《The hidden race is called ‘the One Who Sings the Song of Nature.’》
《‘The Song of Nature’ possesses a power that warmly embraces the forest.》
《They fundamentally accelerate the growth of ‘plants’, making them sturdier. However, the ‘One Who Sings the Song of Nature’ can survive only in the care of the ‘natural races.’》
《As they grow, they become able to sing other ‘Songs of Nature.’》
Lines that surfaced in his mind as he looked at the child.
It was valuable information thanks to the hidden trait, ‘Great Sage.’
Using the prearranged signal, he had ordered Hudson to bid in the auction.
‘This will make the Verdant Forest even stronger.’
When the Druids grow stronger, it is equivalent to me growing stronger.
Besides, he clearly remembered seeing that similarly shaped child together with ‘elves.’
‘If I can interact with the elves through this, ten million gold would not be wasted.’
If that were possible, even paying ten million gold would not feel regrettable.
Elves were a race that avoided humans even more than the White King and the Four Great Masters.
Naturally, the countless legends, myths, quests, and treasures related to them were things no player had ever reached.
‘Those looks… asking why I’m buying something like that, huh.’
The gazes of the Imperial nobles were far too obvious.
Especially Lady Dersian—her eyes were openly filled with ridicule.
Looks like she still lacked proper education.
Thanks to the chatter of such Imperial nobles, bidders did not readily appear.
“If there are no more bids? If no one else wishes to participate, item number 55 will be sold for 1,000,000 gold!”
The hall remained silent.
Even the outsiders who heard the nobles’ comments had no desire to bid.
“Item number 55, sold! Congratulations!”
…Indeed, who exactly lacked discernment here?
He let out a small smile.
***
The auction continued afterward.
Lady Dersian clicked her tongue inwardly.
‘To have such poor judgment in choosing items…’
He seemed to have plenty of gold, but most of the early auction items were “merchant traps,” flashy pieces meant to lure the inexperienced.
It was a time when clueless ants rushed forward and wasted their gold!
“Item number 55, sold! Congratulations!”
“Item number 55, sold! Congratulations!”
“Item number 55, sold! Congratulations!”
The sound of repeated successful bids echoed.
Number 55—Hudson, was it?
‘He swept up all five of the early items?’
Hudson was buying items like a fish back in water.
He had already spent about ten million gold here.
‘Well, he must be reaching his limit soon.’
Ten million gold—considerably large even for a monster-type being.
Not that he could ever truly be a competitor.
And then came the sixth item—one she also had her eyes on.
“The next item is the magnificent! ‘Berserker Set!’ As all noble guests have seen on the invitation letter — a proven treasure. Personally guaranteed by Lord Darkan, master of this territory! A treasure so daunting that merely seeing it makes one tremble!”
The item revealed next made everyone’s eyes sparkle.
A full-body red armor and helmet— the Berserker Set!
And to think that the seller was Lord Darkan.
To mention the seller by name meant confidence in the item’s value.
Greed glimmered in everyone’s eyes.
Lady Dersian even clenched her fist.
‘The Berserker Set… as expected, my family needs this.’
She anticipated it from the name, but seeing the real form solidified her certainty.
An item that would benefit her household itself.
With her insight and discernment, she was convinced it had to be purchased. She could not allow anyone else to take it.
The appraiser she brought along also nodded vigorously.
That is mine. For the first time in the auction, fire lit up in Lady Dersian’s eyes.
“The starting bid is ten million gold! Minimum raise—five million gold!”
***
At that moment.
In the neutral city ‘Delphia,’ countless soldiers were gathered.
Nearly 3,000 troops dispatched from different cities.
Among them were individuals well-known by name alone.
All of them had come here for one purpose—
to prepare for the incoming ‘Red Warp.’
KUUUUUUNG!
The massive red warp rippled and expanded like it would swallow the entire city. Soon, a giant-bodied monster began emerging from within.
“Four Evils, Baal…!”
“Hold your positions! Hold!”
“Stay sharp! We will definitely win!”
They united to block Baal, who had crossed over the warp to invade.
A defeat here meant the collapse of countless cities—their homes.
The subjugation of Baal of the Four Evils had finally begun.
Freeze there.
The news of the ‘Subjugation of the Four Evils’ in Delphia was also a major topic among players.
