The Insurrection of the Inept Hero
Chapter 48: Underworld Auction

Walking through the streets of the underworld, I expected it to be inhabited by criminals only, but I spotted a few rich people and even those that looked like knights as well. It looks like it's not just felons that occupy this place. The underworld really is a dirty place to be.

I searched around for anything that looked like a shop and stumbled upon a large building. I noticed that there were many rich people entering and the sign outside read that there was gonna be some kind of auction.

So an auction, huh? I wonder what kind? Well, if I remember anything from auctions, they either put up rare items such as gear, spells, clothes, maybe even monsters that have been tamed. However, if I were to guess, there would probably be slaves as well, probably either high quality or rare slaves with favorable talent.

I guess I should stick around and see what there is to offer but I'm mainly here to get myself some spells or two. Maybe even get me a pet.

After thinking of what I should get and checking the amount of money I have on me, I would enter the building.

The inside was a giant auditorium. Guess this is where they'll be presenting the merchandise.

Most of the seats were occupied by the rich and the only place left was the front. Guess I'll be standing.

I walked over and idled around, waiting for the auction to start. While that happened, I looked around and inspected everyone's level in this room.

Looks like no one in here has a level over 300, so I guess I'm safe from any threats for now.

Suddenly, the room became dark, and spotlights appeared on stage. A man would then appear from thin air. He wore a formal suit and some kind of mechanical eye patch over his right eye.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Lads and lass, this year's event is going to be a little special. Of course, the usual will be high-class items that everyone here would want to own. There will also be dangerous beasts, spirits for you shamans to use, and last of all, useful disposable bodyguards."

The man then walked to the side and an item appeared floating in the middle of the stage. I couldn't see what it was at first, but then it came to view. It was some kind of armor piece that guards the chest.

"Crimson Lava Armor, very rare in the southern parts but common in the west! The opening bid is at 25 gold coins."

That's when people began to raise their hands and the price just got higher.

"50 gold coins!"

"50 gold coins! Any more?"

"60!"

"60 gold coins! Going once, going twice, sold!"

One of the rich people stood up and rubbed his hands together. Recalling to when I inspected his stats, he was a warrior class. I don't know how foolish he thinks he is to wield armor like that because it's way out of his league, but since he's rich, he could have bodyguards able to wear this kind of armor.

Anyway, the auction continued on.

The next item was some kind of staff made with some kind of stone able to store tons of mana. It was interesting, but I didn't really need it since my mana reserve is already so high.

Next was a robe made of a legendary lion's fur. This item got everyone's attention, mostly the mages. Not only is it highly durable against blades, but it is also able to take on any fire, water, earth, wind, and lightning spells. In other words, it's resistant against the five main elements.

The bidding was so high that the robe was now worth 5 platinum coins. It was later sold to some wizard.

After a few more high-quality products, the beasts were brought out.

The first one was some kind of giant wolf with blue flames spewing out from its mane. The amount of mana that it was emitting had filled the entire room, spreading fear due to its intimidating power.

Though it could do all that, it wasn't much of a threat to me considering its level is only 300 levels below mine. I am level 781 if you didn't know. Myran's death really did well for me.

Despite its appearance, it was on high demand and eventually sold for 13 platinum coins.

Next was a giant serpent. However, we only got an illusion of what it looked like since it was dangerous to keep it directly on chains. From what I heard, it was locked in some kind of prison enchanted with sealing magic.

After the beasts came the spirits. There wasn't really much to them and no one really wanted them except shamans. A class that specializes in using spirits. Although some of them looked promising, none of them quite had the potential I was looking for.

The only thing that was interesting to me was this small spirit made of nothing but light.

Last came the "useful disposable bodyguards," but it was pretty obvious that it meant slaves.

The first one brought out was a rabbit girl. She had a petite build, long rabbit ears if that wasn't already obvious, and donning silver armor. She also had a comically large sword on her back. Using Analysis, my assumption was correct. She was a berserker.

[Level 546; TLR: 61%; Level Cap: 550]

Her talent rate was also good. The only problem was her level cap. She looks promising, but I think it'll be a pass on her. It would be a little dicey to show her to them.

She was eventually sold at the price of 8 platinum coins.

Next was a dragonewt boy. Despite being young, his talent was especially favorable.

[Level 463; TLR: 77%; Level Cap: 463]

He was a mage class and even had formidable spells, but as the rabbit girl, his level cap was almost at its max. So again, a pass.

He was sold at 2 platinum coins.

More slaves were presented and sold but none of them were suited to my interests. I needed one with a level cap at least 50 levels away from their current level or at least have a talent rate over eighty percent. At this point, I was getting bored and ready to leave.

As I headed for the exit, the last slave was presented.

"Last but not least, I present to you, a slayer from the Dragon Oni Tribe."

I quickly stopped where I was and turned around. Did he just say Dragon Oni Tribe?

A rather tall girl was presented on the stage. She had a very fair complexion, which would make her look human if you ignored the horns and the eyes. She had two long horns that seemed to flow out from her head instead of protruding horns like an Oni would possess. They were curved, and they went from black to red. Her eyes were blood red and diamond-shaped. Her long black hair falling past her shoulders, which would suit her slender figure.

While I was busy studying her, I realized that the bidding was going up fast!

"5 platinum coins!"

"9 platinum coins!"

"17 platinum coins!"

Crap, I was gonna leave, but this changes everything. Of course, anyone would want a piece of a Dragon Oni. They are what you can call a warrior race. Their strength, their agility, everything about them makes them considerably strong. They are also very rare as they are on the brink of extinction. They are basically priceless.

Whoa now, calm down. I can't get my hopes up because she's a Dragon Oni, I need to see her potential.

[Level 714; TLR: 92%; Level Cap: 853]

Well, this just got even harder to decide. She is definitely a promising specimen. Her talent rate is especially what makes her special.

It wouldn't hurt to maybe buy her...

"49 platinum coins!"

"49 platinum coins! Going once, going twice, sol-!"

"100 platinum coins!" I would yell out before he finished.

Everyone turned to me as I rose my hand out.

"100 platinum coins! Going once, going twice, sold! Sold to the man dressed in black and silver!"

Yes... I did it... at the cost of my prize from the old man. It may have been a waste to waste so much, but it'll be worth it.

"And that ladies and gentlemen will be the end of the auction. Please do come back."

After the auction, those that were able to get their hands on something went to get their prize.

The auctioneer was walking over to me with the Dragon Oni girl behind him who was in a cloak.

"Mr..."

"Nero is fine."

"Ahh I see, you may call me Drew."

We'd shake hands. Drew then took my hand and chanted the incantation which transfers the ownership of the slave which is connected to the slave collar.

"Nero, you are really lucky, I must say. Never had such a high bidder before. Not even the wealthy ones that visit my auction have that much money."

"Well, I can say the same for you."

"Heh, if you are interested, there is one being held 2 months from now in the region under Maroon City."

"How convenient, I'm actually heading there."

"Oh? An adventurer?"

"Yes."

"Well, you are definitely a lucky one. Not many adventurers can be admitted to a city like Maroon. Unless they were born there, of course."

"I see."

"Heh, sorry for taking up most of your time. Now then, I'll put her care into your hands."

Drew then left, leaving me and the Dragon Oni girl alone.

Let's see, it should be dark by now, so I should replace an inn. Even if it's underground, there'll be one nearby.

"Now then," I pointed to the Dragon Oni girl, "Let's replace a place to stay."

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