Chapter 82 Festering Desire



As David and Luna settled into the appraisal room, they were greeted by a young apprentice named Penny. Dressed in green attire, she appeared to be in her early years, perhaps around 15-20 years old. David noticed her name, Penny, written on a board, indicating her role as an apprentice appraiser.

With a touch of nervousness, Penny introduced herself. "I'm Penny. Please show me the item you're planning to auction."

"Of course," David replied, exuding a calm and composed demeanor.

He opened his storage portal and retrieved a long wooden box adorned with intricate patterns. The box itself emanated an air of craftsmanship, hinting at the exceptional item it held within. Even in its sealed state, the sword's aura permeated through, casting a radiant golden light and filling the room with a dense and magical presence.

Carefully placing the wooden box on the table, David gently unclasped the lid, revealing the stunning masterpiece inside. The sword, crafted with meticulous precision, gleamed with a brilliance that captivated the eye. Its blade possessed a mesmerizing pattern, the result of expert forging and enchantment.

"Here is the item I've brought for auction," David declared, his voice steady and confident.

Penny's eyes widened as she beheld the breathtaking sight before her. The sword's aura enveloped the room, carrying an undeniable aura of power and grandeur. Overwhelmed by the sword's majesty, Penny couldn't help but gasp in astonishment.

"What... what is this?" she stammered, her voice filled with awe and intrigue.

David's lips curled into a subtle smile as he observed Penny's reaction. He understood the impact the sword had on those who laid eyes upon it. The divine craftsmanship and the aura of the sword spoke volumes about its extraordinary nature.

"Please wait, I will call my master," Penny exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the mesmerizing sword before her.

As a humble apprentice at the auction house, she was accustomed to appraising common items and trinkets. However, this sword had her at a loss, leaving her panicked and unsure.

Just as Penny was about to leave the room to seek her master's guidance, a man suddenly appeared at the door. He had a portly figure, standing at around 145 cm in height, with a neatly combed black hair and a mustache.

His black eyes were partially covered by glasses, one of the frames equipped with an additional magnifier specifically designed for intricate pattern appraisal. He wore a white shirt, accompanied by a green half-sleeved suit and matching green pants.

"What is this commotion about?" the man inquired, his voice filled with intrigue and astonishment. 

Curiosity piqued, the man's attention was immediately drawn to the radiant light emanating from the box that contained the sword. His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him. His gaze was fixed on the sword, its resplendent glow captivating his attention.

Penny, still mesmerized by the sword, stammered out an explanation, "This... this sword, sir. I couldn't appraise it myself. I was about to call you for assistance."

The man's gaze remained fixated on the sword, his interest growing by the second. He took a step closer, his magnifier glasses glinting in the light.

"I see," he murmured, his voice tinged with excitement. The appraisal spoke "I am Aldric, Appraiser at Eldoria Auction House, May I take a closer look?"

As Aldric approached the box, he pulled out a pair of white gloves from his pocket and carefully put them on. With utmost caution, he lifted the sword from the box, feeling its perfect weight in his hands.

He glanced at the simple sheath and turned to David, seeking permission, "May I remove it from the sheath?"

David nodded, granting his consent.

Master Aldric, the appraiser, gingerly unsheathed the sword, and his eyes widened in awe.

"Extraordinary," he murmured, his gaze fixated on the magnificent weapon.

With his keen eyes, he examined the sword, utilizing his unique magical skill called "Appraise."

This ability allowed him to discern specific details about inanimate objects, similar to David's God's Eye skill, albeit with limitations. While David's skill encompassed all aspects, even extending to living beings, Aldric's appraisal skill focused solely on item attributes such as attack power and sword type.

As Aldric delved into the appraisal, beads of sweat formed on his forehead. The sword's attack power registered around 2500, accompanied by a similar strength rating. The sword's status was nothing short of legendary.

