NOVEL FROG CHAPTER 15 Platinum Plus
“Welcome back, Mr. My Alchemical Romance!" The same receptionist from Adam's first visit greeted him with an air of familiarity. "How may I be of service today?”
Adam grimaced inwardly. Must she say that every time? The cringe crept over him, but he suppressed it. At least there was a small mercy: interactions between players and Mercury staff were completely confidential. No one else in the area could hear their conversation, no matter how casual or embarrassing it might be.
“Erm, yeah. I’ve come to collect my earnings,” Adam replied, trying to sound nonchalant despite feeling uncomfortable that the receptionist had said his rather embarrassing username with a straight face. “Can I see how much everything sold for?”
“Certainly, sir," she responded with the kind of polished smile that was clearly part of her training. "You can access the information regarding the items you sold at one of our Bronze-grade transaction totems, just down the hall to your right.”
Adam nodded. “Okay. Thanks,” he said, despite knowing exactly where to go. It seemed rude not to acknowledge her efforts, especially since she had proactively greeted him. He turned toward the totem area, wondering for a moment why he had chosen such an embarrassing username to begin with. My Alchemical Romance—really? What was I thinking?
He quickly located the bronze-grade totem and pulled up his transaction history. His eyes widened in surprise as the totals appeared on the screen. Every item he had put up for sale had been purchased, and the prices were significantly higher than he had anticipated.
Itemized Sales:
Ancient Lorik Knight’s Heavy Armor Set: $2365
Ancient Lorik Knight’s Heavy Armor Set: $2443
Ancient Lorik Knight’s Heavy Armor Set: $2521
Ancient Lorik Knight’s Heavy Armor Set: $2935
Ancient Lorik Knight’s Heavy Armor Set: $2702
Ancient Lorik Scout’s Leather Armor Set: $2853
Ancient Lorik Scout’s Leather Armor Set: $2957
Ancient Lorik Battle-Mage’s Robe Set: $2659
Ancient Lorik Battle-Mage’s Robe Set: $2972
Elixir of Bear’s Vigor: $3897
Elixir of Lion’s Strength: $3127
Elixir of Eagle’s Vision: $2118
Total Sale: $33,549
Deduction: 17% Commission Fee ($5,703.33)
Total Earnings: $27,845.67
“This is unbelievable!” Adam exclaimed, staring at the final total. “More than 30 grand? So early on in the game?”
His surprise was genuine, though he knew well enough that the auction market could skyrocket in value as players became more invested and competition increased. This was just the beginning, and his earnings—impressive as they were—would likely pale in comparison to what he could make in the future. For now, though, he was grateful. At least he didn’t have to pay the extra commission fee for selling anonymously. By selling under his username, My Alchemical Romance, he kept his identity hidden but still maintained the option for other players to contact him directly.
In the Mercury Auction House, both the buyer's and seller's identities were confidential unless disclosed. If he had chosen to sell anonymously, other players wouldn’t even have the option to reach out to him for future transactions. Having his username attached to the sale granted him a small degree of visibility—just enough to establish a presence in the community without revealing his real identity. It was a strategic choice, especially in a market where players were still cautious and not yet bidding recklessly.
He compared it to other auction houses in Pangea. Once those opened up, Mercury would have competition, as most Pangean auction houses charged between 5% and 10% in commission fees, far less than Mercury's steep 17%. For now, though, players were limited to Mercury’s platform.
Satisfied with his earnings and seeing that the funds had already been transferred to his account, Adam headed back to the receptionist.
“Hello again, Mr. My Alchemical Romance. How can I help you this time?” she asked with that same polished smile.
Is she doing that on purpose? Adam thought. “I was hoping to upgrade to Platinum Plus. How do I go about that?”
“Certainly, Mr. My Alchemical Romance. That is an easy procedure. Here you go!”
Yep. She’s definitely doing this on purpose. Adam sighed internally. Why did I pick that name?
Ding!
[Mercury Auction House]: An upgrade fee of $10,000 is required upfront to upgrade membership to Platinum Plus. A monthly recurring fee of $8,000 will be debited every month.
