“Was he damn sure he would receive the maximum possible price for it?”
In this manner people commented the auction post to soothe their sorrows. Before long, the number of comments went beyond 900.
The auction was automatically extended a few times, and when it exceeded 300,000,000 won, several companies became actively involved.
The simple matter of the auction, the only thing people knew was that there was no end in sight. If the deal was settled for a colossal sum, numerous people would hear about it through news or word-of-mouth, the publicity effects were formidable.
To place just one ad required a pile of money, also, after painfully spending money to make an ad, people still did not bother looking closely at it. However, what about news of the highest level character being sold for a small fortune? People’s interest and attention would be concentrated.
Each company’s public relations department approached with such a perspective. Digital media intensified the competition, game broadcasters wanted to acquire the highest level character. The value or market price of the character was not a problem. Organizing a series of specials about the famous game in the past and then casting the character in question would increase the reliability and public image of the broadcasters.
Fierce competition led to the price skyrocketing, and the surge in the number of visitors made the item trading site smile with satisfaction.
The auction finally came to an end.
Five game broadcasters battled one another, but piercing though all the competition, the one that made the successful bid and received the character was CTS Media. The latest situation was its rapid expansion and increase in broadcast share that made it a promising company to go to. By intervention from the president’s secretary, the winning bid was written and submitted as the auction ended.
“Hello.”
Lee Hyun received a phone call waking him up from his sleep in the morning.
The construction job from the day before exhausted him and he had fallen asleep. He earned only 30,000 won. It was less than average because he was told off for being incompetent.
-Hello.
Unexpectedly, coming from beyond the receiver was the voice of a beautiful woman.
“Um… looks like you called the wrong number.”
Lee Hyun, certain that nobody in her right mind would ever call his house tried to put down the receiver.
However…….
-You tried selling your account over the internet, is that not so?
“Correct.”
-This is CTS Media Incorporated. I am the president’s secretary Yoon Nahee. We have deposited the amount of the current successful bid to the auction into your account, you can confirm on the item trading site, and please do not hesitate to contact us.
“Wa, wait a minute. There was a successful bid?”
-Hmm. Yes, there was. May I ask if you have not checked it yet?
“No, I was a little busy…….”
Yoon Nahee of CTS Media.
President’s secretary, even going so far as to work in financial resources, she was no ordinary woman. Also knowing 8 languages, all those around her were busy flattering her. But the fact that he did not check the auction of such a fortune was enough to overwhelm Yoon Nahee.
“How much was the successful bid?”
Lee Hyun was filled with unease. Hoping for at least over 200,000 won to pay the medical bills, he figured he should ask, but the voice Lee Hyun heard over the phone stunned him into shock.
-3,090,000,000 won.
Originally, Lee Hyun’s character, Weed, according to the market price was 150,000,000 won.
Nowadays, games at the height of popularity, the equipment alone could pass for 100,000,000 won, but if it’s an old game, the market price is on the extremely low side.
However, several factors including the limited auction deadline, the one-of-a-kind rarity and his fame led to it ultimately being over 3,000,000,000 won. The auction itself was newsworthy, which was exactly what CTS Media aimed for.
However, Lee Hyun replied bluntly.
“Are you kidding me?”
-What?
“I can’t believe you called me just to talk about something as stupid as that. I’m hanging up now.”
After putting down the receiver, Lee Hyun bitterly laughed.
“How did she know about the auction post? And how did she get my number to play a prank?”
Lee Hyun believed none of it. It sounded far too absurd.
However, the moment he accessed the site, his auction post floated on the main screen of the item trading site. Countless people posted comments in real time, and the auction’s successful bid amount was as she said, 3,090,000,000 won!
Lee Hyun managed not to faint only because of his grim tenacity.
‘If this is a dream, I hope I never wake up.’
The next day, Lee Hyun confirmed the money receipt that more than 3,000,000,000 won had really been deposited into his own account.
He pinched his flesh until blood could be seen, unmistakably reality! Lee Hyun rushed to show his grandma the bankbook. He still did not dare tell her in it its entirety.
“Grandma, I made money.”
“Yes.”
His grandma replied helplessly. It had been only 3 days after his ID card was issued. He could not have earned much.
“Well, good work, Hyun-ah.”
“It was not that much trouble, grandma.”
Lee Hyun handed her the bankbook.
“What is this?”
“Look. This here is the money I earned.”
His grandma rubbed her dim eyes a couple of times while looking at the bankbook. The amount stamped into the account, the reaction was disbelief.
“You, did you steal? No, no, this amount of money can’t be stolen…….”
“What I did was sell my game account.”
“Account?”
“It’s complex to explain… anyway, I obtained this money legally.”
“Then really…….”
His grandma, filled with rising emotion, softly sobbed.
“Hyun-ah, like others, we can now live without worrying about water and electricity bills anymore?”
“Of course. We can even own our own home.”
“You can go back to school……. and Hayan can go to college. We no longer have to live envying others.”
His grandma was moved to tears. It was the same with Lee Hyun.
While remembering the suffering and bitterness he received.
“Now we can live happily together, grandma.”
“Yes, of course.”
With the tough times together, the two people were thrilled that much more. After several days they obtained a new house and received treatment at the hospital. In addition to his grandma’s hip, she was sick in many other ways and had to be admitted to the hospital. His little sister Hayan was also delighted. But their happiness was short-lived.
The men dressed in black suits. The ones he did not want to see most came to the hospital.
Black suited men with fresh from the store shoes, they literally pushed into the hospital room. Well-built, even though only 5 came, the hospital room seemed to be filled.
All other patients panicked in fear so with help from the caregivers, they quietly slipped out.
Only Lee Hyun, his grandma and the men remained. Lee Hyun thought it fortunate his little sister wasn’t there the moment they came. But nothing good ever came from those men. He expected it would be the no different from before.
“Lee Hyun. I heard of the good fortune bestowed to your family…….”
The blonde haired man spoke.
Lee Hyun shot back sharply.
“So?”
“In the past your father took out a loan, we’re here to collect that debt.”