You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 113

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

113

 

Upon entering the dungeon interior, a long corridor shrouded in thick darkness spread out before us.

 

In the cool air, only a few torches embedded in the walls cast dim light.

 

Under the faintly flickering light,

 

giant statues stood in rows along both sides of the corridor.

 

It perfectly matched the scene from the vision the Cult Leader had shown.

 

“The statues serve as gatekeepers protecting the corridor.”

 

Colonel Foster said in a low voice.

 

“The First Raid Team was wiped out when they attempted a frontal assault without knowing this.”

 

Colonel Foster’s lips twisted slightly.

 

“There’s a detour behind the statues. We’ll move along that path.”

 

With Colonel Foster leading, we maintained formation and moved along the detour, suppressing even our breathing.

 

The artificial light visible at the vanishing point indicated we had safely approached the end of the corridor.

 

Colonel Foster stopped at the point where the corridor ended.

 

“From this point on is the Giant Settlement.”

 

The scenery visible beyond Colonel Foster was the complete opposite of the corridor.

 

It was as if an ancient Greek city had been transported here intact.

 

Stone buildings built in a style similar to that era were constructed there.

 

Their clothing was also similar.

 

The clothes worn by the Giant Tribe members glimpsed here and there were white garments made of flowing fabric.

 

“The place visible right after exiting the corridor is the plaza.”

 

At the tip of Colonel Foster’s pointing finger, a plaza centered around a fountain was visible.

 

“Based on the analysis of information shared by Ashin and the investigation team’s reports, we’ve determined that the dungeon’s clear condition is located in the temple.”

 

At the top of the hill that rose along the plaza.

 

A massive temple that seemed to recreate the Parthenon Temple was situated there.

 

“As you can see, they’re not quite large enough to be called giants.”

 

As the colonel said, the Giant Tribe wasn’t as large as expected.

 

They were about two stories tall, three stories at most.

 

“Each individual has the combat power of a B-rank Hunter, but their sheer size difference means we can expect a tough fight.”

 

There were many types of giant monsters, but two stories in height was certainly not a small build.

 

“Therefore, we’ll move directly to the temple through the underground waterway that the investigation team identified.”

 

With those words, Colonel Foster stood up.

 

***

 

Thanks to the investigation team’s detailed analysis, finding the path to the underground waterway wasn’t difficult.

 

The movements of the giants in the plaza were regular.

 

Their routines were consistent, as if they were living the same day repeatedly.

 

They clearly spoke, thought, and went about their daily lives,

 

but the same actions were said to repeat on a daily cycle.

 

Following the route that analyzed their blind spots, we were able to enter the underground waterway.

 

The giants’ city that came into view while descending into the underground waterway was… far more civilized than expected.

 

Unified architectural structures and clothing styles.

 

A massive polis centered around the temple at the highest point.

 

Moreover, the underground waterway we were currently moving through.

 

This was clear evidence of a city-state.

 

In other words, this dungeon was a thoroughly planned city and simultaneously a religious state.

 

“The identified number of giants is 49.”

 

Colonel Foster’s briefing continued as we moved through the underground waterway.

 

“But we only need to face three Giants.”

 

This was content that came up during the strategy meeting.

 

Our purpose from the beginning was to clear the Dungeon.

 

In that process, we didn’t need to face all 49 Giants.

 

“The Priest Giant and two Junior Brother Giants guarding the door.”

 

Colonel Foster’s voice echoed through the Underground Waterway.

 

“The Junior Brother specimens are what caused the Second Raid Team’s annihilation. They’re reported to be A-rank or higher. They’re not just strong, but also possess considerable intelligence and mobility.”

 

I quietly mulled over those words.

 

A world where the day repeats,

 

and the Temple, the only space that escaped from that loop.

 

This had long since departed from the category of an ordinary Dungeon.

 

‘What could be the identity of the Divine Artifact the Cult Leader is after?’

 

For a Dungeon of this scale, the Cult could have conquered it with their power alone without bothering to call me here.

 

Because the US Military is stationed here?

 

That couldn’t be a clear answer either.

 

If only the essential personnel remained to maintain the status quo, it would be entirely possible to approach secretly.

 

“Last is the Priest.”

 

For a moment, only footsteps echoed in the Darkness.

 

“I’m sorry, but we couldn’t gather information about the Priest.”

 

Colonel Foster swallowed his saliva.

 

“In fact, if Ashin hadn’t provided information, we wouldn’t have even known about the Priest’s existence.”

 

Well, I understand.

 

The operation had to be suspended when the second assault team was completely wiped out.

 

“That’s not important. I’ll be the one dealing with the Priest anyway.”

 

Colonel Foster nodded at my words.

 

“The Special Team and Ashin will handle the Priest Giant side. More precisely, their role is to tie them down.”

 

These were the Priest Giants that had completely wiped out an entire squad of US Special Forces.

 

If they charged in trying to defeat them, they wouldn’t be able to avoid total annihilation.

