The dark alley was silent.

The air thick with tension, the kind that made even the most hardened criminals hesitate to take a step forward.

Then—

A tear in space.

A ripple, like shattered glass in reality itself, split the shadows apart.

From the violet rift, a woman stepped forward.

Her long silver hair flowed behind her, catching the dim light from the street lamps, reflecting a ghostly sheen. Her crimson eyes burned with a quiet, unreadable intensity, and her presence alone sent a chill through the air.

She didn't belong here.

Or rather—

This place wasn't worthy of her presence.

Rose Valehart.

Leader of the Veiled Serpent, an organization whose name alone was enough to send nobles, crime lords, and mercenaries alike into a cold sweat.

They dealt in assassination, information, smuggling, artifacts, and power.

A secret empire operating in the shadows of the world.

And tonight, she had come for the auction.

But not for the reasons the world might assume.

Behind her, shadows stirred.

A flicker—then a hooded figure materialized, stepping forward with absolute silence.

She was smaller than Seraphina, her frame slender yet poised like a coiled viper. From under her obsidian hood, a pair of sharp golden eyes gleamed with barely contained mischief.

This was Valeria Nightshade.

Rose right-hand woman.

Her deadliest assassin.

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And possibly, the most annoying person alive.

"So, boss," Valeria's voice was light, almost playful. "Why exactly are we risking our lovely skins at an underground auction full of backstabbing nobles and black-market criminals?"

Rose didn't even glance at her. "For information."

Valeria whistled. "That's vague. Do I get a hint, or are we playing the 'mysterious boss' role today?"

Seraphina gave her a look. "Do you ever stop talking?"

"Nope."

A sigh.

Valeria chuckled, slipping her hands into her coat pockets as she fell into step beside Seraphina.

"Fine, fine. I'll behave." She paused, then grinned. "Mostly."

Rose ignored her.

The truth was, she wasn't here for wealth, or power, or even rare artifacts.

Tonight, she had come for a lead.

Something—or someone—had been pulling strings in the shadows lately.

Strange movements among demon worshipers.

Hidden transactions for forbidden relics.

Even whispers of ancient knowledge resurfacing—knowledge that should have been long buried.

And if there was one place where all the filth of society congregated, where rumors spread like wildfire, it was the underground auction.

The Black Market was the beating heart of corruption.

And tonight, she would listen.

--

The moment she stepped past the outer gates of the Black Market District, the entire atmosphere shifted.

A low murmur spread through the streets as masked individuals froze mid-step, their heads subtly turning in her direction.

The guards stationed at the entrance—hardened criminals, ex-mercenaries, and even rogue knights—immediately stiffened.

One of them, a towering brute of a man clad in dark steel armor, immediately lowered his gaze and stepped back.

"L-Lady Rose...!" His voice barely masked his fear. "We did not expect you tonight."

She did not acknowledge him.

She simply walked forward.

And they—like everyone else—moved out of her way.

No one dared to stop her.

They only watched.

Feared.

Whispered.

"The Veiled Serpent is here…"

"Why would she come personally?"

"Damn it… something big must be happening."

Behind Rose, Valeria grinned, clearly enjoying the attention.

"You know, boss, sometimes I think people are more scared of you than they are of actual demons."

Rose didn't respond.

They both knew it wasn't fear without reason.

She wasn't just another criminal overlord.

She was a force of nature.

And in this world, forces of nature did not need invitations.

As they approached the grand auction hall, the security increased tenfold.

Tall, imposing figures clad in enchanted armor stood guard at every entrance. Magical arrays flickered across the walls—barriers strong enough to withstand even a high-level siege.

Masked men and women, dressed in elegant, high-quality attire, filtered through the main doors, flashing their golden invitations to gain entry.

But Rose?

She walked past all of them.

And the guards at the entrance did not even ask for an invitation.

Instead, a man in a deep crimson suit, wearing a gilded mask, immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"L-Lady Rose, your private suite has been prepared."

His voice shook slightly, despite his practiced elegance.

She merely nodded. "Take me there."

The guards, who had stopped others mere seconds ago, immediately moved to open the grand doors for her.

Valeria, walking beside her, snorted.

"Man, it's almost unfair how much VIP treatment you get."

Rose didn't react.

She didn't need to.

---

The VVIP Suite

The suite was lavish, decorated with rare silks, enchanted gemstones, and a direct communication crystal linked to the auctioneer.

A large, soundproofed glass wall overlooked the entire auction hall below, giving her an unobstructed view of the event.

Rose gracefully took her seat, crossing her legs, fingers tapping idly against the chair's armrest.

Valeria, meanwhile, immediately collapsed into the chair beside her, stretching like a lazy cat.

"Damn, these seats are comfy. Think I could steal one?"

Rose ignored her.

Her crimson eyes flickered as they scanned the masked figures gathering below.

Powerful people. Dangerous people.

All waiting for the auction to begin.

Valeria yawned. "So, what now? We just watch a bunch of rich idiots throw money at things?"

Rose lips curled into a faint smirk.

"No."

She leaned back, her gaze sharp, calculating.

"We wait for the real show to begin."

And with that—

The lights in the auction hall dimmed.

A single spotlight illuminated the stage.

A masked auctioneer stepped forward, his voice smooth and practiced.

"Welcome, esteemed guests… Let the auction begin."

---

To Be Continued…