The Nightside has everything from sacred relics to filthy artifacts.But unless you have a will of steel, I would never recommend anyone to attend an auction in Nightside.While most people wouldn't dare compete with me at an auction, it's been a long time since I've attended any auctions because every time I'd bid a bunch of junk before I got what I really wanted.Once I accidentally marked a "Puka" for summoning goblins, and it turned out to be a playboy playmate that only I could see, and followed me for months.While it was a fun experience, it was really annoying. However, the Nightside is the magical heart hidden behind London, where gods and monsters not only walk side by side, sometimes even in the same support groups.If you want to be a private detective in this kind of place, you must be mentally prepared to attend various occasions at any time.This time, I was hired by the auction director of the Night City Great Sale Hall as a security guard for an auction, responsible for maintaining order in the venue.The job sounds very simple, but it also reflects a warning sign.Because nothing has ever been so simple in my life.

I arrived at the venue early and checked the entire venue first.I haven't been to this place for many years because of a lot of previous events.I had someone shot me in the back and hid in the normal world outside of Nightside, only to return to Nightside years later in an elaborate design. The concierge in the hall gave me a glare and didn't intend to let me in.But after I registered my name, he immediately stepped aside with a pale face.Having a great reputation, or a terrible reputation, can get you into many places that an entire battalion cannot attack. The auctioneer was anxiously swaying back and forth, as soon as he saw me appear, he immediately crossed the hall to meet me.She forced a smile on her face and shook my hand very hard.The name of the auctioneer is Lucretia Greve, a short, muscular woman, wearing casual clothes, wearing a pair of monocular glasses on her face, about fifty years old, with a very fierce appearance and gray hair Her hair was combed into a big bun at the back of her head, looking very unfriendly.She looked at me like it was all my fault, and cut right to the point.

"It's time for you to show up, Tyler, old man. I haven't even been safe on my own turf since that thing arrived. Never had hemorrhoids bother me this much before. I know We advertise that everything can be auctioned here, but there are some things in the world that people don't want to deal with. I don't want to have anything to do with that stuff if it's not a duty. I've started selling dogs again recently, you I also know that those rotten animals will start to pretend to be sick as soon as they hear my high price. In any case, I can guarantee, old man, that the auction item this time will definitely have a sky-high price." Her face sank, she took a breath and continued: " Every time something like this happens to me, I wish I was still working in Kristi's shop. If the police weren't still looking for me, I would have gone back."

I was about to ask her what was so troublesome when all of a sudden a lot of six-foot-tall teddy bears walked by.These teddy bears all look very old, holding a bunch of items that will be auctioned in their hands, talking in low voices while walking.When they passed by Lucritia Graves, some of them raised their voices and said a few words about organizing a union.Then they walked to the display cabinets on both sides of the auction table, and began to carefully put the items in their hands where they should be placed. "I'd better go and see if they put things away," Greve sighed. "Teddies often do unnecessary things. Although they are well-intentioned, they have no brains. The management here is a group of guys who want to save money. Go around and get familiar with the environment first. Just remember not to touch anything."

After she finished speaking, she rushed towards the teddy bear.I didn't stop her.Because if I don't let her go, I have to throw her to the floor, tie her up, and then sit on her, so that I can ask her the answer I want to know, and the prerequisite is that no one will disturb me during the whole process. Row. I surveyed my surroundings.Built in the thirteenth century, the Great Sale began as a tithe warehouse for produce, but has been transformed over the centuries into a completely different place.The creamy gray walls are made of large stone blocks mixed with traditional plaster, and there is a layer of square holes carved with intricate woodwork in the shadows above the stone walls.There were only a few narrow windows in the walls, and the floor was of unfinished planks sprinkled with sawdust.Both sides of the hall are filled with huge fluorescent sticks, which emit dazzling light that is hard to look at.There are no comfortable furniture and ornate decorations in the whole big sale place. After all, people don't come here to visit.A big sale is a very serious business.

I walked past rows of cheap wooden folding chairs, came to the simple and plain auction table, and looked at the auction items placed in the display cabinets on both sides.This auction has everything as usual, regardless of reputation, whether the price is reasonable, or whether the source is controversial.Night City is a place where you can buy everything, but what you buy doesn't guarantee that it's really what you want to buy.The buyer could make a fortune, or lose his life, but rarely otherwise.In addition, it is one thing to mark something, but it is another thing to have the ability to keep such things...

