“That black-hearted scammer!”

Every single thing that came out of her mouth sounded true, but the moment you pieced them all together, it was nothing but a pack of lies fit to fool ghosts!

It was only because of the secretive atmosphere of the black market that Muen had even considered believing in something like a “secret auction.”

Muen was seething with rage, itching to charge back and burn that shady shop to the ground.

But even though he was grinding his teeth loud enough to creak, he didn’t have time to go cause trouble for that scammer again. He could only grit his teeth, swallow the insult, and push forward.

Because the auction was about to begin.

That seductive beauty earlier had been in such a hurry—most likely trying to reel in another wave of guests before the start.

Which went to show just how... easy it was to join this auction.

You didn’t even have to pay anything—there’d be sexy big sisters swaying their hips to beg you to come in.

Happy? Pleased?

It was practically heaven-tier service!

Of course, that excluded him, who’d been scammed by a black-hearted shopkeeper and mistaken for a sleazy pervert trying to flirt with the pretty lady.

Still, the rage came fast and left just as quickly. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Because nearby, another figure also wrapped in a black robe chatted with that same flyer girl—and a moment later, collapsed to the ground like some tragic sucker who’d spent ten years hoarding dusty silver coins for a wedding, only to have his girlfriend run off with his savings and leave him wearing a bright green hat. He pounded the ground and wailed:

“My money! I didn’t even have time to warm it up before that damned scammer tricked me with a flyer!”

Seeing this, Muen suddenly felt much better.

At least he hadn’t lost anything. But that poor guy next to him? He’d probably paid real cash.

Watching someone else lose money really was more satisfying than making your own. jpg

Muen’s mood immediately lifted. Humming a little tune, he stepped into the luxurious building.

...

The interior decor was even more extravagant than Muen had imagined. Crystal chandeliers inlaid with precious gems scattered soft light across the room. The floor was polished enough to reflect his own face, and even the walls were lined with gold foil.

“...Weird.”

Muen scanned the nouveau-riche-style surroundings, and instead of being impressed, he actually felt a bit puzzled.

“This isn’t the kind of style you’d normally see from the big aristocrats of Beirland...”

There was no time to dwell on it.

Plenty of people were already inside the lobby, and the newly arrived Muen didn’t stand out. Still, he wasn’t ignored. A professional-looking attendant walked up and asked respectfully:

“Hello, are you here to attend the secret auction?”

“Yes.”

“May I see your invitation?”

Wasn’t it just a crumpled flyer? And now they wanted to act all official?

The corner of Muen’s mouth twitched as he handed over the wrinkled flyer.

The attendant did a showy little inspection, then casually tore the flyer into pieces and tossed it into a trash can.

“Invitation accepted. Please follow me.”

Following the attendant, Muen passed through the lavish lobby and a dim corridor, until they reached a fork in the path.

To the left, he could hear a noisy crowd. To ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ the right, it remained eerily quiet.

“Would you prefer a regular seat, or a private box?”

“What’s the difference?”

“The private box offers a better view of the auction items, with superior privacy as well,” the attendant said respectfully.

“It also comes with special services.”

“...Doesn’t sound that different to me.”

For a Warrior of Muen’s level, the difference in viewing angles made little impact on how well he could examine items.

Still, Muen ultimately chose a private box—not out of curiosity about the so-called special services, but simply because he preferred to stay cautious while out and about. No need to be stingy over such a small thing.

...

Inside the box, Muen lounged on a sofa nearly as wide as a bed. Through the floor-to-ceiling window in front of him, he curiously surveyed the entire auction hall.

The view really was excellent. He could take in the whole hall with a glance, whereas the others were crammed into seats like in a movie theater.

According to the attendant, the window glass was one-way—he had no need to worry about being seen from the other side.

Still, Muen felt like this “one-way glass” had other... purposes beyond just preventing peeping.

Just as he was thinking that, he heard a knock at the door.

“Hello, your special service has arrived.”

“Come in.”

The door opened gently. A woman in a micro-mini skirt and heavy makeup—but still quite pretty—walked in nervously, swaying her hips.

Muen turned at the sound. When he saw her face clearly, he blinked in surprise.

“You’re... the flyer girl?”

“You—!”

The seductive woman also froze.

Although Muen was wrapped in a black robe, she recognized him by his build, robe design, and voice.

It was that same pervert who tried to hit on her!

Why was he here?

Why would he be in a private box?

She knew full well that just two hours in a private box cost 5,000 Amiels—that was her entire monthly wage!

How could a pervert like him...?

At that moment, even her thick makeup couldn’t hide how pale her face had turned. No matter how slow she was, she now understood that this man’s identity wasn’t simple.

She’d probably offended someone she really, really shouldn’t have.

But Muen didn’t care. He’d long since gotten used to being called a pervert. That insult earlier hadn’t even registered.

“Come, peel me a banana.”

Muen beckoned lazily, then flopped back onto the couch in a slump.

After all, he’d paid. Might as well enjoy this evil bourgeois indulgence.

The woman timidly stepped closer. But instead of reaching for a banana on the table, her hands reached toward—

“Wait, what are you trying to do?!”

Muen shot up in alarm, clutching his crotch.

“I wasn’t talking about that banana! Also, are your services here really this affordable?! Five thousand Amiels and I get this?!”

In the Upper City, a place this nicely decorated wouldn’t let you in for anything less than eighty or a hundred thousand!

So he hadn’t expected the girl to offer that kind of service. And even if she did, surely there’d be a surcharge!

“There wasn’t supposed to be.”

The woman bit her lip. “This is my apology.”

Though she hadn’t worked here long, she’d heard from older girls about the darkness behind this place.

If you were just some random guy, under the boss’s protection, then a few curses wouldn’t matter.

But for a customer with high status like this... if she couldn’t earn his forgiveness, the boss might turn her into a living decorative vase and gift her to the client to win favor.

Profit above all—that was the one iron rule here.

“...You really don’t have to go this far.”

Muen sighed. One look at her expression and he could already tell what she was thinking.

How bizarre. His appearance was completely hidden, yet somehow his “yellow-haired villain aura” was still doing work. Everyone just assumed he’d force girls to do unspeakable things.

He never even said anything like: “Miss, you wouldn’t want your boss to find out you offended a customer, right?” like some damn cuck NPC!