[Mercury Auction House]: Would you like to upgrade to Platinum Plus?
“What a robbery!” Adam muttered under his breath. But he had already decided. “Yes, I’d like to upgrade.”
With a reluctant tap, $18,000 disappeared from his account. Just like that, most of his recent earnings had evaporated.
[Mercury Auction House]: Your membership status has been updated to Platinum Plus. You can now buy and sell with no limit on transactions. The commission fee has been reduced by 2%. You can view auctioned item statuses in real time, both in Pangea and in the real world.
Several other notifications followed, outlining the enhanced features of his upgraded membership. Adam couldn’t help but feel a bit rueful.
'At least there’s that,' he consoled himself, although the sting of losing nearly half his earnings lingered.
“Would there be anything else I can assist you with, Mr. My Alchemical Romance?” The receptionist’s voice interrupted his thoughts, her smile unflinching, perfectly timed.
Adam sighed. Yeah, she’s definitely doing this on purpose.
“No, that’ll be all. Thank you.” He turned and hurriedly made his way back toward the transaction totems, determined not to hear his embarrassing username one more time.
Once there, he located a private room dedicated to Platinum Plus members. He opened the door, feeling a slight sense of relief as he stepped inside, away from the polished smiles and awkward interactions.
***
Elsewhere in the auction house, the atmosphere buzzed with energy and conversation as players and guild agents moved about, discussing the latest batch of elixirs that had just hit the market. The tension in the air was palpable—everyone had been watching the auction closely, eager to see who would walk away with the prized items. Whispers and muttered comments filled the space, excitement, and resignation rippling through the crowd.
“To the surprise of nobody, a pro guild hoarded the elixirs,” one of the independent players remarked ruefully, shaking his head in mild frustration.
His companion, leaning against a nearby wall with arms crossed, nodded in agreement. “That’s not really surprising, is it? I mean, who else has the resources to go after something like that so aggressively? Which one got it?”
“Hao-Wei,” came the response, tinged with a hint of disdain.
“Ha! Figures,” the companion scoffed. “A rich heir like that wouldn’t think twice about splurging. Guy’s got more money than sense; probably doesn’t even need to check the price tag before buying whatever he wants.”
There was an undercurrent of frustration in the room, especially among the smaller players and independent factions. Many had hoped to get their hands on at least one of the coveted elixirs, but when competing against the financial powerhouses of the gaming world, it was nearly impossible. Hao-Wei’s victory was expected, but that didn’t make it any easier to swallow for those on the outside looking in.
The conversation continued, with the disappointment of many giving way to practical reflections. “It’s not like we didn’t see this coming,” one of them said, his voice dropping lower. “The big guilds can throw money around like it’s nothing, but it makes you wonder how long they’ll keep it up.”
It wasn’t just independent players who noted the aggressive spending. Larger guilds, like Maxima, had been monitoring the auction closely but had ultimately decided against going all-in on the elixirs. One of Maxima’s agents chimed in from across the room, speaking to his team. “Maxima and the others could’ve competed, sure,” he said, his tone measured. “But management didn’t think it was worth it—not yet, anyway.”
The agent’s logic was clear. Despite the allure of obtaining elixirs early in the game, larger concerns were at play. The leadership of pro guilds like Maxima had opted to keep their resources in reserve, concerned that an early spending spree might drive up the prices of future auction items. In a game like this, with so much still unknown, it was too risky to blow through funds before they had a clearer idea of the in-game economy.
“You gotta think big picture,” another Maxima player added, more to himself than anyone else. “Pro guilds are businesses. They’ve got to weigh short-term gains against the long game.”
Indeed, while elixirs like the ones sold today were valuable, Maxima’s leadership did not doubt that more would become available in the future. The game had only just launched, and if these rare items were already surfacing, there was no telling what might appear in the days and weeks to come. Spending exorbitant amounts now would only serve to inflate the market, driving up prices for everything that came after. By holding back, they could maintain better control over their resources—and possibly snag even rarer items later on.
