MMORPG: REBORN MARK ADVENTURE IN ONLINE GAME

Alex grinned as he stepped away from the auction terminal, gripping the Red Fang Ledger. He had done it. The guild would be pleased. Sophie would be pleased.

Without hesitation, he pulled up his guild interface and sent a direct call.

Connection established.

A moment later, her voice came through—calm, sharp, and cold.

"Report."

Alex straightened instinctively, like a soldier before his commander. He was not her equal. He was her guild's dog.

"I got it," he said quickly. "Five gold, just like you wanted."

Silence.

Then a soft hum of approval. "Good. Bring it back. We'll decide how to use it later."

Alex smirked. He had done his job. Maybe Sophie would finally acknowledge him. Maybe, just maybe, he'd earn more than her usual cold indifference.

As he turned to leave, his eyes flicked across the auction board—

[Silver Alchemy Furnace]

Bidding Price: 2 Gold

Buyout Price: 8 Gold

A high-tier crafting station. Something that could mass-produce potions.

Something Dark Solution could use to control the alchemy market.

His fingers moved before he could think, switching back to the call.

"Hey, Sophie. There's a Silver Alchemy Furnace on auction. Two gold starting bid, eight gold buyout. Want me to bid?"

Silence.

Then, a soft, sharp laugh. Cold. Amused.

"Bid?" she scoffed. "No. Buy it. Immediately."

Alex froze. His stomach twisted.

"I… I only have two gold left."

Disdain laced her voice instantly. "Then sell something, idiot. What do I even keep you around for?"

His grip on the ledger tightened.

She didn't even hesitate. She didn't care that he was nearly broke.

"I-I have healing herbs, but—"

"Sell all of them. One silver per stack. Now."

Alex's heart sank. One silver per stack? That was way below market price.

It was practically giving them away.

He hesitated. Just for a second.

"Did you not hear me?" Sophie's voice turned sharp, cutting. "Do it, or get lost."

The way she said it—like he was worthless. Like he was replaceable.

Alex clenched his teeth.

He had no choice.

Opening his inventory, he dumped every stack of healing herbs onto the market at one silver each.

The moment he confirmed the sale, the stacks vanished.

Players swarmed them instantly, probably laughing at the fool who had undersold premium alchemy materials.

His gold counter ticked up, but it didn't feel like a victory.

It felt like humiliation.

Still, he did as he was told. Like the good guild dog he was.

Raven leaned against the back wall of the Auction House, watching the chaos unfold.The Red Fang Ledger had turned the auction floor into a battleground. Nobles hurled insult-laced bids at one another, each determined to claim the prize before someone else could. Players, seeing the potential for blackmail and leverage, were getting involved too, trying to secure the ledger to sell it at a later time.It was exactly the kind of chaos Raven had hoped for.But while everyone else was distracted, something else caught his attention.A massive flood of healing herbs had just hit the market.[Healing Herb – 1 Silver per Stack][Quantity: 200 Stacks]Raven's eyes narrowed.One silver per stack? That was beyond ridiculous.Healing herbs were a staple for alchemists and combatants alike. Normally, they went for 5 to 7 silver per stack on a slow day, and in a lawless place like Viles Town, where people fought daily, the demand was always high.But this?This was a goldmine.Something clicked in Raven's mind.He wasn't the only one who noticed. Some sharp-eyed traders had already started snapping up stacks, likely assuming some fool had accidentally undercut the market.But Raven knew better.This wasn't just a bad deal. This was an act of pure desperation.And then it hit him.In a few hours, these herbs wouldn't just be worth 5 silver per stack.They'd be worth 10 silver. Maybe even 15.Because Garrett was dead.And once word got out?Viles Town would explode into chaos.Rival gangs would scramble to fill the power vacuum. The nobles would panic, each fearing that the next assassination target could be them. Players? They'd start fighting in the streets, exploiting the situation for experience, money, and influence.And in a city teetering on the edge of all-out war, healing items would become more valuable than gold.Raven's grin widened.Oh… right. They still don't know.Whoever dumped these herbs clearly had no idea that everything was about to change.He glanced at his pouch, feeling the comforting weight of 6 gold coins. The loot from Garrett, plus his own funds, put him in an excellent position.And he wasn't going to waste this opportunity.Without a second of hesitation, Raven began purchasing every single stack.Silver vanished from his balance as he bought in bulk, one after another, until—[Market Stock: 0]He had taken everything.Not a single herb remained at that absurd price. The next cheapest listing was now 5 silver per stack, and once those were gone, the prices would skyrocket.Raven chuckled to himself.Whoever sold these herbs? They were going to regret it.And him?He was about to get very, very rich.

