Chapter 319: Auction House and Abrupt Attack
The interior was even more impressive than the exterior, marble floors stretching across a massive lobby decorated with crystal chandeliers and golden trim.
The same receptionist from their previous visit stood behind the main desk.
Her eyes widened with recognition the moment she saw them.
"Welcome back, sir and ma’am," she said with a polite bow. "I’ll prepare a common viewing room for you immediately."
Before she could continue, footsteps approached from behind them.
Elder Sterling walked over with a warm smile, his presence drawing immediate attention from the surrounding staff.
"Give them a VIP room."
The receptionist was visibly taken aback.
"But, sir..."
"What is it?" Sterling asked calmly.
"What if someone important arrives without prior notice and requests a VIP room?" she said carefully. "We only have three available."
Sterling’s expression didn’t waver.
"Then arrange a lower-tier room for them."
The receptionist’s mouth opened slightly, shock evident on her face.
"...Understood."
She immediately began processing the change.
However, Caelus shook his head.
"No need."
Elder Sterling looked at him with curiosity.
"I have someone I need to meet," Caelus explained.
"Who?"
"The Alisson Conglomerate."
Both Elder Sterling and the receptionist froze.
The Alisson Conglomerate was one of the auction house’s most prestigious clients, their representatives occupied the most expensive private suites available.
Sterling recovered first, a knowing smile crossing his aged features.
"I see, I’ll arrange an escort for you."
Within minutes, Caelus and Sylvia were led through a series of gilded corridors toward the upper levels of the auction house.
The air grew quieter as they ascended, the crowds thinning until only private security guards remained.
They stopped before a massive wooden door engraved with the Alisson family crest.
The escort knocked twice.
"Come in."
The door swung open.
Freya stood inside the luxurious suite, her face lighting up the moment she saw them.
"Big Brother Origin! Sylvia!"
She rushed forward and grabbed Sylvia’s hands, pulling her toward a plush seating area.
Behind her, a middle-aged man rose from his chair.
He had sharp features and calculating eyes that studied Caelus with obvious interest.
His suit probably cost more than most people’s annual salaries.
"Welcome," he said smoothly. "I’m Raymond Alisson, Freya’s father."
He extended a hand toward Caelus.
"It’s an honour to meet the rising stars of Earth."
Caelus shook his hand firmly but raised an eyebrow.
"Rising stars?"
Raymond smiled.
"Oh? You didn’t know?"
He gestured toward the massive display screen mounted on the wall, news footage playing on mute.
"The entire world has been talking about you ever since you eliminated Xander from the Greek faction," Raymond continued. "Your battle was broadcast live to millions of viewers."
Caelus’s expression shifted slightly.
He had expected some attention, but not to this degree.
Freya bounced excitedly beside Sylvia.
"The Greek faction is furious right now! They’ve been demanding your head on every news channel!"
Raymond nodded calmly.
"However, they can’t do anything at the moment because they’re occupied dealing with the Hollow Beast situation in Europe."
Caelus’s eyes sharpened at those words.
"You know about the Hollow Beast?"
Raymond shook his head slowly.
"Not much, only what the major factions have disclosed publicly."
He gestured toward the viewing window overlooking the auction floor below.
"But that’s a conversation for another time."
The lights in the main hall dimmed as spotlights focused on the central stage.
"The auction is about to begin," Raymond said. "Let’s continue this conversation afterward."
Caelus nodded and moved toward the window, Sylvia joining him at his side.
The auction floor stretched out beneath them, hundreds of wealthy attendees filling the seats.
A charismatic auctioneer stepped onto the stage, his voice amplified by hidden speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to tonight’s exclusive auction!"
The crowd applauded politely.
"We have assembled a truly remarkable collection this evening," the auctioneer continued. "Items that will change the course of history for whoever possesses them."
He gestured toward a covered display case behind him.
"But first, our most anticipated item of the night."
The cloth was pulled away, revealing a small crystalline fragment floating within a containment field.
It pulsed with an otherworldly light, colors shifting between blue and violet in hypnotic patterns.
[World Fragment]
[Origin: Unknown]
[Classification: Otherworldly]
The auctioneer’s voice dropped to a dramatic whisper.
"This fragment was recovered from a Spatial Rift three days ago by a team of Elite Rank adventurers, seven of them died during extraction."
Gasps echoed through the hall.
"Our analysts have confirmed that this item does not originate from Earth or the Origin Ascension Domain," he continued. "It belongs to another world entirely."
Murmurs spread through the crowd like wildfire.
"Initial testing suggests the Fragment contains concentrated dimensional power," the auctioneer explained. "Whoever masters its secrets could potentially unlock abilities related to space, time, or even reality manipulation."
The bidding opened at 50 million Origin Credits.
Within seconds, the price doubled.
"55 million!"
"60 million!"
"75 million!"
Raymond watched the chaos with an amused expression.
"Everyone wants a piece of the unknown."
Caelus stared at the Fragment with narrowed eyes.
Something about it felt familiar, like a distant memory he couldn’t quite grasp.
The bidding continued to escalate.
"100 million!"
"120 million!"
"150 million!"
Just as the price approached 200 million, the lights inside the auction house suddenly went out.
Complete darkness swallowed everything.
Screams erupted throughout the hall.
Caelus immediately activated his Chaos Perception Eyes, the draconic ability cutting through the blackness like a blade.
He saw movement on the stage and several figures.
When the lights returned three seconds later, several hooded figures stood before the World Fragment’s display case.
Their robes were pitch black, decorated with crimson symbols that seemed to writhe like living things.
And at the center of them stood something that made Caelus’s face change.
Something Demonic.
Its skin was ashen grey, curved horns spiraling from its temples.
Burning amber eyes swept across the terrified crowd with sadistic amusement.
A wide grin split its inhuman face, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
"Good evening, folks."
Deep within Caelus’s chest, something stirred.
The Origin of the Ender pulsed violently, responding to the demonic presence with overwhelming hostility.