Path To Godhood Begins With Marrying Wife And Gaining SSS Rank Skill

Chapter 388:The Auction House

“Ouchhh!” Miranda groaned and held her head with both hands. Tears squeezed out from the corners of her eyes as she turned around with a pout.

 “Wuwuwuw… Father, you are the worst. What if your cute, lovely daughter becomes an idiot?”

Ethan’s lips twitched as he looked down at her. His hand was still half raised from the smack. “I sent you to work here, yet you are daydreaming.”

“Daydreaming? I was just reading…” Miranda muttered while rubbing the top of her head. Her voice was soft, but her eyes were still watery.

Ethan frowned and looked at the book in her hand. When he saw the title, he froze for a second.

Investiture of God.

‘Huh… Isn’t that one of those Wuxia movies that were popular in the early 2010s?’he muttered under his breath, then shook his head. He reached out and took the book from her hands. “Why are you reading this? I specially brought books for you to learn music, yet you are reading all this bullshit.”

“This isn’t bullshit,” Miranda said quickly. Her voice had a small stubborn edge now.

Ethan flipped through the pages. His eyes moved fast across the lines. For a moment, his gaze sharpened, and a faint unease appeared in his expression, but he forced it down.

“Are you worried about potential too?” he asked without looking at her.

Miranda became quiet. She nodded slowly. Her fingers started fiddling with the edge of her sleeve as she spoke. “Father… why don’t you let us test our potential?”

Ethan paused. He looked at her properly now. The question pulled up an old memory. He remembered Ray asking the same thing years ago, with the same worried face.

‘Good heavens…’ He pressed two fingers against his temple and massaged lightly.

‘These kids, instead of working hard, think about all kinds of useless things,’ he thought. Even he, with a system helping him, had worked himself to the bone. Without the system potions, many of them might not have made it this far.

He let out a breath and spoke calmly. “Listen, Miranda. Your brother Ray also asked me the same question. He was quite worried about it, and I told him one thing.”

He crouched down a little so his eyes were level with hers.

“It is true that potential gives a higher starting point and all that, but it is not absolute. Talent without hard work is nothing. Take a look at me. I had low potential, but look where I am.”

“Whaaaat!” Miranda jumped back in shock. Her eyes widened so much that she looked like her jaw might fall off. “You aren’t joking, right?”

“Do you really think I would joke here?” Ethan said in a serious tone. Miranda quickly closed her mouth.

“The reason I don’t allow you to take the test is because your dumb brains would constantly think about it. You would put an invisible limit on yourselves.”

Miranda puffed her cheeks at once and crossed her arms. “Did you just call your lovely daughter dumb?”

Ethan could not help smiling. He reached out and flicked her forehead again.

“Ahhhh… Father, you are doing it again!” she cried, half angry and half laughing.

“Okay, enough,” Ethan said, but there was warmth in his voice. “I have no problem if you read such books, but don’t let all this stuff affect your tiny head too much.”

“You called me tiny again. I will fight you,” Miranda said, and suddenly pounced on him. She hit his chest with her small fists while Ethan exaggerated a roar of pain.

“Aah, I am dying,” he said dramatically.

Miranda stopped and looked up at him. Their eyes met, and both of them burst into laughter. The warehouse felt lighter for a moment.

After some playful time, Miranda stood up and dusted her clothes. “I am leaving.”

“Remember my advice. Don’t overload your little brain,” Ethan called out.

“Gosh, again. I am going to sue you before Mother,” Miranda shouted back as she ran away.

The smile on Ethan’s face slowly faded.

He looked down at the book in his hand. His brows drew together, and his expression turned cold.

“I don’t remember ordering anything like this,” he murmured. “Did Rina bring it for fun? But still…”

For some reason, a quiet discomfort rose in his chest as he stared at the cover.

……..

The market town near the trade road was loud that evening. Lanterns hung from wooden beams, casting a yellow glow over the crowded streets. Merchants shouted over one another. Coins clinked. The smell of roasted meat and strong drink filled the air.

Herion’s eyes were bright with curiosity. He had grown strong for his age, and from a distance many mistook him for older. That small mistake was enough to get him into places he should not have entered.

He covered his face with a cloak and went in. He was here to check if there was something useful. His father had allowed him to go and take a look, but more than that, he himself wanted to roam around.

Music drifted from a large tent at the center of the square. Laughter came from inside, mixed with the deep voices of men arguing over prices.

An auction.

Not the simple kind that sold grain or tools. This one dealt with rare items, exotic beasts, and weapons, and at the same time it also served “entertainment,” as people said.

Herion did not understand exactly what entertainment meant, but looking around, he already had an idea. On one side, women in colorful clothes danced in rhythm with the music. On the other side, muscular men showed off feats of strength.

‘So people come to drink, see dance, and enjoy,’ he thought.

Herion pushed the curtain aside and slipped in.

Inside, the air was thick and warm. Rugs covered the ground. Men in fine clothes sat around low tables. Some wore armor beneath their cloaks. A raised wooden platform stood at the front where a man shouted numbers while holding up strange items.

Herion stayed near the edge, watching.

A woman with heavy bracelets and painted eyes passed by carrying a tray of cups filled with amber liquid. She glanced at him, then at his height and clothes, and assumed he belonged.

“Here is your drink sweetheart,” she said casually, placing a cup in his hand without waiting.