Two more Runes sold without issue, but Noah’s prediction came to be true just a few minutes later, when there was a knock on their door.

“There we go. Lee, do you think you could get that? You’re the most intimidating out of all of us right now. Ah, I guess we should make sure not to use names as well from here on out.”

Lee nodded. She rose to her feet, her current form towering far above all of them as she stomped over to the door and leaned down, pulling it open carefully to avoid damaging the handle.

A woman stood on the other side, her arms crossed behind her back. Her mask identified her with a small bird print rather than a number.

“I apologize for the intrusion,” the woman said, her voice smooth and syrupy. She didn’t look taken aback by Lee’s size in the slightest. “Would you object to a brief discussion? I come representing Number 14, in the platform to your left.”

Those are the ones that haven’t bid on a single thing yet. Interesting.

“I’m always willing to entertain guests,” Noah said, waving for her to come in. Lee closed the door behind the woman. “What can we do for you, Bird?”

If she objected to the nickname, she didn’t show it. “Number 14 would like to inquire if there is a particular piece you are searching for in the auction today.”

“Nothing in particular,” Noah said with a one-shouldered shrug. “We’re simply perusing and taking whatever catches our interest.”

Something tells me that isn’t the case for 14, though. They’re worried I have enough money to compete with them on something they actually care about.

Noah was thankful for his mask, because he could barely hold back the devilish grin crossing his lips.

“Ah. In that case, would you object to avoiding a particular object? Number 14 greatly desires this object for himself, and he would be very displeased if we have to pay more than we need to for it.”

She’s avoiding mentioning the specific item in case I seem like I’ll screw with them for no reason, and the way she worded things made it pretty clear she doesn’t believe losing is actually possible – they’ve got a ridiculous amount of money, then. Probably a massive family, then.

“A curious proposal,” Noah said. “Is there anything I would get out of it? I have no desire to antagonize your group, but I’m not going to sit around and pass up on something interesting.”

“We understand, and would obviously be willing to return the favor in kind. We will refrain from bidding on anything that you desire if you return the effort.”

Hm. They know something really important is going to go up for sale, and whatever it is, it’s probably really good. There’s absolutely no way I could afford something like that in the first place, even if we pool everything we have.

But, if they’re rich… well, they should be able to spare some money pretty easily.

“I’m not sure I can agree to that quite yet. What if the object your group desires is identical to the one that catches my eye?” Noah shook his head sadly. “If you could tell me the item of interest, I would be honest and tell you truthfully if I will bid on it or not. My word.”

Bird didn’t speak for several moments. She was probably trying to read his body language, but Noah had absolutely no idea what he was talking about, so it was impossible to tell anything from it.

I get the feeling that all the big noble families knew this fancy thing would pop up, so she might think I’m being coy. Jokes on you, sucker. I’m fucking clueless.

“It is the Rank 6 Rune, Violet Transference,” Bird said, making a decision.

Noah tilted his head to the side, as if he were disappointed by her words. “Oh. Is that all? That’s no concern to me. I had thought there would be something more interesting. Yes, your Number 14 is more than welcome to it. I will not compete.”If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

And, exactly as Noah had hoped, Bird paused. She looked around the room, clearly trying to figure out if she could pick up any clues about their identity.

“Perhaps our alliance need not be so limited,” Noah offered. “You’re being kind to me, after all. I should return the favor.”

Noah’s words were polite, but they came off as arrogant, which was exactly his goal. He’d made Bird’s request seem as if it was the equivalent of a man begging him for coin at the side of the road.

“How so, Number 17?” Bird asked, her tone bristling slightly.

“I have a Rune that I was considering auctioning, but I wasn’t certain if it was worth the effort. Perhaps your group would be interested in taking a look at it before anyone else?”

“I can’t speak for Number 14, so I am uncertain. Would you be willing to say what the Rune is?” Bird asked. Her tone remained even, but Noah caught the slight interest in her voice. It wasn’t hard to look for. If he didn’t care about a Rank 6 Rune, it made sense that he’d probably have his sights set on something rarer.

