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 Residency Rights and bring people in.

You can make self-sufficiency possible through farming.

And if there is one more function, it is 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 ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) 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 1 through 4?

Of course you would 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, and 8th floors...

You might run into survivors.

Then you just rescue them.

Grant them Residency Rights, issued for a minimum of 1 kg of top-grade Magic Stones.

For that reason, the dimensional auction house on the 5th floor of the White Tower was the easiest way to secure top-grade Magic Stones.

“An auction house on the 5th floor of the White Tower... I never would have imagined it.”

“Hmm, that is not quite right.”

“It’s not?”

“It is more like a terminal.”

That was right.

Juhyeok agreed with Gyeon Dallae’s words.

Even if you went to the 5th floor of the White Tower, you still had to take a Link Gate to reach the Dimensional Traveler–Exclusive Auction House.

The 5th floor was only a relay station.

The real Dimensional Traveler–Exclusive Auction House must be somewhere no one knew.

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 had thought no one would even glance at it.

But he was wrong.

Accessory: Katek Flip Grand Complete Wristwatch

Current bid: 6,203 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Looking at the details:

Starting bid: 1,000 kg of top-grade Magic 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 did not understand.

Was that really worth that many Magic Stones?

“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 will 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 Magic Stones was absurdly expensive.

Watching it would not change the bid anyway.

Maybe it was 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 are even Great Return Pills. I never thought I would see those in an auction.”

“Hm, even I would want a staff made from Demon Realm wood.”

“That thing listed as the Demon King’s Heart—do you think it is real?”

“They are even selling Blood Crystals. Sounds delicious.”

Ding!

<Mari>: Jin wants gold ingots♡

Yeah.

Mark them one by one.

Once the money came in, he would bid and buy them immediately.

On the other hand, there were items he could not even consider.

Droplet of Creation, Primordial Flame, Breath of Light, Dust of Origin...

They were so expensive he could not even look at them.

One of them stood out.

Divine Item: World Tree Sapling

Current bid: 2,000,000,000 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Two billion kilograms.

Was that even a real number?

It was just a tree. Why was it that expensive?

He had heard of the World Tree several times while climbing the Tower.

Their shut-in alchemist Mari would know.

She was 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.

Their LSSR farmer, Duu, would love that.

Should they buy it and plant it?

But what happened if an elf left the World Tree?

Like Mari.

<Mari>: Gradually, they lose their identity as elves. Not right away—but someday.

“Hmm.”

They really should plant a World Tree on White Tower Floor 17.

For Mari and Duu, at least.

The problem was 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 would not be this expensive.

<Mari>: Except in extremely rare cases where it differentiates into a sapling out of necessity.

Now he understood why it was so expensive.

But could they even afford it?

Guess I’ll have to sell items diligently.

The watch’s bidding price still was not moving much.

It had clearly entered a stagnant phase.

“It’ll be hard to pass 10,000.”

Then—

“Hmmm.”

Cossack 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 came.

Auctioneer Cossack.

“Of course you should.”

“Much obliged.”

Cossack began his analysis.

“No idea how many dimensional travelers there are, but they are 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?”

Cossack 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 was 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 meant the Katek 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 ended, how would he even receive the Magic Stones?

They would not just fall from the sky.

Well, he was sure there was 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: Katek Flip Grand Complete Wristwatch

Current bid: 6,411 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Still hovering in the 6,000 range.

Let’s head home.

After he slept, 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 entities were clustered tightly in front of the status panel, fully absorbed.

Unbelievable.

They were completely hooked.

Seemed like they were 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 would be plenty.

Even that would be more than enough.

Who would have thought dimensional travelers would be interested in a wristwatch with no magical functions at all?

Had they never been to Earth?

They called themselves dimensional travelers.

If they wanted Earth goods, why not just go there?

They were parallel universes, right?

There should be countless Earths with the same civilization—

Wait.

A thought struck him.

No.

Maybe not.

Maybe there were not that many.

There might have been before.

Their 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 Earths connected to the 3rd and 4th floors.

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 had even heard there was no Black Tower there.

Well, of course.

In a world where immortals bowed in reverence, there was no way a Black Tower would dare appear.

If it did, the Sword Immortal and the Great Sage Equal to Heaven would have ripped the entire Tower out by the roots.

Let’s go check the bid.

SPOT!

Juhyeok entered White Tower Floor 17.

