Kazuichi was speechless, or rather, the entire crowd was. No one even dared breathe, or at least most headcounts in the vicinity just didn’t dare do it. Then again, it was a pretty understandable reaction after witnessing what just transpired.

In haste, the Hybrids under the North Yamanashi Stronghold leader cleaned up the mess tha that he made. They were quick to cover the neck where the carotid artery was severed, and they speedily wiped off the blood from the floor while the rest of the Bulwarks carried the body out of there.

"I’m sorry about that. it was nice to see the Mizunochi Ayaka in person. How is the Scarlet Blood Stronghold faring?" The man asked, bowing his head in a graceful manner as he didn’t just kill one of his subordinates in front of everyone. In fact, he didn’t seem at all fazed at the killing, as if this was just a normal occurrence for him.

"I’m sorry, I don’t talk to anyone I’m not acquainted with." Ayaka mildly rejected the guy before grabbing Kazuichi by the arm. "Come on, Kazuichi, let’s find our seats."

"Pardon my late introductions. It was vain of me to assume that you’re already aware of my name, granted because I’m a very prominent figure in this Prefecture. The name’s Kurosawa Hinokami. I’m the North Yamanashi Stronghold Leader." He calmly introduced himself.

At this point, the people around them finally got around the commotion he just caused, and they continued with their usual antics. As for Ayaka, she didn’t even bat an eye towards the guy. She just proceeded to drag Kazuichi around while looking for their seat.

"Here, this is a good seat. It’s the second row, but this should do" Ayaka commented when she found three free seats on the second row. It was positioned at the edge of the row, so they got a clear view of the auctioneer.

"This is a good spot. Are you sure it’s all right to sit here?" Kazuichi whispered to Ayaka. He wasn’t really used to the formalities of an auction, that’s why he was letting Ayaka take the lead. There was no way he’d rely on himself because that would just result in being embarrassed. Besides, he wouldn’t dare offend anyone in the auction due to his plebeian actions.

"Yeah, usually the first row’s reserved for notable names. I’m pretty famous as the Scarlet Blood Stronghold Leader so we can sit here, no questions asked."

"I see," Kazuichi heaved a sigh of relief. "I guess we owe you another one."

"Come on, Kazuichi, we’re close enough to not owe each other anything when we need help." Ayaka returned with a smile. She then raised her hand, calling out to one of the attendants who were serving bite-sized snacks and wine.

"Ooh, complimentary snacks," Tris whispered. "Are we going to pay for those as well?" She asked. Just like Kazuichi, she was just as clueless when it came to the formalities of the auction.

"Yeah, a portion of the money earned would go straight to the management, that’s why they could serve food like this without worrying about the supplies." This time, it was Kazuichi who responded. He knew at least that much thanks to the MMORPGs he played back then.

"I see." Tris nodded her head before she returned to her usual silence.

"Here you go," Hinokami, who was ignored back when he introduced himself, trailed behind the three before sneaking up on the attendant so he could serve them the food. With enthusiasm, he handed Ayaka a glass of wine, but Ayaka once again ignored him and grabbed her own glass instead.

Kazuichi didn’t ignore him though. Instead, he was the one to receive the glass he handed before he reached his hand for the bite-sized snacks. It was beef jerky, but Kazuichi wasn’t complaining since beef jerky tasted good in his opinion.

"And what’s your name?" Hinokami asked. Since he wasn’t getting through to Ayaka, he decided to address Kazuichi instead, hoping that he could at least get closer to her by befriending her acquaintance.

However, Kazuichi wasn’t paying attention, and he just handed Ayaka and Tris their snacks before returning to his seat. This slightly annoyed Hinokami, but he couldn’t do anything about it. One of his subordinates already acted out of line back then. If he were to do the same, then further relations with the Scarlet Blood Stronghold Leader would prove meaningless.

One of his brows twitched, but he maintained his composure. There was no way he would lose his wits when he was ignored for the umpteenth time.

Fortunately, there was a way out of him from the awkward situation. As if on cue, the auctioneer finally walked in front and the people who were on stage cleared it out for him. He simply stood there, while waiting for everyone to take their seats before he commences the auction.

"I guess it’s time for me to excuse myself. I’ll be back later, miss Mizunochi." Hinokami said, bowing his head before he headed to his seat.

Just then, three notable figures also entered the auction at the last minute, and this caused almost everyone to tense up and choke on their throats as the three walked towards the first row seats. Kurosawa Hinokami also assumed his position at the front row as well, and he wasn’t at all surprised when the other Yamanashi Stronghold Leaders seated themselves with him.

In a snap of a finger, the atmosphere in the action completely changed, not because it was commencing soon, but due to the appearance of the three. The North Yamanashi Stronghold Leader (Kurosawa Hinokami) was already there, and it was no surprise that the East, West, and South Yamanashi Stronghold Leaders would appear as well.

"Are they..." Kazuichi leaned in towards Shig who seemed to know who they were, and before he could even complete his question, Shig was already furiously nodding his head.

"Yes, they’re the stronghold leaders of the Yamanashi Prefecture. I mentioned something about the prefecture being divided into four, right? That’s why." Shig muttered in a low whisper that only Kazuichi could hear.

"The auction will start shortly, please make yourselves comfortable." The auctioneer then spoke just when the front row seats were filled up.