Chapter 285

September 10, 1999.

The auction was held, and it was announced that the Ten-rou would personally express his opinion on the current turmoil.

Basically, the people who came to the Venue were important figures of the families gathered in Yorkshin. Most of them were bosses and high-level executives. Even if you didn't want to attend the auction, you couldn't miss the instructions of the Ten-Ryo no Kashira.

With security strengthened for the Mafia community and families, the scheduled start time for the auction approached 10:00 AM.

"Everyone, the Ten-rou and the relay connection!!"

"Please be quiet!"

The hall suddenly went quiet.

The man with his hair tied back pointed at the monitor and operated the remote control.

A burst of noise came from the monitor.

"Hey... is everyone doing well?

First, let me apologize for the lack of communication. I am sorry to have kept you waiting."

Amidst the noise, I could already see a familiar middle-aged man's face on the monitor set up on the hall stage. The air in the hall was tense.

After all, even if an Elder is a senior, he must be a leader. If you are the head of the Mafia community, you are like the boss of the underworld. This made me nervous.

By the way, I was in the wings of the hall, near the Auction Items. This was the most dangerous place. If I didn't look after them, they would be uneasy. There were people around me watching me.

While watching the multiple monitors inside the hall, I let my consciousness return to the continuation of the story.

"We encountered a lot of trouble, but we succeeded in taking back all the Treasure stolen by the Phantom Troupe."

The whole hall erupted in cheers of "Ahhhhh!!" The Phantom Troupe, the scroll was forced to take full responsibility. Well, speaking of the original work, Izara was terrible.

Surely there were people who didn't know the fact that the Auction Items had been stolen (not really), but now that it was back, there should be no problem if it fell apart. By honestly conveying an inconvenient fact (not a fact), it would lead to some credibility recovery.

After the cheers subsided, the old man spoke solemnly again.

"But there is also bad news.

Originally, the Phantom Troupe that damaged the face of the community could not be saved, but...

It turns out those guys are from Meteor Town."

This time, the inside of the Venue boiled over.

This was my Suggestion. I couldn't say anything more. Ensure the captured Phantom Troupe were actually from Meteor Town. Ninjutsu nothing. Or rather, I was sure some members would be, even if not all. Then I didn't lie.

"There should be many people here familiar with Meteor Town, but...

The Phantom Troupe will be captured by a Professional Hunter and executed privately.

If possible, the Mafia wanted to solve the problem themselves, but to retaliate against Ryuseigai, a certain amount of determination is needed.

... Many of our compatriots have already sacrificed themselves."

More to you deep underwater I don't want to cause

A quiet venue. When you are drawn in by such in-laws, it is hard to raise your voice in public. I don't think my anger will subside...

"It is painful, but I hope you can hold back.

On this occasion, we formally announce the end of the war from our seniors.

In this matter, the Mafia will never target the Phantom Troupe again."

Voices came from the audience, though they were slight.

Complex emotions swirled in the hall. Angry resentment, of course, besides that, I felt a sense of relief.

"But other than that, the notorious Phantom Troupe has been almost destroyed.

We can also hold an Underground Auction like this.

Some of them may find it difficult to rebuild their families because of this turmoil, but they are considering community aid instead of forcing them to announce the end of the war.

I will tell you the details of what I said about the consultation window later.

I think it's unfair to say you're overwhelmed, but I hope you enjoy this auction.

While consulting with your wallet, bargain enthusiastically."

Laughter erupted in the Venue.

The content of the speech basically went according to plan. I started clapping hard.

Sensing my intention, the man with his hair tied back clapped on stage.

The Venue was caught, and applause erupted all at once.

"Everyone, thank you for waiting!!"

"Now, let the auction begin!"

The applause grew louder, and cheers erupted throughout the hall.

"Immediately, the first item of the first part—"

"Phew..."

When the first Auction Item was brought to the stage, stop clapping and watch. The man with his hair tied back walked back from the stage, let out a "phew," and started smoking.

