VIP Shadows at the Grand Auction
Guided by Mandy through the auction district, we arrived at the highest hill in the city. I looked up at the building before me. And I was overwhelmed.
"...Whoa."
It wasn't a building—it was like an entire mountain range. Towering outer walls built from black marble, adorned with golden pipes and gears that spewed steam as they churned heavily. It evoked the grandeur of an opera house or the Colosseum where ancient gladiators fought.
"What do you think? Killer, right?" Mandy shrugged proudly. "This is Montelli's pride and joy, the Grand Auction House. And today? It's the one day a year when hearts pound the hardest."
"...Impressive. For real."
"Come on, quit gawking. We gotta hustle if we want good seats."
Mandy took the lead. I snapped out of it and followed.
Clank. Clank.
Guarding the entrance weren't ordinary guards. They were massive knights clad head to toe in pitch-black armor. Only red glints flickered from the slits in their helmets; they stood utterly motionless, like intricate clockwork dolls. The message was clear: no unauthorized entry.
As I approached, one knight stepped forward, blocking the way.
"Halt."
A low voice like scraping metal.
"New face. Present your entry ticket or membership card."
"...Ah."
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the golden card from Jagan, holding it out.
That instant.
"...!"
The knight's red eyes flared. He checked the card and immediately shed his rigid demeanor, bowing hastily.
"Forgive my ignorance, esteemed guest. My apologies."
"..."
"Shall I escort you? There's a VIP-only passage."
The knight's courteous offer drew stares from nearby monsters—What's that guy's deal? I hated the attention.
"No, thanks. It's too much."
"Understood."
The knight stepped back without protest. I pointed to Mandy, whose jaw was on the floor.
"He's with me. That okay?"
"No issue for a VIP's companion. As many as you like."
The knights parted, clearing the path.
"Call any staff inside if you need anything."
"Got it."
I gave them a light nod and tugged Mandy's dazed arm.
"Let's go."
"Uh, yeah?"
We strolled past the knights into the entrance.
Inside was a vast hall lit by dazzling chandeliers and carpeted in deep red. Mandy finally came to, freaking out.
"Whoa... this is insane."
He snuck peeks at my golden card, clicking his tongue.
"VIP membership, huh? Skipping inspection like that. Never gotten treatment like this in my life."
"It's just a card."
"Just a card? That's power incarnate!"
Mandy couldn't hide his excitement. Then he eyed me thoughtfully.
"So... where to sit? VIP seats, obviously?"
His eyes sparkled.
VIP seats—for heavyweight dungeon masters and demon world VIPs. Flashy, but way too visible.
I shook my head after a moment's thought.
"Nah. General seats."
"Why? Perks like that?"
"Don't wanna stand out."
Mandy's face, which I'd expected to fall, lit up instead.
"Ha! Knew you had taste! Truth is, those upper seats freak me out too. Lock eyes with some hothead bigshot up there, and I'd choke."
He sighed in relief, patting his chest.
"This way, then. I know a prime corner spot."
Mandy bounded ahead eagerly. I smirked and followed.
Then, a mocking voice echoed in my head.
Cowardly.
'...'
Isn't this a chance to make a name? Rubbing shoulders with bigshots raises your value.
The voice tsked.
Networking with them boosts your record. Kicking away an easy opportunity? Tsk tsk.
Facts hitting hard. As a merchant with ambition, VIP made sense. But I shook my head inwardly.
'...No choice. Take a look at those guys up there.'
I glanced at the second-floor terrace. Hulking monsters with vicious faces stared back—each one looking like they'd rip a person apart for fun.
'You want me to walk into that den on my own two feet? One slip-up, and no record or bones left.'
Safety first. Live long and thin—that's my goal.
Scared, huh... Really?
'...Yeah?'
Heh, your conflicted mind is entertaining. Prime entertainment.
...Whatever. I tsked inwardly. I'd meant it—I was scared. No point explaining when it clearly didn't believe me. I brushed off the sarcasm and kept following Mandy.
"Whoa..."
