Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Auction (3)
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The moment I touched the screen to confirm my participation...
The space around me warped.
At the same time, it felt like the ceiling and floor flipped, and my vision shifted in an instant.
"This is..."
A slight dizziness hit me, and the space unfolding before my eyes was not my home.
The familiar homey scene from moments ago had transformed into an entirely different place.
I wondered if anyone had spotted my sudden appearance.
With a twinge of worry, I glanced around.
'At least that's a relief.'
There was only one woman nearby—no one else.
And she didn't seem interested in me at all.
'Looks like I appeared in a corner, at least.'
Think about it: if I'd popped up right in the middle where monsters were swarming...
All eyes would be on me for sure.
I'd draw unwanted attention I didn't need.
'Better this way.'
My goal from the start was to quietly join the auction.
What good would it do for a human like me to attract monsters' curiosity?
If they found out I was human, it'd just spell trouble.
With that thought, I moved to find a seat.
"Sob... sob..."
The woman nearby suddenly burst into tears.
"?"
What the hell?
Why was she crying out of nowhere?
Her sobbing was so heartbreaking that I paused for a moment.
"......"
Something seemed off about the crying woman.
This was clearly a social gathering spot before the auction.
Normally, people mingled and built connections here.
Standing alone like that? It just looked wrong.
And her appearance matched the oddity.
For someone attending a gathering, she looked way too shabby.
Her golden hair was dull and frizzy, but worse was the ragged state of her clothes.
She had to be a monster, not a regular human.
'What is it? Did her dungeon collapse or something?'
Maybe she was a slave owned by the merchant guild.
Either way, getting involved seemed like it'd just drag me into headaches with no upside.
Just as I started to step away...
"...Huh?"
The crying woman let out a sound and suddenly lifted her head.
Her eyes locked onto me.
"......"
A brief silence hung in the air.
"Hm."
Her eyes felt strangely familiar, still fixed on me.
Awkward.
Why was she staring?
Had she figured out I was human?
No way...
Should I say something comforting?
All sorts of thoughts swirled in my head.
Then one conclusion hit me.
'Do I really need to talk to her?'
She was a monster, after all.
Saying anything here would just raise suspicions.
Decision made, I quickly turned away and headed for the center.
Even as I walked, I felt her gaze, but I ignored it.
'Still feels a bit guilty.'
This was a monster social event, after all.
No matter how well I hid with my mask and robe, I was still human at my core.
'With all these monsters around, there must be some scary ones too.'
I might bump into another like before—or worse, pick a fight.
They could tear me apart in seconds.
'I need backup.'
At least someone to guard me.
'They have to be nearby.'
My subordinates, whom I'd brought to the social, should be around somewhere.
I scanned the area for the Arch Lich and Azmo.
Having them by my side would ease my mind.
And soon enough, I spotted a welcome face.
"Huh?"
The sound slipped out before I could stop it.
It was the Arch Lich.
He was wearing the robe I'd given him last time, making him easy to spot.
The issue was where he was sitting.
'Why's all that piled up?'
His table was overflowing with gold coins and jewels.
Monsters lined up in front of him, offering gold and gems when their turn came.
As if the Arch Lich were some lord they served.
"...What?"
I hadn't been here long, but weird situations kept piling up.
Still, finding the Arch Lich made me glad.
I headed straight for him.
Knowing I had an ally in this vast space already lightened my mood.
As I walked toward the Arch Lich, a bizarre scene unfolded.
The line in front of me scattered every time I advanced.
'Are they avoiding me?'
Monsters stepped aside along my path, clearing the way.
Like the parting of the Red Sea, they split to either side.
The path opened wide—no one between me and the Arch Lich.
His gaze turned to me.
"!!"
The Arch Lich's eyes widened in surprise. He shot up from his seat.
Then he rushed over, bowing at a perfect ninety degrees.
Murmurs rippled around us.
Some monsters followed his lead, bowing to me too.
'What the hell is this?'
Suddenly, I was surrounded by monsters all greeting me.
'This guy...'
The Arch Lich stayed bowed, and the others held their positions.
"Arch Lich, stand up already."
As more eyes turned our way, I whispered for him to cut it out.
He straightened, then gestured to offer me all the jewels and gold on the table.
"Who is that?"
"Clack clack clack!"
(What an overwhelming presence!)
"The Arch Lich is bowing to him...?"
Whispers about me spread.
I'd drawn major attention.
My plan for a low-key auction participation? Long gone.
Instead, my loyal subordinate had turned this into a chance to make a name for myself.
'Oh man.'
Catching me off guard, I rubbed my forehead.
I leaned toward the Arch Lich and whispered quietly.
"Take all that if you want—just stay put, please."
"Clack!"
(As you wish!)
Thankfully, he listened.
He returned to his spot, pulled out a chair, and offered it to me.
"Phew."
Not wanting more spotlight, I sat quickly.
I'd barely arrived, yet so much had happened.
'Please, just look away already.'
I sat still, waiting for the stares to fade.
Fortunately, the auction started soon, scattering the attention.
