Chapter 165
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Auction House
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After the night with Hiss, I escorted her back to the inn so Lena, who was staying in the same lodging, wouldn't notice anything off. We parted ways, promising to meet again.
"Th-that... Ian. N-next time, maybe..."
Even as she left, Hiss—still flushed red—kept hinting at doing it again, and she looked so tempting that I wanted to pull her into one more embrace right there. But I held back my urges and saw her off. Her first time must have left a strong impression; as she headed into the inn, she kept turning back to look at me, which was incredibly cute.
"Alright, then..."
I'd originally planned to hit up a brothel, but after something even better, it was time to check my gains.
Gained experience via Lust Absorption Lv.5 effect.
[Tracking] skill level increased to 4. Can now track targets with minimal clues.
[Flexibility] skill level increased to 6. Flexible body slightly deflects impacts; reduces fatigue buildup from intense exercise.
[Assassination] skill level increased to 6. Assassination power correction partially maintained even if detected by enemy.
[Throwing] skill level increased to 6. Faint intent imbued in thrown objects.
Positive effect applied to target via Lust Absorption Lv.5.
"Whew."
The exhilarating rush of multiple skills leveling up at once. This sensation had to be more addictive than any drug. My newly acquired [Tracking] skill shot straight to level 4, and useful ones like [Assassination] and [Throwing] grew too.
[Flexibility] gained the ability to deflect impacts, while [Throwing] picked up a curious phrase about intent being imbued—like with [Swordsmanship]. I still couldn't properly infuse intent into my swordsmanship anyway, so I'd set that aside for now...
"Is level 7 really impossible?"
I'd harbored faint hope that some skills stuck at level 6 might break through to 7, but no such luck. Seeing most of my skills capped at 6, the wall to level 7 seemed thicker than I'd thought...
"If possible, I'd like to push a few key skills—like [Swordsmanship] or [Sensory Block]—to level 7 before heading into the Labyrinth next time."
It wouldn't happen to all of them, but reaching level 7 on my main skills would let me enter the Labyrinth with peace of mind... Not something doable in a day or two, though. Moving on. My top priority right now was...
"The auction house."
I spent the day testing my newly grown skills, then headed out from the mansion at dawn, pockets stuffed with all my cash. On the slow walk to the auction house, I pulled out the catalog the manager had given me and gave it a read.
Not every item was listed since some came in late, but I could get a general sense of things.
"More elixir types than I expected. Should be able to snag at least one for sure."
Flipping through the pricey-looking goods was fun in itself, so I kept reading all the way to the auction house. Then...
-Thud.
"Ugh..."
"Oh. Sorry about that."
Too absorbed in the catalog, I bumped into a middle-aged man with slightly graying hair upon arriving. The man I collided with dropped his cane and fell to the ground.
"Sorry. I wasn't paying attention... You okay? No injuries?"
"Hrm. I'm fine."
I picked up his fallen cane, grabbed his hand, and helped him to his feet. As he rose gripping my hand, his eyes landed on the bracelet (my inventory) on my wrist.
"........."
"...? Something wrong?"
Even after helping him up and apologizing, he just stood there silently, so I paused, wondering if he'd hurt himself somewhere. He waved it off and pointed at the auction catalog in my hand.
"Heading to the auction house? Saw you reading the catalog on the street—looks like your first time. Best to keep those hidden. Might draw competitors for what you want to buy."
"Ah, got it."
What was this? Sudden advice out of nowhere.
As I blinked in confusion, the man made an "oh right" face and offered a handshake. His hand was covered in rings adorned with colorful, expensive-looking gems.
"My bad, forgot to introduce myself. Name's Elric."
"Ah, yes. I'm Ian."
He'd introduced himself, so I reciprocated with a shake. The uneven rings left a memorable texture.
"Hm? Not ordinary rings?"
Somehow, they felt insanely heavy despite appearances...
-Squeeze...
"...?"
"My apologies."
During the handshake, Elric held onto my hand for quite a while, like he was feeling it out. Then he suddenly grinned.
"What the hell?"
Was he gay?
A chill ran down my spine, so I quickly made my exit.
"Th-thanks for the advice. Gotta go now, so if you'll excuse me..."
"One more thing before you go. The auction house lends out magic tools on the first floor to hide guests' identities. Best to conceal your appearance when using it."
Even as I left, more unsolicited tips. Useful info, though, so I bowed my head and hurried off.
"What was that? Didn't seem particularly strong."
No hostility from [Insight], didn't feel overwhelmingly powerful, but something left a bad taste. His clothes screamed money and class—probably another auction house patron.
"Hm..."
After Ian hurried away, the lone man stared down at the hand he'd shaken with him moments ago.
