The Broken Halo

“Welcome everyone…”

“To this year’s Winter Moon Auction.”

The elderly Frostborn stood calmly on the auction stage while looking at the countless demons seated within the massive auction hall.

Despite his old appearance, Simon could sense extremely dense demonic energy hidden within the Frostborn’s body.

’Hmm… A Greater Demon? Is House Mercer making exceptions solely for their prodigy and the auctioneer?’

’This just keeps on getting more and more troublesome. I have to factor in the fact that this old man might try to save Lucien if I make an attempt to kill him.’

Simon looked at the elderly Frostborn for a few more seconds before shifting his attention to the remaining demons in the auction house.

House Mercer made a rule that only Fiends and Lesser Demons could attend the auction, and this rule definitely displeased many powerful demons who were interested in the Winter Moon Auction.

However, House Mercer controlled the auction house and their rules went.

Many powerful demons had no choice than to send their servants, disciples, child, or wife to participate in the auction.

As Simon observed some of the Fiends and Lesser Demons around him, he was curious to know if all the demons in the building were actually Fiends and Lesser Demons.

He would not be surprised if one, two, or more demons found a way to bypass the security of the auction house and were inside the building as Archfiends, Greater Demons, or even Demon Lords.

’Maybe that’s why the auctioneer is a Greater Demon. To be able to perceive the auras of any demon that’s attempting to hide or infiltrate the auction house… It wouldn’t work on Demon Lords though.’

’And House Mercer might have even decided to place some powerful guards in the auction house to protect Lucien.’

’If I don’t want any surprises, I should check the chaos flame of every demon and ensure that none is hiding their true rank.’

As Simon observed the chaos flame of every demon, the old Frostborn smiled faintly while his gaze swept across the auction hall.

“Many familiar faces have arrived this year.”

His calm voice echoed throughout the hall clearly despite him not speaking loudly.

“The rules of the Winter Moon Auction remain the same as always.”

The atmosphere within the auction hall became quieter.

Even the previously noisy demons stopped speaking.

“First…”

The old Frostborn raised a finger.

“No fighting within the auction grounds.”

“Any demon that attempts to disrupt the auction through violence will be killed immediately.”

His tone remained calm throughout.

Yet nobody doubted his words.

Simon also noticed several hidden aura fluctuations outside the hall becoming more active after the old Frostborn spoke.

Clearly…

There were powerful protectors hidden around the auction house.

The old Frostborn continued.

“Second…”

“All transactions are final.”

“No refunds.”

“No excuses.”

“If you bid for something and fail to pay, your demonic heart, spatial rings, bloodline, and corpse will become property of House Mercer.”

Some demons within the hall laughed softly after hearing this.

But Simon noticed that nobody found the statement strange.

To demons…

This was normal.

The old Frostborn raised a third finger.

“No demon above the Fiend rank is allowed within the auction hall itself.”

“Any demon discovered concealing their cultivation beyond the Fiend rank will be executed immediately regardless of status.”

The old Frostborn continued calmly.

“Lastly…”

“What occurs after the auction is none of House Mercer’s concern.”

The atmosphere within the hall subtly changed afterward.

Several demons smiled coldly.

Others quietly observed nearby participants.

Simon immediately understood the meaning behind those words.

Once the auction ended…

Demons were free to rob, kill, or hunt each other outside.

As long as it did not happen inside the auction grounds, House Mercer would not interfere.

’Auction hunters.’

Simon immediately thought of them.

They were common even on earth, and he was sure that they were far more common in the demon realm.

Many demons likely attended the auction not to buy things…

But to hunt whoever successfully bought valuable treasures.

The old Frostborn smiled slightly.

“Now then…”

“Let the auction begin.”

The atmosphere within the auction hall instantly became lively.

Soon, several beautiful demonesses walked onto the stage while carrying the first auction item carefully.

It was a black sword.

The blade was covered in crimson runes that faintly pulsed like a heartbeat.

The old Frostborn spoke calmly.

“A Peak Sovereign-grade Artifact.”

“The Bloodcry Sword.”

“It possesses natural blood affinity and can increase the power of blood-attributed techniques by nearly thirty percent.”

“The starting price is three hundred thousand low grade hell stones.”

The auction immediately exploded with bids.

“Three hundred and fifty thousand!”

“Four hundred thousand!”

“Five hundred thousand!”

Simon quietly watched the madness calmly.

The prices alone were absurd.

In the Shadowgrave Academy, a Peak Sovereign grade artifact would not sell for that price, but the auction house was here to make money, and Sovereign grade artifacts were not exactly easy to possess after all.

The auction quickly continued afterward.

Rare herbs.

Techniques.

Artifacts.

Beast eggs.

One item after another appeared on stage.

At one point, an entire chained demonic beast was brought onto the stage.

It resembled a massive white wolf with blue eyes and countless scars covering its body.

Even while restrained by chains and arrays, the beast still radiated savage killing intent.

“A Frostfang Calamity Wolf!”

“A Prime Calamity Beast!.”

“They promised that this auction was going to be one of a kind, and they didn’t lie!”

“I want it!”

“A million hell stones!”

“1.3 million hell stones!”

“Two fucking million hell stones!”

“Two hundred thousand intermediate hell stones!”

Many rich noble children and wives began bidding like crazy after receiving instructions from their fathers, husbands, mothers, and so on.

Eventually, the Frostfang Calamity Wolf was sold for three hundred thousand intermediate hell stones.

It was currently the highest amount paid for this auction.

Later…

Several enslaved demons were also brought onto the stage.

Some were beautiful.

Others were warriors.

Some possessed rare bloodlines.

Simon quietly observed everything while remaining expressionless.

The demon realm truly was cruel.

A demoness with black wings was eventually sold for over one hundred thousand intermediate-grade hell stones solely because of her bloodline.

Her fate could only be imagined.

Not long after that…

An inheritance technique from a destroyed clan was auctioned.

The technique was contained within a black crystal.

The auction hall nearly descended into chaos because of it.

Simon was calm and indifferent as he watched everything without making a single bid.

And he also noticed that Lucien barely participated in the bidding.

He had only placed a bid on three items, and he only won two out of the three bids.

Simon was certain that he was waiting for something specific.

Then…

Several hours later…

The old Frostborn suddenly smiled.

“Ladies and gentlemen…”

“The next item is quite special.”

The atmosphere within the auction hall subtly changed.

Even the demons that previously looked bored suddenly became attentive.

The old Frostborn slowly stepped aside.

Soon…

A large cage covered with black cloth was slowly brought onto the stage.

The moment Simon saw the cage, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Cold air continuously escaped from within the cage.

And for some reason…

The demonic energy within the entire auction hall seemed to become quieter.

The old Frostborn looked at the crowd and smiled faintly.

“Our next item…”

“A Winter Monkey.”