Bait

Iron Bloodline, Copper Body, Silver Dignity, Golden Will, Respected Legend, World Saint, Immortal Myth, Indestructible SemiGod, the names of these power levels told a lot.

Iron Bloodline was demarcated as LV1 to LV20 in the system. In this period, a large portion of people would have just gotten their job and most of the power they possessed now originated from their bloodline. But, it was during this phase that the route they were going to walk on was decided.

Sounds a little difficult to understand? Then let's use the system's interface to explain.

Below, there were 3 most commonly seen close-range jobs of different races.

"Standard Beastman Berserker Model /Strength: 15 Dexterity: 8 Stamina: 12 /Main Attribute: Strength /Race Talent: Berserk"

"Standard Dark Elf Assassin Model /Strength: 12 Dexterity: 14 Stamina: 9 /Main Attribute: Dexterity /Race Talent: Magic Immunity Skin"

"Standard Human Warrior Model /Strength: 12 Dexterity: 8 Stamina: 10 /Main Attribute: Strength/ Race Talent: …None"

Strength was the total fighting power that a physical body possessed. Dexterity was the sum of reaction speed and balance. Stamina was the measurement of the health. These were all the most important attributes for close-combat jobs.

In the Iron stage, the rookies of different races work hard towards their ideal physique and through training, they grow stronger. The supposed 'god strength' most often refers to the fact that they were born with +2 Strength. As a result of their hard work, they grow closer to their ideal physique and when their basic stats reach a certain threshold, they were able to break through to the next rank.

What, you are complaining about it being unfair? The Beastman and Dark Elf's sum of all 3 Stats totaled 35 but for the Human, it was only 30, and there was no race talent? I'm sorry but the world is never fair. The stats and talents of different races were simply unfair, otherwise why else would there be so many arguments and discrimination.

If two people worked hard together, the difference in talent would eventually cause their strength to be pulled apart. This was just like comparing a foot soldier to a cavalry. If they were given equal time, the cavalry would be able to travel much farther than the foot soldier.

For example, if a normal Beastman's strength growth rate was around 0.1 per level, by LV20, their strength would have increased by 2. But, if a Human Warrior was able to achieve 1 point growth in strength by LV20, they could already be called a good bud for a strength-type Warrior.

Furthermore, this was not taking into account their race talents. The race talents of strong tribes tended to be quite frightening.

It was a common knowledge for the strength of Warriors that were of equal-rank but of different race to differ greatly. But in exchange, the humans with the worst potential tended to grow the fastest. The stronger a race was, the slower their growth would be. The Dragon tribe required at least a century before they could be considered a teenager and the Elves took 200 years to reach adulthood. For a human, 70 to 80 years was sufficient for them to reach their pinnacle.

If we were to use the analogy of a game, the weaker a race was the less experience it required to level up. Using myself as an example, compared to another Legend-rank, the experience bar of a Lich was roughly 3 times that of a human Mage, so retraining was actually quite a pain.

However, as the breakthrough between every stage was quite difficult, this advantage actually wasn't that great for top-tier experts. Still the advantage of humans in their mass creation of low-level Warriors (otherwise known as cannon fodder) as a mortal race was apparent. Elves of the Silver Race were adept at creating a large army of middle-class experts and while the population of the Dragons of the Golden Race may be pathetic, no one dared to underestimate them.

If the Iron-rank was considered to be the start of the journey, their main goal at that point had been to follow the route that their seniors paved. As for Warriors that had reached the stage of Bronze Body, they were trying to discover their own talents to improve themselves and forge the perfect body for fighting.

To put it in easy-to-understand gaming terms, they were trying their best to learn skills, maximize their talents and further improve their stats…

Silver Dignity, at this stage, the physical body had almost reached the limit of mortals, so practitioners started to forge their will and learned battling techniques. By combining both the strength of the spirit and the will, they created their personal battle styles.

In gaming terms, the character had started to take shape but since the growth of attribute stats was much slower at that point, only relying on their stats was no longer feasible. Instead they started learning a few big skills to show off.

Golden Will, experts at this stage started to combine their talents to search for a path suited for themselves. If they were able to get themselves a fixed high-tier job and inheritance, then their growth would be even faster.

