CHAPTER 67: CHAPTER 67: DR. AXEL’S REACTION

The two subordinates instantly widened their eyes, very surprised, but they didn’t show even a trace of doubt anymore, because they trusted [Grinning Ghost] a lot.

To be exact, they trusted [Grinning Ghost]’s gut. Whether in the game or in real life, his instincts had helped them escape danger many times.

Another subordinate then thought of something and asked: "Then why don’t we go to the auction?"

[Grinning Ghost] said directly, "[Windchaser] is a very smart person, and smart people are often greedy. So if nothing unexpected happens, he’ll keep the recipe Intel in his own hands."

"If I were him, I would definitely find someone to put on a disguise and win the Intel at the auction. That way, he can shift other people’s attention."

[Grinning Ghost] didn’t really know [Windchaser]. There wasn’t much Intel on him, so there wasn’t much to figure out.

All of these guesses came from his intuition.

And once [Windchaser] tries to study the recipe, he will reach out to him first. Compared to a single recipe, [Grinning Ghost] values the person [Windchaser] more.

The arrival of Dawnfall Online means the world is about to change in a big way, and only a few people can see this clearly.

Even without more hidden Intel, smart people can still figure out a lot.

Besides all kinds of Intel and supplies, talent is just as important.

[Grinning Ghost] had a feeling that it wouldn’t be long before [Windchaser] would crush that [Sensing Pinecone] on his own.

...

In Safe Zone 9527, on a field not far from the spire, Lucas stood on the auction stage, banging the auction gavel in his hand.

"[Guild Hidden Quest Intel], one point eight million, first time!"

"One point eight million, second time! Anyone higher? If not, then it’s going to..."

Someone suddenly shouted, "I’ll bid two million!"

Lucas shouted excitedly, "Two million? Someone bid two million. Anyone going higher?"

When no one raised the bid, Lucas slammed the auction gavel.

"Two million, first time!"

"Two million, second time!"

"Two million, third time!"

"Congratulations to this gentleman for winning [Guild Hidden Quest Intel]!"

Then Lucas started auctioning the [Ice Archer class change Intel], with a starting price of eight hundred thousand.

As players kept calling out bids one after another, Ethan stood in a corner, quietly watching everything around him.

Before the auction began, he had found Elise, the item shop owner, and asked her for a favor.

Elise didn’t refuse—not only because what Ethan wanted was very simple, but also because she wanted to give Ethan an extra reward. But a small accident happened.

Elise told Ethan she might need some more time before she could give him that extra reward.

Ethan agreed.

He needed Elise to disguise herself and bid high to win the [Blue Ice Potion recipe Intel]. That way, the forces trying to get the [Blue Ice Potion recipe Intel] would shift their attention to the identity Elise was using.

But Ethan also knew this could only lower some of the hidden prying, it couldn’t fully shake them off.

He looked around and happened to see Evan standing up high, with a cold face, looking down at a player at his feet.

Ethan knew that player. He remembered it clearly: the guy died in a very weird way—he got accidentally stepped on by people at the auction and died.

When that happened, lots of people were stunned.

This auction will definitely be a big topic among players. Besides the pricey Intel and [Windchaser] taking on eleven class change players alone, a player getting stepped to death will also spark a lot of talk.

The auction was going great. Ethan kept getting messages from Lucas, saying lots of real-world companies and groups were contacting him, wanting to pay big money to place ads during the auction.

After Lucas told Ethan, he nudged Lucian, who was still staring at the pretty girls.

Lucian suddenly got it. His family runs media and ad companies, so he knew this one-of-a-kind auction would draw huge buzz and attention.

So he pulled his eyes back, logged out right away, and less than a minute later, he was back in Dawnfall Online.

He quickly found Ethan, bent forward with his head down, and said, "Ethan, there’s something..."

Of course Ethan knew what Lucian wanted to say. He hadn’t replied to Lucas yet—he was waiting for Lucian to come to him.