All lights dimmed except for the central stage.
The rowdy atmosphere settled.
The spotlight hit only the stage, and a monster stepped up.
"Ahem, everyone. Allow me to greet you once more. I am Thunderhead, your host for this event."
The brown-skinned hulking monster introduced himself and explained the auction rules.
The rundown was lengthy, but the guild anticipated boredom and offered perks.
Monsters in tuxedos began circulating.
'Using monsters as waiters, huh.'
They handed out glasses from trays filled with a red liquid.
'Drinks, I guess.'
A skeleton approached and offered one to me and the Arch Lich.
'Perfect timing—throat's dry.'
I picked up the glass to drink...
"...?"
The mysterious thick red liquid had a floating eyeball in it.
Shit.
The curse slipped out in my mind.
"Is this safe to drink?"
Unsettled, I glanced at the Arch Lich beside me.
He brought it to his mouth without hesitation and downed it in one go.
Obviously, with his bony body, the red liquid just spilled onto the floor.
Luckily, his dark blue robe was high-grade gear—it didn't stain at all.
"Hah..."
I casually passed my glass to him.
"You drink it all."
The Arch Lich bowed deeply, as if touched, giving a grateful gesture.
Then he chugged mine too.
'Bon appétit.'
With nothing else to do, I watched him while listening to the host.
The spiel was predictable.
Bragging about the guild, hyping the auction as special—lip service.
But one piece of good news caught my ear.
"...This auction will use only magic stones for bidding, per our new rule!"
"Payments will be collected later!"
The host's announcement made my lips curl up.
'Good thing I stocked up on those gems.'
The pay-to-win gems I'd bought.
I'd used them to develop my dungeon, then learned they were magic stones.
From Celia's report, I knew their value varied wildly by quality.
A standard one was worth about 100 gold.
'Nothing I can't buy here.'
I waited smugly for the auction to begin.
The host's call kicked it off.
It started simple and smooth.
Monsters brought a single painting onto the stage.
The host introduced it immediately.
"Just looking at it, isn't it magnificent? Painted by a famous human noble artist..."
Even as an art ignoramus, I could tell it was well done.
But did I need it? Hell no.
What I needed weren't artsy trinkets.
Weapons useful in combat or items for dungeon management.
Come to think of it, monsters probably had no reason to buy paintings either.
But that was just my assumption.
"We have a bid! One magic stone!"
"Oh, that gentleman bids two magic stones!"
"Yes! Now four magic stones!"
For a painting, the price climbed fast.
The host's mouth barely closed.
"Up to ten magic stones already! Anyone for more?"
Ten stones for a painting?
I figured it'd sell there—then a twist.
"Fourteen magic stones!"
The bid jumped to fourteen.
"Yes! Fourteen! Fourteen magic stones! Anyone higher? No? Going once!"
The host grinned ear to ear at the surprise windfall.
"Sold for fourteen magic stones!"
The auction was fierce from the start.
Fourteen stones? Pocket change to me.
Ten pulls on the gacha monster summon cost 5,000.
And that just spat out hordes of 1-stars.
Compared to that trash rate, fourteen was cute.
'Wonder what that painting's even for?'
Curious about the useless thing's buyer, I glanced over.
"...?"
A familiar face—someone I knew well.
'Azmo?'
The Incubus managing my Earth dungeon.
'Does he have a use for it?'
I figured he had his reasons.
"Yes! The diamond-encrusted ring goes to the succubus lady!"
"This valiant knight statue finds its home with the Incubus gentleman!"
"The mind-bewitching perfume is claimed by another succubus lady!"
Succubi and Incubi snapped up luxury eye candy without batting an eye.
"......"
Of course.
Seeing that, I realized Azmo probably bought the painting on impulse too.
Whatever—the auction was for buying, and it was his money. No reason to stop him.
Separately, the auction rolled on.
"Now, shall we switch up the mood?"
The host smirked slyly.
One by one, shackled figures in irons were led onstage.
"Short on dungeon workers? Pick up quality slaves at bargain prices!"
Slave auction time.
"Worried about escapes? Haha! Each bears a Soul Brand. Branded slaves can't flee—buy with confidence!"
Various races, including humans like me.
"Perfect for dungeon labor! Look at this tender flesh—mouthwatering, right? Or a bedwarmer for your dungeon lordship? They'd consider it an honor!"
Humans, goblins, orcs—you name it.
But one caught my eye.
'Elf?'
No matter how filthy or ragged her clothes, that distinctive look couldn't be hidden.
Pointed ears spoke for themselves.
'An elf...'
Just one, but elves were invaluable.
They lived in harmony with nature.
Plus, exceptional as hunters.
Probably the rarest item in this slave auction.
'If I could take her to Earth someday... it'd be huge.'
On Earth, elf dungeons were known for high difficulty.
But with an elf in my party?
Game-changer.
'Not sure if I can bring her to Earth...'
Even if not right away, owning an elf slave would pay off long-term.
Elves were a must-buy.
I whispered to the Arch Lich beside me.
"Secure the elf, no matter what."