The first thing that catches the eye is a femur bone, which is marked as the weapon used by Cain to kill Abel, and a letter of authentication from the ancient city of Enoch is placed next to it.But in Night City, few people would take this kind of certification letter seriously.Next in the display case are three Maltese eagles of different shapes, the head of Kennedy, who is said to have the power of prophecy, the quill of Nostradamus, the scalpel of Baron Frankenstein, the declared A wooden box containing the ashes of Joan of Arc, and an umbrella stand made from a snowman's foot.The rest of the auction items are rubbish that only crazy collectors can see.Of course, none of these auction items held my interest.I've never believed in such magical artifacts that claim to have magical effects, because such things are often disappointing.Either it runs out of energy when needed, or it doesn't work after chanting a spell, and then it doesn't come with an instruction manual.Usually this kind of magic weapon will only cause trouble, and it is very likely that it is just a waste for bluffing people, although I myself started by bluffing people.

I stopped in front of a large, silver-framed standing mirror and looked at myself in it—it was labeled "Dorian Gray's Mirror," for what purpose you imagine.There's nothing fancy about the reflection in the mirror, but I think at least I'm dressed like a private eye today.Tall, thin, dark-skinned, with a curious face, he was wearing a large white coat that hadn't been washed for a long time.Maybe I look a little tired and a little scruffy, but that's how it goes around Nightside.Most of the cases I take are the ones no one wants to take because normal detectives know what to do and what not to do, but I enjoy doing it; Insatiable hunger and an unrelenting stubborn temper that won't give up no matter what.

My father got drunk to death because he found out my mother wasn't human.No one knows who my mother really is, but everyone in Night City has a theory about it.Some people regard me as a heretic, others say that I am the king of the future world, and since I was born, there have been a group of unknown enemies who have been trying to put me to death. I try to put these worries behind me. Lucretia Grave walked back to me with plodding steps, and now she has monocles on both eyes, and she looks very interesting.I deliberated about making an opinion, but thought I'd let it go, because some topics are unlikely to lead to any good results.

As soon as Greve came over, he continued to talk to me on the previous topic, as if she had never left at all: "Old guy, you can see all kinds of weird things here every day, all kinds of things are very strange even in a place like Night City. It's hard to imagine something that anyone would put up for sale. Last week there was an idiot who tried to auction off his soul at the venue, but we didn't let him sell it. Ah, yes, I've seen all kinds of people in my Come and go, seen too many tears, and heard too many curses. I think private property is the greatest curse of the thinking class. Well, Taylor, old guy, of course the auction hall has many protection systems and enchantments at all times In terms of function, it can prevent fires, thieves, fakes, and all external forces, and has been authorized by those in power to become an absolutely neutral place. Even the arrogant guys like collectors dare not mess around here. According to my opinion You know, because the auction hall caused too many disputes in the past, those in power had to come forward and bring this place under their direct jurisdiction to ensure that the transactions here can be innocent...so logically speaking, we should be safe..."

"But?" I asked. "But today's going to be auctioning off an item that's very special even to us. That's why you're here, man. If anything goes wrong today - and I'm sure there will be - it's your turn It's time. As for how to solve it, it's entirely up to you. Anyway, don't ask me for help, because I will be the first to leave the venue. And don't think that those teddy bears will help you, they are very enthusiastic, But you are as timid as dust. If you have no way to stop the other party, I think at least you can use your famous talent to get things back..." "Why on earth are you looking for me?" I asked with great interest. Greve took a deep breath and said, "The people from the insurance company insisted that we hire