The Hunted Regressor: My Heretic Saint System-Chapter 106: Hands Of Lethe

’It can’t be, can it?’

Ignotus activated his vision, his pupils shifting a little as he used his Beholding Eyes to cut through the mystery.

—

[Item: Limestone Pebble]

[Tier: Trash (Below third-tier)] 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

[Description: A regular rock that has absorbed a significant amount of swamp water and a tiny fraction of Divinity. Though it might smell like wet socks, it has the ability to not reflect light.]

—

’Perfect.’

A slow, mischievous grin spread across his face.

He gripped the armrests of his chair, his eyes wide with breathless awe.

Ignotus made sure that even the nobles sitting three rows down could see his reaction.

"Five gold."

Though low, his voice was heard by all, making the amphitheater erupt in whispers.

Five gold coins? For a damp rock?

"Ignotus, what are you doing?"

Ulv whispered, leaning in.

"You can’t be serious about buying that. It looks like a kidney stone."

"Shh..."

Ignotus hissed, not looking away from the stage.

"You have no idea. Do you see the way the light doesn’t reflect off it? That’s light absorption; it’d be incredible against any Light Element. They’re idiots; they don’t know what they have."

Once more, he spoke loudly enough for the surrounding seats to hear, making many narrow their eyes.

If the Runebearer who did the impossible in his first Trial wanted this rock, there had to be a reason.

"Six gold!"

A noble shouted, puffing out his chest.

Tck!

Ignotus slammed his fist on the railing.

"Ten gold! Don’t you dare, you silk-wrapped buffoon! That item belongs to someone who understands how to use it!"

"Ten gold already?"

Loren, the auctioneer, looked shocked, but he wasn’t about to stop a bidding war.

"Ten gold from the young lord!"

"Twelve!"

Another noble yelled.

"Fifteen!"

Another stood up, looking like he was about to jump onto the stage.

"I’ll sell my shoes if I have to! You don’t know the power of the Moist!"

Lykos looked at Ignotus with a mix of horror and confusion. Mer, who had just finished rubbing the sleep from her eyes, stared at the rock and then at Ignotus.

"Is he having a stroke?"

"No..."

Ulv muttered, a slow realization dawning on him.

"He’s being a menace."

The price kept climbing, and the crowd got caught in the frenzy. If Ignotus was this desperate, the "Ancient Moist Barnacle" had to be a game-changer.

Maybe it really could absorb any Light attack?

Maybe it could summon all the Light it absorbed into one massive attack?

"Twenty-five gold!"

The first noble screamed, his face turning a deep shade of purple underneath a lot of sweat.

This was a lot of money, even for a Lower House, making Ignotus let out a ragged breath.

"Thirty..."

He looked like a man on the edge of a breakdown, glancing at the noble with unadulterated hatred.

"Thirty gold."

"Thirty-one gold!"

The noble slammed his hand down on his seat.

"I win! You hear me? I win, you little upstart! You—"

"Thirty-five."

Another noble interrupted, though this one came from the back, high up on the stands.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The silence that followed was very loud.

Loren looked at the Noble, then at Ignotus.

"Thirty-five gold. Going once... going twice..."

Ignotus suddenly sat back down.

His face went from "desperate seeker" to "bored teenager" in exactly half a second.

"Hm."

He crossed his legs and let out a relaxed sigh.

"Actually, you take it. I just remembered I have a rock exactly like that at home. It’s currently propping up a wobbly table in the kitchens."

Most of the nobles froze up.

"...what?"

"Sold!"

Loren clapped his hands.

"To the masked gentleman on the second floor!"

Ignotus turned his head slightly, meeting the noble’s enraged gaze.

"Congratulations. I hope you and your new damp rock are very happy together."

Surprisingly, the masked noble didn’t say much after that. He seemed perhaps accepting of the fact that he had just bought the most expensive piece of trash in the Third Stratum.

Who knows, one day he might come to appreciate the ’Ancient Moist.’ Besides, it wasn’t Ignotus’s fault that this masked stranger had more money than brains.

"Ahahahahahahaha!"

Ulv burst out laughing, hitting his knee.

"Hehehehehe!"

Mer followed right after; even Lykos had to hide a smile behind his hand.

’That was fun...’

Ignotus, meanwhile, kept his eyes fixed on the next cart.

’Now, let’s see if they’ve actually got anything interesting.’

While he awaited the next item with bated breath, everyone around him stared daggers at him, more so after hearing his companions, Ulv and Mer, laugh out loud so abashedly.

It was obvious that what he did just then earned the animosity of many of them. And yet, it didn’t take long for them to look away, perhaps moving on.

They didn’t lose anything, so they held no grudge.

In any case, they had the next item to look forward to.

"To truly begin, we have a piece that has... let’s say, fallen from grace. A Divine Relic from the previous auction that many of you, I’m sure, have seen already. Perhaps at a more humble price, it might finally find a home."

The cover came off, revealing a pair of low-profile gloves that floated in midair, black as pitch. Their knuckles were faintly etched with pulsing but dull white Runes.

"These..."

Loren dragged the word out as the lights dimmed to focus only on them.

"...are the Hands of Lethe! A Divine Relic fit for thieves, tricksters, and gamblers alike!"

The crowd leaned in, and he gestured dramatically.

"When a foe strikes with a spell—if you are lucky enough—you can Will the glove to steal the attack itself and lock it within! Up to ten times, one for each knuckle!"

He raised his fist to the crowd, curling it tight.

"And then, my Lords, with just a thought—"

He snapped his fingers—

"You return it! The very same spell hurled back with your own hand!"

Those unfamiliar in the crowd began to murmur, undoubtedly intrigued.

"Fail the luck test, and well—"

He spread his arms.

"Nothing is stolen, and you get hit. Such is life! Fortune favors the daring!"

Ignotus’s hand immediately shot up before Loren could even call the starting bid.

"Oh, once more, we seem to have an excited buyer!"

The auctioneer laughed.

"Starting bid—five gold!"

Ignotus couldn’t help but be excited.

And this time, he was sincere.

This was perfect for him!

HE HAD TO GET IT!