Chapter 32
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Clash at the Slave Auction
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32.
Thwack!
Silver Fang let out a sharp ring of protest, but Eirana didn't so much as blink, just like always.
This time, it worked—the elf flinched and opened her eyes.
She gazed at Eirana with a face that somehow looked utterly drained.
"What's going on? Have you decided to let me go?"
Eirana stared at the elf, who was spouting utter nonsense that no slave trader would entertain.
"How the hell did a high elf get dumb enough to get caught by humans?"
This elf girl wasn't just any elf—she was a high elf, no less.
In the Middle Realm, they possessed mana power second only to dragons, with lifespans nearly three times that of regular elves. They weren't the kind of race humans could capture just because they wanted to.
In response to Eirana's question, the high elf answered with a slightly sullen expression.
"I came out to sightsee the human world and..."
Eirana delivered her ruthless assessment.
'Idiot.'
Tsking to herself with that thought, Eirana extended her hand.
"Hand over the sword."
At Eirana's words, the high elf passed the sword over without hesitation.
Then, with a puzzled look, she asked,
"But you... are you really human?"
The high elf tilted her head, ears perking up inquisitively.
Eirana replied,
"Human. Just wait—I'll free you."
She was just about to draw Silver Fang when it happened.
The entire warehouse trembled faintly.
Sensing the powerful wave of mana, Eirana narrowed her eyes and rapidly analyzed the situation.
'The scale of the mana and the ground shaking point to a mid-tier large-scale spell. Power level around 6th class. The mages from Winzers' group could pull this off without issue, but why use something like this on a mission that demands stealth?'
"What's going on?"
The high elf asked in a perfectly calm tone.
Eirana felt a slight twitch in the back of her neck at the girl's utter lack of tension.
"Something's happening outside. I'll be right back. Just wait here a sec."
The high elf blinked at her words, then nodded.
"Come back quick."
Seemed like her nonchalance was innate.
I'll give her a good smack later, Eirana thought as she slipped out of the warehouse.
Kaboom!
The subordinates of Winzers, who had been carrying out their operation outside the warehouse, all froze in shock at the sudden explosion.
As they scrambled to assess the situation, a third force burst onto the warehouse grounds.
Unlike Winzers' men moving stealthily, these newcomers openly showed hostility toward the Golden Sky Merchant Group, their movements sharp and aggressive.
Some were already clashing with Winzers' subordinates.
And leading them was someone whose movements defied imagination.
A swordsman with glowing red eyes beneath a hood sliced through enemies with terrifying speed—the embodiment of fear itself.
Just like that, they charged straight toward the warehouse where the slave auction was underway.
Eirana kicked open the door from the slave holding area and stepped out, immediately spotting the auction platform.
A man who looked like the auctioneer stood on it, while below him, a slave who had just been sold was being dragged away by what appeared to be guards.
The warehouse interior was decked out like a lavish party hall.
The invited nobles, every one wearing ornate masks like at a masquerade ball, were busy chattering among themselves.
In one corner, a band played soft music.
Soundproofing magic seemed to cover the whole building—no one had noticed the commotion outside.
'No sign of the intruders having breached yet.'
Eirana swept her gaze across the hall, finishing her quick assessment with a mutter under her breath.
'Disgusting.'
She couldn't stand how they acted all high and mighty while buying and selling people under the guise of status.
Just then, the auctioneer—who had been waiting for the next slave—spotted Eirana and gave her a puzzled look.
Eirana met his gaze and calmly climbed onto the platform.
"A surprise event? This wasn't on the schedule."
The auctioneer ad-libbed dramatically, putting on a show of outrage as Eirana approached right up to him.
But inside, he was clearly flustered by the unexpected turn.
He scolded Eirana like she was the villain in some cheap play.
"These are all esteemed guests here. This isn't a place for rude people hiding their faces."
As if he and everyone else weren't masked themselves.
While she thought that, the auctioneer pulled back her hood.
Eirana let him.
The moment her face was revealed, gasps erupted throughout the warehouse.
"Merchandise? I'll buy her!"
"No way—I'll take her! Auctioneer! What's the starting bid?"
Bids poured in instantly, leaving the auctioneer bewildered.
"Uh... well... this is... the price..."
The auctioneer started to speak but froze as Eirana suddenly grabbed his face in her hand, his expression turning to shock.
The grip strength from her slender hand was beyond imagination.
"Curious about my price?"
Eirana growled low.
The hand clutching the auctioneer's face tightened gradually.
Crunch crunch.
"Gaaahhh!!!"
A strange sound came from the bones in his face, and he screamed, thrashing in agony.