"No particular differences in the body."
He'd hoped for some anomaly, but... aside from slight mutations from various resistance and regeneration skills, the body was just like any ordinary human's.
Of course, a body combining [Regeneration] and assorted resistance skills made for an intriguing research subject... but he'd already experimented on similar ones with the Six Stones.
"Tch. If only I could inspect the soul."
Directly examining the soul—the foundation of those unique otherworlder skills—would be ideal, but alas, he specialized in "material" analysis, not vague concepts like souls.
If only he had something like that witch Vivian's eyes...
"Hm. Come to think of it."
That otherworlder just now had Vivian's magic tool. The witch had acted uninvolved at the meeting, but their connection ran deeper than expected?
Whatever. Anyway...
"What are you spying on?"
"!!!!"
As the man muttered to himself, he lightly stomped the ground. Without any warning, the surrounding terrain shifted entirely. Walls enclosing the alley warped, trees and stones intertwined into grotesque shapes, dragging out those hidden in the gaps.
"Wh-what? Magic?"
"Who's that guy!"
The three men revealed in an instant shuddered at the altered landscape, baring hostility toward the presumed cause and swiftly readying for battle. Witnesses had to be dealt with.
"Drawing swords right away? No manners."
Elric clicked his tongue at the sight, lightly stroking one of the rings on his finger. But the aftermath of that casual motion was anything but light.
-Crunch!
"!!!!"
"Gaaahhh!"
In less than a second, the ring on Elric's finger swelled massively, morphing into a giant serpent that bit clean through the lower half of the first man to draw his sword. He couldn't even react properly, screaming as his body split in two.
At the gruesome scene, the charging men froze. Elric approached leisurely, like on a stroll, and placed a hand on the face of the one in front.
"Let... go of...!"
-Clang!
He came to his senses late and swung a dagger at the oncoming arm, but it produced a sound impossible from human skin, sparks flying as the blade bounced off. A close look would reveal the soft skin had turned metallic where struck, but the attacker didn't get that chance.
"Decompose."
"M..."
-Fsssh...
No death cry this time. Just a touch to the face, and the man who'd been raging moments ago crumbled to dust. Dying in combat would be understandable. But witnessing a comrade erased from existence with a mere gesture crushed their leader's will to fight instantly.
"R-run..."
The last man, trembling, tried to flee, but the flat stone ground rippled like waves, burying him up to his neck in seconds.
As Elric approached with light steps after ending it all so casually, the embedded man's face turned blue, pleading desperately.
"P-please spare me..."
"Spying on people without permission, then charging with swords?"
"N-no! I don't know who you are, but you weren't the target. That guy you were just talking to—he was. We only wanted info..."
Trembling violently as he begged for mercy, Elric approached and placed a hand on his face. Knowing it would turn him to dust like his comrades, the man struggled desperately, but the bizarre rock ground held firm no matter how he thrashed.
-Plop.
"Hiiiiaaak! ...Huh?"
But contrary to fears, he didn't turn to dust at the touch. Tears streaming, he sighed in relief—only to see Elric's blank expression and spill unasked words in panic.
"I-I'm... no, name's Gordon! I don't know who you are, sir, but I'm useful! I gather info, know lots of things! Th-that's right! I can tell you who gave the orders and which group I'm with..."
"Congratulations. Seems you're quite useful, as you say."
"Y-yes! Spare me and I'll do anything...!"
Hearing "useful," Gordon lit up, relieved he'd live.
"Good. So, what'll you be?"
"...Pardon?"
"Material-wise. I personally prefer gold, but tastes vary. Marble, black iron, bronze, obsidian..."
A question utterly out of place. But before grasping it, Gordon blurted the first word that came to mind.
"G-gold! Gold's the best!"
"Mm. I agree."
Did I pick right? Gold... what does he mean? Giving it to me maybe...?
"Gold suits my auction house perfectly."
"...Pardon?"
"My auction house." That phrase clicked, and his damn brain pieced together the man's identity. The list of materials dawned on him too, draining the color from Gordon's face. Th-this man is...!
"N-no way, gold...!"
-Crack.
Before he could finish, Elric lightly placed a hand on Gordon's head. Instantly, his ashen skin shimmered into gleaming gold.
Elric stomped lightly again, and the twisted surroundings reverted. The leveled ground spat out Gordon—from head to toe, now a gleaming golden statue.
Satisfied with the decent work, Elric—no, Golden King Maideras—picked up the white powder packet that had fallen beside him.
The powder was Angel Dust. A drug with horrific effects... or ones some might call miraculous.
"Trash."
Maideras dismissed the drug as refuse, scattering it into the air. Then he slowly set off toward the auction house.