Skinny girl, around fourteen years old, approached us, when we came inside tavern, and bowed to me.

  - You must be Avone. You look just like I remember you, - she looked at me curiously: - My name is Eumelia. I was told to meet you here.

  - Have we met before?

  - No. I just... Someone described you to me, - she finally said and smiled.

  - Why were you supposed to meet us? - asked Nelly.

  - Avone is supposed to train me.

  - You are the one, who was send by archbishop Abercius?

  - Yes, - she nodded.

  I used Appraisal spell and wanted to cry. Her level and skills were bad, really bad.

  Human, LV 1Name - Eumelia;Job: Bard; Status:&*^*&^ Skills:

  Singing (novice);

  Harp pying (novice)

  Why was she even a champion? And what was wrong with this girl. She clearly was reincarnated - so why were her skills so bad?

  - What is your level? - I asked hoping that she used some fakeout skill, to conceal her true stats.

  - I am still at level one, - she smiled: - So you will help me to get stronger? I am gd. I always liked you. I mean, from the stories that I heard.

  - Sure, - I sighed. - Let us talk. Nelly, could you please call Trevor and Luara.

  We ocupied an empty table, and I ordered some fruits. Soon my party members joined us, and I introduced Ares champion.

  - This is Eumelia. As a favor to Ares archbishop, we, well I, agreed to help her level up. She will accompany us to the dungeon.

  - Like me? - asked Nelly, who was cheerful like always.

  - Sure, let's go with that. What skills you have and what kind of magic you can use? - I looked at Eumelia.

  - Don't have any, except singing and harp pying. My job is bard. I always wanted to be a famous singer. Also, I did not learn any spells, yet. You think I should?

  I wanted to hit my head against the table. She was the worst champion that I met until now. Ordinarily I would send her off to some academy, were she could learn useful skills, and then send her to Mage guild, and force her to practice her spells for at least a month, but according to my contract with Ares, I needed to get her levels up fast. No wonder god needed my help with her. If he was pressed for time, then he did not have many options. Only way for her to level up, was by killing monsters, and only avaible dungeon was too dangerous even for his soldiers. Protecting the useless girl and helping her grind up levels was probably beyond their capabilities. And with absence of strong adventurers, I was his only option. Not to mention that her bard skill will probably give her lousy stats, simir to the ones that commoner has, and no chance for her to change her job soon, since bard was considered a high ranking job. Something that had to do with support spells or buffs, but I was not very good at that, since I never used bards, while pying the game.

  - Do you at least have any weapons?

  - No. Archbishop gave me money and said that I will need to follow your instruction. Can I buy a harp?

  - No! No harps or anything useless. How much money you have?

  - Around hundred and fifty gold coins.

  - That's not much.

  - Really? I thought that it is a lot.

  - Doesn't even cover the cost of mid ranking artifact. Barely enough for a rookie equipment, some potions, and provisions. Fine. I will take her shopping and we will visit dungeon tomorrow. Where are you staying, by the way?

  - I will be staying in this tavern. I am at your disposal, so to say.

  Great, archbishop dumped the useless girl on me.

  - Fine. We will change our disposition, Trevor you will be pying bodyguard. Luara, you will be first line, I am your backup. Nelly support. We will concentrate on... What's your name again?

  - Eumelia.

  - Right, Eumelia's leveling as a warrior. No time to learn spells for her now, so she can do that once we are done with her. She will receive equal share of the loot, that I will use to buy her equipment and pay for daily necessities. Any questions?

  - Why are we taking this job again? - asked Luara.

  - Because we exchanged our gracious help in exchange for information about dungeons and the things that we will need to conquer them. Opidium dungeon was easiest to conquer, and now I know what to expect in the future and what we need to be ready for our trials. Now order from tavern food supplies for at least a week and try to explore the town, or do something useful, while I take our newest party member for a walk. Let's go. What was your name again.

  - Eumelia, - sighed the girl.

  - Right, let's go.

  I quickly left, before my party members got to ask me any questions. Eumelia needed almost to run, to keep up with me, and I slowed down my pace.

