A ripple of reaction went through the crowd. Some gasped, others whispered amongst themselves, and a few laughed outright. Eddie scanned the faces in the crowd, trying to gauge their reactions and potential bids. He spotted the boy he had punched, sitting next to a stern-looking man who must have been Duke Alaric. The boy's face was flushed with anger and embarrassment, while the Duke's expression was one of cold fury.
The auctioneer continued, "This is a rare opportunity, not just for retribution, but for the sheer entertainment value. And remember, our guest of honor will receive a percentage of the final bid before his unfortunate demise. So, let's make this interesting, shall we?"
Eddie's heart pounded as he tried to steady his nerves. He knew he had to play his part well, to be as entertaining and provocative as possible. The stakes were high, and his survival depended on the outcome of this auction.
"Let the bidding begin!" the auctioneer declared, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "We'll start at 100 gold coins."
Immediately, a hand shot up from the crowd. "200 gold!" called out a portly noble dressed in deep purple velvet.
"300 gold!" countered a tall, elegant woman with a jeweled mask covering her face, her voice smooth and calculating.
Eddie saw Duke Alaric’s son’s face was twisted with rage as he shouted, "500 gold! I'll make sure he pays for what he did!"
"600 gold!" came a new voice, this one cool and composed. The man stood at the back of the room, his imposing figure cutting a stark contrast against the opulence of the casino. He was a mountain of a man, easily over six feet tall, with broad shoulders and a muscular build that spoke of years spent in battle. His skin was weathered and tanned from the sun, and a thick, neatly trimmed beard framed his chiseled jawline.
"800 gold!" A new woman with the fluid grace of a cougar entered the fray, her eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of amusement and malice. She wore a fitted, black leather jacket adorned with intricate silver embroidery, paired with tight, dark trousers and knee-high boots. A series of belts and sashes, laden with weapons and trinkets, crisscrossed her waist, hinting at her readiness for any situation.
The auction was heating up quickly, the bids climbing higher and higher. Eddie's fate hung in the balance, and he knew he had to keep the momentum going. He didn’t know who the latest bidders were, but he assumed the first two were the noble houses that opposed Arvon. He took a deep breath, ready to play his part in this twisted game. He said, "Ladies and gentlemen, it seems I have become quite the commodity! Who would have thought a humble goblin like me could stir such a fuss?" Eddie's voice carried a mix of mockery and bravado, hoping to fuel the competitive spirit in the room. He could feel the weight of the eyes on him, the tension palpable.
The young noble, his face flushed with anger, shouted again, "1000 gold! I’ll make sure he regrets ever laying a hand on me!"
Captain Marcus Ironsides, the mountain of a man with the piercing blue eyes, stepped forward slightly, his gaze never leaving Eddie. "1200 gold," he declared, his voice steady and authoritative. There was no hint of emotion, just a cold, calculated determination.
The woman with the black leather jacket, Captain Morgan "Sea Serpent" Blackwood, smirked, her green eyes flashing with mischief and cunning. "1500 gold," she said smoothly, her voice dripping with confidence. "I’ve faced worse threats than this little goblin, but he’ll make an entertaining addition to my crew."
Eddie noticed the young noble's face contort with frustration, his rage barely contained. He glanced around, hoping for support from the other nobles in the room, but found none. Instead, the room was filled with whispers and murmurs, the patrons of the casino eagerly watching the unfolding drama.
Lord Maren, observing the proceedings with a satisfied smile, stepped forward. "It seems we have quite the bidding war," he announced. "Who will claim the final blow and the satisfaction of teaching this goblin a lesson?" He was clearly enjoying the spectacle.
Eddie knew he had to keep pushing the bidders. He raised his arms in a mock surrender, dropped his knife, and said, "Well, I hope whoever wins knows how to handle a goblin like me. I might be small, but I’ve got a lot of fight in me!" He grinned, trying to appear both defiant and amusing, hoping to drive the bids even higher.
Then a new figure stepped forward, seemingly made of smoke, surrounded in black robes with a skull-like mask. The chatter in the room immediately stopped. A palpable silence fell over the crowd. "2000 gold," the figure intoned, their voice echoing with an eerie resonance.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Their voice was neither male nor female, but something in between, a haunting, disembodied sound that sent shivers down Eddie's spine. The figure’s presence commanded attention, an aura of dread and mystery enveloping them.
Lord Maren's smile faltered for just a moment before he regained his composure. "Ah, it seems we have a new contender," he said, his voice less jovial. "Who dares to challenge this bid?"
The young noble, now visibly shaken, managed to stammer, "2500 gold!"
