You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 65

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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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65

 

 

 

After parting ways with Yamyeong, I quickened my pace.

 

According to the operation plan, we should have about a day of maintenance time after recapturing the target point.

 

But an inexplicable sense of unease persistently clung to me.

 

As I moved through the ruined city center, I could see the barracks of the forward base in the distance.

 

I let out a brief sigh of relief.

 

“Fortunately, they seem to be moving according to plan.”

 

It didn’t seem to be the worst-case scenario.

 

I had expected that Zhang Qingye would take advantage of my absence to monopolize the glory and force through the boss subjugation.

 

He was more than capable of doing such a thing.

 

Still, it seemed that even as a commander, he hadn’t put any reckless operations into action.

 

I opened the door to the command barracks.

 

‘Why are there so few people here?’

 

The inside of the barracks was chaotic.

 

Even considering it was for maintenance purposes, there were far too few people.

 

Only a few staff officers handling communications and reports were guarding the barracks.

 

As if all forces except essential personnel had been deployed to the front lines.

 

I immediately grabbed the officer in charge.

 

“Where is the commander?”

 

“Ah, well…”

 

The officer’s expression darkened.

 

An ominous premonition flashed through me.

 

“Don’t tell me he went to subjugate the boss?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

He squeezed his eyes shut.

 

“…That crazy bastard.”

 

A curse slipped out before I could stop myself.

 

The original plan was to stabilize the front lines, then reorganize our forces and attack the boss.

 

But it seemed Zhang Qingye couldn’t control his nature.

 

“Commander Zhang Qingye took everyone with him, leaving only essential personnel behind.”

 

“But according to the original operation…”

 

I started to speak but then closed my mouth.

 

Honestly, I was also angry at the staff officers who failed to stop him.

 

I fully understand that it’s not easy to voice opinions to an S-rank Hunter, especially one from another country.

 

But at the very least, they should have bought time until I arrived.

 

Then it wouldn’t have led to the foolish choice of sending their own country’s Hunters to their deaths.

 

But now wasn’t the time to blame the staff’s incompetence.

 

I hurriedly rushed out of the barracks.

 

“Where are you going?”

 

I heard the surprised voices of the staff officers behind me, but I didn’t pay attention.

 

Right now, every minute and second was precious time.

 

If things went wrong, the entire raid team could be annihilated.

 

I immediately ignited my Karmic Fire and ran toward the dungeon center.

 

***

 

As I approached the front lines, the air changed.

 

Suffocating, unpleasant air pierced my lungs.

 

The stench of blood, the smell of burning leather, and the musty beast odor characteristic of demonic beasts assaulted my nose.

 

Everywhere were the charred corpses of demonic beasts, and the gloomy weather added to the eerie atmosphere.

 

The roars and clashing sounds echoing from the distance grew closer and closer.

 

The Karmic Fire that erupted beneath my feet burned the asphalt and propelled me forward.

 

The Japanese Hunters were barely holding back the wave of Demonic Beasts rushing toward them.

 

No, it would be more accurate to say they were being gradually devoured.

 

They were bleeding everywhere, barely managing to block claws just to stay alive.

 

Some had already fallen, while others staggered as they pointed their swords.

 

My efforts to avoid casualties, even if injuries were unavoidable, had long since become futile.

 

I took a deep breath.

 

“Everyone’s going to die because of one bastard drunk on glory.”

 

I ignited Karmic Fire throughout my entire body.

 

My feet slowly began to lift off the ground.

 

I flew up above the battlefield and drew Galmu.

 

In an instant, flames erupted explosively, cutting through the air—

 

Whoooosh!

 

A massive pillar of fire split the battlefield and swallowed the horde of Demonic Beasts.

 

Screams and roars alike were swept away and disappeared in the flames.

 

The wave of Demonic Beasts that had filled the streets was consumed by fire and vanished without a trace.

 

Not even scorch marks remained on the ground.

 

“…!”

The Japanese hunters were looking at me with trembling eyes.

My figure floating in the battlefield sky, wreathed in karmic flames.

I caught my breath for a moment, then went down to the ground.

“I’ll take it from here. Take the injured and retreat to base camp.”

The hunters froze momentarily at my words.

Some looked anxious, while others had eyes that showed they would never back down.

“Is it because you don’t trust us?”

One young hunter asked through gritted teeth.

He was angry, but I wasn’t the target of his anger.

That he wouldn’t be of help.

