Bright lights fell from the bidding hall’s ceiling, targeting the large stage.
The pirates in the audience silenced down and grew excited, as this meant that the auction was going to start.
After the lights fell upon the large stage, the auctioneer arrived at the center stage and started speaking loudly, his voice traveling loudly throughout the hall.
It was as if his voice had some kind of magical power, allowing everyone to hear his words clearly.
“The first item for tonight’s auction are some exotic spices from the dark lands of the Dark Continent.” The auctioneer announced, and a pair of beautiful women pushed a large wooden cart filled with colorful spices and herbs to the front of the stage.
“These aren’t just some ordinary spices and herbs for cooking—instead, they have the ability to change your gender, change the tone of your voice, change your skin color, or even change the way you think and feel!
“You feeling depressed? Poof, with one of these spices, all those negative thoughts are gone.
“Feeling like being a man has become rather dull? No problem; you can become a woman and experience new kinds of pleasures.
“You don’t like how your skin reflects your eye colors? Easy fix for that!
“Perhaps you want to sound more masculine and menacing? This item will be perfect for you!”
In the crowd, Mars looked silently at the stage while the bidding started.
Soon, the item was purchased by a wealthy collector who also had an unusual amount of speckles on his skin. It seemed like he purchased the spices and herbs to get rid of them.
At that moment, Mars frowned and looked around at the other people in the audience. He was almost certain that he felt like there was someone staring at him.
“…” Mars looked towards the VIP rooms and saw Tyrannus sitting with a beautiful woman on his side. They seemed to be enjoying the auction.
With narrowed eyes, Mars turned around and focused again on the auction. However, he was rubbing his Eye of Shimon, trying to get it activated.
‘Cursed…’ Mars clicked his tongue. ‘I haven’t risked my life this much before, but I must get my hands on the heart of the Nymn Tree. Without the increased talent, I can’t ever learn those magic spells and increase my strength further.
‘I have already reached the limit of my talent, and I can’t become stronger by normal means anymore. With my current strength, I cannot change the world!
‘Unfortunately, I can’t see my own fate or what might happen in this auction, but do not underestimate me, Tyrannus!’
A few rows away from Mars, Bonney straightened her back with cold sweat trailing down her face.
‘What scary instincts he has.’ Bonney wiped the sweat with the back of her hand. ‘I stared at him for a few seconds too long, and he immediately felt like he was being watched.’
The auction soon moved on to the second item.
Near the room where the items were held, Dreadnought and Arkham stood guard, with deadly silence between them.
Neither of them seemed to be willing to speak or wanting to speak with each other.
At that moment, both shot their eyes forward and saw a tall, muscular figure with his hands slipped inside his pockets walking towards them.
It looked like he was simply having a stroll.
“Adam, what are you doing in here?” Arkham asked with a frown.
“Making sure you two aren’t slacking off.” Adam grinned and took out a cigarette before placing it on his lips and lighting it up.
“We aren’t like you.” Arkham waved his hand dismissively. “Aren’t you supposed to be in the bidding hall in case a fight breaks out?”
Adam shrugged and took a drag on his cigarette.
“I was just fucking with you.” He smirked and nudged his chin in the direction where he came from. “Dreadnought, Tyrannus called for you.”
Arkham’s frown deepened.
“He did?” Dreadnought asked in confusion. “Why? I am on guard duty, and that is the priority.”
“I’m afraid that it’s something more urgent.” Adam said. “I’ll take your place as a guard.”
Dreadnought nodded and was about to leave, but then Arkham grabbed him by the shoulder and looked at Adam suspiciously.
“Can’t it wait for after the auction?” Arkham asked with a low tone, and his eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Apparently not.” Adam dropped the cigarette and turned his voice deep as he stared at the two. “Dreadnought, why the fuck are you listening to him and not to me? Are you really that much of a pussycat these days?”
“…” Dreadnought silently looked at him and then slapped Arkham’s hand off his shoulder. “I am going. I’ll return shortly.”
Arkham rubbed his aching hand with a cold look as he watched Dreadnought walk away. After he was gone, he turned to Adam, who started leaning on the wall while whistling in a gentle tone.
“So, why did Tyrannus want Dreadnought?”
“Don’t know.” Adam replied. “Isn’t Dreadnought his loyal dog anyway? Maybe he needs his shoes cleaned or something.”
“Funny, very funny.” Arkham coldly laughed. “It’s just that today is the most important day of the year for us, and he knows the importance of these items behind this door.
“Nothing should be more important than protecting them.”
“That’s why I am here.” Adam grinned. “I am the most reliable guard that there can be. No worries, your boyfriend will return shortly.”
“Tyrannus is a very meticulous person.” Arkham crossed his arms and said, “He has been planning this event for several months now, and now that the day has come, has he suddenly started changing plans?
“Strange, very strange.
“You should be making sure that no one starts a fight in the bidding hall and starts making a mess.
“That is also a very important job to do; that’s why you were appointed there.
“Now, Tyrannus, out of all the people, has started shifting his pawns while the game has already been set? I don’t buy it.”
“Hahaha.” Adam laughed and shook his head with a smile. “That’s why I told Dreadnought to go and not you since he is easier to convince and control.
“You’re always overthinking, so I knew I couldn’t convince you to leave.”
Arkham’s pupils shrank. “What are you planning, Adam?!”
“Your death…” Adam reached out his hand towards the ceiling, and suddenly, a red-hilted sword crashed through the ceiling and landed perfectly on his hand.
“You dare to betray us?!” Arkham screamed, lunging forward at Adam, and as he threw a punch, his fist started glowing with a fierce blue light.
“Ampuryi Vornn!” Arkham quickly shouted his attack name, which was said in elvish language.
The fierce blue light coated his hand, and then the fist landed on the katana’s blade.
Boom!
The hallway shook as if a giant had stomped on the ground.
“Heh…” Adam’s katana-wielding arm shook greatly because of the impact, but he managed to block the fist with his blade.
“Grrr!” Arkham’s eyes turned bloodshot, and his previous handsome elvish face morphed into something disgusting as he struggled to break through the blade.
His teeth gnashed, and his breathing grew heavy.
“You think you are close to my strength because you are right behind me in the hierarchy?” Adam smirked mockingly. “That’s really funny. Try to survive this.”
As he pulled back his katana, he shot his hand forward, grabbed Arkham by the throat, and slammed him to the wall.
“Ugh!” Arkham coughed loudly as the wall broke behind him, his breathing becoming very hard as Adam’s hand squeezed his throat.
He tried to remove his hand, but Adam held on tight.
Adam stabbed the katana through Arkham’s heart and impaled him against the wall.
“Ptui!” Arkham coughed blood, splattering it across Adam’s shirt.
As his vision started to turn darker, Arkham venomously whispered. “Cough… T-Tyrannus… will… kill you… for this…
“D-Dreadnought… will… find… out…”
“Dreadnought won’t survive long either.” Adam smiled. “That guy is, after all, already waiting for him, and I know for a fact that Dreadnought can’t survive his attacks—those attacks even made me feel pain.”