Supreme BeastTamer: I Can Copy and Upgrade Skills 10x!

"That mask... why does it look so diabolical?" Wendy couldn't help but ask as she saw the horned mask in Nox's grasp. It was terrifying, elegant, and fascinating at the same time. Especially the slit—it seemed as if it wanted to suck in her entire existence the longer she stared at it.

Though she couldn't see the rank of the item as she needed to hold it to view the information, she could feel, without a doubt, that it was a high-level magical item.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Nox didn't respond to her immediately. Instead, a smirk curled up on his handsome face as he brought the mask to his face and wore it. He then made a series of hand gestures in the air.

Wendy knew that he was probably tinkering with his system screen, but she was still confused.

Suddenly, her eyes widened in shock as she noticed something different about Nox.

[Nox - Level 110]

"What did you do?" Wendy could swear on her life that Nox was only a level 30 Awakened. Her eyes glinted with understanding the next moment, and she smiled bitterly. "It's the mask, isn't it?"

"Yes," Nox replied.

Wendy noticed the slight change in his voice, and amazement reflected in her eyes. It sounded deeper, firmer, and more profound. Eos was vast and filled with powerful magical items capable of terrifying feats.

Wendy only knew of an item with a similar effect, an artifact capable of hiding one's level from other Awakened. However, this was the first time she had seen an advanced version of such an item, one capable of not just concealing but altering levels.

The reason Nox had decided to set his level so high was simple. Earlier, he had heard from the guide that experts were much more respected at this auction and enjoyed special perks and privileges unavailable to normal participants.

The second reason was to avoid unnecessary trouble—not because he feared anyone present, but because he didn't want to attract undue attention.

The mask would not only grant him access to the so-called privileges reserved for experts but also help him avoid conflicts after the auction, as experts were respected by lower-level Awakened and even among fellow experts.

A moment later, after Wendy put on a veil over her head, she and Nox advanced toward the gate in front of the mansion.

The gate was huge and made of black iron, covered in intricate patterns that glowed faintly, as if enchanted. Guards stood in front of it, clad in black armor that glinted under the lantern light hanging along the walls. They didn't look decorative either—their sharp, vigilant gazes made it clear that nothing would pass unnoticed.

Inside, a neatly paved stone path led to the front door, a massive structure made of dark wood with golden handles. Trimmed bushes lined the path, each meticulously shaped without a single stray branch. At the center of the courtyard was a fountain, water cascading in perfect arcs from a phoenix sculpture. It was extravagant, but Nox had to admit it was impressive.

Wendy, now wearing the transparent veil, didn't look impressed, but Nox certainly was. However, thanks to the mask, no one could see his dumbfounded expression. As they walked along the stone path, the two attracted curious stares from other guests wandering around the grounds.

"An expert... as expected of a black market auction," one man commented, his voice filled with admiration and respect.

"Yeah, they're the only ones who could gather so many experts in one place."

Behind the mask, Nox's eyebrows twitched, and a smile threatened to appear on his face.

"How can you be so smug for being a fraud? Tsk, shameless," Wendy sneered, an obviously faked disgust evident in her tone as she heard the whispers and noticed Nox's confident, prideful gait.

"Hehehe, I'm not a fraud if no one knows," Nox chuckled. His laugh was strangely pleasant to Wendy, and her cheeks flushed like ripe apples.

"Hmph, but I know about it, so technically, you're a fraud," she replied.

Nox suddenly stretched his arm and pulled Wendy by the waist, drawing her body closer to him. She looked at him, speechless. She had nearly tripped and fallen over just now. Before she could ask, "What's wrong with you?"

Nox said quietly, "We need to look like a couple. That way, we can stick together. Trust me."

Wendy's eyes glinted behind the veil. Soon, a flirty smirk appeared on her face as she teased, "But I'm your instructor. Or could it be you're one of those types who fantasize about seducing their teachers?"

"That..." Nox froze mid-step, his voice somewhat confused. "Doesn't everyone fantasize about that? I mean, I can swear on my life that most students would die for a chance to spend a night with the Headmistress."

"You're not wrong there," Wendy said, chuckling.

Soon, they arrived at the massive double doors where three guards were stationed.

"Level 60, 70, and 80?" Nox noted, amazed at the guards' levels.

The leader of the guards—at least the one Nox assumed to be the leader due to his level of 80—stepped forward, glaring at them. His hand rested on his sword, his demeanor suggesting he wasn't fond of small talk. However, as soon as he saw Nox's level, his grip on the weapon faltered, and a kind smile appeared on his face.

"Esteemed guest, invite or entrance fee?"

"Entrance fe—"

"Let him be."

Suddenly, a powerful feminine voice echoed from inside. Nox turned his head toward the source. Several seconds later, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps, a young woman in a formal black dress stepped forward. She appeared to be in her mid-teens.

"Miss." The guards all bowed their heads respectfully as she approached. Her piercing gaze didn't linger on the guards for long, settling instead on Nox and Wendy.

This was Anya Parker, the young miss and sole inheritor of the Parker family, which owned the black market auction.

"An esteemed individual such as yourself need not pay any entrance fee," Anya said with a professional smile. "If you don't mind, could you follow me to the VIP room where all the other experts are staying?"

"Other experts? VIP room?" Wendy began to have a bad feeling about this.