Demonic Auctioneer

Even though the demon tattoo spirit could only be used a single time, its value was obvious. Not only that, but since Deon possessed three of these spirits, the other shamans in the auction began to have their own speculations.

"Since this is a spirit that I refined myself, I naturally have more on my person. However, I plan to sell the other two along with the recipe after our trade. Is sir interested in exchanging his spirit and recipe for my three spirits?"

Deon was not just speaking to this one individual now, but to the entire hall. He was merely using this first trade to advertise his product, since he had managed to grab everyone's attention.

"If you throw in the recipe, then I'll-"

"Not happening." Deon cut the masked man off before he could even finish speaking. "Since I have five of these spirits on me, it should be fairly obvious that I refined them myself. As for the recipe, it's something quite simple. I dare to guarantee that any spirit refiner will be able to confirm its authenticity within at most ten days."

The gazes which were focussed on Deon became increasingly heated. There was no real way of confirming the authenticity of a demon type spirit recipe until trying the refinement yourself countless times, but since he had so many copies of this spirit, it basically proved that it was easy enough to refine!

Even in most demonic inheritances, there wouldn't be this many copies of a single demonic spirit, unless it was the inheritance of a 4-Star of above shaman of course. But such an inheritance was exceedingly rare, it was far more likely that this was just an easy-to-refine spirit!

In the end, the seller hesitated, but ended up agreeing to his suggested deal after Deon refused to budge. Terros looked bitter when Deon did not sit back down, but stayed standing up and took out another two demon tattoo spirits, along with a curled up scroll.

"Everyone has already seen and heard everything there is to know about these spirits. Whilst the effect is simple, the recipe is also extremely simple. In fact, I have heard that in the past, the auction house has offered a certain service…"

The auctioneer quickly understood what Deon was getting at, saying:

"Sir shaman is saying that he is willing to refine this spirit under the watch of our organisation?"

"That is correct." Deon nodded. "In fact, if everyone is willing to wait, I am truthfully able to refine this spirit with a 100% success rate in less than half an hour."

"What?!"

"Bullshit, who can say they have a 100% success rate with any spirit, no matter a demon type spirit?"

"Spouting such nonsense, truly asking for his own death…"

…

Deon didn't mind the chatter that broke out for the first time. Even the auctioneer didn't believe his words, but he treated Deon respectfully nonetheless.

"Then let us not waste anytime. As for the ingredients…"

"You will supply them in exchange for the spirit that I successfully produce."

"And if sir fails the refinement?"

"Then I will compensate you with ten times the materials' worth." Deon said.

'It's a cheap refinement though…' He thought to himself.

"Then right this way sir."

Deon was led away under the mocking gazes of 60 odd shamans. At first, they felt some respect towards this person; he clearly had some abilities, regardless of how he ended up with these five demon tattoo spirits. Now though, they simply thought that he was overestimating himself, a naive thing to do in front of tens of demonic path shamans.

Terros was sweating heavily for the entire time that Deon was away with the auctioneer. So many people were watching him right now, making him feel extremely uncomfortable…when Deon returned just 20 minutes later, some people rolled their eyes, others snorted coldly, believing that he had failed.

"I can confirm that everything sir shaman has said is the truth. The refinement of this spirit is simple and cheap, whilst the recipe is 100% legitimate. The lord of the demonic auction even personally chose to purchase this recipe and the produced spirit, due to his admiration of sir shaman's ability and demeanour."

The hall fell into silence. After taunting him just now, who had the nerve to say anything at this moment?

The fact that he really did succeed with a single attempt of the refinement was just…

It had to be dumb luck…right?

"In truth, lord shaman actually refined the spirit twice…or rather, he refined three spirits, the second two were dual refined in separate cauldrons, proving the simplicity of the refinement."

"…"

Nobody was able to say anything. Those who had disdained Deon before now felt their throats dry up. Not only was he an expert spirit refiner, but he was even a dual spirit refiner! Not only that, but this really did prove beyond any doubt that the refinement was simple and had a high success rate!

Deon turned to face the crowd with a mocking smile. Of course, nobody could see his expression below his new concealment spirit mask.

"Everyone, as I stated before, this recipe is very simple and cheap. Now that this fact has been confirmed along with the authenticity of the spirit, I would like to proceed with the sale of the recipe along with the two spirits. As for the other two spirits that I refined just now, I will be selling them both individually after this sale."

