novelraw Chapter 88 : Onboard Auction House (2)
Chapter 88 : Onboard Auction House (2)
Chapter 88: Onboard Auction House (2)
Thunk!
The lollipop fell from Cain Belmaier’s mouth.
A domain even the Cult’s own precognitive ability users had not known.
In other words—
‘They possess a Scribe that neither our Cult nor even the Vatican, nor any other faction, has.’
The paper Kang Yohan had thrown onto the floor contained writing that foretold all of this.
There was no way it had been improvised.
The contents written on it had clearly been inscribed long ago.
“How did you even find a prophet of this level? I can’t believe an individual accomplished what even major factions could not.”
“What’s the point of trying to figure that out right now? There’s only one thing that matters. I’m the only one on this ship holding a survival ticket.”
Cain Belmaier’s nature and competitive instinct.
The special situation involving a Champion of the Abyss.
And the information accumulated over 999 cycles.
Taking all of that into account, Kang Yohan had designed this entire board.
So—
Give up the bet and hand everything over.
＊
The decision was made quickly.
If up until now, it had been a fight among novices over candy—
Now it was time to struggle together just to survive against a monster.
“The Bones of the Burning Ram. Please hand over that one item to us.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If we return barely alive without accomplishing even a single objective, we’ll be expelled from the Cult anyway. In that case, it’d be better to drag you down with us.”
Hmm. A reasonable argument.
The Requiem Cult was extremely results-driven.
Especially for Cain, who hadn’t achieved anything significant in Daejeon, opportunities wouldn’t come often.
“Fine. I’ll yield that. In exchange, hand over the ‘Trait Plunderer.’”
“The Trait… Plunderer? I don’t know what you plan to use it for, but that’s unexpected. For reference, no one on our side has recently obtained a trait.”
“That’s for me to handle. Not your concern.”
Bones of the Burning Ram or Trait Plunderer.
Now it came down to deciding which mattered more.
“…Let’s do it.”
Once negotiations were complete, Kang Yohan quickly began bidding Bio Rubies and accessories on the items he had marked.
‘Tch. As expected, the good stuff is expensive.’
The minimum bids were quite high.
Some hidden gems slipped past even the Mid-level Administrator and were relatively cheap, but not all were like that.
‘With our current capital, it’s impossible to secure everything.’
Some would have to be abandoned.
The question was—which ones?
Kang Yohan’s eyes narrowed.
Tick. Tock.
Even now, time was rapidly passing.
He could feel the distance between them and the Collector closing by the second.
“M-Mr. Yohan!”
“Something’s coming. Damn it. We need to abandon the ship and run now!”
Scarlett de Juliard and Park Yeri screamed.
Only a few kilometers away—
An overwhelming magical presence could be felt.
Completely different from anything they had faced before.
The entire sea region was falling under its domain.
“Almost done!”
[You have successfully acquired ‘Gem of Dawn’!]
[You have successfully acquired ‘Orb of Amplification’!]
[You have successfully acquired ‘Secret Manual of the Thief’!]
[You have successfully acquired ‘A Handful of Fire Sprite Bonfire’!]
Good. That part was done.
Now, the last one mattered most.
Kang Yohan clenched his fist in front of a carving knife and a white gem.
‘…….’
What to choose.
That decision would bring about a massive change.
There were too many variables—only the distant future would reveal the correct answer.
So—
He trusted his instincts.
And relied on the experience he had accumulated.
[You have successfully acquired ‘Engraving Carving Knife’!]
With that, all decisions were finalized.
Scrape.
Using the ‘Engraving Carving Knife’, he inscribed a special pattern onto the Ring of Crimson Lotus.
It was a highly difficult task, requiring maximum concentration.
One small mistake.
One slight difference in detail—
Could determine success or failure.
Sweat had already begun forming across his face.
“Sambok!”
Kang Yohan quickly pulled out a white puppy from his subspace inventory.
“Hehe. The ruler of darkness answers his master’s call.”
“Huff huff. Jungbok is here too! We came super fast, right?”
“You called us urgently… this feels unsettling.”
“Enough greetings. Just breathe fire here. As much power as possible.”
Fwoosh!
Ancient flames were added to the Handful of Fire Sprite Bonfire.
A combination only achievable through very specific means—
The ‘Crimson Flame’.
[The engraving on the ‘Ring of Crimson Lotus’ reacts!]
Rumble!
A teal-colored flame seeped into the ring.
While Kang Yohan moved busily—
“…….”
Cain stared at the sea with a bitter smile.
“KROOOOAR!”
“GRRRR!”
Ancient creatures of immeasurable Star Rank rampaged across the ocean.
Grotesque, horrifying monsters gathered throughout the area.
“It was all meaningless. We were destined to die anyway.”
According to the prophecy, there was a way to survive.
But who could look at that and still believe in survival?
Everyone here would die.
Not a single one would escape.
‘Still, just in case things go well… I should prepare what I can.’
Cain infused mana into the ‘Bones of the Burning Ram’ in his hand.
The reason he had given up everything—including the Trait Plunderer and accessories—
Was because this could corrupt Kang Yohan’s mind, who possessed [Infinite Greed].
＊＊＊
And shortly after—
Swoooooosh…
A massive bird emerged between waves splitting apart.
[The 98th Abyss manifests!]
A boy with green hair and an eyepatch scanned the interior with a bored expression.
The air froze.
Time stopped.
When facing a tiger or lion, the body freezes—
But when facing a natural disaster beyond comprehension, even thought itself ceases.
Every living being in this area—
Even microorganisms—
Could only breathe with his permission.
“W-What brings such a great being of the Abyss to a humble place like this?”
Mid-level Administrator Zarfel bowed deeply toward the Collector.
