I Love the Market, I Love the Auction

The Bearded Cat Inn where we were staying. A new guest appeared there.

And as soon as that new guest arrived, she found out our room and strode right in.

"So, what's the plan for tomorrow!?"

Serena asked me, armed with a beaming smile.

PTSD from being abandoned by various adventuring parties. If I looked at it that way, maybe I'd be inclined to feel sorry for her, but honestly—

You brought this on yourself.

You faked your way in as a cleric, didn't you?

"Our 'Dungeon God' party doesn't have any requests right now. For now, it's free time, Serena."

"Then, what will you be doing during your free time? I'd like to accompany you—to strengthen our party's bonds!"

Strengthen the party's bonds, huh.

We just met, though.

"We just met, which means we need to strengthen our bonds even more!"

As if reading my mind, Serena replied brightly.

No.

We need to keep some distance between us.

I mean, the whole 'adventuring party' thing is a business arrangement to start with.

Would you want to sleep in the same room with a colleague from work?

"Hoo."

What's the point in talking about it. I let out a sigh so no one would hear and spoke to Serena.

"We're going to the market tomorrow."

"To sell the special-grade mana stone, right?"

"Correct. And..."

I turned my gaze toward Barkal.

"I'm also planning to replace my brother's axe."

"Dmihtan, are you saying you're going to replace my Erindal!?"

A flustered Barkal.

Judging by the look on his face, it seemed like he wanted to go on about how 'Erindal' was his comrade or had been with him for years—something unnecessary like that.

"Well then, I'll hurry and get some sleep!"

Contrary to my expectations, Barkal pulled the blanket over himself and lay down on the bed without complaint.

Even so, he did not remove his skull helmet.

"You're not against it?"

"Against it? Why would I be against it?"

"You're going to end up changing Erindal."

When I asked him if he really didn't mind, Barkal tilted his head.

"Erindal is an axe. An axe can be replaced, brother!"

That was so obviously true, and yet, hearing it from him felt odd.

"If I have a stronger axe, I can kill more enemies! Brother, I will protect your back!"

Then, cuddling his sleep axe dearly, he fell asleep right away.

He's the kind of guy who'll gladly swap even his sleep axe if he finds a better one.

* * *

After sending Serena, who'd wanted to sleep in the same room, back to her own, the next morning came.

We made our way straight to the market to sell the 'special-grade mana stone.'

I looked around with admiration. Blacksmiths displaying all manner of weapons and armor, drawing in customers.

Alchemists shouting wild claims as they sold potions. Merchants laying out all sorts of food and ingredients.

The place was truly bustling.

"Hey Barbarian! Loads of weapons over here, come take a look!"

"When it comes to saving your life in a tight spot, only armor can help! We've got better gear than what you're wearing!"

As we made our way through the market, merchants selling to adventurers kept calling out to us.

Leaving them behind, Serena approached us cautiously.

"Brother, is it really better to sell this at an auction?"

Brother, huh.

She'd started calling me that ever since the 'Iron Rank Dungeon' incident.

"Ordinary shops can't handle a special-grade mana stone. The best course is to get a high price from someone who wants it at the auction."

At my words, Serena gave a little nod. It seemed she too was unfamiliar with auctions.

As we walked past the center of the market and ventured deeper inside, a massive stone building appeared.

Carved above it were the words "Iushil Auction House," and in front of it, a crowd had already gathered.

The auction house was built from red sandstone and adorned with ornate gold embellishments.

It was a truly pristine exterior. Just seeing it from outside, you could almost smell the money.

"This is where you sell the special-grade mana stone?"

"That's right, brother."

Answering Barkal's question, I took another long look at the auction house.

For some reason, its exterior looked familiar. If I had to make a comparison, hmm—

A casino I'd seen in the movies?

It looked just like one of those entrances.

The reason was obvious: the flashiness of the building and the muscle-bound guards stationed at the entrance.

It made sense that security had to be tight where valuables and money were involved, but those bouncer-like guards in suit-like uniforms—

"Hmm?"

I looked at the guards again. Something about them felt familiar too.

"Brother!"

"What is it?"

"They're barbarians, just like us!"

Ah.

Was that what that familiar feeling was?

The guards at the entrance were barbarians.

They didn't seem to be from the same 'Red Wolf Tribe' as Barkal and me, but I could tell for sure.

"Barbarian guards, huh... That must make security really solid."

"In terms of brute force, that's true."

Nodding at Serena's words, I checked out the barbarian guards.

If those muscleheads were on guard duty, the place would be secure all right.

'They'll probably cost more in compensation for damages than in salaries, though.'

But that's the owner's problem, not mine. We followed the signs toward the auction registration desk.

But as we made our way inside, an odd sense of discomfort grew stronger and stronger.

"Are... are all the guards here barbarians?"

Apparently Serena noticed too.

All the auction house guards were 'barbarians'.

Had every barbarian in Iushil gathered here or something?

"Welcome to the auction house. Is this your first time here?"

When we reached the desk, an employee-looking guy addressed us.

"That's right."

"If you'd like to browse the items currently up for auction, here's the catalog."

"We're here to sell something."

At my answer, the employee tilted his head, looking at me.

"Are you two, by any chance... barbarians?"

"That's right."

Strictly speaking, I'm not a barbarian, but there's no reason to reveal I'm a necromancer.