"But here's the problem—my price is a bit steep."
Eirana's eyes curved into a smile.
With a bright, clear laugh.
Splat!
"Kragh!"
His facial bones crumpled inward like paper being crushed, blood spraying from his eyes and nose.
Eirana flung his ruined face aside like trash.
Gripping his bulging eyeball, the auctioneer wailed in pain and terror.
The party hall fell deathly silent at the abrupt violence.
Amid the chilled atmosphere, Eirana bellowed,
"What are you staring at, you scum? Show's over!"
She snarled savagely, leaped down from the platform, and swung Silver Fang.
Clang clatter clash!
The iron shackles binding the slaves below the platform snapped clean off in an instant.
The slaves stared blankly, unable to process, as Eirana pointed her sword tip toward the holding area.
"Mind waiting over there for a bit?"
The slaves gaped at her words.
Then guards rushed in.
Eirana swung her sword at the sight.
Slash! Slice! Spurt!
"...Kyaaah!"
The guards crumpled, cut down in seconds.
Nobles' screams followed.
Eirana addressed the slaves amid the cries.
"Get in my way, and you get sliced too."
"Hiiik!"
Terrified, the slaves bolted for the holding area.
Other guards tried to stop them but fell to Eirana's blade first.
She had turned the party into a bloodbath in moments and was about to rampage further when more people burst into the warehouse.
She approached the intruders.
"Calvin's men?"
They halted at her question, then realized she was friendly.
"That's right! What's your proof?"
Eirana clicked her tongue softly at the man's urgent tone.
Combining the mana wave from earlier with their reaction, something big had clearly gone down outside.
She pointed her sword at the door behind the platform.
"Through that door. Oh, there's something pretty special back there, so don't rough it up. More importantly, what's happening outside?"
The apparent leader answered gravely to her puzzled question.
"A third force attacked us."
"..."
Eirana furrowed her brow.
She lowered her sword casually and headed for the main entrance.
"You guys can handle this place, right? Take care of it."
Ignoring their attempt to speak, Eirana strolled toward the gate.
With each step, the crowd parted like a knife through cloth.
A few guards drew swords and charged, but they hit the floor as corpses before she blinked.
She exited the gate with light, carefree steps like she was on a walk, then narrowed her eyes at the scene unfolding ahead.
The third force was swiftly subduing those around and beelining for the warehouse.
The most dangerous among them was the swordsman at the front.
Just the sword's trajectory told her everything.
'Strong. Stronger than anyone from my past or present life.'
Eirana murmured inwardly as she used lightness skill to lightly cut in front.
The swordsman, cutting through foes with murderous momentum, halted upon seeing her block the path.
Then spoke.
"Are you another lackey of this nation?"
'A woman?'
Eirana cocked her head at the voice.
Meanwhile, the swordswoman slowly shook blood from her blade.
"I have no desire to spill needless blood. Step aside."
Eirana tilted her head at the words.
The opponent didn't seem to want a fight, but Eirana was intrigued.
As she regripped her sword, the swordswoman sighed shortly.
With that, Eirana kicked off the ground.
The swordswoman whipped her sword behind her as Eirana vanished from view in an instant.
Clang! Crash! Clink! Crunch!
Their blades clashed four times in a flash.
They locked swords, pushing with raw strength.
Screeech!
The grinding of steel rang out.
Clang!
Eirana shoved with arm strength, forcing her back.
The swordswoman flipped gracefully in midair, landed lightly, and stepped forward.
Crack!
The ground caved under her foot, and her form vanished like a ghost.
Eirana pulled back simultaneously.
Screech!
A diagonal slash from upper right to lower left.
The blade gouged the earth, leaving a scar.
The swordswoman straightened, raised her sword high, and thrust at Eirana's throat.
Screeech!
Just before it hit, Eirana swung Silver Fang, deflecting the thrust.
It barely grazed, tearing her hood but fizzling out.
Eirana poured power into her blade, slamming a palm strike at the swordswoman's solar plexus as she tried to decapitate her.
But the swordswoman retreated a step faster.
Eirana's palm sliced empty air, compressing it and kicking up thick dust.
"..."
"..."
Eirana and the swordswoman stared silently.
'Speed, power, skill. Not a single flaw.'
Eirana assessed her opponent's prowess coolly.
She had expected this world to have plenty of powerhouses, just like the countless ones in the murim of her past life, but she never dreamed she'd encounter one this soon.
'How far will my power as Ha Yu-hyun hold up?'
She hadn't unleashed everything yet—and neither had her foe.
Neither's breath was ragged in the slightest.