Chapter 379 - 378: May the Black Mist Make Way for You

Chapter 379: Chapter 378: May the Black Mist Make Way for You

"The way to counter it is to purchase the auction house’s anonymity enhancement. But even then, you’re not completely safe. If someone is willing to pay enough Black Fog Coins, they can still access all your information."

"So, you’re saying this damned place doesn’t care about anything but Black Fog Coins?"

The reply came with a strange, matter-of-fact tone: "What else? Besides the Black Fog Coins on you, what other value do you have?"

This explanation silenced the public feed for a moment. It was clear many participants, especially humans like Seraphina Sinclair who were new to the auction house, felt a chill run down their spine.

Seraphina Sinclair mentally filed this away.

’Looks like I’ll have to be more careful at the auction house from now on. I should avoid making enemies that would cost a fortune in Black Fog Coins to deal with. At the same time, I need to work on accumulating more capital.’

’Capital not just for survival, but for information security as well.’

The bidder who had exposed their ID didn’t speak again. It was unknown if they were regretting it or had already left the auction.

The other bidder also stopped their provocations. The argument came to an abrupt end, but because of this incident, many newcomers no longer dared to speak casually in the public feed.

After this little interlude, the second half of the auction seemed much more mundane.

Every time a new item appeared, Seraphina Sinclair would glance up, confirm it wasn’t something she needed, and then her gaze would drift away as she thought about what to do when she got back.

The auction lasted for three hours and finally concluded after a D+ Level weapon with rather good Attributes was sold.

The auctioneer gave his thanks and left the stage. The light screen gradually dimmed, and the flow of messages in the public feed dwindled, until only a few scattered farewells or complaints remained.

Inside the private room, the soft lighting came back on.

The Guide System’s voice sounded. "Esteemed VIP, this auction has successfully concluded. You have spent a total of 11,235 Black Fog Coins and successfully purchased the three items you wanted!"

’Why is there such a pointless summary?’

Seraphina Sinclair glanced at her Black Fog Coin balance. She had arrived with 117,653 Black Fog Coins, and now...

Her balance was 115,300.

’I bought a few things, but my balance didn’t go down by much.’

Seraphina Sinclair had been lucky; the two items she had put up for consignment sold for far more than their direct sale price.

She stood up, and just as she was about to leave the auction house, she heard the Guide System speak again:

"According to the rules of The Golden Auction House, you are entitled to one cross-Zone teleportation privilege for participating in this auction. Would you like to use this privilege now?"

’So they ask you right when you’re about to leave.’

’No wonder that person on the public feed emphasized that the survivor who revealed their Zone and ID was done for. I have no intention of killing anyone, so I didn’t pay close attention to what that guy bought.’

’But in the eyes of someone with ill intent, isn’t that person just a fat sheep ripe for the slaughter?’

Seraphina Sinclair had no intention of using this privilege. She glanced at the Guide System, which hadn’t moved from its spot, and was suddenly reminded of the waiter asking her for a good review. She recalled how it had prompted her about the food and drinks...

Seraphina Sinclair asked tentatively, "Can I... give you a good review?"

The Guide System seemed to freeze for a moment. Even the soft halo of light paused for half a second before it finally recovered and asked hesitantly, "...Are you referring to providing an Evaluation for the guide service?"

Its voice sounded more uncertain than ever before, the question clearly a feeler, like the surreal, walking-on-air feeling a person gets after an incredible stroke of luck.

"Yes," Seraphina Sinclair confirmed. "You reminded me about the food and drinks; your service was very thoughtful. If it’s possible, I’d like to give you a good review."

’If the waiter could get a reward for it, maybe the Guide System can too?’

After a brief silence, the Guide System’s voice returned to its steady tone, but its pace was noticeably peppier. "Thank you for your recognition, VIP. You can just fill it out right here!"

As its voice faded, a panel appeared in front of Seraphina Sinclair.

She looked up, and it seemed extremely familiar. ’Isn’t this the same page where I gave the waiter a good review?’

’Could it be...’

Seraphina Sinclair discreetly glanced at the Guide System. Unlike the waiters, it didn’t have a physical body—or rather, the various "skins" they wore.

But Seraphina Sinclair was almost certain now; it had to be the same Species as the waiters.

Seraphina Sinclair wrote a few simple words of praise for the Guide System, then decisively selected the highest rating: "Very Satisfied."

Motes of light dissipated from her fingertip and merged into the Guide System’s halo.

"Evaluation received! Thank you so much, esteemed guest!" The Guide System’s voice was brimming with an almost overflowing joy. "You..."

It seemed to want to say more, but for some reason, it swallowed its words.

Seraphina Sinclair was sharp and understood the system’s current state of mind perfectly. She said without hesitation, "If saying what’s next might cause you trouble, then don’t say it."

The Guide System hadn’t expected her to say that at all.

It had served all sorts of guests here for years, but a guest like this was exceedingly rare.

After a slight pause, the Guide System’s voice suddenly became firm. "Just now... my colleague informed me that another guest paid a high price to purchase your coordinates! Please, be extremely careful on your way back. May the Black Fog part for you."

The gentle light of the teleportation enveloped Seraphina Sinclair, and the familiar sight of her mobile cabin replaced the exquisite, empty auction house room.

Before the familiar atmosphere of her cabin could settle around her, Seraphina Sinclair sensed a cold draft from behind.

She instinctively ducked and rolled forward.

The next second, a Broadsword slammed down hard on the spot where she had been standing.

Seraphina Sinclair steadied herself and finally got a clear look at her assailant.

He was a human, dark-skinned and powerfully built, wielding a Broadsword nearly as long as he was tall. The weapon was clearly heavy, yet in his hands, it seemed like a toy, whistling through the air with a heavy whoosh as he swung it.

With his first strike missing, the murderous glint in the burly man’s eyes intensified.

"Nice reaction," he grinned, revealing a set of yellowed teeth. "Too bad you can run, but you can’t hide. You didn’t die this time, but you’ll definitely die next time."

As he spoke, the burly man lifted his arm, rested the Broadsword on his shoulder, and looked Seraphina Sinclair up and down before asking with a hint of confusion:

"A VIP guest? How’d you manage to get a hundred thousand Black Fog Coins? What method did you use? Tell me about it. If it can make me money, and you’re willing to hand over the Black Fog Coins you have, I might just be willing to spare your life."

While he was sizing her up, Seraphina Sinclair was sizing him up as well.

This guy obviously wasn’t from the Drakonian Sector. Judging by the shape of his mouth, he clearly wasn’t speaking the Drakonian language, but the sound reaching Seraphina Sinclair’s ears was automatically translated into it.