In gaming terms, it meant choosing an advanced job class, stepping into a new class and starting afresh from the very basics.

Climbing up the ladder, there was the Soul Imprint of Legends and Soul World of the Saints, but as I had touched on them before, I shall skip them for now. At this point, I guess there should be some out there, who had already figured out why Annie was unable to beat Elisa no matter what.

Annie was a human. What was remarkable about her was that she had a portion of Phoenix blood in her, making her a mixed-blood human. At Gold-pinnacle, despite having no race talent, her main attribute, strength, had already reached 19, a step into the boundaries of a Legend-rank Warrior, which was pretty amazing. (Different from other games in foreign worlds, it was hard for the basic stats to grow in this world but in late game, the difference in all 4 or 5 stats would be exceptionally huge)

Unfortunately her opponent was Elisa, whose race was 'Half-Demon blessed by the Abyss', and her race talent was Calling of the Abyss. As long as she was willing to return the calling and demonify, she could receive a massive increase in her stats. At her current stage, she was already at the 'Demonification Intermediate Stage, Strength +12 Dexterity +12 Stamina +12 Intelligence +12 Charisma +6 Will -6'.

Just solely by these additions, Annie was unable to defeat Elisa.

As a demon progeny, Elisa's basic Strength was 12, and adding another 12 onto that… A Mage with enough Strength to suppress a Warrior was born. If we factor in Dexterity and Stamina, she would have an advantage in all aspects. Just like how it was a joke for a monkey to defeat a dinosaur with its martial arts, no matter how powerful the techniques that one possessed, basic stats were still the primary factor to determine one's strength. That's why Elisa could grab the God Sword with her hands.

In addition to those messy martial arts that I imparted her and the close-quarter combat that she invented involving martial arts alongside ice magic, not mentioning a Gold-pinnacle like Annie, even a Legend-rank like Xueti might not be able to win against her… As my prided student, as a close-combat Mage, Elisa has, undoubtedly, surpassed her master.

This may seem unfair, but compared to Little Red's 'Ancient Red Dragon's Perfect Body. Complete immunity to Poison, Plague and Fire. +30 All Stats', Elisa's 'Demonification Intermediate Stage' was already considered quite fair. I reckon that even if she were to demonify completely, all of her stats would only be increased +20 with a massive fall in her will.

Of course, there was no such thing as a free lunch in the world. The strength of the Abyss of Chaos wasn't that easy to take.

A massive fall in will meant that it would became more and more difficult for her to resist the callings and Demonification. Eventually, she would turn into a demon completely and this was the main reason why I banned her from using her 'Call of the Abyss' race talent.

Fortunately, by using the Contract Magic that Devils invented, I wrote this line into the work contract between Elisa and me. Before all of her wages were settled, her physical body was banned from using its Demonification power instinctively.

The Devils and Demons originated from the River Styx and the two of them were indubitably, mortal enemies. This could be said to be using the power of the River Styx to deal with the callings of the River Styx, it was the only solution I could derive from a problem that should have no solution.

Maybe, there would be one day when Elisa, like the other demon progenies, would be unable to resist the Calling of the Abyss from her blood and just like my dumb brother, she would walk into the gates of the Abyss and Hell, turning completely into a resident of the underworld. But, I hope that with me in the way, that day could be extended indefinitely or at least, I would prevent it from happening as long as I was here.

Anyway, benefits and detriments always came hand-in-hand in this world. Just by relying on this 'Half-Demon' race advantage, Elisa's actual fighting prowess would not lose to any of the other underground city lord's prided Legend-rank fighting prowess.

Elisa was indeed powerful. As a human, Annie was slightly weaker than her. After all, she was just a 19-year old young lady, albeit possessing the strength of a Gold-pinnacle that overwhelmed most human. However, Adam and I were still unsatisfied. In this underground world where experts could be found everywhere, the underground city lords could only be considered to be the average standard.

Right now, Elisa and Annie were still at Gold-pinnacle, stuck on the step of forging their Soul Imprints…

It was hard for outsiders to help them as Soul Imprints required one to slowly grind them into shape. No matter whether it was from fighting or from life, they needed to suffer setbacks and failures to discover their inadequacies, obtaining victories after tough fights to rediscover their talents and confidence. They would require every experience that played a crucial role in their life and while the both of them had exceptional talent, their basics being knocked into place by Adam and me, but what they mainly lacked was experience.

