfect match for their taste.
When I smelled the flower’s scent, contrary to its splendid appearance, it gave off a slightly fishy odor.
Not really my style.
“It must be fully grown, right? Would these also count as agricultural products?”
Like other crops, or rather, even more carefully tended than most other crops.
“Just in case, let’s dig up one root.”
Since I had planted plenty of seeds, the field was lush with them.
So, digging up one root as a test wouldn’t hurt.
I picked up a hoe and carefully scraped the soil around what I guessed was the root.
The roots went deeper than I expected, continuing to stretch further as I dug.
When the roots finally thinned out, I gently pulled it out and shook off the dirt.
[Porti-B-]
A wild herb.
Grows ruggedly in the wild and develops the ability to purify and heal through filtering out various impurities in the process.
Cultivated artificially in a field rather than wild, so its ability is weaker than wild specimens but gradually adapting to the environment.
Special Crop Effects: ?? (Flower), ?? (Leaf), ?? (Root)
Fortunately, the Information Window popped up, so it seemed classified as an agricultural product.
Maybe because it was cultivated rather than truly wild?
Unfortunately, it was rated B-.
I had hoped for a higher rating since it even bloomed flowers, but it was just an ordinary level.
However, reading the Information Window in detail hinted that if Porti adapted well to the environment, its grade could increase.
It also showed that the special crop effects were divided among flower, leaf, and root.
“Hmmm… Why the question marks?”
It seemed locked, like a Sympathy Skill that requires certain conditions to unlock communication.
Just like the tiny seeds hidden behind the leaves, might there be something hidden in the flowers too?
Using my thumb and forefinger, I carefully plucked the entire flower, including its calyx.
“Huh?”
Then, the “??” in front of the flower effect in the Information Window updated to “Recovery.”
Next, as I peeled off one leaf after another attached to the stem, the “??” changed to “Healing.”
Lastly, when I snapped off the leafless part of the root stem, “Purification” appeared.
“It’s not just an effect that recovers wounds.”
The elves couldn’t see the Information Window, so all their knowledge came from experience passed down through generations.
According to this information, I could make potions far more powerful than those I’d imagined.
“I need to harvest before the flowers fall.”
If I separate the flower, leaf, and root for storage, it will be easier to categorize but they will wither quickly.
Freezing them would be ideal, but since I planted so many, I couldn’t fit them all in the freezer.
It’s better to harvest and store them whole to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
“How’s the research on potion making going?”
I should contact Baek Seonwoo first.
If I tell her about the effects each part of the Porti has, the research might speed up.
Ding-dong~
I was watering the growing crops when my smartphone buzzed.
There was no one in my contacts I would call just to chat.
So it had to be a business contact, or Minjun.
I paused and checked the message.
[A message has arrived from Kim Sanghyun.]
Oh! The long-awaited message was finally here.
[Greetings. This is Kim Sanghyun, in charge of the Gangwon Branch of the Auction House.
All the items you previously registered have been sold.
I would like to share the details, so please call me at your earliest convenience.]
Good news at last.
I finished watering the plants and hurried inside.
“Hello, this is Do Minho. Yes, yes. What? How much?! One… trillion?!”
The sales amount Kim Sanghyun told me over the phone for the eggs and peanuts.
I had never seen or handled such a huge sum of money before, so it was hard to believe.
Of course, this was the total amount for all the eggs and peanuts I had registered.
They didn’t dump all the stock at once but sold the eggs and peanuts divided across the five-day auction.
Kim Sanghyun estimated the price per unit would be about 1 billion won.
But I thought not everything would go that well, so even if it was less, I wouldn’t be disappointed.
Yet the selling price of two trays of eggs and five kilograms of peanuts reached one trillion won.
Usually, the last day of an auction features the rarest and most expensive items as a finale.
That day, rich buyers would briefly appear, and no time wasted was considered a loss.
But the eggs and peanuts sold on the first day had already gained such a reputation that even the usually quiet second day was packed.
By the way, I had to collect the sales money in person.
It seemed that it was because of the amount.
Is it really okay for me to go in person?
What if I get robbed on the street, or lose it by accident…!
‘I’m at a loss. Suddenly having such a huge amount, I don’t even know where or how to spend it.’
Whatever.
Anyway, with that money, I’m officially rich!
Even if I receive 1 billion won in cash, it would weigh 20kg if all in 50,000 won bills.
Then, a hundred times that is… 2,000kg?
Can I really carry that?
Even as a Hunter…
I was still unsure what to do when another smartphone notification came in.
Ding-dong~
[This is Kim Sanghyun.
I forgot to mention earlier.
You don’t necessarily have to take it in cash.
If you come and verify your bank account, we can transfer the amount immediately.
Also, if you want to receive cash, please come by taxi.
Other options are prepared as well.]
Phew.
I hadn’t told him I had no car, but he thoughtfully considered the customer’s situation and offered options.
I hadn’t met other receptionists, but I liked Kim Sanghyun’s handling and felt lucky to have met him.
‘I want to go right away, but I should keep the account alive first.’
After choosing to farm, I rarely used cash, so all my usual accounts had become dormant.
It would be better to restore my bank account to receive the sales money.
I couldn’t keep such a huge amount in cash anyway.
Heh heh heh.
There was still time before lunch.
I quickly changed into my going-out clothes, grabbed my ID, and headed to town.
Restoring a dormant account didn’t take long.
Filling out forms, submitting documents, and done.
Now it was time to collect the payment from the auction house.
It was almost lunchtime, but lunch didn’t matter.
