WTNL Chapter 565

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Lucky Cruise
Chapter 565: Useless aesthetic sense

“So where did the Guild Master go? What did he do? When is he coming back?” Ma Qi couldn’t help but ask. “Is there no other news besides this?”

“No.”

Chen Mo shook his head and stuffed his phone back into his pocket.

“…”

The air fell into a rare heaviness.

Ma Qi looked left and right, bewildered: “Then, then what do we do now?”

“‘Don’t do anything dangerous’.”

Chen Mo said expressionlessly.

Ji Guan’s voice rose in disbelief: “Excuse me?! He has the nerve to say that?”

“Whether it was staying alone on Floor B9 last night or running up to the deck without telling anyone, among everyone, he’s the one doing dangerous things everywhere, right?!” Ji Guan’s emotions gradually became agitated, speaking recklessly, “No wonder Su—”

“Enough.”

Before Ji Guan could say more, Wen Ya suddenly spoke, calmly interrupting him.

Ji Guan was stunned. He looked at Wen Ya, and finally swallowed the rest of his words with a look of indignation.

Buzz buzz.

Just then, Wen Ya’s phone suddenly vibrated twice, breaking the overly stiff atmosphere in the room.

She took out her phone from her pocket and was visibly stunned.

“What’s going on?” Chen Mo pressed.

“It’s Chen Cheng.” Wen Ya took a deep breath, as if trying to calm herself down this way. She held up her phone, displaying the content to the others. “…He sent this.”

[Chen Cheng: ?]

Attached was a photo of the latter half of an auction item announcement.

After seeing the content clearly, everyone was dumbfounded.

“…Auction house’s first human item?”

As the first person spoke to break the silence, it was like cold water dripping into hot oil. The accumulated pressure exploded instantly, and the scene went out of control.

“Did I see that right? Where is he?!”

“What does this mean?! The Guild Master is being auctioned??”

Wen Ya didn’t answer, just quickly messaged back.

A few seconds later, she looked up.

“Chen Cheng said to meet and talk in detail.” Wen Ya pinched the bridge of her nose. “I sent him the location of our lounge.”

“Anyway, everyone calm down first,” looking at the chaotic scene, Wen Ya took a deep breath, “Don’t forget the difficulty of this instance. The reason the Guild Master chose not to let us participate in this must be for a reason.”

“But, he always has his own reasons, doesn’t he?”

Blond, who hadn’t spoken since earlier, suddenly spoke up. He seemed startled by his own voice, shrinking back under everyone’s collective gaze, but still plucked up the courage to ask hesitantly in a small voice:

“He let us join Qi Qian to gamble on Floor B2 this time, was it… so he could act alone?”

“…”

“Are we… that untrustworthy?”

“…”

Although Blond was usually timid, these two questions were unexpectedly sharp, so much so that no one could answer.

Just then, there was a knock on the lounge door.

Knock knock knock.

The knocking broke the suffocating silence in the room. Wen Ya visibly relaxed. She immediately stood up, walked quickly to the door, and said while opening it:

“You came quite fast—”

Wen Ya’s voice stopped abruptly.

Everyone was stunned and turned to look outside the door.

Appearing outside the lounge wasn’t Chen Cheng whom they were waiting for, but an uninvited guest completely out of their expectations.

Su Cheng.

The black-haired, black-eyed Prophet looked around and spoke slowly:

“…Long time no see.”

After a brief astonishment, Chen Mo quickly composed himself:

“What are you doing here?”

Although he looked as rational as usual, his tone still hid anxiety.

Su Cheng looked almost unchanged from everyone’s memory, still appearing refined and reserved. However, in those pitch-black eyes, something darker and more unfamiliar seemed to be hidden:

“I think the reason I’m here should be the same as why you gathered here.”

Su Cheng looked at his former partners and asked quietly:

“Won’t you invite me in?”

After a brief stalemate, Wen Ya slowly turned sideways, letting Su Cheng in.

The air in the lounge had almost solidified, pressing down suffocatingly. Everyone stared vigilantly at this former partner, now uninvited guest. Ma Qi and the other two newcomers stood in the corner, looking left and right, feeling uneasy in this subtle atmosphere.

“Your Guild Master has become tonight’s auction item.” Su Cheng got straight to the point. “What do you plan to do?”

“…”

The scene was silent; no one spoke.

“Since it’s an auction, we should be able to bid too?” Blond said cautiously. “Maybe…”

“You can’t buy him back.”

Unexpectedly, Su Cheng shook his head and interrupted him.

“You came here just to say this?” Ji Guan crossed his arms and sneered. “To make us give up participating so Oracle can reap the benefits?”

“Oracle will indeed participate.”

Su Cheng glanced at him—counting it up, he had known Ji Guan the second longest after Wen Jianyan, but regarding mutual understanding, perhaps he couldn’t match anyone present.

“However, Oracle isn’t the only one bidding.”

“If you insist on participating in this price war, you will definitely lose miserably.”

Before Ji Guan could refute, Su Cheng changed the subject, “Of course, even if you really win, so what?”

