Chapter 130

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Episode 30 - Black City [1]

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Al leaving the main building behind, I went to get permission to leave the Academy.

It took me twenty minutes to obtain a leave pass, and when I finally left the Academy, the Mission Window appeared in my mind.

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■| Chapter No. 2, Part One: Auction.

Category: Main Story.

Difficulty: ★★★★★

Description: After a decade, the Black City opens its gates once again. This time, they will hold an Auction where the final item has attracted the attention of the entire world, including the princess of the Ordeal Empire, Clana Ordeal.

∆ Time Limit: 1 day.

∆ Reward: Compass of Destiny.

∆ Failure: Death of Clana Ordeal.

∆ Status: In Progress.

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I read the new Main Mission and was left bewildered.

The reward was not something I fully understood.

I knew the rewards from the Mission Window usually had some sort of purpose.

The Ancient Spirit... I don’t know if its purpose was for my master to obtain a new body.

The Growing Flower Trait will be extremely important for a future Chapter, so I assumed that was its purpose.

The Armor of the End... I still do not know its purpose or meaning, and since its coordinates are far too strange, I had set it aside for the time being.

’A compass... judging by its name, it seems related to destiny.’

And, coincidentally, I have a Dark Destiny that I need to worry about at all times.

Several thoughts crossed my mind as I tried to imagine the reason why the Mission Window was giving me this reward.

In any case, the mission’s failure condition was the same as in my memories, just like its description.

’Mhm, the difficulty didn’t change, even after the other main characters entered Chapter Two.’

The difficulty had probably already been predetermined long ago, whoever was behind the system.

In any case, that means there is a chance of receiving an extra reward if I manage to complete the Mission.

’Well then, I should get going.’

***

"Ugh, this tastes horrible."

After drinking the doppelgänger potion, my height shrank by several centimeters.

Then I felt my hair grow until it fell down my back.

The muscles in my body disappeared, and my skin became softer and less tense.

My entire figure changed into a more feminine one; my chest grew, along with my butt.

’I guess I’ve become Mia, huh?’

I felt a clear sense of irritation while doing this. As a man, turning into a woman for a few hours did not sit well with me.

The potion’s effect lasts approximately five hours.

More than enough time before the Auction ends.

I calculated that I could return to my original appearance once everything turned into complete chaos.

Next, I took out a set of clothes from my Inventory.

I changed out of the clothes I had been wearing when I left the Academy and put on the clothes I had asked Mia for.

A few minutes later, I was wearing a skirt that reached my knees and a black blouse.

’What the hell are these clothes... they’re so uncomfortable.’

Women’s clothing was far too strange. There wasn’t even the slightest hint of comfort, considering I had turned into a woman.

But what could I do? I had to wear these clothes for a few hours.

Finally, I pulled a handbag out of the Inventory. I tried adjusting it, but it had to be said that thing was one of the most uncomfortable things I could have carried.

My complaints continued for the next few seconds before I finally left the alley where I had been.

I stored my sword in the Inventory, then made sure to carry as much gold as possible inside a Storage Ring I had taken from Mia.

I had the Seal Scroll, the Titan Core, the Special Card, and the necessary gold because I was going to buy things at the Auction, such as the ten Ascension Stones.

I had everything prepared: Mia’s identification and a Special Rank Relic that had been damn hard to find.

Its function was to conceal my mana and make it appear as Power of Chaos to others.

’Ugh, I really don’t want to go relic hunting again.’

It took me an entire month to find its whereabouts and steal it from one of the headquarters of the Church of the Black Dawn.

"Now, where’s the entrance...?"

After searching through my memories, I soon began walking through the streets of the Imperial Capital.

I had no intention of going to the Malovia Museum. It was too far away and would take many hours; besides, all the Club members would probably go there.

Fortunately, I knew another checkpoint to enter Black City here in the Imperial Capital.

It was a very well-hidden Black Market.

So I quickly walked toward the Southern District, since the Black Market was located in the nobles’ district.

’Who would’ve thought that a bishop of the Holy Church would be the owner of this Black Market.’

