The Mask of Forgotten Memories.
The moment the item appeared on auction, it shocked awakeners across Japan.
Lately, the auction had occasionally seen outrageous items surface, but this one was a different kind of uproar entirely.
Even the guild [Flash], one of Japan’s Ten Great Guilds, was thrown into turmoil.
Its master, Hoshizaki Juri—a twenty-four-year-old close-range dealer ranked among the top five in her field. She was considered formidable, but not yet a Top Ranker.
The undisputed number one close-range dealer was also the number one Top Ranker: “Hero” Aozora Youta.
With his unique job, Sword Hero, Aozora was so overwhelmingly strong that while many strove to be “the next after Aozora,” none dared to claim his throne. Hoshizaki was no different. But this item…
“A job-change item…? Why would something like that show up?”
It was a consumable, one-use item activated by wearing it. Its effect: granting the user a new job, Aura Master.
There were precedents for job-change items. For example, one awakened who emigrated overseas had used a job-change item known as Demon’s Key, becoming a Demon Summoner. Another Top Ranker, the fourth-ranked “Submarine” Suzuno Shion, was rumored to have also used some special item to attain a unique job.
But this “Aura Master” was unknown. Whether it was powerful or not was unclear.
The Awakener Association’s appraisers had only recorded the following description:
“A swordsman who fights with the power of aura…”
How strong that was, no one knew. But for Hoshizaki, the job of Sword Master offered no room for explosive growth beyond what already existed. Perhaps this was the gamble she had been waiting for.
And she had reason. Hoshizaki knew of a similar skill—Aura General. It was a body-strengthening effect triggered by equipping the helmet and sword set of the Orc General, an item she had once failed to win at auction.
If nothing else, “aura power” had to mean strengthening power. And if it could be applied to others, it would enhance her whole clan. Even if not, it could greatly empower her alone.
“It’s decided. Akikawa.”
“Yes?”
“I’m putting all of my personal assets into this. We’re winning that item, no matter what.”
“Wh-what!? A-are you sure!?”
“I am. I doubt anyone else can even guess its true worth. Which means they’ll all fold eventually.”
After all, whether collector or fighter, few would risk their entire fortune on an unknown item. Only a true gambler would. And if such a gambler appeared, then Hoshizaki too would go all in. But she was certain that would not happen. No one else was reckless enough to bet everything on untested possibility.
It was a chicken race—and Hoshizaki was sure she would win, so long as she did not flinch.
“This is my gamble. And I will win it.”
“But, Master… what if it turns out to be a support role? Isn’t Sword Master already the pinnacle of sword jobs?”
“If so, then that would simply mean my luck went no further.”
Akikawa’s concerns, Hoshizaki thought, were the ordinary perspective. And because ordinary sense said to stop, extraordinary sense was what would bring her victory. This was her life’s wager.
“If I’m only going to grind my teeth in regret later… then I’ll stake everything here!”
It wasn’t her life on the line—only money. And money could be earned again. Flash had grown large enough to ensure that. She would not hesitate to risk it all.
“By the way, Master…”
“What is it?”
“The one who listed this item… could it be that person again?”
That person. In Flash, there was only one such candidate. Both Hoshizaki and Akikawa thought of the same name.
“…Kogami Inari. Most likely. Though it could also have been the Black Witch, who was reportedly there.”
Inari’s job was Fox Shrine Maiden. The Black Witch—Sendou Sarina—was a Dark Mage. Neither had any use for sword-based jobs, and both were soloists. The odds were high that one of the two had listed it. But Hoshizaki suspected it was Inari.
“Kogami Inari… where on earth did you come from? If I could, I’d have wanted you in my clan.”
That aside—her priority now was the auction. She focused everything on it.
And at last, Hoshizaki secured her prize: the Mask of Forgotten Memories.