Year 1451, month 12, day 04

  Three weeks have passed with relentless speed since I entrusted my specialized enchantment set to Orzhan for the upcoming monthly auction. For twenty-one days, the air in the trade city of Yargan has been thick with the scent of high-stakes commerce. The auction house spared no expense in their marketing; the event has been advertised with a boastful intensity that has captured the attention of every high-ranking official and wealthy merchant in the city. To the elite of the Hazaroth Union, today’s auction isn't just a market—it is the main event of the season, a showcase of power and prestige.

  Securing a place among the bidders was notoriously difficult given the surge in demand, but as the owner of the star of the show, I was granted a premium spot without hesitation. It is a bit unfortunate that I couldn't bring Woya and Wyn with me this time; the atmosphere of an elite auction can be volatile, and I preferred them to stay safe at home while I handled the business side of things. I made sure to carry a significant amount of capital with me, as I knew that opportunities in a hall this prestigious are rare and fleeting.

  My financial situation has stabilized into a very comfortable position. I began this three-week interval with 15 platinum coins in my inventory. I decided to reinvest a portion of that immediately, handing over 5 platinum coins to Orzhan to sustain his search for skill crystals. I specifically instructed him to raise our purchase ceiling; I wanted to stock as many crystals as possible before the inevitable price skyrocket that will follow my new business’s launch. I also allocated another 5 platinum coins to Merkan in Baymur. After confirming he would continue acting as my coastal procurement agent, I took delivery of the jewelry and crafted items he had spent the last few weeks collecting.

  By the time I finished selling those coastal goods along with my regular trade inventory, I had pulled in a profit of approximately 20 platinum coins. When I balance the math—starting with 15, adding the 20 from sales, and subtracting the 10 invested in Orzhan and Merkan—my liquid wealth now stands at a solid 25 Hazaroth platinum coins. My gold reserves have also seen a healthy bump. I had 80 gold coins in my pouch previously, and after adding the 70 gold coins I received from the sale of Nari, my count has reached 150 gold coins. I also maintain a few hundred silver coins for miscellaneous daily expenses, though as for my copper coins, I stopped counting them long ago; they have become little more than weight in the bottom of a bag.

  Orzhan has been keeping me informed about the other items slated for today’s catalog. Because my enchanted set is the final lot and a truly unique draw, the auction house decided to curate the rest of the event to match that level of quality. They want to showcase their most prized goods to a crowd that is already primed for high spending. This means there is a very high probability that I might find something genuinely useful for my own growth today. Since a huge event like this is traditionally designed to conclude in the evening, I left the house shortly after breakfast, spending the daylight hours tending to my other trade interests before heading toward the auction hall.

  “Can I see your invitation, sir?”

  The staff member stationed at the grand entrance of the auction building spoke with professional neutrality. The line behind me was composed of some of the most influential people in the city, but the security remained tight regardless of one's appearance.

  “Here it is,” I said. I had already retrieved the invitation from the inner pocket of my suit while waiting. It was a high-quality piece of stationery, the ink still smelling faintly of the premium wax seal Orzhan had used.

  “Thank you, sir. You may proceed inside,” he said, offering a polite bow after confirming the authenticity of the letter.

  I walked into the foyer, carefully stuffing the invitation back into my pocket. Though its primary purpose was served, I have a habit of keeping documentation; you never know when a proof of entry might be useful later for establishing a timeline or proving a connection. I moved through the polished stone corridors, following the discreet gestures of the floor staff who were positioned at every intersection to ensure the guests didn't lose their way.

  Before I could actually enter the main auction hall, another staff member stopped me to request my invitation again. I was glad I hadn't discarded it in the foyer. It seems the letter serves as more than just an entry pass; it acts as a tiered ticket. The man looked at the markings on the paper for a brief moment before his eyes widened slightly. He immediately pointed toward the upper galleries of the hall, away from the general floor seating.

  “Welcome to our humble auction, esteemed sir. Please, follow my co-worker; she will lead you directly to your assigned seat,” he said, whispering something into the ear of one of the women standing beside him.

  “Please follow me, sir,” the woman said. She offered a deep, respectful bow and turned toward a side staircase rather than the main hall entrance.

  I followed her in silence, feeling a bit perplexed by the detour. We walked through a carpeted hallway lined with numerous heavy, ornate doors. Eventually, she stopped in front of a door marked with the number 13.

  “This is your private room, sir. If you have no complaints, I will be staying to accompany and serve you during the entire duration of the auction,” she explained.

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  The level of service felt a bit excessive at first, but I quickly rationalized it. As the owner of the star attraction of the night—the final lot—my status in the eyes of the auction house was currently at an all-time high. Orzhan and I had also negotiated the inclusion of my advertisement in the event, so the auction’s boss likely thought it was a wise business move to treat me with the utmost hospitality. Having a comfortable, private vantage point and a personal attendant was a welcome perk.

  “... That is perfectly fine. I am pleased to be served by someone as professional and beautiful as yourself,” I said. Thanks to my high Wisdom stat, I was able to process these thoughts and deliver a smooth, socially appropriate response after only a momentary pause.