The summoned entities were still gathered in front of the board.

Had they been here this whole time?

The auction status—

About one hour remaining.

Current bid: 7,207 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Yes!

Over 7,000.

Heh. With that, I can bid on other items too—

Suddenly—

“Summoner Bong.”

Cossack spoke with a tense expression.

“Yes?”

“It is about to start.”

“Start what?”

“One hour and one minute remain 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 Magic 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 Magic Stones

The next bidder, who had bid 7,199 kg, also canceled.

Current bid: 7,010 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Another cancellation.

Current bid: 6,888 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

“Damn it.”

Current bid: 6,507 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

It kept sliding down.

Current bid: 5,622 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

What the hell.

This was like a stock hitting the daily lower limit.

Were they all canceling in a chain?

At this rate, it would hit rock bottom.

But Cossack’s expression did not change at all.

He stared sharply at the status board.

“Twenty seconds left until cancellation closes.”

After twenty seconds, bids could no longer be canceled.

The highest bidder would be forced to take the watch.

Please.

No more cancellations.

It was already in the 4,000 range.

He had thought he would get 7,000 kg.

Three thousand had evaporated in an instant.

“Countdown starting. Ten, nine, eight... four, three, two, one.”

The last moment.

“Zero.”

Cancellation locked.

The current amount?

Current bid: 4,517 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Phew.

Thank goodness.

At the very least, he would get 4,500 kg.

That alone was huge.

4,517 kg of top-grade Magic Stones meant 4,517 Residency Rights cards.

He was more than satisfied.

And then—

Squirm.

The number on the auction board moved again.

Current bid: 5,017 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

“...Huh?”

The bid jumped by 500 kg in an instant.

Tap!

Current bid: 5,517 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Another 500.

Gulp.

Juhyeok swallowed hard.

Something was happening.

Cossack seemed to sense it too.

He sprang to his feet, pointing at the numbers on the board.

“Go! Katek 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: Katek Flip Grand Complete Wristwatch

Current bid: 6,044 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

It passed 6,000.

Current bid: 10,874 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

It broke 10,000.

Current bid: 21,115 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Over 20,000.

Current bid: 30,052 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

It 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, their generous big spenders.

As a fellow dimensional traveler, he truly respected them.

Spend more.

More, more, more! 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Current bid: 54,114 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

Ohhh yeah.

It just kept going up.

Relentlessly.

Blink once, and the number leapt by thousands.

One hour passed in a flash.

And the final result?

[The Katek Flip Grand Complete Wristwatch has been sold.]

Final price: 104,397 kg of top-grade Magic 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 Magic Stones.”

“We’ll wait here.”

“Don’t worry about us. Go comfortably.”

FWOOSH!

Stepping into the Link Gate that led to the Dimensional Traveler–Exclusive Auction House—

“Hm.”

No one here?

What if he ran into the dimensional traveler who bought the watch?

“...No one.”

They would not let them meet.

If they could meet here, auctions would be meaningless.

They would just trade face-to-face.

“Where was my locker again?”

There.

His locker was shining.

He could not even touch the others.

There were no name tags, either.

Creak.

Juhyeok opened the locker.

“Huh?”

Several tickets were visible inside the payout space.

Nine red tickets and 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 Magic Stones. The white ticket contains 3,958 kg of top-grade Magic Stones.]

[Once sufficient space is secured, tearing the ticket will grant the Magic Stones.]

“Like subspace tickets, huh?”

But the math did not add up.

That totaled 93,958 kg.

The final bid was 104,397 kg.

[Approximately 10% has been deducted as an auction fee.]

...

There was a fee too.

Well, the auction house had to make a living.

“Do the tickets go into the inventory?”

Slip.

“They do.”

Next, all that was left was listing another item for auction.

There was something he wanted to test.

Juhyeok removed the bracelet from his wrist.

Rajix 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 Magic Stones

“...What?”

Only 1 kg?

That was the minimum.

They were lowballing it this hard?

On Earth, it was so popular they could not 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 Magic Stones

After 10 minutes.

Current bid: 1 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

After 20 minutes.

Current bid: 1 kg of top-grade Magic 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.

Could he 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 would not 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 was even used.

The one Cossack had 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 Magic Stones

Different from the start.

And the moment it was registered—

Current bid: 1,078 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

The bids began climbing rapidly.

Current bid: 1,545 kg of top-grade Magic Stones

The response was explosive.