Group 1: Mysticlassic

[Alright, why do I feel like we might've gotten the most boring of the assignments?] Razorstella asked her fellow squadmates. [I mean, seriously, what kind of dangers could pop up around an auction house of all things?]

At this point in time, the members of Mysticlassic—Razorstella, Springerdermain, and Screamira—were using their miniature travel forms to look around the auction house.

No security ward could detect them; no mortal could spot them. In other words, they were like rats in a dingy house.

That stated, the trio were also fairly certain that they could blend in and pretend to be part of the decor if they actaully did get caught by prying eyes.

[I can think of a couple dozen doom scenarios,] Screamira answered. [But a lot of them originate from the possibility of the mortals getting attacked post-auction because they bought something someone else wanted or because they made enough money to warrant such violent action. So...I guess that's actually two doom scenarios.]

[To be honest, I wouldn't mind if it's a boring assignment this time around,] Springerdermain confessed to his more battle-loving Kaijin. [After everything that went down in the Mines of Malevolence, something a touch more low-key would honestly be refreshing.]

[Speak for yourself; I can only wash away the stress with the blood of my enemies… or at the very least, the soiled pants of the defeated,] Razorstella retorted.

[That…sounds incredibly counterintuitive,] Screamira pointed out. [Plus, do you really want to clean your legs with-]

[Metaphorical, Screamira. It's metaphorical.]

[Whatever…by the way, are you sure it's a good idea for us to be hiding directly above the main auction stage like this?]

During their conversation, Mysticlassic had eventually ended up hiding up in a chandelier that was dangling directly above the main part of the auction house where the auctioneer would display whatever item was up for sale. In other words, if the kaijin decided to make an appearance, all of the eyes in the building would be focused on them.

[Probably.]

[Okay.]

Not that any of them cared about such a mild issue.

...Alright, enough Kaijin shenanigans; lets focus on the humans…

"Thank you for registering your goods for sale, Miss Goldshire. We at the Cyan Stone Auction house appreciate your business."

"Oh, think nothing of it. I just hope you can get a good price for the both of us," Alicia replied with the tooth-rotting sweetness of a savvy businesswoman.

"Let me tell you, it wasn't easy getting my hands on twenty bolts' worth of fourth-tier Thunder Ox leather."

"Oh, I can hardly imagine."

"By the way, I happen to have some more valuable materials to sell, but I would need to do so under a pseudonym..."

"Of course, ma'am. We at the Cyan Stone Auction House strive to fulfill the needs of all of our customers."

"Excellent. By the way, is it possible to use the possible earnings of my own auction to pay for goods I happen to bid on?"

"Of course."

"Brilliant! In that case, I have some more materials to auction."

"Oh?"

The Cyan Stone Auction House was the go-to place for every single artisan, native and foreign, in the city of Rainbowden who was in need of rare materials for their craft.

Whether it was ores for unusual metals that could only be accessed by certain individuals with weird qualifications or medicinal ingredients that had to processed in very particular ways, the Cyan Stone Auction house was certain to have it.

And with their "no questions asked" policy, it was fairly easy for anyone, regardless of their social status or background, to sell whatever valuable materials they had on hand for a neat and tidy sum.

At least, in theory.

There had been a couple of cases in the past where people were robbed of their purchases post-auction because of jealous rivals and/or someone else not wanting to pay for the goods in the first place. However, such cases have gone down in recent days due to the increased security around the auction house itself.

Although, there were still some exceptions to the rule...

^Are you guys sure about just selling all of these aether beast parts?^ Axer asked for the umpteenth time. ^I mean, some of the materials you guys are selling are so rare around here, I'm pretty sure you'd be able to buy out a mansion and live luxuriously for decades.^

Note that Axer's observation wasn't an exaggeration, but it was only really applicable to anyone who was at the Aether Master tier or below, i.e., most of the world's populace.

^And that is precisely why we're selling off these materials,^ Zhen Xing assured Axer. ^Besides, we still have a couple bolts of that stuff in storage, alongside some other materials sourced from Thunder Cattle. We can use this auction as a way of finding some craftsmen that can give us a hand or two.^

^That and we can probably find some materials necessary for you to not only complete your commissions but get our own stuff upgraded as well,^ Zhen Tai added while looking over his aether treasure knuckle dusters. ^You're serious about being able to upgrade them to being Gold-tiered.^

^I swear it on not only my reputation but also the reputation of my grandfather!^

^Big words.^

While the Zhen Clan scions and Axer were getting along and forging a connection, Harriet was busying herself looking over the auction catalogue of the day.

Partially out of curiosity of the goods that could be acquired at this particular auction, partially due to her own desire to secure materials for her own medicinal craft.

So far, the pickings were rather slim from her point of view.

^Alright, most of the goods here barely have any medical purposes unless they're worked into tools!^ Harriet complained. ^I don't know whether to find that helpful or bullshit.^

^Hah, we're rubbing off on you,^ Zhen Xing laughed before taking a look at the catalogue for himself. ^To be fair, we are in the city of artisans, not the city of medicine. I imagine the auction houses over there are overflowing with herbs and other medical components. Not sure why you'd think you'd find a good selection in a place like this.^

^Medicine is also an art form, Mister Zhen Xing,^ Harriet argued back while making room for the young scion to take a look at the same catalogue. ^To be fair, I figured there would be at least one person trying their luck in selling such things. Also, there is actually a surprising amount of overlap between material usage.^

^Like what?^Zhen Tai asked with genuine curiosity.

^Well, did you know that Granite Coconut Oil can not only be used to create a Polish that can temporarily increase the sharpness of swords, but can be used to make a lotion that strengthens the skin while removing blemishes?^ Harriet asked.

^I did not.^

^Well, there you go.^

^Huh...^

During this short conversation between Zhen Tai and Harriet, Zhen Xing continued to look through the catalogue until reaching a page that was titled: "Sellers of the auction".

This particular section of pages listed off all sorts of names that Zhen Xing didn't recognize in the slightest.

A majority of these names belonged to artisans and warriors who were local to the city, or were organizations that were headquartered here.

Zhen Xing did see some names that appeared to be of more foreign origins, i.e., wandering heroes who needed to make money from selling their loot or dignitaries from afar who knew how to turn a huge profit from selling certain goods in certain locations.

Zhen Xing had looked through the names, not expecting to recognize any of them...until he saw one that he definitely recognized.

^Well... that's a coincidence and a half.^

^Hmmm? What's up?^

^Zhen Tai. Harriet. Would you two mind reading this entry and confirm whether or not I'm seeing things?^

^Eh?^

^Okay...^

Following Zhen Xing's cryptic instructions, the two young warriors looked at the name he pointed out to them to see why he had gotten spooked.

^Alright what are you—oh.^

~Sacre bleu.~

The moment they saw the name for themselves, they also couldn't help but to clam up.

This shared reaction made the only one present, that wasn't in the loop, incredibly confused.

This was a feeling that had to be verbalized.

^Wait, guys, what's going on? Loop me in. Why are you guys freaking out?^

^Do you remember when we told you about how Bellona's kingdom had gotten a touch messy due to a whole succession war boiling underneath the surface?^

^Vaguely,^ Axer admitted, having not really paid attention to that particular conversation. ^I recall there being one who was travelling the world to acquire foreign mercenary aide while another was cementing internal military power.^

^Different issue altogether,^ Zhen Xing interjected. ^But we're spooked out over here because we saw Bellona's cousin's names being listed as one of the sellers at this auction.^

^Oh shit, really? Which one?^

^Both of them.^

^Oh...oh that can't be good.^

^On the plus side, Bellona isn't here...^