You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 176

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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176

“You’re certain that the Cult will emerge from the water.”

The Pope spoke in a low voice.

I didn’t answer.

But both men knew that this was a silent affirmation.

There was a clear reason why I was so confident.

The Cult had existed for centuries beyond my comprehension,

but only a very few knew their true identity.

The name ‘Cult’ was just something we arbitrarily assigned to them,

they had always moved like shadows beneath the surface.

As if they were puppet masters, they had always orchestrated events from behind the scenes.

Even after reviewing all their records and history,

there had been no precedent for such blatant movements.

That’s why I reached one conclusion.

The Cult Leader’s goal was already nearing its final stage.

This wasn’t mere speculation.

It was a conclusion based on records and statistics accumulated over time.

I don’t know what grand scheme they desire.

But by intervening in the Festival of the Saints, they became enemies of the Vatican.

This meant their plan had progressed to the point where they didn’t mind revealing themselves above water.

And it was tantamount to declaring they would reveal themselves as much as needed for that final step ahead.

That’s why I

needed allies who would stand by my side.

While I could confront the Cult, there was no reason for me to protect the entire world alone.

No, there was no such reason to begin with.

So wouldn’t it be good to have many capable allies?

And the Vatican was suitable not only for capability but also for creating justification.

The Pope set down his spoon and opened his mouth.

“I thought we were in the same boat, but it turned out to be a tiger’s back.”

The Pope already knew too.

From the moment Park Si-on became a saint, he had become involved.

“Will you help us?”

I silently pulled out a paper from my jacket.

It was a contract.

After all, trust in business relationships comes from contracts.

Honorary director position.

If desired, I was even willing to create the title of Chief Religious Officer.

The Pope, who had been looking at me with an incredulous expression for a moment, soon began reading through the contract contents.

There wasn’t anything particularly important.

It was just a standard Ashin contract modified to suit the Vatican.

Things like making donations to the Vatican instead of salary.

Or partnerships establishing mutual cooperation when in danger.

The Pope, who had been slowly reading through the contract contents, burst into laughter.

“Tsk tsk, even knowing I was being deceived, what a remarkable saint has appeared.”

Then he pulled out a fountain pen from his jacket.

“I’ll add contract conditions.”

With that, he scribbled something in the empty space.

“Just as they’ve been watching us, we’ve been observing them for quite a long time too.”

– Permission to access the Vatican Curia Secret Archives.

“This should be sufficient as payment for mine and my younger sister’s lives and gratitude for Si-on.”

– The Vatican pledges to do its utmost to cooperate with Ashin in stopping humanity’s common enemy.

64th Pope Matthias Percival Baudouin

“Isn’t my opinion being reflected?”

Raphael raised a slight complaint, but

“Won’t you follow along when your elder brother says he’s going?”

It was immediately suppressed by The Pope.

***

As the airplane door opened, camera flashes went off.

“Hunter Han Sang-in! Just one comment regarding the Saint Tournament—”

“Is it true that Park Si-on is a guild member belonging to Ashin?”

Reporters surrounded me in an instant.

‘This is the Association’s private aircraft, so how did the reporters get in here?’

Safety aside, isn’t entering the runway without permission illegal?

Jin-woo, who had gotten out of a vehicle in the distance, stood blocking the reporters.

At that moment, irritation surged through me.

No matter how important news stories are, this clearly crossed the line.

They didn’t even formally request an interview, and they pushed their way in while breaking the law…

“No different from stalkers.”

How much are they looking down on Ashin?

I grabbed Jin-woo’s shoulder as he was about to respond.

At the same time, I stepped with True Step and unleashed dominating pressure.

Instantly,

the reporters blocking my path all fell to their knees in unison.

No, to be precise, their knees were forced down by some unknown mysterious power.

“Guild Leader, please identify all the reporters in front of me right now.”

I wanted to blow them all away, but I exercised superhuman patience.

“And ban the broadcasting stations those reporters work for from attending Ashin-related events.”

The kneeling reporters couldn’t even open their mouths to speak.

It wasn’t because they knew their wrongdoing and had no shame.

They were already unconscious with their eyes open.

Pale as sheets, having been exposed to powerful ghostly energy.

“Understood. I’ll proceed with official protests and measures against those broadcasting companies and newspapers.”

And my gaze turned toward the security guards in charge of the runway gate.

A middle-aged man in the distance who made eye contact with me startled and hid inside the checkpoint.

‘I’ll need to have that side dealt with too.’