  - Why do you even want to become an adventurer? - I asked her.

  - I want to be strong. Travel, tell stories and be a bard-adventurer.

  - I see. So no dangerous adventures, just adventures for you.

  - Yes. That sounds just right to me.

  - Then, let us see, what we can do about that.

  We checked all shops that we could find. I did not get any artifacts, with magic resistance properties, but we got a spear and an artifact short sword that could enhance Eumelia strength by two. We also bought for Eumelia magic bag, bracelet with glowing stone, some healing potions, elixir and several anti-poison anti-Petrification potions. It should be enough for a rookie adventurer. I wanted to get her also some armor, but there was nothing for someone her size, and custom made armor would take too long, so I had to abandon that idea.

  Eumelia got a room, in the same tavern that we stayed in, and had enough money left to live comfortably in the tavern and not to worry about money, for a long while.

  Next day we went to scout the dungeon. Simir to Opidium dungeon, it was located few hours walk from the town, and its entrance had glowing red barrier.

  - Have you ever been here? - I asked Eumelia.

  - No, - she shook her head and wrapped herself in her cloak. Weather was worm, but dungeon gave her chills.

  Dungeon corridors were wet, and caverns looked like swamp-cave. They were wet, with moss covering the walls and water dripping from above. Sometimes water drops got beyond by shirt, and it felt like someone showing snow under my clothe. Some of the caverns were covered with knee deep water, with gigantic leaches swimming in it. We discovered it by going deep inside the cavern, when leaches attacked us by the dozens. Almost all of us got bitten and lose some blood, while we were fighting them off. Our spells turned our less effective against invisible monsters than I hoped, and in the end I had to use my Burning Sun spell to evaporate the water and burn down leaches. Steam created by my spell and dirty water made the whole cavern fell like a sauna and did not improve our mood. After that I had to use Burning Sun spell twice more, when we came across caverns covered with water. One of them, was also inhabited by leaches, while other had hundreds of snakes in it.

  Most monster reminded me swamp animals. Giant frogs, huge snakes, pig sized mosquitoes, and leaches who fall on us from the ceiling. Nelly and me tried to use Petrification spells to immobilize monsters, so that Eumelia could kill them ter, but most of monsters hunted in packs, which counted dozen of monsters, and Nelly used her Inferno spell to burn them by the dozens. That spell did get rid of monsters, but killed all of them, even those that we wanted to leave for Eumelia. After ten monster encounters, and Luara getting almost overwhelmed by giant frogs, I decided to change our strategy. Instead of leaving weaker monster for Eumelia to kill, we concentrated on giant snakes, who hunted alone. It turned out to be easier for us to wound snakes till they were on a brink of death, and let Eumelia to finish them, than risk fighting weaker monsters.

  Two days ter, I decided, that I had enough of bad smelling dungeon, and decided to return. We needed another day to get out of the dungeon. At least Eumelia managed to kill three snakes and half a dozen weaker monsters. But her leveling turned out to be less effective than I hoped, and I decided to take four day rest and send her to Mage guild, so she could learn Magic arrow spell.

  * * *

  I received my reward for magic gem and went to the auction. After checking local shops my expectations were low, but I had no other ideas, how to get any useful artifacts.

  I showed guard bck coin, which I got from an auction house in Ashgrin capitol. He examined the coin, but finally nodded and opened the door for me. I took a wooden sign with a number and occupied one of the empty seats.

  After a while, nasty looking gremlin came up front and turned out to be auction host.

  - Welcome dies and honorable men. Today will be fifty six annual auction of our esteemed Golden feather auction house. As usual we spend whole year to gather rear and valuable things for your pleasure to buy and use, or just brag about them. For those of you who are new to our house, if you wish to bet, then just pick up your number and once I say it, tell us the amount of money that you wish to pay. For today, we have gathered for your pleasure thirty eight items that we are going to present to you. Let us start with magic bags, that can hold hundred times more goods than it size suggest.