another person. But within the scope of the budget, you are the best candidate." Before I had time to react, a familiar figure came to us.Tilly Warrens Wilder, fashion consultant and stylist for court-defying goblins.She's a tall, super-voiced Jamaican woman who's also a sarcastic, defiant smoker.Every time someone told her not to smoke, she would take a big puff and spit it all in the other person's face.At this time, she was wearing a well-tailored, elegant, slightly lavender-colored jumpsuit, which formed an interesting contrast with her blue-gray complexion. I involuntarily raised my eyebrows.But just as usual, Wilder always loses back before being lost. "Stop being ignorant, honey. Lavender is the color of the season whether it matches my own sensibilities or not." She purposely posed in front of me, with her head slightly turned back, revealing her high cheekbones and sexy lips.Tilly Warrens Wilder is a proud and conceited woman, but at this time, not only did she not look directly into my eyes, even the fingers holding the cigarette were trembling slightly, as if meeting me made her feel very nervous, but look It was obvious that she had other things on her mind.Because I've spent a lot of time building my reputation, people often get a little nervous when they meet me, but Wyder's mind doesn't seem to be on me at all, or even on Grave.She just stared at the auction hall intently, puffing smoke around indiscriminately. "I hate coming back to Nightside," she said suddenly. "The tone is too low, dear, the style here is too low. I'd rather hang out with fairies more. Although they are superficial, at least they are superficial and cute." The one with the most depth is you.I thought to myself, but dared not say it.Because White likes to put cigarettes in the mouths of people who don't like it. "I only come back when I attend fashion shows and when I need to stock up on cigarettes." She said coldly. "Of course, there is also the auction of special items." She looked me in the eyes for the first time. "It's a pleasure to have you here, John. It shows that the big sale place is taking this sale seriously. They should, because I have a... very special item for sale." Lucretia Grave said loudly: "I agree, old friend. It is a unique and priceless treasure, but it is extremely dangerous. Some things should not be touched at all. If you really must touch them, please stand Just touch it with a stick from afar." "Can someone please tell me what is so powerful?" There was a majesty in my voice, and the two of them stood up straight.After taking his last puff of cigarette, Huaide threw the butt of the cigarette away, then stamped it out with his foot.Greve glared at her, only to see that Wilder had already lit another cigarette.After she took a sip, she looked at me meaningfully. "I've hit it this time, dear. I was looking for something else, and I found it by accident. Then again, isn't it always like this in the world? I was wandering around the world trying to Find something new to satisfy those goblins with insatiable desires. I went to Tokyo to check out a new company that specializes in landscaped volcanoes, but when I got there, the whole company disappeared completely, only There is a big smoking hole in the ground. I told you not to use 'the more you pay, the bigger the explosion' as an advertising slogan, they just won't listen... Anyway, then I changed my itinerary and went to China, which is in There, I found... that thing." She gestured exaggeratedly to a smaller display case nearby, but forgot to hold a cigarette in her hand, so she scattered a pile of ashes.She muttered a few foul words and put out the cigarette on the display case.I leaned over to look at the display case, and found a butterfly behind the glass. It was a medium-sized butterfly, not particularly beautiful.In fact, that butterfly looked pretty ordinary.It spread its wings and froze in mid-air, its body was surrounded by a shimmering force field, frozen in a specific time and space, like an insect trapped in amber.I looked back at Wilder, and again, she spoke before I did. "Yes, this is a very rare butterfly, but it is not what you imagined. It is a bit complicated to explain, please listen carefully. Chaos theory claims that everything in the world is intertwined and connected. If there is a A butterfly flapped its wings in China, and the final result may cause a storm in the Americas. In other words, as long as you