“She fell down the stairs. Had a fit all on her own.”
“Huh.”
At Hugo’s words, Leo let out a scoff.
What? She fell down the stairs by herself?
He looked at Sophie as if it were absurd.
No, how exactly do you fall to end up looking like a blood-soaked corpse?
When Leo’s gaze finally sharpened, Hugo tensed up.
‘As I thought, it’s a ridiculous lie.’
I should have just thrown her off the rooftop.
It was right when Hugo was about to assume a battle stance under Leo’s suspicion.
“Whatever. It’s fine.”
“!”
Unexpectedly, Leo snorted.
“That woman is none of my business.”
He meant that it was an Aquarius saint’s problem.
After all, the Twelve Zodiacs, before being comrades, were enemies who stole each other’s sanctums and experience points, and they weren’t on good terms to begin with.
Moreover, Aquarius was a thorn in the side with many sanctums and high influence.
If that side took damage, it was rather a welcome thing for the other Zodiacs.
So it didn’t matter.
What mattered to Leo right now was not someone like Sophie, but Hugo.
Why was Hugo, who hadn’t appeared no matter how long they searched for twenty years, here?
‘The guy who completely ignored any carrot dangled to make him betray Igeon.’
But it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.
“Looks like you came coveting Igeon’s relic, in your widower state.”
“!”
“That’s mine. A beggar saint like you wouldn’t even dare, right?”
Hugo was dumbfounded.
“Your obsession with Geon’s belongings is still the same. As if that will make you become Igeon.”
“What?”
“And anyway, you won’t be able to take that today.”
“What do you mean?”
The bastard still didn’t seem to have noticed, but the owner of the item was right here.
So he had just scoffed that it would be impossible, but to Leo, that seemed to greatly get on his nerves.
“At best, an archer whose own bow is shattered.”
He was asking what made him so damn confident today.
In the end, as Leo’s eyes flashed, golden magical power streamed out.
[Predator’s Chain]
The golden chain raised its head as if aiming for prey. And that was Leo’s exclusive suppression skill.
Not to be outdone, red magical power also erupted from Hugo’s body.
Boom!
[Blood-Red Flames (Fire Adornment)]
Flame tattoos appeared on Hugo’s face.
Both were saints of the rare rank, so the power was wild.
The moment the tremendous magical forces were about to clash—
[Yes, one hundred million dollars! Igeon’s relic has been bid up to one hundred million dollars!]
“!”
[And four in a row! Gemini’s power is formidable. They are buying up everything from the middle of the auction! Among them, two are Igeon’s items!]
It was the broadcast being relayed to the entire integrated exchange from the auction house.
At that, Leo turned his head in bewilderment. The crackling magical power scattered.
Because he had ordered his subordinates to secure any item related to Igeon.
But someone else took it?
And the winning bidder was Gemini at that—what the hell!
‘There’s no way Gemini would covet our things.’
No, this wasn’t the time to be thinking about that.
“What the hell are they doing.”
Leo, oozing murderous intent, turned around hastily.
On the other hand, at the mention of Gemini, Hugo frowned with a strange look.
‘Gemini won the bid on Geon’s items?’
Gemini was in a cooperative relationship with Leo.
There’s no way that calculating Gemini would touch their important client, Leo.
But for Geon to be the culprit—there’s no way that guy has one hundred million dollars.
‘This bastard, no way….’
And Hugo’s ominous prediction was accurate.
* * *
“I-Is that really okay?”
Meanwhile, Cheon Seong-jae and the guard couldn’t close their mouths.
Because of the countless bottles of alcohol before their eyes.
Dom Pérignon, Armand de Brignac, Krug…
“How much is all that…! Order Commander, is the limit really okay?”
But whether they were horrified or not, Igeon nonchalantly opened another expensive bottle.
And the one facing him was none other than Korea’s No. 1 Order, the Gemini Order Commander.
Where they currently were was the floating castle
While it had various facilities like combat arenas, Igeon was in the royal suite of the stadium auction house.
The reason was simple.
‘An invitation from the Gemini Korean Order Commander.’
Igeon, who was shamelessly milking the situation, grinned.
‘I have no money, so this worked out nicely.’
That was it. He was taking advantage of the Gemini Order Commander’s “good will.”
A moment ago, the reason he could enter the teleport VIP lounge where Sophie was, was all thanks to these guys.
He didn’t know the reason, but thanks to the Commander inviting him to the lounge, he caught Sophie well too.
‘Well, I wonder what his reaction would be if he found out the saintess ended up like that because of me.’
But Cheon Seong-jae and the guard who had brought Igeon couldn’t help but be flustered.
That was only natural.
‘The Order Commander has never given such generous treatment before.’
And it wasn’t just the alcohol.
‘He even told him to bid freely on auction items.’
He hadn’t done this even when bringing in S-rank Min Seong-hun.
The guard approached Igeon with a troubled expression.
He had no choice.
No matter how much the Commander said he could bid on anything he wanted, there were limits.
