Chapter 81
“Is there anyone who wishes to bid?”
The bidding started from the beginning again.
I still stood blankly in front of the Stage, staring at the people. Especially those who had bid just moments ago.
This time, no one raised their hand or voiced a bid.
“I will count down 10 seconds, after which it will be processed as Unsold.”
When no bidder emerged, the Host began counting down 10 seconds just like before.
Only the sound of the Host counting numbers echoed in the silence.
Threatening people's lives like this didn't make me feel very good either, but...
Regardless, the effect was certain.
Not a single person bid until the very end.
“The first auction item has been processed as Unsold. We will now move on to the next auction item.”
The skill stone on the Dais disappeared.
The second auction item appeared.
[Item: Dalpara's Golden Mirror]
A cursed tool used by Dalpara, the priestess of the Dyakaropine Tribe, for the Tribal God Ritual. Upon use, it forms a Reflection Barrier in front to reflect the opponent's attack. Attacks with power exceeding the Mirror's Durability cannot be reflected. If the Mirror's Durability is completely depleted, the ability cannot be used. Durability recovers by 1% per hour.
Durability: 100/100
The description popped up before my eyes.
An Attack Reflection ability.
It looked good, but of course, it was pie in the sky.
“The starting price for the second auction item is 1,500 people. Those who wish to bid, please raise your hand and call out your price.”
There were still no bidders.
The Host counted 10 seconds, and the second auction item was also processed as Unsold.
We quickly moved on to the next auction items.
[Rare+ Skill Enhancement Stone]
Upon use, you can enhance one Rare+ grade skill.
[Item: Sittpy's Broom]
The broom of the troublemaker witch Sittpy. Upon use, you can ride the broom and fly. Occasionally, the broom acts on its own. It can be used with a Willpower Cost of 30 per second.
[Skill: Ice Armor (Rare+)]
Compresses cold air and wraps it around the entire body in the form of armor. The caster's defense increases, and opponents who come into contact with the armor receive a Freezing Effect. Requires 1 minute of Mental Concentration to cast.
Category: Magic
Willpower Cost: 20 per second
Cooldown: 3 minutes
.
.
.
Skill stones, skill enhancement stones, items.
All sorts of things came out as auction items.
The skill stones and skill enhancement stones were all Rare+ grade, and the items also had excellent effects of that grade or higher.
To the point where I would have wanted to sweep up every single one of them without exception, if only the price to pay wasn't human lives.
They all ended up Unsold.
In the Auction House, only the words “Is there anyone who wishes to bid,” “It has been processed as Unsold,” and “We will move on to the next auction item” echoed repeatedly.
With no one opening their mouths, the Host proceeded with the auction alone like a machine.
After so many auction items passed by...
“...This is the Last Auction Item of this Masked Auction.”
The word 'last' came out of the Host's mouth.
The skill stone that appeared on the Dais.
It was not green, but purple.
[Skill: Lion's Roar (Epic)]
Unleashes a Roar to render enemies within a minimum 30-meter radius Incapacitated. Opponents whose status is significantly lower than the caster's may die. The closer the opponent is, the greater the effect of the skill they receive. The more willpower consumed, the greater the range and effect of the skill. After using the skill, all Mental Debuffs applied to the caster are removed, and Physical Ability increases by 20% for 5 minutes.
Category: Physical
Willpower Cost: 300 ~ 900
Cooldown: 10 minutes
An Epic Grade Skill.
A few people murmured.
“...Epic grade?”
“Is that the Next Grade after Rare...?”
The Next Grade
Context: es by 20% for 5 minutes.
Category: Physical
Willpower Cost: 300 ~ 900
Cooldown: 10 minutes
An Epic Grade Skill.
A few people murmured.
“...Epic grade?”
“Is that the Next Grade after Rare...?”
The Next Grade after Rare had not yet been revealed to the public.
Because it wasn't necessary information for people, and I hadn't particularly disclosed it.
I thought as I read the skill description.
‘Fucking after Rare had not yet been revealed to the public.
I thought as I read the skill description.
‘Fucking amazing...’
An Area-of-Effect Stun Skill with a minimum range of 30 meters, plus Mental Debuff Removal and a Physical Ability Increase Effect.