“That’s what they’re saying, anyway,” the Maxima agent said with a shrug, as though distancing himself from the decision. “Personally, I wouldn’t have minded going after a few elixirs, but I get it. Gotta trust the suits, right?”
While the conversation shifted from the elixirs to other auction items, it became clear that Maxima’s decision to invest elsewhere was already paying off. As the bidding for elixirs raged on, Maxima had quietly turned its attention to the armor sets that had been put up for sale at the same time. The nine sets of Ancient Lorik Knight’s armor were snapped up almost immediately by Maxima’s leadership, outbidding smaller players who had hoped to get in on the action.
“Tyler’s team is already seeing the benefits,” one of Maxima’s members pointed out. “With those armor sets, they’ve been tearing through the early levels like it’s nothing.”
Indeed, the impact was immediate. Tyler, one of Maxima’s top players, had led his team in a rapid leveling spree after securing the armor. Equipped with the powerful Ancient Lorik sets, his squad had gained a significant edge over other players, their progress accelerating as they cleared challenges that would have otherwise slowed them down. The armor had proven to be a worthwhile investment, allowing Maxima to gain momentum in the crucial early stages of the game.
Other guilds were taking note. “Maxima’s playing the long game,” one player muttered, watching as Tyler’s team continued their climb up the leaderboards. “While everyone else is scrambling for potions, they’ve armed up.”
It was a strategic move, one that reinforced Maxima’s reputation for thinking ahead. Where others saw immediate gains in elixirs, Maxima saw future dominance through preparation and careful investment. The elixirs would grant short-term boosts, but the armor would provide lasting protection and strength as the game progressed.
In the long run, it would be those with patience and foresight, like Maxima, who came out on top. For now, the game’s balance of power was shifting, and everyone in the auction house could feel it. The elixirs might have been the star of the auction today, but the armor had quietly set the stage for Maxima’s rise.
***
“That should do it,” Adam muttered to himself, stepping back from the auction terminal. He had just finished listing most of the high-quality items he had looted in the hidden room, now carefully curated and scheduled for auction.
There was a lot to sell, and Adam knew the timing couldn’t be more perfect. The player base had finally reached the required levels to equip the gear he had found, making this the ideal window to put his items on the market. The armor sets and weapons alone were enough to outfit over two hundred players—more than most independent gamers could ever hope to handle independently. Selling them in bulk like this was bound to secure him a hefty profit.
He had carefully set the starting bids at $2,500 for each item. While it was slightly above the average starting price for equipment of this tier, Adam was confident that the demand would more than justify the markup. Players needing these rare items wouldn’t flinch at the higher starting bids, especially as competitive guilds and independent gamers vied for any advantage in the early game.
Sure enough, almost as soon as the items were listed, the bidding wars began.
For now, he had only listed the armor and weapons. The class tomes, lore books, elixirs, and various magical rings and amulets looted from necromancers were already scheduled to go up for auction in carefully timed intervals. Adam had no intention of overwhelming the market by releasing everything at once.
Being a Platinum Plus member of the Mercury Auction House came with certain perks, and Adam fully used them. One such benefit was the ability to schedule items for future sale, allowing him to keep a steady flow of listings without flooding the market. It was a strategic move. He would start with the armor and weapons, then, six hours later, release the class tomes. Six hours after that, the elixirs would go live. By the end of a 24-hour period, everything he had deemed sellable from the hidden room would have been auctioned off, neatly staggered to keep bidders engaged and eager.
There was no need for Adam to monitor the bids at this point. He knew the value of what he was selling, and he trusted that the items would fetch top dollar. With everything in motion, he turned to check his inbox, fully expecting to see a few private messages trickling in now that he was selling items publicly.
To his surprise, he was met with an inbox flooded with messages—not just from casual players but from international guilds and well-known independent gamers. Some were offering to pay more than what the auction house could fetch, hoping to secure exclusive rights to additional items. Others sought information about the elixirs he had put up for sale, trying to gauge their rarity and potential. A handful of guilds even attempted to recruit him, their messages full of flattery and promises of lucrative contracts.