“Losing all your savings, possibly even owing the casino a huge debt—in this instance, I think you’ve seen the consequences of owing too much. Do you really want to push your team into a deeper abyss? Do you think this is what your Guild Master wants to see?”

“…”

Ji Guan gritted his teeth, the muscles on his cheeks bulging stiffly.

Even if he didn’t want to admit it, he knew Su Cheng was right.

“Then what do you want to do by coming here this time?” Wen Ya stared at her former teammate, choosing her words carefully. “Just to stop us from participating?”

“No.”

Su Cheng raised his eyes to look at the few people in front of him. His eyes were pitch black, like a bottomless abyss.

“I just want to give you a proposal.”

“Do you really like being protected under his wings like chicks all the time? are you really willing to never be trusted forever?”

“He stops you from touching the truth again and again in the name of protection, yet he puts himself in danger again and again, even preferring to sell himself at an auction rather than revealing any information—are you really not tired of this kind of thing?”

“Do you know what his purpose was for being forced into this instance? Do you know what he wants most right now?”

“Accept my proposal, and I will help you get it.”

“Help him get it.”

---

The fact that Pinocchio was being auctioned was simply too unbelievable. Although anchors holding auction invitations were still a minority, the news spread throughout the entire instance at an uncontrollable speed.

You have to know, Pinocchio wasn’t just a Nightmare top ten!

He was the legendary anchor with the fastest climb in Nightmare history, achieving platinum in every run. Even two veteran anchors had fallen at his hands, with one even losing their life… his value was terrifying.

Although they didn’t know how he fell or how he ended up being auctioned, but… it had to be said, no one was unmoved by this.

Controlling Pinocchio meant not only obtaining all his points and items but also gaining a terrifyingly powerful aid.

Just this name alone was enough to make countless people throw away thousands of gold for him.

Tonight’s auction, no anchor with an invitation could possibly be absent. The way to obtain invitations spread like wildfire. Floor B3 was crowded; as soon as the elevator opened, a strong and intense smell of blood could be smelled.

Even without enough funds, many anchors still wanted to try their luck.

Even if they couldn’t buy him, seeing it with their own eyes wouldn’t be bad.

After all, witnessing the auction of a legendary anchor wasn’t something that happened every day.

Amidst the eager anticipation of countless people, the moment under the spotlight finally arrived.

Lucky Cruise, Floor B7. The auction house doors slowly opened on time.

Under the pale, smiling gaze of the waiters, the crowd swarmed into the auction house. The venue, which had been half-empty the day before, was now packed. Countless greedy, longing eyes stared tightly at the dark red velvet curtain hanging on the stage, seeming to want their gazes to penetrate the thick curtain and see everything behind it.

Auction house second floor, VIP box.

Figaro sat in his seat, sipping red wine from his glass, casually glancing at the packed seats below, then raising his eyes to look at the windows on the second floor.

Others might not see the difference, but as one of the auction house’s long-term suppliers, Figaro knew—

The second floor was also full.

This was unprecedented.

Many boxes, since his memory began, had almost never been used. However, at this moment, behind those heavy curtains, dark red lights glowed faintly.

Figaro narrowed his long, fox-like eyes, light flickering within them.

The problem was, the numbers didn’t add up no matter how he calculated.

Unlike other anchors, Figaro knew the composition of all forces in the Nightmare—whether the three major guilds on the surface, the high-profile Nightmare top ten, or mercenary organizations like his that operated in the shadows but were equally wealthy, they were as familiar to Figaro as his own palm prints.

Whether the controllers of these guilds and forces were in the instance or not, they would definitely try to get a share through their members inside the instance.

However, even counting all known forces, the number was still wrong.

The threshold for boxes was extremely high, and approval was very difficult.

No matter how Figaro calculated, he couldn’t match the participants to the number of boxes one-to-one.

—There were too many boxes.

Just as Figaro leaned by the window, deep in thought, suddenly, with two soft thuds, there was a knock on his box door.

“Come in.”

Figaro said lazily.

The box door was pushed open from the outside.

It was Gentleman.

He came alone.

“Ah, it’s you.”

Seeing the visitor, Figaro’s face immediately lit up with an enthusiastic business smile.

“My esteemed guest.”

The dapper man stood outside the door, wearing a cold yet elegant smile on his pale face: “Really? I thought now that you have a more precious guest, you’ve forgotten our deal.”

“How could I,” Figaro said with a beaming smile. “I have been working hard to complete the task you gave me, never slacking off.”

“You should say that to yourself.”

Gentleman walked into the box.

Two monsters accustomed to disguising themselves with smiles sat opposite each other, both knowing each other’s nature well.

“Will Oracle, which you represent, participate in this auction?” Figaro asked.

Gentleman: “Pinocchio?”

He smiled, a dark gleam flashing in his eyes.

“Of course.”

“Then I wish you good luck in advance.”

Figaro raised his glass, wearing a cunning smile, and winked at him.

“—After all, ‘highest bidder wins’.”

---

Inside the dead silent warehouse, the giant cage was covered with thick curtains, letting in no light.

In the pitch blackness, it was almost impossible to judge the passage of time.

Whoosh!

