The headquarters of the Clan “Flashlight.”
Its clan master, Hoshizaki Juri, one of Japan’s top ten clan leaders, was unable to hide her surprise and growing anxiety over the two items newly listed on the Awakener-exclusive auction site.
“The Orc General’s helmet and sword…? What are these items…!?”
At only twenty-four, Hoshizaki Juri was already counted among the top five close-range dealers, and she could not overlook the existence of these two items.
First, the Orc General’s Sword. Though it was a greatsword built for an orc, it came with a skill called "Size Adjustment," allowing it to change dimensions according to the user’s physique.
Even in raw stats, the Awakener Association had rated it as Upper Initiate Tier, not quite the tier used by elites, but nothing to scoff at. That, at least, was tolerable.
The real issue was that this was a set item—a weapon whose true power emerged when paired with its counterpart.
Its set bonus, [Brute Might], offered a considerable buff to attack power.
In other words, as a greatsword, this weapon held immense potential.
And the item that completed the set: the Orc General’s Helmet.
Though flashy in appearance, it too had the “Size Adjustment” skill. But more importantly, it was rated Lower Intermediate Tier by the Awakener Association.
Considering many current items for frontliner shared that same tier, this was more than worth acquiring.
But this helmet came with a different set bonus—a skill called [General Aura], which temporarily boosted all physical attributes. It was the very skill the Orc General had occasionally used, and one known to be terrifyingly effective.
“So this set grants access to that skill…? If I, as a Swordmaster, had that—I'd wield it effortlessly. But I'm not the only one thinking that. And if this is already out in public…!”
She needed to move fast. This would cause a major stir.
Realizing that, Hoshizaki turned to her secretary, Akikawa, who stood waiting nearby, and began barking out orders.
“Akikawa!”
“Yes, Master!”
“We must win the bids for the Orc General’s sword and helmet! Also, about the next large-scale raid on Tokyo Dungeon #4—”
“Trouble, Master!”
She was interrupted—no knock, no warning—by a clan member bursting into the room, making her click her tongue in irritation.
“What now!? I’m obviously busy! Akikawa, reserve every single slot for Tokyo Dungeon #4 immediately!”
“That’s what this is about! ‘Black Wind,’ ‘Holy Knights,’ ‘D-Crow,’ and ‘Gun Dead’—clans are swarming us with transfer requests for raid rights!”
“M-Master! Tokyo Dungeon #4’s reservation slots are completely filled for the next month!”
“Ugh! All these vultures, drawn by the scent of profit!”
Hoshizaki pounded her desk in frustration—but this was inevitable from the moment the auction went public.
Any halfway-decent Awakener could guess that the Orc General's gear had dropped from Tokyo Dungeon #4.
That dungeon’s unpopularity stemmed from its poor risk-to-reward ratio—but if that scale tipped the other way, if the profits surged, the dungeon would instantly become one of the most sought-after.
Even Hoshizaki, who had only continued raids there as a token of goodwill to the Awakener Association, had never anticipated something like this.
And naturally so—until now, there hadn’t even been a hint that such items could drop.
Had at least the sword dropped before, she could have seen the dungeon's value. But for it to suddenly blow up like this—it was beyond prediction.
She felt a swell of frustration, anger, and other emotions—but taking a deep breath, Hoshizaki began mentally organizing her next steps.
“Akikawa.”
“Yes!”
“As I said—make absolutely sure we win that sword and helmet. You can go up to four hundred million. No need to ask for approval.”
“F-Four hundred million… understood!”
“And Nabori!”
“Yes, Master!”
“Tell every other clan that no matter what terms they offer, we’re not giving up the rights. Also, contact HR—I want you to start investigating whoever made this mess happen!”
Her commanding presence was exactly what one would expect from a leader of a major clan.
If Tokyo Dungeon #4 really had become a gold mine, there was no way she could afford to relinquish those rights. It was her duty as clan master.
She glanced toward the auction site again—both the sword and helmet’s prices were skyrocketing.
Seeing how reservations were filled, those who had failed to enter the dungeon had now pivoted toward acquiring the gear itself.
There was no doubt anymore: this would spiral far beyond today and into a massive commotion.
“Who is the one who put these up for auction…? Causing all this chaos… I’m going to remember this…”
As Hoshizaki muttered that—back at the origin of all this turmoil…
The one and only Inari, blissfully unaware of any commotion, was cheerfully making rice balls filled with grilled salmon.