“To bid on every single item…!”
“Why? He didn’t say to pick just one.”
Well, no, he didn’t.
But still, common sense; who would think of bidding on every item?
‘Even the junk items in this auction are worth tens of billions each!’
If the items he won were holy relics or something, it would be one thing.
If they were those, you could use them for raids or whatever.
But.
“Why did you buy the ballpoint pen rockstar Hwin used?”
“Why? Because I’m a fan.”
“What about that bizarre female statue?”
“Because it looked unique?”
“This uselessly flashy cup!”
“I’ll use it when brushing my teeth.”
“…Then this back scratcher!”
“Are you stupid? Obviously I bought it to scratch my back.”
“#&*#$*(!”
The guard grabbed the back of his own neck.
For reasons like that, tens of billions…!
I really don’t know if this person is okay.
But then.
“Haha, it’s fine. It’s fine.”
A man with an elite impression, appearing to be in his early thirties, laughed. He was Gemini Order Commander Choi Seong-hyeok.
“The payment is all supported by the Gemini Saint anyway. Order as much alcohol as you want.”
Of course, the alcohol cost was separate, but for a Commander-class, such expenses were nothing.
And above all.
- Seong-jae.
“!”
The Gemini Commander smiled as he called Cheon Seong-jae.
No sound. It was telepathy magic.
At the same time, Cheon Seong-jae looked at the Commander with an ominous feeling, but the Commander just grinned.
- I’m sorry, but I left my corporate card behind. You temporarily settle the payment for now.
“……!”
The calculating Commander smiled.
He had this in mind from the start.
Without borrowing Gemini’s power, he would make Cheon Seong-jae indebted to him.
It was his iron rule to tie such talent to the Order in this way.
- I’ll process the payment at the next settlement. Please?
Then Cheon Seong-jae frowned and glanced sideways at his superior.
‘The amount of pushed-back debt is staggering.’
But he couldn’t refuse the superior’s order.
Cheon Seong-jae had no choice but to take the bill and head to the staff member.
But then.
“Oh? It’s already all been paid for.”
“……?!”
The staff member smiled and returned a black card.
It was none other than the Commander’s card.
Then the most flustered one was the Commander. His eyes widened and he put his hand to his chest.
No, why is that there?
At that moment, clink! The sound of a glass being set down was heard.
“Why are you surprised? I took the card out beforehand.”
“!”
The astonished Commander looked at Igeon, but the latter just smiled mockingly.
“The host can’t be too drunk to pay, can he?”
“……!”
“It’d be even more troublesome if you then made your subordinate pay.”
This bastard.
He looked at him in bewilderment, but whether or not, Igeon patted Cheon Seong-jae on the back.
And perhaps realizing the meaning, Cheon Seong-jae’s eyes widened.
Maybe Igeon suddenly looked cool to him.
But then.
[You feel a gaze of respect directed at you.]
[The Serpent Bearer’s ability has solidified.]
[You can satisfy the conditions for a specific skill.]
[You have become aware of the existence of faith.]
‘!’
Igeon’s eyes widened.
On the other hand, the Commander, who had been hit in the back of the head by Igeon’s move, twitched his face and smiled.
“No matter what, I wouldn’t make my subordinate do something like that.”
The young guy had oddly gotten on his nerves, but that wasn’t important now.
‘That fellow is a talent who can erase that hateful Igeon.’
The dignity of the Zodiac.
In other words, among the methods to strengthen the power of a constellation, there was also fame and prestige.
If he joined the Order, just that fact would elevate Gemini’s status.
That arrogant attitude could be fixed by bringing him in and educating him well himself.
Sure enough.
The Gemini Commander pushed up his glasses and got to the point.
“I’ll make an unconventional offer.”
“?”
“Would you consider serving the Gemini Saint? Directly under him at that.”
* * *
Cheon Seong-jae and the guard were shocked.
‘What? Directly under him?’
Was he saying they’d give him a position on par with the Commander as soon as he joins?
But they soon broke into a cold sweat. Of course, not just because of the Commander’s words.
It was because Igeon burst into convulsive laughter the moment the words dropped.
“H-Hyung?”
“……!”
The Commander also seemed a bit taken aback. But Igeon, who had been laughing, stopped abruptly.
“Did you just tell me to become the saint’s lapdog?”
“Why, don’t you feel like serving? He’s an intelligent and beautiful person.”
Igeon laughed again.
‘Look at this bastard.’
Because he belonged to Gemini and seemed to have a lot of money, he had deliberately hidden his identity and kept his mouth shut with the intention of fleecing him, but really.
‘Who becomes whose aide?’
Of course, it wasn’t a bad method.
If he pretended to be scouted, he could approach those hiding in the sanctuary.
It was an opportunity to directly catch them.
But who becomes whose lapdog?
However, perhaps misreading Igeon’s mind.
The Gemini Commander smiled and praised Igeon effusively.