can find that unique butterfly, you can control the storm... I found it, it is this Only. A little troublemaker, but a unique and powerful artifact. I plan to sell it for an equally unique price. Oh, collectors will be jealous of me!" ——Wade had a relationship with the collector, but it didn't work out.In fact, no one was optimistic about the relationship at the time, but some people just didn't listen. "Actually, the butterfly effect is nothing new." Greve said in a scholarly tone.The tone of the auctioneer is often reminiscent of a failed scholar, because most auctioneers are not academics before switching to auctions. "As early as ancient Rome, there were astrologers who could predict the future by observing the flying habits of birds." Wilder looked at her with disdain and said, "The Romans also like to cut open the belly of a goat, and call anyone who is pointed at by the liver a traitor, and then let them decide their own way of death." "Please don't get off topic, please?" I said. "Isn't the so-called butterfly effect supposed to be just a metaphor? There is no such butterfly." White smiled and said, "In Nightside, metaphors are as real as anything else, my dear. Everything symbolic has a real representation. Anyone who bids on this butterfly at the auction will be able to Gain the ability to distinguish other chaotic butterflies, and find the first domino that set off a chain of events. Then, that person should have the means to predict the future, and possibly even control the development of future events. The possibilities are endless! At least, in theory That's right. Believe me, dear John, I'm going to be rich, very rich! Super rich!" "If it's really so powerful, why are you so eager to let go?" I asked. Wilder put on a "why is everyone around me stupid" posture and said, "John, dear. I wouldn't be stupid enough to keep such a dangerous thing with me. Otherwise, I would just deal with people who are trying to meddle every day." It's strong enough. And I don't expect my goblin friends to help me, because all goblins are ungrateful shit. No, the best way to profit from it is to hold it in a neutral venue An auction." She blew a kiss to the butterfly in the display case, and said, "As soon as I got the money, I immediately hid in the court of indifference, and I will not show up until all the people who want to snatch the butterfly are dead. " "Why hasn't the authority confiscated something so easily disputed?" I frowned. "Normally Walker would not sit idly by something that might threaten his status." "Perhaps Walker is high and powerful," White said disdainfully. "But those in power have always understood the importance of a free economy." "It's so tacky," Greve said, wiping his monocle. "Perhaps," I said. "The people in power simply don't think this butterfly is genuine." Wilder blew a smoke ring and smiled happily: "This is the best, my dear." At this time, bidders began to enter the venue one after another, and some had already started arguing for the front row.I politely said excuse me to Wilder and Greve, and then went to patrol the auction hall, observing every bidder who entered the venue.Many of the bidders were unfamiliar faces. Except for some guys who wanted to pick up a small bargain, most of them represented buyers who did not want to be exposed, and some came purely to witness this historic butterfly auction. idlers.In the end, a lot of people crowded into the auction, not only filled the seats, but also stood against the wall.The teddy bears hustle and bustle, moaning loudly as they move out more chairs (the teddy bears admit they are being treated unfairly, since there are human workers handing out auction flyers).Some bidders talked politely, some poked their heads in front of the butterfly display cabinet, and some silently observed every move of other buyers. Lucretia Grave walked to the back of the auction stage to signal for everyone to be quiet, while Wilder stood proudly beside the butterfly display case.I swayed to the back of the hall and carefully observed the actions of everyone in the hall. At this moment, a fluffy snowman suddenly broke into the auction hall, scaring everyone into silence immediately.This snowman was eight feet tall, with unusually strong muscles faintly revealed under the white hair. People on both sides of the aisle couldn't help but show fearful expressions when it passed by.Just watch it go straight to the auction table, grab the