I took a taxi to the Gangwon Branch of the auction house in Hongcheon.
When I arrived, unlike my previous visit, a large crowd was gathered at the building’s entrance.
I thought Hongcheon wasn’t that popular?
Then my phone rang.
“This is Kim Sanghyun.
Sorry for the trouble, and I apologize in advance.
Don’t answer the phone, but please walk around to the right outside the building and come to the back.
I’ll be waiting there.”
Since the entrance was crowded with people, it seemed they wanted to guide me through another door.
Following Kim Sanghyun’s instructions, I went around the building and found him waiting with an apologetic expression.
“Do Minho, long time no see.
Come on, let’s get inside first.”
“Yes, long time.”
When I got off the taxi, I was fine, but my heart began pounding the moment I saw Kim Sanghyun.
One trillion…
My one trillion…
I barely controlled my trembling heart as I followed Sanghyun to the VIP room.
The interior hadn’t changed since last time, but my situation was very different.
“I can’t believe it. One trillion won.
Even when I heard it might be about one billion won each, I didn’t think it was possible, but this is far more…”
“You’re right to think so.
But its value will gradually decrease.”
“Oh, yes.
Since there is a limit to how many times it can be consumed, fewer Hunters will want to buy it.”
“That’s not a problem.
Hunters will keep emerging.
The issue is, all the eggs were fertilized.
And the peanuts were in a state where, if planted, they could grow into blood peanuts.
Someone will definitely think to cultivate them.”
I hadn’t thought of that.
Just like I raised the chicks, and planted the blood peanuts I bought, others could do the same.
But could they be considered new breeds?
“That’s true.
But I don’t think they can be grown exactly the same.
Even I used ordinary breeds bought on the market, not special varieties.”
“Then we can say they evolved thanks to your abilities.
That’s a relief.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
“It’s because the quality and effects of your products are excellent.
Did you see the crowd waiting outside the auction house?
Do you know why they gathered?”
Why was he asking me?
Aren’t they gathered to register their items?
“They are all looking for the sellers of the eggs and peanuts.
They’re requesting that your identity be revealed.
Of course, our auction house guarantees strict identity protection.”
So all those people were after me.
That explained why they led me through the back door.
Good decision.
Sanghyun clapped once and drew everyone’s attention.
“Now, let’s get to the main topic: the payment.”
Sanghyun presented three options.
First, take the 100 billion won in cash as is.
Since transport was inconvenient, he personally would drive me home safely in a Emar or Abangyi.
Second, have the full amount transferred directly to my bank account.
Third, create a VIP member card at the auction house, transfer the entire sum there, and just carry the card home.
“Are there benefits to making a VIP member card?”
“You’re already a VIP, but only at the Gangwon Branch.
If you get a VIP member card, you’ll receive VIP treatment at all branches of the Superhuman Auction House.
One-on-one support from a dedicated staff member, participation in auctions from an exclusive VIP room, free use of all facilities in the auction house, and more.
Please refer to the pamphlet for details.”
I read the pamphlet Sanghyun handed me.
There were even more benefits beyond what he mentioned.
Decent perks included anonymous registration at other branches and notification features when desired items are registered.
Not bad.
“What will you choose?”
I had told Minjun about the rumored measures to protect seller information at the auction.
There were even rumors that stolen or murder-obtained items could be registered while keeping secrecy.
That meant it was trustworthy.
“The VIP member card seems best.
Can it be linked to my bank account?”
“Of course.
Then we will keep your seller information confidential, transfer the cash to the VIP card, and link it to your account.”
I declined Sanghyun’s offer to personally escort me home.
With all this money, I could just call a taxi.
When I returned home, I felt something was missing.
What had I forgotten?
I went outside for a walk.
Goldie came up to me and spoke.
(Owner, what are you thinking about so intently?)
“Goldie, you’re here.
I feel like I forgot something, but I can’t quite remember.”
Goldie gave a clever suggestion.
(Then go over what you did today.)
Smart bird.
Goldie was definitely an intelligent chicken.
I woke up this morning, washed up, fed the chickens, and watered the crops.
And the Porti… ah!
“I remember now! Thanks, Goldie.”
I immediately pulled out my phone and called Baek Seonwoo.
Ring ring ring
“Seonwoo! How have you been?
Yeah, it’s been a while.”
She sounded glad to hear from me, but her voice lacked strength, as if the research wasn’t progressing well.
“The Porti research isn’t going well?”
As expected.
Despite various attempts, they couldn’t strengthen the Porti’s healing power.
With the current effects, only minor wounds could be healed, which wasn’t enough for potions.
No progress in potion making, but there was a new discovery.
Though the exact nature was unclear, it seemed the root contained a power other than healing.
“Oh! That’s what I was going to talk about.
We’ve learned new things about Porti.”
Seonwoo’s voice held a desperation, as if clutching at straws.
Potion creation was her heartfelt wish.
“The ability in the root you mentioned is ‘Purification.’
I confirmed it through emotions, so it’s accurate.
Also, I didn’t know before, but the Porti blooms flowers.
This might help a lot.”
“Flowers?” Seonwoo’s voice, which was once desperate, now filled with hope.
“Yes.
And this flower’s effect is recovery.
So it enhances the user’s recovery ability.”
Being a researcher, she understood quickly.
Since the lab was quite far, she said she couldn’t come right away but would be at Chilcheon-ri first thing tomorrow morning.
Her voice sounded like she was barely holding back from coming immediately.
I told her to come carefully and ended the call.
Meanwhile, to prepare for guests and keep promises, I headed to the market to do some shopping.