Chapter 33. The Auction House Beneath the Crescent Moon (2)
“This is less of an auction and more like an entire marketplace.”
Yukgap spoke in amazement as he stepped farther into the Crescent Moon Auction.
Seryun calmly explained.
“The important transactions take place in the central auction hall. People who gathered for those auctions gradually started opening their own stalls, and eventually it became what you see now.”
“I can’t believe a place like this was hidden here.”
Yukgap looked around the Crescent Moon Auction in fascination.
Seryun immediately corrected him.
“To be precise, the path we came through is merely a ‘passage’ leading to the Crescent Moon Auction. Unless you recite the correct password, it won’t connect here at all. The entrance also changes every time.”
“What is this? You’re making it sound like the auction house itself has a will.”
Seryun nodded.
“Perhaps it does. There are still many mysteries about the Crescent Moon Auction that remain unexplained.”
Apparently, a place described as a black market had plenty of suspicious circumstances surrounding it.
“Come on, let’s go in! The Crescent Moon Auction only opens while the crescent moon is up!”
Victoria urged them from behind.
“R-Right.”
There might be clues about himself somewhere beyond this point.
Holding onto that single thought, Yukgap slowly entered the Crescent Moon Auction.
A bustling crowd immediately surrounded them.
“Wait a moment.”
Seryun suddenly stopped.
A bizarre figure wearing a deep black cloak stood in front of them.
Its hood completely concealed its face.
But it was very tall, and a long, hairy arm protruded from between the folds of its cloak.
It clearly was not human.
“What’s that?”
When Yukgap showed interest, Victoria quickly whispered,
“One of the Gatekeeper Clan. They’re the monsters who manage the Crescent Moon Auction.”
Apparently, the Gatekeeper recognized Seryun.
It spoke first.
“Well, if it isn’t the undead alchemist. What brings you here again?”
“You know why I come here.”
Seryun sounded just as familiar with them.
The Gatekeeper answered in a rough voice.
“So, are you here to sell or buy?”
Seryun calmly replied,
“To buy.”
“How many?”
“Three in total.”
The Gatekeeper extended one long, furry arm.
“Ten dollars each. Thirty dollars total.”
Seryun took three bills from his pocket and handed them over.
“Here.”
“Good. Entry permitted.”
The Gatekeeper handed them three rings and three black hooded cloaks.
The exchange was surprisingly simple and straightforward.
“Put these on. The cloaks are provided to conceal your identities. The rings prove that you are merchants. As long as you wear one, you’ll be protected within the Crescent Moon Auction.”
Seryun handed Yukgap a cloak and a ring.
The cloak smelled moldy, as though it had not been washed in years.
The ring was so badly rusted that red flakes came off on Yukgap’s fingers the moment he touched it.
“Do we really have to wear this cumbersome junk?”
Yukgap complained openly.
Seryun immediately gave him a stern warning.
“This is not a place where you should be overconfident! Never remove that ring while you’re here. Without it, your safety cannot be guaranteed under any circumstances.”
His voice was firmer than usual.
Overwhelmed by Seryun’s seriousness, Yukgap reluctantly pulled the cloak over himself.
“A market that won’t even let you enter without dressing like this. I wonder what they sell that’s so special.”
At that moment, two enormous figures in black cloaks walked past them with heavy footsteps.
They carried a large iron cage between their shoulders.
The cage was covered with black cloth.
But with every step they took, blood dripped from between the bars.
Yukgap instinctively stepped backward.
“W-What is that?”
It was clearly human blood.
And far too much for only one or two people.
Yet no one in the auction house found it strange.
People simply stepped aside or continued focusing on their own business.
“I told you this was a black market where anything can be bought and sold, didn’t I?”
Seryun pushed the ring firmly onto his finger.
His voice had grown noticeably colder.
“And that includes organs, body parts... and people.”
“What?”
Yukgap stared at him in shock.
Seryun raised his ringed hand as though reassuring him.
“We’ll be fine. As long as we wear these rings, the Gatekeeper Clan guarantees our protection.”
“And if we don’t?”
“You’ll be treated as unclaimed ‘merchandise’ and quietly sold off piece by piece before anyone even notices.”
Seryun answered immediately.
Then he gave Yukgap a sinister smile.
“For reference, biological weapons created by Abraxas fetch extremely high prices. I suggest you be careful.”
A chill ran down Yukgap’s spine.
Only now did he realize that he really could have been sold here back when he first met them.
The three of them, dressed in black cloaks, soon disappeared into the crowd.
Humans, and things pretending to be human, passed beside Yukgap.
Strange goods of every kind were displayed on nearby stalls.
Yukgap looked around.
