The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices

Chapter 91: Auction (2)

The dungeon monsters keep offering sacrifices – 091

EP.91 Auction (2)

The banquet hall was still bustling with activity.

Under the bright lights illuminating the space, monsters of various races adorned in beautiful attire engaged in conversation with each other.

Elegant music flowed as the banquet continued in a graceful atmosphere.

Amidst the lively ambiance, a certain change began to unfold.

A special stage was being set up in the center of the banquet hall.

“……”

Those who already knew what was about to happen quietly turned their attention to the center.

Those unaware of what was happening asked questions to the monsters around them.

“What’s that?”

Azmo, who had come to enjoy the festivities, asked those around him.

It was a small group consisting of succubus and incubus, all of whom had flushed faces.

“Ah, it’s finally starting.”

In response to Azmo’s question, one succubus promptly replied.

“There are various events at the banquet, and that’s one of them. The order changes each time, but it’s likely set up for an auction.”

“An auction…”

Upon hearing that it was a stage for an auction, Azmo nodded thoughtfully.

While Azmo’s curiosity was satisfied, the succubus continued without pause.

“Well, even though it’s called an auction, it’s limited to the social circle. There might be rare or mysterious items, but the chances of something truly rare are slim.”

That makes sense.

Even if Azmo were new to the social circle, he had a rough understanding of the atmosphere.

This auction was merely a catalyst to enhance the ambiance of the banquet.

Moreover, the auction was exclusively for those participating in the banquet.

Therefore, truly rare items might not be showcased here.

“But don’t count it out completely. Those bidding here are likely to be invited to the official auction house later.”

In the end, this auction being held was akin to a makeshift auction house.

At the same time, it meant that spending money here was necessary to attend the official auction house of the social circle.

It was a thorough business.

“Sigh…”

Azmo sighed at the scheme of the Demon Merchant Association.

At the same time, he envied the system of the Demon Merchant Association.

Even if he didn’t know what the Demon Merchant Association’s image was like, dungeons at least guaranteed minimal growth within the system.

And not only that.

Through such gatherings, dungeons could unite and move forward together in overcoming difficult situations.

‘It’s beautiful.’

Companions advancing together while overcoming adversity.

‘Truly beautiful.’

It wasn’t just about guarding the dungeon alone.

‘It’s a life of protecting together…’

This was true beauty.

For Azmo, who had been guarding dungeons alone on Earth until now, this was a different experience.

If this wasn’t beautiful, then what was?

No matter how many gems and jewels one possessed, no matter if they hung beautiful sculptures or paintings in the dungeon, that wasn’t true beauty.

No matter how much one sculpted their body and appearance, there was still a lack of true beauty in calling it so.

He knew this well, having once pursued beauty in appearance himself.

But meeting the current master changed Azmo’s perspective.

It was an opportunity to reflect on the essence of beauty.

At least, that’s how he saw it.

At the same time, Azmo realized one thing.

In his mind, the words ‘banquet’ or ‘auction’ had already been erased.

Instead, a different goal took their place.

‘I want to create a system like the Demon Merchant Association.’

What if there were a presence like the Demon Merchant Association on Earth?

It would likely require a lot of capital.

But it wasn’t just capital.

Those who managed the system would also be necessary.

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And what else?

If there wasn’t the strength to uphold it, it would ultimately just be a pretty picture.

It would undoubtedly be a difficult path.

But even so, Azmo wanted to realize his current thoughts by walking that difficult path.

Lost in thought for a moment, he didn’t hear the chatter around him.

‘….’

How long had he been thinking?

It was a moment when the question mark in his mind turned into an exclamation mark.

As he thought about it quietly, he realized he didn’t have to do this alone.

Azmo looked around.

He had already formed a close relationship with the succubus and incubus group he had met today.

Even though he was from a different dimension, hadn’t he formed more intimacy than anyone else in just one day?

And there were others even more closely intertwined than mere intimacy.

Azmo’s eyes turned to Arch Lich.

And he thought of the general manager Celia.

‘Perhaps they…?’

Wouldn’t they support his plan?

At the same time, they could provide additional strength.

And if even a great one supported him?

It wasn’t just a dream anymore.

Perhaps an even larger and more powerful group than the current Demon Merchant Association would be born.

