MTL NOVEL Chapter 29: chapter 29 his scheme
Kaelith tapped the single gold coin against his palm, his lips curving into a mischievous smirk.
> "Alright, let's see… If I bid recklessly, I'll go broke. If I don't bid at all, I walk away with nothing. And if I try to rob someone, well… let's just say these auction guards look like they eat people for breakfast."
His eyes flickered toward the heavily armed guards stationed at key positions. Their armor gleamed under the chandeliers, and their enchanted weapons pulsed faintly with defensive magic. These weren't ordinary security—these were auction enforcers, elite warriors who didn't hesitate to crush rule-breakers.
Kaelith shivered dramatically.
> "Nope~! Not messing with them."
Instead, he focused on the buyers—the real players in the room.
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Understanding the Market
Unlike small-town auctions, this one didn't deal in gold.
Here, bidding was done in silver, and for a reason—silver was the currency of trade, used by merchants, adventurers, and alchemists alike. A single gold coin was worth 100 silver, making it a fortune in the right hands.
Kaelith had the money, but spending it wasn't part of his plan.
He wasn't here to bid.
He was here to make someone else spend.
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Scouting the Players
Kaelith's sharp eyes roamed the room, picking apart the crowd. He categorized them quickly, like sorting chess pieces before a match.
1. The Rich Merchants
Dressed in fine but practical clothing, their eyes were sharp and calculating.
They had deep pockets but were cautious, bidding only on items they could resell for guaranteed profit.
2. The Nobles & Aristocrats
Lavish robes, expensive jewelry, and a constant air of arrogance.
Status mattered more than money to them. Even if an item was useless, they would overbid just to win.
3. The Adventurers & Alchemists
The wildcards.
These people were here for rare materials and equipment, willing to bet every silver they had for the right item.
Impulsive. Emotional. Desperate.
Kaelith's smirk widened.
> "Merchants are too cautious. Nobles are too proud. Adventurers? Heh, they're impulsive."
A plan formed in his mind.
Step 1: Create Chaos.
Step 2: Manipulate the Bids.
Step 3: Make Someone Else Pay.
Kaelith cracked his knuckles.
> "Let's make some money~."
Step 1: Stirring the Pot
Kaelith entered the grand auction hall with a casual stride, his single gold coin tucked safely into his pocket. Around him, merchants, nobles, and adventurers buzzed with excitement, their eyes flickering between the displayed treasures and their heavy coin purses.
The bidding was done in silver, meaning most people were carefully calculating how much they could afford to spend. But Kaelith?
He wasn't here to bid—he was here to manipulate.
He needed to push the right people into a bidding war without ever spending a coin himself.
> Step 1: Find the Right Target.
Kaelith's golden eyes scanned the room, analyzing potential victims. He needed someone who:
1. Was willing to spend money.
2. Was emotionally invested in an item.
3. Could be manipulated into reckless bidding.
He smirked. Merchants were too careful. Nobles were too arrogant. Adventurers?
> "Adventurers are reckless idiots with more guts than brains. Perfect~."
Kaelith strolled closer to a group of young adventurers standing near the auction stage. Their clothes were dusty from travel, their weapons worn but well-maintained. At their center stood a nervous-looking alchemist-in-training, clutching a small pouch of silver coins.
> "Bingo."
The kid was clearly here to buy alchemy ingredients—probably some rare catalyst or potion component. His fingers tightened around his coin pouch every time he glanced at the display table, his anxious energy practically radiating off him.
Kaelith didn't need to read minds to know exactly what was going through the kid's head:
> "Do I have enough money? What if someone outbids me? What if I never get this chance again?"
Kaelith's smirk widened.
Time to pour fuel on the fire.
---
Step 1.2: Planting the Seed of Fear
Kaelith didn't approach directly. That would be too obvious.
Instead, he walked past the adventurers casually, stretching his arms like he was just another bidder waiting for the auction to start. Then, just as he was near enough, he muttered loud enough for the alchemist to hear:
> "Tch… poor guy doesn't even realize how fast this stuff will get snatched up. He's gonna regret not bidding higher."
The alchemist snapped his head up, his wide eyes darting toward Kaelith.
> "W-what do you mean?"
Kaelith turned slightly, acting surprised that the kid had heard him. Then, as if he were letting him in on a huge secret, he leaned closer.
> "That 'Rare Alchemy Catalyst'?" Kaelith gestured toward the upcoming auction item. "It's way more valuable than they're saying."
The alchemist's fingers twitched around his pouch of silver.
Kaelith sighed dramatically, shaking his head.
> "If you don't get it now, someone richer will hoard it and resell it for ten times the price. Happens every time."
The adventurer's friends hesitated, exchanging nervous glances. One of them frowned.
> "That… doesn't sound right."
Kaelith shrugged, keeping his voice casual.
> "Hey, I'm just trying to help. But if you think you can find this thing cheaper later… go ahead. Just don't cry when some noble buys it and locks it away in their vault."
He patted the alchemist's shoulder and walked off like he didn't care.
Now came the fun part—waiting.
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Step 1.3: Watching the Panic Set In
Kaelith didn't need to stay close to see the results.
From the corner of his eye, he watched the young alchemist turn to his friends, his voice anxious.
> "Guys, we have to get that catalyst!"
"But we only have 20 silver…"
"Then we'll pool our money! We can't let someone else take it!"
Kaelith grinned.
> Step 1, Target Found: ✔
Now, all he needed was a rival bidder—someone who wouldn't let an adventurer outbid them.
And nobles?
They hated losing.
Note guess what kaelith is trying to do in comments