You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 62

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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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62

 

 

 

When I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital room.

 

It felt like I had a dream that was short yet long.

 

The fragrance of flowers still lingered on my fingertips.

 

Looking around, Yura, the attendants, and even the nurses all had their hands clasped together.

 

As if they were praying.

 

When I sat up, Kashino Yura, sensing my movement, raised her head.

 

“Did you meet with Hinata-sama?”

 

‘How did she know?’

 

That question quickly disappeared.

 

Because Hinata’s Divine Power was overflowing in this hospital room.

 

Even if one couldn’t sense Divine Power, the fragrance of lily of the valley filled the hospital room.

 

“Yes.”

 

I answered briefly.

There was no need for a long explanation.

 

“As expected…!”

 

Her voice carried a sense of reverence.

 

So this was why they called Hinata a religion.

 

“I think I’ve finished all my business here, so I’d like to rest for today.”

 

“I’ll prepare for immediate departure.”

 

As I followed her down to the lobby, an irritating presence approached.

 

In the center of the lobby stood a man with a massive build.

 

‘A soldier?’

 

Short hair, a sturdy build, and sun-tanned skin.

His muscles bulged over a military-colored tank top.

 

‘His forearms are as thick as my torso.’

 

What particularly caught my eye were the massive twin halberds crossed over his shoulders.

 

Well, to wield something like that, his forearms would have to be that thick.

 

‘Is this the S-rank Hunter coming from China?’

 

The man smirked and approached me as soon as he saw me.

 

His name was Zhang… what was it again?

 

“I’m Zhang Qingye. I’m the commander of this operation.”

 

Right, Zhang Qingye.

 

Contrary to my concerns about him being a Chinese Hunter, his first impression wasn’t as bad as I thought.

 

Since my achievements hadn’t been reflected yet, Zhang Qingye became the commander.

 

That was unavoidable.

 

According to international Hunter law, when a domestic Hunter cannot serve as commander, the highest-ranked Hunter takes the position.

 

Actually, this worked out well for me.

 

As you could tell from the guild, I hate positions of responsibility.

 

If I had to do it alone, I would have done it alone.

 

Moreover, Zhang Qingye would lose his 7th place ranking to me once the rankings were updated.

 

Even so, if he had the magnanimity to approach me first and greet me, he was certainly qualified to be a commander.

 

‘This operation should go smoothly.’

 

I could leave the boss monster to Zhang Qingye and focus on finding Yamyeong and tracking the sect’s personnel.

 

“Nice to meet…”

 

“So you’re the one? That brat who came from Korea.”

 

I take that back.

 

I thought he was speaking casually because he was the commander, but he was just a rude bastard.

 

“Ha, to think a guy like this ranks higher than me.”

 

His voice was openly dripping with contempt.

 

Behind Zhang Qingye, the faces of the Japanese attendants darkened.

 

‘Tsk, those guys are having a hard time too.’

 

They were accompanying him ceremonially, but it seemed they had already been through quite an ordeal.

 

“Hey, you don’t even greet the commander when you see him?”

 

With that single remark, the atmosphere in the lobby turned coldly tense.

 

The faces of the Japanese attendants hardened.

 

Since both Zhang Qingye and I were foreign hunters, they hesitated, unable to readily intervene.

 

‘Picking a fight so openly…’

 

This happened often when I worked as a porter too.

 

Porters who acted territorial.

 

Childish bastards who would pick fights to provoke others, then beat them up when they retaliated to show off their hierarchy to everyone around.

 

I never thought an S-Rank Hunter would stoop to such behavior…

 

‘What should I do…’

 

The solution was simple.

 

Just show him who’s superior.

 

Usually, crude methods work well against crude behavior.

 

But if it came to that, even though it would be satisfying, it would create troublesome situations.

 

Since when did I start caring about such things…

Seeing Yura beside me clenching her fists and suppressing her anger, I couldn’t bring myself to punch Zhang Qingye in the face.

 

‘Tsk, the Japanese kids saved you.’

 

I looked at him for a moment, then nodded casually.

 

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

 

“Ha, looking at how you greet, you really are nothing special.”

 

Zhang Qingye let out a sneer as if he was disappointed.

 

“I’ll handle the work here myself, so you just watch from the sidelines.”

 

That would actually be quite nice for me…

 

“Since you came all the way to Japan, why don’t you go sightseeing or something. I hear the sushi here is delicious.”

 

I thought for a moment, then smiled lightly.

 

“If that’s how it works out, that wouldn’t be too bad.”

 

At my nonchalant response, Zhang Qingye chuckled and walked into the hospital.

 

I watched Zhang Qingye’s retreating figure and chuckled softly.

