Dungeon Hunter - Chapter 119

Chapter 119: Episode 33. Auction of Devildom (6)

‘It’s different.’

M3 didn’t have any similarities compared to M1 and M2—from color to appearance; even the wave of mana was incredibly different. It didn’t even sound right that it was named M3.

Moreover, to the best of my knowledge, M3 had not existed. If there was a Golem like this, there was no way that I couldn’t remember. It was showing a strong presence even at a glance.

I was interested in it and opened my Mind’s Eye.

Name: M3

Capability: Power 90, Intelligence 0, Speed 90, Strength 80, Mana 80

Potential (340/340)

Others: It is an evolved being from the beginning. It does not grow anymore. Since it does not need ego, its intelligence converges to zero. However, it is the strongest golem that does whatever it takes to do the owner’s command. It is an improved version of M1 and M2.

Skills: Gale (Ex U), Serial Attacks (Ex U)

‘It’s pretty good,’ I thought after I checked M3’s status window. Compared to M1 and M2, it was better in every way.

Particularly, the Gale and Serial Attacks were good skills to combine. I thought it would be a pretty strong monster that could even compete with the highest one. It wasn’t the highest monster, but still, the Archdukes, who didn’t succeed to get Mago, had their eyes on it.

“The starting bid is 600,000 points!”

In the case of Dwarking, all he could do was make equipment. Hence, he wasn’t that popular. He needed materials to make something. I had purchased him because I had the Tree of Origin, but other demons were different. So, I could have got him easily.

“600,000.”

“Duke Bizart!”

“700,000.”

“Marquis Ganushu!”

However, since M3 could be used directly for fighting, things were different this time. I also had a lot of fun with M1 and M2, so my eyes were naturally fixated on M3.

“800,000.”

“It’s so hot! It’s so amazing! Count Bahasus!”

As I won Mago, which other demons were also interested in, they didn’t hesitate anymore. They didn’t have to save their points, so they were willing to spend, so to speak.

Of course, I couldn’t say that there was no decoy among them. Duke Bizart Mendam was a good example. He constantly participated, but he didn’t seem to be interested in winning a bid.

Perhaps he made plans on taking things when there would be less bid. I doubted he was acting alone. I assumed he was working with Archduke Ufa.

‘He must be thinking to raise the price of the items that other demons might want now and have the items of the latter part to himself. I guess that’s his intention.’

Due to the nature of the Auction of Devildom, good things usually came out in the beginning. But that didn’t mean things later would be not good enough or bad ones. Spirits of Darkness chose things carefully. Every now and then, good items came out at the very end.

Perhaps, the things that Ufa wanted might come out later. He couldn’t even call the bid for Mago, which was the best item in the early phase. Thus, his plans would surely change and focused on the latter part.

And to do that, he had to thin out competitors in advance. Since Ufa’s demons acted as decoys, I was sure that my guess would be right.

‘He has made a clear strategy.’

I thought he was in a hurry. Well, his situation was rough. His demons had died, and the reinforcement of power was essential, not optional.

After the auction had started, he had been acting like he couldn’t afford it, but now, I got it—he was bluffing.

‘It was an act.’

Indeed, it was. He used his situation to turn the tables. I was so focused on Oculus that I overlooked Ufa. But I was pleased to finally realize Ufa’s intention now.

The demons in Ufa’s camp participated in most of the bidding, but none of them actually won anything. I just realized that.

‘Thanks to Oculus for being a decent smokescreen,’ I thought sarcastically.

Slap!

I hit my knee.

Oculus had made such a big impression, so Ufa and his demons were covered. It could be said that Ufa got a great opportunity. I wondered if Ariel and Pandemonium had already realized Ufa’s strategy.

“900,000.”

“He came to war! Count Randalf called 900,000 points.”

“1,000,000.”

“One million! This time we have Archduke Ufa!”

Ufa had a tight expression on his face.

Ha!

It was absurd. Who knew? Even the Archduke was bluffing. Certainly, the situation seemed to change rapidly. No matter who saw it, Ufa seemed anxious, as if cautioning others to not bid higher than him. Then again, he was aware of the fact that someone would definitely bid higher.

‘Most of them are eyeing for the items. It’s definitely different from the first and second years.’

Besides, I bought Mago, and Oculus became stronger in a taboo way. It was only normal for Ufa to be impatient. Hence, it was also expected that he would obsess with acquiring good monsters and items, ridding himself of anxiety.

“1,100,000.”

“Even Archduke Pandemonium! Yes, M3 is a very powerful Golem. You’re familiar with magic, so you must have realized the astronomical value of M3.”

Ufa simply reacted by snapping his fingers. It was certainly his style. But what amazed me was even as simple as that, he was able to unintentionally reveal his condition.

After Pandemonium called the bid, everyone was quiet. It was a sign that a decision would be made at 1.1 million points. When Deboron was about to announce the winner, I opened my mouth to say something, grinning.

“1,200,000.”

“He doesn’t want to miss it! Count Randalf called the higher points again!”

I folded my arms and smirked. I had been running fast without worries. If I showed any signs of hesitation, others might think they could win me.

“Anyone else? If there are no more bidders, M3 will be awarded to Count Randalf. Three…two…one!”

Ufa looked like he was done trying. It was as if he was satisfied to raise the price at least 100,000 or 200,000.

“Congratulations! Count Randalf takes M3!”

I boldly skipped the small items. Ufa’s intentions were obvious, and, currently, he was more suitable as a decoy than I. Since I was the one who “crossed the line” as Oculus had put it when I joined the bidding, other demons hesitated to participate.

It seemed like the others thought I did something taboo as well. Even Ariel, who had been somewhat friendly to me, shot me a cold glance. I could sense her anger since I took the Necklace of Highendall.