The Grand Auction House interior was even more lavish than outside. Mana stone chandeliers glittered like a galaxy on the high ceiling; the floor was plush velvet carpet. Lounges dotted around had monsters sipping top-shelf liquor, playing cards, or chatting. Less auction, more massive social gala.
As I gawked, Mandy nudged my arm.
"Sightseeing later. Registration first. Three hours till start."
"Right. Let's do it."
We headed straight for the "Item Registration" desk.
But something was off. I'd expected a mob; instead, just dozens of merchants.
"...Why so empty? Isn't this the Grand Auction?"
Mandy gave a wry smile.
"Company jacked up standards this year. Last year it was packed; now it's premium strategy. No riffraff even gets registered."
He nodded at the waiting merchants.
"See? Only the real deals left."
"Who?"
"Fat guy in the red turban? 'Western Desert Caravan Lord.' Oasis monopoly bigwig. Corner wolfman? 'Northern Mercenary Guild' quartermaster."
All heavy hitters. No way a small-timer like Mandy could've squeezed in.
"Thanks, buddy. Without you, I'd be bounced before registering."
"No biggie. We help each other."
"Can't just talk it off. Here."
Mandy rummaged in his pouch and handed over something. A crude black rectangular device, brick-thick, scratched up. Familiar shape.
"...What's this?"
"Magic Communicator. Or 'Mapple' for short."
"Mapple?"
"Yup. Modeled after Earth's 'smartphone' thing. Game-changer. Hear voices from miles away."
Mandy tapped the screen.
"Now even has 'Monster Talk' for text messages. Revolutionary."
"...!"
My eyes widened. Smartphone and messenger? My mind raced.
Customer management potential...
Info is a merchant's best weapon; speed is life. Instant alerts to regulars on new stock, real-time orders. Building a network in this brutal demon world?
Jackpot.
It went from junk to treasure. But worry crept in.
"This... ain't cheap, right? You sure? You don't seem flush."
"Nah, it's fine. Used one."
Mandy rubbed his nose sheepishly.
"Old spare. Had an extra if my main crapped out. Not urgent."
"Still..."
"Take it. Feels wrong otherwise."
He grinned, slapping my shoulder. Broke but giving up his backup? Touching.
Cool guy.
Loyal, human despite everything. Lucky find in this hellhole.
Keep the good vibes going.
As warm fuzzies hit, a cold voice pierced my head.
Foolish thinking again.
'...Huh?'
Merchants calculate everything. Unprovoked kindness means equal purpose.
The voice snapped coldly.
That lizard's the same. Smiling about loyalty and favors? Different story inside.
'No, Mandy's not like...'
You're a VIP with a golden card. To that lizard, you're not a frayed rope, you're gold-twined.
I froze. Wanted to argue, but words failed.
That communicator? Not a gift. An investment.
A line to you for scraps anytime. Sly, masterful merchant move.
Brutally cynical take. I glanced at Mandy—still beaming innocently. Calculator behind that smile?
'...Doesn't matter.'
I shook my head inwardly.
'Even if calculating, Mandy won't betray me. Trust is built. As long as I hold value, he'll help more than anyone. That's business partner trust.'
Hmph. Big dreams.
Don't cry to me when the axe you trust chops your foot.
The voice went silent, deeming me unworthy. I gave a bitter smile and joined the line.
Merchants ahead and behind—dripping in flashy luxury. Their eyes pinned us.
"...What're they?"
"How'd they get in? Guards slacking?"
The fat monster ahead side-eyed us, grumbling. The wolfman sniffed, scowling.
"Smells like small fry. Some highborn's lackey?"
"Too shabby for that. Lizardman and some demon-looking scrub. Low class."
Open scorn. Mandy's fists trembled.
"Endure. Scene here helps no one."
"...Hoo. Fine."
Mandy exhaled sharply, head down. We weathered the contempt in silence.
Hours later, our turn.
"Next merchant."
The registrar—a bespectacled goblin—waved lazily without looking.
"Place item."
Mandy unwrapped his leather bundle tensely. Herbs and ores inside.
"...Hmm."
The goblin peered through a magnifier. Soon, his face softened.
"Not bad. 'Moonlight Grass' top condition, mithril ore high purity. Clears the bar. Pass."
