You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 61

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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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61

 

 

 

As the airplane landed, the scenery outside the window felt somehow alien.

 

Even though it looked like an ordinary airport, my chest felt heavily pressed down.

 

There were people who had come to meet us on the runway.

 

One woman and one man who appeared to be attendants were standing there.

 

As I got off the airplane, the attendants bowed their heads while speaking fluent Korean.

 

“Merchant-nim, you must have had a hard time coming such a long way. I’m Kashino Yura, who will be serving as your secretary during your stay. Please feel free to call me Yura.”

 

“I’m Han Sang-in. Please take care of me.”

 

After a brief introduction, I followed her guidance and moved to the prepared vehicle.

 

“There’s no particular schedule set for today.”

 

Yura turned her body halfway and looked toward me with her gaze directed downward.

 

“You can tour the Operations Command, or go straight to the hotel. What would you like to do?”

 

I pondered for a moment before opening my mouth.

 

“Please take me to the hospital where Hunter Hinata is admitted.”

 

“The hospital?”

 

Yura made an expression of surprise.

 

“Is it difficult to meet her?”

 

“No. Visiting her isn’t a problem. However…”

 

She answered as if troubled.

 

“That person is currently in a coma.”

 

Then she took out a tablet from her bag.

 

“If it’s regarding matters related to the strategy, we have separately recorded materials. If you wish to review them, we can provide them.”

 

It seemed she had misunderstood my intentions.

 

Going to the hospital room wasn’t for obtaining such information in the first place.

 

I had already obtained that kind of information through Sadangpae.

 

No, it was more than that.

 

I had already familiarized myself with the types of monsters and even what the boss monster was.

 

Moreover, I also knew why Hinata had suffered life-threatening severe injuries.

 

In the final moment, Hinata threw herself forward to block the boss’s attack heading toward the city.

 

Even in a situation where she could have retreated and planned for another day.

 

I closed my eyes for a moment, then slowly raised my head again.

 

“Isn’t she a Hunter who threw herself to protect citizens? At the very least, if one knows courtesy, a visit to the sick should be done.”

 

Apart from emotions or political interests, she was a Hunter who threw herself to protect citizens.

 

These days, Hunters who made such choices were rare.

 

With no schedule to speak of, visiting her sick bed was my own way of showing courtesy.

 

Of course, my Sixth Sense was also telling me to visit her.

 

Above all, there was the sense of alienation I felt upon entering the airport, and my intuition that it was related to Hinata.

 

Upon hearing my words, Yura momentarily changed to a surprised expression, then solemnly nodded her head.

 

“I was very rude. We’ll move there immediately.”

 

***

 

The hospital room I entered under Yura’s guidance was not ordinary.

 

The medical equipment surrounding Hinata showed just how serious her condition was.

 

Her entire body was wrapped in bandages.

On the skin visible between them, bite marks and long suture scars could be seen.

 

But what caught my eye more than that were the strange objects placed beside her.

 

A bell and paper dolls… they weren’t objects that belonged in an intensive care unit.

 

“They are divine artifacts that help with Hinata-nim’s recovery.”

 

Yura, who noticed my gaze, explained first.

 

“I see.”

 

I had thought they didn’t look like ordinary objects.

 

‘There are quite a few items that look like they’d be found in Golden Township.’

 

The word Divine Artifact didn’t seem to be a lie, as the aura emanating from them was extraordinary.

 

Perhaps it was because those Divine Artifacts were there that she was confident she would recover soon.

 

I took out a single flower from my chest.

 

I couldn’t come empty-handed when visiting someone who was sick.

 

It was something I had purchased from Golden Township during my travels.

 

It was an Evening Primrose blessed by Moon God Tsukuyomi, one of the Three Noble Gods that Hinata served.

 

It wasn’t a particularly high-grade item, but it had the function of bestowing peace and blessings.

 

I think it might be among the most expensive get-well gifts I’ve ever given.

 

I carefully placed the flower on the table and spoke.

 

“This is a flower blessed by the Moon God. It’s not an ordinary flower, so you don’t need to worry.”

 

“I understand.”

 

“Now that I’ve seen your face, I’ll be going.”

 

The moment I put down the flower and turned to leave, I felt like I was being pulled downward.

