Kenley followed that man to a corner. He lifted a thick tapestry and indicated for Kenley to enter.
Inside was a room of sixty square meters. The thick carpet was soft enough to step on, with the entire foot sinking in. It was clearly completely different grade from the public carpet outside. Nine people were already seated in the room. Seeing Kenley enter, most people only glanced at him and continued sitting in their positions, enjoying delicious beverages.
"Please, honored guest." A female attendant in a long dress in the room led Kenley to the last seat. The soft velvet sofa plus the gentle gas lamp light on the small table beside made him feel as if he had arrived in a private study, warm and cozy.
"What beverage would you like, coffee or tea?" the attendant asked softly.
"Please give me a cup of Intis highland coffee, no sugar." Kenley replied.
The delicious drink was quickly served. Kenley's right hand gently played with the cup but didn't drink this coffee.
In unfamiliar places, it's best not to consume any beverages. Personal safety is always the first priority.
"Oh oh oh, hello everyone, dear mysterious studies enthusiasts." That man who led Kenley jumped with a recently popular Intis court dance step to the front. "I am today's auctioneer. You can simply call me Mr. Thorn."
"Today we have prepared six high-quality items with extraordinary power. We will legally plunder your money pouches as much as possible. Please be prepared."
The humorous opening remarks brought waves of laughter from the room.
"Well then, the first item, a necklace from the 'Eternal Blazing Sun' Church." Auctioneer Thorn had the nearby female attendant bring over a plate. On the plate, a golden necklace sparkled in everyone's sight.
"After wearing it, you will unconsciously praise the sun, but those ghosts, water ghosts, specters, or spirits from the dark world will unconsciously stay away from your body. If you're prepared to explore tombs or some unknown corners, this will be a very good extraordinary item."
"Wearing time cannot exceed two hours at once, or you will forget your original faith and become a loyal believer of the 'Eternal Blazing Sun' Church. After use, you will need four hours of alone time. I suggest staying away from your other half and finding a quiet hotel or quietly staying under the bed." Thorn raised his right index finger and said solemnly.
"All extraordinary items will have different side effects. You can borrow them, but power that doesn't belong to you will ultimately abandon you."
Not bad, this place actually knows to appropriately remind buyers of extraordinary items' side effects.
"Starting price, thirty pounds."
"Please bid, ladies and gentlemen."
"Thirty-five pounds." A gentleman first raised his right hand.
"Thirty-eight pounds."
...
This thing has some use for me, but not much.
Kenley changed his posture and quietly watched everyone bid for this extraordinary item.
After several rounds of fierce bidding, this extraordinary item was auctioned for one hundred eleven pounds, obtained by the gentleman who first raised his hand.
"I see everyone's enthusiasm for this auction. Well then, the next extraordinary item is a blue earring. It can give you underwater breathing ability for no more than ten minutes, while also having swimming ability enhancement and cold resistance effects."
"Looks good, but what are the side effects?" That gentleman from before interrupted him.
"After use, you cannot consume any seafood for one day." Thorn said. "During that time, consuming any seafood will make you feel as nauseated as eating human flesh. You will unconsciously chat with fish, play a game of Gwent with scallops, or dance wrapped in seaweed."
"In human eyes, you will be regarded as mentally ill, spending your days with barred windows, and bread and water will be your only diet for the rest of your life."
This item's side effects seem acceptable. It was auctioned off for two hundred pounds.
"Well then, the next item." Thorn's enthusiasm was high. The following four extraordinary items were auctioned off one by one at the fastest speed.
Wait, Kenley frowned.
All the auctioned items were necklaces, rings, earrings—very small things. In Kenley's eyes, they all had one common characteristic.
Very small, very suitable for "Thieves" to handle.
These should all be stolen goods!
I've walked into a stolen goods den!
How ridiculous, the Jacob family and Zoroast family actually organized a thieves' association underground and used the association's power to sell stolen goods.
According to their former family power, what use did worldly money have for them?
Could they be preparing to overthrow a country, or trying to restore the family's power?
They were angel families! Did they still have pursuit for these things?
No matter what, I should find a way to leave here.
"This is today's last extraordinary item." Thorn bowed slightly. "Well then, today's auction ends here."
Kenley stood up and followed everyone behind, preparing to leave. When he was about to pass through that tapestry, Thorn stepped forward and pulled down the tapestry ahead of him.
"What do you mean?" Kenley asked calmly.
"Please don't misunderstand, sir. A leader of our organization wants to meet with you, that's all." Thorn's face was half-smiling. The nearby guard stepped forward, lifted his coat with his right hand, and placed his hand on the holster.
"I thought this place would be as safe as the legends say." Kenley helplessly raised both hands. "You actually target a potential client."
"Potential client, are you referring to those guys who take a few pounds to buy extraordinary items?" Thorn seemed to hear something funny. "Heh heh heh, what a big joke. Taking one or two extraordinary items and wanting to become noble existences—those things are worthless in front of us, or rather, in front of the power of Beyonders."
"You are also a Beyonder, you should understand what I'm saying."
Hmm? How do they know I'm a Beyonder?
"This way." Thorn led Kenley to behind where he had been sitting, gently tapped the wall with his hand. The wall opened silently, revealing a more luxuriously decorated room.
Inside the room, a lady in a black cloak was holding a glass of red wine, gently swirling it, looking at the entering Kenley with mocking eyes. Thorn slightly bowed to that lady, stepped back, and the wall closed silently, fitting perfectly.
A faint pressure enveloped the room's surroundings. Kenley immediately felt an invisible pressure pulling at him, drawing him to sit on the sofa opposite the lady.
"Please sit, our dear 'Thief.'"