Once a year in the Imperial City of Zebrudia, the government holds a large-scale auction.

It is a major event in the Imperial Capital. Called the Zebrudia Auction after the name of the country, it is held for a week and features a variety of rare and expensive items and works of art brought in from Japan and abroad.
During this period, the Imperial Capital is crowded with merchants, hunters, and tourists from outside the city, creating a festival-like atmosphere. It's a fun event to watch.

The Zebrudia Auction was different from other auctions in one respect. The majority of the items on display were "treasures".

The amount of money that goes into the auction is enormous. Perhaps it was the unique atmosphere of the festival, but it was not uncommon for the items on display to sell for more than their original value.
Originally, the Imperial Capital was a sacred place for hunters. The distribution of treasures is far greater than in other countries, and the number of hunters who seek them is also large.
In addition to the demand, some treasure hunters based in the imperial capital keep treasures that they have acquired for the day, and these treasures are also released at once, so the auction is full of treasures.

And even at auctions, no one buys treasures whose abilities are unknown.

At this time of year, treasure appraisers in the Imperial Capital are busy appraising all the treasures that are brought in.
Although the appraisal results are guaranteed by the appraiser's name, there are many misappraisals of treasure. Since the appraiser's name is also a factor in the bidding process, it is easy to understand why this unsociable but skilled old man is so sought after.

The door inside the counter. Just beyond the door was Mr. Murchis's workshop.

Stacked crates and a large metal workbench. The walls were lined with strange instruments used for appraisal, giving the store a very chaotic impression compared to the neatness of the store.

The narrow space illuminated by the dim light has a certain charm, and I can't help sighing with deep emotion. As a timid person, I love such cramped spaces.

Tino follows me in with trepidation. There was a golden dagger on the workbench, probably being appraised at the moment.

This is not the first time I have visited Mr. Murchis' office.
When I was first admitted, the place was so messy that there was no place to step, but somehow it had become tidy enough that I could walk through it without falling down. I'm sure it's not for me, but for Tino.

Mr. Murchis looks back at me, who has been following closely behind, and sniffs.

'If you see ......, get the hell out of here. I don't have time for this.'

'You brought Tino with you. You don't care what happens to Tino?'

'Hey, kid, how long are you going to be here?

Mr. Marchese's workshop is a very interesting place for me.

In fact, the majority of the treasures found in the treasure house are things that cannot be put to practical use.
It's okay if they only have flaws, like the Night Hiker. There are bracelets that paralyze your sense of taste when worn, earrings that make you unable to distinguish between sounds, boots that make you skip all of your steps, and many other tools that make no sense.

We treasure hunters respectfully called them "trash treasures". And of course, these treasures are rarely found in stores.

Mr. Murchis's workshop was like a toy box for me.
It's a great way to pass the time, looking for the very few usable items among the mountain of joke items (needless to say, it's rare to find usable items).

This time, Mr. Murchis is busy, so he won't have time to do that much.

'Here's the list of items that were requested to me. Read it quickly and go home.

Mr. Murchis offered Tino a chair and roughly pushed a bound file towards me. The difference between the way he treated me and the way he treated Tino was too great.

But there was no point in complaining, so I stood and began checking the catalog.

There are several other appraisers in the Imperial Capital besides Mr. Murchis. I'll have to visit them later.

'Hmm ......, I don't have any money .......'

The inventory listed the tentative names and characteristics of the items. The name of the person who requested the appraisal was not listed, perhaps because it is personal information.

The price of treasures sold at auctions is often higher than the market price. In the first place, there are only a small number of useful treasures, and most of them are not available even if you pile up a lot of money, so even taking that into consideration, the auction is a great opportunity, but it might be difficult to participate in it when Eva has already nailed you for your debt.
Would she forgive me if I got down on my knees?

'Hey girl, how are you? Is the search going well?'

'Ha, yes. It's going well.'

'That's good to hear. Treasure hunting is a dangerous job. I've been doing business with hunters for a long time and I've learned that the hard way. You just have to take care of yourself.

'You haven't finished the appraisal at all. Don't you have any real goods, old man?'

I can't help you if all I know is its features and a tentative name. Some of them are predictable, but none of them strike a chord with me. You should at least post a picture.

'Shut up! It's in the box there, look at it yourself! Don't pollute it!

I wonder if he's under a lot of stress. He cursed me, but I was open-minded, so I didn't mind and opened the lid of the box and checked inside.
It seemed that the magic had not yet been filled, and it was a pity that I could not see the treasure in its perfect state.

He sits down on the floor and takes out the unidentified treasures one by one, comparing them with the inventory. It is a heart-stopping moment.
The most common type of treasure is the popular accessory type, but there are also bag-shaped items with high expectations and rarely found items such as gloves. This year's auction looks promising. I'm too broke to participate, though.