Delphia was one of the five cities connected to the Mountain of Trainees and was famous as the ‘City of Blacksmiths.’
—They say you get epic-grade gear depending on your level if you join the subjugation. Anyone participating?
Player Talk was noisy with related discussions.
Delphia promised “weapon supply” for all participants. Delphia-made equipment was worth fortunes—an enticing reward.
—Epic from level 10, and if a transcendence participates, they say they give legendary-grade gear.
—There’s a rumor the legendary gear is literally the lord’s own equipment.
—Then if Gracia joins, do they give mythic-grade?
—Players probably aren’t participating, right?
—There have to be some. Other cities joined big this time.
—With 3,000 gathered, maybe it’s doable?
It was unusual to gather such forces outside the Great Expedition.
—Hmm. Maybe it’s doable?
—The Four Evils aren’t as strong as they used to be. Surely not stronger than White King-level monsters.
—But most folks from the Mountain of Trainees are mid or low level, so they may not know how strong the Four Evils are.
—Still, with so many cities joining, hard to predict.
—Darkstar officially announced participation.
—Darkstar? Didn’t he run away after seeing a Death King in the Abyss Labyrinth lol
—If he runs again, we’re making him the official Runstar.
—Heard a bunch of rankers joined. Over 3,000 members, atmosphere is pretty good.
—Wait, really? Someone actually joined?
—Yeah, lots. You’ll faint when you hear who the subjugation commander is.
—Darkstar or city lords?
—Nope, Imperial.
—Imperial? The Empire is participating? Stop lying.
Darkstar, rankers, and the Empire?
It was hard to believe the Empire—which didn’t even join the Great Expedition—would join a Four Evils subjugation.
But then the person who mentioned Imperials gave specifics.
—Five swordsmen wearing silver fox masks.
—Wait, are they the siblings of the one we saw in the Abyss Labyrinth? The silver fox mask guy?
—Ugh… got nightmares again.
—Are they all transcendence-level?
—If they have silver ones, do they have golden ones too?
—No golden masks. But all five are transcendence-level. They’re from some Dersian family, and one of them is the current commander.
—If they’re from the Empire, does that mean they can actually win?
—Whoa, crazy.
—If a noble family stepped forward, that means they’re confident.
—If that’s true, that’s insane. One family has five transcendence-level swordsmen?
—Did they eat stars or what? How did they grow them?
—Wow…
—It’s over.
***
“Ten million gold! The honorable guest number 3 has opened the bidding.”
Number 3.
As Lady Dersian opened her fan, the host announced it.
She had never participated in any prior bidding.
The Berserker Set—she must have it.
It was also a message:
If you think you can win, try it.
Flutter!
“Guest number 91! Fifteen million gold!”
Number 91—Master had joined in.
Unlike Imperial nobles, he didn’t have to watch anyone’s mood.
‘Lower numbers mean higher importance in this auction.’
Number 2 was Lord Darkan, number 3 was Lady Dersian—both hosts of the auction.
Clearly, lower numbers represented importance.
Number 1 was unknown, but if Darkan presented it and Lady Dersian bid on it, then this item was extraordinary.
Also, winning this would draw attention—the perfect chance.
“Ah! The honorable guest number 6 has joined! Twenty million gold!”
“We cannot lose! The esteemed guest number 3 raises the bid! Already at twenty-five million gold!!”
“A new challenger appears! Guest number 78 with thirty million gold!”
Four bidders.
The price shot past thirty, then reached fifty million in an instant.
‘…And they still look relaxed. Just how wealthy are Imperial nobles?’
Master frowned.
He had prepared around 200 million gold.
Even with all the relics, loot, and even squeezing Black Jade dry, that was his absolute limit.
Even for a set item, fifty million gold was painful.
But the others still seemed unconcerned.
“With the Berserker Set reaching fifty million gold, the raise will now increase to ten million gold increments. Any bids for sixty million?”
Flutter!
“The renowned guest number 3! The auction is heating up!”
“Guest 91! The bid has surpassed seventy million!”
“And immediately, guest number 3 again…!”
“Guest 91 bids ninety million gold!”
Master made his final bet.
Ninety million gold—his limit.
He couldn’t spend a hundred million on the first day.
‘No more items left to sell. Unless I sell my own equipment.’
Even an Imperial noble couldn’t easily use one hundred million gold.
All other bidders had fallen.