"Yes!"
Mandy pumped his fist, whispering to me with relieved eyes.
"Phew... aged a decade. You got this, Suho! Pump it up!"
"Thanks."
I smirked, stepping up.
"Next. Item out."
I placed a prepared paper sheet on the desk.
Just one sheet. One demon tongue word scrawled:
Ghost Story Usage Rights
The goblin snatched it, flipping front and back. He snorted in disbelief.
"Ha, heh... Look."
He peered over his glasses, glaring.
"Joking? This is the Grand Auction. Not a daycare for kid scribbles."
"It's the item."
"This scrap? Guards! Got a nut here—"
As he reached for the call bell irritably, I flashed Jagan's golden card in his face.
His eyes locked on it.
"...!"
His hand froze mid-air. He rubbed his eyes, double-checked, then jolted up in shock.
"Oh! S-sorry, esteemed guest!"
Instant 180—high horse gone, bowing to the ground.
"Ghost Story Usage Rights! So original, innovative! Your eye is unmatched!"
"Registered, then?"
"Of course! Prime 'Special Auction' slot! Please forgive me!"
He mopped sweat, groveling.
I nodded indifferently.
"Carry on."
"Yes! Safe travels!"
I exited the registration room with his send-off. Mandy followed, tongue out.
"Whoa... wild."
He glanced at me, muttering.
"VIP power's no joke. That stiff registrar turning jelly... Suho, who's your backer?"
"Eh, nothing."
I shrugged.
"Old buddy hit big, landed high in the company. Parachute ride."
"Jealous. One such friend, and I'd be set."
Mandy seemed genuinely envious.
We politely declined staff offers for VIP seats, claiming the backmost general row corner. Dark, unobtrusive. Perfect.
Check lifespan first.
Five hours in Montelli already. Mouth went dry.
...Blood pressure through the roof.
Too tight. Swallowing complaints, I scanned anxiously for story-worthy "customers."
Then Mandy nodded sideways.
"Hey, check her. See the woman?"
"Where?"
I followed his gaze. Froze.
"...Whoa."
Breath caught. In the dark, she glowed. Ebony hair, snow-white skin, hypnotic red eyes. Most perfect beauty I'd ever seen—human or monster.
So this is spacing out.
"Heh, hooked?"
Mandy chuckled, poking my side.
"No shame. Natural guy reaction. That's the famous succubus princess, Serria."
"Succubus princess?"
I snapped back.
"Why's a princess in general seats? Shouldn't she be VIP?"
"Normally, yeah. Daughter of Succubus Queen Lilith."
Mandy whispered low.
"But she's in the doghouse. Defied the queen, demoted to dungeon master. Lost VIP status."
"...Her own daughter? Queen ditches blood that easy?"
"Blood?"
Mandy snorted.
"Suho, you think too human. To the queen, princesses are disposables. One of hundreds. Useless? Pawn off the board."
"Damn..."
"Makes her gutsy, though. Rejected the queen's order. Heard a great demon marriage proposal—axed it flat."
"Marriage?"
"Yeah. Hated the old fart? Secret lover? Queen raged, booted her bare-handed. Holed up in some Earth backwater dungeon now."
Mind-blowing. Pure soap opera.
Chaebol drama much?
Tycoon cuts off rebellious marriage-dodging daughter—same diff. Demon world or weekend TV set?
Pfft.
'...'
Cheap analogy. Chaebol drama? Tacky.
Face burned at the mockery. Knowing it peeked my thoughts? Mortifying. I cleared my throat, pretending otherwise.
An hour of chit-chat with Mandy later.
Pop—!
Lights out, plunging the hall into pitch black. Murmurs hushed.
A harsh spotlight slammed the stage.
Thrum-thrum-thrum-thrum!
Heart-pounding drums boomed. A tuxedoed host rose dramatically, arms flung wide.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
Magic-amplified voice boomed through the hall.
"You've waited! Where desires become real! Crossroads of wealth and glory!"
Roooar—!
Cheers erupted. The host spun, riding the wave.
"The Montelli Grand Auction... begins now!"
Bang!
Fireworks burst, curtain up.