“You have outstanding talent. I heard from Seong-jae that you imitate Igeon’s skills. You were good enough that you don’t even need to go around imitating Igeon. I guarantee it. You have the level to receive the saint’s grace.”
From the Commander’s standpoint, this was peerless praise, but Igeon’s reaction was a bit strange.
“Is that all you have to say?”
The liquor bottle Igeon raised was eerily menacing. He even smashed the bottle.
Because of that, the Commander looked somewhat flustered.
No, why is he reacting like this?
‘Did I make some mistake?’
No, there’s no way.
After all, Gemini’s basic trait was observation akin to detection and mind-reading.
At his level, he could grasp an opponent’s disposition and purpose just from their eyes.
In fact, that man was different from Seong-jae.
He was absolutely not a fan of Igeon. Rather, he was the type to dislike Igeon.
‘Can’t be helped.’
In the end, the Gemini Commander’s eyes flashed.
[Caution. The master of the Two-Faced Constellation, Gemini’s skill, is activating.]
[It is a magic skill.]
“!”
When Choi Seong-hyeok used the skill, Igeon narrowed his brows. Of course, it wasn’t a harmful type of skill.
‘Persuasion-type mental magic, huh?’
It wasn’t magic that controlled the opponent, but one that boosted credibility.
Thanks to that, Igeon smiled as if greatly intrigued.
That was understandable.
‘As Taek-su said, the Commander class is quite useful and strong, aren’t they?’
Commander-class was captain-level combat power. The heads of the Order branches in each country—in short, the executives.
Hadn’t Hugo said not to let his guard down?
But.
‘The little bastard is getting cocky.’
Along with that ferocious gaze, a liquor bottle next to Igeon shattered.
Crash!
‘!’
And the Commander was momentarily taken aback.
Because of the intimidating pressure he felt from Igeon.
Sure enough.
Thud!
“……!”
The Commander staring at Igeon felt a chill down his spine.
It felt as if he were being swallowed whole by a snake. Or perhaps it was because, as a Constellation Leader, his senses were even more acute.
Finally, the Gemini Constellation Leader, who had been trembling, rose from his seat.
“……!”
The chilling aura had vanished. Flustered, Choe Seong-hyeok looked at I Geon, but he was simply drinking.
Choe Seong-hyeok gulped.
‘Was it just my imagination?’
A strange feeling he had never even felt from saints.
But then it happened.
Shwoop!
‘!’
Choe Seong-hyeok’s magical power vanished. Even the spell he had been maintaining was dispelled.
Choe Seong-hyeok looked around in bewilderment.
‘Why has my magical power suddenly…?’
However, I Geon, who was downing vodka like water, simply chuckled.
[Magical power absorbed]
[Tribute item stolen]
Indeed, I Geon’s gaze was directed at the Gemini Constellation Leader’s wallet.
He had taken out a card and put something else in its place.
B-grade (Replica)
- Absorbs 10% of the owner’s magical power every hour on the hour (B-grade)
- The magical power and items are randomly transferred to the target (I Geon) whose name is inscribed on the body.
It was a replica of a sacred relic that I Geon had multiplied using the Aries Constellation’s imperial sacred relic.
He had left the original with Hugo, and was attempting mass production (?) of the rest.
And that was the prototype.
‘What a perfect opportunity.’
With a Constellation Leader’s magical power, it would make a great charging station.
For himself, who consumed magical power just by moving, it was the ultimate storehouse.
Eventually, Constellation Leader Choe was tilting his head, not knowing the cause.
“Congratulations.”
“!!”
Just then, a staff member approached.
He had come to deliver the item I Geon had won at auction.
“Here is the item you won as the final bid.”
As I Geon accepted the black wooden case, the Gemini Constellation Leader’s face hardened instantly.
That was only natural.
“As you can see, there is also a certificate stating it is I Geon’s property.”
At the staff member’s words, the Constellation Leader, rarely taken aback, looked at I Geon.
“Wait, don’t tell me you even won I Geon’s sacred relic?”
“Why, didn’t you hear that I won it?”
I Geon opened the luxurious case and smiled.
Although the item the appraiser had mentioned hadn’t come up yet, this was also an important object.
[Pendant]
However, the Gemini Constellation Leader was flustered seeing it.
It wasn’t about money.
The alcohol, the other items, none of that mattered.
But I Geon’s relic was completely different.
That was supposed to go to the Leo Constellation in America; touching it would cause trouble.
“I can’t let that happen, so I’ll take it. It’s an item I must hand over to Leo.”
“Leo?”
Just as I Geon was about to ask why he had to hand it over to that bastard.
“Hey, you Gemini gigolos.”
“!”
At the familiar voice, I Geon blinked, and the Constellation Leader was startled.
At the same time, Cheon Seong-jae and his escort, who had turned their heads, gaped.
“Leo…!”
“Do you know whose property you’re messing with right now?”
Before they knew it, the Golden Lion was standing there with an angry face.
(To be continued...)