Solo Leveling: Monarch of Knowledge (What If)

(Sunday, June 16, 2026 – 12:14 AM)

With the B-Rank Essence Stone sold, the tension in the room settled slightly, but the auction was far from over. The next set of items was revealed, the ones stored inside the reinforced glass display.

These were the true highlights before the final section of the night.

The protective glass shimmered as the attendants carefully unveiled the first weapon.

"This, ladies and gentlemen." the auctioneer announced, "is the Obsidian Fang Greatsword."

A massive black-bladed sword, its surface was layered with dark metallic veins that pulsed faintly with mana. Despite its size, it looked strangely refined, its craftsmanship evident even from a distance.

"Forged from the claw of a high-ranking Shadow Tiger, this A-Rank weapon retains traces of its original beast's power. Its structure allows it to absorb surrounding shadows, lightening its weight while increasing cutting speed."

'Sounds impressive.'

[Weight reduction is functional, but limited. It does not remove mass, only redistributes it. The cutting speed increase is minimal compared to standard mana-reinforced weapons.]

'So, just a good A-Rank greatsword with a gimmick?'

[Correct.]

"The bidding starts at €5,000,000."

"5.5 million!"

"6.2 million!"

"7 million!"

The price climbed rapidly before closing at €9.4 million to a masked man near the front rows.

Without delay, the next weapon was displayed.

"The Azure Fang Twin Daggers."

Two sleek, curved daggers, their deep blue blades faintly glowing. The auctioneer gestured toward them as the attendants lifted them carefully.

"A fine pair of mana-conducting weapons, forged using the fangs of an A-Rank Thunder Serpent. These daggers can store static mana from the wielder, releasing minor shock-based attacks upon impact. A deadly tool for assassins."

'Minor?'

[The electrical discharge is weak against high-ranked hunters. Damage is negligible without direct strikes to nerve points.]

'So another overpriced collector's item.'

[Yes.]

The bidding was fierce nonetheless, closing at €8.8 million.

One after another, weapons and armor pieces were sold.

The Crimson Spire Gauntlets – A pair of A-Rank bracers made from the parts of a Fire Golem, enhancing fire-based mana attacks. (€6.5 million)

Titan Fang Chestplate – Heavy armor made from a Wyvern's plated hide, capable of resisting direct B-Rank magic attacks. (€7.2 million)

Void Walker Boots – Crafted from Dark Panther hide, allowing increased silent movement at high speeds. (€6.9 million)

Each item carried some level of enchantment or beast-based enhancement, but nothing truly unique.

Then, something caught my attention.

The attendants wheeled out a strange, coiled weapon. Unlike the previous weapons, this one had a flexibility to it, a long, dark whip lined with silver veins.

I tilted my head slightly. 'A whip?'

The auctioneer smiled beneath his mask. "An unusual, yet highly effective weapon, The Phantom Coil."

The whip unfurled, its length stretching nearly five meters. As one of the attendants infused it with mana, the silver veins pulsed, the material shifting in texture as if reacting to the energy.

"A-Rank." the auctioneer continued. "Forged from Mana Wraith Tendons, this weapon is capable of altering its physical density based on the wielder's mana input. It can soften for flexibility or harden to cut through metal. A rare find."

I felt a small spark of interest. 'That's actually useful.'

[Already scanned. Improvements have been applied.]

'Good.'

[Design weaknesses have been corrected. Material composition has been optimized for increased durability and cutting power.]

A small smile formed beneath my mask. Even before the bidding started, I already had a superior version.

The whip sold for €7.6 million.

The auctioneer clapped his hands together, regaining the crowd's attention.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, we move on to the final selection of the night."

(1:17 AM)

The room stilled as the attendants carefully wheeled in a new display case. Unlike the others, this one was reinforced with three layers of protective glass, shimmering with faint mana fluctuations.

Even before the announcer spoke, I could feel the shift in atmosphere.

A soft chime rang through the hall. "Now." the auctioneer's voice held a different weight this time, almost reverent, "we present the first of our S-Rank items."

The case opened, revealing a massive silver greatsword. Its blade was thicker than most, forged from an alloy that seemed to pulse faintly with light.

"The Titan's Resolve."

A murmur swept through the crowd. The name was known.

"This S-Rank weapon was crafted from the remains of an Earth Titan, a powerful dungeon boss slain in Germany last year. Its structure is composed of Titan Bone Alloy, allowing for unmatched durability and the ability to absorb kinetic energy to reinforce its own weight."