  It was interesting, but Eumelia already got a magic bag, and I was short on funds. I did not participated in betting, since most of the items were usual artifacts such as weapons, armor and jewelry. They were valuable, especially the jewelry that had such properties as poison protection, all kind of resistances and even luck bonuses. If I would have had more money, I would have considered buying some of them, but this time I had to show more restraint. Twenty or so items ter they finally brought in artifact that they gremlin called Dragon scale gauntlets. They had ability to increase defense stats by two, adjusted to wearers size and had magic resistance properties, as powerful as basic level Magic resistance skill. They looked like glows, made from dragon scales, that covered forearms and palms, but covered only lower part of fingers.

  Luckily for me not many participants were interested in them, and I got the gauntlets for eight orichalcum coins and eighty gold ones. That costed me most of my coins, but I considered it a successful accusation. Next items were mid raking artifacts, but nothing else with magic resistance properties.

  - Now my dear guests our special part of the auction. We gathered for you most peculiar sves, from across half of the continent. First an elven dy, who was sold to us, after failing to pay for her debts.

  They brought our most beautiful elf girl that I saw in this world. She was dressed in white half see through dress and had golden hair, that reached her tights.

  - We will start our bidding with five orichalcum coins.

  For a moment, I was considering participating in the bidding, but even her starting price was more money than I had on me. Girl was sold for nineteen orichalcum coins.

  Turned out that st merchandise of the auction were sves. Among them were a dwarf, several beast girls and even rear female titan. Female titans were rear, and as far as I knew, nine out of ten titans were born males. Then they brought out male representative of species that I had never seen before. He was tall, on slender side, but well built. His skin was dark blue and he had long white hair.

  - Our former adventurer Ginnegith, the dark elf. He was arrested after killing three human adventurers. Ginnegith cimed that it was self defence, but judge decided that evidence proved that he attacked first. As a result Ginnegith was sentenced to be a sve, for the rest of his life. He is level sixteen, D rank adventurer, and you can use him as a guard, or just show him off to your friends. I assure you that his manliness is just as impressive as his level.

  Gemlin's comment received few ughters, but his manliness was the least of my concerns.

  I used Appraisal spell to check dark elves level. He did have level sixteen and also had several rear warrior skill, even Increased speed skill among them, and archer job.

  - We will start our bidding at one orichalcum coin.

  Price seemed low to me, but then I remembered that he was sentenced criminal. If he was sentenced to svery in this town, then auction house probably did not buy him, but was selling a property of the town, and would keep percentage from this sell. As such they would make profit no matter the price, and since dark elves had bad reputation and also were associated with gods of the night, auction house owner probably decided to start with a low price.

  Betting was slow, but as high level warrior he could be useful, and dark elves were rear on human continent. I decided to take a chance and, when host called my number, I stood up.

  - Five magic gems from low level floor guardians, for the elf.

  Until now everyone bidden only coins, and I was the first one who used magic gems as a bid. I heard participants whispering among themselves. Gremlin chewed his lip, but then nodded.

  - Sold to our elf guest. Next, let me present to you a rarest item and our jewel of this year auction, female djinn mage.

  Djinn was also beautiful young girl, but not as beautiful as previous elf. But she had magic skills, and it greatly increased her value. She was sold for twenty five orichalcum coins, and was the st item of the auction.

  I fallowed servant and was surprised to meet the host of the auction. Gremlin grinned and pointed at the seat in front of him.

  - Please take a seat. Someone like you is a rear guest in my auction, young adventurer. Or more precisely, experienced high ranking adventurer Avone.

  I nodded and looked around. He was alone, and I did not sensed any other presences in the room.

  -You know who I am?

  - Yes. My guard told me about you. When you showed him the bck coin, it did not told him anything. Unlike me, he never heard about Bck coin auction house. But he has a friend, who works in Soft Pillow tavern. His friend told him about an adventurer, who was not shy when dealing even with guards from Ares temple. He got scared and informed me about you and your party. I heard about your dealings in Opidium. Usually, I do not allow strangers to attend my auction or sell sves in exchange for magic gems. But I decided to make an exception in your case. I small favor to show you my appreciation, for your talents.

  - And what talents are we talking about?