Raven smirked as he closed the market tab. His gamble on the healing herbs was set—soon, their price would skyrocket, and he'd profit massively.But as he scanned the auction listings, something else caught his eye.[Silver Alchemy Furnace]Bidding Price: 2 GoldBuyout Price: 8 GoldA high-tier alchemy crafting station. Perfect for mass-producing potions, a goldmine for any alchemist or guild.Raven barely hesitated.Bid Placed: 4 Gold.A notification popped up:"You are now the highest bidder."His grin widened. If no one outbid him, he'd walk away with an incredibly valuable item at half the buyout price.And if someone did? It would only drive up demand—either way, he'd win.---On the Other Side—Alex's PanicMeanwhile, Alex was spiraling.His stomach dropped as he saw the new bid."No, no, no! Who the hell just bid 4 gold?!"He only had 2 gold left!His hands shook as he fumbled with his guild interface and called Sophie.The line connected."What do you want now?" Sophie's tone was already filled with irritation."T-The furnace!" Alex stammered. "Someone bid 4 gold! I don't have enough!"Silence.Then, Sophie laughed.Not a pleasant laugh. A cold, mocking laugh."You useless pig."Alex flinched. "I—""I told you to buy it immediately. But no. You hesitated. You wasted time. And now someone else has it. Are you actually braindead?"His face burned with shame. "I-I just need more gold—"Sophie clicked her tongue. "Pathetic. If you can't even handle this, what use are you?"Alex clenched his fists.He couldn't fail. Not when he'd spent so long proving himself."Please, Sophie! Just give me a chance—"Sophie exhaled sharply, as if debating whether or not to waste another second on him.Then, she made a decision."Fine. Liam has a rare skill book. Originally, I planned to use it on an expert player, but thanks to your incompetence, I have to sell it instead. Go find him and make sure it sells for gold. If you mess this up too, don't bother showing your face again."Click.The call cut off.Alex exhaled sharply, swallowing his frustration.Not only had he screwed up, but now his mistake had cost the guild a valuable resource.He had no choice. He had to find Liam.And fast.

Alex practically sprinted through the streets of Viles Town, his heart hammering in his chest. Every second wasted was another chance for someone else to outbid him on the Silver Alchemy Furnace.

His breath came in sharp gasps as he reached the marketplace and scanned the crowd.

Where the hell is Liam?

Then, he spotted him.

Liam stood near a makeshift stall, arms crossed, leaning against a wooden crate. Unlike Alex, he looked completely at ease—as if he wasn't about to make a game-changing sale.

Alex pushed through the crowd.

"Liam!" he hissed, trying to keep his voice low.

Liam barely spared him a glance. "You look like shit."

Alex ignored the insult. "Sophie sent me. She said you're selling the skill book. How much?"

Liam finally looked at him properly, his gaze sharp. "You're in a hurry. That bad, huh?"

Alex gritted his teeth. "Just tell me the price."

Liam smirked. "Five gold."

Alex's stomach dropped.

"Five gold? Are you insane?! I barely have two!"

Liam shrugged. "Not my problem. This book was meant for an expert, remember? Sophie is only selling it because of your screw-up. You think she's just gonna give it away for nothing?"

Alex gripped his hair.

He needed that gold. If he didn't get it, he wouldn't win the furnace. If he lost the furnace, Sophie would kill him.

His mind raced for options.

"What if—" He swallowed. "What if I find a buyer for more? I sell it at a markup and take a cut?"

Liam raised a brow. "You? You think you can find a buyer willing to overpay?"

Alex was desperate, but he wasn't stupid.

The auction house was in chaos because of that ledger. Every major guild and noble faction was watching the market. Someone—someone—had to be looking for a rare skill book.

And if he played it right?

He could flip it for more.

Liam studied him for a long moment.

Then, with a chuckle, he tossed the skill book at Alex.

[Rare Skill Book – ???]

"Fine. You have fifteen minutes." Liam smirked. "Sell it for more, or I'm taking the gold straight from your hide."

Alex didn't wait.

He turned and bolted toward the auction house.

Fifteen minutes. One sale.

If he failed?

He was finished.