Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Auction (2)
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The banquet hall was still in full swing.
Under the bright lights illuminating the space, monsters of various races, dressed in splendid attire, chatted animatedly with one another.
Elegant music flowed through the air, and the feast continued in a refined atmosphere.
After a while in this pleasant mood, one change began to take place.
A special stage was being set up in the center of the banquet hall.
"……."
Those who already knew what was coming watched the center quietly.
Some called over their subordinate monsters and whispered instructions.
Others who had no idea asked the monsters around them.
"What's that?"
Azmo, having just returned from some fun, asked those nearby.
It was a small group of incubi and succubi, all their faces flushed red.
"Ah, it's finally starting."
In response to Azmo's question about what it was, one succubus answered immediately.
"The banquet has all sorts of events, and that's one of them. The order changes every time, but it looks like a stage for the auction."
"An auction, huh…."
Azmo nodded at the explanation that it was a stage for an auction.
His curiosity satisfied, but the succubus kept talking.
"Well, it's just an auction limited to high society. There might be rare or mysterious items, but probably nothing truly one-of-a-kind."
Fair enough, Azmo thought.
Even as a first-time visitor to high society, he could grasp the vibe.
This auction was just a prop to liven up the banquet's atmosphere.
Besides, it was only among the banquet's attendees.
So, the Merchant Guild wouldn't showcase anything truly rare.
"That said, don't skip out entirely. Bidders here are likely to get invites to the official auction house later."
Essentially, this was a pop-up auction house.
And to attend the Merchant Guild's formal auction, you had to spend here too.
Thorough business tactics.
"Hah…."
Azmo clicked his tongue in admiration at the Demon Realm Merchant Guild's scheme.
At the same time, he envied their system.
Whatever their reputation, dungeons under the Guild's system were guaranteed steady growth.
And that wasn't all.
Gatherings like this allowed dungeons to form alliances.
Beautiful.
Companions overcoming hardships together and advancing forward.
Truly beautiful.
It wasn't just about defending a dungeon alone.
A life where everyone protects it together….
This was true beauty.
For Azmo, who had single-handedly guarded his dungeon on Earth all this time, it was a novel experience.
If this wasn't beautiful, what was?
No matter how many jewels or ornaments you hoarded, or how many pretty statues and paintings you hung in your dungeon—they weren't true beauty.
No matter how much you sculpted your body or adorned your looks, it fell short of real beauty.
He knew this well, having once chased superficial allure himself.
But meeting his current master had changed Azmo's mind.
It was a chance to reflect on the essence of beauty.
At least for him.
And in that moment, Azmo realized something.
The words "banquet" and "auction" had vanished from his mind.
A new goal took their place.
I want to create a system like the Demon Realm Merchant Guild.
What if something like the Demon Realm Merchant Guild existed on Earth?
It would probably require massive capital.
Not just capital.
You'd need people to run the gears of the system.
And that wasn't all.
Without the power to protect it, it'd just be a pretty picture.
Undoubtedly a tough road.
But Azmo wanted to walk that road to make this vision real.
He sank into thought amid his brief contemplation.
The chatter around him fell on deaf ears.
'…….'
How long did he ponder?
The question mark in his head turned into an exclamation point.
Then it hit him—he didn't have to do this alone.
Azmo looked around.
He'd already forged tight bonds with the succubi and incubi he'd met today.
Though he was from Earth, a different dimension, hadn't they built unprecedented intimacy in less than a day?
And there were those bound to him even more deeply.
Azmo's gaze turned to the Arch-Lich.
And he thought of Chief Administrator Celia.
If it's them….
They might support his plan.
And lend their strength too.
If even the great one joined in?
It wouldn't be a pipe dream anymore.
They might birth a group grander and stronger than the current Demon Realm Merchant Guild.
Azmo's heart began to race.
But this was still the banquet.
He could plan after it ended.
Besides, since he was benchmarking the Merchant Guild, learning their system was key.
Azmo swirled his wine glass and eyed the central stage.
The stage was now complete.
At that moment, the banquet hall's lights went out all at once.
The glow focused solely on the central stage.
I woke up to a barrage of alerts.
And next to me, Maru stood guard with her magic sword, scanning the surroundings.
She's doing great as always.
Beside Maru was the new skeleton soldier we'd recently recruited, who seemed to have settled in nicely.
The sight was oddly amusing, and a chuckle escaped me before I knew it.
"I'm up now, so you can stand down."
Only then did they relax their vigilance.
Cute little things.
I glanced around and soon noticed something missing.
"Where's the knoll's hand?"
The knoll's hand that Celia had sent separately was nowhere in sight.
I still didn't know why she'd sent it apart, but since she had, I should check it out.
"Clack!"
But Maru answered my question right away.
"Huh? You handled them?"
I paused at Maru's confirmation that she'd dealt with the knoll's hands.
Maybe Celia had sent them to Maru, not me?
Come to think of it, Maru must have chatted a lot with Celia during her trip to the Eldorado Continent.
Ah, so that's it.
It felt like the puzzle pieces were clicking together.
