Auction

When they arrived at Monster Village within the three days, they checked into a nearby inn.

"I hear there's an auction taking place not far from here, so it's good to keep close to the area." Syth says.

"Did you notice? There's a lot of mixed animal races but I didn't see any humans." Sun pointed out.

"Yeah...I happened to notice that as well." He says thoughtfully.

Sun looked out the window at the streets filled with the abundance of monsters, demons, and demi-humans. It really was odd that for a village that welcome humans there weren't a single one. "How long ago was it that you said you visited this village?" She asked.

Syth touched his chin while in thought, "I think. a month?" He wasn't sure.

"Perhaps they just didn't come," Roscha says.

Sun had this odd feeling in the pit of her stomach. It was clear something was off with this village. Though, she couldn't put a finger on it.

Syth seemed to notice, "Is everything fine, Master?" He asked.

Sun glanced back at him, "It's nothing."

She walked over and sat down on the bed, "Perhaps I'm just sensitive today." She stated.

"So, where is the auction taking place?" Roscha asked.

"It'll be taking place in a back alley dimension. Last I heard, they're letting in all kinds of low-level beings as well. I should be able to get in." He says.

"Why in every fantasy trope there happens to be an auction in a dark alley?" Sun wondered aloud.

"What was that, Master?" Syth asked.

"Nothing. Back to what you said. When shall we go?"

"Now should be fine. We should hurry before all the good seats are taken." Syth says.

"Then let's go. I don't want to waste anymore time." Sun agrees.

They arrived at the spot where the auction will take place. The alley was dark and quiet with no trace of monsters or humans in sight. Just like the rest of Monster Village.

"You would think we would see even monsters lined up here to enter the auction." Syth muttered.

They stood before a wall in the alley. One could see a black portal embedded into the wall. They headed inside where they were introduced to a wave of monsters sitting in rows before an open space. There was an odd sensation in the air. 

"Is it me or do something feel off?" Sun asked as she made her way to find her a spot to sit.

"It's definitely no just you." Syth added a bit wary of the situation.

Not a single monster seemed to be aware of their presence. Instead they're attention seemed focused up ahead.

"Master, look." Syth stared to where all the monsters attention seemed to be.

Sun followed his gaze and was shocked to see on the far wall something black was gathering. "What the hell...is that?" She asked.

"Black Mana." Roscha says.

"Black Mana? Not Dark Mana? What exactly is the difference?" Sun asked.

"It's control Magic used by higher Demons. It's a magic that's ranked S Grade. Why it's here, that's a different question." Syth added.

"It could also mean the reason why there are no humans around. They were probably used as a sacrifice to this demon, since that's the only way it could be summoned." Roscha explained.

A demon? Sun stared at the black magic gathering in one place and felt her heart pounding uncontrollably. But it wasn't from fear. It's that sensation of discovering something interesting. If it's a demon, wouldn't that mean it's strong? There were suddenly sparkles in her eyes.

Syth noticed it. Her growing excitement, and the feel of her dark magic seeping out. He slightly trembled. Because for him, who's only human, her mana was powerful stuff. They noticed it, the demon emerging from that black space. It started with a black arm in the shape of a shadow, then it's head, until it had managed to pull itself out.

The fact they were still sitting here as though nothing was happening. That's when Sun stood her gaze seemed unfocused, "it's beautiful!" She exclaimed with a smile that says she was in love.

"Don't tell me...it's that again?" Syth asked.

"No. It's something different. I think...she's attracted by its strength this time." Roscha says.

Syth frowned, "it's strength? Why it's strength?" He asked.

"Well...if I want to go on something, she seems to be awakening something annoying." Roscha answered.

That feeling of something strong! It's pouring inside of Sun. She couldn't help the smile on her lips as she stared at it like it was her prey.

"Is it me or is she always going through some kind of weird faze?" Syth asked.

"It's not just you."

The seed has been planted. It won't be long before she realizes her fetish for fighting strong foes. The stronger the better. They call these type of people, Battle Junkies. On top of her obsession with high amounts of mana, it's the same as wanting to see how strong her foes are.

It'll be a hell of a headache moving forward.

"She won't be able to win against that. She's not level twenty yet, it's better if she can evolve to the next evolution stage before taking on high leveled monsters.

"What level would you say it's under?" Syth asked.

"Finally. I have awakened. Hm? What's this? Survivors?" It spoke with an eerie and non-soothing tone.

"Survivors? What are you talking about? Wait..." Syth glanced around at the unmoving monsters.

"They're dead. All of them, there's not a single trace of life among them." Roscha says feeling heavy. It would have been better if she had sensed it earlier.

The demon yawned, its red eyes seemed to show a bored expression until it laid eyes on Sun. "Oho? what's this? A Succubus in a world that has long demolished them?" It asked.

Syth quickly stepped in front of her, "she's none of your concern demon!" He shouted.

The demon's aura shot out in waves that could kill even a giant ogre if it wanted to. If not for the shield thrown up by the Goddess they'd be dead. "I detest humans. Can you believe I made these monsters offer me all those pesky things as nourishment for my awakening? I'm a little ticked off. Unless you want to die, Human. I advise you to stay out of my way!" It looked ready to back up its statement.

Sun touched her lip an erotic expression on her face, "did you say all the humans were eaten by you?" She asked. Instead of feeling any type of mourning for the humans who had died she was more interested in the numbers that were swallowed.

How many did it swallow? It sounded like it was a nice amount. Does that mean it may be even stronger than the aura it's letting out? Should she fight it to find out? Before she could so much as move, the demon was suddenly only inches from her face. Despite it being this close to her, instead of feeling the fear most monsters or humans would have, she only felt impressed.

"You are interesting. I don't feel a sense of fear coming from you. But there seems to be a strong power that I can't put a finger on." It says.

Perhaps it could feel the power of the Moon Goddess? Being able to sense something like a God, it must be really powerful.

"I see, it's your dark mana."

Nope. Despite the red words above its head, she was certain he was no more than five to ten levels above hers. How disappointing that it's not on the same level of a God.