Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Human Average
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“Got the goods?”
“All set.”
The man with the cigar clenched between his teeth let out a smirk.
“About time we got our hands on some real cash.”
A dimly lit space.
He took a drag, and the tip glowed red for a moment.
In the flickering light, the man’s split lip curved into a grin.
“Stupid elf. How flowery does its head have to be to wander alone in our territory?”
“Thanks to that, we get to make a killing.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
With a cackling laugh, the man stepped into the light.
At a glance, he had an ordinary look about him, but he habitually scanned the empty auction hall.
“The lord?”
“He won’t stick his neck out. With the boss here, what could a guy like him do anyway?”
“Don’t underestimate him. He’s a master in his own right. If we run into him, we’re done for.”
“But if the boss steps in, it’s nothing.”
“You the boss? Keep the men in line.”
“Yes, sir!”
The subordinate bowed and retreated.
Humming to himself, the man stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray.
“A young elf, huh…”
The value of a young elf was beyond imagination.
Elves already lived several times longer than humans, and they barely aged until the end of their lifespan.
Word was this one hadn’t even hit a century, meaning its beauty would last for hundreds of years.
And it wasn’t even wearing the earrings typical of married elves, so there was a near-perfect chance it was a virgin—which sent the price skyrocketing again.
In short, even for the whole organization, this was significant profit.
Could you even fathom the amount?
With dozens of members and the overhead of running things, it was still a massive sum. That’s why they couldn’t quit elf hunting.
Sure, one wrong move and they’d be wiped out, but just don’t screw up.
“Time to get ready.”
A rare elf shipment after so long.
Big shots would swarm for sure.
To avoid any slip-ups, preparations had to be thorough.
“When’s the boss showing up?”
Just no pointless trouble.
The man clicked his tongue.
*
Enoch followed the traces of magic slowly.
Elf, elf…
If his hunch was right, these were elf hunters.
Lucky scum might’ve stumbled on a lost elf by chance, but assume the worst first.
“Eri, stay sharp this time.”
[How many?]
“Probably a lot. If they’re elf hunters.”
Elf hunters weren’t pushovers.
Elves were superior to humans in every way—physically, no flaws, and most had gentle natures to boot.
These were the ones hunting elves?
Worthless vermin, but their power couldn’t be dismissed.
Unless they were suicidal short-lifers, they’d have enough force to handle a war with a territory like this without breaking a sweat.
[Hic…!]
Eri gasped in surprise.
If Enoch was saying this, it wasn’t a trivial foe.
The young spirit’s whiskers quivered.
“Hey, don’t stress too much. They’re human, after all.”
[Oh, right!]
Tension gone in an instant.
“Humans can only get so strong.”
Enoch muttered, halting his steps.
The magic trail ended at the building ahead.
The carriage had gone inside, so high chance the elf was too.
‘What now…’
Two options.
Storm in now, slaughter everyone inside, rescue the elf.
Or wait a bit, let more humans gather, slaughter them all, rescue the elf.
Then,
- Solid intel, right?
Enoch perked his ears at the faint voices.
“Yeah, elf at the end of the auction.”
“Better be. We came all this way. Hope it’s not a bust.”
“It’s legit. Straight from the organizers.”
Auction, elf.
Crystal clear now.
Against the natural order, lowly humans dared to enslave the noble elf.
The ugly jealousy of inferiors toward superiors, the pathetic thrashing of creatures denying reality.
Crackle—!
Enoch moved quietly, his mood soured.
Two conversing.
Four guards nearby.
The talkers looked like nobles’ sons, so some skill likely; guards obviously armed.
Accounting for that, he slipped in.
“Wh-what?!”
“Block him!”
The humans’ eyes widened too late.
From reaction to action—in that split second.
Enoch swung his hand.
Crunch—!
Blood sprayed.
Heads torn clean off, tumbling to the ground.
“Huh?”
Dead just like that?
A bit surprised, but he stopped short on the last one, sparing it.
“Uh, uhh…”
The noble-looking one collapsed, face drained white.
Parents nobles, so the kid inherited that trash skill? This was it?
Typical humans.
Enoch clicked his tongue, grabbing the survivor’s hair and yanking him up.
Lucky it was night in an alley—no witnesses.
“Any conditions for the auction?”
“Sp-spare…”
Crackle—! Lightning charred one arm black.
“Aaagh…!”
“I asked.”
“W-wait…! Answer! I’ll answer!”
The man gasped.
Something rolled from his pocket.
“A mask?”
Fancy one covering eyes and nose.
Seeing it jogged his memory.
‘Better wear one if things go down?’
No sense causing a fuss that reaches Rionne’s ears—he’d lose sleep over the injustice.
Rummaging his bag for a mask, Enoch heard the trembling voice.
“Th-the passphrase…”
“What?”
“…Just say the passphrase to get in.”
“Easy enough.”
“They’re guys even the lord can’t touch.”
“So, the passphrase?”
“…Come seeking the fairy beneath the moon.”
Cheeky passphrase.
Fairy meant elf.
Humans with some nerve.
Donning his pure white mask from long ago, Enoch looked down.
“The mask?”
“…Not required. Most wear them though.”
“I see.”
All the info now.
Enoch raised his hand.
“W-wait…! I’m the eldest son of a baron! Just spare m—”
Crack. Another corpse with a twisted neck.
Enoch shook blood from his hand, pulling gloves from his pocket.
“An auction… Big dumpster.”
Squeeze—testing the gloved hand.
Moved smooth as bare.
Looked like plain silk, but dwarven make.
Made by Riraum, Rionne’s friend.
Used to think it just okay, but worthy of master craftsman title?
Lately, performance jumped.
New feature too.
A growing glove.
Dwarves a cut above humans, after all.
“Time to go in.”
[Yes, Daddy!]
“Quiet once inside.”
[Yes!]
Enoch patted his sword hilt lightly and headed for the auction hall.
*
Tall stature, sleek yet muscled build, fine clothes, sword at hip, plus a pristine white mask screaming quality wood.
Jack, on guard duty, sensed the guy was no lightweight.
Still, no trouble here.
“What?”
“……”
Even as a grunt, he was organization.
Noble? Get real.
Boss could be high noble anytime he wanted.
Just didn’t bother with empty titles.
This punk?
Looked young.
Daddy’s status might be high, but the kid? How great could he be at that age?
“…Come seeking the fairy beneath the moon.”
Look at that.
Voice dripping resentment, but all he could do was recite the passphrase.
“Tch, go in.”
Jack waved him through.
That thrill every time.
Giggling to himself, his eyes met the masked gaze.
“Wh-what…?”
Chill.
Not cold out, but goosebumps anyway.
Jack subtly shifted to his weapon, ready to yell.
Thump, thump—heart pounding.
Chills racing up from his toes.
“D-don’t cause a scene! Get in already!”
“Stealthily… pursue.”
“What?”
Whispered something? Too quiet.
How long had he been glaring?
Step—
Seconds felt like hours, then the guy entered.
“F-fucker. Total wuss.”
Jack spat on the ground, leaning against the wall.
Legs shaking—stuck like this a while.
*
[That guy’s got a weird face and no manners.]
Eri whispered via thought-speak, just for Enoch.
Confirming the tracking spell on the guard worked, Enoch tapped his sword hilt and headed deeper.
“Human average.”
[So all humans are ugly and rotten?]
“Smart girl. Spot on.”
The baby spirit was growing splendidly.