Chapter 87 – Auction Starts.

“Are you going to take part?”

“Me? Nah, why would I waste my money on the entrance fee?”

“But there might be something good there.”

“Hah, be my guest. Go fight it out with those rich merchants and high-level adventurers if you want. I’m saving that silver for some beer.”

“Now that sounds like a good investment. Count me in!”

The two men laughed as they eyed the small line of people gathered outside the local auction house, waiting for it to open. Today was the day of the grand auction, but the only way in was by paying a steep entrance fee – a clear attempt to keep poorer patrons from participating.

Rusty was nearing the end of his journey. Two days had passed, and now, after braving the lower labyrinth floors and battling the toughest orcs and lizardmen, he stood before the grand auction house. His worn metallic frame was patched up, gleaming faintly in the soft light of the evening sun. He’d done it. He’d gathered the gold he needed. It wasn’t easy – pushing himself to the brink, taking on groups of stronger monsters, and trading the spoils of war. But now, the moment of truth had arrived.

The auction house was grand, towering above the market square, with golden accents and banners fluttering in the breeze, bearing the symbol of Luxe Auction House. Rusty watched as the well-dressed crowd mingled and gossiped, exchanging knowing glances and discussing their latest acquisitions. Some looked like nobility but there were also others like him, wearing bulky armor and clearly adventurers. They were all gathered here with one goal: to win something rare and valuable. But for Rusty, it wasn’t about treasure. His prize was much more personal – the chance to save Gleam, his friend and only companion.

Rusty had shifted into his Albert form, appearing as an unremarkable yet well-armored adventurer, blending seamlessly into the crowd. As he stood there, memories of Gleam, his small ant companion, resurfaced. He remembered how she had fought fiercely to save him in the dungeon’s depths and the caves below. Twice she had saved his life – once by carrying his helmet away from the monster beetles, and another time by rescuing him from the spiders. However, she had been captured by humans and had been missing ever since. Today, Rusty vowed to finally end all of this and bring her back.

He approached the entrance, catching a glimpse of the rich crowd, some eyeing him with suspicion, others ignoring him entirely. The entrance fee was steep, but Rusty had more than enough to pay it now. He handed over the coins, and the guards stepped aside, allowing him entry.

‘This is supposed to be a grand auction house? It looks like an overgrown shack.’

‘It looks fine to me.’

‘Hah, not that I expected you to have an eye for these things, hero.’

While waiting, Rusty heard Aburdon and Alexander’s voices echoing inside his helmet. He wasn’t truly alone as the spirits of both the deceased demon and the hero were with him today. Rusty had chosen to bring them along for this occasion, uncertain of what the day might hold. Each guide had their strengths and weaknesses. They were constantly bickering and clashing with one another but if it meant getting Gleam back, Rusty was willing to endure their arguments. Between the two of them, one was bound to have the right answer for whatever lay ahead.

‘Quiet down you two, you’re making me nervous!’

‘Are you turning more human, I didn’t think suits of armor could become nervous?’

Aburdon responded in a slightly mocking tone. Rusty wasn’t sure if he was nervous as he only knew the word existed and that this seemed like a moment when a person might feel that way. His body lacked the physiology to experience emotions like a true human, but for some reason, a strange tingling sensation spread through his helmet. It was similar to what he felt when facing a powerful opponent capable of ending his life.

Rusty took his place in the queue and waited patiently. The auction was set to begin in about an hour, but a large crowd had already gathered. One thing he noticed was that there were two entrances, and one allowed people to enter much faster. A closer look revealed a difference between the two lines: in his line, most were adventurers or modest merchants wearing worn-out clothes, while the other entrance was filled with better-dressed individuals who didn’t resemble warriors or any adventurer types he had seen before.

‘This must be the class divide Alexander spoke about.’

After arriving in the city, Rusty had worked hard to fit in, and part of that meant understanding the local culture. The people of various intelligent races seemed to divide themselves into groups. Some of these divisions were based on race, but others depended on wealth. Adventurers were a unique group, mingling with each other regardless of race or background. But above them all were the nobles – people who commanded respect and were not to be offended.

The nobility were the true rulers here, a hard pill to swallow for someone like Rusty, who was a monster. In his world, strength or victory in battle determined who was right. Yet, time and again, he had encountered weak individuals who were feared and revered, protected by much stronger guards who could easily slay them. It was baffling. The world wasn’t only driven by the greed for money but by strange blood ties and inherited power – concepts he, as living armor, couldn’t fully grasp.

“Please, present your coins. If you do not have the entrance fee, kindly move along,” a voice called out, breaking his thoughts.

Eventually, he arrived at the front of the queue, and Rusty reached into his pouch, handing over the required coins. The guard glanced at them, then nodded in approval, allowing Rusty to step inside. The Luxe Auction House interior was vastly different from its unassuming exterior – a grand hall stretched before him, illuminated by glowing orbs of light suspended in midair. Rows of cushioned seats lined the room, each facing a grand stage draped in crimson curtains. Above, intricate chandeliers sparkled, casting an ethereal glow over the hushed crowd that had already gathered.

Rusty scanned the room. A lot of the attendees were wealthy merchants or perhaps nobles, their affluence evident in their extravagant outfits and the entourage of servants or bodyguards accompanying them. They sat in personal booths overlooking the lower level of the auction, where Rusty needed to find a free spot among the other regular adventurers.

The venue was neat and clean, with guards stationed almost everywhere. He took a moment to assess his surroundings and had his guides check for the best escape routes. Retrieving Gleam had been his mission from the start, and he intended to see it through, even if it meant resorting to drastic measures. While weapons weren’t permitted, armor was allowed. He had been thoroughly searched for any hidden weapons and was eventually granted entry. However, this didn’t concern him; by activating one of his loadouts, he could be fully armed with everything he needed.

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Rusty had prepared various contingencies for a quick getaway if the attendees refused to return Gleam. Although Alexander disapproved of the idea, Rusty was ready to unleash poison, darkness, and alchemical bombs if it meant getting his friend back. He had no intention of living as an adventurer and would flee at the first opportunity. But that was merely a contingency plan – something to be executed only in a time of crisis.

His guides, Aburdon and Alexander, had finished checking for potential threats and escape routes. Their voices were hushed now as they quietly observed the unfolding scene. The auction hadn’t started yet, so he took the opportunity to listen in on the conversations around him.

“What are you aiming for?”