After all, he remembered what Lucian’s family does.

He wouldn’t miss a chance like this to boost exposure.

Instead of giving the ad slots to other companies, he’d rather give them to Lucian. Lucian was on his side and had already done a lot following Lucas’s plans.

Ethan said straight: "You’re here about the ads, right?"

Lucian nodded hard and said sincerely: "Ethan, I just logged out to tell my family that I know you."

"You don’t know how good it felt when they looked at me with shock and disbelief."

"It felt better than going on dates with ten girl influencers!"

"Ethan, please, give me a chance. I want to do something too."

"Don’t worry about the money—we won’t pay less than other companies!"

Ethan nodded and said, "Alright. The auction hype will peak when we sell the [Blue Ice Potion recipe Intel]. You need to move fast."

Lucian clenched a fist over his chest, stared at Ethan, and said:

"Don’t worry, Ethan. I won’t let you down!"

"Thank you, Ethan!"

After saying that, Lucian rushed off.

Ethan watched him go and nodded, satisfied. Running ads during the auction was a must.

After all, Ethan still wanted to make more money.

Rather than let someone else handle it, he might as well give it to Lucian.

It was like when he put Lucas in charge of the auction. Lucian was now full of gratitude toward him.

When you have an irreplaceable resource, asking others to help is actually giving them a precious chance.

They won’t find it troublesome. They’ll see it as an opportunity and feel grateful and honored.

Ethan took a deep breath. His intel was that kind of irreplaceable resource. Meanwhile, the groups who knew how to use the [Blue Ice Potion recipe] had intel he didn’t have yet.

If he wanted to make use of the [Blue Ice Potion recipe], he had to find the related intel first.

He let out a small sigh. In the real world, he didn’t have the [Ten-Thousandfold Intelligence Reward]. And even if he did, would there be monsters for him to kill?

...

In a luxury single room at a hospital in Dolren City, Ethan slowly opened his eyes.

After Elise won the [Blue Ice Potion recipe Intel], he logged out of Dawnfall Online.

He had something more important to do: get a check-up, and meet Dr. Axel to ask about being discharged and the hope for treatment Dr. Axel had mentioned.

The [Guild Hidden Quest Intel] and the [Ice Archer class change Intel] sold for a total of 3.9 million, and the final price for the [Blue Ice Potion recipe] was even harder to believe.

Someone bid 18 million, trying to win the [Blue Ice Potion recipe Intel].

Ethan was tempted for a moment, but only for a moment. For him, a few million was already enough.

Before he joined Dawnfall Online, he was almost bankrupt.

But in just a few days, Ethan made millions through Dawnfall Online—and that doesn’t even include the ad money from Lucian.

If he told people who knew him about his current wealth, they wouldn’t believe it.

Only Leo would believe him, and he’d definitely make Ethan treat him to drinks and a night out.

Sadly, Leo can’t be reached in real life now. In a few days, Ethan might have to go to Leo’s "funeral."

Ethan did a quick tidy-up, then followed a blonde nurse to do a bunch of tests.

A few hours later, Ethan held all the reports and knocked on Dr. Axel’s office door.

Axel, looking exhausted, opened the door and gave Ethan a nod.

A faint smile appeared on Axel’s face. He said: "Ethan, you look good. You’re recovering well."

Ethan smiled, sat down, handed him the papers, and asked: "Doctor, you don’t look so good. What’s wrong?"

Axel shook his head and said nothing. He looked down at the reports. He was about to speak, then suddenly stopped.

Ethan noticed Axel’s fingers gripping the papers a bit tighter, creasing the page.

Dr. Axel said slowly: "Your recovery is good, but we still need to observe for a while. Get some good rest these next few days..."

Ethan asked calmly: "Is my illness getting worse?"

Axel set the papers down in silence.

Ethan sighed and asked again, "How much time do I have left?"