Captain Ironsides' expression remained unreadable as he said, "3000 gold."
Captain Blackwood's smirk widened. "3500 gold," she declared, her voice unwavering.
The robed figure raised a skeletal hand, silencing the room once more. "5000 gold," they said, their voice a whisper that seemed to echo from the depths of the abyss. The crowd gasped, the sheer amount causing a stir of excitement and fear.
Eddie felt his heart race as the bids soared higher than he had anticipated. He took a deep breath and decided to play along. "Well, it looks like I'm worth quite a fortune! I hope whoever wins knows that I'm not just any goblin. I come with a lot of surprises!" He tried to keep his tone light, but the presence of the masked figure made it difficult.
The young noble's face turned pale, and he finally fell silent, unable to compete further. Captain Ironsides and Captain Blackwood exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them.
"5000 gold going once," Lord Maren called out, his voice steady. "Going twice…"
Eddie held his breath, waiting for the final word.
"Sold!" Lord Maren announced, his voice ringing through the room. "To our mysterious bidder."
The instant that Lord Maren said “sold,” a notification popped up in front of Eddie.
Achievement!! First to Market: Congratulations on being the first traveler to be sold at auction! Please enjoy a 5% increase in your price for all future sales.
The robed figure stepped forward, the crowd parting to let them pass. As they approached Eddie, the tension in the air grew thicker, and Eddie couldn't help but wonder what fate awaited him in the hands of this enigmatic new owner.
Eddie's heart pounded in his chest as the mysterious robed figure approached. The auctioneer's hammer struck the podium, echoing through the silent casino. The crowd watched with bated breath, their eyes wide with curiosity and unease. Eddie tried to maintain his composure, but the aura of the figure, cold and foreboding, made it difficult.
The figure stopped a few feet away from Eddie and tilted their head slightly, examining him through the mask. Eddie swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. "So, what's next?" he asked, forcing a grin.
The figure raised a hand, and a soft, almost ethereal voice spoke, "Follow me." It was a command, not a request. Its otherworldly quality sent shivers down Eddie's spine. Without another word, the figure turned and began to walk away, the crowd parting to make way.
Eddie glanced at Lord Maren, who gave him a subtle nod of encouragement. With no other choice, Eddie followed the robed figure through the casino and out into a dimly lit corridor. The murmurs of the crowd faded behind them, replaced by the soft echo of their footsteps on the marble floor.
As they walked, Eddie's mind raced with questions. Who was this mysterious bidder? What did they want with him? And what kind of fate awaited him now? He kept his eyes on the figure's back, noting the way their robes seemed to swirl and shift like smoke, creating an almost hypnotic effect.
They reached a heavy wooden door at the end of the corridor. The figure paused, then pushed it open, revealing a small, dimly lit room. Inside, there was a simple table with two chairs, a flickering candle providing the only light. The figure gestured for Eddie to sit, then closed the door behind them.
Eddie took a seat, trying to appear calm despite the tension coiling in his stomach. The figure sat across from him, their masked face expressionless. For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, the silence heavy and oppressive.
Finally, the figure spoke. "You have potential, Eddie," they said, their voice soft but carrying an undeniable weight. "But potential alone is not enough. You must be tested, tempered like steel in a forge."
Eddie frowned, confusion and curiosity battling within him. "Tested? What kind of test are you talking about?"
The figure leaned forward slightly, the candlelight casting eerie shadows on their mask. "There is a place," they began, "a hidden temple deep within the heart of Azure Harbor. Few know of its existence, and even fewer have dared to enter. It is a place of great power and danger, guarded by ancient traps and creatures that defy the natural order."
Eddie's eyes widened. "And you want me to go there?"
The figure nodded. "Yes. If you succeed, you will gain knowledge and power beyond your wildest dreams. If you fail..." They let the implication hang in the air, the unspoken threat clear.
Eddie took a deep breath, weighing his options. He had come to Azure Harbor seeking adventure, and it seemed he had found it in spades. "Alright," he said finally, a determined look in his eyes. "I'll do it. I'll go to this temple and face whatever it holds."
The figure seemed to smile beneath their mask, a faint glimmer of approval in their eyes. "Good," they said. "But remember, Eddie, this is not just a test of strength or skill. It is a test of your very soul. Be prepared for anything."
With that, the figure stood and opened the door, gesturing for Eddie to follow. As they walked back through the corridor, Eddie felt a strange mix of fear and excitement. Whatever lay ahead, he knew that this was just the beginning of his true adventure in Ascendant Online. And then he saw Main Quest: Part 1.