Episode 199
As I sat quietly in the room, a strange smell slowly wafted into the air.
It feels like the tension is somehow relieved.
Both body and mind become tired, as if soaking in the perfect hot bath.
Now that I think about it, how should I contact Sanghyeolgong?
Since nothing much was said, I guess it would be okay to take action the moment something breaks.
‘But what should I do?’
My role was to be a decoy in the first place, so I don’t think there’s any need to help Sanghyeolgong destroy this place… … .
I think it would be quite a fun experience to mess around in this secret auction house, so I would like to help out as much as possible.
That’s the moment.
Coo… … .
Along with the feeling of my heart dropping, the feeling of the air touching my skin changed in a strange way.
How should I express this?
It seems as if all the air is being sucked into a specific space.
‘Magic?’
I can feel the movement of mana.
I slightly increased my strength and prepared for an unexpected situation, but nothing significant happened.
Dalkak-.
The next moment, the door opened and a man wearing a wolf mask appeared.
He was wearing a pitch black suit and even had a rose in the outside pocket on his chest. Of course it will be harmonious.
“You’ve waited a long time.”
The voice is also bizarre. You can tell the moment you hear that it was intentionally altered.
“Participants, please come here. “I will guide you.”
At those words, the guys in the room slowly got up and started moving one by one. We too join the ranks.
Immediately after leaving the room, it occurred to me that the place had changed.
It was not the corridor of the magic tower where floating wizards roamed. Not only the walls but also the width of the hallway had changed.
‘Was it the space movement magic I just used?’
It won’t be far.
Moving such a large number of people is a skill only possible for an archmage, and even that is inefficient.
This means that there is no reason for the Archmage to use precious mana.
Anyway, there was a table in the front of the room, and dozens of different masks were placed on it.
Wolf Tal, who had just appeared, spoke in a smiling voice.
“Please choose one.”
After thinking for a moment, I chose the little pig mask.
For reference, Haro chose the dolphin mask, and Jial chose the bull mask.
‘Isn’t this a bit boring?’
Trying to hide your identity with just a mask… The same goes for the method of ensuring anonymity.
Compared to the grandiose name Abyss Auction, it feels a bit dull.
The mask was designed to only cover the area around the eyes, so it didn’t seem like it would be able to hide it properly.
I felt like a fool as I walked down the dimly lit hallway with my mask on.
After a while, a woman wearing a bee mask approached me and said:
“It’s black opal grade, right? “Please come this way.”
There was a slight buzz around the bee woman’s words.
The pig that was waddling also looked this way in surprise. This guy chose a tiger mask that didn’t suit him.
‘I wonder if you can tell the grade by the jewel embedded in the pendant.’
Looking at the reactions of those around me, it seems like I’m a VIP or something.
“Gulp.”
I made fun of the pig by making a pig nose with my middle finger, and then followed behind with a bee mask.
The place we moved to was a private seat with a panoramic view of the stage.
It was a high enough place that one had to climb up a separately prepared staircase, and the surrounding walls and curtains were drawn, so even if someone died inside, it would be difficult to notice.
The overall shape of the stage feels like a reference to the Imperial Theater.
Why is it a place where the best theater companies and orchestras in the empire perform plays, perform, and sing?
‘Why do high people like being in high places?’
A simple question came to mind, but my first feeling after being guided here was, ‘I am being treated properly,’ so I am not in a position to say anything.
It’s just my opinion, but I think it’s to give the feeling that it can’t be easily accessed.
anyway.
It was quite far from the stage, but my eyesight was good enough that I could see not only what was on stage but also what was behind the curtain if I wanted to, so there was no problem.
Tables were also prepared for individual seating.
As I sat down, Bee Mask bowed and said.
“Do you need anything?”
“My mouth is bored. “Do you have something to chew on?”
“I will prepare it in a moment.”
While the bee mask was gone, I looked around.
Still, perhaps because it was the highest location, I could clearly see the faces of those participating in the auction.
I thought it was funny how everyone was wearing different masks.
‘ah. Now that I think about it, I have to find the pig.’
In order to bid higher in that damn auction, you need to know the location in advance.
After looking around for a moment, I soon realized something odd.
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
“huh?”
I found a guy wearing a tiger mask underneath me… … .
What was important was that the wearer’s physique was completely different from before.
The fat woman who was so bloated that it was difficult to walk has now turned into a slender girl.
