You Have Been Invited to the Auction House of the Gods - Chapter 95

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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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95

 

 

A week had passed.

 

The dawn air of the martial arts school had become familiar now.

 

As usual, I sat in front of my room door and crossed my legs in lotus position.

 

Out of habit, I closed my eyes and opened the cap of the brush pen.

 

No matter how realistic the visualization was, I never expected it to render even the brush pen’s cap…

 

Thin lines extended and broke from the tip of the brush pen, gradually forming an intricate circuit.

 

Having done this as a morning routine every day, I could now draw quite decent circuits.

 

I thought there wouldn’t be much difference since it was the same training every day, but perhaps I was lucky—there was an unexpected discovery.

 

I hadn’t known that the brush pen’s pressure would affect the circuit.

 

If I reported this to the Magic Tower, it would probably make for quite a decent research paper.

 

Well, since the circuit lines are pathways for mana to flow, it makes sense that speed and pressure would vary depending on their thickness and length.

 

‘The flow isn’t bad.’

 

Finding something new within repetitive training was another kind of pleasure.

 

Having finished my circuit training, I slowly opened my eyes.

 

The time I devoted to it had been reduced to about half compared to the first day.

 

It wasn’t for any major reason.

 

It was because there had been a slight change in my routine since yesterday.

 

I slowly walked toward the courtyard.

 

There, Rui was training.

 

‘His mana flow has stabilized in the meantime.’

 

If this were the Central Plains from a martial arts novel, Rui might have been called a genius.

 

“You’re here?”

 

Zhang Qingye, who had sensed my presence, approached.

 

“Yeah.”

 

We weren’t the type to exchange many words with each other.

 

“Then we can start right away.”

 

“Fine by me.”

 

At my response, Zhang Qingye called for Rui.

 

“Rui.”

 

At those words, Rui adjusted his stance and stood opposite me.

 

This was the training that had been added to my morning routine.

 

Sparring with Rui.

 

Of course, I had decided to only use mana circuits with ghostly energy.

My circuit skills weren’t much different from a beginner mage’s.

 

“Don’t you need to catch your breath?”

 

“I’m fine. Don’t you need to warm up, benefactor?”

 

Ever since I told him the story of how I saved Zhang Qingye’s life, Rui had been calling me benefactor.

 

It wasn’t even his life I saved, so why benefactor…

 

But asking him to call me brother would mean using the Chinese word ‘dage,’ which I hadn’t gotten used to.

 

“Then let’s start right away.”

 

With those words, Rui and I clashed.

 

***

 

The brief sparring session ended.

 

“Haa…”

 

I leaned against the shade and wiped the sweat beads from my forehead.

 

That kid Rui is tougher than I thought.

 

His strength is at F-rank level, but he didn’t easily give me openings.

 

Of course, it’s true that my magic skills are at beginner level.

But that only applies to magic.

 

My experience as an S-rank Hunter wasn’t gained for nothing.

 

Even as the ground beneath his feet exploded and ice awls poured down from the sky, he never took his eyes off me.

 

Though I did go easy on him to some extent…

 

By my standards, Rui’s instant situational responses were top-tier.

 

Was it coincidence that Kang Mu-heon’s words came to mind then?

 

A true S-rank built up through accumulation, not just achieved through luck.

 

I thought that if Rui continued training steadily, I could make him into quite an impressive Hunter.

 

Any lacking power could be filled with the miracles from my shopping cart.

 

‘Quite a desirable talent, isn’t he?’

 

At first I had coveted Zhang Qingye’s abilities, but after sparring with Rui several times, that target was changing.

 

It seemed like I had discovered another new raw stone to put in my jewelry box.

 

‘Hmm, this means I’ll need to revise the contract conditions for Rui.’

 

That’s when it happened.

My pocket quietly vibrated.

 

When I took it out, there was a small folded message.

 

– The schedule seems like it will be delayed beyond what was planned.

– Liu Chen has stopped moving.

– We are about a day’s distance from where you are, Master, so I will send communication immediately upon reaching the rendezvous point.

 

Not everything can flow according to plan.

But I was worried something had happened with the constantly delayed schedule.

 

‘A day’s distance means they’ve almost arrived.’

 

At that distance, it might be better for me to make the move.

 

– Fortunately, it seems you’ve gained not only an excellent bodyguard but also a rival.

 

‘So no major problems have arisen yet.’

 

Since there was a frivolous joke written in the last sentence, it seemed no major problems had occurred like in Japan.

 

After checking the contents, I crumpled up the message and burned it with Karmic Fire.

 

“I didn’t know you could use magic.”

 

Zhang Qingye, who had approached at some point, handed me a water bottle with his thick hands.

 

“Well, trying to survive led to that.”

 

I laughed carelessly as I received the water bottle.

 

If it hadn’t been for the fight with Liu Chen, I wouldn’t have thought to open the Fundamentals of Magic filled with formulas.