An incredible effect befitting an Epic grade.
“The starting price is 10,000 people.”
The starting price was also much higher than the other auction items.
It didn't matter. It would be Unsold anyway.
The atmosphere stirred slightly, but naturally, no one raised their hand.
This insane auction was over with this.
“Is there anyone who wishes to bid?”
The Host said, looking around at the people.
At that moment, someone stood up and opened their mouth.
“A-anyway, shouldn't you... shouldn't you take this, Person123?”
...What's this?
Man #99 looked at me and spoke cautiously.
“You are the only person who can save this world. Compared to the lives you will save in the future, ten thousand people is... honestly speaking, isn't it a very cheap price? Your combat power growing stronger is the very path for the world to survive, isn't it.”
“...”
“So please, take that one at least. I beg you to do so.”
At his words, people nodded or agreed one by one.
I didn't answer.
I let out a sigh and simply shook my head.
“I-it's an Epic Grade Skill. I'm saying it's a skill higher than the Rare grade...!”
Man #99 spoke almost pleadingly.
I know. I know that his words aren't wrong either.
Wouldn't I covet that skill too?
Still, what's not allowed is not allowed.
“If there is no one who wishes to bid, I will count down 10 seconds and process the Last Auction Item as Unsold.”
The Host counted down.
10 seconds passed.
“...The Last Auction Item has been processed as Unsold.”
Like that, even the Last Auction Item was processed as Unsold.
“With this, we will conclude the Masked Auction.”
Auction End Declaration.
The Host clapped once.
Then, the space suddenly shifted.
Numerous tables in a spacious hall.
A full banquet was laid out on the tables.
It was a space like a Banquet Hall.
“A modest Concluding Banquet has been prepared for everyone who participated in the auction. Please enjoy the provided food and drinks to your heart's content, and when the time comes, you may return to your Original Location.”
[Remaining Time: 59 minutes 41 seconds]
With those final words, the Host disappeared.
What is this now...
They should have just sent us back, what the hell kind of banquet is this?
Everyone, including myself, just stood there awkwardly.
Subtly, all eyes were drawn toward me...
When I looked around, people flinched and lowered or averted their gazes.
...Considering the situation just moments ago, it couldn't help but be incredibly awkward. I had even killed a person.
I thought about using Stealth but decided against it.
It seemed I had to be here for an hour anyway, so I couldn't stay in Stealth the whole time.
I went to a Corner Table and sat down.
As I sat down first, the people soon scattered and began to take their seats one by one.
‘Phew...’
I looked over the food on the table.
There was a variety of meat dishes, Salad, slices of cake, and so on, but of course, I didn't feel like eating.
I just planned to sit quietly by myself and return when the time came. However.
“Um...”
There were people approaching my seat.
Shin Sujin Section Chief and... Justin. The two who had stepped up earlier.
Justin spoke to me with an awkward smile.
“Would it be alright if we sat down as well?”
...Do they want to have a conversation?
I nodded.
Since I was wearing a mask, there was no need to refuse.
Justin sat in the seat opposite me, and Shin Sujin Section Chief also gave me a nod of greeting and sat next to him.
Justin studied my expression before speaking.
“It truly is an honor. If it's not too much trouble, could we shake hands just once...?”
“...Yes.”
I shook hands with Justin and also shook hands with Shin Sujin Section Chief.
Justin made an expression mixed with various emotions, as if amazed and deeply moved, before speaking.
“Let me introduce myself again. I am Justin, holding the position of Deputy Captain of the 5th Floor Public Order Squad. It's nothing else, I just wanted to express my gratitude to you directly at least once. Do you happen to remember my face? I was there during the Wang Kai Incident...”
“I think I remember.”
“Oh, you remember! Thank you so much for back then. Including myself, Captain Alex, and all the other Squad Members had our lives saved by you. Everyone is truly grateful.”
Justin repeatedly expressed his thanks before changing the subject to the auction.
“Anyway, thankfully the auction ended safely without any major issues. I apologize. We weren't of any help to you.”
I gave a slight bitter smile and shook my head.
“Not at all. Rather, I'm sorry for acting violently. It wasn't my intention.”
It wasn't my intention... should I say that?
