Donn weaved through the crowded corridor, one hand clutching his auction ticket, the other braced against his lower back.

Though usually spry enough to leap about all day, standing motionless in line had taken a toll on his aged frame. Yet the auction’s roaring popularity pleased him—irritation from waiting meant nothing.

“They say Favna Trading House has powerful beginner-level Spirit Cards lately… and with this crowd? Must be true,” he muttered, handing over his ticket and shuffling in with the audience, resolve hardening.

*That kid Su Hong was definitely tempted by the Trading House’s female boss just for this Weapon Spirit Card!*

*No way Lia gets cheated on! I’ll buy it for Su Hong!*

*Right—he “sold his body” only to train harder and reach Lia at Spirit Card Academy sooner! Time for me to step in, solve his crisis, and save Lia from betrayal!*

Settling into his seat, Donn squinted his clouded, aged eyes, feigning sleep.

Soon, murmurs from nearby seats snagged his attention.

“President, that can’t be Su Hong, right? Who’s *that* talented? It’s barely been since ‘Magical Girl Monkey Burn’ launched…”

“And who else? Miracles happen once—why not twice? Know why you’re still just a steward?”

One tapped his temple. “You lack *this*. Not stupidity—just shallow thinking. Watch. This auction may reveal proof. Then… eliminate Su Hong.”

Donn jolted. *Su Hong?* Such a rare name—impossible to have two in this town!

*Who are they?!*

He craned his neck, nearly slumping over the seat to listen closer—

“Sorry, old man,” the adjacent man whispered, panicked, nudging him twice. “I’m not into that. Please respect my space.”

“Huh? What do you take me for? Pah!” Donn spat on the floor with disgust and sat back.

The auction began; chatter swelled. Eavesdropping was hopeless. Donn buried his suspicion and focused on the rumored Weapon Spirit Card.

When only two items remained—the main event arrived.

Bidding shot from thirty gold upward. Just as Donn prepared to call out, two figures rose.

“I, Chris, six hundred gold coins!” A magical spotlight *clicked* onto him.

Chris stood cold-faced. This bid wasn’t recklessly high—after the last card’s failed deciphering, overpaying made little sense. Others caught on: if even Chris hadn’t replicated it, the difficulty was immense. Malicious bidders fell silent.

“Six hundred and one!” (#`Д´)ﾉ

Donn roared, leaping up. The light swung to him. A malicious grin spread as he glared at Chris. *Confirmed—it’s Chris and his steward!*

*They plan to use this card against Su Hong! I must win it—for Su Hong, for Lia—and block them at all costs!*

Chris looked bewildered. The steward slammed his knee.

“Holy crap! President, he’s Lia’s grandfather!”

“What?!” Chris blinked, then smirked knowingly.

“I laugh at your blindness. This *proves* Su Hong’s the creator. Her grandfather’s here to inflate prices—for Su Hong’s profit.”

The steward bowed deeply. “President’s insight is unmatched!”

Bidding ended. The card was Donn’s.

Chris murmured, arms crossed: “See his stunned face? We refused to compete—forced the unsold card onto him. Next time, he won’t dare overbid. Psychological warfare. Learn.”

“Brilliant! So thrilling!” the steward whispered, fists clenched.

Donn paid, utterly baffled. *Why’d that rich guy quit? Thank goodness… my coins barely covered it.*

For the final item—another identical bow-type Weapon Spirit Card—Chris stood instantly.

“I, Chris, twelve hundred gold coins!” He shot Donn a cold smirk, lips barely moving to the steward: “This glare matters. He’ll fear being stuck again…”

“Fifteen hundred gold coins!” Donn yelled, voice cracking with pain.

Chris’s face flushed crimson. “Three thousand five hundred! Dare to follow?!”

Donn slumped down. Shop earnings + old savings = fifteen hundred max. He needed coins to eat.

After winning, Chris glanced at the steward’s awkward face. “Think I was truly angry? Bluff. He froze. Else, even at five thousand, he’d have followed.”

The steward’s eyes widened. “President’s acting—masterful! Awe-inspiring!”

“Hmph. Send men. Ambush near Favna Trading House. Eliminate Su Hong tonight.”