'Are you being bullied by the Zekage? Is Krai forcing you to do anything you don't want to? These kids at parties don't know how to take it easy at all.''

'No, it's fine. They've been good to us.

'If something happens, you can always count on your friends. Some of them have broken personalities, but their footprints are huge. There will be no shortage of people to ask for help. ............ cry may also be useful in some cases. It's the most advanced hunter I've seen in years.

'Yes, yes.'

I'm not sure what to make of that. It's rare that Tino, who's rather cold to outsiders, is flinching. I wonder where he really stands.
And what does "possibly" mean? The only time I'm useful is when Tino gets mixed up with Lise or Cicely.

Tino says, as if to himself.

'I know. Master is a wonderful man. He owes a lot of money, but he's still a great guy. Compared to Master, I'm a ...... dusty--'!

'? Cry! What are you teaching the little girl?



I was sitting there, rummaging through the boxes, when a hand came to my shoulder. Just as I was about to suffer the inevitable reputational damage, I suddenly saw a treasure in my sight.

It looked like a mask with an unusual texture.
The surface is smooth, with holes only for the eyes and mouth.
The texture is similar to raw meat. It is soft and moist to the touch, and has an unpleasant weight when lifted. The temperature is cold, but if you fill it with magic power and activate it, it will have a heat close to that of a human body.

My hand trembled as I lifted it.
A mask of flesh. I had an idea of a similar treasure trove.
It was a little different in shape and size, but I don't think I've ever seen anything quite so creepy.

The Reverse Face.

It was a treasure that had been destroyed by Liz-chan due to its bad reputation among her friends.

I'm sorry. Hey, Cry. What's wrong?'

Mr. Marchese peeked at my hand and frowned at me.

--I want it. I want it so bad.

The Reverse Face is a treasure trove that can change a person's face at will.
You can change not only your eyes and nose, but even your hair. Once you get used to it, you can change not only your face but also your body, making it a mask of expanding and contracting flesh.

With this, I'm free from hunters and criminals who try to make a name for themselves by hunting high-level hunters, and I can walk around outside with a big smile on my face. I'm free to be handsome or beautiful.

The last time we met was by accident. When it was destroyed, I thought I'd never get it.
Even if I had found it in the treasure house, it's unlikely that anyone would want to bring back such a disgusting treasure. Even if you found it in a treasure house, there would be very few people who would want to take it home, much less wear it.

'...... This treasure trove was brought in from the outside. It hasn't been appraised yet, but it's not good.

Mr. Marchese said with a grim expression. Tino looks at the mask and his expression falters for a moment.

--I want it. I want it so bad.

It's definitely not a good one. A treasure that can change your face, body, even your fingerprints can be used to commit crimes.
Zebrudia's law forbids its use, but it's not illegal to possess it. It's not illegal if you're not seen using it.

How much? How much do you need? The last time I got it was when the Wraith of Sorrows crushed a large bandit gang. It was in the loot.
Since I didn't purchase it, I can't predict its price, but considering its scarcity and performance, it should be well over 10 million guild .......

--I want it. I want it so badly. If I don't get it now, I'll never get it.

My head is spinning frantically.
How much? How much do I have to get? Get down on your knees to Eva, get down on your knees to Citly. And then get down on your knees to Lise.
Are you ready for this? I'm ready. Marry me.

I was no longer thinking about appraising the treasure Tino had found.
I'd trade it for the most prized treasure in my collection. The Reverse Face is worth that much.

I look up and see Mr. Murchis. Mr. Murchis, who is always stern with me, is sweating profusely and takes a step back.

What we need to do for now is to negotiate before the auction.
If it's put up for auction, you'll have to compete with all the other hunters and nobles. If this happens, your chances of getting it will depend on your luck, and the cost is likely to be high.

Negotiate with them to sell it before it is put on the market. It's not very nice, but it's a common practice in auctions.
I have a position. It's not something I earned, but I have trust. This is not the time to pick and choose. I have to get it.

I take a deep breath, calm my heartbeat, and ask Mr. Murchis.

'I really want this treasure. I'd like to negotiate with the hunter who commissioned the appraisal of this item. Can you contact him for me?

'? Are you out of your mind? It hasn't been appraised yet!

I'm sane. It's a nasty piece of jewelry. Even the moment it activates is unpleasant. Only those who have tasted it will understand what it feels like to have raw meat plastered all over your face.
But I want it. The cheaper the better. With this, I can visit sweet shops alone, without an escort.

'............ Tsk. Sounds like you're serious. ...... You treasure freak. It's good for business. ...... Oh, okay, I'll talk to my customers. Don't be like this, girl, don't be like this.

Mr. Marchese clicks his tongue with a sour look on his face. He's still a foul-mouthed but caring old man.