"You're more sensitive than I thought, big sis."
Despite the curt expression on her face, Penny turned back into a human. Only then did she turn her gaze, which had been wandering in midair, toward her.
"Anyway, you don’t have to worry so much about the Tower Master. His inside the capital. It's an inn on the outskirts."
"……Haa."
I let out a sigh of relief and perched on a chair.
Yeah, for now, it's enough that he's safe.
"But even though the Tower Master changed his appearance, you still recognized him at a glance?"
"Ah, about that."
Penny tilted her head.
"His magical wavelength looked unstable."
"……."
"A normal person like you wouldn't notice, but a smart alchemy apprentice like can see it. Sa with my friends. When we followed that scent, the Tower Master went ta-da!"
I didn't know who her friends were, but I kept my mouth shut for now.
"Anyway! You should be careful too. A mage's wavelength is their essence—it never changes unless there's sothing wrong with them."
"What exactly do you an by 'sothing wrong'?"
"Ah, that's a bit vague."
Penny scratched her cheek.
"There are many reasons. The most common example would be death. When they approach death, their magic changes form to protect its owner."
She paused for a mont.
"But the Tower Master is a different case. He's a monster who lives eternally, so even I don't know the exact reason."
"……."
"I want to find out more, but there's too little information about the Tower Master."
Death, she said. He wanted it, but this suddenly?
"Don't worry. He didn't look sick or anything. More importantly, Penny deserves praise."
At that, she held out her hand toward . Her expectant eyes were almost burdenso.
Well, what's done well deserves reward.
I took a gold coin out of the drawer. Penny's eyes instantly turned cold.
"Do you need that much money?"
In the end, after I added a few more coins, she let go of her terrifying expression.
"Underground streets are always short on money."
Honestly, I was glad Penny was a materialistic person. If she were being kind without any reason, that would be even more unsettling.
"Can I ask just one more favor?"
"Of course!"
I slowly opened my mouth.
* * *
Ti passed quickly, and the first day of the auction dawned.
"Let’s hope nothing happens……."
Lily sighed as she spoke.
Sorry, did you just raise a flag…….
Barely resisting the urge to respond, I recalled yesterday’s events.
〈eting the Tower Master as he is now is suicide! I can't push my sponsor—no, my benefactor—toward death!〉
I wanted to et Peril before the auction began, but Penny’s strong opposition crushed that hope.
And then.
[Hooh, you already knew the limit of fate! As you said, fate cannot be changed. It’s a fixed path!]
That basically ant that even if I prevented soone’s death, nothing would change.
[Still, if you’ve decided to act, the guide will be very pleased and open their heart. XD]
Only, that last sentence stuck with .
The current Arkan could only answer three questions a day. And even then, he avoided any difficult ones.
For example, anything related to tilines or other worlds.
Or even about his own existence.
‘Still, shouldn’t he at least answer questions about the future he showed…….’
Frustratingly, even dodged questions counted toward the limit, and so far, the only thing I had learned was the answer I got on the first day.
So kind of rule, or whatever……
And once the questions were used up, the picture in the fra disappeared imdiately.
〈Then, how about just chatting instead of asking questions?〉
He didn’t respond to even simple conversations, so it seed communication was completely cut off.
‘If I can stop the death, maybe I’ll learn sothing more.’
I sighed and looked around.
The wind that had been blowing had already died down, and the surroundings had grown quiet.
"Let’s go in now."
At Lily's words, the guards at the outer wall gave a polite nod. Just as I was about to follow her inside the wall, one of them stopped .
"Please show your entry permit."
……Entry permit?
I showed the Moon’s Shop invitation from inside my coat, and the guard frowned.
"Uninvited guests are not allowed to enter."
At that mont, Lily realized I wasn’t following and peeked her head out past the wall.
"He’s my authorized temporary manager, so checking her invitation is an unnecessary procedure."
"Ah, I see. That was a beginner’s mistake on my part."
He awkwardly gestured for to go in.
"Take care."
"Please understand. Unless we act that strict, we can’t control who gets in."
"Haha, it’s fine."
Honestly, I wasn’t exactly in the right either…….
I smiled calmly, thinking of Arkan inside my bag.
‘I didn’t expect Arkan to count as a guest too!’
anwhile, Lily continued speaking as she casually put on a pure white mask and robe.
"That's not a guest mark, it's the sign of a helper from the Moon’s Shop."
A red crescent moon was embroidered on the left chest of the robe.
"Keep in mind that when you need to call us, you can just shake the bell."
"Yes. Got it."
What I had to do today was relatively simple.
To get the necklace.
The shop said they would prepare the money, so all I had to do was buy the necklace as a guest.
‘Though I might have to use so of my own money.’
Still, considering what Peril had done for , it was a small price to pay.
Lily handed a natag with a number on it.
Since guests couldn’t reveal their faces or nas, each guest was given a number listed on their invitation.
And my number was 23.
"Very good."
Lily smiled and guided to my seat.
Guests who had received invitations were gradually taking their seats.
No—were they really guests?
I stretched my fingers and leaned back against the chair.
The numbers had been distributed to the real guests expected on the second day. They had been invited again for another date, but most of the seats were already filled.
‘Diligent bunch, aren’t they?’
The one behind the rumors likely already knew that the Moon’s Shop had taken action.
It would be strange to think the Moon’s Shop didn’t know about the rumors they themselves were involved in.
‘…Honestly, I’m not confident.’
Because I had far too little information on him.
At that mont, soone approached . I bowed in return as he gave a polite nod and checked his number.
24.
The seat next to mine.
I quickly scooted closer to the left side of the sofa. He sat down comfortably and gazed straight ahead.
Maybe he had attended many auctions before.
Unlike the oddly excited atmosphere around us, his deanor was arrogant.
‘He must be one of the guests invited for the second day.’
It looked like he had co today out of curiosity too.
It was definitely better than having an uninvited person sitting next to .
Just as I felt slightly relieved, the central lights turned on.
"Welco, honored guests of the auction!"
Waaaaaah!
"Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since the last auction, but the energy is incredible!"
The roar was so loud it made my ears ring.
Ahh, I want to go ho……
That thought passed through my mind for a mont, but I raised my hands and clapped.
"I’m sure every one of you has had that thought before. Wanting to push the limits of pleasure humans can feel, or craving unique experiences that ordinary people could never even imagine!"
Isn’t that just a fancy way of saying you want to waste money?
"The Moon Auction can grant your desires! We all die anyway! But if the life we live once becos a bit more fun, we won’t regret it when death finally arrives."
I adjusted my posture as I half-listened to the host’s words.
Tap, tap.
Soone sitting beside tapped the space in front of with their finger.
When I looked down, I saw a hastily scribbled note.
[Wanna make a bet since it’s boring?]
He handed a pen as if urging to reply.
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