After another moment of silence, the hall immediately became lively once again.

"300 3-Star drop spirits!"

"I have two different 1-Star demon type spirits along with their recipes!"

"I have information regarding the location of a 2-Star demonic inheritance!"

…

Previously, Deon would have been stunned by the sudden explosion of insanely high bids. It was merely a 1-Star spirit recipe with two copies of the spirit itself included, but he understood that they were attracted by the simplicity of the refinement. In fact, based on how easily he refined it, these people even guessed that this might be the world's easiest demon type spirit to refine…gaining this recipe could be life changing!

However, after his experience just now, even the rapidly escalating bids didn't shake Deon's heart…

When he followed the auctioneer into a side room, they both sat down opposite from one another.

"The lord of the auction is watching. You may proceed with the refinement now." The auctioneer spoke in that same concealed voice. Even now that Deon was sat just a couple of feet away, he was still unable to tell if they were male or female.

He stared at this person at first, before silently refining a single version of the spirit in around ten minutes. He succeeded with ease, using the auctioneer's supplied materials.

Despite their aura being hidden and their face obscured from view behind a mask, Deon could tell that the auctioneer was moved. Or rather, anyone would feel moved after witnessing such an easy refinement!

"Can you refine another? If you are able to, I will pay you for the complete recipe." The auctioneer had asked.

It was near impossible to deduce a spirit's refinement recipe just by watching someone refine the spirit a single time, however, they would certainly gain some clues from such a simplistic refinement were they to observe it twice. That said, Deon decided to take the risk and 'trust' them.

Deon's 'trust' was really just a calculated risk. Even if they went back on their word and they stole the recipe, he wouldn't really lose anything significant.

And so, he dual refined the spirit, shocking the auctioneer even more heavily. In this moment, Deon had suddenly broken out in cold sweat as he felt a shocking gaze weighing down on him. Until now, the masked individual had not exerted any pressure, nor used any spirits…

But when they acted, they released their full 3-Star aura, whilst using a powerful 3-Star investigation spirit! Before this sudden invasion, Deon was completely helpless, but luckily, it didn't last for long. He was not disrupted badly, and thankfully, the refinement was a success.

'The auctioneer is almost certainly also the lord of the auction!' Deon thought to himself, but said nothing and waited for the auctioneer to speak.

After he finished the refinement successfully, the masked individual made Deon an offer that he was unable to refuse.

"I will buy this recipe and these three spirits for 1,000 3-Star drop spirits. I would also like to invite you to join an exploration party into a 4-Star demonic inheritance, two years from now. The condition for my offer is that you do not sell this recipe within this auction, nor in the city. When you return to the auction, state that you will only exchange the recipe for definitive proof of a demonic inheritance, this way, the trade will fail. You may sell the remaining spirits within the auction, but no more than these two. If you refuse my offer, I will kill you here and now."

Indeed, he really couldn't refuse this offer…he didn't have the choice to refuse. His refusal could potentially spell his immediate death, but even after he agreed and received his payment on the spot, Deon was left feeling uneasy to say the least.

'Sigh, there's a good chance that I will be targeted as soon as I leave the auction. However, if I'm not targeted…it means that they were telling the truth about the 4-Star inheritance!'

He was both apprehensive and excited. His hope was that this person wouldn't act too audaciously within the city, as this mysterious organisation was forced to remain in the shadows amongst the righteous majority, even with a powerful 3-Star backer. If they wanted to kill him, it would have made more sense to do so away from prying eyes…but perhaps that would damage their reputation.

Due to their sudden change in attitude towards him after using the unknown investigatory spirit, Deon assumed that they had seen through many of his spirits, and likely the fact that his core spirit was a high class demon type spirit. Perhaps this was why they invited him to the inheritance…or perhaps, the allure of the inheritance was merely incentive for Deon to keep his side of the bargain, not selling this recipe to anyone else.

Back in the auction hall, he bitterly announced amongst the midst of the bidding:

"I am only willing to exchange this recipe for confirmed proof of an unexplored demonic inheritance ground."

The hall immediately became silent. Naturally, nobody was able to provide absolute proof of such a thing, nor would they be willing to even if they had it.

It was a shame, but if he did not agree to do this, he would already be dead. Anyway, he had made an enormous profit inns previous transaction with the lord of the auction!

So long as he could leave this place alive, Deon would be rich!