Silver Rose's declaration officially kicked off the Midnight Rose Exchange. Immediately, an undercurrent of excitement buzzed around as attendees started indulging in intricate negotiations and trades.
Lynn intensely observed everything unfold before him, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. It was a unique opportunity to glimpse into some secrets of the extraordinary side of this world.
The sound of hushed voices filled the cavernous space as transactions commenced. Hammer was the first to make his move, sliding a metallic case across the obsidian surface toward the man on his left.
"As promised," he said with a curt nod. An agile hand deftly caught the container, eyeing its contents covetously. Siren quickly stowed it away in his robes with a satisfied gleam.
"Pleasure doing business with you," he replied smoothly. His gaze then shifted, locking onto Blaze pensively. "That relic you brought last time proved quite... remarkable."
His gaze glimmered intriguingly, reflecting a blend of admiration and calculation. The concerned person maintained a stoic demeanor, giving only the faintest inclination of acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, the dealings between the mercenary and the alchemist continued where they stopped off. Other hesitant individuals also gathered in small groups, discussing transactions and sharing valuable information, objects, and knowledge.
While this was happening, Lynn remained silent, carefully piecing together fragments of conversations that reached his ears. Swiftly, he discerned the motivations, intentions, and even some parties' extraordinary professions.
The man known as Alchemist bore a surname that openly revealed his abilities. It was clear to everyone that he specialized in concocting and manipulating various substances and potions.
As for Siren, he appeared to possess a voracious appetite for rare and strange items. Whenever another participant offered something intriguing, his eyes would light up with unbridled desire, and quickly engage in negotiations.
In contrast, Hammer remained reserved yet highly sought after, apparently a renowned smith within the circle. Even Ghost requested another sword from him, the previous one having been lost by one of his subordinates.
Listening to this request, Lynn could not help but tremble slightly as a thought crossed his mind. He remembered the [Silverforged Sword] acquired from subduing the ghostly masked swordsman in the alley.
Before arriving at this gathering, he planned initially to barter the sword and other prepared items, hoping to secure the third and final sublimation component or other valuable resources that could benefit his goals.
But after hearing that, he decisively changed his mind and chose not to show the blade. While he did not fear the man's retaliation, intentionally provoking him also lacked prudence. It was better to avoid unnecessary risks if possible.
The rest of the attendees maintained an air of mystery, not divulging any hints or clues regarding their identities or capabilities. He even suspected that there were ordinary people among them.
However, to attend such an exclusive event and participate in the Midnight Rose Exchange, their background certainly was far from ordinary. Maybe an occasion like this was the cause of old man Feng’s pollution.
As Lynn continued to eavesdrop, he managed to hear some troubling news. “Did you notice the increase in werewolf sightings lately? They're getting bold and aggressive,” a voice softly whispered.
His ears perked up at the mention of werewolves, a topic that intrigued him deeply. It seemed like their apparition had intensified, becoming more frequent and widespread over the past few days.
He wondered whether the implication of the Special Investigation Bureau in the abandoned district was related to this sudden wave of supernatural activity or if it was a mere coincidence.
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The Bureau's confrontations and crackdowns could have applied pressure on the mastermind behind the surge of attacks, prompting them to act more aggressively or reveal their hand prematurely.
But that raised even more questions; many unknown variables existed to draw definitive conclusions. Lynn could only speculate currently and file away these insights for later contemplation.
As he pondered these developments, an unexpected situation grabbed his attention from across the obsidian table. Blaze, who had remained withdrawn and aloof from the exchange until now, abruptly joined.
He retrieved an item from the depths of his tattered robes that barely concealed a body covered in bandages. Only his pale hands and the lower half of his face peeked out from the shroud-like wrapping.
Intrigued murmurs arose among the gathered individuals as all eyes fixed on the small wooden box gently placed on the shiny surface. Even Lynn found his attention seized when he heard what was next.
"A life-saving item," Blaze announced in a raspy voice, his gaze sweeping across the attentive crowd. "This piece offers a safeguard against death in dire moments, granting a second chance at survival."
Slowly, the bandaged fingers moved to undo the simple latch, carefully lifting the lid. Nestled within the receptacle was a single chess piece resting on a plush cushion.
But this was no ordinary pawn - its surface gleamed with an otherworldly sheen as if carved from the purest ivory. Intricate runes and symbols were etched into its form, imbuing it with an aura of mystique.
Lynn immediately sensed unusual spiritual fluctuations inside the underground chamber, hinting that people were openly exerting extraordinary abilities. They probably used them to verify the claim.
Without hesitation, he also activated his [Evaluation] skill, his stare intensely focused on the object. The information that flooded his mind was more surprising than he had expected.
[Sacrificial Rook]
[Grade: Rare]
[Evaluation: A relic of poignant sacrifice and unwavering resolve imbued with the wishes of countless fallen guardians. It offers a brief reprieve from death through sacrificial intervention.
Effect 1: Valor Sacrifice - Automatically intercept a lethal attack, sacrificially absorbing the damage in exchange for durability. That can be activated twice before the rook is destroyed completely. (1/2)
Effect 2: Divine Rebirth – Upon the complete shattering, the user is restored to perfect condition and infused with temporary empowerment, granting enhanced strength, speed, and vitality for a brief period.]
His eyes widened in astonishment, processing the details revealed by his skill. No wonder this unusual chess piece had captured the rapt attention of everyone present - its power to cheat death was nothing short of miraculous.
Unfortunately, as the description had revealed, this sacrifice opportunity was not unlimited. Otherwise, such an item would not be merely a rare grade but something even more valuable.
On top of that, one chance had been expended, as evidenced by the cracks already spread across the ivory surface, leaving just one more before it would be destroyed, clearly lowering its value.
Lynn watched intently as the other guests shifted in their seats from anticipation, enticed by the prospect of possessing such a powerful trump card. Some taciturn figures who previously remained cold and detached now leaned forward, their expressions betraying a hint of greed.
Even Silver Rose, the gracious host who stayed silent since the official beginning of the event, could not conceal her fascination. "Interesting..." she softly murmured, her fingers tapping lightly against the table.
Everyone seemed captivated by the revelation and started to make offers for the [Sacrificial Rook] directly, each eager to claim its power. Who wouldn’t want to possess a piece capable of cheating death?
"I'll offer one million federation dollars for the item!" Ghost forcefully exclaimed, his voice colored with open eagerness as he slammed his palms against the obsidian surface. The sound reverberated through the large area.
The bold opening offer instantly jolted the other participants awake from their dazes, setting a stark tone and dispelling any illusions of effortlessly acquiring the item. That only intensified the competition.
"Hmph, is that all?" Alchemist scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "I'll match that and add a set of rare and exceptional alchemical potions.” He quickly retrieved a metallic package from his black cloak.
No longer hesitating, the others jumped in, each determined to secure this life-saving trinket. Lynn, too, stepped forward, revealing his preparations that bolstered his confidence in participating in this crucial gathering.
Recognizing the immense value and desirability of the knowledge contained within the Monster Whispering Manual, he initiated a trade proposal, offering to exchange carefully curated knowledge from the book.
During his previous studies, he had painstakingly copied specific sections to use as bargaining chips in the Midnight Rose Exchange, foreseeing a scenario like this and preparing accordingly.
But Blaze remained silent, his pale eyes studying the escalating exchange with a detached attitude. It seemed like nothing proposed could satisfy this mysterious individual’s desire.
He turned his attention to the woman known as Silver Rose, inclining his head slightly. "For this, I require only one thing - an extraordinary characteristic,” he calmly declared, provoking a collective gasp.