One of the attendants lifted it with visible effort. Even for a trained handler, the weight was immense.

"The sword may appear heavy, but it adapts to the wielder's physical strength, ensuring maximum efficiency in combat."

I raised a brow. 'Sounds useful. Truth?'

[Partially. Weight adaptation is mana-dependent. Without a strong flow of energy, it remains excessively heavy. Additionally, the kinetic absorption does not nullify damage, it only redirects it.]

'So not a true defense mechanism.'

[Correct.]

The bidding exploded immediately.

"20 million!"

"23 million!"

"27 million!"

These weren't B or A-Rank items anymore. These were for the strongest hunters.

"31 million!"

"34 million!"

The final bid landed at €39 million, claimed by one of the private VIP boxes.

The next item was unveiled, a dark obsidian chestplate, lined with mana-conductive veins that flickered with shifting colors.

"The Abyss Plate."

"A one-of-a-kind defensive masterpiece, formed using the exoskeleton of a Void Behemoth. This armor naturally adapts to surrounding mana, granting resistance against elemental magic and physical reinforcement beyond standard materials."

'Overpowered?'

[Not quite. Elemental resistance fluctuates, strong against single-element attacks but ineffective against hybrid mana techniques. The structural integrity, however, is exceptional.]

The bidding climbed at a slower pace, eventually settling at €28 million.

Then, the next case arrived.

A Spear.

Long, sleek, and exuding a presence that sent minor chills through the room. Its tip was red, not from metal, but from crystallized monster blood.

"The Crimson Fang."

"This weapon was formed using the remains of a Blood Drake, an S-Rank dungeon boss that terrorized Northern Russia two years ago. Unlike normal spears, this one retains the essence of its slain beast."

I noticed it immediately. 'That's not just blood.'

[Correct. The blood has partially crystallized into a mana-reactive state. This allows the spear to enhance its strikes with minor life-draining properties.]

The room hummed with energy. Some hunters were already whispering to each other.

The bidding reached €42 million.

Then, the next item appeared.

The moment it was revealed, the entire hall fell silent.

Inside a small crystal vial, encased in a floating anti-gravity field, sat a glowing golden liquid.

Not a weapon. Not armor.

Something far more valuable.

The auctioneer took a measured breath before speaking.

"The Elixir of Longevity."

The silence shattered.

A flood of whispers erupted.

"Impossible!"

"They found one?"

"No wonder they waited months to sell it!"

I didn't need to ask. I already knew.

An Elixir. Found in a Red Gate.

One of the rarest substances in existence.

A drinkable miracle.

"A relic of legend, obtained during an A-Rank Red Gate incident six months ago. This Elixir grants the drinker a significant increase in lifespan, ensuring extended youth and vitality for decades."

I leaned forward slightly. 'Awà?'

[Easy.]

I nearly laughed aloud. My body trembled slightly, and a few guests glanced at me, assuming it was excitement.

'That simple?'

[Yes. Composition is understood. The enhancement works by stimulating cellular longevity through mana reinforcement. The process can be replicated.

Glass blueprint is also acquired.]

This was huge.

Elixirs were practically unheard of. Most assumed they were fairy tales, items lost to history.

And now?

I had the blueprint.

The murmurs were growing louder. Some guests were whispering urgently, debating strategies.

[Be advised, several individuals briefly considered hostile action.]

I stiffened slightly. 'Considered?'

[Yes. A few body postures shifted, minor muscle tensing, rapid glances at exits, adjustments in positioning. However, all attempts to act were dismissed within seconds.]

That made sense.

Despite its insane value, attacking now would be suicide.

The Hunter Association's elite would intervene the moment the protective glass was breached. No one here was arrogant enough to think they could fight their way out.

Not yet.

The auctioneer finally regained control. "Starting bid: €50 million."

A storm of offers followed.

"55 million!"

"60 million!"

"75 million!"

This wasn't like the previous items. This was true longevity, sold to the highest bidder.

"90 million!"

I exhaled slowly.

The final bid landed at €110 million, secured by a cloaked figure in one of the upper boxes.

The hall buzzed with lingering tension.

The most valuable item of the night had been sold.

Or so they thought.

The auctioneer gave a final smile.

----

It might seem that the items are sub par but in reality, it's Awà and Adam requirements that are high, since they can do better, much better.

For the weapons they would consider as 'Decent' they would only find them in the world wide auctions.