snowman's foot umbrella stand, turn around and stare at everyone present, and then leave the same way.Everyone at the scene dared not say a word, and watched the snowman walk out of the auction hall.After a lengthy silence, after confirming that the snowman would not come back, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the auction could finally officially start. Greve started the auction with some small items.Since everyone is waiting for the Chaos Butterfly, these little things sell out surprisingly fast.I surveyed the crowd for familiar faces, and soon saw Jackie Swadenfloord.Jackie is an emotional poisonous person who specializes in absorbing other people's emotions. At this time, he is greedily enjoying the various emotions of people around him.This guy has been pretending to be familiar with me since he entered the arena. Not only did he insist on shaking my hand, but he also shook my hand for a long time.He is obese, sweaty, with a half-hearted smile on his face, and tears in his eyes at any time. He is wearing a black leather coat, sterling silver accessories on his shoulders, and a six-star necklace on his neck. He is dressed in Gestapo clothes.He uses this outfit to irritate others so that he has stronger emotions to absorb.And in order to prevent other people from getting angry and wanting to flatten people, he always brings a pink oversized German spaniel with him at all times. Then I saw Sandra Chance, the famous necromancer consultant, striding into the auction room as usual, having elevated her arrogance to an artistic level.She walked to the auction stage with no one in her eyes, pulled up a chair and sat down, all the people beside her dared not speak out.In fact, not many people have dared to provoke her. Qiansi is tall, pale-skinned, with messy red curly hair. She doesn't wear any clothes, and only uses dark red liquid latex to cover her whole body (it is said that these latexes are made from a special formula mixed with holy water, which has powerful evil spirits and protection against evil spirits. effect).At the same time, her body is pierced with ring holes and various steel decorations, making her body a dangerous figure in the storm.A belt full of druid symbols was tied around her waist, and many dirty cloth bags were tied to it, which were filled with cemetery soil, powdered blood, newt eyes, frog feet and other necrotic medicines. .I watched her carefully, and found that she had no interest in the small things in the auction.Anyone could see that she was here purely for the Chaos Butterflies.Her face is sharp and angular, her eyes reveal a coldness, and her smile hides evil.I've known her for a long time, and her specialty is death-related cases, usually cases where the causes of death are mysterious and the appearance of death is tragic.As long as you don't care about her means, she has a way to get news out of the corpse.I worked with her on a few cases before I left Nightside, and we didn't get along very well.She only seeks the result and doesn't ask the means when she does things, which can be called ruthless. I used to be very similar to her, but now I am out of that level.For me, Qiansi is a mirror, reflecting the past me and all kinds of unpleasant pasts.Suddenly, she sensed my presence and turned her head to meet my gaze.We looked at each other for a while, nodded coldly to each other, and then both looked away at the same time, never looking at each other again. I heard that Qiansi has recently gotten very close to a strong man named the Wailer.The Wailer is one of the most powerful men in the Night City, also known as the God of Suicide, and some people call him the Saint of Pain.Just mentioning his name is enough to drive people crazy.No one knows exactly what kind of ambiguous relationship Qiansi maintains with the Wailer, but most imaginative people are unwilling to guess, because even in a place like Night City, there are still some people who don't want to. imaginary scene.As far as I know, Qiansi has never been in or out of such occasions as auctions. Could it be that she came to bid for the Wailers?perhaps.But what does the god of suicide want the Chaos Butterfly to do?Whatever the answer to that question, it's not going to be a good thing, after all, who would dare bid on a representative of the Wailers?But after taking a closer look at the other bidders, I was relieved.There are many other strong players at the scene, and once the