MTM 85

“The atmosphere is absolutely buzzing with excitement! Now, let’s introduce the sixteenth property!”

As the host shouted, the curtain parted and a dazzling magical light poured down. A blood-red glow bathed the stage, and at its center stood Reina and Ser. Reina wore a captivating crimson cocktail dress, and Ser in a black suit. They both exuded a noble beauty, as if they radiated their own light.

“Wow, blonde! Blonde! Blonde…!”

Exclamations erupted from all corners of the audience. Especially at Reina’s voluminous, long hair, people repeatedly shouted “blonde!”

In contrast to the cheers, Reina, as if drugged, stared blankly into space. Ser, too, remained motionless, like a doll, though his eyes were alive. He slowly scanned the masked nobles seated in the audience with a blank expression.

Among them, a relatively young nobleman tilted his head at the two.

“What…? Aren’t they just ordinary people? They just look a little nice.”

The audience’s overreaction was completely incomprehensible to him.

“Didn’t you know?”

At that moment, an old gentleman with a potbelly sitting next to him chuckled and said.

“There’s a rumor going around these days that His Majesty the Crown Prince treasures blond hair.”

“Huh? The Crown Prince…?”

“Yes. It’s widely rumored that the Crown Prince treasures blond hair more than rare magic stones. That’s why most nobles are quick to snatch up any blond hair they can find to impress the Crown Prince.”

The young nobleman, who had never heard of such rumors, looked at him with surprise, and the old gentleman gestured with amusement.

“Now, lend me your ear.”

He hesitated, putting his ear close, and the old gentleman whispered in a low voice.

“I heard… a certain merchant nobleman obtained imperial trading rights by offering up a single blond hair.”

“……!”

The young nobleman’s eyes lit up in an instant. He, too, was a nobleman of merchant origin. Imperial trading rights were a privilege, granting the family honor, wealth, and even power.

“So that’s why everyone was so excited…”

He finally realized why everyone was so obsessed with blond hair. Moreover, those up for auction this time weren’t just blond; they were also beautiful. If they did well, they could win not only imperial trading rights but even more valuable rewards.

Now, even the young nobleman was becoming greedy.

“Ahem… I guess I said something unnecessary. There’s going to be another competitor.”

The old gentleman cleared his throat at the young nobleman’s changed gaze. He fiddled with his bidding sign, perhaps intending to participate in the auction as well.

Soon, the commotion gradually died down. After a brief, poorly made-up introduction of Reina and Ser, the host began to call out the starting bids in earnest. As if waiting, countless nobles in the audience simultaneously raised their bidding signs.

“… Ugly.”

Ser thought, looking at the nobles, who were packed tightly together, each holding a bidding sign. Their faces were hidden behind masks, but he could clearly sense the ugly desires lurking beneath them.

“Reina.”

Ser called her. His voice was barely audible, blending in with the announcer’s voice raising the bids. But Reina didn’t respond.

“Rather than waking up confused in this situation… for now… it’s better to leave it as it is.”

Ser closed his eyes, fixing his gaze on Reina’s blank face. His brows furrowed, and a red glow began to flicker in the center of his forehead. The light, formed like a drop of water, grew stronger and spread quietly.

No one noticed this change. The audience was still busy raising their signs, eagerly anticipating the rising bids.

Ser’s eyes widened. His cold gaze landed on the mage standing beneath the stage set. A strange pattern appeared in the air.

“…….”

Ser’s lips moved, and the pattern distorted and dissipated like smoke. In its place, an ancient number was faintly etched.

“……?”

The mage, who had been standing there with a bored expression, fiddling with his fingernails, slowly raised his head. Sensing something was off, he turned his gaze to Ser.

But it was too late.

Swoosh-

A red hook-shaped light flew swiftly and grazed his neck.

“Ah…!”

With a single scream, the mage collapsed.

Swoosh–

At the same time, the dazzling magic lights illuminating the stage and the audience suddenly went out. The hall was plunged into darkness, except for the lanterns hanging on the walls.

“What, what? What’s going on?”

The host, panicked, groped and looked around.

Ser quickly approached the host from the darkness and struck the back of his neck.

Thud.

As the host collapsed to the floor, the nobles who witnessed the scene rose from their seats one by one. However, many of them still hadn’t grasped what had happened.

“What, what is going on? Was this an accident?”

“Hey, the show’s over! What are you wasting your time on!”

“This is outrageous! How dare you pull a prank like this…!”

Angrily voices erupted from all sides. Some cursed, others were already trying to storm out. The hall became increasingly chaotic.

That was it.

Whoosh-

A breath was heard from somewhere, and even the remaining lights went out. The hall was instantly plunged into pitch-black darkness.

“Wha, what! What the…!”

The nobles, realizing something unusual had happened, all jumped to their feet. But, unable to see, they couldn’t find the exit. They jostled each other’s shoulders, struggling.

“Ahh! It’s a, a monster!!”

Someone shouted in a panicked voice.

“What? A monster?!”

“Run!”

From then on, it was chaos. Screams, yells, and groans mixed together. The terrified nobles pushed and trampled each other. Their masks fell to the ground and shattered. They were terrified, lost sight of everything. Forgetting all sense of dignity, they rushed toward the door.

Thud!

“It’s locked! It won’t open!!”

“Damn it, is there anyone there? There’s someone trapped here!”

“S-save me…!!”

People panicked, banging on the doors and screaming. In an invisible fear, some even cried out, begging God for forgiveness.

…Bam!

That was the moment. The tightly shut doors suddenly opened. A blinding light poured in.

“……!”

The relief of their survival was fleeting, but the nobles all froze in place.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Clang.

Behind the stage, three muscular men dragged a heavy iron cage to the next auction spot. They pulled back the tent, revealing Harto sitting motionless, shackled inside.

“But who’s this guy?”

One of the men, glancing at the slumped Harto, gave him a questioning look.

“He doesn’t look like a spirit or a monster at first glance… He’s just a rather handsome human. Not blond either.”

He felt out of place, especially in an auction house where rare items were traded.

“Really?”

Another worker, wiping away sweat nearby, turned his head in agreement. Through the bustling crowd, he spotted an orc.

“Hey, there, an orc!”

The orc’s pointed ears twitched. Upon meeting the man’s eyes, he jumped in surprise and pointed at himself.

“Aren’t you the only orc here?”

The man scoffed, and the workers nearby burst into laughter.

“Wh-what’s going on…”

The orc approached with a deflated expression, and stammered a question. The man knocked on the iron bars.

“What is this guy?”

“Ah…”

Only then did the orc notice Harto, trapped in the iron cage. He nodded, as if understanding what he meant, and then met Harto’s eyes. For a moment, the orc flinched. He had expected him to simply lie limp, but instead, Harto’s blue eyes were shining serenely.

“What, what is this guy…”

Just meeting his eyes sent a chill down Orc’s spine. The atmosphere was completely different. He had clearly been too frightened to speak before. But now, he seemed remarkably calm.