"Do we have any leads?" Serena asked, her chains coiling lightly around her wrist like living serpents.
"Just an underground black market," Asher said, pointing at a large rock.
"Is this rock special?" she asked.
Asher smirked. "It's near the entrance to the underground black market," he explained. Then, without hesitation, he tapped the rock in a precise rhythm—twenty-three times in a specific sequence.
The rock trembled before slowly sinking into the ground. A passageway revealed itself, lined with dimly glowing symbols—magic seals meant to hide the entrance from unwanted eyes.
A heavy, rusted door appeared from the shadows.
"Let's go," Asher said as he stepped forward, leading the way.
Serena followed closely, her senses on high alert.
Asher and Serena moved through the underground tunnel, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and something faintly metallic—blood, perhaps. The deeper they went, the more the space widened into a cavernous underground marketplace, lit by eerie blue crystals embedded in the walls.
The Demonic Dragon Egg Auction.
It was the kind of event whispered about in hushed tones, a gathering where only the most unscrupulous and powerful dared to tread. The black market here didn't deal in simple contraband like illegal weapons or rare potions. No, this was a place where one could purchase forbidden artifacts, stolen relics, and even the lives of others.
And tonight's grand prize? A dragon egg.
Asher's eyes scanned the area, taking in the wide hall where merchants and buyers mingled, their faces hidden behind enchanted masks to protect their identities. Towering cages lined the edges, some holding rare beasts while others confined humanoid figures—captives of various races being sold like livestock.
Serena's grip on her chains tightened. "Disgusting," she muttered.
Asher merely nodded. He had seen many things in his life, but the sheer audacity of auctioning a dragon egg was on another level. The moment word spread, there was no doubt that powerful forces—including the dragons themselves—would descend upon this place like a storm.
For now, though, the auction was proceeding as planned.
At the center of the grand hall stood a raised platform, where a masked auctioneer in flowing black robes prepared to present the night's main attraction. Beside him, a massive, armored figure guarded a floating obsidian sphere.
That was no mere pedestal. It was a containment artifact, designed to suppress the egg's aura, hiding its presence from external forces.
"Welcome, esteemed guests," the auctioneer's voice rang out, magically amplified to reach every corner of the underground hall. "Tonight, we present to you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—an egg of a true dragon, a creature of legend and power beyond mortal comprehension."
A hush fell over the crowd. Even among criminals and warlords, the gravity of such an item was undeniable.
Asher and Serena exchanged glances. They had made it in time.
The auctioneer let the silence linger, basking in the weight of his words before continuing.
"This is no ordinary dragon egg, my esteemed guests. This belongs to a draconic bloodline of immeasurable power—one that has ruled the skies for millennia." He gestured toward the floating obsidian sphere. "Tonight, this treasure will belong to the highest bidder."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Even behind their enchanted masks, Asher could feel the greed radiating from the buyers. Kings of the underworld, warlords, corrupt nobles, and even a few figures cloaked in shadows that reeked of ancient magic.
Serena whispered, "Looks like we have some big players."
Asher smirked. "Good. That'll make it more fun."
"Twenty-five million."
The numbers skyrocketed, with each bid throwing the room into deeper tension. Some bidders began subtly flexing their power—letting out small bursts of aura to intimidate the weaker competition.
Asher leaned back against a nearby pillar, arms crossed. "What do you think? Let them fight it out first?"
Serena rolled her eyes. "You're not actually planning on buying it, are you?"
"Of course not," he chuckled. "But it'd be a waste to not let them inflate the price first."
Serena sighed. "And then?"
Asher's smirk widened. "Then… we take it."
The bidding war continued, but just as the price neared an outrageous sum, a new presence entered the room. The temperature dropped slightly, and the once-boisterous bidders fell silent.
Footsteps echoed through the hall as a figure approached the auction stage.
Tall. Cloaked in black and gold. A mask covering half their face, with piercing red eyes glowing from underneath. Their aura was suffocating—like a tidal wave of power held barely in check.
The auctioneer visibly swallowed. "Ah… it seems we have a new contender."
Without hesitation, the newcomer spoke, their voice smooth but commanding.
"One hundred million gold." Update from Novel~Fire. (n)et
The room fell into stunned silence.
No one spoke. No one dared to counter the bid.
Asher's smirk faded slightly. "Well… that complicates things."
Serena exhaled slowly. "Who the hell is that?"
Asher's eyes narrowed. Whoever they were, they weren't just rich. They were powerful.
The air inside the auction hall felt heavy as the masked figure remained unmoved after making the exorbitant bid. The other attendees exchanged glances, some hesitating as if weighing the risks of challenging this unknown powerhouse.
The auctioneer cleared his throat, forcing a smile. "One hundred million gold! Do I hear a higher bid?"
The crowd wasn't just intimidated—they were terrified. Whoever this person was, they had instantly established dominance without even flexing their power.
Serena whispered, "Are we still going with your plan?"
Asher's smirk returned, though a bit more restrained. "Oh, we're taking that egg. But now, we might have to deal with that guy too."
Serena sighed. "Great. Just what I wanted—another overly powerful lunatic in the mix."
The auctioneer raised his hand. "Going once… going twice…"
"Sold!" His voice echoed through the hall, sealing the deal. The masked figure merely nodded before turning away from the stage.
Asher and Serena exchanged glances before slipping into the shadows. They needed to see where the egg was going.
" Don't tell me we will fight them?" Serena asked on the way as Asher said " why would we? that will be a suicide" he said as Serena paused " oye oye, now you are really worrying me" She said as she jumped after him.