*BOOM! CRASH!

The muffled sound of thunder rang from the outside. The windows revealed a gloomy sky and grey clouds. The heavy rain poured on the windows, giving soft sounds. One would unconsciously feel safer in the building in such weather, but instead, everybody was feeling tense now, the reason being...

 - 25 gold!

The city lord thundered. The strike of thunder and the city lord's voice rang at the same time, causing everyone to unconsciously fear this unyielding figure.

Threatening was prohibited in the auction as it would get you banned, but clever people could use other methods as a force of deterrence.

 The loud and unyielding voice made it clear, he was determined to get the item and those who would stand in his way wouldn't come off too well. To emphasize his forceful stance, he even rose the price by a whole 5 gold coins!

Who would dare to anger the local lord in his own domain? No wise would, hence the silence descended.

Lorian's heart sank as the thing that he was afraid of happened. If no cannon fodder appeared, he would be forced to take it upon himself and enter indirect confrontation much earlier than intended.

 - Humph, 26 gold.

Lorian's heart eased upon hearing the sneering voice.

The voice belonged to Keles, the middle-aged representative of Baron Mollie's house. Clearly, he wasn't the least bit afraid of the city lord.

''Seems my interference is no longer required.''

Lorian silently heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed in his seat.

As for the city lord, his expression couldn't help but sour as he glared at Keles angrily.

Keles glared back with a gaze full of ridicule, then completely ignored him.

The city lord forced down his rage and restored the calm expression. Since the opponent wasn't subdued with authority, he could only compete with money. However, the grudge took shape in his heart.

- 27.

- 28.

- 29.

The voice of the duo rang one after another. They seemed like bickering children. They were having a competition of wealth and patience. None of them rose the price by multiple tens even if they could afford it.

- 78.

A hint of impatience could already be detected in the city lord's voice. He already cursed the middle-aged bastard's eighteen generations in his mind. His heart bled as the price long since surpassed the reasonable amount.

Life is as such. One weeps, while others are joyful.

Lorian couldn't be more happy with the happenings.

- It seems the lord is really determined. This old one admires the city lord's determination, hence I can only step down. Take it as a favor granted from the house of Mollie.

The middle-aged man, Keles chirped 'sincerely.'

The city lord almost spat blood from anger. He was thoroughly played with, while the thick-skinned bastard dared to sound magnanimous to his face as if giving a favor.

''Well, fucking thank you, I'm your grandchild.''

The city lord jested in his heart but stayed indifferent from the outside. However, his twitching eyebrow and flame-shooting eyes revealed, he was thoroughly offended.

Fortunately, his objective was achieved. He would soon receive a massive boost in strength and then, things would change.

- Anybody else?

The auctioneer smiled as he asked out of obligation. As expected, nobody else competed. After counting to three, the auctioneer congratulated the city lord as he declared him the winner.

The city lord was feeling happy he achieved his goal.

*Whoosh, whoosh~

The moment of distraction wasn't wasted.

- You dare?!

The city lord came to sense and roared as mighty aura was unleashed from his body...but it was too late.

- Agghgg~

The young son of baron desperately clutched his neck, but couldn't stop the overflowing blood. He gurgled and choked on his blood and...

*Plop

Fell down, dead. His eyes were still wide open with despair and disbelief. His life ended then and there, just like that. His status didn't matter. His strength didn't matter. His arrogance, his dreams, nothing held meaning anymore.

- YOUNG MASTER!

The bodyguard, who couldn't react in time roared, maddened and checked on the unmoving body of a bright looking teenager. However, no matter how hard he shook him, it was too late. He was already dead.

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The young baron's son wasn't the only victim.

The commotion rose instantly as 5 main people died from VIP lounges.

The auctioneer's eyes flashed as he spotted the suspicious man in the crowd. His thoughts unknown, he chose to remain standing.

Lorian, Erik, city lord, 3 representatives from baron houses, 2 wealthy merchants and 1 official took the VIP places. The last spot, where another official should have been was absent as he was murdered some time ago.

That was already more than enough to give the city lord more than a headache, but now...

The sons of 2 different barons, 2 wealthy merchants and the remaining official also died in his city. The consequences would be...he didn't even want to think about it.

He ignored the mourning and panicked voices and...

*KSHHH~

His punch broke the glass wall of the luxurious lounge.

- Die!

He descended in the crowd of people like a mighty falcon, locking on the rapidly fleeing cloaked figure.

- Easy there.

The smiling face of handsome Erik appeared in front of city lord.

- Scram!

The city lord roared as he intended to grab Erik's neck with his claw-shaped palm.

Erik sneered as 4 beauties appeared around him.

City lord's eyes widened as he hastily retreated.

He barely dodged the black missile, fluctuating sword slashes and assassinating dagger to his throat.

Erik sneered in his heart.

''So what if you are stronger than me? Aren't the humans able to kill beasts several times stronger than them? No matter how good your defenses are, are your eyeballs as tough as your skin? The human is made out of flesh and blood and is full of weaknesses.''

 - Shit! Let's go.

Lorian and his small group quickly left for safety. Reclaiming the gold coins would have to wait until later. As for the ongoing fight, it had nothing to do with him...

Seeing the culprit fleeing out of his sight and auctioneer not making his move, the city lord raged as he shouted

- Guards!

*Bang!

The auction's huge door shattered as 10 figures armed to the teeth appeared to intercept the culprit.