  - Oh, you do not even realize your worth. Your party settled in Opidium, and huge amount of magic gems and monster materials where sold by local Adventurer guild. Then I heard rumors about Ni adventurer queen conquering the dungeon, which even rakshasa feared, and, small coincidence, she lived in the same tavern that your party did, and frequently was seen by your side. Not hard to make conclusions about that.

  - I see, - I took out magic gems and coins that I owed him: - Why is it of interest for you?

  He looked at magic gems and nodded.

  - Good, good. My name is Alexandrios. I am owner of this auction house. But unlike other auction houses, mine has a reputation. I sell only high quality items and sves. By the way, I did expect you to buy that elf girl.

  - I have no interest in saving the world.

  - He, he, he. Good. Then perhaps we could help each other. You see, I do not just wait for rear items to come, knocking on my door. I seek them out and travel across several kingdoms, while doing that. That is why I held an auction only once a year. But, not all items I buy when they are ready. I also order them. But ordering such items requires high quality monster materials. That is what I want from you. Why not sell me, all them monster materials and magic gems. I promise to pay you the same amount as your guild does.- And avoid paying the guild for them, or someone else buying something that you could use.

  - You understand me so well.

  I thought for a moment.

  - Do not count on magic gems. But I do not mind selling you stronger monster materials. But how will I know, which ones are of value to you and which ones are not?

  - Just bring them all. My servant works in here all year long. He will by everything that you bring, and sell what I do not need. What do you say?

  - Perhaps we can come to an agreement, but, in exchange, I will want something from you as well.

  - Oh, - he rubbed his hands: - I hear negotiations.

  - I want you to search artifacts with high magic resistance properties. I will need three or four of them in one year time. Also, I want you to buy all high ranking mana restoration potions. But only those that can restore at least fifty mana or more. The more the better. Also, I need stamina and anti-sleep potions.

  - I can keep an eye on artifacts with magic resistance properties. But I have a rule not to sell anything to anyone directly.

  - I do not mind buying them during the auction, as long as bidding is fair.

  - Of course. But transporting many potions is quite difficult. What about my expenses. And what if I get you several hundreds of potions?

  - Good. I can pay you double the amount of their usual price. I could use half a thousand mana potions, with ability to restore hundred mana. Several hundred anti-sleep potions and two thousands stamina potions will suffice.

  Alexandrios loudly gulped. I think that it was rear for him to get so surprised, and he could not hide it.

  - That will cost you a lot?

  - In one year's time I will earn a lot, - I shrugged.

  - I see. Well, fine. But I could use an advance payment.

  - Your advance payment will be all the monster materials.

  - You are sure about yourself.

  - Yes, - I did not had time to sell all items that we got in the dungeon and took out monster materials that we got during our first dungeon visit: - That is all I got, since we got here. Low level stuff, but we did not know what awaits us and did not prepare properly.

  Alexandrios needed some time to examine everything and then pushed towards me six gold coins.

  - Impressive. How many magic stones did you get?

  - Around a thousand, - I took one coin and pced it back inside my wallet: - I will need sve colr that can inflict pain.

  - Of course, - he nodded and happily grinned: - Does that means that we have an agreement?

  - As long as we both agree to the terms.

  - Of course, - he snapped his fingers and two rakshasa brought in dark elf. His hands were bound behind him and another rope was tied around his neck, like a dogs leash that rakshasa used to drag him in: - Just to be fair, he has quit a disobedient personality. Tried to escape twice already.

  - That is good to know. I will keep it in mind.

  One of the rakshasa put the colr and gloves on the table.

  - Thought that you will need a colr. Know how to use it.

  - Drop of my blood to personalize it, right. But it is not for me, - I put colr and gloves inside my magic purse.

  - When you come again, just show that bck coin. I will let my household know what the coin means, just to avoid misunderstandings from someone like you in the future, - he giggleg.

  I smiled and nodded. Rakshasa passed me the rope, and I felt like a dog owner taking his pet for a walk.

  - See your servant in a few weeks or a month. Depending on our exploration success.

  - I will be waiting many good things from you, - he grinned, showing his sharp predator teeth.