What caught his eye, though, was a message from Maxima and another from Hao-Wei. Both offered to purchase more elixirs at prices far higher than the auction house listings despite their public statements downplaying the importance of spending on elixirs this early in the game. The irony wasn’t lost on Adam.
From: Hao-Wei (Guild Management)
Subject: Private Purchase Offer for Elixirs
Hey, I noticed you've listed some high-quality elixirs for sale. We're willing to pay double the auction price if you can sell directly to me. Let's keep this between us—no need for the auction house to take their cut. Message me if you're interested...
***
From: Maxima Corporation
Subject: Bulk Purchase of Elixirs
We’re impressed with the elixirs you’ve listed. If you have more, we’d like to negotiate a private bulk purchase at a higher price than what the auction house is offering. Let’s discuss potential terms in detail...
***
From: Valeria (Independent Alchemist)
Subject: Interested in the Alchemist Toolset
Hey there! I’m really interested in the Field Alchemist Toolset you put up. Would you consider a trade instead of straight cash? I’ve got rare ingredients and potions that might catch your interest...
***
From: Argentum (Guild Officer, Silver Eagles)
Subject: Long-Term Supply Deal
Our guild is looking to secure a reliable source of elixirs. If you can provide more, we’re ready to make an exclusive contract for future sales. Let me know if you're interested...
***
From: Whispered Blade (Rogue Guild Representative)
Subject: Necromancer Items Inquiry
I hear you’ve got some rare necromancer rings and amulets. We’re interested in acquiring them for a top price, even before you list them. No questions asked. Contact me if you want to move forward...
***
From: The Phoenix Order (Guild Recruitment Officer)
Subject: Recruitment Opportunity
We’ve been tracking your progress and are impressed by your success in acquiring high-tier items so early in the game. Would you be open to joining The Phoenix Order? We believe you’d be a valuable asset to our guild...
***
From: Shadowclaw (Independent Player)
Subject: Request for Direct Purchase
I’m an independent player saving up for some decent gear. Would you be open to selling one of your armor sets directly to me? I can offer a higher price than the current auction bids...
***
From: Aeon Guild (Auction Specialist)
Subject: Information Request
We’ve noticed your smart pricing on the items you’ve listed, and we’d like to discuss a potential deal. Are you willing to share information on how you acquired these items or any future plans? There could be mutual benefits...
***
From: EmberFrost (Crafting Master, Fireheart Guild)
Subject: Bulk Purchase of Alchemical Materials
We’re looking to acquire a large quantity of alchemical materials for crafting. If you’re willing, we can buy your stock in bulk and set up a longer-term deal. Let's talk if you're open to this...
***
From: TitanCore (Guild Leader, The Colossus Order)
Subject: Offer for Tomes and Lore Books
We’ve noticed you’re auctioning rare tomes and lore books. We’d like to buy them directly from you before the auction goes live. This could save you auction fees and guarantee you a higher payout...
***
He ignored all the offers.
While the money being thrown his way was tempting, it wasn’t anything Adam couldn’t earn on his own. Besides, he had no interest in giving the top guilds too much of a monopoly on high-quality items. Keeping the playing field a bit more balanced would benefit the broader community, and it might even increase the value of future items he planned to sell.
Without hesitation, he deleted the messages and moved on to the next task: checking the current items scheduled for auction.
“Let’s see what’s worth buying right now,” Adam murmured as he navigated the auction house interface.
One of the privileges of being a Platinum Plus member was access to the full catalog of items scheduled to be auctioned in the next thirty minutes. It came at a small fee, but Adam didn’t mind. The insight was worth it—knowing what was about to hit the market allowed him to strategically plan his own bids and purchases.
As he scanned through the listings, it became clear that more players were venturing into the catacombs, with several armor sets and weapons appearing in the auction. However, most of the gear up for sale was subpar compared to the high-quality items Adam had just listed. Most of these were low-tier finds, unlikely to garner much attention or profit with his superior items already on the block.