‘Is she thinking I’ll be ruined anyway? I guess she doesn’t want to deal with me.’

It seemed like she preferred to let things go than compete with me. Oh, well…unless she really wanted it.

I felt bad because I was treated equally with Oculus, but this position was actually not that terrible. Ufa was doing my job, so I could choose things more comfortably. I would rather take advantage of other demons having misunderstood me.

Because of that, I could easily acquire the Stigma of the Millennium and the Orb of Thunderstroke. Both had vague options, so other demons weren’t lusting for those items. Since there wasn’t much competition, I decided to keep my position and benefit from it.

“The next item I’m about to introduce to you is a little unusual. Even I, Deboron, can’t say anything about it. Unknown Box—yes, this is it.”

The Spirits of Darkness brought a large box. It was shabby, looked like a coffin. It was not a suitable item for the Auction of Devildom. Everyone was puzzled, while Deboron sighed quietly.

“Do you know ‘Sessim’? He was called the thief of the century. About 500 years ago, he was a legendary character in his field who established his own legend.”

When you thought about it, 500 years was not that long ago. Pandemonium was a living witness of the time, and, for some reason, his expression was stoic. It seemed like he had an ill-fated relationship with him.

‘I think I heard that name before.’

The ‘thief’ Sessim was also called the ‘adventurer’ Sessim. He was a demon who was active in Devildom hundreds of years ago.

He didn’t have good abilities, but I heard he was really skilled at stealing. He wasn’t technically strong or weak, so I didn’t care much about him, but his adventures were certainly tempting.

According to the story, there was no place he hadn’t been to—the Valley of Souls, Subterranean of the Wilds, Mountain Range of the Red Scorpion, Lion’s Lake, to name a few—and there were always great things where he went.

Since no one actually confirmed this, it was hard to tell if it was true or not. But still, I was interested in the name Sessim.

“It’s the only thing we got from Sessim’s treasure house,” Deboron went on. “Phew! We were disappointed at first because we really had a hard time getting Subterranean of the Wilds. But, ta-da! It had a really strong constraint. It had a curse—once opened, it’s impossible to transfer the item to others. We couldn’t even check what’s inside. As the seller, it was such a rough item for us.”

I knew the Spirits of Darkness had good skills in sealing and unsealing. It was the same for curses. But even they had a hard time opening it.

‘Perhaps it’s not an ordinary box.’

The problem was, no one knew what was in there. I gently opened my Mind’s Eye. If there was a hidden option, I might figure out the things that the Spirits of Darkness could not find.

Name : Unknown Box

Description – A box was hidden by a thief named Sessim. No one knows what is in it.

<ul>

Once opened, it is not transferable. Everything in the box and the box itself will be bested in the rule.

Only one item will come out, and the rest of it will disappear in the box.

</ul>

** The higher the user’s intelligence, the higher the probability of ‘good things’ coming out.

It was an option that reminds me of Mimic. Mimic was a box-typed monster that hid jewels or trivial items in its body. However, it was different because only one item would appear, and the rest would disappear.

‘The higher the user’s intelligence…’

No one could know what would come out, but the intelligence was the key—the intelligence! I had Krithli. Her intelligence already passed 100 and reached 105. It was an overwhelming figure. It was worth the gamble. The price was the matter.

“Bidding starts at one million points. I’m sorry, but if we sell this for lower points, our loss will be too big since we took a high risk to enter Subterranean of the Wilds. And of course, since Sessim really hid it well, I’m pretty sure it’s not an ordinary item. At least, you’ll have a better chance than other sealed items.”

Even Deboron sounded unsure. However, since they had to sell it, he brought it out. He couldn’t help but make up for the loss.

As soon as it was opened, it was impossible to hand over. Hence, it would be very troublesome to the Sprits of Darkness.

However, even though it was similar to the sealed item, the price was too high. The regular demons, who couldn’t read the hidden option, wouldn’t even think about buying it. Also, I wasn’t at ease with the fact that only one item would come out.

Deboron tried to appear and sound sympathetic because many Spirits of Darkness had died during the exploration of Subterranean of the Wilds. This place was more dangerous than the Valley of Souls.

“Nobody? This is the last box left by the legendary thief, Sessim. His footsteps, and the things he left behind, were nowhere to be found in the world. It’s the only thing. Aren’t you curious?”

The one and only item… I decided to buy it.

Sessim left this thing… Also, I had Krithli who had 105 of intelligence. It was worth the challenge.

I didn’t move immediately albeit having already decided. I wanted Deboron to be nervous and to give an impression to the other demons that it was a difficult decision to make on my part. If Ufa interfered here, things would get annoying.

“The list that is said to have been stolen by Sessim is simply amazing. If you can just get one of those things, it would be worth more than a million. Look. If you’re lucky to lay your hands on the Mark of the Dead Mountain, it will worth more than 10 million!”

He shouted, but only the echo rang the hall. Deboron shook his head and announced that he would start counting.

“I’ll count to three. You’ll never see this box again. The Spirit King is also eyeing it.”

“One million.”

“Count Randalf! I, Deboron, guarantee you that this is the only item that Sessim left in the world. I really hope you get a good item out of it.”

There was no need to wait for more bids. The moment I went out, the Unknown Box was awarded to me.

Deboron looked at me with gratitude. It seemed that he thought I purchased it only because he mentioned about his king and that I was trying to save Adonis’s face. After all, Adonis and I were on neutral terms, not exactly good, but not bad either.

But I never moved because of that reason. I was just looking forward to seeing what would completely come out of the Unknown Box.

‘He can believe what he wants to believe.’

I didn’t intend to point it out, so I just shrugged.