“A Monster Rune,” Noah replied simply. “One unique to a monster – something that I do not believe any human has ever been able to harvest.”

Bird swallowed. “You’re claiming to have a completely unique Rune that has never been seen before? We’d have to verify such a thing was true before we did anything further.”

“Of course,” Noah said smoothly. “And the price of witnessing the Rune before anyone else will be a piece of Catchpaper. I don’t wish to reveal the rest of my collection to you.”

“Of course. I would expect as much. I can’t guarantee anything, but I will go speak with 14 immediately.” She beat a hasty retreat and strode off into the darkness to return to her viewing platform.

Noah turned to the attendant and put his hand on her arm so she could hear him. “Would it be possible to retrieve my grimoire from my vault temporarily?”

“Of course. Is there something in it that you wish to sell?”

“An individual Rune, but I’m not sure if I’ll be auctioning it yet,” Noah replied. “I’ll contact you again if I need it.”

The attendant nodded and he took his hand off her, turning back to the door. Something told him that he wouldn’t have to wait long for a response – and he was right.

No more than a minute or two later, there was a knock on the door. Lee opened it to reveal Bird and a man with the number 14 on his mask. There was a piece of paper in Bird’s hands.

“I have procured the Catchpaper,” Bird said, holding it out to Noah. “We’d be interested in taking a look at what you have to offer.”

“Splendid,” Noah said, inclining his head ever so slightly. Number 14 didn’t address him, and Noah returned the favor. “Please give me some time to retrieve the Rune.”

Lee closed the door.

Noah turned back to the attendant and put his hand on her arm. “I’d like that Grimoire, please.”

“Of course, sir. Please step back.”

Noah obeyed her request and the attendant pressed her palms together. She stretched them apart, and a familiar crackle of purple energy arced between them. A portal stretched open in the room and Noah’s grimoire thumped to the ground before him.

The Troupe’s attendants have Space Runes? These guys definitely aren’t under-funded.

He wasted no time in flipping the grimoire open setting the paper down beside it. Selling the Monster Rune wasn’t really much of a drawback to him – he could easily get another one without too much difficulty, and he wasn’t so sure he wanted to test it on himself.

Anything that messed with his soul was something that – unlike death – posed a real risk to him. Fortunately, as long as he moved fast enough, having the Chitinous Spine Armor Rune in his mind for a few moments wouldn’t be enough time to cause any changes.

Noah didn’t care how dangerous the Rune was if someone else was buying it. It was their responsibility to make sure it didn’t turn them into some sort of warped monster-human hybrid. All he had to do was get it onto a piece of paper so he didn’t have to reveal his very recognizable grimoire.

“Give me the Chitinous Spine Armor Rune,” Noah said. “It was part of Datyon’s scroll. Wait, shit. You didn’t eat it, did you?”

The book’s pages fluttered. It shifted to the side of its own accord, sliding to touch the paper on the ground beside it. The scent of burning paper filled the air, and Noah looked down in surprise.

Glowing lines were swirled across the piece of Catchpaper as the Chitinous Spine Armor Rune drew itself onto it. Tiny glowing embers rose up from the paper and faded into the air.

The book can imbue Runes on its own? I don’t have to take them into myself first? Holy shit. This thing is insane. It also begs the question… how intelligent is it?

The Imbuement finished and the book snapped shut.

Noah picked the paper with the Monster Rune up, then tapped the attendant on the shoulder. “That will be all. Thank you.”

The attendant opened her portal once more and, after glancing through it to make sure the vault on the other side was his, Noah pushed the book through. Then he turned back to the door and nodded for Lee to open it.

“Thank you for your patience,” Noah said, beckoning for Bird and Number 14 to step into their room and holding the paper out so they could see it. The smile on his face stretched even wider, until it probably had more resemblance to Azel’s smirk than he would have cared to admit. “Please, take a look.”