He was one of the three bishops within the Holy Church. His Black Market operated especially within the slave trade.

Since the Holy Church had dozens of orphanages, this bishop took advantage of that and sold the children as slaves or guinea pigs for the experiments of certain villains.

’I’ll kill him during Rinna’s arc, in Chapter Three.’

A short while later, I arrived at the Southern District. Once I managed to infiltrate it, I quickly noticed the difference.

There were no ordinary shops or houses here.

Instead, there were enormous and luxurious mansions in the style of medieval Europe, every plot of land occupied by a grand estate.

The gardens were completely pristine and elegant, with dozens of maids, gardeners, and more.

The streets were spotless; nobles walked their pets while 7-Star knights guarded every corner.

’I need to be careful. Anyone who isn’t a noble here is committing a serious crime.’

Fortunately, I had brought the mask I obtained from the Club.

After putting it on, I felt my presence fade considerably.

Even so, I avoided people’s gazes while walking in search of one particular mansion.

A short while later, I found a mansion that wasn’t very large. I walked toward the back, searching for a specific wall.

I pressed my hand against the wall until I reached a certain spot. Then, my arm passed through the wall, and I entered through it.

The next thing was descending a spiral staircase until I reached a hallway with a carpet covering the floor.

A hallway lined with paintings and chandeliers hanging from the arched ceiling.

I walked until I finally arrived at a large oak door and knocked three times.

Shortly afterward, the door opened, and a man with his hair carefully combed to one side appeared, wearing a mask over his face. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a tie.

The man bowed after I showed him the Special Card.

"It is an honor to welcome a special guest from Black City. Please, follow me."

Since I was already wearing a mask, the man said there was no need for him to give me one of theirs.

So I calmly followed him until we reached a large hall where there was a Teleportation Array.

The man turned around and extended his hand.

"I need to see your face and identification, the signature of Power of Chaos if you are a villainess, and I need you to pour Power of Chaos over the golden eye on the Special Card."

Of course, this was not as simple as merely obtaining the Special Card.

I took a couple of things out of my bag and handed them to the man. Then I removed my mask, and the man nodded once.

After that, I extended the palm of my hand, and the man pressed his against it.

I released mana and had the Relic disguise it as Power of Chaos, while also using its other effect, which was copying the signature of Power of Chaos or the mana of other people.

Not long after, the man confirmed it.

"Yes, it is you, Mia the alchemist. Now use your Power of Chaos on the golden eye of the Special Card."

Even after knowing I was Mia, naturally, they could still think I was disguising myself or had done something to the signature of Power of Chaos.

So, as a final confirmation, the Sorcerer King, the leader of the Devil Cult, had made some adjustments to the Sorcery circle on the Special Card.

I had prepared for this moment, so without hesitation, I let my mana flow over the Special Card.

Shortly afterward, the golden eye on the Special Card activated. Then, the golden eye probably changed color.

’If I remember correctly, confirmation means it changes to silver. If it doesn’t change color, then the Card is stolen or does not belong to its rightful owner.’

The man nodded once more and, with a polite voice, said:

"Very well, Miss Mia. Please stand in the center of the Teleportation Array."

I did as instructed and stood in the center of a circle engraved onto the floor.

Then, the man from before circulated his Power of Chaos. That was when I finally realized the strength of this villain.

’Wow, a Class 8 villain.’

And he could probably advance to Class 9 before long.

Fortunately, I had prepared thoroughly enough. Otherwise, being discovered would mean my death with absolute certainty.

Shortly afterward, the circle beneath my feet activated, and all the space before me disappeared.

The very next second, I found myself in another hall.

"Excuse me, please. Could you show me your Card?"

Suddenly, a woman’s voice reached my ears.

I turned my head, and just like the man from before, the woman wore a mask and elegant attire.

I quickly showed her the Special Card.

"Oh my, it is a pleasure to welcome a special guest. Enjoy your stay in Black City."

I finally stepped out of the hall, and the world around me quickly came into view.

An immense city appeared before me; I had finally entered Black City.

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The Auction arc begins here.