"The Dark Elves won't be easy to deal with but with Margaret and Adam, two SemiGods, as your backing, they won't dare to directly touch you all. Good luck, we don't have much time left… Even with this butterfly causing chao, the day for the underground world's Underground Alliance to invade the surface won't be too far away."

Alright, I should stop with those serious words here.

What I was going to do, if I were to dump it on them, it wouldn't be accumulating experience but outright murder.

As I walked solemnly towards Vance City's Platinum Order Auction House, the sound of chatters could be heard from all locations. But from the moment I walked in, all sound disappeared.

Everyone's gaze was directed towards the figure at the entrance… because, he was simply too bright!

The Silver Light of Order and Light of Law rippled around the robe. The SemiGod Mask brought about the stern demeanor as though everyone was being judged. A bulky yellow-covered book hanging by the waist was shining with the Lines of Rule (of the world) that was exclusive to God Equipment. The worn-out gavel on the other side was also bursting with the radiance of the Power of Law. It was apparent that the gavel was, at the very least, a SemiGod Equipment.

A God Equipment and 3 SemiGod Equipment, even a True God would be tempted. It would be unfathomable if one didn't get robbed going out like that. In the worst-case scenario, the entire underground world might even be involved in the robbery.

Hmph, my goal was to blind them all anyway.

But even a fool would know that those who were capable of bringing these kinds of equipment out would have extremely hard bones.

However, there were always fellows who wanted to try their luck. In the next instant, two thieves who were sent foward by their superiors came out from the shadows and tried to approach me.

"Incantation of Law: Judgement." My luck wasn't bad, this unlucky fellow must have comitted some serious atrocities to shine so red to the point that it was turning black. Thus…

"Incantation of Law: Capital Punishment – Hanging!" Following the 6-circle death penalty verdict, an intangible rope hung him in midair, the only thing left was a little time for the sinner to regret his actions before his legs went limp…

Facing this 6-circle Incantation of Law (Gold-rank) of the Power of Law which targeted criminals, this pitiful Silver-rank Thief didn't even have the time to cry in agony and walked directly into the embrace of death.

Looking at the corpse in front of him, the other unlucky fellow fell limp on to the floor, scared to the point he couldn't stop trembling. After all, before he could even react, his old partner had already somehow died in front of him. On top of that, it was quite a brutal death.

Everyone was prepared for the little soldiers who were testing the waters to die, but no one expected them to die in such an eerie matter. The emptiness that represented the unknown was always the colour which everyone was most wary of.

Ignoring the lucky fellow who survived due to not committing any crime in the last few hours, I walked to the front desk of the auction like it was nobody's business and the path that I walked upon split apart like how Moses split the ocean back then.

"I, am here to auction something. A God Equipment."

Everyone's eyes were on me. The moment that my words rang out, a tsunami seemed to have crashed down. The Auction Hall which was bizarrely quiet a moment ago immediately got drowned in discussions and shouts of shock could be heard from every corner.

Of course they would be shocked and stunned. Putting aside God Equipment, a SemiGod Equipment or even Epic Equipment in an auction could already cause a fearsome storm that would be etched in history. As for auctioning a God Equipment, it was destined to make history.

"AHHH… Auction? Fine, fine, you wanted to auction God Equipment? … GOD Equipment? GOD EQUIPMENT?! YOU SURE?!?!?!"

The poor centaur lady's eyes saw stars and started shouting about with a look which portrayed that she was unable to accept reality and an expression that was broken.

"Un, God Equipment. Congratulations to your auction house, this should be the very first auction for a God Equipment in the underground world. Your Platinum Order Auction House is destined to leave its name in history."

That Centaur lady couldn't care less whether her name would be left in history. When she heard that a God Equipment was really going to be auctioned, her eyes flipped and she immediately fell flat on the floor.