Completing his examination, Aldric couldn't help but mutter in awe, "Marvelous, this is a divine sword."

He carefully sheathed the weapon and closed the box, aware that his mana reserves were insufficient to hold the sword for an extended period.

Master Aldric, the renowned appraiser, turned his attention to David and spoke with a hint of excitement, "We shall feature this extraordinary sword as the centerpiece of our main auction."

A smile crept across David's face as he replied, "That was precisely my intention. I wanted to present it as the main attraction."

Perceiving a possible misunderstanding, Master Aldric cleared his throat and emphasized, "Allow me to clarify. We will showcase this sword as the most coveted item in the entire auction."

Master Aldric breathed a sigh of relief, pleased with David's decision. He continued, "Initially, we had planned to feature the succubus body, procured by one of our esteemed S-rank adventurers and even the vice guild master. However, compared to this legendary weapon, the value of the monster diminishes significantly."

David nodded, understanding the gravity of the decision. He refrained from disclosing his role in acquiring the succubus body, opting to maintain his low profile. Instead, he enthusiastically agreed, "That sounds perfect. Let's place the sword at the forefront of the auction."

David listened intently, acknowledging the immense potential the sword held. The weight of his creation grew heavier with each passing moment, fueling his anticipation for the auction.

Turning to the specifics, Master Aldric delved into the arrangement, "As per our standard policy, the revenue generated from the auction is typically shared in a 60:40 ratio. However, given the exceptional nature of this item, I am willing to offer a discount. How about we settle on a 70:30 split?"

Master Aldric hoped that this arrangement would ensure a significant revenue for the auction house. 

Feeling slightly dissatisfied with the 70:30 profit split, David remembered the platinum black card given to him by Vice Guild Leader Franklin. Curiosity piqued, he reached into his portal and retrieved the envelope containing the prestigious card.

Presenting it to Aldric, he asked, "Will this card bring me any additional benefits?"

Aldric's eyes widened as he gazed upon the platinum card. He had heard rumors of the main branch manager bestowing the card upon a new S-rank adventurer, but he never expected it to be David.

Stuttering with surprise, he managed to utter, "You... You are the new S-rank adventurer?"

Realizing the significance of the card, Aldric quickly composed himself. With a newfound respect, he said, "In that case, according to the special benefits associated with the platinum card, the profit split will be 85:15, with 85 percent for you."

A sense of satisfaction washed over David as he heard the revised split. Carrying the platinum card had proven to be more advantageous than he had anticipated. He couldn't help but marvel at the convenience of having it at this crucial moment.

The agreement settled, David and Aldric exchanged smiles, knowing that the revised profit split would greatly benefit David. The platinum card had opened unexpected doors and presented him with a remarkable advantage in the auction.

With their arrangement finalized, David bid farewell to Aldric, confident that he had made the most of his newfound status as an S-rank adventurer. Excitement coursed through his veins as he looked forward to the auction, ready to showcase his divine sword and reap the rewards of his hard work and ingenuity.

With the business of handing over the sword settled and three days remaining before the auction, David decided to make the most of his time in the city. He pondered the idea of seeking new companions for his harem collection, realizing that it had been a while since he had added any new members.

David contemplated the possibility of finding amusement and excitement during this period, setting off on a quest to explore and discover new encounters for himself.

As David and Luna strolled through the bustling streets, he turned to Luna and inquired, "Anything interesting to do here, Luna?"

Eager to find some entertainment, Luna pondered for a moment, recalling a renowned casino house in the city that was well-known across the nations. With enthusiasm, she suggested, "Master, there's a famous casino house in the area. Shall we pay it a visit?"

David, who had never set foot inside such an establishment before, felt a surge of excitement and replied, "Lead the way. I want to explore all the places I've only dreamed of going."

Luna engaged in conversation with a local passerby, seeking directions to the casino house. After obtaining the necessary information, she relayed the instructions to David, and they continued their journey towards the designated location.