Only number 3—Lady Dersian—remained.
Master looked her way.
“Guest number 3 has taken the lead again with one hundred million gold! Incredible! But, I assure you, this item is worth it!”
Master quietly sighed.
All participants must register beforehand and only bid using the confirmed amount they bring in physical gold.
If they exceed that amount, they’re automatically removed.
Meaning:
Lady Dersian carried hundreds of millions in gold on hand.
‘Still, I achieved my goal.’
To stand out.
That was the plan from the beginning.
If by chance he actually won, that would have been troublesome — but at least he had shown he could spend nearly a hundred million gold without blinking.
As proof, several Imperial nobles were casting glances toward him.
“If there are no further bids? If none wish to continue, the ‘Berserker Set’ will go to guest number 3. I'll count down from 3. 3, 2…”
No one could match that bottomless well.
It was only the first day.
Even if the Berserker Set was exceptional, the auction still had days to go.
Flutter!
At that moment, a fan snapped open.
“Guest number 55! A new challenger appears! One hundred ten million gold!”
All eyes turned to number 55.
The sudden bidder.
And number 55 was the very person who had already caused a commotion in town —
The same one who had clashed with Lady Dersian.
‘A monster has more than a hundred million gold…?’
Lady Dersian frowned.
Since the auctioneer accepted it normally, that meant the funds had been confirmed as physical gold.
Though she co-hosted the event, the actual auction was Lord Darkan’s domain; the banquet afterward belonged to her.
Lady Dersian unfolded her fan again.
If he wanted to push himself—fine. Let him try to keep up.
“The honorable guest number 3 has bid again—one hundred twenty million gold!”
The host practically bounced in excitement.
“Guest 55 follows again!”
“Ohh! Guest number 3 refuses to yield! One hundred forty million gold! Will we reach one hundred fifty?”
“…We have! Guest 55 bids one hundred fifty million gold!”
Once the bid passed 150 million, even she hesitated.
‘What?’
Was his gold rotting somewhere?
150 million gold was an amount even high nobles hesitated to use.
And this was only the beginning of the auction.
Was the Berserker Set even worth more than 150 million?
“My lady… any further would be…”
Her appraiser whispered softly.
He had been shaking his head since the bid passed 110 million.
‘What is he? Why does he keep getting in my way?!’
She trembled.
She didn’t want to lose.
But she had to think long-term.
As much as she wanted it, going higher would be wasteful.
If 55 stopped bidding after she pushed once more, her losses would be enormous.
‘Calm down. Raising the price now would be foolish. There are so many auctions left.’
He had spent 150 million—he must have little left.
“One hundred fifty million gold! Guest 55 wins the Berserker Set! Amazing!!”
…A brief moment of attention, but would it last?
Attention would fade quickly, and by the end of the auction, she would be the star.
Lady Dersian forced herself to calm down.
***
‘Not bad.’
After the first day’s auction ended, all participants were led into the prepared banquet hall.
In the lavish hall, he drank the prepared wine and mentally reviewed the items he acquired.
The One Who Sings the Song of Nature, the Berserker Set—
but also many cost-efficient items.
He could use them as materials for the Throne of Radiant Light,
or use them to power up his companions.
‘The Eye of Greed. With this, I can see the real value of any auction item.’
Every participant had brought at least some kind of observation-type skill, tool, or a hired appraiser.
To judge the true value of items and turn a profit.
But he needed only one thing.
The Eye of Greed.
One of the ‘replicated artificial eyes’ given by Greed, the king of the Golden Goblins.
Greed crafted them himself to speed his exploration of the Abyss Labyrinth.
Greed had gathered all the remaining Golden Goblins in the labyrinth
and was steadily collecting the ancient Empire’s treasures hidden there.
It was no exaggeration that the world’s finest labor force was digging up resources.
And from the artificial eyes Greed distributed among those Golden Goblins—
he had taken one.
A tiny golden eye the size of a cherry tomato—
but a replica of Greed’s own eye.
Nothing in this place could surpass it in evaluating ‘value.’
A skilled appraiser?
High-grade observation skills?
None of those could compare to Greed, who had gathered treasures in the Abyss for countless ages.
‘The One Who Sings the Song of Nature is worth one hundred million, and the Berserker Set is worth two hundred million—both genuine deals.’
Though the auction prices had been high, he had not lost anything.
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