The auction continud, even though my head was stuck on that one name.

Bearateme.

I repeated it in my mind again and again, like sharpening a blade.

If fate had written me down as the villain, then fine—I'd carve a path with that name at the very end of it.

But for now, I had to keep my focus.

Lapui raised his hand and a new orb descended, swirling with faint green mist. "Next, the Elixir of Renewal. A consumable item capable of restoring one's body from near death. Bidding starts at 400,000 credits."

The crowd grew chaotic instantly.

Five hundred thousand. Six. Eight hundred thousand.

I leaned back, letting my eyes wander. I wasn't here for this one.

Neither was Sia.

She didn't even twitch. Her gaze was still on Lot #7. Always on it. Like nothing else existed.

It made me smirk. I understood her completely. The rest of this was noise.

The Elixir went for 1.4 million to some noble on the second floor.

His face was red with pride, but I could already tell the idiot had overpaid.

A trinket like that wouldn't last him one real battle.

The next orb was lowered as a gleaming golden bow appeared, faint sparks dancing along its string.

"The Bow of Aelos," Lapui announced. "Forged before the descent of the gods. Capable of channeling wind to pierce through armor. Bidding starts at 600,000 credits."

Archers in the crowd lit up like children shown candy.

Two million. Two point seven. Three million.

I didn't move. Neither did Sia.

Dario nudged me. "That one would've been a good pick for you, boss. Long-range, tactical advantage, y'know?"

I chuckled. "I don't need to hide behind arrows."

He shook his head, muttering something about my ego, but I ignored him. The bow was strong, sure.

But it wasn't the Hollow Weapon.

Nothing compared.

By the time the hammer dropped at 3.4 million, Lapui was already smiling wider. He knew what everyone was waiting for.

Another orb came down, this one glimmering with faint red hues.

Inside was a small dagger, the blade etched with runes.

"The Dagger of Silent Steps," Lapui said smoothly. "Belonged to an assassin who once killed three kings in one night.

Grants its wielder the ability to move in absolute silence. Bidding starts at 1 million credits."

The hall went dead quiet at that. Assassins. Mercenaries. Even a few nobles suddenly leaned forward with hunger in their eyes.

One point one million.

One point five.

Two million.

Sia's hand twitched, just slightly. For a moment, I thought she might bid. But no. She stilled herself again, lips tight.

I felt the air grow heavier. Everyone knew what was coming next.

This lot #6 was still a showpiece, but Lot #7? That was war.

The dagger finally sold for 2.8 million to some cloaked man on the third floor. His voice was raspy, his laugh even worse. I memorized his face anyway.

And then—finally.

The lights dimmed again. The chandeliers flickered once, twice, before settling into a shadowed glow.

Lapui stepped forward, his expression sharper than it had been all night.

"Ladies and gentlemen…I now present to you the second last item of our auction, The Hollow Weapon."

I could already feel a million gazes focused on Mr. Lapui as my own chest tightened.

The orb descended slowly, it wasn't glowing, neither was it bright.

The hollow blade was simply black.

Pure black.

The crowd didn't cheer this time, worried that their sound could disturb the eerie peace that had settled in the atmosphere.

They didn't whisper.

They just stared, as though the room itself knew to stay silent.

Even from here, I could feel it. The way the air warped around it. The way my skin prickled. The way my heart pounded like I was staring into the mouth of a beast.

"Ahem ahem*" Mr. Lapui coughed out loud.

He raised his hands into the air, seemingly motioning at the coffin placed in the centre of the stage.

In the coffin lay what everyone dreamed to obtain, the black, hollow sword.

He pointed at it, making sure to gaze at every person's eyes as he stated.

"The conditions to bid for this weapon is a little different.

It is said that this relic has been placed inside the coffin for years and there hasn't been a single person yet who's able to pull out the sword.

People usually describe it as if the sword is glued to the coffin and too heavy to be lifted."

Then, the man brought out another small device and threw it into the air, which enlarged itself and turned into a large screen visible to everyone.

And on that screen was the top view of how exactly the sword lay on the coffin.

"The first condition to be eligible to bid for the item..." Mr. Lapui held his breath, "Is to be able to wield it."

"Only users above 200 soul power have the opportunity to try lifting the sword.

The first one to lift the sword can put their bid in, if there is no one else, they will recieve the sword.

As for the chance that there are more than 1 person who can lift the sword, those people will then enter a bidding war to choose who gets the ownership of the sword."

Smiling at the huge crowd surrounding him, the man explained.

"Everyone was given their identity number before the Auction had even started to place their bids, and using these identity numbers, whoever chooses to bid for the Hollow weapon may raise their hand!!"

"Now...LET THE BIDDING BEGIN!"

***

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