Just to be sure, the Elder Council head did not see the situation in the auction hall. The relay had ended, and it was transferred to another place. It was the result of the fortune-telling having failed, but I didn't know what would lead to the assassination.

However, four days... I don't know how long it will take. During the break.

I was allowed to look at the catalog of the Underground Auction, but I saw some things that even a Professional Hunter would be reluctant to handle. Where there is demand, there is something refreshing. I wonder what the total amount is.

I glanced lightly at the sign approaching from behind,

"Since it's a long hall, why not sit down?"

Senritsu placed a chair behind me and sat in the chair next to me.

... Well, I'll just say it, okay? I won't interrupt my thoughts just by chatting.

"Thank you. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

"Yes."

"I believe we will have no chance to talk after the auction ends, so now is the time."

I agree and sit back in my chair. After the Auction ends, I will say goodbye to the Elders. I let Novu wait.

After the Auction ends, she will most likely move on to work as an escort. Neither of us has freedom.

"Mr. Neon, are you willing to participate in this Auction?"

"Yeah, boss, long-awaited."

"I came to Yorkshin because I wanted to bid in person."

"That's fine, do you want to stay by my side?"

"The hall can accommodate up to three people per family."

"The boss has a leader and a banana."

"I have been entrusted to serve as your watcher."

"What are you saying to me?"

"It's obvious."

Well, I made a Suggestion. To prove my innocence, please pay attention to my behavior.

But of course, I didn't ask who the watcher was. I knew it even without asking.

The Venue was filled with booming sounds like "200 million!", "250 million!", "300 million!",

"The leader is worried about the fortune-telling problem you suggested."

While sharpening my Sword.

"Oh..."

"I feel like I said too much. I don't have to worry."

"Do you really think so?"

I look down at Senritsu's face.... I am worried. I know, but this is a very powerful thought. The abolitionists will not be able to handle it.

A considerable amount of Spirit Power gathers around her ears. Is it a place for filtering the noise of the venue and extracting only the necessary sounds?

"Are you judging something by listening to me?"

"You are judging me by looking at things, aren't you?"

Are they similar? Now...

"My eyes are special."

"I can see the aura inside my body, and I see it through that flow of Qi."

"That's a lie. Not everyone."

Well, did you make a Discovery? Worth knowing so much...

"I can hear other people's heartbeats. I call myself a Music Hunter."

"You can understand a person's emotions by listening to their heartbeat."

Breath, Qi, Spirit Power, body movements, none of them have any false fluctuations. As far as I know, it is impossible to deceive everyone. And at this close range.

"Correct..."

"My eyes can see not only the aura but also the movement of life and the heart. This is how I understand my opponent."

This is all I can say. I don't want to be too specific. This is intentionally misleading.

"You hid the most important thing, didn't you?"

"Yeah. It's not that I don't trust you."

"Oh, do you trust me?"

"Well, if you lie, you will understand what kind of disadvantageous information you gave me."

"Huhu... thank you."

"I trust you too."

"He is not trouble, but kind and meddlesome. You don't want to get involved in the underworld, do you?"

"..."

Looking back on this, I am surprised at my own stupidity. What on earth am I doing...

"Your heartbeat is strange, isn't it?"

"Whether it's talking to Juro, looking for Auction Items, or even now."

"Even if you feel just a little shaken, it will soon return to normal."

"In this situation, I am calmer than anyone else."

"... Even if you bought it. I've always been full."

"Yes."

"... Your composure comes from feeling that you are not good enough. Because my heartbeat is always a little early.... And a little weak."

I have also become much weaker... there is no way. I must get rid of it as soon as possible.

"You may have been retaliated against, why did you come here?"

"Ah..."

"Because I gave my name to Zoldyck."

"This was a request made by Chairman Netero, and I don't want to be bound."

"Originally, I was just helping with the escort of criminals, not worthy of being targeted."

"Even if you think so, you can't get past it, you know? You seem to understand."

"Because Ya-san also has a face."

"But if there were other options, you would agree with me, right?"