 

But if it was just tying them down, that would be sufficient.

 

In the meantime, I would defeat the Priest and quickly join them.

 

That was the core of this operation.

 

While listening to the operation briefing, we had arrived at the stone staircase that marked the end of the underground waterway.

 

“If you feel like you can’t hold out, you can retreat first.”

 

“Then what about you, Elder Brother?”

 

Kim Jin-woo asked back with a flustered voice at my words.

 

“I have ways to get myself out. So think about running away first when it gets dangerous.”

 

“Telling us to think about running away before we’ve even fought… That’s really helpful for morale.”

 

The Association President chuckled and threw out a joke.

 

“I’m not joking.”

 

I looked at Colonel Foster.

 

“The same goes for you, Colonel. If it seems impossible, run away.”

 

“Still, I’ll do my best for now.”

 

I nodded.

 

“That’s enough.”

 

“Then let’s begin the operation.”

 

Colonel Foster stepped onto the stone staircase with a determined expression.

 

***

 

Upon entering the temple, a long corridor stretched out before us.

 

Ahead, two giants who appeared to be priests stood waiting.

 

Confirming this, we quickly dispersed into three groups.

 

The US Special Forces Team led by Colonel Foster, the Ashin Team, and myself.

 

The two giants rose from their positions upon spotting the enemies rapidly approaching.

 

The US military was the first to move.

 

“Good luck, Mr. Han.”

 

With those words, Colonel Foster’s team surrounded one of the giants.

 

Kim Jin-woo, not to be outdone, summoned his giant shield.

 

“Elder Brother, if you don’t hurry up, I’m really going to leave you behind!”

 

“Coming.”

 

I kicked off the ground and leaped up using Jin-woo’s shield as a support.

 

Then I used the Karmic Fire from my feet as propulsion and shot toward the Boss Room like a projectile.

 

Just as the sounds of battle were fading away, an unfamiliar voice rang in my ears.

 

“Mr. Han! Wait, wait a moment!”

 

Looking down, I saw Ellie running after me, breathing heavily.

 

‘Ellie?’

 

I slowly descended in front of her.

 

“I, I finally caught up with you.”

 

“What business do you have?”

 

Actually, I had momentarily forgotten about her existence.

 

Since installing the Backdoor at the Dungeon Entrance, there had been no role for her.

 

She barely caught her breath and opened her mouth.

 

“Colonel Foster told me to follow you.”

 

‘Colonel Foster?’

 

“He said there might be a Gimmick installed in the Boss Room too.”

 

Her words made sense, but I felt equally suspicious.

 

However, I didn’t have time to verify those suspicions right now.

 

If there really was a barrier or something in the Boss Room, it would delay us.

 

‘Can’t be helped.’

 

I decided to take her along first and think about it later.

 

“Miss Ellie, do you get motion sickness?”

 

“Pardon? Yes. I do feel a little motion sick—”

 

“Please bear with it anyway.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Without even listening to her response, I grabbed her arm.

 

“Wait a moment—!”

 

I heard her sharp scream, but it couldn’t be helped.

 

Every minute and second was precious right now.

 

***

 

‘There really was a Gimmick.’

 

Before long, we were able to reach the entrance to the Boss Room.

 

And just as Ellie had said, there really was something like a barrier hanging on the door.

 

It would have been better if there wasn’t one at all.

 

‘This makes it even more suspicious.’

 

While I was thinking about what to do with her, the Backdoor was completed.

 

“Since it’s the Boss Room, it took a bit longer than the Dungeon Entrance.”

 

She wiped the sweat from her forehead and stood up from her position.

 

“Please hide your body somewhere nearby.”

 

“Excuse me?”

 

“Are you thinking of going in together?”

 

“I’m still an A-rank Hunter, so I might be able to help somehow… Or if there are any gimmicks in the Boss Room, I could be helpful again…”

 

She rambled on in a completely deflated voice.

 

“It’s dangerous.”

 

“It’s okay. If it gets dangerous, I can escape through the Backdoor.”

 

“No, what I mean is…”

 

‘Would it be better to take her to the Boss Room instead?’

 

I thought that if she was a spy from the Cult, it might be more convenient to deal with her in the Boss Room, disguising it as an accident.

 

‘She doesn’t seem to have any combat abilities…’

 

“Fine. But please take this with you.”

 

I handed her the Old Purple Silk Wrapping Cloth from my waist.

 

“What is this?”

 

“It’s a Wrapping Cloth with Teleportation abilities. As you know, once we enter the Boss Room, I won’t be able to protect you.”

 

Ellie nodded at my words.

 

“It means there might be situations where you can’t use your abilities. So having even one such Artifact would be helpful.”

 

“Mr. Han…”

 

She looked touched by my words.

 

“Then let’s go in right away.”

 

“Yes!”

 

As soon as Ellie answered, I immediately turned around.

 

It would be fortunate if they’re not related to the Cult, but if they are…

 

‘It’s better to have some insurance.’

 

***

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————