I'd thought it was weird, but apparently the knoll's hands were for Maru, not me.
That resolved my doubts.
I could use tributes like this too.
Trading between monsters looked pretty appealing.
Another way to build rapport, I suppose.
Anyway, I had no idea why Maru needed knoll hands, but that wasn't the issue now.
The new knoll abilities I'd gained weren't important either.
What mattered was that the auction had just opened.
By the way, what do we bid with in this auction?
All I had was gold and gems.
From Celia's recent report, I'd learned my gems were mana stones.
"Seems like I've got plenty of gems."
With the penalty incident and no telling when payments might get blocked again, I needed to stock up whenever I had the chance.
Especially since the penalty lift let me buy more gems.
In short, my mana stones—Celia's term—were more than enough; they were overflowing.
"This ammo should do."
At least enough to buy whatever I needed.
I was about to tap to join the auction when—
"Wait, I can't just go like this, right?"
No matter what, showing my full appearance was risky.
The Demon Realm Merchant Guild would be crawling with monsters, and I looked human as ever.
I needed something to disguise my looks at least.
"Maru, fetch me a mask and robe."
And just like that, it was settled.
Time to dust off the black mask and robe I'd worn during the last monster wave and then abandoned.
Better than nothing.
One monster stepped onto the central stage of the banquet hall.
It was a hulking figure with dark brown skin—the same one who had announced the banquet's start earlier.
"Ahem, everyone. Allow me to greet you once more. I'm Thunderhead, your host for this event."
All eyes focused on Thunderhead at center stage.
"Now! Nothing heats up the mood like this!"
Thunderhead shouted energetically, with exaggerated gestures.
He drew cheers from the audience as he continued.
"It's the auction!"
The word "auction" sparked applause and cheers from everyone.
Some even yelled out.
But Thunderhead wasn't done.
"The real surprise is yet to come! Some of you might think, 'It's just a pop-up auction—nothing worthwhile, right?'"
"But! Once you see this auction, that notion will shatter completely!"
Everyone gasped at Thunderhead's confident declaration.
"I guarantee the quality and rarity of every item. And you'll witness items available only at this auction with your own eyes!"
Cheers erupted from all corners.
"Of course, to match that, we've changed the rules: bids only in mana stones!"
The cheering crowd fell silent as Thunderhead finished.
"Mana stones…?"
Mana stones were gems infused with magic or supernatural power.
Their uses were endless.
They could boost strength, fuel magic research.
Or enhance gear, weapons, or craft power-infused accessories.
But they were rare.
High utility but low supply drove up prices.
An auction only in mana stones?
Dissatisfaction was inevitable.
Thunderhead pressed on undeterred.
"However, payments are deferred!"
Win a bid now, pay later.
Something only the Demon Realm Merchant Guild could pull off.
"No need to drag this out! We'll start simple—feast your eyes on these masterpieces!"
More monsters ascended the stage, carrying a single painting.
"Isn't it stunning just to look at? Painted by a renowned human aristocrat artist. It feels like it'll burst off the canvas any second! Starting bid: 1 mana stone!"
Bids flew immediately after his words.
The starting 1 mana stone quickly hit 10.
Useless picture? Maybe, but there was a hint in the host's pitch.
- A work by a famous artist among human nobles.
That meant resale value to human nobles.
In other words, monsters with merchant ties could profit beyond the mana stone's worth.
Of course.
"14 mana stones!"
Some ignored that and bid big anyway.
"Yes! That gentleman bids 14 mana stones! Anyone challenge?"
It was Azmo.
No further bids, so the painting went to Azmo.
Next up: jewels.
After jewels, sculptures—all exquisitely beautiful.
Those who knew their value and bid were mostly succubi and incubi.
Of course, this was just an appetizer.
Luxuries like these were mere mood-setters for the early phase.
Everyone knew, so many held back.
And among those lurkers was one figure.
A being cloaked entirely in black mask and robe.
The demon Serinu, steering the banquet, watched it intently.
Serinu spoke to a subordinate nearby.
"Find out who that is discreetly. And double-check, then reinforce the hall's security."
No matter how she looked, it was a stranger.
Definitely not there at the banquet's start.
Yet it appeared like a ghost when the auction began.
Who is it?
Normally, she'd ask directly or eject them.
But not now.
Immensely powerful…!
She sensed overwhelming power from it.
The black mask and robe hid its form, but not the aura of strength.
Just who….
Soon, the subordinate returned.
"Lady Serinu. Hall security is flawless—already at maximum."
No issues with security.
So how was an unknown crashing the auction?
"But there's something odd. No info on the figure you mentioned."
The Guild was vast.
With formidable intelligence networks.
Yet nothing on this one.
"Hm."
She wanted to rip off the robe and check right then.
But the power was too great.
Provoking someone that strong just by looks?
Out of the question.
Nothing good would come of it.
Serinu had one choice.
"Just watch for now. No need to act first if they stay quiet."
No point stirring trouble.
Besides, it didn't seem hostile to the Guild.
Might even make a fine partner?
Harboring faint hope, Serinu kept her eyes on the black mask.