nChapter 157: Demon World Auction (6)

n‘Indeed.’

nThere was no way normal things would be sold through this route. It was in order to earn points...

n“50,000.”

nThere was an exquisite option hidden. Demons with general observation skills were forced to go fishing.

nThe starting price was cheap and items related to reproductive rate were rare.

n

"Marquis Hamatuam-nim!”

n“100,000.”

n

"Earl Ciel-nim!”

n......

nThe price rose. But I wasn’t caught by it.

nAfter a few more bids, it came to a stop.

n“It has been sold to Earl Pururum-nim for 300,000 points! Congratulations!”

nI watched the process silently with arms folded.

nThe item wasn’t good enough to use as a decoy. I just watched.

nAfter that, a few more items appeared.

nThey were normal things with almost no problems. They weren’t that good. The items were literally just any that were grabbed in order to be sold.

nAngela’s Pot, Power Shoes, etc, came out but I didn’t lift my hand even once.

nI wasn’t waiting for such things.

nThe atmosphere finally changed as the 20th auction item appeared.

n

"The item being sold this time is great. Don’t be surprised! The Great Fire Essence. An eternal flame! An item that will give absolute power of domination...! I will show it right now!”

nA vein in Dubolong’s neck pulsed as he swallowed.

nThe workers brought out a big cage.

nIt contained the Great Fire Essence.

n

"A great fire.”

n

"A strange magic power...”

nThe demons started to get excited.

n

"Oh, one of our nine gods!”

n

"The strength is fading away but it is still burning!”

nThe fire spirits were also excited.

nHowever, I couldn’t participate in their actions.

n'Is that a fire?’

nThey called it a fire.

nThe Great Fire Essence seemed completely different to my eyes.

n‘It looks like a two-legged dragon.’

nThe appearance seemed to be a cross between a dragon and a two-legged animal.

nI used Mind’s Eye. It was due to my curiosity about the dragon.

n-Name - The Great Fire Essence (???)

nDescription: One of the nine fires. It burns forever and has the power of ‘domination.’

n

nThe description was too short. The name was no different. But...that wasn’t all. Mind’s Eye couldn’t see the rating which meant there was a seal or other reasons behind it.

nGrurung!

nThe dragon opened its eyes.

nAt the same time.

n‘Ugh.’

nI felt a burning pain in my stomach. It felt like something different was inside me.

nI frowned as I stared at the dragon.

n‘Who are you?’

nThis was certainly the first time I saw it. I didn’t know the dragon. Nevertheless, it felt somewhat familiar to me.

nGrrrung!

nThe fire essence snorted and grabbed the iron bars. Then fire soared from its body.

nBut that was all. They were burnt but the iron bars couldn’t be removed. It pretended to be strong but was very weak.

n

"Our essence!”

n“You...! Open that cage right now!”

nThe fire spirits rose from their seats like they were going to fight. Some of them were prepared to fight in the form of fireballs.

nThe high class spirits were filled with fury. They would burn the castle down without leaving any dust. The dark spirits weren’t that powerful but they didn’t react.

nDubolong responded like he had expected it to some extent.

n“Please wait a moment. The dark spirits don’t want any confusion in the auction house. This is an ‘auction item’ and it will be handed over to the final bidder. The spirits could use their ‘rank’ or a ‘contract’ to pay the price. For example...”

nDubolong sent a sly smile towards Jives.

nThe fire spirit Jives!

nHe stared at Dubolong with a menacing expression.

n

"In the case of the fire spirits, Jives is a rank 4 figure so it wouldn’t be impossible for him to gain millions of points. Or you can procure those points through a contract with someone here.”

nThat person could be a dark spirit or a demon. But Dubolong was very confident.

nIf they formed a contract, they were highly likely to do it with the dark spirits. The spirits were likely to use a ‘contract.’

nDubolong thought they would never make an agreement with the demons here.

n

"So please buy it! This is the auction house! There are items great to look at, powerful creatures, etc. This is a place to buy and sell everything! Those with more points will buy better goods, and those who don’t will end up losing. We provide equal opportunities for everyone!”

nDubolong finished his short speech. So far, they had just been listening. The gap between each person wasn’t equal but no one deliberately challenged him.

nThey had already agreed by entering this place.

nNo two demons were the same and the spirits required contracts. They heard in advance how much points they could get through their ‘rank’ or a ‘contract.’

n

"We will proceed with the auction again. The Great Fire Essence! One of the nine fire gods with the power of ‘domination.’ There are many parts that haven’t been revealed yet. Starting at...five million points!”

nThe demons had an average of three million points. That fact that it was so high meant they didn’t want to sell it to demons at all.

nIt was for the fire spirits.

n‘Do you want to buy it? Then this is the price. Or contract with us.’

nEither way, it would benefit the dark spirits.

nThe power of the spirits would be reduced or they would enter into contracts that could set up several strategies.

