Book Eater

Chapter 126: Life is Timing (2)

After hearing that, Theo’s hard expression loosened slightly. The form of the commission had changed somewhat, but the power of the Information Guild could be useful in any situation, especially when it came to the underground auction, a hidden specialty of the Kargas Kingdom. It was lucky that Theo had the qualifications to enter, but if he hadn’t found this place, he might’ve missed the timing.

Above all, he liked Gibra’s honesty.

There was no need to talk about the auction, and he could’ve just accepted my commission. He could’ve made a lot of money, and I wouldn’t have received anything.

This was the morality of a merchant, whether they were in the shade or the sunshine. There were those who treated it as the fault of the person who was stupid enough to be deceived. Even if Gibra stabbed Theo in the back, there would be no way to make him take responsibility. Additionally, if he overwhelmed Gibra with force, it would just create another enemy.

Moreover, Gibra had pointed out frankly that Theo’s request wasn’t appropriate and taught him about the auction. It was evidence that he wouldn’t betray Theo for a few extra gold coins.

“First, I need to know about my employer’s foundation,” Gibra said.

Regardless of whether Gibra knew what he was feeling, the conversation continued in a calmer atmosphere.

“Foundation?”

“Budget. Timing is very important, but in the end, the most powerful hand at an auction is money. If you have a thick wallet, you will win.”

“The budget...” Theo thought for a moment. “Around five hundred gold.”

“Fi-Five hundred? If you had come at the right time, you could’ve swept up all the original books in this kingdom. But this should be enough for plenty of books.”

“I'm glad.”

Theo’s sense of money was a little strange, so he didn’t feel the same shock. Five hundred gold was an exorbitant amount for anyone outside a noble family. Of course, he wasn’t limited to five hundred gold. He had plenty of money to spare.

Gibra tapped the table pensively, “... Then the budget isn’t the problem. Is there anything specific that you want? Or is it good as long as it is an original book?”

“That is good. You can exclude unnecessary items and secure as many original books as possible.”

“You want quantity over quality. I understand.” Gibra nodded a few times before reaching for a map from a drawer.

Theo hadn’t explored much of the city, but he quickly recognized it as Sipoto. It was exquisitely drawn, and was incredibly detailed.

Gibra pointed to several buildings and explained, “The auction will take place in exactly three days, after sunset. There will be separate auctions at each of these locations.”

Theo frowned. “Separate… So, there isn’t just one auction house?”

Gibra nodded. “Yes. There are at least seven, and each auction house sells different goods. So, we have to investigate in advance.”

According to Gibra, the auctions of Kargas were held by renting out whole buildings in the north, south, east, and west.

The east sold weapons, the west sold clothing, the south sold accessories, while the north mostly auctioned goods not traded in the three areas mentioned above. Theo’s original books belonged in the miscellaneous goods category.

This time, there were three auction houses in the north. The quality and value of the goods were lower than the other auction houses, but they had rented more locations due to the large number of goods.

Theo’s expression changed subtly, “Then am I forced to miss two auctions?”

Gibra grinned. “If you were participating alone, then yes. But we can help you there.”

Since a large number of auctions were being held at similar times, the existence of agents was inevitable. What if they had the plaque of one of the top three companies, Polonell? It meant that Theo could cover all three northern auction houses without having to go personally. Moreover, the Information Guild’s manpower meant they would be better informed than him.

However, that didn’t mean he could act casually. Gibra calculated the cost for the three agents before confiding to Theo about the ‘special auction’ on the last day.

It was a large auction in the center, not the north, east, south, or west, which covered all types of goods! The auction on that day was the crown jewel of the Kargas underground auctions.

Gibra was so eager when explaining this that he couldn’t help spitting. “Agents can’t be used for such a big auction. Only qualified people can enter it. It will be your fight alone, so please prepare your mind for it.”

The guild head gave advice to his young employer in a calm voice, “An underground auction… It will be a different experience.”

Theo gave an interested smile. Truth be told, he had no interest in it no matter how many big people participated in the auction. The powers here were too small compared to Veronica’s fists, the Seven Swords of the Empire, and the grimoires. As long as there were no masters, it would be difficult to find someone capable of threatening him.

In the end, his attitude remained unchanged despite the information.

