The wait was undoubtedly agonizing, especially for Leya, who had been transformed for eight minutes already. Each second that ticked by threatened to yield incalculable consequences for their entire plan.
“Hey, System, I’m trying so hard here. Aren’t you going to give me a quest or some rewards?”
System: “…………”
“I don’t need much—just a mid-tier transformation card would suffice. How about it? After all, I’m undertaking this at the risk of antagonizing the entire city’s population.”
“To be fair, Host, defeating such a bunch of weaklings is far too simple for your current state. How about this: if you revert from your transformed state and defeat them with your true power, the System will reward you with a high-tier transformation card?”
“Uh… I think I’ll pass on that.”
Shaking her head, Leya decisively rejected the System’s proposition without a moment’s hesitation.
What a joke! The magic emanating from this crowd suggested a prevalent Lv2 magic standard. With her own nascent magical abilities, she would be utterly obliterated in mere moments if she truly engaged them.
“Alright, ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for your fervent enthusiasm thus far! To express our gratitude for your unwavering support of our guild’s auction, we have prepared an exceptionally special grand finale item!”
Finally, after approximately ten minutes, the host at last announced the ultimate objective for everyone present at the auction.
There was no need for pretense. The seated audience immediately erupted into a bestial chorus of “Ooh! An elf! An elf—”
“Haha—I presume many of you have already caught wind of it, and you’d be correct! The final item of this auction is a vibrant, underage elf maiden!—”
A ravenous roar, like that of wolves and tigers, erupted from the crowd below. Upon hearing phrases like ‘underage’ and ‘elf maiden,’ their eyes gleamed with a predatory green light, a fervent desire to rush the stage and seize her clearly visible.
“Bring her forth! Present our grand finale, the little elf!—”
Erica…
At that moment, Leya’s expression hardened, and her fists clenched involuntarily.
These utterly reckless Guild of Roseland dared to abduct Erica practically the moment Leya had departed. It seemed they truly considered her words nothing more than idle whispers.
A damned bunch!
“Host, please calm yourself…”
[Screech—Screech—]
As the sound of wheels slowly drew nearer, the crowd held their breath, craning their necks in anticipation towards the source of the noise.
Yet, what met their eyes was a sight of…
“Ah… holy hell…”
“This is just too brutal…”
“Hiss—”
“Host…”
The System found itself with nothing more to say.
Erica was covered in a patchwork of bruises, blue and purple, with faint lacerations from sharp objects across her body. Her face, unnaturally pale, suggested prolonged starvation, leaving her weak and listless within her cage.
This deplorable state even prompted frowns from the other attendees, though it was merely a fleeting reaction. As long as she wasn’t dead, any form of torment was inconsequential to them.
“Heh… heheh…” Leya watched the scene, an unusually eerie smile twisting her lips. Yet, the mirthless expression sent a shiver down the spines of those who observed her from afar.
“If they intended to capture my attention in such a manner, then I congratulate them; they have succeeded! And as a reward for their efforts… yes, I shall simply bathe the entire Guild of Roseland in blood afterward!”
“Host…”
The System sensed the burgeoning negativity within Leya, which had already begun to significantly affect its “neighbor.” It wished to caution Leya.
However, Leya seemed to intuit the System’s thoughts, granting it no opportunity to speak. With killing intent surging in her eyes, she declared, “There’s no need to say more, System. My decision is final; nothing can stop me now.”
“Because I simply cannot tolerate seeing a girl who was once so positive, optimistic, lively, and adorable, possessing such a sweet smile… become this way due to my previous mistakes…”
“Host, you’re being…”
“And I absolutely will not tolerate this!” Leya interrupted the System with unwavering force. Suddenly, a King’s Sword, shimmering with golden light, materialized in her hand.
“These scoundrels, who have committed such heinous acts, still dare to stand here, spouting their nonsense with such self-importance!”
Raising her sword, much like she had when saving the three beggars previously, Leya aimed for the center of the hall. Then, with an infuriated cry, she hurled the blade.
****
Leya, at times, could be truly indifferent.
Leya never bothered to deny this aspect of herself, for in this world, she believed she could only truly trust herself. Everyone else, in her estimation, was merely bound together by what was commonly known as a “chain of interests.”
This belief had been forged in the orphanage, the moment Leya’s so-called best friend betrayed her.
Consequently, Leya now harbored no faith in concepts like friendship or love. Being an orphan, she didn’t even understand the meaning of familial affection.
For a long time, Leya had chosen to close off her heart, resolutely avoiding deep connections with anyone. From Roy to Erica, Dean, and even her convenient mentor Edwin—all were mere fleeting travelers in the journey of her life.
However…
At the very least, Leya still possessed a shred of empathy. Now, under the unique chivalric enhancements of the Knight King, that empathy was magnified, amplified, and intensified, relentlessly occupying her every thought and consideration.
What the System truly wanted to say was: [Host, this might no longer be purely you!]
This transformation was something the System had never anticipated. With a sigh, it expressed deep concern: was this change in Leya a good omen… or a terrible one?
[Boom—]
Meanwhile, at the auction hall, the sword struck the ground with unerring precision, just a few paces from the host.
The resulting shockwave was still incredibly potent, instantly sending the bewildered host flying a dozen meters, only to halt after crashing into a cabinet on the auction floor.
The sudden spectacle left the entire crowd utterly stunned, gaping in silent disbelief for a long moment.
[Thud-thud-thud—]
In the very center of the hall, the crowd followed the sound of footsteps, only to behold a figure that would likely be etched into their memories forever.
“Though abrupt, I apologize, but at my insistence, this farcical auction will now conclude…”
Slowly, she ascended the central stage of the auction hall, retrieving her sword. Leya’s face was devoid of expression, her eyes sweeping over the seated crowd with a chilling gaze. A scoff of disdain escaped her lips as she gestured with her sword to the surrounding throng, speaking each word with deliberate clarity:
“This little elf, she belongs to none of you here. Yes, I mean *all* of you. Now, have I made myself clear? If so, please comply, form an orderly queue, and exit the hall. You may leave at your leisure, and thank you for your cooperation.”
“However, you are, of course, free to refuse…” Leya paused, then continued in a distinctly provocative tone: “In that case, I invite you to demonstrate your corresponding strength and attempt to stop me!”