*Hong!

The armored guard withdrew enormous sword from his back and hacked the culprit.

The cloaked figure was forced to sidestep and angle his small round shield perfectly to avoid dying in guard's hands, unable to stop his fleeing momentum.

But he soon found himself surrounded.

He was horrified as he realized the power of the armored guards. 3-star!

The city lord indeed hid his forces well.

 - If you've come, why not stay?

The armored guard spoke icily.

The cloaked figure held crossbow in one hand and a small round shield in another.

- Aegis!

Under the barrage of countless attacks, he was forced to use his precious life-saving skill.

The yellow transparent sphere appeared around him, which cracked under the combined assault of the ten 3-star warriors.

However, he won enough time to perform the following action. He withdrew dark red arrow and quickly reloaded the crossbow. The arrow was aimed at the nearby armored guard. The distance was too close, so evasion was impossible.

However, the guard managed to cross his arms in order to reduce the damage just in time. He was feeling unprecedented danger from the incoming arrow.

*BOOM!

The trail of blood sprouted in the air as the deafening explosion occurred. The armored guards were catapulted in different directions and crashed into many things along the way. The one who was struck by the explosive arrow was charred like a charcoal. The parts of his metal chainmail had been melted. Bones and internal organs were revealed on his body in different places. His eyes were rolled backward. His state, dead or alive, unknown.

The others didn't come out unscathed either as damage dealt varied.

The fleeing crowd panicked even more and ignored the consequences while clawing their way out of the building.

Meanwhile, the hurried steps of approaching soldiers neared the auction house.

- Detain him!

The city lord howled as he dealt with Erik and his harem.

The cloaked culprit could only use his shield to block the explosion and only managed to defend the important vitals. Otherwise, he was also heavily injured. He didn't delay though and activated another life-saving skill. His figure appeared to be fading in and out of existence as it darted between the platoon of soldiers.

The dispersing crowd looked really miserable. The aftershocks and maniacal fleeing caused few casualties. But, would the city lord care about more casualties when the responsibility of several big shots' death already fell in his hands?

- You won't leave here alive.

He growled as he confronted Erik. His heart was feeling heavy as the culprit already escaped. So he decided to vent his venom on Erik. He knew it too well, this smiling youngster was also one of the conspirators. 

Tens of highly ranked soldiers had already surrounded the auction house meanwhile. They tightly locked down the place.

- I'll have to disappoint you.

Erik smiled as he dashed away along with his harem, slaughtering anyone in his way at astonishing speed.

He looked like a demon as he harvested lives with his short sword. His attacks never missed the weak point. One shot, one kill.

But as he was fleeing, the queer voice rang in his ears.

 - Delay him.

Erik's face turned pale.

 - For how long?

He transmitted the voice. Delaying the city lord, whose strength was several times higher than his was no easy task. Besides, there were ten 3-star warriors and several dozen 2-star warriors in his way.

 - For as long as it takes. Devil's candle doesn't have useless people, right hand.

After hearing the chilling voice, heart-piercing pain transmitted in his brain.

 - Mmffgghh!!!

Erik's handsome face contorted as the brand of ash shone from his neck.

 - Very well.

Erik gritted his teeth and stopped fleeing. His harem quickly surrounded him, looking cautious and protective.

*Step, step, step...

The soldiers split and gave way to the city lord, who was approaching unhurriedly.

 - What's wrong? Why are you not fleeing? Could it be that you are thinking you can beat me?

The city lord asked, puzzled. His hands were crossed behind his back, appearing as majestic as ever. His gown didn't get wet from pouring rain. Evidently, a decent enchantment was inscribed on it.

Erik just stood there, unmoving, refusing to even turn around and face the lord.

 - Are you interested in my story?

Erik's desolate and bleak voice entered the city lord's ears. 

The eyes of Morses shone. It was really a great temptation. Who wouldn't like to know and hear more about the mysterious Devil's Candle, even if it wasn't directly related to it? However, he quickly regained his composure. There was simply no reason for Erik to tell him anything.

 - Are you tasked to win some time?

The city lord smiled.

 - Hahahaha~

Erik turned around and started laughing exaggeratedly, holding his face in his hands.

Just as the city lord was getting impatient and was on the verge of ordering his soldiers, Erik started speaking.

 - Indeed, old fox's not so easily fooled. Well then, all I can do now is to get serious about this.

Erik winked and nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, then shook his head.

He looked up at the gloomy sky with smiling expression. The wind blew. The fickle leaves split off from tree branches and drifted in the air.

But the leaves didn't fall to the ground, as if unwilling to admit they've lost their life and vitality and would wither in the mud.

The city lord's expression turned solemn.

The falling leaves started dancing around Erik's body harmoniously.

Erik grabbed the small falling leaf between his fingers and muttered.

 - Life is so frail and feeble. And yet, why does it have to be so cruel to us? Before we know it, we became what we originally weren't meant to be, what we are now. How many untold sorrows did the mud burry? Did they hold any meaning? Is it gone? Has it become karma? And so then, will I also be part of it when the time runs out? 

The wind howled. The feeble leaf drifted from Erik's hand.

*Plop

The sound of a heavy body falling and metal armor clanking rang in the midst of rain eerily.

The soldiers felt chill on their backs as some of them unconsciously took a step back.

Erik's face had turned savage as he muttered his last words

 - Life itself...is the greatest sorrow of life.