I decided to keep a low profile for a while now that the RMB had officially blacklisted me. Being a "Rogue Ranker" meant every satellite and high-ranking sensor in the country was likely looking for my signature, but I wasn't exactly sitting idle. Inside the subspace, Leo, Cero, and Wilong were making themselves quite comfortable, enjoying the peace. Melchior, as usual, remained tucked away in his own private sanctuary within my ring.
While the world outside was screaming my name, I focused on the notifications floating in my vision.
"[Notice: Successfully alloted +4 Stat Points to 'Strength'!]"
"[Notice: Successfully alloted +3 Stat Points to 'Agility'!]"
"[Notice: Successfully alloted +3 Stat Points to 'Vitality'!]"
"[Notice: Successfully alloted +3 Stat Points to 'Perception'!]"
"[Notice: Successfully alloted +5 Stat Points to 'Chaos'!]"
As I dumped the accumulated points I'd earned from my recent levels, I felt my body grow lighter, yet denser. Power simmered just beneath my skin, making me feel more alert and brimming with a dangerous kind of energy. I could see the physical change in the mirror; I was visibly becoming more buff and fit, my frame hardening into that of a seasoned warrior.
But Stats weren't the only thing I needed to refine.
"[Activating The Exclusive Skill, 'Fusion'!]"
"[Fusing the S-Rank Skill 'Eye of the Dragon' and the S-Rank Skill 'Red Demon's Eye'...]"
"[Congratulations! You have obtained the SS-Rank Skill 'Eyes of Gluttony' Lvl 1!]"
"[Info: You are able to see other's information much more accurately and without any level gap unless the gap between the levels are too big.]"
Perfect. This was exactly what I needed. With this, there wouldn't be any more "errors" or blocked information when I analyzed powerful enemies granted they aren't beings from the Higher Floors. There was one last Item I wanted to claim, but the 'Shop' in the 'Tower of Trials' system showed it as sold out. Fortunately, I knew exactly where to find another one. And if my memory of the timeline was correct, the opportunity should be arriving right about now.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, a dark, elegant window manifested in front of me.
"[Notice: You have been invited to the Tower's first 'Black Auction'!]"
"[Theme: Masquerade of the Night]"
"[Info: Attend the Auction-cum-Ball and leave with a satisfied mood. You may bring a 'partner' with you. Please be advised that violence or any sort of 'trouble' without the authority of an 'Administrator' will not be tolerated. Have fun bidding!]"
"[Notice: All Invitess will be treated as one and the same.]"
There it was. I'd been looking forward to this. A sleek black card, adorned with the glowing, ancient language of the 'Tower of Trials', materialized in the air. I reached out and snatched it. During my 104 runs in the VR days, I was the only player, so these auctions were filled with NPCs. I'd attended them purely to snag rare Items that couldn't be found anywhere else.
But now that the Tower was reality, the guest list would be much more interesting. Worthy Rankers from across the globe would be there, criminals, 'Demonic Humans', and heroes alike. It didn't matter what your reputation was on the outside; once you held that card, you were just another bidder. I suspected most would be S-Ranks, with a few exceptionally powerful A-Ranks mixed in.
I looked over at Leo and Wilong, who were currently busy dueling, again. Honestly, I don't know what's wrong with those two. If they aren't eating or sleeping, they were always trying to beat the life out of each other. Shaking my head, I turned my attention to the ring.
"Mel, would you like to come with me to the auction?"
"Hrmm? Doesn't it say 'partner'?" Melchior's voice drifted out, sounding uncharacteristically serious. "Shouldn't you be offering that opportunity to someone who you can mate with in the future?"
I nearly choked. Melchior, for all his power, was an ancient being with some incredibly rigid, old-fashioned traditions. It was hilarious at times.
"While it does say 'partner', it doesn't necessarily mean someone you have to mate with," I answered with a chuckle. "Someone you're close with is enough to be called a partner in this context."
"But are we that close though?" Mel asked, his voice tinted with genuine confusion.
"Look at it this way," I explained, scrolling through the 'Shop' while I spoke. "A swordsman has a friend he trains with, or someone he does everything with, that's a partner. I reached this far because of your help, and I'm helping you recover your strength. In that sense, aren't we partners? Besides, it's not like the guards at the door are going to check our dating history."
"Well, when you put it like that... I guess so," Mel finally conceded.
"[Notice: Thank you for your purchase! A total of 10,000 Coins have been deducted!]"
"[Notice: You have obtained two A-Rank Items, 'Velvet Night Regalia'!]"
It was a steep price, but I wanted to look the part. Melchior manifested from the ring, assuming a form similar in age to mine. He looked at the suit I handed him, his eyes skeptical about whether it would even fit. I just told him to put it on.
He undressed without a second thought, and the moment he donned the regalia, the fabric shifted. The suit tightened and lengthened, perfectly contouring to his body thanks to the [Auto-measuring] Spell woven into the threads.
I changed into my own set. The outfit was a stunning piece of gothic aristocrat fashion, a sharp black formal suit paired with a dramatic red cape, accented by silver chains, delicate lace, and deep red gemstones. It seemed to suit Melchior's refined tastes perfectly, as he didn't utter a single complaint.
With our preparations complete, I injected a spark of my energy into the Invitation Card to confirm my identity. The space in front of us began to warp and groan, tearing open into a swirling 'Gate'. Without looking back, we took a step inside.