That he wouldn’t be of any help.

I was just angry at my own helplessness.

I answered while lifting up my mane.

“Yes. S-rank battles are on a completely different level. I appreciate your willingness to help, but you’d only be a burden.”

It’s a cruel thing to say, but it’s true.

A moment of silence passed.

“You have already done enough.”

I could understand their feelings, but this is a battlefield.

A place where reason must come before emotion.

Taking hunters who were barely holding their own against the demonic beasts just moments ago to a place where there’s an S-rank boss and executives from the cult?

That’s murder.

“But…!”

It was the moment the young hunter was about to retort.

A massive wave of energy burst forth from the center.

All the Japanese hunters froze in place on the spot.

“Tsk, that crazy bastard Jang Cheongye…”

I clicked my tongue and stomped my foot on the ground.

Thud. As the ominous aura spread with the sound, the Japanese hunters’ bodies finally went limp.

“Now you understand, don’t you? Even so, if you’re still coming here to die, I won’t stop you.”

The hesitant Japanese hunter opened his mouth to speak.

“…Please return safely.”

Starting with him, they bowed their heads one by one and turned their steps toward the rear, supporting the wounded.

 

***

 

Before long, we were able to reach the central area of the dungeon.

 

The appearance of the central area created a unique landscape unlike the other ruins.

 

A spiral hole pierced through the dark clouds, with sunlight pouring down in a circular beam through the gap.

 

It felt like entering the eye of the storm.

 

“Zhang Qingye?”

 

And in the center where the sunlight was shining down, Zhang Qingye sat kneeling with his right arm severed, staring with hollow eyes.

 

In front of him, a woman holding a red whip was looking down at him.

 

That woman was definitely Carmen Soyora, the mastermind behind this incident.

 

That was the moment.

 

Carmen’s whip cut through the air and dove toward Zhang Qingye’s neck.

 

Karmic Fire erupted explosively, and my body shot toward the two of them.

 

Kwang—!

 

Flames blocked the whip and split the wall.

 

“…!”

 

Zhang Qingye’s dazed eyes turned toward me.

 

I raised Galmu upward and deflected Carmen’s whip.

 

Then I immediately grabbed Zhang Qingye by the nape of his neck and threw him outward.

 

I walked over to where Zhang Qingye’s severed arm had fallen.

 

Then I picked it up and ignited Frost Fire to freeze it.

 

“Go attach it. It can still be healed. There should be regeneration-type healers on the Japanese side too.”

 

If he went now, rehabilitation would take some time, but it could definitely be treated.

 

Zhang Qingye still showed no reaction, only alternately looking at his arm and me.

 

“You’re just baggage, so get out of here.”

 

Only then did he get up from his spot and start moving outside the eye of the storm.

 

“Who gave you permission?”

 

Along with a seductive voice, Carmen’s whip made a piercing sound as it headed toward Zhang Qingye’s nape.

 

I immediately ignited Karmic Fire.

 

With a ‘bang’ sound, the whip was blocked by flames and bounced away.

 

She retrieved her whip while wearing an intrigued smile.

 

“So it’s you. The S-rank Korean that Liu Chen mentioned.”

 

‘…Liu Chen?’

 

A new name had emerged.

 

If she knew about me, then this person must be related to the incident in Korea.

 

‘I should let Yamyeong know about this.’

 

“Carmen Soyora.”

 

“Oh my, you even know my name. Did you do some background research?”

 

“I have a capable subordinate.”

 

“Then you must know how strong I am too?”

 

Along with those words, she dragged her whip across the floor with a ‘chik’ sound.

 

With a rumbling sound, the entire ground shook.

 

Cracks split across the floor, and a giant wolf emerged from the shadows.

 

Massive fangs, a silver mane that flickered like flames.

 

It was Fenrir.

 

Cold air burst out with each step, scattering frost around the area.

 

About mid-level combat power by S-rank Hunter standards.

 

It wasn’t to the extent that I couldn’t handle it.

 

“….”

 

I took a deep breath.

 

In response, Fenrir let out a low howl.

 

The resonance cut through midair and spread throughout the entire City Center.

 

I raised Galmu high.

 

As I drew up the Karmic Fire, flames bloomed beneath my feet and shook the air.

 

Carmen’s red hair reflected in the firelight, revealing an even deeper madness.

 

“Good. This is how it should be fun.”

 

In that moment, flames and cries overlapped, shaking the entire battlefield.

 

***

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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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