Marcellia’s soft, melodic voice once again echoed through the auction hall, an anticipatory hush swept over the crowd.Her hand lifted elegantly, gesturing toward the veiled pedestal at the center of the stage.A faint glimmer of excitement danced in her eyes—this was not just another item. It was something worthy of reverence, fear, and awe.“The Dagger of Repentance,” she began, her tone rich and almost ceremonial. “Forged in the twilight of remorse by the hands of Master Judo, this weapon bears emotions within its steel.It is said that the blade feeds upon the sins of those it strikes—granting them death without pain, erasing agony and guilt in a single, silent moment.Victims die as if their hearts simply cease to beat, their final expression one of peace, not terror.Yet, for the wielder, each strike comes with a whisper—a plea, a memory, a reflection of what they’ve taken.Few can wield it long without being consumed by their own conscience if weak in the conscious realm.But f

The applause still echoed like rolling thunder within the vast auction hall as attendants moved gracefully away from the stage delivering the prized dagger to Major VIP Room A5.The air was thick with chatter — nobles and merchants whispering, speculating, and gossiping about the extraordinary sale they had just witnessed as they waited for the next item. The attendants approached Room A5, then opened silently...Inside, the room glowed in warm light.Daku sat upright, his aura calm but eager, while Oasis leaned back slightly on the chair, his expression unreadable yet composed.Barrett and the rest of the Woods family observed quietly, their gazes flickering with restrained curiosity.The attendants stepped inside reverently, the dagger of repentance wrapped carefully in dark velvet that faintly shimmered.Even concealed, the weapon’s aura was palpable — dense, cold, alive.When they crossed the threshold, the room’s atmosphere thickened as if the dagger itself demanded recognition.

“1,250,000!”A calm, resonant voice thundered from Major VIP Room A9 — Grand Elder Macarov Denzai, his tone composed, like a man making a simple statement rather than a bid that could buy half a city.The entire hall trembled with the weight of his voice.Almost immediately, another voice echoed from A10, smooth and somewhat sly.“Master Denzai, this Dodo bears you no grudge, so I hope you’ll understand,” he said with a courteous chuckle. “1,300,000!”It was Dodo Yuichi, his tone light, teasing even, as though he were speaking with an old friend in jest rather than in deadly earnest competition.Then a third voice, vibrant, and brimming with mischief, rolled from A7.“Haha! Let me join in — this is getting interesting! Let’s see if the rest of you can keep up! 1,500,000 gold coins!”It was Javel, and his laughter carried a razor edge of arrogance, the kind that drew equal parts admiration and irritation.A low hum rolled through the audience — a wave of awe.Then Grand Elder Denzai’s

“Theodore Kaizen…”From Room A8, Mokai Ghecho sat slumped slightly forward, his hands clasped tightly on his knees, his breath shallow.The veins on his temples pulsed as he stared toward the general section where the voice had come from.“He was right there… in plain sight,” Mokai muttered, voice hoarse. “Yet I couldn’t even tell that this monster was among us. This is truly humiliating…”He chuckled bitterly, shaking his head as if scolding himself.“To think I was acting like a big fish… trying to trample the weak. But I’m not far from them after all.”His words, though whispered, trembled with both shame and self-awareness.Around him, the lamps flickered, reflecting off his eyes—eyes that carried both admiration for himself and despair.For the first time that night, Mokai’s arrogance had been stripped bare, leaving only humility in the presence of overwhelming greatness.From the general area, the calm, voice of Theodore Kaizen answered, steady and unhurried.“You speak as thoug

The corridor seemed to still.The warmth of the lamps dimmed against the piercing intensity of Oasis’s gaze—those azure eyes shimmering faintly with power, locking onto Duwe’s face.A chill crawled up Duwe’s spine as sweat gathered at his temple.His breath hitched; he felt it—the oppressive weight of sincerity and perception from Oasis."He knows I’m not being sincere…" Duwe’s mind raced for a moment.“How do you know that?” he stammered. “Do you know what’s in my mind? Sister, you see?I tried apologizing—but he’s the one refusing. It’s no longer in my control!”His tone cracked slightly, panic hiding behind forced indignation.Nova sighed, rubbing her forehead. “Brother Avarice, please don’t mind my brother’s tone. Our father spoiled him too much.”Oasis exhaled lightly, his calm returning.“Don’t worry, Sister Nova,” he said, voice steady. “Since your brother’s pride doesn’t allow him to apologize sincerely, I won’t force him.No one should be forced to do what they don’t feel.”H