As much as Auren is interested in weapons and equipment containing Aura… these normal treasures couldn't be more uninteresting to him.
Paintings. Dresses. Records. Jewellery that looks ancient and expensive. Even when the numbers being thrown around are absurd, it all feels hollow and senseless to him.
"Bored, Auren?" Kikyo asks, sounding amused rather than judgmental.
"Sorry," Auren replies, not even trying to hide it. "I'm afraid so. As much as I like things that interest me, I have nothing but disinterest in these items—especially since these people love to brag, which seems to be their highest priority. How about you?"
"I'm afraid I share your opinion," Kikyo says smoothly. "I'm here because I've lined up a few private deals for dresses and kimonos… along with a few other items."
Well... as expected.
"You also seem bored," Auren says, glancing at Biscuit.
"I'm only interested in precious stones!" she declares, her voice filled with pride, sounding as if she were superior compared to the other guests.
Hours pass. The stage finally calms down, and the constant parade of smug voices ends. Some people look satisfied, others frustrated, and a few look like they've been silently counting the minutes until the real trading begins.
Then it's finally Auren's turn.
I have nothing to share... or simply I don't want to... but I have a goal nonetheless.
He steps onto the stage without a show, immediately getting to the point.
"I'll share my collection with only those who are interested," Auren says. "However, I can't help but ask for your cooperation."
A few collectors lean forward slightly.
"If any of you have any Ben's Knives or any weapons or equipment with a trace of lingering 'Presence'—please contact me. If you're unsure what I'm talking about, feel free to bring whatever you have to me, and I'll fairly appraise it."
His gaze drifts across the tables as he activates his strongest Ren, his massive Aura shocking the group.
"I'll also declare this openly: I will pay more than the market price to anyone selling or trading with me. Sooner or later, I'll get what I want… and I am willing to pay dearly for it."
Then his expression grows cold.
"However," he continues, lowering his voice just slightly, "should I learn that certain items are being held back, I'm afraid I'll have to change my approach to a more uncivilized one and that would go against the spirit of this event, I assume."
Everyone looks tense after hearing Auren's thinly veiled threat.
"Please contact me if you have something I'm after," Auren finishes. "I'll guarantee you won't regret it. I can offer more than money can buy, you can believe me on that."
As he steps off the stage, murmurs ripple through the room like a breeze through dry grass.
"That seems to be all," Ganu says, moving to reclaim the momentum. "Now, let me declare our trading session for ope—"
"Wait a minute!" Spinner says, standing up abruptly and moving towards the stage. "I have something to say."
As she passes by Auren, he looks slightly surprised.
What are they doing?
Ganu, for some reason, eyes her with scepticism and stands in their way. "Wait a minute, you might be allowed to attend the meeting, but since you are only a representative of Hunter Kite, it wouldn't be proper if I let you speak without giving proper notice. You need to tell me what you want to sa—"
However, both Spinner and Stick ignore him and enter the stage anyway, sidestepping him.
A few collectors shift in their seats at that alone, some resisting the urge to shout at her.
Why isn't she following his rules? She'll risk getting kicked out of the gathering early—she must have some sort of plan.
Spinner does not hesitate and immediately calls out, using a loud and booming voice, surprising even Auren.
"This is a warning! We have credible information that some of you are involved in the trafficking of goods harvested from protected animals, including the precious Camp Tiger. Its pelt is unique with a vibrant yellow colour that simply does not exist among other animals! Its horn is also a precious piece. If you possess any prohibited merchandise, we are giving you a chance to give it to us now. We'll pledge on our honour that we'll dispose of it for you. If you don't, you will regre—"
"This is a farce!"
"How dare you?!"
"You appear in our midst and dare to threaten us?"
"Ganu, kick her out immediately, or I'll shut up this fucking bitch personally!"
"Arrogant girl!"
"You'll pay for this."
Every collector, excluding Auren, Neffi, Goreinu, Biscuit, and the Zoldycks, looks visibly offended. Most of them shout at once, voices yelling over each other. A few of them are so angry they stop pretending to be refined, screaming like they're in a street fight instead of a luxury hall, a single man even throwing a half-filled wine glass at her.
This is too funny.
They are all ultra-rich and wear only the most elegant and expensive clothes, but they behave like street thugs, just because of a little threat.
However, what confuses me is why these two are acting so arrogantly. This can't turn out well. Isn't Ganu also a Hunter? As far as I know, these two are not even Nen users. They might disappear if they annoy the wrong people.
These people are rich… and the Zoldycks are here! Aren't they afraid?
Is Kite stupid? Does he want to get his students killed? Wait....
"Please calm down!" Ganu says, holding back a few people trying to get on stage. His voice stays controlled, but his expression is clearly strained, like he's trying to stop the entire event from collapsing in a single minute.
