Dario laughed for a mont. "They're really pissed, aren't they?"
Then so new posts appeared again.
But in a different tone.
"I think the tide's turning."
Dario showed his phone screen to Colan.
"Look at this."
---
@SteelVein_Rog:
"Honestly? Mad respect to Lord L. This ain't a shopping mall—it's Luxoria Castle. If you can't survive the test, you don't deserve to by one from Luxoria Castle."
@StormRider_Hayne:
"Y'all complainin', but after we beat that fog monster, we got healed and buffed. That's not trauma. That's an entrance exam."
@CrimsonBite_Kiri:
"Lord L just filtered out the trash. The auction's now full of people who earned their right to be there. Power recognizes power."
---
Colan raised his eyebrow. "They're actually backing him."
Dario nodded. "Yeah. It's turning into a flex."
He scrolled again—more videos, more posts.
So of the survivors were even recording short clips.
---
@NightClaw_sa (video):
[Shows her wound gradually vanishing]
"We got hit hard, sure. But after the trial? Instant full-body recovery."
"You think I'm complaining? Nah. I feel better than I did before I ca here. Lord L's the real deal."
@Ghostline_Valk:
"Anyone who passed the mist trial now has literal battleproof bragging rights."
"No healer, no potions. Just instant healed from the castle. Luxoria doesn't sell power—they build it."
---
Thalia glanced at Dario. "Has soone called it a flex yet?"
Dario grinned and reposted one.
---
@IronBurst_Dario:
"Flex unlocked: Survive Luxoria's trial, get healed like royalty, walk into the elite zone of Luxoria Castle. Respect, Lord L. That was brutal—and perfect."
---
Seconds later, the repost blew up.
He laughed. "Alright. This is going to be fun."
Jenavira glanced over her shoulder. "Let them talk. The ones that didn't make it… will feel it even harder."
---
Liline soon appeared, floating gently from above, glancing at the survivors.
"Welco to Luxoria Castle."
She looked once again across the nurous survivors.
"Congratulations to all of you who survived the trial."
Dario blinked. "That's it? Just 'congratulations'?"
Soone else called out from the back. "Hey, uh—Miss?"
Liline tilted her head. "Just call Liline."
Colan soon cleared his throat.
"Miss Liline, then… why did Lord L drop a damn Mist Dragon on us out of nowhere?!"
Liline smiled again.
"Didn't you already read our announcent on the official Luxoria site?"
Several survivors blinked, clearly caught off guard.
"I—what?"
Liline continued smoothly.
"It was stated. Clearly. Only those who pass through the dangerous journey are allowed into the auction."
She opened her palm.
A small floating projection soon appeared with the exact announcent:
---
"Note: Only qualified bidders who have proven their strength by surviving the dangerous journey to our location will be allowed to participate.."
---
Liline let it flicker and vanish.
"So," she said, smiling wider.
"why ask about it… when we told you already?"
Kanos muttered under his breath, "I must've skipped that part…"
Soone else in the crowd raised a hand.
"Okay, fine. We passed. But since we did survive that hell—do we get anything? A reward? A gift? Maybe… a discount?"
Liline chuckled, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"No. You only got healing. Just healing."
She floated forward, hands behind her back now.
"This was never a prize challenge. There's no bonus, no title, no special badge."
"It was a test. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Survive—and you get the right to walk inside."
Alaric crossed his arms. "That's it?"
"Yes," Liline said.
"You are only custors for us."
The air shifted slightly at those words.
But before the silence could settle, a man from another team stepped forward.
His eyes widened and teeth clenched as he snapped.
"Damn you, Liline—and damn Lord L too!"
His voice echoed off the castle walls.
"You think we're your toys? You trick us into walking into so hell trial, nearly kill us, and then give us a smile like that?!"
He raised his arm, aura flaring with violent intent. "I should burn this place to—"
FWIP.
Liline raised her hand.
Without a word, spectral guards phased into existence.
They were tall, armored, silver-etched phantoms with glowing eyes and shifting weapons.
They moved in unison.
CRACK—CLANK—THUD!
In under two seconds, they had him pinned.
One on each side, another behind, locking his limbs.
The man struggled, smirking. "Don't think that's enough to hold —"
WHAM.
A clean punch to the gut silenced him.
WHAM—WHAM—
He staggered, eyes wide, breath gone.
But it didn't end there.
The guards shimred—and suddenly shifted form.
The two holding him rged, reshaping into a massive cannon, the barrel locking into place with a click.
The man was inserted headfirst into the cannon's chamber.
Liline remained perfectly composed.
"Launch him."
BOOM.
The cannon fired.
The man scread as he was blasted through the air, a glowing arc cutting across the sky.
He vanished far outside the castle grounds with a fading speck of light.
The hall went dead silent.
Liline looked back at the crowd, her smile still in place.
"Now… does anyone else wish to argue with ?"
Every single person shook their head.
Even the most prideful survivors lowered their gaze.
Dario whispered, "That guy was S-Rank…"
Thalia muttered, "Didn't matter."
Kanos adjusted his coat. "And people wonder why Luxoria has no riots."
Alaric kept his eyes ahead. "Lesson learned."
---
Liline turned back to the crowd.
She smiled calmly.
"Now that no one wishes to argue anymore… let's continue."
Her eyes scanned the crowd.
"But first—let ask sothing."
She raised her voice slightly.
"Are the people who purchased Vornis in the previous auction present?"
The room went still.
A few murmurs passed through the crowd.
Then—a single man stepped forward from the back.
He walked with calm confidence, posture perfect, hands in his coat pockets.
And as he stepped into the light, several people gasped softly.
Even Dario muttered under his breath. "Wait a second…"
Colan blinked. "He looks like…"
Liline's eyes narrowed slightly. She recognized that face.
The jawline. The brows. The sa bone structure as Varen, the CEO of Beast Castle.
But this one was different.
Sharper eyes.
Stronger fra.
The man stopped just a few steps in front of her.
"Don't worry, Miss Liline."
He put his hand on his chest and bowed down a bit.
"I'm Donnie Aldren. I'm just Varen's younger brother."
The crowd tensed.
Donnie kept speaking.
"I'm not a spy. Not here to sabotage or stir trouble."
He glanced around the room.
"I passed the trial. I'm here because I survived. And because Luxoria Castle allows qualified bidders."
He locked eyes with her again.
"So… am I welco?"
Liline's expression didn't change.
But internally, she recalled Lucius's prior instruction.
He had anticipated Donnie's arrival.
After a brief pause, she gave a warm smile.
"Of course. Lord L has already approved your presence."
"You're welco here, Mr. Aldren."
Donnie bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you, Miss."
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