Midnight Auction

Ling Chu couldn't possibly show him the Gambler's Coin. Equipment that increased Luck was rare, and she had no intention of selling it. Besides, if she told him the truth, he might harbor ill intentions, force her to sell it, or secretly trip her up. Any of those things could happen.

Ling Chu didn't want trouble.

"I don't have anything that increases Luck. I'm not always this lucky, either."

Ling Chu told a small lie. Karl Claude had been watching her expression the whole time, but he hadn't spotted anything amiss.

"Very well. I still have some personal matters to take care of. The auction is about to begin. If you're interested, you can take a look on the fourth floor. I hope you enjoy yourself, Miss." Karl Claude stubbed out his cigar, a sign that his patience had run out.

The moment Ling Chu stepped out of the Captain's Cabin, the effect of Double Luck happened to wear off.

She couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The native NPCs in this world were one and all shrewd—or were they really NPCs at all?

Ling Chu thought they seemed more like real people living in a real world.

A waiting attendant guided her through the corridor. Perhaps because she'd just come from the Captain's Cabin, he didn't dare neglect her. When he learned she wanted to attend the auction, he took her straight to the venue on the fourth floor.

At the end of the corridor hung a pair of Black Velvet Curtains. Two burly guards stood on either side, their faces expressionless. Only after the attendant gave them a slight nod did they silently draw the curtains open.

The sight beyond made Ling Chu's gaze sharpen slightly. It was less an auction hall than a small Amphitheater.

The lights were dim, all focused on the circular stage in the center. Rows of Private Boxes rose in tiers around it instead of open seating. Heavy, dark curtains hung over each box, drawn back just a crack. The guests inside could see the floor below, but it was difficult for anyone else to make out their faces. The place offered exceptional privacy.

Inside the boxes were wide Velvet Sofas, Crystal Ashtrays, and Bells for summoning attendants.

Very soft Classical Symphony music echoed through the air, almost too faint to hear, making the whole place feel even more oppressive and strange. Every so often, a Bell rang from one of the boxes. An attendant, silent as a shadow, would hurry over to listen to the guest's instructions.

The attendant soon brought her Chips.

A full thousand White Chips sat neatly stacked on three trays, worth one hundred thousand Sea Shells!

Although Ling Chu had cursed Karl Claude three hundred times in her heart, the man really did give away money when he had it. She'd gotten rich overnight and finally turned her fortunes around.

An auctioneer in a crisp formal suit, his hair slicked back until it gleamed, stood at the center of the stage. He wore an enthusiastic smile, and his voice carried clearly to every corner through some hidden Amplifier, powerful without being grating.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the Midnight Auction at the Golden Finger Casino!" He spread his arms, his tone charged with excitement. "Here, you'll gain more than just objects. You'll find opportunity, companionship, and experiences beyond your imagination! Tonight, every one-of-a-kind 'item' longs to find a home with someone who appreciates its value! Have your Chips ready, and let us witness who has the keenest eye for collecting tonight!"

As he finished speaking, the music grew slightly louder, and the stage lights focused on the first display platform to be wheeled out.

It held a young white man with blond hair and blue eyes, tall and sturdy, dressed only in a simple Linen Shirt and trousers. His eyes were vacant, his expression marked by humiliation and a hint of fear. A Metal Tag bearing a number hung around his neck.

Ling Chu was even more surprised. The first item up for auction was a person?

The auctioneer began enthusiastically listing his "virtues": healthy, strong, skilled in carpentry and navigation, an "excellent laborer and loyal servant."

The bidding began.

A few lazy chimes rang out from the Private Boxes.

Ling Chu had no interest in the man and had no intention of bidding. Her Skeleton Henchmen didn't need food, drink, or rest. They were far superior to human servants.

The price rose slowly, and in the end, he sold for five Chips—a sum so low it seemed almost symbolic. Once the sale was complete, the man was immediately led into one of the Private Boxes.

Ling Chu watched with an expressionless face, but deep down, she understood the cruelty of this ship even better.

Soon, the second item was brought out.

She was an East Asian woman with black hair and an athletic build. Her skin was the healthy Wheat color of someone who had spent years in the sun. She didn't lower her head. Instead, she held her chin high, her gaze sweeping across the boxes hidden in shadow like a blade tempered in fire. Fury burned in her eyes, along with a refusal to submit.

Ling Chu raised an eyebrow. This was a player!

She could tell entirely from the woman's clothes.

For one thing, almost everyone here looked Western, so her East Asian features stood out. For another, she wore Sweatpants and Nike Sneakers, and something like a Sports Watch on her wrist. The natives here dressed in a style resembling the Western Middle Ages. They would never wear anything like that.

The auctioneer seemed a little troubled by the second item's attitude, but he still introduced her through gritted teeth. "...Uh, a rather special 'item.' Her personality is... uh... fiery! She has extensive... experience surviving at sea! Starting bid: one Chip!"

Ling Chu used her Eyepatch to read the woman's information.

[Player ID: Stay Away From Gambling, Drugs, and Vice]

[Class: Gambler (Tier 2)/Pirate (Tier 1)]

[Constitution: 6]

[Strength: 7]

[Agility: 9]

[Intelligence: 7]

[Sin Value: 20]

[Justice Points: 0]

[Bounty: 66 Sea Shells]

[Skills: All In, Fate Dice, Knife Mastery.]

[All In: Increases the critical hit chance of the next attack. Costs 20 Magic Energy.]

[Fate Dice: Rolls a virtual die to grant beneficial or detrimental effects based on the result.

1: Attack power decreases; movement speed decreases. 2: Defense decreases. 3: No effect. 4: Attack speed increases. 5: Critical hit chance increases. 6: All attributes increase significantly.]

[Knife Mastery: Skilled in the use of throwing knives.]

Stay Away From Gambling, Drugs, and Vice?

Ling Chu was even more surprised. Wasn't this someone on her friends list?

She'd gotten her Gambler's Coin from her.

She'd always thought that ID belonged to a man. No wonder she'd specifically asked Ling Chu for a pink Fluorescent Starfish. She was a girl after all.

Ling Chu immediately sent Stay Away From Gambling, Drugs, and Vice a private message: "Were you captured and brought aboard the Golden Finger Gambling Ship to be auctioned off?"

The second after she sent the message, the black-haired girl on the Auction Stage visibly froze. Then she looked around, but the dark curtains hid everyone in the boxes.

Stay Away From Gambling, Drugs, and Vice replied at once, as if she'd seen a lifeline: "Yes. Are you at the auction?"

"Can you help me? I've been trapped here for days, and they took all the ships. I'm completely out of options."

Ling Chu replied, "I don't do business at a loss."

She could save her, but she'd have to get something in return.