“I don’t know if your attitude is bad or good… Well, okay. I have accepted the commission, so I will do my best. I will investigate the list of items that will be released the day after tomorrow as well as the competitors. If I see something we need to take care of, then I will point it out.”

“I understand. I accept.”

“Hmm, where will you be waiting for the news? If you have a place to stay, then please tell me.”

Theo realized he hadn’t found a place to stay. He pondered for a moment about where it was best to stay, before turning to ask Gibra. After all, he was the branch president of the information guild that had spread across Sipoto and the central continent. There was no one more suitable to receive a recommendation from.

“Ah, then could you recommend a good place to stay?”

It was only natural that Gibra’s face would distort at becoming a guide for a traveler.

***

For two days, Theo wandered around the city, just enjoying the exotic scenery. Kargas might not have any unique specialties, but the trade kingdom was full of sights. It was the first foreign land he was exploring by himself.

Theo often felt like a hillbilly during his walks. However, that didn’t mean there were no results during the three days that Theo waited for the auction to start.

“The branch manager told me to deliver this.”

At midnight, exactly one day before the auction, a man in a mask came to Theo’s window and gave him a box. According to his vision magic, it contained several books. The masked man left as soon as Theo took the box, but he didn’t care.

He could only respond to what was inside.

“... Original books.”

It had been a possibility. Although the auction house was a good place to sell, not all items would be sold at a high price. So, it was possible to get original books from those who had no preference or were in a rush to sell.

If they were available, Gibra had promised that he would get his hands on them. It had only taken him two days to make good on his word.

[Gentle Breeze], [Understanding of Heat Magic], [Principles of Hardening Magic], and finally... [Canyon Summoning].

Theo read through the information Gluttony provided on the books.

Three of the books had information which was easy to understand for beginners, so they were ranked Common despite being original books. It seemed the authors of these original books fell behind the present Theo. So, it would be strange if these original books were ranked higher than Common.

However, the final book called [Canyon Summoning] was different.

[Canyon Summoning]

[This book records the history and specifics of summoning substances or living organisms which don’t exist in the physical world. The author, Satomer, refused to recognize that summoning magic was banned and wrote this book in Marduk Canyon, a place which trembles due to an ominous force. Even so, he didn’t succeed in summoning a senior ranked creature and died.

* Your understanding is very high. (95.6%)

* This magic book is rated Rare.

* When consumed, your understanding of summoning magic will greatly increase.

* This is the original copy which was written directly by the author. There is a chance to contract one of Satomer's summons.]

It was a Rare ranked book, but Theo gazed at it with a strange look in his eyes.

He knew about summoning magic. It was often a game changer in the myths about heroes. However, in this era, summoning magic was mainly regarded as a remnant of old times. Summons like rock giants or ice dragons were common in stories, but even the best summoner on the continent was now limited to intermediate level summons.

Would it be useful to learn summoning magic? He had read [Canyon Summoning] several times because he was interested, but the conclusion didn’t change. Theo didn’t know why, but summoning magic had a limit.

Hoo, if the situation wasn’t like this, I would postpone it until later...

It couldn’t be helped. The deadline was approaching, so he had no right to grumble about food. Theo held out his left hand on top of the original books and named [Principles of Hardening Magic] and [Canyon Summoning] as today’s prey.

“Eat, Gluttony.”

The tongue swallowed the two books at the same time.

[Principles of Hardening Magic has been consumed. Your understanding is very high.]

[An original book has been consumed, but the fragment of soul contained inside is too weak for Synchro and Transmission. It will be absorbed into the user’s soul.]

“Oh?”

Theo’s eyes widened at the unexpected words. He didn’t know this would happen because he had never eaten a Common ranked original book. In a sense, it was good news. If he went through Synchro or Transmission for every original book, it would waste too much time. In that case, if it was a Common ranked original book, he could expand his vessel just by eating it.

The sound of the main dish being digested rang one beat later.

[Canyon Summoning has been consumed. Your understanding is very high.]

[Your understanding of summoning magic has greatly increased.]

[An original book has been consumed. Synchro rate will be checked with the object named ‘Satomer’... It is judged as normal. You will absorb a fraction of Satomer’s proficiency. The duration of the episode is forty minutes and twenty-five seconds.]

[Synchro is starting.]

Theo’s consciousness fell into darkness.