Luxurious.

That was the only word that could define the VIP Room No. 1.

The moment Ash entered, he felt as if he had stepped into another world entirely — one that whispered wealth in every breath.

The booth was vast, easily large enough to fit a small apartment, and every inch of it was designed to overwhelm the senses. The floor was covered with thick velvet carpets embroidered with golden threads, soft enough that each step felt like walking through warm clouds. The faint shimmer of the threads caught the light, creating a subtle gleam that made the room look alive.

The walls were lined with enchanted crystal panels that glowed softly, their light adjusting on its own to the perfect warmth and hue, shifting like sunlight passing through morning fog. It gave the room a comfortable brightness, never too harsh and never too dim, the kind of light that made one forget time.

At the center of the room stood a long sofa made from rare beast leather, its surface polished to a dark shine. A faint golden pattern traced along the edges, glowing softly like breathing light.

In front of it was a low glass table, its surface etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly every few seconds.

On top of it rested trays filled with delicacies — steaming food that released mouthwatering aroma, sliced spirit fruits glistening with juice, and crystal glasses filled with fine wines that shimmered like liquid rubies.

The air inside the room was warm and fragrant, carrying the faint scent of spirit blossoms mixed with a trace of sandalwood. It was relaxing to breathe, clearing the mind without dulling it.

Enchantments hidden in the corners of the room kept the temperature perfectly balanced, neither too cool nor too warm, always steady and pleasant.

Even the viewing window was no ordinary glass. It was enchanted with advanced runic magic that let him see everything below — the crowd, the stage, even the smallest inscriptions on an item — with perfect clarity.

At the far end stood a wooden cabinet, filled with crystal bottles containing rare liquors.

Their glow and scent spoke of age and quality, and Ash could tell each one might cost a fortune. Near it, a discreetly placed door led to a small washroom, the kind of thing only a room of the highest rank would have.

Everything about the place screamed perfection. It was not just a private booth; it was a world of comfort crafted for the kind of people who believed that status and money could bend everything around them.

Well, I'll be damned....

Ash let out a soft whistle as his eyes roamed around. The sight was far beyond what he expected, and for a moment, even he had to admire the sheer effort that went into building something like this.

He looked around like a curious child seeing something new, taking in every small detail before finally sitting down. The sofa sank under his weight, wrapping around him in a way that made it hard to move again.

It was soft, deep, and shaped to pull the body into perfect rest, as if every curve had been crafted for comfort.

Now, I'm even more suspicious about who this Adam is...hope nothing spoils the auction though....

He leaned back and relaxed, resting his arms on the sides while his eyes studied the hall beyond the enchanted window.

People had already started to gather below. The faint murmur of conversation reached him, muffled through the barrier.

Some VIPs had arrived long before him, while others were still entering. The auction hall was massive — circular in shape, layered with seating tiers for different levels of guests, each marked by glowing symbols of rank.

Every VIP booth had the same one-way enchanted glass like his. The people inside could see out clearly, but no one could see in.

Above each door, a small crystal light indicated whether the room was occupied or not — green meant unoccupied, red meant occupied.

Ash's eyes shifted from booth to booth, quietly observing the layout and the security patterns around.

The guards below were strong, moving in well-trained formations, and there were surveillance orbs hidden under the ceiling that swept across the hall every few seconds.

As the sound of footsteps and quiet chatter filled the grand hall below, the lights dimmed slightly, signaling that the auction was about to begin.

Ash leaned back comfortably, his eyes reflecting the faint glow of the room. A small, knowing smile touched his lips.

It was almost time for him to move.

Firstly, he called for room service and told the attendant not to disturb him for the entire duration of the auction. She was only allowed to enter if he won any bid, to deliver the token of that item, and then leave immediately after that.

Anyway, he wasn't planning to bid on anything, so that meant no one would be coming to disturb him.

He wasn't worried about cameras in the room either. VIPs had certain privileges after all.

Still, for security, the entire auction hall was covered by an Anti-Spatial field. It prevented anyone from teleporting or accessing their space rings, ensuring that no one could sneak in or steal anything.

Ash didn't know how the auction house had managed to get their hands on such a powerful artifact capable of maintaining this kind of field, or who they had found to inscribe an array like this.

Even though he had already experienced something like this in Dragon Continent, but still those were dragons with vast knowledge and a long legacy. It was expected of them, but the humans? It filled him with little doubt.

But he didn't think too deeply about it. Since the field or array, whatever it was, didn't restrict him, it wasn't his problem. His teleportation still worked perfectly fine.

Once again, Runes are showing their powers.

Then, he took off his coat, turned it around, and wore it in reverse. His whole outfit turned black, blending perfectly with the dim light of the room. Then he activated Absolute Concealment*, and his presence vanished like a drop of ink dissolving in the shadows.

I wish my old armor were here...

If it were, he wouldn't have to go through all this. Everything would have been so much easier for him. But alas...

Letting out a soft sigh, Ash took out a smartphone and an earpiece. He placed the phone neatly on the table, connected the earpiece, and glanced toward the stage where the host of the auction was walking up, ready to start.

The next moment, Ash's figure faded completely.

He appeared inside the Treasure Chamber, crouched behind the top of a pillar where there was just enough space to hide. The narrow gap was dark and cramped, but it gave him a perfect view of the entire chamber below.

Especially the large array at the center and the guards that were watching everything with hawk-like eyes.

The air here was thick with mana, humming softly from the runic array on the ground.

Seeing the empty chamber with only guards and an array, Ash's guess proved to be true.

Auction items were indeed teleported at the time of the auction....

Ash adjusted his position, making sure not to make any sound. As soon as he settled down, a voice echoed clearly in his earpiece.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Grand Auction...."

****

[Auction Hall]

The lights dimmed slightly as a spotlight bloomed on the stage, revealing a tall, elegant woman stepping into view. The hall grew quiet in an instant, as though the very air had paused to admire her.

She wore a deep crimson gown that shimmered like liquid fire under the light, hugging her figure with a grace that could only belong to someone born for the stage. Her hair, black as obsidian, cascaded down her back in soft waves, and her eyes held a golden glint that seemed to pull attention like gravity itself.

Each of her steps was measured and confident, carrying both warmth and authority, a blend that drew admiration even from those who thought themselves above such things.

A faint smile curved her lips as she stopped at the center of the stage, her voice carrying clearly across the grand hall.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Grand Auction of the Black Dawn Pavilion. It is our honor to host the finest hunters, nobles, and merchants from across the continent tonight. We thank you for gracing us with your presence. Tonight, treasures beyond imagination will find their rightful owners. Let your bids speak your worth, and may fortune favor the bold."

Her voice was smooth, calm, and perfectly paced, with a melody that made even a simple sentence sound like a spell.

The crowd responded with a polite round of applause, though whispers followed right after.

"She's gorgeous... even more than last year..." one young man murmured, eyes locked on her like a moth to flame.

"Yeah, but that beauty's poison. You think a woman like her would even glance at you?" his friend whispered back, grinning.

"Still, worth dying for..." another sighed dreamily, earning a few chuckles from the seats around him.

Some of the older merchants smiled knowingly, while the younger ones tried their best to act composed. Even in the VIP booths, where the wealthiest guests sat, a few eyes lingered longer than they should have.

Ash, sitting silently in his hidden spot within the treasure chamber, could faintly hear the applause from his earpiece. He didn't care much about who she was, but he could admit, her voice had a calm charm to it.

The host raised her hand slightly, signaling the start of the event.

"Let us begin," she said softly, and with a graceful wave of her wrist, the lights shifted once again.

And with that, the auction officially began.

****

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