10,000x Rebate System: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

Midnight had already settled over Krut when Amon and Ambrosia walked together along the empty, unpaved road.

The city had gradually disappeared behind them, leaving only the distant glow of streetlights.

Amon was walking in front, carefully watching the road while one hand held Ambrosia’s.

Ambrosia glanced around at the quiet surroundings before looking toward him. "Are you sure leaving Sidney alone was the right decision?"

Amon shrugged without slowing down.

"If she had come with us, she would’ve complained about everything." He sighed before adding, "She probably would’ve asked us to turn around before we even reached the mountain."

Ambrosia chuckled softly. "You’re probably right. She might even roll around on the ground and demand that we take her home."

Amon smiled at the thought. "Exactly."

Their conversation gradually faded as they continued walking.

Both of them were wearing long black robes with hoods pulled over their heads, hiding most of their features from anyone they encountered.

Ambrosia’s robe was slightly larger than necessary, while Amon’s was fitted closely enough that it didn’t interfere with his movement.

After walking for nearly half an hour, the enormous mountain finally appeared directly ahead of them.

The road ended beneath a section of the mountain that had been naturally cut open, creating a wide cavern-like area beneath the exposed stone.

Several lanterns illuminated the entrance, and dozens of people were already gathering inside.

Amon slowed down. "So this is the place."

Ambrosia nodded. "As the name suggests."

They continued forward, but before they could enter, a man stepped toward them while holding a strange crystal device.

"Stop."

Amon and Ambrosia paused.

The man raised the device and looked between them.

Ambrosia frowned slightly. "What is that for?"

"Checking for hidden communication devices, recording equipment, or tracking tools."

Ambrosia’s fingers tightened around Amon’s hand.

Amon noticed the reaction and gave her hand a small reassuring squeeze. "Relax."

The man moved the device around both of them.

The crystal emitted several faint pulses before displaying a green light.

"Nothing." He lowered the device. "The auction begins in approximately thirty minutes. You can enter and look around."

Ambrosia nodded politely. "Thank you."

The man stepped aside as Amon and Ambrosia walked into the underground area together.

Once they were far enough away, Ambrosia leaned closer and whispered, "What did you do with all the hidden cameras I gave you?"

Amon quietly smiled.

"They’re safe." He patted the spatial storage bracelet around his wrist. "You can ask for them whenever you need them."

Ambrosia nodded before looking ahead again.

The area beneath the mountain was much livelier than Amon had expected.

Rather than looking like some secret criminal hideout, it resembled a large underground bazaar.

Bright crystal lamps hung from the ceiling.

Merchants stood behind long display tables covered with weapons, armor, magical artifacts, monster materials, and various other strange objects.

People moved casually between the displays while discussing prices and examining the merchandise.

Amon couldn’t help becoming interested. ’This place is fucking huge.’

He walked toward one of the displays and activated [Merchant’s Divine Insight].

Information immediately appeared before his eyes.

---

[Item: Crimson Fang Dagger]

[Grade: Gold]

[Actual Value: 12,800 Gold Coins]

---

Amon’s eyebrows rose as he moved toward another display.

---

[Item: Thundersteel Gauntlets]

[Grade: Gold]

[Actual Value: 27,500 Gold Coins]

---

Another item caught his attention.

---

[Item: Azure Spirit Stone]

[Grade: Platinum]

[Actual Value: 103,000 Gold Coins]

---

Amon stared at it for several seconds. ’Over a hundred thousand gold coins?’

He slowly looked around the underground market.

There were dozens of displays with similar prices. ’If I were strong enough, I’d steal everything here and disappear.’

The thought was tempting for approximately three seconds.

Amon looked toward the people standing around the displays.

Most of the merchants had several armed guards nearby.

Some of those guards were radiating powerful mana.

Even without using his abilities, he could tell that many of them were far stronger than ordinary adventurers.

’Yeah... I’d probably die before reaching the exit.’ He quietly abandoned the idea.

Amon turned toward Ambrosia. "How exactly are you planning to prove that this place is connected to the Cordo family?"

Ambrosia glanced around before lowering her voice.

"Places like this rarely operate completely independently." She nodded toward the crowd.

"Someone with enough authority usually oversees the transactions, especially when illegal weapons are involved."

Ambrosia’s eyes moved across the people gathered inside.

"I’ve studied the Cordo family for months. I remember the faces of their important members. I only need a clear image of the person representing them with any terrorist."

Her expression became confident. "Once I have that, proving the connection should be much easier."

Amon glanced around the room. "There certainly isn’t a shortage of suspicious people here."

Ambrosia gave him a small look. "Keep your voice down."

"I wasn’t exactly shouting."

The two continued moving through the underground bazaar.

Amon soon noticed something interesting.

Several people were looking at them.

Amon frowned slightly. ’Are we standing out that much?’

He looked down at his black robe before glancing at Ambrosia.

They certainly looked like they were hiding something, but that was hardly unusual in a place like this.

Amon eventually shrugged it off. ’Maybe everyone here is suspicious of everyone else.’

The auction area gradually began filling as more people arrived.

Several staff members moved through the crowd, handing small numbered boards to each guest.

Amon accepted one when it was offered to him.

...Number 47.

He looked at it curiously before putting it away.

A large circular stage had been constructed farther ahead.

Behind it was a massive display screen, while several heavily armed guards stood along both sides of the stage.

The atmosphere slowly changed as everyone took their seats.

A few wealthy-looking individuals were wearing expensive jewelry and enchanted accessories that immediately caught Amon’s attention.

’Most of these people are definitely rich.’

He quietly activated Merchant’s Divine Insight again.

Several items immediately revealed ridiculous prices. ’Some of these accessories cost more than an apartment.’

Amon was still examining the crowd when Ambrosia suddenly slapped his hand lightly.

"Look at the stage." Ambrosia’s expression had become serious. "I recognize him."

Amon followed her gaze as a middle-aged man had just walked onto the stage.

He wore an expensive dark suit with several pieces of enchanted jewelry around his neck and fingers.

Ambrosia whispered, "He’s a member of the Cordo family. Joseph Cordo."

Amon’s expression immediately became blank as he activated Merchant’s Divine Insight.

’...What?’

The man’s expensive watch was contaminated.

His necklace, his rings, even the expensive suit he was wearing were contaminated.

Amon’s eyes narrowed. ’...What the hell is wrong with him?’

He didn’t understand if this was some sort of problem or just an effect of the place.

Ambrosia looked toward him and quietly whispered, "Give me the camera."

Amon reached toward his spatial storage bracelet and quietly retrieved the small camera before passing it to her beneath the table.

Ambrosia concealed it beneath her robe and began taking pictures.

Click. Click. Click.

Amon kept his eyes on the stage.

The Cordo representative continued speaking with several staff members, completely unaware that someone was documenting him.

Then something strange happened as the man suddenly stopped talking.

His head slowly tilted upward.

Amon noticed the movement and instinctively followed his gaze.

"...What?" Ambrosia looked at him.

Amon didn’t answer as his eyes remained fixed on the ceiling.

Something enormous was moving through the night sky above the mountain.

At first, it looked like a shadow passing over the moon.

Amon’s expression slowly hardened as the enormous silhouette moved across the sky.

’...What the hell is that?’

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