The F-Rank Guild Master Has Too Much Money Chapter 39

 

 

All hunters—except for production specialists like Park Young-jun—had to undergo live combat tests. After all, no matter how impressive one’s abilities looked on paper, they were meaningless if they couldn’t be used properly inside a dungeon.

 

On top of that, a person’s true nature often showed itself in the field, making dungeon trials an essential requirement. Of course, Choi Tae-hyuk was an S-rank, and I already knew everything he had accomplished before my regression, so I granted him immediate approval.

 

As for the others, I needed to test them before making a decision.

 

“I guess I’ll have to buy a dungeon.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“…Buy a dungeon? Wouldn’t just requesting a raid be enough?”

 

“What’s the point of money if you don’t use it? This is exactly the time to spend it.”

 

I pushed myself out of my chair, my body stiff from sitting too long. Honestly, I wanted to slack off, but there was no time for that.

 

Today was the day dungeons were going up for auction. I had wanted to buy one when I registered Ji Yun-seo, but since sales were only allowed during scheduled auctions, I’d been forced to return empty-handed.

 

“Bring back a good one,” Gumiho called, waving as we left.

 

With Choi Tae-hyuk by my side, I headed to the Hunter Association’s auction house.

 

☆ It’s Auction has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Another auction? What are you planning to buy this time?

 

☆ Dungeon has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Aether’s buying a dungeon! We told him to walk the path of money with the mana stones we gave him… and now he’s actually buying one. Sniff. It feels good to be a supporter.

 

This auction featured a Grade A Ant Nest, an S-rank Desert, and a Grade B Sea Dungeon, all prime for testing. To secure them, I’d already been quietly converting Mana Stones into cash.

 

‘I won’t let anyone else take them.’

 

* * *

 

Outside the Hunter Association, reporters swarmed the entrance—no surprise, given the auction of the Ant Nest dungeon where the S-rank Queen Ant had once appeared. The moment we stepped out of the car, they rushed at us.

 

“Are you participating in today’s auction?”

 

“You’re an F-rank—how did you clear an S-rank dungeon alone?”

 

“How does it feel to become the guild master of two S-rank hunters?”

 

“There are rumors you’ve locked up Ji Yun-seo. Care to comment?”

 

“Some criticize Ji Yun-seo for not working as a hunter despite awakening. What’s your stance?”

 

The barrage of questions and flashing cameras made me scowl, but Choi Tae-hyuk shielded me, pushing a path through the reporters. I followed close behind in silence until we slipped inside the building—only to face more reporters.

 

These ones, at least, weren’t shouting questions. They simply took photos from a distance.

 

“Thanks.”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

After thanking him, I grabbed a bidding paddle and scanned the hall. Representatives from major guilds filled the seats, but the one who caught my attention was Lee So-mi of the Kyunghee Guild. With her long hair tied in a ponytail, she came over with a friendly smile.

 

“Hello!”

 

“Hello.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk gave only a curt nod. Undeterred, Lee So-mi extended her hand.

 

“I heard you’ve become a guild master. I look forward to working with you.”

 

I wasn’t sure what she meant by working together, but since I had no desire to antagonize Kyunghee Guild, I accepted the handshake. I expected her to return to her seat, but instead she sat down right beside me.

 

“…Why are you sitting here?”

 

“I’m only here to watch.”

 

“You’re not entering a dungeon?”

 

“I went a few days ago, so I’m on break. Are you here to buy one today?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And this is Mr. Choi Tae-hyuk?”

 

…Was she interested in him? Or trying to scout him for Kyunghee Guild? Her gaze shifted from me to him.

 

“I’m Lee So-mi, an S-rank greatsword hunter. Nice to meet you.”

 

“Yes. I’m Choi Tae-hyuk.”

 

“I heard you turned down our guild and chose Yeon Guild instead.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Was there a reason?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Despite his short, blunt responses, Lee So-mi didn’t give up. As she continued speaking to Choi Tae-hyuk, I turned my head to look around. Thanks to the necklace from the Ant Nest, not only domestic guilds but also foreign hunters were present.

 

By law, dungeon information wasn’t supposed to leak before auctions, but the Queen Ant’s necklace was valuable enough for people to risk breaking rules.

 

“Guild Master Ji Yeon-woo, are you really participating in the A-rank Ant Nest auction?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“I was there a few days ago. The Queen Ant didn’t respawn.”

 

“I know.”

 

“You… know it didn’t respawn?”

 

Instead of answering, I looked toward the stage. The auctioneer had just begun on a low-tier C-rank dungeon. Small guilds prized such dungeons, so the bidding dragged out.

 

Finally, after the C-rank sales ended, the B-rank Sea Dungeon I’d been waiting for appeared. Despite mostly containing C-rank monsters, it had a coastal setting, a B-rank boss, and abundant resources—far from ordinary.

 

“Are you going to bid on that one?” Lee So-mi asked.

 

“Yes.”

 

I nodded, waiting for the opening call.

 

“Starting bid: 2 billion won. Minimum raises of 100 million.”

 

A fair price for smaller guilds. I raised my paddle.

 

“Six billion.”

 

My voice cut through the silence. Gasps erupted, and every eye turned toward me.

