Chapter 227 - The Auction
Chapter 227 – The Auction
Nightlife. Such a fascinating concept.
The nightlife of Starhold was brimming with degenerate vibrancy. The eyes of the beings that breathed the same air of the blue moon were never so dull.
The agents of the night arranged themselves in lines as they flowed to many locations, but the most common location was a popular restaurant that only seemed to sell expensive meals.
Now, to a regular person, if they saw this scene, they might not have any problem with it per se.
After all, everyone was free to spend their hard-earned money the way they liked.
But if they thought deeper, they might find themselves asking, "How does a group of about 1000 people fit themselves in a two-story building?"
Now, that there was a valid question?
Truly, how does an increasing number of people, previously graphed to be about 1000, conveniently occupy the limited space of a two-story building?
The answer to that was unexpected.
The truth was that the group wasn't exactly fitting themselves in a small space. Every time a handful of them enter the restaurant, they would be led by its staff to a hidden staircase that would go downwards, instead of upwards.
It was in this hidden underground structure would they begin to enjoy the peak enjoyment of the nightlife.
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Yesterday night, Reve Amethyst had visited Daniel, the sole sub-head of Black Market.
True to their deal, he had delivered the bunch of dragontail and was given the location of the auction and the time. Well, he was told to come a few hours early since he wasn't the regular participant but, instead, an esteemed guest of Black Market.
The auction was being held underground, beneath a popular location. It was arranged in a rectangular dimension. At the top of this rectangular box was the stage, where the various items would be revealed to the participants.
From the beginning of the high stage to the opposite end of this rectangular box were the audience seats, arranged in elevating rows that were higher in each successive row.
Hence, that was why the last row of the seat marked the highest point possible. It seemed to be detached from the other seats and became a separate room itself as walls were erected around it. Nonetheless, the big black window in front of this room allowed the insiders to watch the stage perfectly.
The other participants could stare their eyes out but wouldn't be able to make out the insiders of this room.
Just below the room were the VIP rows. Another set of seats that had been given much thought before constructing. They had the same "private room" treatment given to them but, in this case, their wall structure was built with a much more visible inferior material.
Out of these two premium classifications, Reve resided at the highest one.
With his mask on, he sat on a large comfortable chair, but his mood wasn't comfortable.
'I didn't expect the executive rooms to be this technical.'
Truly, the highest group of seats was the VIP seats. Although there was a hidden one called the Executive seats, it required tough conditions to acquire.
One of them was to be associated deeply with one of the executives of Black Market. A tough condition that was almost impossible to achieve.
In essence, this hidden set of seats originally belonged to the executives. However, they could invite their associates to join them and watch the spectacle unfold on the stage.
Reve sighed, 'Each executive to a room and his associates reside in the same room.'
He would have much preferred to stay in the VIP seats. Yet, this might not necessarily be a bad thing for him.
Since his goal was to familiarize himself with the underworld, he guessed this would be a good way to go on about it.
'There is one more guest in this room, though…'
Reve frowned his eyes as he shifted their view sideways to meet a man covered in a black cloak and grey bandages wrapping all over him.
As soon as the man came into the room, he paused for a good while to have a look at Reve, "Well, who might you be? I don't take Daniel to be someone who easily makes friends."
Reve maintained his quirky persona, "The name is Kimon."
"Kimon, huh? Such a peculiar name. You can call me the Alchemist."
Upon hearing that, Reve's eyes widened as his inner thoughts operated rampantly, 'He is the elusive alchemist? To think I would so easily chance upon the man desired by the large populace of Starhold.'
"The Alchemist in the flesh. My day keeps getting better and better," said Kimon.
"Likewise. I have a feeling we are going to become quite the friends," smiled The Alchemist.
He continued walking and picked the closest chair to Kimon.
"So, tell me, Kimon. How did you worm your way into Daniel's heart?"
Kimon's mask hid his expression, but his smile could still be felt, "If you want to know so badly, then I shall tell you. I took the hardest route. I enthralled him with my fine charms."
"Oh, I had deduced that Daniel's preference lay in men. I was true," The Alchemist played along.
"If you want to, I can teach you my seductive method. All you have to do is lie beside him like a pregnant lady and puff out the steamiest breath you have ever released while baring your chest naked, allowing him to see your well-defined body. I actually think the key lies in your eyes. You have to capture his soul perfectly and smoothen it with your attractive glints."
"….Oh come on now, why would I want to do that?"
"You seem like the type to me. Don't worry. It is okay to feel shy. I am not one to discriminate," quipped Kimon.
The Alchemist was as aghast as ever as he gaped at his mouth.
Kimon's laughter revitalized the dim atmosphere, "Surely, I jest. I jest."
After a brief round of laughter, "In all truth, if I'm to guess, I am the same as you. We both are partners of Black Viper."
"Hmmmm…..is that so?"
"Very much so. Are you doubting my words, Alchemist?"
The Alchemist sighed, "Since when did we get to first-name basis?"
"I figured referring to you as 'The Alchemist' is quite a mouthful. Do you have another name you go by?"
"I am –Nice try," laughed The Alchemist.
Kimon raised his hands to signify defeat, "It was worth it though"