"I picked up an Auction Item, and sure enough, it was already talking to me about things like revenge."

"As for the Juro-gashira. But..."

"Senritsu. You know what you're saying, right?

Of course, among the Mafia at the Venue, those who had their own relatives or close kin killed are out for revenge.

But upon hearing the declaration that the war was over, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

I don't want to deal with people who can cause such stupid destruction.... Really."

"Yes...

People are afraid they will have to carry out revenge.

Even the Shadow Beasts were useless."

Senritsu shivered and trembled.

"... I was there. You were too."

"Yes.

I absolutely do not want to fight like that."

"By the way, which one was it?

The cemetery building or the crater?"

"The crater. A big guy.

We couldn't do anything but watch the Shadow Beasts get killed, helpless."

"Yes...

Was it Uvogin? I went out to have my fortune told."

"Do you know?"

"Yes, I talked to everyone during the escort.

Without a doubt, he seems to be quite the user. Though, Uvogin seems well-suited for a special profession."

"... What happened to him?"

"I was caught. My abdomen was abnormally ruptured.

I am very weak."

"............"

"Do you have no brain?

A Professional Hunter dedicated to combat."

"......

I don't want to lie, but I don't know if I am a Professional Hunter.

But I saw strange people. Perhaps not people from the Mafia."

"Do you remember their features?"

"Two children and a young man.

It looked like they were arguing about whether to join their friends or fight. Until what happened later..."

"I see...

I don't think he is Mafia or an ordinary person, I am curious about the children, but he might be a Professional Hunter.

But do you know what a child Professional Hunter is?"

"I don't know. That's why I'm not confident.

There aren't many people who like children, but those kids were really only in their teens."

"... Sure enough, I don't even know that age. It's possible they are amateurs, but regardless, this is normal...

I wonder what happened that day..."

Senritsu shook her head weakly,

"Even those of us who were there don't really understand.

I felt a huge aura, a building collapsed, and it suddenly became quiet.

Even now, I don't want to remember the many heartbeats I felt that day."

"Just looking at the traces, it's as if a monster went on a rampage.

That's because the entire Phantom Troupe is still alive..."

"Can I ask you one thing?

What were they like when they were caught?"

"... I was beaten thoroughly. Although there was a considerable difference in degree.

I was just... afraid. Secret."

"I can't believe it..."

"Me neither."

The auction proceeded smoothly,

"Then, the next item!!

The full-body mummy of Princess Kolk, who went missing and disappeared from the Memorial Archaeological Museum!!

Without a single flaw, preserved so beautifully that even today you can still see its expression."

"..."

An archaeologist might want one, but I think this is too terrible for a person.

"Then let's start at twenty million!!"

"25 million!!" "30 million!!" "32 million!!" "35 million!!"

Pfft.... Haa. I have a need for everything. Rather than what the mummies said, it's more about whether they found value in the royal corpses. This is a world I do not understand.

"40 million!!" "50 million!!"

A familiar high-pitched voice. Senritsu beside me also reacted. Are you Neon?... Eh?

"Hi, 50 million!! Shout it again!!"

"52 million!!" "60 million!!"

When I looked at Senritsu, he gave me a bitter smile. Ah, could it be she has such a hobby? Although I didn't participate in the previous ones, I came here, and that's the kind of single-minded focus. Haa, you've changed.

Then, perhaps I also want the scarlet eyes... That's a market price of 500 million. Ugh, what a waste.

"65 million!!" "70 million!!" "73 million!!" "75 million!!" "78 million!!" "80 million!!"

"80 million is already out!! Hmm, isn't it a bit late!?"

"81 million!!" "100 million!!"

The audience shouted "Oh!". Regardless, I am surprised you would pay so much for something like this. Of course, the 100 million call is Neon's voice. Oh, is there such a child?

"100 million!!"

... Yes!!

As the Venue erupted in moderate applause, facing Senritsu,

"... By the way, what is your budget?"

"No? Spend as much as you want."

"Hmm. Cool."

Senritsu looked at me with a strange expression. Yes?