 

“To survive, you became like that…”

 

Zhang Qingye took a sip of the water he had brought.

 

“Haah…”

 

The lukewarm temperature of the water made me sigh involuntarily.

 

“Is cold water illegal in China?”

 

“In China, we don’t drink things with cold energy very often. Be grateful it’s not hot water instead of lukewarm.”

 

‘So he gave me lukewarm water out of consideration for a foreigner.’

 

I sighed inwardly and weakly ignited Frost Fire in the hand holding the water bottle.

 

‘Now it’s drinkable.’

 

Zhang Qingye didn’t leave immediately, but stood alongside me.

 

When he moved aside, I could see Rui cleaning the courtyard.

 

After a moment of silence, Zhang Qingye spoke heavily.

 

“…Could you vacate the place for just a few days?”

 

“Why?”

 

It didn’t seem like he was giving me hints about not paying for room and board…

My gaze turned toward the courtyard that had become a mess.

Using magic had created pits here and there, with quite a lot of overturned soil.

 

‘I didn’t pay much attention since I was going to take him to Asin anyway… Or maybe he’s running out of money?’

 

I had raised the question, but there were quite a few things that hit close to home.

 

“If you’re short on money I’ll lend you some, and if it’s because of the courtyard, I can temporarily draw magic circuits so there won’t be major problems with sparring.”

 

Since this was a place I had to stay until returning to Korea anyway.

I was starting to feel guilty about bleeding dry a fallen S-rank Hunter through the grace of a life-saving debt.

 

“No. It’s not because of that.”

 

Zhang Qingye shook his head.

 

“It’s not like our finances will hit rock bottom from one more guest, and the courtyard getting damaged during sparring is inevitable. I’m actually more grateful that you’re giving Rui a sparring partner.”

 

‘Grateful… he says?’

 

I never expected such words to come from that man’s mouth.

It seemed he cared for Louis quite deeply.

“But why?”

“A priest is scheduled to visit.”

“Oh, really? What?”

If it’s Zhang Qingye’s Junior Brother, that means he’s an S-rank Hunter from China, but why would such a person come to this small city?

 

“Liu Jian. As you’d expect, he’s an S-rank Hunter.”

 

“Why would such an important person come to this rural place?”

 

“I don’t know. He said he has someone to meet here.”

 

‘Wait a minute…’

 

At that moment, puzzle pieces clicked into place.

 

‘What if the reason Liu Chen needs to delay his movement is to meet someone?’

 

If the person worth forcing a schedule delay for is Liu Jian, an S-rank Hunter, then it all made sense.

 

“I really feel sorry about this…”

 

“Alright.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Zhang Qingye was taken aback by my refreshing response.

 

“It seems like I have some business to take care of anyway. Rui might be a bit disappointed, but whatever.”

 

“Oh, uh… right. I’ll explain it well to Rui.”

 

“Strike while the iron is hot – I’m leaving right now.”

 

“Already? Without even eating breakfast?”

 

Zhang Qingye was actually flustered by my immediate departure.

 

“Well, I believe in acting right when you make up your mind.”

 

“Well… if that’s the case, I can’t help it. The Dongpo Pork you wanted to try just finished cooking…”

 

“Should I eat before I go?”

 

Catching Liu Chen can wait until after a meal.

 

No matter how urgent it is, I’m about to embark on a long journey, so breakfast should be fine.

 

“…If you’re in a hurry, I’ll pack it for you.”

 

At those words, I smiled with utmost satisfaction.

 

***

***

A single truck was racing across the desolate wasteland road.

 

“Is that the vehicle?”

 

“Yes. One driver and Liu Chen are aboard.”

 

Yamyeong answered briefly.

 

The rendezvous with Yamyeong happened less than two hours after I left the martial arts school.

 

Yamyeong had noticed my departure and personally drove a jeep truck to pick me up.

 

I don’t know how he got the jeep either, but there was no one who could match him in this kind of thing.

 

That’s how we positioned ourselves on the route Liu Chen would take.

 

“You made sure to control civilian access in the area, right?”

 

“It’s already a place with little traffic, but just in case, I lit some Fen Fire, so they’ll be enchanted and take a different route.”

 

I smiled with satisfaction at that answer.

 

And at the same time, an enormous amount of Karmic Fire and Ghostly Energy began gathering in my right hand.

 

“Then shall we start with a fiery greeting?”

 

With those words, I kicked off the ground and soared into the sky.

 

Karmic Fire blazed from my entire body.

 

The atmosphere heated up intensely as a path opened—

The air heated up intensely and the path opened—

I became a massive meteor and hurtled toward the truck.

In that fleeting moment of gradually getting closer to the truck,

My eyes met with Liu Chen, who was in the passenger seat.

 

The bewilderment about my presence appearing here showed clearly on his face.

 

Seeing that expression, I smiled brightly and waved my hand.

 

I truly wanted to see you. You bastard, Liu Chen.

 

***

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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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