Still, a few unique items caught his attention. Adam paused, weighing their potential. After a few moments of browsing, three items stood out.
The first two were Voynich pages—an unsolved mystery in the game. Adam already owned three pages from the set, which he had looted from the necromancers he fought in the hidden room. The Voynich pages were highly sought after for their rarity, though their function remained a puzzle. The pages in the auction were sold separately, making it difficult to tell if they belonged to the same set he already had or a different one. But regardless, their value was unmistakable.
The third item was a Field Alchemist Toolset. Adam already had a basic alchemy set from Vetius’ warehouse, but this one was far superior, with the capacity to brew large batches of potions in the field. It was perfect for an alchemist supporting a mid-sized party of adventurers—or, in Adam’s case, for crafting enough potions to supply his own personal stockpile. The convenience and efficiency it offered made it an ideal upgrade for his current setup.
Satisfied with his choices, Adam closed the catalog and waited for the auction to begin.
When the time arrived, he opted to bid privately using his interface. While he could attend the auction in person, the anonymity and convenience of bidding from his interface were more appealing. He could monitor the competition without drawing attention to himself.
The first item up for sale was one of the Voynich pages. “The next item for sale is called the Voynich Scripture page. It is an unsolved curiosity, and its function is a mystery. It was found by an independent team of players exploring the catacombs in the Lorikan Republic. Bidding starts at $600!” the auctioneer announced.
There was silence at first. No one placed a bid—not in the auction room nor from the anonymous attendees. Adam took the opportunity to make his move.
“$620,” he bid, knowing full well that his bid would stir interest.
Sure enough, his bid triggered a flurry of activity. Other bidders, seeing someone interested in the item, began to jump in, driving the price higher.
“$630!”
“$640!”
“$650!”
The bids came fast, but Adam remained unfazed. He knew the true value of the Voynich pages. In his previous life, these pages could sell for over $20,000. The current bids were practically a steal in comparison.
When the price hit $900, Adam decided it was time to end the competition. He placed a decisive bid.
“$1,200.”
Silence followed.
“Any other bids? Going once, going twice… and… sold! Congratulations to our buyer!” the auctioneer declared.
A notification appeared in Adam’s interface:
[Mercury Auction House]: Voynich Page has been added to your item list. It will be available to you when you return to Pangea. $1,200 has been deducted from your account.
The second Voynich page was up for sale a few minutes later, with the initial bid starting higher at $800. The competition was fiercer this time, but Adam prevailed once again, securing the second page for $1,400.
[Mercury Auction House]: Voynich Page has been added to your item list. It will be available to you when you return to Pangea. $1,400 has been deducted from your account.
With both pages secured, Adam couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. He had spent $2,600 in total—far less than what these pages would be worth in the future.
Next came the Field Alchemist Toolset. The starting bid was $1,500, twice the amount of a Voynich page, which struck Adam as somewhat absurd. It was, after all, just a toolset.
Without hesitation, he placed a bold bid.
“$3,500,” Adam offered, hoping to quickly dissuade any would-be challengers.
His strategy worked. The auctioneer called for higher bids, but no one took the bait.
“Going once… Going twice… and… sold!”
[Mercury Auction House]: Field Alchemist Toolset has been added to your item list. It will be available to you when you return to Pangea. $3,500 has been deducted from your account.
By the end of the auction, Adam had secured two rare Voynich pages and the Alchemist Toolset for a total of $6,100. It was a huge win, especially considering the future value of the Voynich pages and the utility of the toolset. He quickly reviewed his financials—after all the expenses, he had about $3,700 left from his initial earnings.
“But I made a great gain,” Adam mused, feeling satisfied with his haul.
With nothing more to do in the auction house, Adam logged out, deciding to take a quick break before returning to Pangea. After grabbing a meal and enjoying a smoke break, he arranged for his gaming pod’s nutrient supply to be restocked, paying $3,000 upfront for the service. It was a necessary expense, ensuring that he could spend long hours in Pangea without worrying about real-world interruptions.
With everything taken care of, Adam reentered the game, ready to return to Pangea and continue his journey.