Did someone else wear the mask on his behalf?
I thought so for a moment, but it felt strange somehow.
Somehow, I feel like they are claiming that the pig and that girl are the same person.
After thinking for a moment, I immediately activated Hwaan Geumjeong.
‘aha.’
It was the power of the mask.
The mask I was given immediately after leaving the room was a magic tool, and it had a hidden function that allowed me to hide myself.
It is in a different form from the Linchal mask I have.
Unlike the Linchal mask, which directly transforms the user’s body, this one seemed to be a type of mask that refracts and reflects incident light, causing confusion in the viewer’s visual information.
The reason I felt out of place was because information other than the visual did not change.
Well, when I was waiting in the room, I could make out the faces of all the people inside… … .
Actually, when I think about the strange scent that came from that room, I think it was hallucinogenic herb.
If you haven’t trained your mind, your memories will probably become blurry.
The faces of those people I saw in the room mean that I will completely forget them the next day.
‘indeed… ‘Is anonymity guaranteed in this way?’
I thought it was clumsy, but it may actually be thorough.
“Here it is.”
Meanwhile, the bee brought something to eat.
It was black tea and cookies, and I said as soon as I took a bite of the cookie.
“Are these cookies from [De Malin Refreshment Shop]?”
“You have broad insight. That’s right.”
“It’s delicious. “I guess the owner has a good sense of perspective.”
“… That’s right.”
Bee smiled slightly awkwardly.
This was noticeable because most masks only covered the eyes.
“Is there anything like an envelope?”
“… “You mean the envelope?”
“huh. And give me some more cookies.”
“Oh, I understand.”
The bee rolled its eyes and disappeared, and after a while, it brought back a bag and a cookie.
“thanks.”
“… It was nothing.”
I kept most of the cookies in bags.
‘Through this, the bribe was secured… … .’
I chewed the remaining cookie and looked down at the auction house.
The lights were slowly getting darker.
[ladies and gentlemen! Nice to meet you!]
And then a man wearing a turtle mask appeared on stage.
It didn’t seem like there was any special equipment, but the volume was enormous.
[This is ‘Turtle’ who is in charge of hosting! May God’s blessings be with those who are here today.]
“What are you doing?”
These guys are always looking for God.
Unfortunately, what these guys will have to face instead of God is the combination of the Iron Blood Ball and the Breaking Blade… … .
Anyway, since it was the opening announcing the start of the auction, it wouldn’t have been surprising if the owner of Abyss Auction – namely Ryzen Badniker – appeared.
Without any sign of such a thing, the host called Turtle started spitting and chatting to himself.
Most of it was flattery toward the attendees and rhetoric about the history and greatness of this auction.
‘It’s useless… … .’
I yawned and looked down at the stage.
It’s already past midnight, and I’m starting to feel sleepy, probably because I should have gone to bed a long time ago when I was lying in the hospital.
‘Now that I think about it, I heard that there are etiquette rules even at auctions.’
That’s why, when bidding, they use hand gestures to elegantly express their intentions.
Coo… … .
At about that time, the lights dimmed once again, and the auction began in earnest.
[Then this is the first item! It’s extreme salt grass!]
“Ohh… … ?”
Something I knew from the beginning came out.
[This is a high-quality product collected directly by an expert from the Gem Mountains! Look at the dirt on these roots! Don’t you feel the freshness of a freshly caught fish? Of course, you have to clean it off before taking it. haha! Or maybe you don’t know? Could there be magical powers in the soil where the elixir rested?]
I clenched my chin, ignoring the host’s useless joke.
Extreme salt grass of the Gem Mountains.
I thought the church had already obtained it, but I never thought I would see it in a place like this.
Of course, it could be a fake.
It may be a different Extreme Flame Herb than the one secured by the church.
I asked the bee next to me.
“How do I win this bid?”
“ah… … . “I guess this is your first time at an auction.”
“huh. “I came here on behalf of my father.”
“… … .”
Then the eyes behind the mask changed slightly.
It’s a familiar sight to me.
That look in your eyes that treats people like idiots.
“… Normally, you would have to raise your hand and speak, but if you are in the room, you can speak to me.”
“okay? “Then, do you want to buy that?”
I smiled and said, and the bee nodded.
[oh… … ! A bidder came out before the explanation was over! 500 gold from B-3!]
“Plague?”
In an instant, one-tenth of my wealth disappeared.