"God Equipment => Worth a lot of money => Many people will to snatch it => If you were to accidentally break it, you can't pay for it in your whole life => Get sold to work as a slave => Get purchased in the slave market by some demon with special interests => Forced to do all sorts of things that make one embarrassed…" This was the train of thoughts that floated in Centaur Anya's mind…

"I don't want to be slave and XXXX." Then, this lass who was quite rich in imagination immediately fainted from her head overheating.

…This kind of matter of important people was hard on a young lady who was obsessed with dimension-travelling novels and just left her farming village 3 months ago.

"Slave? Who? I am not Beifeng, I don't have an interest in you."

Even I didn't expect to meet such a situation. What was wrong with this lady, why was her expression so rich with everything appearing in an instant, and she even shouted such a perverted line…

But now that the auctioneer had fainted, what should I do? Should I come back later?

"Lord, Lord. I… Please hand it over to me. I am the manager here, Carlos. Here's my name card."

A goblin who was well-dressed appeared suddenly, but looking at his bloodshot eyes and messy clothes, it was apparent that he just received the news and rushed here.

"The item that you would like to auction, is it this book?"

Looks like, as the manager of this auction house, Carlos was still pretty good at evaluating items to know that the God Equipment would be surrounded by the Lines of Rule representing it.

But I shook my head and 'pah' I snapped my finger.

A Skeleton Soldier walked out from my back with a black-colored wooden box in its hand.

Then, the box was opened…

The next second, the entire hall was radiated with starlight. Carlos even thought that the box contained a star that was just plucked from the sky until the radiance finally scattered…

It was a black scepter and its body was dull without any trace of extravagance, full of the dust of history. There were even marks from being burnt and frozen. The God Equipment's power seemed to be hidden internally, the only thing shining on it were the silver-colored gems.

Starlight seemed to be jumping from gem to gem, the light also had its own tempo, as though it was a living being.

Compared to the star-like shine of these gems, the expensive inextinguishable lamps lighted with Mermaid Oil in the auction house felt just like the shabby and worthless candles of the Kobolds in comparison.

"God Equipment… it is definitely a God Equipment. Are these stars lighting its Lines of Rule… Wait, it's a scepter!! A SCEPTER!!" Suddenly, Carlos's face steeled and the sharp piercing scream of a goblin resounded in the entire hall.

Looks like my primary objective had been achieved. As an existence who brought about 3 SemiGod Equipment and a God Equipment with him, if I were to take out another God Equipment, most people would subconsciously think that it was real too.

"Yong… YONGYE!!!!! …" He forcefully swallows back the rest of his words. He knew how precious the auction item in front of him is, that was at least the worth of an Empire! He was already starting to envy that rookie who fainted, and was tempted to faint himself and end it all there and then.

"Yes, this is the Eternal Night Scepter." I heartlessly broke the final hope that he had as I looked playfully into the face of despair of the goblin.

"… Eternal Night Scepter?"

My voice wasn't very loud but with everyone on the field looking at us, this level of voice was sufficient. Very quickly, the news about the Eternal Night Scepter reappearing in the world spread across the entire hall.

A large portion of people were stunned, then they expressed the glee of greediness before it was replaced by fear…

"Call everyone to gather and leave, something big is going to happen here!"

"Hurry up and leave. Kai isn't willing to go? Fine, then let's go by ourselves, just leave this fool to die here."

Even if you managed to gain possession of a God Equipment, you would need to be alive to utilize it. Going by the rules of the underground world, a fool who possessed a precious treasure without the strength to match up to it would end up dead sooner or later. When the news that the Scepter had reappeared spread out, many top-tier powers would all crowd in. At that time, it would be too late to leave.

Of course, there would be fools and those who were willing to give up their life for wealth. Many people chose to leave but there were also a few who remained. But, they were still frightened by how the Thief died eerily, so they were too afraid of charging head on.

Towards those who were eyeing it but lacked the courage to act, I ignored them totally and instead, I smiled at the goblin who was holding up the scepter, his hands trembling.

"I only have two requests for the auction. The first is that the auction should be held 30 days from now, 3 in the afternoon. Every individual and power is allowed to attend. Second, if the auction item disappears, I want you all to compensate me with 20 top-tier underground cities including 'Miheu Oasis', 'Cloud Water Box', 'Flying Dragon City'."

