The banquet hall was still bustling with activity.
Under the bright lights illuminating the space, monsters of various races, dressed in beautiful attire, mingled and conversed.
Elegant music flowed, and the banquet continued in a sophisticated atmosphere.
As the pleasant atmosphere persisted for some time, a change began to unfold.
A special stage was being erected in the center of the banquet hall.
“…”
Those who already knew what was coming quietly watched the center.
Some were calling their subordinate monsters and speaking to them.
Those who didn’t know what was happening asked nearby monsters.
“What is that?”
Azmo, having enjoyed himself, asked those around him.
It was a small group consisting of Incubi and Succubi, all of whom had flushed faces.
“Ah, it’s finally starting.”
In response to Azmo’s question about what that was, a Succubus immediately replied.
“There are various events at a banquet, and that’s one of them. The order changes each time, but it looks like a stage for an auction.”
“An auction…”
Azmo nodded at the answer that it was a stage for an auction.
Azmo’s curiosity was satisfied, but the Succubus’s words didn’t stop.
“Well, even if it’s an auction, it’s an auction held only for high society. There might be rare or mysterious items, but it’s unlikely there will be anything truly rare.”
“That makes sense.”
Even though it was Azmo’s first time in high society, he could roughly grasp the atmosphere.
This auction was merely a stepping stone to enhance the banquet’s mood.
Furthermore, the auction was conducted only by those participating in the banquet.
As such, the Merchant Guild wouldn’t showcase truly rare items.
“But don’t completely opt out. Those who bid here are likely to be invited to the formal auction later.”
In other words, this auction was a temporary one.
At the same time, it meant that one had to spend money here to attend the Merchant Guild’s formal auction.
It was thorough business.
“Hoo…”
Azmo was astonished by the Underworld Merchant Guild’s strategy.
At the same time, he envied the Underworld Merchant Guild’s system.
Regardless of the Underworld Merchant Guild’s image, dungeons were guaranteed a minimum level of growth within the guild’s system.
And that wasn’t all.
Through such gatherings, dungeons could form alliances.
‘Beautiful.’
Companions who overcome difficult situations together and move forward.
‘Truly beautiful.’
It’s not about protecting the dungeon with one’s own power alone.
‘A life of protecting together…’
This was indeed beauty.
For Azmo, who had been protecting his dungeon alone on Earth, it was a novel experience.
If this wasn’t beauty, what was?
Even with many jewels and accessories, or hanging beautiful sculptures or paintings in the dungeon, it wasn’t true beauty.
Even by improving one’s physique and decorating one’s appearance, it was also inaccurate to call it true beauty.
He knew well because he too had once pursued external beauty.
However, after meeting his current Master, Azmo’s perspective changed.
He had an opportunity to reflect on the essence of beauty.
At least, that’s how it was for him.
At the same time, Azmo realized something.
The words “banquet” and “auction” were already erased from his mind.
Instead, another goal took their place.
‘I want to create a system like the Underworld Merchant Guild.’
He wondered what it would be like if there was an organization like the Underworld Merchant Guild on Earth.
Perhaps a lot of capital would be needed.
Not just capital.
There would also be a need for people who act as cogs in operating that system.
And that wasn’t all?
If there isn’t the power to protect it, it’s ultimately just a pretty picture.
It would undoubtedly be a difficult path.
However, Azmo wanted to realize his current thoughts even if it meant going through that difficult path.
He fell into deep thought for a moment.
Whatever was being discussed around him, he couldn’t hear it.
“…”
How long did he think?
It was the moment the question mark in his mind turned into an exclamation mark.
Come to think of it, there was no rule that he had to do this alone.
Azmo looked around.
He had already formed a strong bond with the group of Succubi and Incubi he met today.
Even though he was in a different dimension, Earth, and they had only met for less than a day, hadn’t they formed a closer bond than anyone else?
And there were those who were connected beyond mere camaraderie.
Azmo’s eyes turned towards the Arch Lich.
Then he thought of the Chief Administrator, Celia.
‘If they…’
Perhaps they would support his plan?
At the same time, they could lend their strength.
What if the Great Being lent his strength too?
It’s no longer a dream.