auction starts, they will definitely bid wildly. Anyway, even if Qian Sibiao does arrive, I always have a last resort, which is to steal something and run away. The King of Dance and the Queen of Dance sat not far away, and they did not talk to each other as usual.I guess they didn't really want to mess with the butterfly when they came here, they just didn't want the other party to get the butterfly.The King of Dance and the Queen of Dance used to be a loving couple, but they have divorced, and now they each lead their own dance sects to compete with each other.Today, the king of dancers attended in a traditional Celtic festival look, and the queen of dances dressed up as her favorite disco diva.Everyone likes to see these two people on the stage, because their every movement is extremely elegant, not only unique in style, but also suitable for movement and movement, as if there is a moving melody around them that no one else can hear. The last one to enter was the Paint Ghoul, the collector's bidding representative (since the collector had three bad records of stealing at auctions, he was ashamed to attend such occasions in person).The Paint Ghoul is the scariest, most evil clown in the world, and no one would want to meet him in a back alley.His clown costume is full of strong contrasting colors, and the clown makeup also reveals a strong and extremely evil atmosphere.He walked into the auction hall with a high spirit, his smile couldn't hide his sharp teeth, just like a pimp standing on campus. "Hello, hello, hello, ladies and gentlemen! It's good to be here. I just came from Sodom, but I'm not too tired! Anyone want to play dead bodies? I'm almost sure I have not forgotten where the body was buried..." He is the famous midnight clown, with a killer smile and a chicken-killing laugh. Although he looks like a big man, he is just a senior errand boy after all. The Chaos Butterfly auction finally started, and everyone in the venue placed their bids almost simultaneously.Greve tried his best to maintain order in the venue, but even an experienced auctioneer like her couldn't keep up with the speed of bidding.The anger at the scene was getting louder and louder, and some people even raised their hands.I walked up and down the central aisle, controlling the behavior of the buyers with my horrifying gaze, but there were too many people to control.Sandra Chance kept raising prices, but the other powerhouses showed no sign of backing down.At this time, the oil paint ghoul outbid Qiansi's price, and was happily leaning back in his chair.The clamor became more and more intense, and more and more people took action.Greve looked at the buyers all over the place, and he couldn't help showing a look of fear on his face. After all, the Chaos Butterfly is an item that can satisfy any ambition. I observed the present situation with great uneasiness in my heart.Discontent among buyers is running high, and it doesn't look like it will be long before it turns into an uncontrollable riot.The defensive force field built into the auction hall prevents the use of magic in the venue, but it cannot prevent people from using guns and knives.Under such circumstances, no matter who wins the bid in the end, I am afraid that it is impossible to walk out of the gate safely.It seems that it is impossible not to think of a way soon.Under normal circumstances, I can control the field with my eyes as long as I make a random noise, but the situation in front of me is obviously not so easy to dismiss. At this moment, I suddenly noticed a...strange phenomenon.In such a tense, chaotic, dangerous situation, I actually hummed a happy old song from the 70s, Ray Stevens' single "Bridget the Queen of the Blues".I haven't thought of this song for many years.What's even more strange is that many people around me are humming the same tune as me, and some have even stopped bidding and sang it loudly, although it can be seen from their expressions that they don't know why they sang this tune Song.Seeing this song gradually spread among buyers, I couldn't help feeling a chill down my back.In the Nightside, neither coincidence nor psychological compulsion happens by chance, and usually indicates interference from the outside world. At this moment, Greve held his head in his hands and stopped accepting bids, as if he was trying to prevent some external thoughts from invading his heart.Sandra Chance and the oil paint ghoul stood up at the