Chapter 28 - The Auction And Attack
Werewolves and Vampires.
Their rivalry was known throughout the world.
No one truly knew how it began.
After all, the werewolves were said to be the kings of the day, while vampires ruled the night.
Whether that legend was true or not, one thing was certain.
Whenever both races gathered in one place, bloodshed was never far away.
And tonight’s auction would become the latest battlefield in their conflict.
Of course, not without benefiting me.
***
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
My routine during those days was surprisingly simple.
By day, I wandered around Warsaw like an ordinary tourist.
In reality, I was scouting.
I also did not know whether Jane was keeping an eye on me or not.
But, as long as she believed I was calmly preparing for some mysterious mission, she had no reason to dig any deeper.
At night, I trained.
Most of my time was spent understanding my Aspect and experimenting with its new abilities.
Whenever I became mentally exhausted, I switched to sword practice.
Ten days wasn’t enough to create dramatic improvements, but it was enough to polish my fundamentals.
I had become noticeably stronger than when I first arrived in Warsaw.
Now, it was finally auction day.
From my private VIP room overlooking the auction hall, I quietly observed the guests as they entered.
Nobles disguised as wealthy collectors. Yes, nobles do exist here.
Knights wearing tailored suits instead of armor.
There were mages and even a few priests had arrived.
For all I knew, there might even be a future protagonist hidden somewhere among the crowd.
After all, the novel I Awakened Vampire Blood hadn’t officially begun yet.
This was merely its prologue.
The story started with an ordinary high school student who was kidnapped by vampires to serve as a living blood bag.
But fate had other plans.
The moment a vampire bit him, a dormant bloodline hidden within his body awakened.
Instead of becoming prey, he gained a power that changed his destiny forever.
Jane was originally one of the important supporting characters who helped guide the protagonist through the world.
As for me, I wasn’t here to interfere with his story.
I had only one objective.
Obtain the treasure that could restore my left hand.
Everything else came second.
I leaned back in my seat and continued watching the entrance.
’Everything is proceeding smoothly.’
One of the biggest twists in the novel happened during this very auction.
The vampires believed they controlled the event.
In reality, they had already been infiltrated.
For years, Werewolves had been quietly embedding themselves into the vampires’ businesses, taking control one step at a time.
Some vampires had even switched sides.
The war had begun long before either faction openly acknowledged it.
My fingers lightly brushed against the compact pistol hidden beneath the table.
’I only need to find one.’
One traitor.
One opportunity.
This auction was not my goal.
Both were merely stepping stones toward my real objective.
I let out a quiet breath.
"I really am sorry the Continental is going to suffer because of this."
Unfortunately, It couldn’t be helped.
***
Time passed, and before anyone realized it, night had fallen.
The lights inside the grand auction hall dimmed.
A spotlight illuminated the stage as a beautiful woman in a crimson evening gown walked to the center with graceful steps.
Her long red hair flowed behind her, and her crimson eyes swept across the audience with confidence.
She smiled.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. I am certain tonight will be unforgettable."
She spread her arms elegantly.
"So, without further delay, let the Palmer Auction begin!"
Polite applause echoed throughout the hall.
’She’s a real vampire.’
I didn’t need my enhanced senses to tell.
The color of her eyes, the subtle elegance in her movements, and the unnatural aura surrounding her were enough.
Besides, most of the guests were already aware of it.
No one attended this auction without knowing whose territory they were stepping into.
The first few items were fairly ordinary.
Rare monster materials, enchanted jewelry.
A few low-grade artifacts.
Although each item would have been considered priceless to normal people, the guests here hardly showed any enthusiasm.
After several slow sales, even the auctioneer noticed the atmosphere.
She chuckled.
"I know many of our honored guests traveled a long way for a certain item. So allow me to reassure everyone, the final lot will indeed be the treasure you’ve all been waiting for. Until then, I hope you’ll also appreciate the wonderful collection the Palmer Auction has prepared tonight."
That immediately revived the room.
Conversations resumed and bidding became livelier.
After all, the final item was an elixir.
The very reason influential figures from different countries had gathered here.
As for me, I wasn’t interested in buying it.
My attention remained in the search of werewolves.
Like usual, several of them had infiltrated tonight’s auction under false identities.
But despite quietly observing everyone with my Aspect over the past hour, I still hadn’t identified them.
’They’re hiding well.’
The auction continued.
One artifact after another appeared on stage.
"Our next item," The auctioneer gestured toward a velvet display case.
"Is the personal sword of the Knight Commander of House Armada, wielded nearly one hundred years ago."
Two attendants unveiled the weapon.
The moment the blade reflected the stage lights, the atmosphere changed completely.
’According to Hero ranks it is a Diamond-rank Hero.’
Even after a century, traces of the commander’s will seemed to linger within the sword.
Had I not already possessed a dangerous futuristic katana, I might have been tempted.
The bids rose almost instantly.
"Ten thousand Credits!"
"Fifteen thousand!"
"Twenty thousand!"
The price climbed higher and higher.
Everyone’s attention focused on the stage.
Just then, for just a fraction of a second, one life signature subtly changed.
It was almost imperceptible if one weren’t paying attention.
’Found you.’
Throughout the auction, I had been subtly sweeping my perception across the guests.
Most would likely assume the sensation came from the auction organizers or the Continental’s security.
No one wanted trouble here.
That assumption worked perfectly in my favor.
My eyes settled on an elderly man sitting several rows below.
He had white hair and wore an expensive suit.
But the moment the sword appeared, his heartbeat had quickened.
His aura had instinctively fluctuated.
Then he forced it back under control, but it was too late.
I quietly stood from my seat as the bidding war continued.
Leaving the VIP room, I walked calmly toward the exit corridor.
Halfway there, Jane appeared.
"Sir."
She bowed slightly.
"If you have a moment, someone wishes to meet you."
"Not now, Jane."
I didn’t even slow my pace.
"I’ll deal with it later."
She watched me leave with a puzzled expression but didn’t dare stop me.
I reached the main exit.
The attendants opened the doors as I approached.
For tonight’s occasion, I wore a custom-tailored dark blazer I had commissioned from a local shop.
Elegant enough to blend in and loose enough to conceal a weapon.
Inside the blazer rested the compact pistol Jane had provided.
Originally, it had contained six rounds but now, three remained.
I had spent the other three practicing with the weapon.
And, there was no way I was asking Jane for additional bullets.
That would raise far too many questions.
Fortunately, the weapon possessed an inbuilt silencer.
I stopped just beyond the doorway.
From here, I still had a perfect view of the old man.
Slowly, just before the door closed, I took aim.
Pfft.
A nearly inaudible shot left the barrel.
The bullet crossed the hall unnoticed.
A crimson hole suddenly burst across the old man’s neck.
For a split second, the entire hall remained silent.
"KYAAAA!"
Screams erupted near him.
The old man clutched his neck as he did not even move an inch.
Blood poured between his fingers.
Yet, instead of collapsing, he let out a deep, guttural growl.
His body convulsed violently and dark fur burst through his skin.
His eyes immediately searched for the exits.
Unfortunately for him, the shooter had already vanished into the corridor.
The auctioneer stared at the transforming old man as her smile disappeared.
Her crimson eyes turned completely blood-red.
Even her pupils vanished.
An overwhelming pressure flooded the hall as every vampire in the room slowly turned toward him.
"A WEREWOLF DARES TO ENTER MY AUCTION?!"
Her voice echoed like thunder.