-Mysterious Dungeon(6)-

“What?” Everyone looked at Kenshin in disbelief. They hadn’t expected such a suggestion coming from him. They expected him to fight for it and may even use his status against them. However, they have never expected him to suggest this.

“What? Don’t you guys want that as well?” Kenshin was confused as to why this group was giving him that look. ‘Did I say something weird?’ Even Kenshin himself felt self-conscious. But Kenshin wasn’t wrong. Compared to others, he was very understanding.

“I think it’s a sound suggestion.” Osamu agreed with Kenshin. But Kunita, Matsuri, and Toru had other plans. They were indeed trying to buy it cheaply here and sell it outside at astronomical prices. It was especially so for Matsuri, who proposed this idea in the first place. Her brows furrowed as she looked with a frown towards Kenshin. Her thoughts were unknown for the time being.

“That’s not possible. What if we don’t want it for ourselves?” Toru questioned. He was from a humble background. After becoming a hunter, he tested power and god addicted to it. He desired more. However, his strength was not up to par. Even after so many years, he still couldn’t level up. Though he knew he had taken an unusual path, it shouldn’t be this hard to awaken, right?

This skill book was the ticket to his desires. He could exchange it for a higher position in DCB or even some private guilds. Kunita’s thoughts were also similar to him. As for Matsuri, it was a little bit complicated.

“If you want it for someone else. We can auction it outside.” Kenshin shook his head. He wasn’t a fool. Toru’s desires were written all over his face. His greed was unmasked. “Sigh, alright. Who wants to learn this skill?” Kenshin asked in order to set the priorities first.

“I want to learn it.” Tadaka came forward. As everyone faced him, he explained himself, “I excel at debuff magic. What I lack is an offensive skill. This book looks like an offensive skill to me. No matter the cost, I want to buy it.”

Kenshin nodded at him and looked around, “Who else?”

Hiroshi looked interested, but Kunita’s glare shut him up. Kenshin laughed derisively in his heart when he saw it. Their intentions couldn’t be any more obvious.

“Those who agree with me, raise your hand,” Kenshin called for a vote. He was sure this couldn’t be solved any other way.

Joy, Chiba, Kenshin, and Tadaka raised their hands. Kenshin nodded, though a bit surprised because Osamu didn’t raise his hand. But he didn’t mind it much. He wouldn’t lose out either way. He had seen way too many situations like this and knew how to steer it to his advantage. From the beginning, he subtly manipulated the whole thing.

“Those who don’t, please raise your hands.” This time four hands were raised. It was even.

“What about you two?” Kenshin asked the remaining two who didn’t raise their hands. He wanted to know their view on this. Douglas looked contemplative for a while then he came to a decision. Raising his hand, he said, “I am against your way of doing things.”

“Okay. What about you?” Matsuri asked.

Osamu, as the sole tie-breaker, had everyone’s attention at the moment. As the only person whose decision could break this awkward atmosphere, he felt he had to think seriously. It was not a lie to say that he didn’t agree with Kenshin because he did.

Not every hunter was equally wealthy. Masturi and others’ way of doing things would yield in only one party striking it rich. The party with deep pockets will bag the rewards ultimately. However, the method Kenshin suggested would ensure everyone’s rewards. They would collectively gain from it instead of just one party reaping the benefits.

But choosing to side with Kenshin means this tie-up would never break. He couldn’t think of a way to break this without conflicting with others’ interests. As he thought of this problem more, the more he felt siding with Matsuri and others would be wise. It was because Kenshin wasn’t a local and would eventually return to Mito. However, he would forever stay in this town. It wouldn’t be wise for him to have conflicts with his fellow townmates for the sake of an outsider.

‘Sigh! Why is it so hard? We just entered the dungeon, and the conflicts already started.’ Osamu blamed his luck. Scratching his neck, he searched for the right words to explain his thoughts and reasonings. “I am with them.” He pointed towards the majority then smiled apologetically at Kenshin and others.

“Alright. If that’s what you want.” Kenshin didn’t feel angry about it. He already had a hunch as to why Osamu sided with him, and he didn’t blame him for that. If he sided with him and it offends them, he would be the one to suffer later.

Matsuri and the others leaked out a smile. That smile was laced with challenges towards Kenshin and the group. Especially Matsuri, who craned her neck and stuck her nose high, feeling proud of her achievement.

Toru laughed and said, “Since the majority has agreed to auction it here without any strange conditions, We will start it here and now.” Everyone aside from Kenshin’s group nodded their head. “Let’s start the auction then.” Toru cleared his throat and continued, “A magic skill book is priceless. But that won't do. We have to start from a price, or else how can we auction?”

He paused for a while and looked into everyone’s face. Letting loose another smile, he pointed his index finger up and said, “How about we start the pricing from one hundred thousand golds? Each bid shouldn’t be any less than five thousand golds. I will go first and place my bid first. One hundred and fifty golds.”

“155,000” Matsuri did her bid.

“200,000” Tadaka made his bid. He wanted this book desperately. Awakening a skill from one’s effort was entirely dependent on their lucks. Moreover, he had already gone through his Awakening process. Gaining a skill would only become harder. He could only wait for his Second Awakening, but how long would that take? Months? Years? Can he even achieve it before he died?

“250,000” Kunita made his bid.

While everyone made their respective bids, Kenshin and his party mates stood to the side and watched the spectacle. Chiba frowned and said, “I don’t like their attitudes.”

“Me too,” Although he was unhappy with the turn of events, Joy didn’t show his temper. If it was him from the past, he would have already gone and punched these guys black and blue. As for consequences, he wouldn’t give a damn about that. If troubles come his way later, then only he would think of a solution. However, after joining Kenshin, his temper had mellowed a lot. And Chiba’s arrival only made him calmer.

He didn’t want to teach the wrong things to a young girl.

“You guys shouldn’t think too much.” Kenshin smiled and gave his two cents on the matter. With narrowed eyes, he spectated the bidding as if it was a comedy show. Looking at them he continued, “Have you guys ever played online 5vs5 games?”

“I do.” Chiba raised her hand excitedly. Then she blushed in shame when everyone looked at her weirdly. Her voice was a little too loud. “I kind of like competitive games like that.”