"Ah, barbarians..."

For some reason, the employee glanced at Serena, then cleared his throat and said,

"First, you'll need a membership card. Please, come this way."

With those words, he rose from his seat. We followed him inside.

"Ladies, this way please. And the two barbarians, if you'll come over here."

Why separate by gender? It's just a membership card anyway.

Still, doing as we were told, Barkal and I turned left while Serena went another way.

"Would you please fill this out?"

Once inside the room, the employee handed us each a form.

At the top, it said 'Membership Registration.' I scanned down to check the contents.

"Barkal... Wolfrod..."

Wait, he's signing without even reading. Carefully looking over things like this is important.

But, I guess he can at least write his own name. That's something, at least.

Instead of Barkal, I meticulously checked the form.

Nothing really caught my eye. It was just a simple membership registration.

But one thing was odd. Why did they need to know my faith to make a membership card? Was I supposed to write down what god I serve?

Hmm.

The gods of [Dungeon God] are a weird bunch. Some forbid meat-eating, others ban looking at certain objects or symbols—like 'eyes'.

I guess the reason for asking about your faith here is to prevent any mishaps.

Fine, let's just fill it in.

The god I worship.

That would be the Lord Jesus who turned my Sunday prayer into a warm meal when I didn't have a cent to my name...

* 〈Thrag is watching you.〉

What.

Why are you watching me.

No, Thrag, bro! Ours is just a business relationship.

Am I supposed to worship the big brother who only gives me trials? Or the one who fed my empty stomach every weekend...

* 〈Thrag is watching you.〉* 〈Thrag is watching you.〉

Now he's even giving me the stink-eye. Fiiine, fine.

Pressed by Thrag's intimidation, I wrote 'God of Blood and Revelry Thrag' in the blank.

Other than that, nothing special. The staff took our forms, stepped out briefly, then returned with something.

Clothes.

"Please take these and proceed inside."

So they have special auction attire, huh? Thinking that, Barkal and I headed where we were shown.

Come to think of it, these clothes look familiar... Where have I seen them before?

"Barkal?"

While I was puzzling over the clothes, someone called Barkal's name.

Looking over, a burly man at the corner of the auction house was staring at us.

He had a mostly-exposed Viking helmet and bold red tattoos on his face.

"Barkal!? Barkal, is that you!?"

He narrowed his eyes at us for a moment, then broke into a broad grin.

"Grunt!"

Obvious barbarian. Judging by Barkal's reaction, he must be from the 'Red Wolf Tribe' too.

The barbarian called Grunt came over and grabbed Barkal's shoulder with a powerful grip.

"Long time, Barkal! And also..."

He looked at me.

"Dr... what was it again? I don't remember."

"Dmihtan Elvar! Do you not remember your brother's name!?"

"... I just forgot for a moment! Can't be helped! He had no presence!"

"He is the smartest of all the Red Wolf Barbarians!"

When Barkal pressed him, grunt looked sheepish.

"He's the one who passed the Coming-of-Age Ceremony too!"

"... You mean Dmihtan!? Barkal, not you!?"

"That's right! Without Dmihtan, I would've died!"

Grunt looked amused as he glanced back and forth between Barkal and me.

"Sorry, Dmihtan! I didn't mean to offend you!"

"Dmihtan, this is Grunt! As you may know, he's Urok's older brother!"

Urok.

I haven't spoken to him directly, but I know who he is.

The first barbarian to die during the Coming-of-Age ceremony.

"Nice to meet you, grunt."

"Sorry for earlier!"

"It's fine."

"Dmihtan! Your body is small, but your heart is big!"

Meeting Grunt, a Red Wolf Tribe barbarian like Barkal and me, was a coincidence—but not impossible.

If he was on the 'Journey of Proof', it's likely he'd come to Iushil too, and it isn't so strange he'd end up at the 'market.'

There's something I wanted to ask.

"What's with these clothes?"

Grunt was holding the same 'auction uniform' we'd been given.

As we chatted and I looked around, I realized something.

Ordinary people in the auction house. None of them were wearing the 'uniform.'

Only the guards were wearing them.Only the 'barbarians'.

"Didn't they explain?"

"No."

"Hmm... Ah! Perfect timing!"

Grunt looked over to the right. There, I saw a group of what appeared to be six people.

With a "follow me" gesture from Grunt, Barkal and I followed him.

We only came to sell a special-grade mana stone, but why is the process so complicated?

"Everyone's gathered on time."

When we reached Grunt's group, a man in the same uniform as the previous staff member was waiting.

What are they doing here?

Wait.The people gathered here.They're all barbarians.

"They say there's nothing of note to hand over before changing shifts. I'll count on you today as well."

The barbarians nodded at the employee's words. What exactly is this place?

"Well then, shall we do our usual before changing? Alright, get ready!"

The employee raised his fist. In sync, the barbarians and Grunt clenched their fists and thrust them upward.

"Security, good, good, good!"

"Good, good, good!"

"Good, good, good!"

As the employee shouted, the barbarians echoed him.

"Protect the market! Protect, protect, protect!"

"Protect, protect, protect!"

"Protect, protect, protect!"

What the heck.

"Auction, let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!"

What on earth is this!?

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=Did all the barbarians become guards?【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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