I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 130: Auction House [1]

After a while, taking care of the other fairs, eating a Dorzon ice cream of each flavor to satisfy Sera's taste buds, and roaming around the city for a bit, I reached my room.

—Pooof

I fell face flat on my sofa, holding my stomach as I groaned lightly.

"Ugghu… No more ice creams…"

Seriously, why did I even make a promise like that with Sera? I didn't know she had that kind of appetite.

Flipping over, I stared at the ceiling.

Auction, huh…

Staring at the clock hanging on the wall, I noted the time. It was 8 P.M. The auction will be held at midnight 1 A.M.

I still got time.

Reading my mind, Sera reminded me.

'Did you notify your girlfriend about today's plan?'

"Ah.." Then I remembered, I have to bring a partner with me to the auction house.

Ruby must still be busy right now, so I was just planning to leave an invitation via message for now. She'll call me when she gets free.

Taking out the tickets from my pockets and studying them carefully, I noticed a few points mentioned on it:

→ Entry is restricted to couples only.

→ Formal attire is required for all guests.

→ Weapons and artifacts are strictly prohibited.

→ Both individuals in the couple must wear masks.

→ Revealing your identity in any form is not permitted.

→ All transactions must be made in cash only.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

"...What in the bullshit!" I cursed after reading it.

Now where should I get that kind of cash before the auction? Seriously, can't Amy just tell me this beforehand?

'Why are you crying?!' Sera scolded. 'You still got time—utilize it.'

This damn ghost!

'That is rude!' she retorted.

Because of her, I can't move my body right now… She was a monster when it came to eating.

Either way, I have to gather some cash before the auction. Lifting my body up, I took out an old tablet from my inventory ring.

Turning it on and typing the credentials, I opened up my bank account.

This was the same account where I put all my money, which I had earned during my time as a Rank-1.

It was a total underground bank that had no official records in any of the government databases. The working was the same as a normal bank, but the main feature that made it different from officially registered banks was that you didn't need any identification proof to open an account.

Many nobles and high-rank officials stored all their black money here, and due to this, they got funded heavily to run their banks in the black market.

Opening the messaging app, I sent out a reasonable amount which I wished to withdraw in cash. The main headquarters of its office was unknown; they would deliver the amount to your location at the time you gave them.

So, I wrote the location and the time before clicking the send button.

"…and send."

Now that the money was done, I needed to inform Ruby about tonight's plan.

Tapping on my wristband, I left a simple message for her.

[Me: Are you free after 12 tonight?]

"..."

Closing the message box, I heaved a sigh of relief. Now, I just had to wait for her repl—

—Buzz. Buzz.

The reply came immediately from her. I was now staring at the screen, before smiling after reading her reply.

[Ruby: Yeah, I'm free. Are you going anywhere?]

It's quite nice of her to directly get to the point. Placing the auction tickets in front of the screen, I captured a photo and sent her the ticket.

[Me: Photo]

[Me: I am planning to visit here tonight.]

Regarding the auction that I wish to attend, I am planning to put around a hundred fifty million in cash, and not more than that.

My budget was tight. I can't just spend billions on an auction like a madman.

Ruby's reply to the photo I sent came with a minute delay.

[Ruby: Sure, I will come with you.]

"Hm?"

I didn't even ask her to come with me, so how did she read my mind?

Racing my fingers on the screen, I typed a reply.

[Me: Are you sure? If it's too much, then we can have it postponed.]

It's not anything important, to be honest. The probability of getting a rare item in an auction was even rarer than the probability of it happening itself.

"..."

Staring at the screen, I saw her reply.

"Ugh!"

What came written on the screen made me almost fall over my sofa.

[Ruby: Why? You don't want me to?]

[Ruby: Do you have another girl beside me in your life? <Angry-face Emoji>]

Did I anger her by any chance?

Then, another message popped up.

"Haaah…" I heaved a sigh of relief, before slightly giggling to myself. "This girl…"

[Ruby: Hehehe… I will be going.]

I would've normally not liked chatting via text, but somehow, when she was the one I was messaging, I found it insanely calming.

[Me: I know you will.]

I found myself smiling with every reply she gave to my texts.

[Ruby: But we need to alter our faces.]

"Ah..!" I scoffed.

She even noticed that. Well, it's not like a single ranker such as her, who had followers of her own, would even be allowed in a place like that.

I calmly typed:

[Me: I plan to do that. But just in case, alter your hair color too.]

Her hair was the one that stood out the most. Unlike other Pyrestone citizens, she had a much darker shade of red, labeling it as blood-red crimson color.

[Ruby: Alright.]

She replied.

[Me: Great! We will meet at 12:30 outside the academy.]

[Me: Anything else you wish to ask?]

I needed to be as clear as possible. We both had experience in undercover operations, so this situation was quite similar to that.

[Ruby: Do you wish to buy anything from there?]

Her question was simple, so I replied immediately.

[Me: There are a few items I have my eyes on, so I'll buy if it's within my budget.]

If the items were beyond that, then—well, I had no interest.

[Ruby: Oh? What's your budget?]

"My budget…?"

Why was she asking that? Would she scold me if I told her my one-hundred fifty million amount?

"..."

"...Meh! I doubt that."

So, I wrote her the exact amount.

[Me: Not more than 150 mill.]

[Ruby: …alright. I will be waiting.]

Jumping off the sofa, I made my way to my wardrobe.

"I need a suit."