Azmo’s heart began to beat faster.

But for now, the banquet was still ongoing.

Even after the banquet ended, it wouldn’t be too late to make plans.

Since he was benchmarking the Demon Merchant Association, it was important to understand the system as much as possible.

Azmo looked at the central stage while swirling his wine glass.

The central stage had been completed without him noticing.

At the same time, the lights in the banquet hall all went out.

The light illuminated only the central stage.

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– Successfully absorbed the offering of the Gnoll. –

– Acquired the Gnoll’s trait [Sensitive Smell (C)]. Can be used for enhancement. –

– Successfully absorbed the offering of the Gnoll. –

– Acquired the Gnoll’s trait [More Agile Movement (D)]. Can be used for enhancement. –

– Successfully absorbed the offering of the Gnoll. –

– Acquired the Gnoll’s skill [Quiet Footsteps (D)]. Can be used for enhancement. –

I woke up to the sound of alarms.

And beside me, Maru was keeping watch over the surroundings with a sword in hand.

‘He’s doing well, as expected.’

Next to Maru was a newly recruited skeleton soldier who seemed to be finding his place as well.

Their sight somehow amused me, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Now that I’m awake, you can stop.”

At my words, they finally relaxed their guard.

‘Cute little guys.’

As I looked around, I realized one thing was missing.

“But where’s the Gnoll’s hands?”

The Gnoll’s hands sent separately by Celia were nowhere to be seen.

I still didn’t know why she sent them separately, but it was better to confirm since she did send them.

“Clink!”

But Maru promptly answered my question.

“Huh? Did you handle it?”

Maru’s response made me pause for a moment.

Perhaps Celia sent the Gnoll’s hands not to me but to Maru?

Thinking about it, Maru must have also had conversations with Celia during his time on the Eldorado continent.

‘Ah, was that it?’

Now the puzzle pieces fell into place.

It seemed strange at first, but it turned out that perhaps the Gnoll’s hands were meant for Maru, not me.

This both resolved the current question and made sense.

‘This could be a way to use offerings.’

Trading among monsters seemed quite promising.

‘It could also be a way to build camaraderie.’

Anyway, why Maru needed the Gnoll’s hands wasn’t the issue right now.

The newly acquired Gnoll abilities weren’t important either.

– The Demon Merchant Association auction has opened. –

– To participate in the auction, you need a Demon Merchant Association auction pass. –

– Would you like to use the Demon Merchant Association auction pass to participate in the auction? –

What mattered now was that the auction had opened immediately.

But what would we bid with in the auction?

All I had were gold and gems.

Recently, through Celia’s report, I learned that the gems I possessed were magical gems.

“I think the gems are enough.”

There had been penalty incidents this time, and I didn’t know when payments might be blocked again.

So, whenever I had the opportunity, I had to buy gems.

Anyway, with the penalties disappearing this time, I even made additional payments for gems.

In the end, the gems, the magical gems as Celia called them, were more than enough.

“These bullets should be enough.”

At least, I would be able to buy everything I needed.

Just as I was about to touch the screen to participate in the auction.

“Oh, I can’t go like this, can I?”

No matter what, fully exposing my appearance was risky.

If this was the Demon Merchant Association, monsters would be coming and going, and I looked completely human right now.

At least I needed to conceal my appearance.

“Maru, bring me a mask and a robe.”

And that was quickly resolved.

It was time to bring out the black mask and robe that I had left after wearing them during the last monster wave.

‘It’s better than nothing.’

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A monster ascended to the central stage of the banquet hall.

It was a giant monster with dark brown skin, the same one that announced the start of the banquet.

“Ah, everyone. Greetings once again. I am the host of this event, Thunderhead.”

All eyes turned to Thunderhead on the central stage.

“Now! There’s nothing like heating up the atmosphere!”

Thunderhead shouted with a powerful voice mixed with exaggerated gestures.

He continued speaking, encouraging the audience’s response.

“And now, it’s time for the auction!”

Everyone applauded and cheered at the mention of the auction.

Some even shouted in excitement.

However, Thunderhead’s words didn’t end there.

“It’s still too early to be surprised! Some of you might be thinking, ‘Since it’s just a makeshift auction, there won’t be any decent items to bid on.'”

