Siren’s Cry [A LITRPG Adventure]-Ch. 26
“And here we are folks! The last item of the day, a dungeon key from the patriarch's personal vault! Some of you may be wondering why I have not stated the rarity of the key, and that's for one very simple reason; we don't know it. The patriarch called in appraisers from all across the country, and not a single one could properly appraise it. Here in a moment, the results should be shared by our resident appraiser Rick.”
Right on que, a window flicks into my view.
-==÷==-
[REDACTED] Dungeon Key ([REDACTED]):
A key that allows for the formation of a temporary [REDACTED] rarity dungeon of the [REDACTED] tier.
Requires [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] to use.
-==÷==-
I just manage to finish reading the window before the silver tray is wheeled out once more, a single red pillow resting in the center. A brass key, maybe the size of one of my feathers, sits atop it. It looks perfectly plain to the naked eye, but nearly knocks me off my chair when I try to sense the mana coming off of it.
-==÷==-
Skill Learned:
Mana Sense (Passive): Allows for more precision when sensing mana, assisting the natural senses.
-==÷==-
Perfect timing.
To my newly improved sense, it feels as though I'm staring into a solar eclipse. Simultaneously a void yet blindingly bright. I notice several others in the crowd wince when they look at it, so I'm not the only one to notice it. On a hunch, I use my blessing while Jacque tries to get people interested in the biggest gamble of the century. It could be good, it could be useless, you could also just not have the requirements. Not that you know what those are, since half the description is redacted.
For the first time since the dungeon obelisk, my blessing actually falters for a moment until I force about half of my mana into the effect. I feel the resistance sort of… not vanish, exactly, but more so decide my blessing isn't worth the fight and move out of the way. At least, that's what it feels like. And boy am I not disappointed by what I see.
-==÷==-
Soulbound Dungeon Key (Unique):
A key that allows for the formation of a temporary Heroic rarity dungeon of the 3rd tier. Can be bound to a user's system and used multiple times, with a cooldown of one week between uses. The user can select the general theme of the created dungeon instance.
Requires a looting skill of Uncommon rarity and at least 3 different greater blessings.
-==÷==-
With a whispered warning to Keira not to say anything out loud, I share the results with her. Predictably, she just stares in mute shock at the positively absurd item on the stage, with only two other people making half-hearted bids on it. The price has barely reached eight gold from the starting five, and my paddle flips up as I call down to Jacque.
“Fifteen gold.”
Everyone glances over at me, probably wondering why I'm willing to spend so much on what's basically a gamble. For all they know, it could be a common tier one dungeon that the system decided to encrypt for some reason. After all, it wouldn't be the first time an item with heavy anti-identification wards was entirely useless. But I know what they don't, that this is my ticket to genuine power after coasting along on sheer luck. I know that I'm strong, I don't mean my conjuration or summons are weak, but I also know that I've been UNBELIEVABLY lucky to survive what I have. For a civilian with zero training or experience to be thrown into active combat in an unfamiliar body and place, to not only survive the experience but thrive throughout is nearly impossible.
The other two, the man who bought the necromancy materials and the one who bought Sigwar, both stop bidding instantly, not willing to go higher than that.
“And going once… going twice… and the key has been sold! Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a pleasure to host this wonderful auction for you all. If you have sold something tonight, your earnings will be prepared and you may collect them tomorrow morning. Please, if you have purchased something today, make your way through the blue curtain to the right of the stage to claim your goods. Those of you who have not purchased anything, please make your way through the red curtain to the left and have a pleasant night!” Jacque calls, bowing theatrically as everyone stands and begins milling about, trickling out the doors indicated. Tugging Keira along, we make our way to the blue curtain only for Jacque to stop us before entering.
“Ah, excuse me, but if you two would follow me we can discuss the matter of payment for Fenrith.”
We share a look but follow the man through a well-concealed door just to the side of the curtain, stepping into a lushly furnished sitting room with my purchases arranged neatly on a low table. I take a seat on the couch provided, pulling Keira down with me and curling a wing around her. She blushes slightly, but cuddles into my side, carefully keeping the scary knife away from my ribs and feathers. Jacque smirks at the display, but remains professional as we barter.
“So, since I have come to understand that you dislike pointless flattery and conversation, I shall get to the point. Fenrith has chosen your… friend, here, as its wielder. What we did not explain during the auction is that it was acquired by a member of the Bleakcrest family, and so we are able to sell it for much lower than its actual value and still turn a profit. For a legendary bound item, the starting price is normally around three hundred gold. However, due to the unique circumstances surrounding the blade, we are willing to part with it for only one hundred and fifty gold. Selling an item like this through auction is rare, and so the little test we did was more for show than anything as we can't control who it bonds with.”
I nod along, understanding the awkward nature of the sale but still cringing slightly from the price.
“I don't have that much on me right now, but I did sell several items through the auction today. Is there any way to simply take the payment from there?”
He grins, lounging back on his chair and pulling a glass of amber liquor from seemingly thin air.
“Indeed there is. It's common enough that someone who sells with us also buys from us, so we have a system in place to deal with situations like this. Now, I need to know what you sold tonight in order to get this all sorted out.”
He pulls a pen and notepad from nowhere once more, the untouched alcohol somehow ending up on the table in front of me. Shrugging, I scoop up the glass and begin to list everything I sold to them earlier, alternating sips of the rich brandy between me and Keira. Jacque notes everything down before the paper shines with the tell-tale glow of mana and the prices beside them fill in.
“Alright, it looks like the full price of everything you bought, including Fenrith, can be covered by your sales. That would leave you with seventy-six gold, or around fifty after the house takes its cut. Does that sound agreeable with you?”
I happily agree, and he taps a small rune hidden on the armrest of the chair. Moments later, the bunny girl receptionist walks in with a sack of coins which I quickly scoop into my bag. Collecting the rest of my spoils, Jacque leads us to the door and ushers us out of the auction house, bidding us goodbye before locking the doors behind us. Glancing at the sky, it's already late in the day, so we decide to head to a nice restaurant Keira knows to celebrate the good finds and sales at the auction. Glancing at her from the corner of my eye, I'm suddenly reminded of a certain item I got from the ghosts way back when.
Tonight's going to be fun~
.
!
Ch. 26
Comments