Perhaps a collective even larger and more powerful than the current Underworld Merchant Guild would be born.
Azmo’s heart began to pound.
But it was currently during the banquet.
It wouldn’t be too late to plan after the banquet ended.
Moreover, since he was benchmarking the Underworld Merchant Guild, it was important to understand the system as much as possible.
Azmo swirled his wine glass and looked at the stage in the center.
The stage in the center was already completed.
At the same time, the lights in the banquet hall all went out.
The light illuminated only the stage in the center.
* * *
– Successfully absorbed the sacrificed Nol.
– Acquired Nol’s trait [Sensitive Olfactory (C)]. Can be used for enhancement.
– Successfully absorbed the sacrificed Nol.
– Acquired Nol’s trait [More Flexible Movement (D)]. Can be used for enhancement.
– Successfully absorbed the sacrificed Nol.
– Acquired Nol’s skill [Silent Footsteps (D)]. Can be used for enhancement.
Upon waking up, the alarms were ringing.
And next to me, Maru was guarding the surroundings with a Demonic Sword in hand.
‘As expected, doing well.’
Next to Maru was a newly recruited Skeleton Soldier, who was also holding his ground.
The sight was so amusing that a smile involuntarily escaped my lips.
“I’m awake now, so you can stop.”
At my words, they finally lowered their guard.
‘Cute little guys.’
I looked around and realized something was missing.
“But where are Nol’s hands?”
The Nol hands that Celia had sent separately were nowhere to be seen.
I still didn’t know why they were sent separately, but it was better to check since they were sent.
“Snap!”
But Maru directly answered my question.
“Huh? You dealt with them?”
At Maru’s words that he had dealt with the Nol hands, I thought for a moment.
Perhaps the Nol hands Celia sent weren’t meant for me but for Maru?
Thinking about it, Maru must have had various conversations with Celia when he returned from the El Dorado Continent.
‘Ah, so that’s how it was.’
It felt like the puzzle pieces were finally fitting together.
I thought it was strange, but it turned out the Nol hands might have been intended for Maru, not me.
That would solve my current confusion.
‘You can use sacrifices like that.’
The transactions between monsters looked quite good.
‘This too must be a way to build rapport.’
By the way, I didn’t know why Maru needed the Nol hands, but that wasn’t the problem now.
The Nol abilities I acquired this time were also not important.
– Underworld Merchant Guild auction has opened.
– To participate in the auction, an Underworld Merchant Guild auction participation ticket is required.
– Do you wish to participate in the auction using the Underworld Merchant Guild auction participation ticket?
The fact that the auction had opened was the most important thing.
By the way, what do I bid with?
All I had was Gold and Jewels.
Recently, through Celia’s report, I learned that the jewels I possessed were Magic Stones.
“I think I have enough jewels.”
There was a penalty incident recently, and I didn’t know when my payments would be blocked again.
So, I always had to buy jewels whenever I had spare funds.
After all, with the penalty gone, I had even made additional payments for jewels.
In the end, jewels, or Magic Stones as Celia called them, were more than enough.
“This much firepower should be fine.”
At least I should be able to buy everything I need.
Just as I was about to touch the screen to participate in the auction.
“Ah, I can’t go like this, can I?”
No matter what, revealing my true appearance was dangerous.
Since it was the Underworld Merchant Guild, there would likely be many monsters, and I looked like a human to anyone who saw me now.
At the very least, I needed something to cover my appearance.
“Maru, bring me a mask and a robe.”
And that was quickly resolved.
The black mask and robe that I had left after wearing them during the last Monster Wave were now needed again.
‘Better than nothing.’
* * *
A monster ascended the stage in the center of the banquet hall.
It was a giant monster with dark brown skin, the entity that had announced the beginning of the banquet earlier.
“Ah, everyone. Allow me to introduce myself again. My name is Thunderhead, and I will be your host for this event.”
Everyone’s attention was focused on Thunderhead on the central stage.
“Now! There’s nothing quite like this to heat up the atmosphere!”
Thunderhead exclaimed in a powerful voice, mixing in exaggerated movements.
He continued speaking, eliciting a response from the audience watching him.
“It’s the auction!”
Everyone applauded and responded to the mention of the auction.