"What… Pay, pay… you underground cities? I… don't have underground cities… Miheu, I get it, Lion King!!! You're aiming for the Lion King!"

Alright, that pitiful goblin's eyes immediately flipped white and followed in the footsteps of his subordinate.

He did point out my goal correctly. Of course I came here for Shou. If I wanted to start an auction in this city, how could it do without sufficient backing. The backing for this auction house was the Beastman Sovereign Shou Nuya and the underground cities that I listed were all his properties.

Hearing the name of the Underground Autarch, a few of the 'audience' suddenly regained their rational thinking and their instinctive fear took over, making them choose to leave. At times, knowing too much may also result in death.

"Hey, fainting again. Is there anyone else who can take charge?"

All of the workers who meet my gaze either avoided it or just fell down directly, faking their deaths.

"Haha, isn't this Wumianzhe? It has been long since we last met. You're here to auction something? Fine, we shall accept your deal."

A gruff and grand figure walked through the entrance accompanied by resounding laughter. Before the figure even walked in, the sound was already echoing throughout the hall.

Exactly the same as how I saw him outside Sulfur Mountain City, the single-eyed old Lion had thick hair and his muscles over his body were, unexpectedly, not very exaggerated. The scorpion tail at the back of his head dragged on the floor and that seemingly average black-colored leather armour he wore was actually a Legend-tier armour that was hard to buy with just money itself.

At this point, the old Scorpion-tailed Lion was laughing cheerfully on his domain, seeming to not bother at all about the loss of his soldiers nor about his overwhelming defeat then.

"Hey, old thing, you are still alive. As expected from a man who uses his own soldier as his shield. It must be your thick-skin that saved your life. To think you still dare to appear in front of me, aren't you afraid of me killing you directly?"

One shouldn't reveal one's secret when beating him up1, but I deliberately aimed for all of his weak spots. Instantly, the old lion's face scrunches.

War was an extension of governance. All of the influential figures cared about their image and under normal situations, no matter how intense the secret fights between underground city lords were, if they were to be seated together in public, they would still give the other party some face and interact politely. But, meeting an opponent that didn't give him any face, it was probably the first time he was seeing someone like that and his face steeled immediately.

This might be true under normal circumstances… But why should I give this bastard any face!!

The old lion tightened his grip on the sword behind his back but the next instant, he was blinded by my body of God Equipment.

Shou still remembered that Forbidden Spell that involved the entire city. That formless and majestic eye of the sky, as though as it was prepared to judge everything. Even the Beastman Sovereign felt some fear and couldn't bring up the determination to go all out with me.

"Lord!! Vance City has a pact against fighting!"

Realizing the hesitation of his master, a fox Beastman dressed in a Mage's robe stepped forward, as though reminding his master about the city's rules. In reality, he was providing a way for his own boss to step down.

With someone persuading him, Shou's face gradually relaxed and he released his grip on the sword's handle.

Of course, a neutral city would ban fighting but there were coliseums that allowed one to resolve personal grudges. Furthermore, since when were these domineering Underground Autarchs following any rules?

But the next moment, the surrounding people exclaimed in shock. They dared not believe that the invincible Beastman Sovereign would actually take this lying down. Could it be that the rumour about the Beastman Sovereign having led an army on an expedition and ending up getting wiped clean in a faraway land was true?

Following Shou's style of doing things, to not act up facing other people's ill comments was sufficient to testify the authenticity of the rumours, causing heavy damage to the reputation of this Beastman Sovereign.

But, the single eye that gazed at the surrounding made all of the restless people stop in their tracks… Even if this news was false, there was a high possibility of it getting out. If Shou were to mistake them as the one who spread it, then wouldn't they die wronged?

The single-eyed Beastman Sovereign suppressed his anger, but it was impossible for him to continue interacting with this 'rogue' in front of him. Thus, the fox Beastman, after a meaningful gaze, stepped up.

"Basics in doing business, everyone that comes knocking is a customer, so we sould accept them with smiles on our faces, even if the customer has been rude, don't you agree, Lord Wumianzhe?" This message didn't put themselves down, nor did it anger other people. At the same time, it was a verbal attack, yet it was humorous. It was a very apt message. I laughed in reply, getting us past the vicious words I shot out just now.