Anyway, I would have killed anyone else who bid, so it sounds a bit strange to say.
Justin waved his hands dismissively.
“Why would you say such a thing? You responded perfectly, without a doubt. If you hadn't killed that bastard Number 41, who knows how horribly the situation would have unfolded...”
Shin Sujin Section Chief, who had been quietly listening, also softly opened her mouth.
“It's possible that all 100 million people could have truly died. I hope you don't let it weigh on your mind.”
Justin asked.
“By the way, Sujin... do you originally know Person123? Earlier you said that he was indeed Person123, right?”
Shin Sujin Section Chief immediately denied it.
“Not at all. He took my side, so I just said that.”
“Ah, right? I also just supported you since you stepped up first. I never imagined he would actually be Person123. Haha.”
Shin Sujin Section Chief didn't seem to have any intention of pretending to know me.
Well, it might be a bit troublesome if others knew we were acquainted. Since she's a public figure.
I shared more of this and that conversation with the two of them.
It was obvious they were deliberately avoiding asking about me or bringing up uncomfortable topics, so I was able to converse with them fairly comfortably.
Now the time was almost up...
Seeing me talking with the two of them, perhaps they thought it was okay to approach.
I saw other people hesitantly approaching this table as well.
“I wanted to say hello... ah, could we shake hands just once?”
One person even took off his mask and requested a handshake with a trembling voice.
He was a Western man with an impressive beard.
When I stood up and accepted the handshake, he spoke with a face that looked like he was about to cry.
“...My Mother is a Nightmare Climber. Thanks to you choosing the penalty on the 4th Floor, My Mother was able to survive. I really wanted to express my gratitude to you like this.”
Hmm, so there was such a story.
After I shook hands with him, people started requesting handshakes one after another.
Literally countless requests for handshakes.
“Thank you for protecting the world! I'm always cheering for you.”
“Savior, please continue to save Humanity in the future.”
“I-I actually shook hands with Person123... wow...”
I shook hands with almost all of the hundred people.
Only the few who had bid earlier didn't approach, perhaps feeling self-conscious.
Receiving gratitude from so many people... I didn't feel too bad about it either.
Like that, before I knew it, the time was up.
“It's a shame, I wanted to talk a bit more. It would be really great if we had the chance to meet again next time...”
Right as Justin spoke as if he was truly disappointed.
[Remaining Time: 1 second]
Everyone disappeared all at once.
“...?”
Huh?
I looked around.
What the.
Why am I the only one left?
As I was momentarily flustered, the Host suddenly popped up in the middle of the Banquet Hall.
“Excuse me. Could you spare a little more time?”
“...Pardon?”
“My Master wishes to make a Special Offer to Person123.”
What is this nonsense now.
I asked.
“Who is your master? The Tower?”
Well, it must be the Tower.
The Host spoke again like a machine.
“Could you spare some time?”
I thought for a moment before answering.
“I don't want to. Just send me back.”
“My Master...”
“No, I said I don't want to.”
I don't know what kind of offer they're trying to make again, but it's obvious it's going to be some bullshit anyway.
The Host fell silent, then nodded.
“Understood. Then I will send you back to your Original Location.”
“...No, wait.”
I changed my words again.
Hah, damn it...
Should I at least hear it out?
“What's the offer. Tell me.”
The Host clapped.
Then, a table and a box appeared before my eyes.
The Host slowly opened the box on the table.
What was inside the box was...
“...!”
An Orange Skill Stone.
I couldn't help but be surprised upon seeing it.
Because it was a skill stone of a color I had never seen before.
That meant it was a skill stone of a grade even higher than Epic grade.
[Legendary Grade Skill Stone]
Upon use, you can acquire one Legendary Grade Skill.
The Skill Stone Information popped up.
...Legendary grade.
I stared at the skill stone with narrowed eyes, then looked back at the Host.
“My Master wishes to specially give this skill stone to Person123. Of course, you must pay a minimum price.”
“...What? Are you telling me to sacrifice human lives again?”
“That is correct.”
There was nothing more to hear.
As I scoffed and was about to raise my middle finger...
“One person.”
The Host spoke again.
“You only need to use one person out of the Million Human Resources given to you. That is the price of this skill stone.”