  “Thank you for your kind words, sir,” she replied, opening the door and gesturing for me to enter.

  The room was intimate rather than expansive. It was designed for a single high-tier guest, featuring a plush, fancy seat upholstered in dark velvet and a small stand nearby for snacks and beverages. The lighting was dimmed to focus one's attention outward. The wall facing the stage was made entirely of a wide pane of glass, offering a perfect, unobstructed view of the entire auction hall below while maintaining my privacy.

  “Please wait comfortably until the auction begins, sir. We have an assortment of drinks and snacks available. Would you like anything to start with? If there is something specific you desire, please inform me, and I will do my best to source it,” she said softly.

  “Just a cooling drink would be enough for now,” I replied, allowing myself to sink into the seat.

  The moment I let my weight drop into the cushions, I felt a strange sensation of dazed relaxation. The chair was so exceptionally comfortable that for a split second, I wondered if it had been enchanted with a mild "calm" spell to keep bidders from becoming too erratic. I shook off the slight dizziness, not wanting to miss a moment of the proceedings, and looked down through the glass. My attendant filled a glass cup with a pale, lemonade-like liquid and placed it on the stand.

  “Thank you,” I said, taking the cup. The glass was chilled, making my hand go cold instantly. I took a sip and realized it was a cocktail; it tasted of tart lemon but was clearly mixed with a premium alcohol. It wasn't an issue for me; my high stats provided a significant tolerance to alcohol, so a single drink wouldn't cloud my judgment.

  I shifted my gaze back to the floor below. The hall was almost entirely filled now. What caught my attention was the sheer quality of the attendees. Compared to the smaller auction where I had originally purchased Nari, the crowd here was far more dashing and well-dressed. The air was buzzing with the low hum of hundreds of conversations. It was easy to see why the invitation process was so selective; the wealth concentrated in that room was staggering.

  This made me reconsider my own position. If the general participants on the floor were this fashionable, the people occupying the other private rooms like mine must be truly special figures. At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if the City Lord himself, or at least a high-level proxy, was in attendance tonight.

  As I finished my drink, the noise from the crowd reached its peak. Suddenly, there was a flash of movement on the stage, and the house lights dimmed further. The people below noticed the shift immediately, and the cacophony of voices began to dwindle into an expectant silence.

  “Sir, the auction is about to commence,” my attendant whispered, her voice professional and considerate. “Do you have any other wishes before we begin? I would not want to interrupt your focus once the bidding starts.”

  “... No, thank you. I will let you know if I need anything,” I said, offering a small smile. I was actually taken aback for a second by her level of professionalism. I had always thought Woya and Wyn were the pinnacle of service, but seeing this woman’s poise made me realize my perspective might have been a bit shallow. There are different levels of "expert" in every field, including domestic service.

  “Please do so, sir,” she said elegantly, retreating to a quiet corner of the room.

  The stage was now the center of the world. A man in a tight, impeccable servant’s uniform stepped out with firm, confident strides. Two steps behind him was a woman dressed in a maid’s attire, but she carried herself with a noble-like posture that suggested she was no mere servant. The man stopped in the center of the stage and offered a deep, formal bow. The woman matched him, raising the hem of her skirt with both hands in a graceful curtsy.

  “Welcome, esteemed guests, to our famous auction,” the man began, his voice amplified to reach every corner of the hall. “Today, we are holding what is undoubtedly the most special auction Yargan has seen in several years. This event is made possible by our incredible collection of quality items—especially our final lot—and by the presence of you, our most valued patrons.”

  He paused for effect, his eyes sweeping the room. “All of you participating today are the leading figures of our great trade city. I see merchants who serve as the heartbeat of our economy, artisans who bring prosperity through their craft, and the famous guardians who keep our streets safe. I see the very pillars of this city that administer our laws. I thank you all for taking the precious time to join us today.”

  His voice was boisterous and filled with a magnetic energy. He bowed even deeper than before, and the lady behind him followed suit.

  Clap, clap, clap…

  A thunderous wave of applause echoed through the hall, and some guests even stood up to show their appreciation. They were clearly moved by the announcer’s flattering, unifying rhetoric. Whoever he was, he was a master of crowd manipulation. Out of curiosity, I focused my vision and used Identify. His name appeared in my mind: Savir Loran.

  He spoke with the confidence of a noble, though it was rare for a true aristocrat to serve as an auctioneer. However, the social structure in the Hazaroth Union is unique compared to the traditional empires of the West. Here, the city is ruled by a family—like Varkos Deylan’s line, but influence is also held by individuals known as the Ahrim.

  The title of Ahrim isn't an official government position, but it carries immense weight. An Ahrim is anyone whose name is known and whose voice can move the city. It could be a merchant with a vast web of connections, a master artisan who employs hundreds, or even a highly decorated commander of the city guard. What Savir Loran was doing on stage was more than a performance; it was a calculated act of appeasement. By flattering the influential figures in the room, he was strengthening the sense of unity in Yargan and, by extension, securing his own influence. Every Ahrim earns their place through a defining talent; it seems Savir’s talent is his silver tongue.

  With the introductions complete, the atmosphere in the hall tightened. The real business was about to begin.

  [Edited]

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