Some even cheered. However, Thunderhead’s speech didn’t end there.
“You’re not ready to be surprised yet! Some of you might be thinking, ‘Since it’s just a temporary auction, there won’t be any decent items, right?'”
“But! You will thoroughly shatter that thought when you see this auction!”
Everyone was surprised by Thunderhead’s confident declaration.
“I guarantee the quality and rarity of all items. And you will witness items that can only be seen at this auction with your own eyes!”
Cheers spread from various places at his words.
“Of course, as such, we have changed the regulations so that all bidding in this auction will be done using only Magic Stones!”
As Thunderhead finished speaking, the cheering audience fell silent.
“Magic Stones…?”
What are Magic Stones?
They are jewels containing magic or supernatural power.
As such, the utility of Magic Stones was endless.
They could be used to enhance power or research magic.
Or they could be used to strengthen equipment or weapons, or to create accessories imbued with power.
However, they were rare.
While their utility was high, their scarcity drove up their price.
But the auction was to be conducted solely with Magic Stones?
It was natural for dissatisfaction to arise. However, Thunderhead continued to speak without regard.
“However, we will receive payment on a deferred basis!”
In the end, if one succeeded in bidding this time, payment could be made later.
In a way, this was possible only because it was the Underworld Merchant Guild.
“Well, is there a need to drag on time? For starters, we have prepared some works that will delight your eyes!”
Additionally, monsters ascended the stage in the center.
In their hands, they held paintings.
“Don’t they look magnificent just by looking? This is a painting by an artist famous among human nobles. It has a vitality that makes it feel like it will leap out of the paper at any moment! We will start with one Magic Stone for a single painting!”
As soon as he finished speaking, there were monsters bidding.
What started at one Magic Stone quickly reached ten.
While it was merely a useless painting in a way, there was a hint hidden in the host’s words.
– A work by an artist famous among human nobles.
This also meant it could be resold to human nobles.
In other words, any monster with connections to the guild was confident they could profit more than the value of the Magic Stone.
Of course.
“14 Magic Stones!”
There were also monsters who bid generously without caring about such things.
“Yes! This gentleman has bid 14 Magic Stones! Are there any others who wish to challenge this!”
It was Azmo.
As there were no other bidders, the painting went to Azmo.
After the painting bid, the next items were jewels.
Following the jewels were sculptures, truly beautiful ones at that.
Most of the beings who bid, knowing the value of this beauty, were Succubi or Incubi.
Of course, this was just a taste.
Such luxury items were merely used to liven up the atmosphere in the beginning.
Knowing this, many remained still.
And among them, there was one such being.
It was a being covered head to toe in a black mask and robe.
Concurrently, it was a being that the demon leading the banquet, Serinu, was closely observing.
Serinu spoke to the subordinate beside her.
“Find out who that is discreetly. And re-check and reinforce the banquet hall’s security.”
It was a being she had never seen before.
It definitely wasn’t there when the banquet began.
But when the auction started, it appeared as if it were a ghost.
‘Who is it.’
Normally, she would have asked the other party directly or expelled them from the banquet hall.
However, she couldn’t do that now.
‘A powerful being…!’
She could feel immense power emanating from that being.
Even though it was covered head to toe in a black mask and robe, it couldn’t hide the power it emitted.
‘Who on earth is it.’
A moment later, the subordinate approached again.
“Serinu-nim. There are no issues with the banquet hall’s security. The security level is already operating at its highest.”
With the subordinate’s words that there were no abnormalities in the banquet hall’s security.
Then why was an unknown being attending the auction?
“Hmm.”
She wanted to rip off the robe and verify its identity immediately.
The problem was that the other party was too powerful.
To touch such a powerful being just by looking at it?
It was absolutely unthinkable.
There was nothing to gain by provoking them unnecessarily.
Ultimately, Serinu had only one choice.
“For now, just observe. If the opponent remains quiet, there’s no need for us to act first.”
There was no need to stir up trouble.
Moreover, the opponent didn’t seem to have any ill intentions towards the guild, did they?
Perhaps they could become a good partner with the guild?
With a sliver of hope, Serinu continued to watch the being in the black mask.