nDubolong and Adonis had satisfied smiles on their faces.

nThey were saying ‘you can’t buy it.’

n“Five million points.”

n

"It came out! Five million points. Randalph Brigsiel-nim...”

nHis voice trailed off. He stared at me. I knew that he was slightly frowning. I had touched a nerve since my appearance with the other spirits.

nHowever...

n‘Dubolong. There are no eternal allies.’

nFrom the beginning, I had worked for my own benefits.

nThe deal with Dubolong to preview auction items in advance was beneficial. I also had something to gain from the fire and water spirits.

nI didn’t think of it as betrayal.

nA game for the final winner.

nMy past experience showed that there were no eternal enemies or friends. It all changed depending on the situation.

nBesides...I also had a personal interest.

n‘I want to know your true identity.’

nThe others just called it fire.

nBut for me, it had an entirely different meaning.

nI felt something from the moment I saw the dragon. Something inside me was telling me to catch it.

n“Five million points. Is there any more?”

n“Six million.”

n“...Ariel Diablo-nim!”

nOnce again, the spirits didn’t participate. Ariel Diablo. The grand duke was also eyeing the fire essence. It was a bold choice.

nHowever, that wasn’t her only unconventional action.

nTaak!

nShe sat on my side on the 2nd floor.

nThe demons in her faction were looking at her with astonishment. They alternated between staring at Ariel and I.

nUpa and Pandemonium were sneering. But they weren’t laughing. They had guarded expressions.

nThey didn’t know why I appeared...but I was a completely different person from the past.

nIn particular, Pandemonium felt like he was sitting on a thorny cushion.

nHe was aware that I had killed Okullos. There was no other person who could do it except for me. But while I was gone, Pandemonium attacked my dungeon.

nIt was like a declaration of war. After penetrating to the centre of my dungeon, he was an ‘enemy’ that I could never ally with.

nA force he couldn’t know...

nThe grand dukes knew each other after fighting for hundreds of years, but I was different.

nIf I angrily joined with Upa or Ariel then Pandemonium was in for a tough fight. His actions had come back to bite him in the feet.

n'What is she doing?’

nI was wondering about her actions.

nAriel was an unpredictable grand duke. She was very fickle. l couldn’t read any intentions for her to come to my side.

nI believed that Ariel wouldn’t budge. She shamelessly stared at me and spoke.

n

"Randalph. Randalph Brigsiel. How do you feel about sitting with me?”

n

"It is unpleasant.”

n“Haha! That’s right. Me too. Randalph Brigsiel, you are really an unpleasant man.”

nI didn’t know what to say. I turned and glanced at Dubolong. It was a sign telling him to proceed with the auction.

nBut Ariel spoke faster.

n

"I am the direct heir to the devil and one of the grand dukes of the Demon World. I came into my position at an early age and ruled. I’ve never had anything that hasn’t gone my way. I’ve always had the privilege of walking a clean road.”

nI frowned.

n“What do you want to say?”

nAriel smirked.

n

"You are different every time you appear at the Demon World Auction. There is a confident attitude towards everything. However, an invisible wall existed between you and the grand dukes. So everyone didn’t think much of you. You might have realized it yourself. But...this time is different.”

nAriel's eyes turned to me.

nThere was an unlimited ‘curiosity’ shining in her eyes.

n

"This time you crossed the wall. I congratulate you for crossing the wall and reaching this position.”

nSuuk.

nAriel rose from her seat.

nShe glanced around the 2nd floor.

n“Okullos has died. We have fought against him for hundreds of years. However...his death wasn’t related to us. Are you convinced by these results?”

nShe was asking Upa and Pandemonium.

nShe wanted them to admit that their enemy died in a way unrelated to them.

nThere was no answer but Upa and Pandemonium seemed uncomfortable. Everyone realized that I was the perpetrator.

n

"I acknowledge Randalph Brigsiel as the new fourth grand duke. He has enough to fight us and has come to this place through his own strength. The pioneer of a new path! We should pay homage to that pioneer.”

nOut of nowhere...

nI was at a loss for words. It was natural. Ariel Diablo was fickle but gaining her recognition wasn’t easy. She never admitted anyone as ‘equal’ to her. She was even scornful of the other grand dukes.

nIt was natural since only she could claim legitimacy.

nBut...

nAriel turned her head back towards me.

n“Randalph Brigsiel. From now on, you are my enemy.

"

nThat’s right. This moment would cause an irreversible hostile relationship between Ariel and I.

nIt had been a rule for hundreds of years that no grand dukes would ally with each other.

nIn other words, there was no one on my side.

n“I admit it.”

nPandemonium.

nHe admitted it as soon as he realized.

n“Ariel! Pandemonium! Have you gone mad?”

nUpa was the only one to argue.

nBut Ariel and Pandemonium stayed firm.

nEven the system decided against Upa.

n