same time, looking around suspiciously.There is a growing sense of unease among buyers.The influence of that song has passed, but there is a strange feeling in everyone's heart, an invisible pressure coming from an unknown direction.More and more people stood up, looking around in panic.No one else entered the room, but we all knew we were not alone in the room. "Something is coming." Sandra Chance said. "It's definitely not a good thing." A few people protested the interruption of the auction, but it was quickly quieted down.At this time, almost everyone stood up and looked around for traces of the enemy, but they couldn't see anything.All kinds of weapons appeared in people's hands, and sharp claws emerged from the paws of teddy bears.The entire auction hall fell into silence, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.There is a growing pressure in the air, like a gathering storm, like the calm before lightning.Suddenly there was a loud noise, and all the force fields around the big sale turned into bright spots and scattered, and the defensive measures established for hundreds of years were reduced to ashes in an instant, and were destroyed by an existence beyond imagination. —a living entity, gigantic, inhuman, breaking into our real world like poison that pollutes a spring. I know what that is.I recognize all these signs of appearance.It was a spirit beast, a traveler from the upper world or the lower world.Since its existence is too real or too illusory for us, the forces of the physical world are utterly powerless to stop it.When I was studying with the ghost hunter Kanaki, I once saw a spirit beast. I personally think that no one should encounter such a terrifying thing more than twice in a lifetime.The reason why I didn't run away is because in front of this kind of monster, running away is completely meaningless. Just as the monsters from the lower world were trying to break through the space limitation, the people in the venue panicked.The entire venue was filled with unformed energies, black rainbows, and shining auras, surrounding entities that didn't exist.These energies from the lower planes then sink into the actual matter, transforming the physical form of the object.Ugly faces appeared on the walls, floors, and ceilings, thick lips turned outward, revealing many horrible fangs, dark eyes rolled in their eyeholes, and inhuman voices rang in people's ears, saying: "Let us come Here we come." A huge wooden hand emerged from the buyer's seat, and everyone screamed wildly in fright and fled in all directions.A few people were chanting attack spells aloud, but these spells did nothing against the monsters that were about to enter our reality. All of a sudden, all the wooden chairs exploded and turned into wooden tentacles, mercilessly wrapping around the nearby crowd.As more hands and feet avatar into the real world through wooden objects, people scream more and more panic.The faces on the floor drank the blood spattered with open mouths, speaking joyful emotions in a language from time immemorial.The walls kept shrinking and expanding, as if they were breathing with a powerful entity.At this time, the entire auction hall suddenly shook, and the floor was floating like a ship in the sea. The chaotic scene flooded into the eyes, and because everything happened so fast, no one could keep up with the changes around them.Anything not anchored to the floor was already floating in the air by this time, some people's clothes swelled, and others' clothes shrank and fell to pieces.Flames burst out of nowhere in the air, and beads of sweat ooze from the walls.A strange rain of boulders and fresh fish kept falling from the ceiling, and people kept uttering incomprehensible languages. I made my way through the chaotic crowd with all my might, and grabbed Lucretia Grave, who was kneeling behind the auction stage.After being lifted up by me, she immediately hugged me like a child.Originally, I hoped that she had emergency magic in reserve, but looking at it this way, it seems that there is no such thing.The teddy bears staggered among the crowd and kindly wanted to help, but there was really nothing they could do except to use their broken bodies to block people in front of them. A spiritual force rushed into the auction hall, instantly replaced the original overall aura, easily broke through everyone's defenses, and poured a very powerful emotion into everyone's hearts.People