Alden materialized inside the Auction House with effortless precision, stepping out from the void of dimensions into the dimly lit corridor.
The air inside was cool, carrying the faint scent of expensive perfume and aged parchment.
Despite the grandeur of the place, there was an undercurrent of tension—the kind that came from having too many dangerous individuals in one space.
Alden adjusted his cloak, letting the hood shadow most of his face.
This was the Black Market Auction.
Everyone here was either a criminal, a noble with illicit interests, or a high-ranking figure operating in the shadows.
And tonight, he was one of them.
--
The Auction House was filled with figures clad in masks, veils, or hoods, a necessary precaution in a place where identities were best left unknown.
Even the staff members, though uniformed, wore concealing masks that covered the upper halves of their faces.
Alden moved forward confidently, his posture calm yet unreadable.
No one paid him any attention.
Why would they?
Without an official invitation, no one could enter.
And he was already inside.
A staff member, dressed in a formal suit and mask, approached him with a polite bow.
"Welcome, honored guest. If you would follow me, I will escort you to your seat."
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Alden nodded silently, falling in step behind the attendant.
His heartbeat remained steady.
Everything was going smoothly.
---
The Auction House was structured like an opera hall, with multiple rows of plush seats arranged in a semicircle around the central stage.
At the very front were the VIP seats, reserved for the most powerful guests—high nobles, underworld bosses, and S-Rank mercenaries.
Alden, blending in as just another wealthy participant, was guided to a mid-level seat with a good view of the stage but far enough to avoid suspicion.
He settled into his seat, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
Dozens of masked individuals filled the seats, their conversations hushed and guarded.
Some of them had aura levels that hinted at high-rank warriors or mages.
Others radiated cold, calculating intelligence, their postures betraying their political backgrounds.
Kurenai, his sentient sword, hummed softly from within his storage ring.
"I don't like this place. Too many people who smell of blood."
Shiranui, his fox companion, lazily stretched inside her separate dimension.
"Tch. You act like you're any different."
Kurenai chuckled. "Maybe. But Alden kills for necessity. Some of these people? They kill for sport."
Alden ignored their chatter for now, his focus shifting to the stage as a figure finally stepped into the spotlight.
---
A tall man dressed in an elegant black and gold robe strode onto the stage.
His face was hidden behind a white mask adorned with golden patterns, and his posture exuded absolute confidence.
He raised a gloved hand, and the room fell into complete silence.
"Esteemed guests," his voice was smooth and commanding, "Welcome to tonight's auction."
"As always, our house guarantees the finest selection of artifacts, weapons, rare materials, and collectibles, many of which are unattainable by legal means."
Alden's lips curled into a faint smirk. That much was obvious.
"For those who are new to our event," the auctioneer continued, "Allow me to explain the rules of betting."
A large floating screen appeared behind him, displaying the auction mechanics.
---
How the Auction Works
1. Each guest has a designated number instead of their name.
This ensures anonymity when placing bids.
2. Bidding is done via a small enchanted slate.
Each seat is equipped with a mana-linked bidding device that allows participants to place bids without speaking aloud.
3. A 'Final Call' system is in place.
If no one bids for ten seconds, the item is sold to the highest bidder.
4. VIP guests may place "Instant Purchase" offers.
If a VIP deems an item essential, they may outbid all offers with an absurdly high price, ensuring immediate ownership.
---
"Let the Auction Begin"
With a theatrical motion, the auctioneer clapped his hands.
"Now, let us begin our first round of items."
A pair of attendants wheeled out a silk-draped podium, atop which sat the first item of the night.
The silk was pulled away, revealing a gleaming dagger with a curved, enchanted blade.
The floating screen displayed its description:
[Moonlit Fang – A high-grade enchanted dagger crafted from the fang of a D+ rank mana beast. Excellent for assassins and stealth users.]
The auctioneer gestured grandly.
"A fine weapon to begin with. Shall we start the bidding at 5,000 gold?"
(Gold is the currency which have higher value than credits)
Immediately, a series of numbers flashed on the floating screen, indicating that guests were already placing bids.
Alden remained silent, merely observing.
---
This was just the beginning.
The early rounds would mostly consist of high-quality weapons, rare materials, and lower-grade artifacts.
Only later in the night would the truly valuable items appear.
And one of those items…
Was the real reason Alden was here.
His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.
"Soon."
He just had to wait.
And when the moment came…
He would strike.
---
To Be Continued…