“And from now on, don’t get involved in things like this unless it’s an official event.”

“That problem would be solved if you just took me along when you slip away, Elder Brother.”

I chuckled at those words and started walking.

Because I knew it was meant to help ease my angry emotions.

“Should we go straight to the guild?”

“Yeah, let’s go home.”

***

As soon as I arrived at the guild building, I moved to the Investigation Hall.

I had long since given up my office to Kim Jin-woo and Han Jia.

It was also inefficient to occupy an office because of Golden Incense shopping,

and above all, the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains side was more familiar.

‘At this point, it’s awkward to even call it the Investigation Hall.’

The Investigation Hall was now filled with the ergonomic chair and sofa I used to have in my office.

The only reason it could still be called the Investigation Hall was Hyeonmu-wol’s memorial tablet set up in the back.

I casually placed the holy grail on the table and headed to the center of the Investigation Hall.

The holy grail was something The Pope had handed over, calling it a token of partnership.

I did receive a certificate of appreciation and prize at the final ceremony of the Saint Tournament,

but who would have guessed that the prize was a holy grail?

Since divine power gathered on its own even when left alone, I had no reason to refuse it.

Well, that’s why the Cult Leader would covet it too.

A man obsessed with divine power wouldn’t just sit still.

Of course, the Holy Grail now belongs to me.

According to the Pope, it will be mine until I die or the next saint appears.

As I walked to the center of the Investigation Hall, objects automatically moved to create space for me.

I thought I’d loosen up my body first, to shake off the irritation that had built up at the airport.

“Let me work out a bit after so long.”

As I drew Galmu, a training dummy rose up from the floor.

‘This is why the Training Manual is so convenient.’

***

“Whew…”

I exhaled deeply and sheathed Galmu.

Before me lay the debris of the training dummy, shattered to pieces.

Moving my body without thinking, the sun had already begun to set.

“Time for dinner.”

After working out for so long, I was hungry.

‘She should be off work by now, right?’

I called Han Jia, thinking I’d go home and eat.

As soon as the ringtone started, I heard the rejection message.

– The customer you are calling is not answering…

“Right, I didn’t expect anything anyway.”

I might be an S-rank Hunter outside, but at home I’m just a freeloader eating her food.

Feeling disappointed, I also called Jin-woo.

He didn’t answer either, probably busy with work.

I sighed and left the Investigation Hall.

“I’ll have to go home and order delivery.”

That’s when I came down from the mountain using lightness techniques.

‘What’s this?’

I felt something was off.

The halls and training ground that came into view.

It was too quiet.

‘Did I encounter any guild members on my way here?’

No, I hadn’t seen a single one.

Even though it was past quitting time, there shouldn’t be this complete absence of people.

Park Ju-yong, or at least Zhang Qingye, did personal training every single day without fail.

Whether voluntary or forced, there should be at least one person here at this time.

‘No one at all…’

I instinctively slowed my steps.

I lowered my breathing.

I changed Galmu into dagger form and gripped it in reverse.

There was only one place where I could sense a presence now.

Cheonma Hall, the personal training room equipped with Regeneration.

‘An intruder sent by the Cult?’

I had expected them to reveal themselves in earnest, but this was quite blatant.

Countless possibilities flashed through my mind.

But the conclusion came down to one thing.

‘I’ll catch them and find out.’

The closer I got to Cheonma Hall, the fainter my presence became.

This was an assassination technique I had learned when I was an assassin in the Heavenly Demon’s training camp.

I approached the door silently.

I grabbed the handle and thrust the dagger forward as I opened the door.

At that moment—

Bang!

Confetti and fireworks exploded.

“Surprise!”

At the same time, the lights turned on and a strange scream was heard.

“Kiyaaaahu!”

The blade had stopped right in front of Kim Jin-woo’s throat.

“Elder Brother, Elder Brotherrr…”

Behind Kim Jin-woo, who was almost on the verge of tears, I could see familiar faces.

Han Jia, Zhang Qingye, Guild Members, and the Association President among others.

“…What?”

“Elder Brother… today is your birthday.”

“Ah.”

…Come to think of it,

I think that was right.

“If the lights had turned on even 1 second later, my head would have flown off.”

Jin-woo shouted while sniffling.

“Next time you do something like this, tell me in advance.”

“Then it wouldn’t be a surprise!”

I lightly ignored Kim Jin-woo’s words and went toward the birthday table.

Perhaps because I was very hungry, the food was really delicious.

***

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