started laughing, crying, and yelling hysterically.I laughed until my chest ached, but I just couldn't stop.Then a terrible feeling swept over us, and everyone fell into extreme fear on the spot; fear of the dark, fear of falling, fear of the person in front of us who is not what we see.People fought each other because they couldn't help the violent urge in their hearts.Many people fell to the ground unable to stand up because they could not bear such strong fear and emotion.The second spiritual force struck again, and the entire auction hall fell into unimaginable chaos.Several people tried their best to rush to the exit, but found that the gate had completely disappeared, and there was no way to escape. By this time Jackie Swadenfroud was swollen like a puffer fish, and all the silver buttons on his Nazi uniform were torn.He laughed bitterly, soaked in the intense emotions surrounding him, sucking on mental food beyond his own food limit.The skin on his face was cracked, blood was constantly oozing out, and two eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets.His German spaniel ripped out its own evisceration and died in a miserable state.油彩食尸鬼像只巨大的昆虫一样爬上胀大的墙壁，试图从原本应该是属于自己的武器的强大情绪中逃离。他脸上的妆已经与汗水糊成一团，嘴角再也浮现不了任何笑容了。 珊卓·钱丝擅长的是死灵法术，而非元素法术，所以在眼前的情况下派不上多少用场，不过她依然毫不气馁地奋战着。只见她气势恢弘地站在自己设下的防护结界里，仗着心中的一股怒气，单凭强大的意志力与灵兽对抗。她手里拿着一支非常原始的指向骨，只要被这骨头指到的外界能量立刻就会退出物质界——不过没多久就又回来。它们总是找得到路回来。 面对共同的敌人，舞王跟舞后再度携手合作，于忙碌的地板上踏出激烈的舞步。他们藉由舞蹈抒发出一股愤怒的力量，顽强地抵抗着入侵世界的灵兽。一阵美丽的旋律随着他们的舞步声浮现，一股优雅的气息在他们的动作中成型。他们的身体散发出强大的人性光辉，重重打击着来自异界的恐怖怪物。这两个人只有在一同跳舞的时候才能将彼此的舞蹈发挥到极致。 蒂黎沃伦丝·怀德站在一道妖精光环之中，身受漠视法庭的保护，一时不会受到伤害，不过却什么也不能做。她两手交握在身前，无助地看向四周。 我独自站在一个角落，冷眼旁观着大厅中的混乱景象，颇不情愿地思考着接下来的行动。我并不喜欢在大庭广众下采取行动，因为我不希望将实力暴露在众人眼前。保持神秘对于提升个人声望是很有帮助的，拥有令人闻之丧胆的恶名可比任何强大的魔法都要实用多了。至少正常的情况下是如此。此刻灵兽或许是因为看不出我的本质而对我手下留情，但是天晓得它们还会留情多久。 我知道问题出在哪里，也大概知道该如何解决此事，看来要把大家从地狱的门口带回来还是得要靠我才行。不过要是我猜错了，那我多半会死得很难看——幸好这种事我早就习以为常了。 之前跟寻鬼者卡纳基遇上灵兽的时候，我曾见他使用一道放逐护身符将对方逐出物质界。由于有预感将来会有用得上的一天，所以我就趁他不注意的时候偷了那道护身符。反正卡纳基有很多小道具，少了这一样应该也不会发现。我在堆满垃圾的口袋中摸索，最后终于掏出了一枚来自诺得之地的金币。金币一面刻有无人识得的文字，另一面刻着一张恐怖的面孔。我向来都不喜欢依赖这类事物，但是当外世界的力量找上门来的时候，个人的喜好已经无关紧要。要是这玩意儿没用的话，我也没机会去找卡纳基抱怨。反正这类力量法器本来就不保证有效。 我举起金币，念诵咒语，手中登时爆发出一道令人无法逼视的强光。我转头避开金币上的光芒，感觉手中似乎冒出火来一样。放逐的力量窜入大厅，迫不及待地往灵兽冲去。这股力量在大厅中流窜，以一种比人类历史还古老的语言念诵着放逐的咒语，将灵兽逼出所有入侵的物体，强迫它穿越世界的底端，一路回到属于自己的空间里。灵兽消失了，随之而来的强大情绪跟恐惧也一并消失。墙壁、地板及天花板恢复原状，缠绕在人们身上的木头触角也化为碎片。人们缓缓地看着四周，不知道一切是否已经结束。 过了一会儿，珊卓·钱丝喘息说道：“又有别的东西要来了。” 接下来出现的也是一只灵兽，不过这回是从上层界来的。所有人都可以感到它的逼近，感到一股无法忍受的压力自天上闯入我们的现实里面；由于这只灵兽的躯体过于庞大，它必须压缩自己才能挤入我们的时空连续体内。所有人，包括我在内，第一个反应就是转身逃跑。但是在灵兽逼近所带来的压力之下，我们就像是被巨蛇盯上的老鼠，或是被放大镜的焦点掳获的昆虫一样，完全动弹不得。最后对方终于在拍卖大厅中凝聚成形，渐渐化身为一股强大的实体与力量，几乎超越在场众人身心所能承受的极限，有如足以毁灭一切的重力力场，将所有人向它吸去。对我们有限的真实而言，对方的存在超越物质界的一切实体，真实到足以将一切吸入体内。 灵兽进入我们的世界之后，迅速开始向各个方向扩张，就好像在从上层异界高速下载某种容量超大的档案一样。它的思想闯入人们心中，有如一道无声无息的探照灯，毫不迟疑地在这低下的世界中找寻着来此的目的。不需要是天才也看得出对方是为了混乱蝴蝶而来，因为今天的拍卖会只有这项物品堪称无价之宝。灵兽一时之间似乎找不到蝴蝶的确实位置，大概是因为展示柜外设下的力场将蝴蝶暂时隔离在我们的时空之外。它增强力量，深入人心，摧残人们的自我，试图挖出它想知道的讯息。 我身边的人都在痛苦地哭喊，大叫：“把它赶出去！”就连在场的一众强者也忍不住跪在地上，一边发抖一边哭泣。整个大厅中唯一没有受到影响的似乎只有我，至于是什么原因，我可是一点也不想知道。 灵兽显然并不习惯三度空间的思考模式，不过它终究会找到混乱蝴蝶，即使毁灭这里的一切也再所不惜。重力场逐渐扩大，物质界的细节在其强烈的吸力下逐渐模糊，与灵兽融为一体。这并非对方的本意，只是它出现在物质界就是会产生这种效果。泰迪熊们跌跌撞撞地往重力场冲去，似乎无法抗拒发自其中的某种召唤，最后一只接着一只跌落在地板上，退化成普通的填充玩具。恐怖的改变冲击着灵兽身边的人，突然之间，有的人只剩下背影，不管从哪个角度看都看不到他们的正面。有的人失去了面孔，变成一片空白，再也找不回自我。细节自衣物上消失，仿佛让人拿橡皮擦抹去了一般，最后连颜色都不见。人们转变成二度空间的黑白照片，接着又产生油画般的模糊效果，最后被剥夺了所有真实的细节，完全被吸入重力场之中。 我强迫自己忽视身边的惨叫声，专心一意地思考解决之道。如此强大的实体绝对不是放逐护身符能够对付得了的，我身上没有任何道具可以伤它分毫。当一个实体强大到这种地步的时候，根本不会在乎任何属于我们这种空间的力量。为什么它会想要混乱蝴蝶？我猜是因为不管得到蝴蝶的是谁，只要有生命能够预测并且掌控未来，那就足以影响到上下层异界的生存空间。如此说来，只要混乱蝴蝶还在我们的世界里，灵兽就会不断从上下层异界入侵物质界，完全不在乎物质界受到的损害与伤亡。看来只有一个方法可以解决了。 我向展示柜走去，使尽全力对抗着重力场的吸力，最后终于来到混乱蝴蝶面前。蝴蝶依然飘在展示柜的力场之中，实在很难想象如此幼小的躯体里竟然隐藏了这么强大的潜力。我一把抓起展示柜，引来怀德的一阵尖叫，似乎在发生了这么多事之后，她还妄想能够保有混乱蝴蝶。我运起寻物的天赋，张开潜藏内心的第三只眼，找出用来摧毁围绕蝴蝶身边的力场的咒语。 我念出咒语，力场瞬间崩塌，混乱蝴蝶消失，从困住它的时空中解放出来。在离开那个特定的时空之后，它就再度变成一只普通的蝴蝶，不再具有任何特殊的地位，不再是任何命运事件的第一张骨牌。它恢复正常了。对任何人而言都已经不再重要了。 没过多久，灵兽对这里不再有兴趣，离开物质界，重力场也随之消失。所有大甩卖场里的人通通虚脱无力地跌倒在地，为一切终于结束而感到庆幸。我靠着墙壁坐倒，放松全身肌肉，好好地享受了一会儿发抖的感觉。 当然，不是所有人都乐于见到这种结局。比方说蒂黎沃伦丝·怀德就很伤心地四处乱晃，嘴里喃喃念道：“本来要发财的，本来会发财的。发财……发财……”她本来会死的，而且死相绝对非常难看，只不过身为一名绅士，我没有在她面前指出这一点。不少专为混乱蝴蝶而来的买家都跑来指责我处理事情的手法，不过在被我瞪过之后马上又通通跑光。这次事件死了不少人，还有很多连全尸都没有留下。我帮着大甩卖场的员工将尸体集中堆到一个角落，留给当权者的人去处理。就看他们什么时候才要出现。没有其它买家愿意帮忙善后，大部分的人都迫不及待地抢着离开。我认为我也该在渥克出现之前消失比较好，免得还要回答一堆麻烦的问题。我建议怀德也不要待在这里，她缓缓地点了点头。 “或许我还可以找出别只混乱蝴蝶……” 我默不作声，指了指周遭的残骸，以及角落的尸体。She shrugged. “或许还是不要比较好。” “乖乖待在时尚业吧。”我冷冷地说。“比搞这种东西安全多了。” 她微微一笑，说道：“还用你说。”说完离开现场。 我回到葛雷夫身边，难过地看了看拍卖厅的惨状，然后把支票寄送的地址说了一遍。她听完瞪大了眼睛。 “都搞成这样你还指望我付钱？” 我展露严肃的表情，说道：“没人敢赖我的帐。” 她想了一想，然后表示同意我的看法。我笑了笑，道了再见，离开拍卖大厅，重新回到夜城的怀抱里。