“But! After this auction, that thought will be completely shattered!”

Everyone was astonished by Thunderhead’s confident ambition.

“I guarantee the quality and rarity of every item. And you’ll be able to see items available only at this auction!”

Cheers erupted in response to his words.

“Of course, for this auction, we’ve changed the rules so that only magical gems can be used for bidding!”

As Thunderhead finished speaking, those who had been cheering fell silent.

“Magical gems…?”

What were magical gems?

They were gems imbued with magic or supernatural powers.

Because of this, the potential uses of magical gems were endless.

They could be used to enhance power, research magic, strengthen equipment or weapons, or create jewelry imbued with power.

However, they were rare.

Their utility was high, but their quantity was low, so their prices were high.

But conducting an auction only with magical gems?

It was natural for some to express dissatisfaction.

However, Thunderhead continued speaking without paying attention to them.

“Instead, payment will be received afterwards!”

In other words, as long as you succeeded in bidding this time, payment could be made later.

It was something possible in the Demon Merchant Association.

“Now, do we need to continue stalling for time? We’ve prepared artworks to impress your eyes!”

Additionally, monsters ascended to the central stage.

Each of them held a painting in their hands.

“Just looking at them, aren’t they truly magnificent? These are paintings by a famous artist among human nobles. You can almost feel the vitality bursting out as if it will tear through the paper! We’ll start the bidding for each painting with one magical gem!”

Before the words were finished, some monsters started bidding fiercely.

What started with one gem quickly reached ten.

Though seemingly useless paintings, hints were hidden in the auctioneer’s words.

Paintings by a famous artist among human nobles.

This implied that they could be sold to human nobles.

In other words, if a monster had connections with or access to human nobles, they believed they could profit more than the value of the magical gems.

Of course.

“Fourteen magical gems!”

There were also monsters who bid fiercely without caring about such considerations.

“Yes! The gentleman over there has bid fourteen magical gems! Is there anyone else willing to challenge!”

It was Azmo.

With no further bids, the painting went to Azmo.

After the bidding for the painting ended, it was time for the gemstones.

After the gemstones came the sculptures, all of which were truly beautiful.

The beings bidding, aware of the value of this beauty, were mostly succubus and incubus.

Of course, this was just a taste.

Luxury items like these served merely to set the atmosphere in the early stages.

Knowing this fact, many remained silent.

And among them was a particular entity.

A figure cloaked in a black mask and robe.

Simultaneously, they drew the attention of the demon currently leading the banquet, Sernu.

Sernu spoke to their subordinate at their side.

“Find out discreetly who that person is. Also, recheck and reinforce security in the banquet hall.”

No matter how you looked at it, they were a newcomer.

They were certainly not present when the banquet began.

Yet, they appeared like a ghost as soon as the auction started.

‘Who could they be?’

Normally, one would directly inquire or expel such a person from the banquet hall.

But that wouldn’t do right now.

‘They’re a powerful presence..!?

Tremendous power emanated from that figure.

Though their entire body was concealed by a black mask and robe, their overwhelming power couldn’t be hidden.

‘Who on earth are they?’

And shortly after, the subordinate returned.

“Sir Sernu, there are no issues with the security in the banquet hall. It’s already operating at the highest level.”

The subordinate confirmed that there were no security issues in the banquet hall.

Then why was there a mention of a newcomer participating in the auction?

“But there’s something strange. We couldn’t find any information about the person you mentioned, Sernu.”

The Demon Merchant Association is vast.

And its intelligence network is considerable.

Yet, there was no information available about this person.

“Hmm.”

They wanted to immediately remove the robe to confirm their identity.

The problem was, the opponent was too powerful.

Just the thought of provoking someone with such formidable power?

Absolutely out of the question.

There was nothing to gain from needlessly provoking them.

In the end, Sernu’s choice was clear.

“Let’s just watch for now. If the other party remains quiet, there’s no need for us to act first.”

There was no need to poke a hornet’s nest for no reason.

Besides, the other party didn’t seem to harbor any ill intentions towards the Demon Merchant Association.

Perhaps they could even become a valuable partner for the Demon Merchant Association?

With a glimmer of hope, Sernu continued to keep an eye on the figure in the black mask.