"I can only hope my sister didn’t change the code for entering the black market." Zeres sighed in front of the mirror. Fixing his ties, he was trying to be presentable so that even if the code words have changed—he could bribe them.

"Still, atleast the noise had become more bearable" he mumbled. During the past week, he was slowly getting used to the senses of a vampire, and it was quite fast at that.

"I thought the more the Assimilation percentage the more likely I’d be consumed by my own thirst for blood" he breathed a sigh of relief.

Staring at the full body mirror, Zeres smiled arrogantly. "At least I’ve got the looks" he puffed his chest slightly before stepping out of his own dormitory.

_______________

"Is it here? " Zeres stared at a small hut, it’s roof were barely hanging.

’A really nice illusion spell’ A smile tugged at his lips as he walked slowly towards the hut. He then twisted the door knob as he stepped in.

It was dark inside, only the candles illuminating the dark space

"This place isn’t an open where you can just enter" a deep voice echoed behind him. Turning his head, a tall man stood there proudly—his head reaching the roofs and a massive sword hung on his shoulders.

’Perfect’ Zeres smiled politely, his eyes drifting around them. "The blue moon shone across Lilith" he said calmly.

The tall man stilled for a moment, his eyes narrowing before he nodded then tossed him a robe. "That robe can fool senses so you won’t be recognized."

"I’ll guide you through the destination" the tall man said flatly, then he strode off.

_______________

"Huh? " Zeres’ eyes widened. He had been led into a luxurious room.

"Please call us if you need anything" a woman dressed in a thight crimson blazer and a short skirt bowed at him before she left.

"Did my sister really changed the code? " he ruffled his long hair as a breath escaped through his nose. He glanced at his side, there was a massive glass there, the room stood tall—overlooking the entirety of the auction.

"Atleast the code changed just slightly. I was even mistakened as a VIP" Zeres laughed lightly. His hands grabbing the glass of wine they’d offer to him.

’Am I too early? ’ he stared blankly at the auction podium and the seat below, it was quite empty.

"I’ll just drink then"

Minutes passed and the auction was now brimming with customers. They all sat quietly around the arranged seats.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to today’s auction" a woman dressed in a tight crimson off-shoulder dress stepped on the podium, her gait confident.

"Such distinguished guests have arrived today. I’m guessing you’re all here for ’that’ item." She smiled sweetly, then her hand directed to the side.

"Now then, let’s begin the auction! "

The man removed the fabric and a thick white leather hide appeared.

"The first item is a Moonstag Hide leather. It’s also used as one of the most expensive cloaks on the North. The bidding will start at 50 Havens! "

Zeres unconsciously leaned forward. His eyes narrowing into slits before he sighed. "Fuck, so this auction is for nobles"

He had observed quite a lot of the people gathering down there. Thy all wore expensive robes, even their perfumes managed to reach his nostrils.

"75 Havens from customer 57! "

"Anymore? " the woman’s sweet voice echoed as the bidding continued.

"Well, either way. I’ll just bid when I see something worth the price" he drank another wine as he leaned heavily on the couch.

"Sold for 160 Havens! "

"The next product is... A gargoyles eyes! " the woman announced, her voice carrying across the entire auction as a table was being pushed through the podium. The man then pulled the cloth, revealing two eyeballs—it was ashen in color like the stones.

"This will be good as a formula for some potions!" The crowd stillee for a moment before a chaos ensured, all frantically raising their bids.

"The bid will start at 150 Havens! "

"Ohh? We already have someone who bid 200 Havens! "

’Idiots’ Zeres sneered. The gargoyles eyes won’t work without their blood—he knew that one details cause it was one of his favorite parts.

He shook his head as a mocking smiled appeared on his face. "It seems they all think the petrification of Gargoyles will still work"

The bid continued, yet none of it caught Zeres’ interest.

"Now, moving on to our last product.’The necklace of Divine! "

Zeres blurted out the wine on his mouth as his eyes widened. "Why is that here? That item, it will be one day the key for the Saintess to unlock her potential.

"Ahh, right. It was given to her on third volume" Zeres nodded, but that time was too long, Zeres wanted all of the named characters to grew stronger quickly as he know nothing about the ending.

"This item was said to possessed pure Holy mana" the woman continued. All crowds held their breath as the woman spoke slowly.

"Now, for the last item. The bid will start at one thousand Havens"

"Ohh, VIP no. 05 offered an amount of four thousand Havens!" The woman smiled sweetly. But the crowds were silent, it was obvious who the bidder was, it was the holy church!

"Should I have a little fun? " Zeres smiled as he leaned back.

"Seven thousand" he said flatly.

The crowd went still, their head all turning at the balcony where Zeres sat, comfortably sipping a wine.

’You sent someone to investigate on me. Then I might as well mess you up’ a smiled tugged at his lips as he stared down.

"Seven thousand, is there more? " the woman smiled nervously. She could already feel the tension between the two VIP’s above.

"Eight thousand" a voice echoed from the balcony of VIP no. 05.

"Then Eight thousand—"

"Ten thousand" Zeres tapped the arm chair of the couch. He was enjoying his moment, he wanted to see the church squirm like rats.

’Well, it’s mine now. It’s not like the holy church is rich to begin with’ he shook his head slightly before he leaned back.

The auction was silent. Then the woman wiped the sweat that had formed on her forehead.

"Ten thousand, anymore? "

No response came. Only unnerving silence filled with tension.

"Then sold for VIP no. 16! "