Ryn stared at the crumpled parchment in his hand, the ink still fresh.
.............
My Liege, we have found the other demons. We await your orders to take action.
............
I did not sign up for this, Ryn thought, rubbing his temples. I just wanted to pass my classes and collect tuition from a princess. Now I'm a revolutionary leader?
The night fell quickly over the capital. Ryn stood on the edge of a jagged rooftop, the wind whipping his cloak.
Behind him stood his "generals": Olivia, Adorn, and the Barbarian Cat-girl.
"Where is Mistro?" Ryn asked, noticing the empty space where the shadow-demon usually loomed.
"Oh, you mean the 'Mistro?" Olivia answered, her new white hair shimmering like moonlight. "He claimed he was such a disappointment that he wasn't worth the air he'd breathe on this mission."
"Whatever," Ryn sighed. "Explain the situation. The letter was vague."
"The Imperial Knights are holding roughly a hundred demons in that building," Adorn said, gesturing to a massive, stone structure with glowing windows.
"They're auctioning them off to the nobles for their 'private schemes.'"
A hundred demons? This is a suicide mission, Ryn thought.
"Why don't we just go inside and crush all of them?" the Barbarian Cat-girl grunted, smashing her fists together.
Is she actually dumb? Ryn stared at her. We're in the heart of the Human Empire!
Suddenly, the world froze as a notification seared into his vision.
_____[World Event: Save the Demons]_____
Description: Nobles are bidding on your kin for dark experiments. Rescue them before they are taken away.
Reward: 10,000 Glory Points.
Failure Penalty: -20,000 Glory Points.
______________________________
20,000!? Ryn's heart nearly stopped. I'd be in a debt I could never crawl out of. Fine. I have a plan.
A half-hour later, Ryn and Olivia approached the main entrance of the auction house. They looked nothing like a student and a servant. Ryn wore a sleek, black tailored suit with his hair gelled back into a sharp, noble style.
Olivia wore a flowing white gown that matched her hair, her red eyes glowing with a dangerous, sophisticated allure.
They entered arm-in-arm, looking every bit like the young, wealthy elite. Ryn had already burned 1,000 Glory Points to bribe the perimeter guards and forge their invitations.
Inside, the building was a masterpiece of "Cinderella-world" luxury—sparkling gold trimmings, pink marble, and chandeliers that showered the room in diamond-light.
They took their seats in the velvet-lined theater. Ryn's plan was simple: Adorn had warned him the demon cages were protected by a massive mana barrier.
They couldn't just "sneak" them out. They had to wait for the bidding to end, when the barrier would naturally be dropped for the "delivery."
I need a way out fast, Ryn thought.
_______________________________
[System Shop]
Item: Teleportation Scroll (Mass Group)
Cost: 1,000 Glory Points.
Remaining Balance: 4,000 GP.
[Yes] / [No]
________________________________
He hit [Yes] and felt the cold parchment materialize in his inner pocket.
The auctioneer, a man with a waxen mustache, pounded his gavel. "Next! A Black Orc warrior! Strong, obedient, and can even speak a few words of Common! We start at 100 Gold Coins!"
"100!" a fat noble in the front row shouted.
"150!"
"200!"
Olivia's hand twitched on her lap, her knuckles white. Ryn grabbed her hand, squeezing it firmly. "Not yet," he whispered.
"Don't act rashly."
The Orc was sold for 350 Gold. Several more demons followed, sold like cattle. Then, the tone of the room changed.
After bidding for a while, they brought out the main event of the auction.
"Next, we have a rare prize," the auctioneer purred. "A beautiful female elf. Young, untouched... and whispered to carry the blood of the Malverkor line."
Ryn froze. His eyes locked onto the girl on stage. She had the same ethereal quality he felt in his own demon form. Olivia's eyes glowed with an immense, terrifying bloodlust.
"My Liege," Olivia hissed, her voice trembling.
"That is your... sister."
Sister? So I have a sister
"We start at 500 Gold!"
"550!" a noblewoman called out.
"800!"
"10 Platinum Coins!" the fat man from before shouted, grinning like a shark.
"10 Platinum and... one copper coin," Ryn said, his voice cold and bored.
The entire room turned to look at him. The "Batman bidding" technique. It was a slap in the face to the fat noble.
"20 Platinum!" the noble countered, his face turning purple.
"20 Platinum and two copper coins," Ryn replied.
"50 Platinum!" the man roared. There was no way a "kid" could have that much money. He was trying to price Ryn out of the room.
Ryn leaned back, a small, dangerous smile on his face. He was bluffing with money he didn't have, but the nobles didn't know that.
"Playing time is over. 100 Platinum Coins." His voice bearly audible but he was heard clearly.
The room went dead silent. The auctioneer's hand shook.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Sold to Mister Yeager! The highest bidder!"
"My Liege..." Olivia whispered, her eyes shining with relief and worship.
The auction drew to a close. Ryn stood up, signaling Olivia. It was time to go to the basement, claim his "purchase," drop the teleportation scroll, and vanish. But as he turned toward the exit...
BOOM!
A massive explosion tore through the side of the ballroom. Stone and glass rained down as the nobles screamed.
Through the dust, silver armor glinted. A group of knights marched in, their chest plates bearing a golden wing crest.
The Holy Church.
A priest stepped through the hole in the wall, his aura so immense it felt like the sun had just entered the room. He was far stronger than the priests Ryn had faced in the woods.
"I am Priest John," the man announced, his voice echoing with divine authority.
"We are here to arrest those who have committed the blasphemous act of trading in demon flesh. And we are here to purge the filth from this city."
The knights surrounded the room, their swords humming with holy light. Ryn stood frozen, the teleportation scroll in his hand.
This wasn't in the novel. I never wrote about a
Ryn looked at the Priest, then at the knights, then at Olivia.
"Why..." he whispered to himself, "does this always happen to me?"