“Pancreas.”
“…Pardon?”
“I need a witch’s pancreas. I sensed the remnants of an ancient witch here.”
“I do not fully understand what you mean, but… this ship is currently designated as an Episode event zone. I sincerely ask that you respect the episode.”
“I am respecting it. That’s why I even explained myself to an insect like you.”
The Collector’s gaze changed.
CRRRR—
The entire ship began to twist and collapse.
The ancient creatures in the sea grew even more violent.
“A-At this rate, the Chief Administrator may personally intervene!”
“Cute resistance. You think that old man would move for a sub-event?”
“Ghk! Krrrk…!”
Zarfel clutched her throat in agony.
Blood and foam poured out.
A Mid-level Administrator, comparable to a White Spirit, was dying without being able to resist.
This was Changwol.
A transcendent who had reached the 11th Star.
With just his gaze, the Collector could crush everyone here like insects.
At that moment—
“If it’s the remnants of an ancient witch, I might have an idea.”
Kang Yohan stepped forward.
All eyes turned toward him.
Cain, drenched in cold sweat.
Scarlett and Park Yeri, pale as ghosts.
Even the priests of the Requiem Cult looked at him as if he were insane.
“So it was you. The one with that peculiar scent.”
The Collector tilted his head.
“You’re not a witch.”
“I once stayed with a witch briefly. It must have lingered on me.”
“Hmm. To carry that scent just from proximity… I definitely need to add that pancreas to my collection. So where is she?”
His face was filled with anticipation.
A terrifying desire to rip open Vivian’s abdomen alive.
Yes—
This was the Collector’s nature.
No matter how many times one saw it, that horrific obsession never became normal.
“If I reveal the source, may I receive a small reward?”
“I’ll spare you. Just you.”
The Collector smiled, as if being generous.
In truth, it was mercy beyond imagination.
Zarfel looked at Kang Yohan with envy.
But—
“That’s not quite enough.”
Kang Yohan scratched his chin.
After setting up a board like this and taking such risks—
Just his life wasn’t enough.
He had even deliberately purchased items specialized against the Collector at the auction.
“I can tell you’re not entirely worthless among insects. But you don’t seem to know your place. Do you think you’re in a position to negotiate with me?”
“I merely wish to prove that I am not just an insect.”
A test of qualification.
Given the Collector’s nature, this kind of provocation had a high chance of working.
Because—
He was bored.
Transcendents always lacked entertainment.
“Hmm. Say what you want. I’ll at least listen.”
“I’ve heard that a great collector like yourself possesses many staffs suited for mages. I would be grateful if you could grant me one of them.”
Or a rune. Or an accessory. Even a set item would do.
“Haha. This will be interesting. Fine. It wouldn’t hurt to teach you the price of greed.”
The Collector waved his hand lightly.
Then—
“Gaaah! Aaaaargh!”
One of the Requiem Cult priests twisted in agony.
His back swelled grotesquely.
Something bulged beneath his skin.
Then—
RIP!
A massive, grotesque mosquito burst out from his back.
With serrated proboscis and steel wings.
“From now on, it’ll drain your fluids until you admit defeat. If you don’t want to die, give up after losing a limb or two.”
Just a summoned creature.
Yet the magic it emitted far surpassed Gluttony.
‘Please… let this work.’
[The ‘Brooch of the Gray Zone’ is activated!]
[2 remaining uses are consumed at once!]
One of the hidden pieces from the Withered Garden—‘Brooch of the Gray Zone’.
It created a safe zone from boss-level monsters.
Of course, that only worked against moderate threats.
Against the Collector, it wouldn’t last even 0.01 seconds.
However—
When used with the ‘Gem of Dawn’ from Episode (20)…
‘It changes everything.’
A top-tier divine trait—
[Divine Reincarnation].
It could temporarily recreate a sanctuary equivalent to it.
[The ‘Brooch that Evokes the Golden Land’ is activated!]
Wooooong!
A platinum mist enveloped the auction house.
“This is….”
A flicker of surprise crossed the Collector’s eyes.
He hadn’t expected such a level of power.
“KIEEEEK!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The mosquito’s proboscis couldn’t pierce the mist.
‘Good thing I saved this instead of using it on Gluttony or others.’
Kang Yohan suppressed his cheer.
It was a gamble—
And it had worked.
“I believe I’ve won.”
“Impressive. I heard this was only your second or third episode. I didn’t expect someone capable of handling my pet insect.”
For the first time, emotion appeared on the Collector’s face.
Interest.
Excitement.
And beyond that—
Sadistic madness.
“Then shall we begin the real game? If you block this too, I’ll truly give you what you want.”
…What?
Wait, what nonsense is this?
“If someone as honorable as you were to break your promise… I’d be worried about your reputation.”
“If I kill everyone, there’ll be no one left to tarnish my reputation. As for the information, I’ll just extract your brain alive and analyze it.”
The Collector’s arm began to change.
[Replaced with the arm of cherished item ‘Fagras’.]
“It’s an arm I quite liked from a demon.”
A grotesque arm covered in red eyes and black blades.
Crack.
A crimson, ominous eye appeared in its palm.
Damn it.
That wasn’t something a mere brooch could block.
“M-Mr. Yohan!”
Scarlett trembled but stood beside him.
Even if it meant dying, she would stay.
A noble house wasn’t called noble for nothing.
“I-I mean… I don’t really get scared since I can survive even if I die.”
Park Yeri also gathered her mana, on the verge of tears.
Well, that one took cumulative soul damage, so extra lives didn’t matter anyway.
Still—
She had loyalty.
‘If possible, I wanted to avoid using the insurance…’
But now—
There was no choice.
It was time to activate Plan B.