 

‘If it was going to end that easily, would I have come all this way?’

 

Following Yura’s guidance, I headed to the parking lot.

 

***

 

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Headquarters.

 

The main conference room there had been set up as the command center for this operation.

 

Though it seemed hastily arranged, since they had repurposed the police headquarters’ internal facilities, everything necessary was there.

 

I took a seat in the very back row.

 

This was my first time in an international joint operation, but my ultimate goal wasn’t the dungeon raid.

 

Finding Yamyeong’s location and tracking the Sect’s associates.

 

S-Rank Dungeon raids weren’t particularly difficult for me anymore anyway.

 

Meanwhile, Zhang Qingye, who had arrived last, went up to the front of the conference room, onto the platform.

 

“. , .”

 

What flowed from his mouth was Chinese.

 

“Nice to meet you. I am Zhang Qingye, the commander of this operation.”

 

I wondered why there was someone standing next to him – it was an interpreter.

 

“, “

 

“To save time, I’ll get straight to the point.”

 

It seemed this hadn’t been discussed beforehand, as bewilderment showed on the faces of the Japanese bureaucrats.

 

Zhang Qingye paid no attention to their reaction and continued speaking.

 

“. , “

 

“The operation is simple. Think of it in two main parts. First, we push the front line…”

 

“, “

 

“Second, I will annihilate the boss.”

 

I shook my head inwardly.

 

I could guarantee it.

but when it came to actual combat, he’d probably babble in English.

 

The bureaucrats stiffened momentarily at his arrogant plan, but no one stepped forward first to voice their opinion.

 

No, it would be more accurate to say they couldn’t.

 

Zhang Qingye was glaring with his eyes blazing blue.

 

The fortunate thing was that his first plan was actually sound.

 

It was a standard strategy of pushing the front line in joint operation with the Japanese Hunters.

 

Only then did the Japanese bureaucrats begin to speak up.

 

I chuckled softly watching them.

 

‘They’re all thinking different things.’

 

The Japanese side wanted time for Hinata to recover before the boss fight,

The Japanese side had time for Hinata to revive right before the boss,

Zhang Qingye will probably try to successfully carry out this operation and climb to a higher ranking.

“Sigh…”

I habitually twirled my pen and let out a sigh.

The first one was fine, but what came next was the problem.

‘This operation is going to be tough.’

And so the day ended with nothing but planning strategies on how to push the front lines forward.

Of course, he didn’t forget to throw me a mocking look either.

 

I wondered what kind of fight he was having by himself – it was almost pitiful at this point.

 

After Zhang Qingye, the Japanese bureaucrats came to my side next.

 

‘Are they going to scold me for doing nothing and loafing around?’

 

But their expressions were too kind for that.

 

It was genuine courtesy filled with sincerity, not formal pleasantries.

 

“Merchant, we heard you met with Hinata.”

 

Ah, so that’s what this is about.

 

“Well, it just happened to work out that way.”

 

“My, you’re even modest…”

 

The people around chimed in agreement with the middle-aged bureaucrat’s words.

 

“Don’t mind the Chinese Hunter. We think you’re far more impressive, Merchant.”

 

These were all people I was meeting for the first time today.

 

But for that one reason alone – that I had met Hinata – all of them were favorable toward me.

 

Even considering they were showing respect for their own Hunter’s sacrifice, this was a bit excessive.

 

“Well then, please take care of us going forward.”

 

“Yes, yes.”

 

And so the Japanese bureaucrats filed past, shaking hands with me one by one.

 

After they all left, Yura approached my side.

 

“Merchant, please don’t think it’s too strange.”

 

“Ah, yes.”

 

I cleared my throat awkwardly like someone whose inner thoughts had been discovered.

 

“All those people are acting that way because they owe their lives to Hinata.”

 

“I see.”

 

“Besides, you were the first Hunter to say you wanted to visit Hinata first.”

 

“That was just a courtesy visit.”

 

“Whatever it was.”

 

Yura smiled faintly, then rummaged through her document file as if remembering something.

 

“Oh, and they said there was a message in Hinata’s hospital room yesterday.”

“Oh, and I heard there was a note in Hinata-sama’s hospital room yesterday.”

 

“A message?”

 

“It seems Hinata left it after we departed.”

 

Yura handed me a folded piece of paper.

 

What could that busy person who’s focused on recovering have sent something like this for?

 

I slowly unfolded the message.

 

『You will meet your little bell soon. Don’t worry too much.』

 

I stared at the message for a moment, then clicked my tongue.

 

“Tsk, this is why I can’t not help her.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“It’s nothing.”

 

I pocketed the message and left the conference room.

 

***

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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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