Even though the elixir is worth the price, 500 gold is a bit too expensive.
I felt slightly uncomfortable, but soon felt at ease again when I realized that this was not my money.
Anyway, 500 gold wasn’t a small amount of money, so no one followed suit.
With the result being like this, I feel like I was ripped off a bit.
“If you have something to buy, buy it too.”
I spoke to the two guys who had become particularly quiet since entering the auction house.
“I-I’m fine.”
“… me too.”
Haro seemed extremely nervous, and Jial seemed lost in thought.
It wasn’t nice to see valuable experience just being wasted.
In any case, since the Abyss Auction was highly likely to disappear as of today, this was the first and last time these guys participated in it.
Of course, nagging about things like this is something only an old man would do, so I kept my mouth shut.
After that, items continued to pour in, but as I said before, I didn’t have enough knowledge to appraise them, so…
According to the plan, I bought it according to how the pig lived.
[100 gold! 110 gold! 120 gold! ah! Here, number B-3, 200 gold at once! ‘Randal’s Cloth’ is the winning bid!]
[200 gold! 250 gold! ah! 300 gold! The spine of the giants goes to its owner!]
Snapping.
The sound of the pig grinding his teeth could clearly be heard.
I smiled and waved from high above.
He may look different to me than before, but he will know who I am thanks to this highly visible pig mask.
“Now that I think about it, how do I receive this item?”
“You can receive it after paying the price after the auction is over.”
“I see.”
It seems like the price is paid all at once.
After that, many items came and went, and I purchased over twenty items.
At that time, I felt that not only the participants around me, but also the bee mask standing next to me, and even the host on stage were paying attention to me.
“Well, it looks like there’s a lot you like.”
I laughed and responded to what the bee mask said.
“I’m a bit greedy. “Give me more cookies, too.”
“… All right.”
At that time, the lights on the stage dimmed slightly, and the host disappeared, leaving an exit message.
And then you start to hear soft music from somewhere.
“what. “Are you done?”
“Part 1 is over. Part 2 is scheduled to start in about an hour.”
“aha.”
“Can you prepare a meal for me?”
“hmm… no.”
I had such a hearty dinner, and I literally ate the cookies when I got here, so I didn’t feel full at all.
“All right. “If you need anything, please call me.”
“Come to think of it.”
“yes.”
“Is there no such thing as a catalog? “I want to see the auction items in advance.”
“ah… “Didn’t you receive it in advance?”
“I heard you came as a substitute for Dad.”
“Now, please wait a moment.”
Bee left with a puzzled look on his face, and then handed me a catalog.
“Here it is.”
“thank you.”
“yes. Then, I’ll see you in part 2.”
“okay.”
I opened the catalog and flipped through the pages.
Part 1 is already over, so skip it.
As is usually the case with these types of events, a lot of the really expensive stuff was concentrated in the second part.
Part 2 feels like the main focus is on slave auctions.
Come to think of it, it never appeared in Part 1.
Along with the seven races: humans, fairies, dwarves, giants, and beastmen… … .
There were monsters like goblins and trolls, and there were also things like wild beast babies that seemed somewhat difficult to raise, and eggs of rare spirit creatures.
Then I got the last text.
I laughed out loud when I saw the item that was probably the finale of this auction.
“… “Aren’t these crazy guys?”
Are you selling something like this?
Abyss Auction, the treatment of slaves was not the problem.
Only then did I feel like I knew why Sanghyeolgong wanted to wipe out this place.
There was no way that person would go out and just auction off slaves.
Even if you don’t just sit back and watch, you can send subordinates or use your connections… … . Anyway, there must have been many ways to destroy the auction.
“Excuse me.”
Then someone came up.
I took a quick look and saw the wolf mask that had first guided us.
“It’s called Wolf. “Are you enjoying the auction?”
“The cookies are friendly and the auction is delicious.”
“… “The cookies from De Malin Refreshment Shop are always good.”
Wolf Mask naturally let go of my nonsense and got straight to the point.
“The host is looking for you. Is it okay for a moment?”
Did you take the bait?
It looks like the brothers will be reunited sooner than expected.
‘Now that I think about it, I’ve never had a good start with these guys called brothers.’
Heiro was like that, and so was Hector.
Is Ryzen a little different?
I stood up with doubts in my mind.
“Let’s go. hurry.”
fantasy,