 

Ah, a familiar feeling. I’d experienced it so often that it wasn’t even strange anymore.

 

It was the same feeling as when moving to the Training Manual or Labor Market.

 

I didn’t resist and let my body go with the flow.

 

My body stretched out like a screen with broken pixels, and my consciousness flickered along with noise-like frequencies.

 

***

 

My vision returned.

 

I was standing on Tatami.

 

And in front of me was a Japanese-style Sliding Door that appeared to lead to a Reception Room.

 

Through the open doorway, Hinata in a Shrine Maiden Outfit was sitting in front of a Low Table, absorbed in flower arranging.

 

‘…Evening Primrose?’

 

In her hands was the Evening Primrose I had left during my visit.

 

Hinata looked up at me.

 

“Thank you for accepting my invitation. Since my body is in this condition, I had no choice but to call you here.”

 

She bowed her head low.

 

“Please, sit.”

 

Hinata smiled slightly and offered me a seat.

 

‘Now I understand why she has such fanatical popularity in Japan.’

 

She had beauty that was worth lingering one’s gaze upon.

 

With outstanding abilities, elegance, and beauty on top of that, there was no way she wouldn’t be popular.

 

Regardless of gender, anyone would find her pretty and cute.

 

She wasn’t overly made up either.

Just sitting across from her made my heart feel calm.

 

“You don’t need to worry about it. I’m used to this kind of thing.”

 

I sat down across from her.

 

As I took my seat, she slowly set down the Evening Primrose in her hand.

 

At that moment, the petals glowed softly and the room filled with a clear fragrance.

 

And a Teacup appeared in front of me.

 

“It’s not real, but I tried to create some atmosphere. Even if it’s a Mental World, this is still a Reception Room.”

 

I took a sip of the tea she offered.

 

It was nothing more than warm water, but a subtle floral fragrance permeated clearly to the tips of my hair.

 

“I’m not sure if it will suit your taste.”

 

I set down the Teacup and spoke.

 

“Now that I’ve had tea, let’s get to the point. Why did you call me?”

 

“I have something to tell you.”

 

She continued while holding her Teacup with both hands.

 

“The problem we need to solve this time isn’t a boss monster. It may be hard to believe, but…”

 

She drew out her words.

 

“There’s a woman who creates dungeons and controls their boss monsters.”

 

‘Wait a minute…’

 

This is similar to a pattern I know.

 

“Trust me. I’ve dealt with it directly myself.”

 

“Artificially creating an S-Rank Dungeon is… What? What did you just say?”

 

“I’ve directly resolved an artificially created S-Rank Dungeon before.”

 

Hinata’s eyes shook greatly.

 

“Then this conversation will go quickly.”

 

The shrine maiden’s characteristic composure seemed to break for a moment, but she soon suppressed it again, catching her breath before continuing.

 

“The woman who controlled the dungeon’s monsters was a red-haired foreigner.”

 

“How strong is she?”

 

“She’d probably be mid-tier among S-Rank Hunters. Her whip was unique – it wasn’t an ordinary item. The moment it touched me, my power was shattered.”

 

At that moment, I was certain the Red-haired Woman was from the Cult.

 

When someone becomes S-Rank, God’s voice echoes worldwide.

 

There are 10 known S-Rank Hunters announced that way.

 

A non-S-Rank Hunter displaying S-Rank power?

 

That would be impossible unless it was the Cult.

 

Moreover, that item Hinata found strange.

 

It was a similar situation to when that ring absorbed my Karmic Fire.

 

“I’ve kept separate records of information about the dungeon, excluding her.”

 

Then the appearance of the reception room gradually began to blur.

 

“It seems I’m reaching my limit.”

 

“Your limit?”

 

“You saw my condition in reality, but I’m pushing myself quite hard right now too.”

 

She exhaled shallowly and smiled faintly.

 

“That’s enough.”

 

I stood up from my seat.

 

“If it’s you, Merchant, I think you’ll solve the problem before I wake up.”

 

“Is that alright?”

 

It was a question about whether the Japanese Government would welcome such a situation.

 

“It doesn’t matter. I want people to return to their daily lives as quickly as possible, rather than seeking political gain.”

 

“…I understand. Then let’s meet in reality next time.”

 

With those words, I opened the door and walked out of her Mental World.

 

***

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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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