Dungeon Diver: Stealing a Monster's Power

Chpater 23

"This monstrous axe has a strength buff of 150. It is has a unique curved blade, truly a one of a kind weapon. Let's start the bidding off at 25 silver!!!"

The paddles started flying. My axe was a huge hit for some of the hunters in the front row. The tanks were eying the oversized axe in awe.

"That's it!!! 30!!! No? 35!!! 40!!! 45??? Could I get 50 silver??? Yes! We got 50!! Going once going twice- 55!! 55 silver!! Does anyone want 60?"

The salesman was speaking faster than I could even keep track of. My axe was a hit!

"Could we get a 60??? Anyone?? 60 to the large hunter up front!! 60 silver!! Going once!! Going twice!!! Going three ti- 65!!! 65 silver to the gentleman in black! 70!!! Back to the large hunter!! Can I get 75?? I hear 75 from the gentleman in black!!! Could this be- 80!!! 80 silver from the hunter!!! 80 going once... going twice... going three times... SOLD!! For 80 silver!!!"

The large hunter turned to the man in a black suit and smirked. He clearly overpaid for the axe, but he won it over the collector. It was more a show of dominance than anything.

I was grinning ear to ear. It was the same tank that bought that shield. He must be an experienced hunter, he's dropping a lot of money on gear like it's nothing... Well, it doesn't matter to me. As long as I get paid I'm happy about how this auction went.

"Now!!! The moment you've all been waiting for!! The number one item of the day!!!"

The woman came walking out of the curtains carrying a long silver sword with a thin black line running down the center of it.

"Our number 1 item today is a 200 strength buff sword. It also has a plus 30% MP absorption rate attribute. It is a beautiful sword if I do say so myself."

The crowd started talking to themselves in hushed tones. It was an incredible sword. The salesman was right.

"The starting bid will be 1 gold coin, but for the sake of the auction we'll count in silver to make fractional bidding easier. So the starting bid will be 100 silver!!!"

I've never seen an item like this in person. It's a top tier D Class item, most C class hunters wouldn't complain using an item like this...

It's perfect for hunters with a swordsmanship skill. Every attack absorbs MP from the monsters you're fighting and decreases your MP usage by 30%. That's a fairly good rate, plus it has a 200 strength buff, that's nothing to sneeze at!

"Let's getttt startedddd at 100!!!! Can I get 110?? 110!!! 120..."

The paddles were flying. It was mostly a bidding war between 1 swordsman with a green cloak on in the front row and 3 investors in suits.

I watched as they bid back and forth for a few minutes.

"220!!! Can I get anything higher? 225?? Anyone 225? 225!!! To the swordsman in the front!!"

The investors were slowly dropping out. The swordsman was bidding strong. It seems he didn't care if it was a good deal or not, he just wanted that sword no matter what.

"225 going once, 225 going twice..... three timesssss and it's sold!!! For 225 silver!!!!! Ladies and gentlemen what a day!!! Congratulations to all our buyers and sellers today, I hope you all got what you came for. That's it until next week, I will see you soon!"

The man bowed and walked behind the closing red curtains. The crowd began to clear out and two small lines formed. One by the podium and one by the table where I checked in.

The buyers were paying at the podium and receiving their items.

The sellers were checking in with the event managers and receiving their pay.

I hopped in line and patiently waited.

"Okay, let me see your Hunters License Sir."

I stood in front of an older man with white hair sitting at the table. I handed him my ID.

"Ohhh so the axe was yours? Good item kid."

He started counting out silver coins.

"There's 79 silver for you. Pleasure doing business with you at the Avery District Auction House. Careful on your way out."

I awkwardly stuffed all the silver coins into my small leather pouch. There were a few wandering eyes watching me receive my payment.

"Thanks old man. I'll be back again soon. Pleasure doing business with you too."

I turned and followed the wave of people flowing out the door.

Some stayed in the bar area, others flooded out into the streets. I decided to get out onto the street as well, I'd go straight home from here.

I walked out the front door of the old bar and took a left turn.

I started walking quickly. Ever since I received my silver I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being watched.

I walked for about 3mins at a quick pace. I was about 500m from the bar. I took a back street to avoid crossing paths with any more people.

I took deep breath and let out a sigh of relief.

Seems like I was just being paranoid for no reason. I started to stroll slower in the direction of the village market.

Then I heard something behind me... footsteps...

In front of me too... footsteps....

"Don't move another inch kid."

I froze. All of a sudden there were two men in the narrow street with me.

"Drop the silver and put your hands up. Let me make this painless for ya."

The man in front of me smirked and pulled out a dark black dagger. He was the man that bought the first dagger in the auction, the short man with tattoos all over his arms. There was a dark black snake with red eyes on the back of his right hand, that tattoo stood out to me.

The man behind me didn't speak.

"CLANGGG"

I turned my head to see a taller skinny man with a long silver sword with scratches and dents all over it. He dropped the blade to the ground to get my attention.

"It's our lucky day!! An E Class comes in with an item that sold for 80 silver. A shame you're gonna have to die for it."

The man brought his blade up and pointed it at me.

"I guess there's no point in talking this out with you guys... I'll give you a fight if that's what you really want..."

"......"

"......"

The swordsman gritted his teeth. He looked disgusted by my remark. The shorter man didn't move, just kept his eyes locked on me.

Silence filled the alley.

The smell of desperation filled the air. These guys weren't playing around. They needed this money, and there was only one way for them to get it.

I drew my sword and readied myself for a fight.