"I will send Maria and Jane here."

Rudy left the room and entered the next room to see the girls had made themselves comfortable.

"Maria, Jane, your room is the next one. Go."

"Do you want to kick us out that badly?" Jane asked with a judging look on her face.

"I just want the auction to start. It's going to be a long event, so order some food if you want. And you can come here anytime you want. No one is stopping you."

"We will see."

Jane and Maria left the room, and Rudy closed the door using his powers.

SIGH!

He let out a weary sigh and jumped between Rias and Alice on the bed.

"I feel bored already~" He groaned.

"That was quick."

Rudy placed his head on Alice's lap and said, "There was no need for me to come to the auction, to be honest. I could have gotten us a house using another way."

"Then why did you come?" Rias asked curiously.

"Because of Maria. She didn't tell me what happened when we were having sex in the pool house, I read her thoughts, and she seemed to be missing the Underworld. I don't blame her for being homesick. After all, I made her disband their syndicate and leave their house."

"Hmm~ You did the same with us, though," Rias remarked.

"Vampire matter was different. Well…" He sat up and said, "Let's hope she enjoys the event."

"Will her parents also be here?" Alice wondered.

"I am not sure. But we will know if they are here."

"So…" Rias glanced around the room and asked, "How exactly will the auction start? And why do we need a room for that? I am so confused right now."

"I am too. But Lu Bela can color us surprised."

Suddenly, the television in the room automatically turned on, and a person holding a mic was seen on the stage. The curtains rolled up, and the person turned out to be Kim, seemingly acting as an anchor of the auction.

[Welcome! Dear guests and the people of the Underworld! For the last 269 years, each year, an auction has been organized and conducted for those who are fortunate enough to participate in one.

Every year, we try something different, and we host the event at different places. This year, we have decided to do something unique, something we have never tried before.

This year, we took the confidentiality of our guests and bidders seriously. No one will know who you are and what you bought. This year, you can participate in the auction from your room.

Please look at the right side of your room. There should be a green button near the window or by the door. Press that button and wait for my next instruction.]

"Can I press it?!" Alice asked excitedly.

"Sure, go ahead."

Alice got up from the bed and pressed the switch with her finger.

[Once you have pressed the button, walk to the glass table in the middle of the room. We have hidden a hammer somewhere in the room, and you must find it. Everyone will be given one minute to find the hammer. And those who fail to do that will be kicked out of the event.

But don't worry, the hammers are hidden at the obvious spots, so even a kid would be able to find them. And if you can't find something so simple, you don't deserve to be in this auction.]

"I knew there would be a harsh twist somewhere in the event," Rudy muttered.

"Rudy! Hurry up! We have to find the hammer!"

Rudy pointed his gaze at the closed glass window and said, "Open the window."

"We don't have time for that!"

Rudy opened the window using his power and said, "Look outside. You will see the hammer taped beneath."

Alice looked outside the window and stared at the scenery.

"We are so high up. And the lights look so beautiful."

"You are supposed to grab the hammer," Rias commented.

Alice grabbed the hammer and said, "I don't think that was the obvious location."

"It depends on the rooms. Maria found the hammer in the next room, and it was hidden inside the drawer," Rudy informed.

"Somehow… this is actually fun," Rias stated.

"Yeah. Props to Lu Bela for making this interesting."

[One minute has ended. Those who found the hammer, please walk to the glass table and break it using the hammer. You have one minute.]

Alice looked at Rudy and anxiously said, "I am scared. What if a piece of glass hits me?"

"Don't worry. I am here. Nothing will happen."

Alice took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"You can do it," Rudy encouraged her.

"I can do this!" Alice smashed the hammer on the glass table and shattered it into small pieces.

[Once you are done, look at the glass pieces scattered on the floor and find the piece with a number written on it. The number wouldn't have been visible unless you broke the table. The impact caused by the hammer on the table will generate energy, which will make the number visible. You have one minute to find the number.]

Alice crouched down and began to look through every glass of pieces.

Rudy raised his finger and lifted the piece that had a number written on it.

"I think we are done." Rudy tapped on his lap and said, "Come here."

Alice sat on Rudy's lap and looked at the number of the glass piece— number 69.

"What's this number for?"

"I am not an expert, but it's most likely our bidding number," Rudy answered.

"We can bid using this number?"

"Yes."

[Each room has been assigned with a bidding number. Don't worry, you don't have to announce which number you have got. We already know everything. Also, to that one person who had a room change at the last minute, we have changed the names assigned to the room as well as the bidding number. No need for your thanks.]

"..."

[Now that the opening ceremony of the auction has ended. Please look outside your window and enjoy the auction. Happy bidding~!]

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