Stick looks visibly scared and cowers behind Spinner, hands clutching at her clothes. Spinner, for some reason, looks calm and unbothered, as if she expects the room to scream and is waiting for it to slowly turn silent.
Suddenly, Auren's phone vibrates. He immediately checks it and reads the new message he just received.
Pariston?
"Dear Auren, I hope you are doing fine ✨. It looks like something unexpected is happening at your meeting. I like to play games, but I promise you this is not something I could have anticipated. I need you to do me a tiny favor. I'll owe you something. Please ensure that none of my acquaintances get hurt or arrested. I'm in your debt. Please send me a quick confirmation. This is a time-sensitive issue, and in case you decline, I'll need to come up with an emergency plan."
"What's this about?" Auren mumbles, staring at the screen.
Protect the collectors?! Not Spinner and Stick?I get the feeling I'm being played by the rat.And he wants an answer right now? Why is he pressuring me?
Another message appears on Auren's phone almost immediately, like Pariston doesn't even give him time to think.
"Dear Auren, I need a quick response, or I might need to change my plans ✨. I am asking for your understanding."
Now he is pressuring me... If the collectors are in danger, that could only mean that... someone else aside from Spinner and Stick will come for them. I can confirm that those two are harmless. So who would do that?
If Pariston claims the collectors are in danger, that could only mean that someone else—someone stronger than these shouting collectors—might show up. Someone who can cause real trouble, even with a Hunter like Ganu present.
So who would do that? Obviously...
It can only be… Kite!
Auren exhales through his nose and replies quickly, typing on his phone, not bothering to sound polite.
"I get the feeling I'm left out. Are you telling me to protect the collectors? It looks like Spinner and Stick are the ones in need of protection… if you tell me that these rich people are in trouble, it would mean that someone strong, who could deal with a Hunter like Ganu, will cause trouble. Like… Kite? The student of Ging... who is your biggest menace and rival, at least according to the rumors I have heard. I get the feeling this is personal, and I also get the feeling that you knew about this! You will not only owe me a little... you'll owe me a lot. Also, I expect you to back me up legally. I'll protect them… to a point. I won't let anything bad happen to them, but I won't throw my life away for them either. Now I need you to confirm my offer... or you can forget it! 🐀"
Not even three seconds later, Pariston indeed replies:"✨Thank you, my dear friend. You're making me so proud.... You can go all out, I'll take care of everything regardless of what you do."
"Fuck, this guy is annoying!" Auren curses, putting away his phone.
Meanwhile, the situation continues to escalate. Some of the collectors and their bodyguards have now entered the stage and have surrounded Spinner and Stick, Ganu looking annoyed as well, seemingly having given up on trying to calm down the situation.
With Stick looking like he's about to faint, and even Spinner sweating visibly, a huge wave of terrifying, hostile Aura suddenly rushes into the transformed dining room, causing nearly everyone except Auren, Neffi, Goreinu, Biscuit, Kikyo, and Ganu to shudder.
Then, with slow and steady steps, a person enters the room.
A tall, familiar man with long white hair, a blue beret, a white turtleneck, and black trousers walks closer to the stage, carrying a huge Tachi.
"I'll give you one last chance, surrender and back off, or I'm afraid I have to execute your punishment for your role in the poaching scandal I'm investigating right here, right now," the newly arrived Kite says.
Auren conjures Eternity and uses Zetsu slowly, approaching the stage, ready to intervene if necessary.
Suddenly, one of the collectors, a middle-aged, overweight man, wearing a fur coat, draws a weapon, a sinister-looking knife, which Auren immediately recognizes as one of his desired Ben's Knives. He's grabbing Spinner and holding the knife to her throat!
"Back off or I'll kill this bitch! Now!" He yells, the knife already cutting a little into Spinner's neck, drawing blood.
"This is a very unwise decision. I'll give you exactly three seconds, or I can't guarantee your life. If you surrender now, you'll only land in prison."
"One," Kite counts.
Is he serious?
"Two, this is your last chance," Kite mutters, his hand ready to draw his Tachi.
"Fuck you!" the collector yells, trying to cut Spinner's throat.
Auren immediately reacts. He senses Kite's killing intent and dashes forward, activating Ren, using Emission to kick the collector away, using just a little bit of Aura, and at the same time, drawing Eternity to block Kite's deadly, yet almost auraless attack.
"Auren... this is a surprising turn of events," Kite says, sounding surprised. "Please move out of my way. I have given these people a fair chance. I won't tolerate their actions any longer—this one has forfeited his life."
"I'm afraid I can't let you kill them," Auren declares. "If you want to, use the law, but there won't be any blood spilled tonight."
However, contrary to his words, Auren uses even more Aura to push Kite off the stage.
"Except yours if you challenge me!" He yells.