Since he provided an opportunity to alleviate the situation, I might as well take it. Anyway, my goal for today was not to fall out with them.

"That is to say, you all are accepting my auction deal?"

"Accept, of course we are accepting."

"Fine, then let's sign an agreement using mine."

That little fox took the sheepskin agreement and his face turned white in an instant. On it, the language of the Devils of Hell was used instead of the usual common language. This was an agreement belonging to the Devils.

The agreements on it was just like what I had said, number 1, the auction is to be held 30 days later, number 2, if the scepter is lost, 20 cities had to be paid to me. The only thing different was that I added another restrictive clause that if none of the two terms were fulfilled, then the person who signed the deal would fall into River Styx, unable to redeem themselves.

To humans and Beastman, swearing to the River Styx was no different from swearing to the sun, none of it was effective anyway. But to the Malevolent Gods, Demons and Devils who lived in the Underworld2, their power and live originated from the River Styx. If they were to go against the promise they made to River Styx, even the Spider Queen Lorci would be reduced to a tiny little spider.

Of course, my message in taking out this contract was clear, that the Beastman Sovereign was a Demon wearing the cloak of a Beastman…

The little fox passed the contract quivering to Shou then, he was sent flying by the enraged Beastman Sovereign.

But as he grasped the contract, he hesitated. The power backing him seemed to be extremely interested in this scepter and if he were to let go of it…

"If you don't accept the deal, then I shall head over to the Black Pearl Auction House next door." I made a timely increase in stakes.

The Black Pearl Auction House was backed by another Underground Autarch Ainsterna Eduar and the power behind him were the Devils. No matter how you looked at it, from their background or the way they were vying to become the leader of the Underground Alliance, Shou and Ainsterna were destined to be archenemies.

If Ainsterna were to successfully hold the auction and ally with Sulfur Mountain City, that would make it a 3V1 situation and Molly wasn't completely reliable… No, the worst situation was him successfully unlocking the secrets of the Eternal Night Scepter within the 30 days.

But then, Shou naturally thought that if Ainsterna could be able to unlock its secret, shouldn't he be able to do the same too? Even if his Black Shaman subordinates weren't really skilled in this aspect, but he had Lich underlings as well. If that wasn't enough… He could ask for help from the one behind him!

"No… If I really were to uncover Lord Yongye's secret to his strength, I could became the 2nd Lord Yongye, then would I still needed his support?"

In the face of treasure, countless thoughts were running through his brain and in the end, they all converged into just one.

"I'll sign. But before I sign, I wanted to check the good."

"Of course."

Thus, I tried my best to hold in my laughter. Why? No matter how those Mages would try to phrase their question, the answers would still end up as 'yes', 'YES3', 'true' and the thought of it was just hilarious.

While leaving with the signed contract, I threw a last message at him.

"You… might regret it."

Within my expectations, an angry roar reminiscent of a Lion's could be heard from my back.

"The Beastman Sovereign NEVER regrets!!"

Fine, let me continue to hold in my laughter a bit more…

That night, I heard that the old Lion was confined in his study for an entire night and he casually killed 7 strategists with the little fox included in the mix, 8 Mages and 6 Black Shamans. When he finally stepped out, repeated mumbles of him saying 'although I have heard the sound of the breathing, how do I activate this' could be heard.

That night, I also heard that the old Lion suffered numerous attacks at the auction so he moved to the military barracks. Even so, there were more than 30 attempts at burglary, 5 military mutinies and 4 assaults from other underground city lords…

In that night alone, it was said that most of the underground city lords began to rush to Vance to prepare for the auction 30 days later. Of course, the ones making the move with them was their army.

That night, it was said that all of the Necromancers and Thieves went mad and the tunnel heading to Vance was filled with all kinds of dangerous personnel. At the same time, someone sent a report that an Undead Lord coming from the surface was spotted.

Rumours had it that on the 2nd day, the old Lion's hair turned white overnight, and he looked like he had aged 10 years…

As for me, I looked at the sky which was starting to have traces of white as I waited for morning to come.

"The wind has finally started blowing… but this is merely the beginning."