Without warning, the curtain on the cage was yanked open.

“…Mmh.” The young man curled up in the cage raised his hand to shield his eyes, avoiding the suddenly intensified light.

Accompanying the clanging sound of the cage opening, something was thrown in.

Wen Jianyan lifted his sleepy eyes, seeming not fully awake yet: “…What’s wrong? Is it time?”

Carl Bell’s smooth voice came from above: “Yes, very soon.”

Wen Jianyan sat up slowly. Even though he was mentally prepared, seeing what was thrown in, he couldn’t help but stare blankly for a while:

“…What is this?”

“Although I don’t care for your useless aesthetics, this should allow you to sell for a better price.”

Through the gaps in the cage, Carl Bell’s smiling face could be seen.

“Please change quickly, it’s starting soon.”

Wen Jianyan: “What if I don’t change?”

Carl Bell’s expression remained unchanged, only expressing regret: “Then I’ll have to ask you to go on stage wearing nothing.”

Wen Jianyan: “…”

---

Under everyone’s anticipation, the auction curtain was slowly pulled open, and the auction officially began.

High-priced, very precious items were pushed onto the stage one by one, but they barely caused a splash. Even the bidding seemed absent-minded.

However, as time passed, the atmosphere in the venue began to change bit by bit, as if invisible strings were being tightened. All participants began to fidget. When this atmosphere fermented to an unbearable, torturous degree…

Finally, the auctioneer on stage spoke.

“The final auction item—”

Here it comes!

Everyone perked up, nervously looking up at the stage, unwilling to miss a single detail.

“SSS-rank human item, [Pinocchio]!”

Even with mental preparation, hearing Carl Bell announce the item’s name, everyone’s heart couldn’t help but tighten—it was true.

It was actually true!

Rumble—

A giant cage taller than a person was slowly pushed to the front of the stage, covered with a dark red curtain. The auction venue was filled with a hair-trigger dead silence; one could almost hear the violently pumping hearts of everyone present.

“This is the first time this auction has used a human as an item. Given the item’s uniqueness and preciousness—”

Seeing all participants’ gazes and nerves drawn by him, the smile on Carl Bell’s face deepened slowly. He turned around, grabbed the red cloth on the cage, and yanked it down fiercely:

“Starting price: One billion.”

Inside the giant iron cage stood a human youth.

He was barefoot. His neck, wrists, and ankles were bound in heavy black iron shackles. His upper body was bare, with only pale gold armbands around his arms. Flowing fabric was bound around his waist. Above his protruding hip bones, golden eerie patterns were deeply etched into his flesh.

Bright lights shone down from overhead, flowing like water over his shoulders.

“…”

The venue was dead silent; almost not even a gasp sounded.

It was indeed him.

It was really him!!!!!!

Humans instinctively pursue power and beauty.

However, no matter how much they desired to possess it, when all this was up for sale, it could always trigger more terrifying evil thoughts.

Such a powerful anchor, such a terrifying character, but now bound hand and foot, reduced to a prisoner, waiting in a cage for his ownership to be auctioned.

Shocked, fanatical, greedy, yearning… countless gazes fell on the youth under the spotlight, almost wishing to lick a layer of flesh off him.

No matter how practical the intentions of those participating in this auction were, they had to admit, regardless of orientation, this scene could almost make evil desires breed and wicked thoughts rise in all humans.

SSS-rank utility.

You can do whatever you want.

Use him, let him take you out of this terrifying cannibalistic hell; exploit him, make him offer all his assets; control him, make him obey all your orders.

Even… more?

“One billion.”

From a corner came a suppressed, excited bidding voice.

The moment the silence was broken, it was like some curse had been lifted.

Instantly, the entire auction fell into a terrifying fervor.

“1.4 billion!”

“1.7 billion!!!”

The bids rose steadily. Within a short half-minute of opening, the price had already soared to a terrifying 2.3 billion!!

“Three billion.” An abrupt voice came from the second floor.

This was the first time tonight a box on the second floor started bidding.

However, at the same time, this terrifying price shocked everyone present. The passion fueled by the fanatical atmosphere cooled slightly, forcing them to think—could they really afford such a price?

True, they could choose to continue borrowing from the casino. As long as they got Pinocchio, he could definitely come up with a countermeasure, but… what if?

Such a massive debt, once unable to be repaid, could they really afford the consequences?

A light chuckle came from the auction stage.

Everyone was stunned and subconsciously looked up towards the source of the sound.

Inside the iron cage, the youth lifted his eyelids, looking at everyone through the bars, revealing a lazy smile.

“…Just this little?”

He crossed his arms, leaning against the cage wall. The chains on his body made “clink-clank” metallic collision sounds with his movements. His attire was scant. Under the nearly blinding spotlight, his human skin was dazzlingly white.

He didn’t look like a prisoner being sold, but rather a king waiting for subjects to offer tributes just to kiss his feet.

He smiled, looking down at everyone below the stage, demonic light flickering deep in his light-colored eyes.

“Continue.”

He curled his finger, whispering in a voice that lured people to depravity:

“—Let me see how much you are willing to pay for me.”

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