 

Triple the usual hammer price, all in one go. Since most dungeons went for roughly three times the starting bid, my jump was nothing short of outrageous.

 

☆ Awesome. has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

That decisiveness—obliterating the competition in one strike!

 

☆ That’s It has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

Is this what a high god looks like?!

 

☆ As Expected, Aether has donated 100 Mana Stones. ☆

He’s tearing the auction house apart!

 

“Six… six billion! Six billion! Next bid is six-point-five! Do I hear six-point-five?”

 

I lowered my paddle and leaned back, calm and unhurried. The hall remained silent. No one else raised their paddle.

 

“Are you crazy? That dungeon started at one billion!”

 

Ignoring Lee So-mi’s sharp whisper beside me, I kept my gaze on the auctioneer. He struck the gavel, signaling the close of bidding.

 

“Six billion! Six billion! Six billion! The B-rank Sea Dungeon is sold to Yeon Guild for six billion!”

 

And now, the real event everyone had been waiting for: the A-rank Ant Nest auction.

 

“Please, tell me—how did you know the Queen Ant hadn’t respawned?”

 

Lee So-mi whispered again in the middle of the auction. I didn’t answer, simply raising my paddle.

 

The black paddle represented ten billion. At the same time, a foreign bidder raised a red paddle representing one hundred billion. Before my regression, the Ant Nest had sold for three hundred billion. Not a small sum—but considering the Queen Ant’s necklace, it felt reasonable.

 

“We have one hundred and fifteen billion! Over there, one hundred and twenty! Increases start at ten billion!”

 

☆Us Too has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Should I try building an auction system myself?

 

☆Gods Don’t Do Auctions has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

If there’s something you want, you just make it.

 

☆True Enough has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

Sure, you could say there’s no need to join auctions if you can create what you want yourself, but honestly, this is fun.

 

The bidding, which had started at one hundred billion, was now in full swing. As the amounts climbed, the paddle colors became irrelevant. Everyone was raising their paddles. I had raised mine just to observe the bids but now casually lowered it.

 

“Have you given up on the Ant Nest?”

 

Why did Lee So-mi have so many questions? On TV, she was always a silent warrior with her greatsword. In real life, however, she was a whirlwind of curiosity.

 

Even with Choi Tae-hyuk and I giving curt replies, she never stopped asking.

 

As I watched the auction, I noticed the number of bidders drop sharply once the price passed two hundred and twenty billion. Kyunghee Guild reached their limit at two hundred and fifty billion and could raise no further.

 

“The Queen Ant’s necklace is valuable, but these prices are insane.”

 

Only the Kanghyeon Guild and a foreign guild remained. When Kanghyeon Guild bid two hundred and eighty billion, the foreign bidder hesitated and reached for their phone.

 

‘Guess it’s about time for me to step in.’

 

“Two hundred and eighty billion! Any higher offers? Two ninety—there we go!”

 

The auctioneer beamed as I raised my paddle.

 

“You’re really joining now?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Then why wait until now?”

 

“Because it’s a hassle.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

“It’s tiresome to raise every time the price goes up. Easier to do it all at once at the end.”

 

☆Keuk… has donated 100 Mana Stones.☆

I’m saving that line. Definitely going to use it someday.

 

Lee So-mi’s jaw dropped at my words. I just shrugged and kept my eyes on the auctioneer, fully aware I was drawing attention.

 

“Three hundred billion! Kanghyeon Guild has bid three hundred! Any higher offers? Three ten?”

 

Before he finished speaking, I lifted my paddle. Kanghyeon Guild was the number-one guild in the country, with seemingly endless funds.

 

So was I. Mana Stones kept piling up, and with the Amandatium from the Rabbit Dungeon, my wealth grew infinitely, whether I lifted a finger or not.

 

It was an absurd amount for a fledgling guild—but it was mine. And since I had been the first to clear the Ant Nest, I held priority in the auction.

 

‘Go on—try to top me.’

 

I looked confidently at the Kanghyeon bidder. They sighed and lowered their paddle, clearly over budget.

 

“No higher offers at three hundred and ten billion? Kanghyeon Guild stepping out? Three ten, three ten, three ten! The A-rank Ant Nest is sold to Yeon Guild for three hundred and ten billion!”

 

Bang!

 

The gavel struck, the sound echoing across the hall. A very satisfying conclusion.

 

Everyone had clearly set their sights on the Ant Nest. The remaining dungeons sold for far less, barely exceeding their starting bids. Even the S-rank Desert went cheaply—likely because no S-rank weapons had dropped there during the first raid.

 

“Well then, take care.”

 

As soon as the auction ended, I politely bid farewell to Lee So-mi and left.

 

But before I could even shake off the exhaustion from her endless questions, reporters swarmed, eager to write about the guild that had just won the Ant Nest. Luckily, they were only snapping photos, not crowding me. Once outside, though, I knew I’d be surrounded again.

 

“I’ll bring the car around. Please wait here for a moment.”

 

Choi Tae-hyuk went to fetch the car.

 

A few moments later, he returned, cutting through the mob of reporters like they were monsters. I got into the car, utterly drained.

 

“How many things have I done today already…”

 

“You need some rest.”

 

“Yes.”