Zeke and I made our way to the underground auction located in the heart of the town. A hidden entrance, concealed by an illusion on a statue, led the way. The excitement of our first sale had me on edge, but I tried to play it cool. After all, we were dealing with some unsavory characters, and I didn't want to give them any reason to suspect us.

As we entered the dimly lit auction house, I couldn't help but feel a sense of danger in the air. This was a place where the rich and powerful gathered to bid on rare and powerful items, and it was our job to ensure that the TSI fetched a high price.

Upon entering the main hall, my senses were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and opulence of the surroundings. Tapestries depicting mythical creatures adorned the walls, while ornate chandeliers cast a warm glow over the room. The stage where the auctioneer stood was a marvel of modern technology, complete with holographic displays and touch screens to showcase the items up for bid.

"Seriously, aren't they showing off a bit much?" I asked.

"Not at all," Zeke replied. "This place has been here since before the kingdom was established. Nobles themselves come to buy products here. It has branches all over the nearby continents, and they're not afraid to show off since they have enough power to go to war with a small country. The old man tends to flaunt all his possessions."

"The old man? Zeke, are you talking about Darius? The one who beat up the prince's attendants?"

"hmhmhmhm, that's right. That crazy old man does whatever he wants. If he weren't so strong, he would have died long ago. He's already past his prime, and yet he's still a goddamn monster."

"So he is the current leader of this establishment? I assumed he was just a protector of the auction." Darius, though powerful, only made one appearance in my novel when the "thing" invaded. He is the kind of man who would not involve himself unless absolutely necessary. As long as I stay away from him and don't anger him, there would be no need to worry.

The auction commenced. "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 30th auction this year! I know some of you have been eagerly waiting, so let's get started!" said the man wearing an elegant white suit.

In all honesty, the showcased items were incredible, ranging from various artifacts to rare herbs. However, I had no money. Our gamble seemed to have paid off as I watched the TSI bid soar to 1.5 platinum coins, equivalent to one platinum coin and 50 gold. The magical phone had attracted the attention of serious buyers. No matter how wealthy one was, only nobles had access to MSTs, so our device was bound to be a big hit.

Zeke leaned in close, whispering in my ear, "I'll be back in a minute."

I nodded, not really paying attention as I continued to watch the bidding war unfold before my eyes. Little did I know, Zeke had his own plans in mind.

✦✦✦

As soon as I excused myself, I slipped away from the auction room and into the shadows. I had caught wind of a group since the start of the auction, and I just couldn't help myself. The auction was quite boring.

I moved silently through the dimly lit hallways, my senses on high alert. Every creak and echo heightened my anticipation. I was ready for anything.

"One, two, three, four, five, six... Damn, did the old man have to send so many people to watch me?" I whispered to myself as I drew my knife. My laughter echoed through the hallway as I approached them. Tsk, as much as I wanted to kill them, I had to hold back. "Hey, you bastards, stop hiding and come out before I decide to cut you up."

In an instant, the six individuals emerged from their hiding spots. The one in front seemed to be in charge. "Zeke, Sir Darius sent us to watch you, not fight you. I'm not sure why he holds you in high regard; I'm just following orders. It'd be best if we don't fight."

"That stingy old man is such a pain, what a hassle. Just go back to him before I change my mind. Tell him that I'll visit him when the auction's over, and I'll bring the one responsible for the TSI since it seems that's what he's interested in."

"Very well, but Zeke, I warn you: if you cause any problems, as the head of security, I won't let it slide." The next second, he revealed his aura.

"hmhmhmhm, oh my, a tier three aura master! Please do come after me someday~. But unfortunately, that will have to wait. You see, the person I'm working with asked me not to kill anyone. I'll be heading back now."

✦✦✦

Zeke returned to my side with a satisfied grin on his face. He didn't say anything, but I knew better than to worry about him. We both turned our attention back to the auction.

The bidding continued to rise, and my heart raced with every new offer. Finally, the gavel slammed down, and the TSI was sold for an astonishing one platinum coin, 60 gold coins, and a rank 3 artifact. I could hardly believe it; our first sale was a huge success.

So, 50 copper coins make one bronze coin, 50 bronze coins make one silver coin, 50 silver coins make one gold coin, and 100 gold coins make one platinum coin. I'm rich, or at least that's what I'd like to say. According to Eira, the materials required to make a single TSI are quite expensive. She only managed to steal some while working with Steve. She didn't specify how expensive they were, but hopefully, we'd make a decent profit. Artifacts can be divided into 7 ranks.

Rank 1, initial rank artifacts, are used for everyday tasks. Rank 2, disciple rank artifacts, are mostly used in schools to study artifacts; they are non-dangerous and have some utility. Rank 3, seeker rank artifacts, are neither weak nor powerful, and their usefulness really depends on the specific artifact. Even if the one we receive is useless, we can sell it for at least 20 gold coins.

Rank 4, master's rank artifacts, are rare and can only be used by those with a deep understanding of artifacts. Rank 5, champion's (unique) rank artifacts, are like my Cursed Sword of Umbra. They all require certain conditions to be met for their use; otherwise, they'll be useless. Rank 6, titan's rank artifacts, choose their wielder. For instance, the Holy Sword can only be used by a hero; however, if the sword deems the hero unworthy, it will stay frozen in place. Rank 7, celestial artifacts, are mythical rank artifacts that are practically unknown.

"So when do we pick up our payment, Zeke?"

"Let's go meet the person who will pay us. Seriously, that old man is such a pain."

"Hey, hey, hey, are you telling me we're going to meet Darius? Seriously, Zeke, what did you do to piss him off?"

"Ouch, that hurt, Kael. Do you really think I'd do something to mess up our first sale? That old man is just interested in the product."

"mmhmm, I guess that makes sense. Connecting to the mana tower is a death sentence if caught, so I suppose a product of this caliber is too much for the old man. But seriously, I was hoping I wouldn't have to meet him."

"Hahaha, seriously, Kael, do you really think that old man is scared? He probably wants to meet you out of curiosity. Ah, look, we're here."

At the end of the hallway, there was a basic door that looked like it was used by a janitor. However, that was just an illusion. When I opened the door, it revealed a beautiful room, a stunning sight to behold, a perfect blend of opulence and style. The walls were painted a deep navy blue, which contrasted beautifully with the gleaming gold trim that adorned the edges of the room. Soft white carpets covered the floors, adding a sense of warmth and comfort to the space.

The centerpiece of the room was a large, ornate fireplace made of black marble, which crackled and glowed with magical flames. A plush, oversized sofa in a rich golden hue sat before it, beckoning visitors to sit and relax. The sofa was accented with black throw pillows and a luxurious fur blanket that looked like it was made from the pelt of some exotic magical creature.

Atop a sleek black coffee table sat a crystal decanter filled with a deep blue liquid, which shimmered like liquid sapphires in the light. On either side of the fireplace were tall, slender vases filled with white and blue flowers, which added a fresh and natural touch to the otherwise luxurious space. The walls were adorned with beautiful works of art. A grand chandelier in gold and crystal hung from the ceiling, casting a warm and inviting glow over the entire room.

"Wow, seriously, Zeke, how much money does this guy have?"

"The old man only buys exotic and expensive things. His wealth is comparable to that of a kingdom. He's nothing but a greedy goblin. Hey, old man, stop hiding and come out already."

"Seriously, Zeke, how can you talk about this old man like that? I merely like to collect rare items," said Darius who appeared out of thin air. He slowly walked towards the sofa.