Blood rushed within Luke's ears. The Spectral Heart pumped with vigor. Greed thrummed, and visual elements flashed with avarice in the floor below in the Reaver's line of sight. The usually soft cushion offered no comfort. The man of ice's mouth dried, as if ash salted his tongue. Light dimmed on the floor. Avarita began to call and see if others would raise the bid.

Lesus casually put the price above the total sum of the Reaver's wealth. The rational part within Luke said something better would come along, something just as good at a more reasonable price. Pass on the item—it's overpriced.

He laughed at such stupidity. Even he knew it to be a comforting lie. And so he decided he'd rather be in debt, than to allow someone to steal a tool against the Tide from HIM, the Sin of Greed. Whether it was a foolish endeavor or not, only time could tell.

"Emalia, your chance came," Luke said.

The details were left out, but the woman capitalized on it all the same. She touched her spatial bag to Luke's person.

Honeyed words left her mouth. "Gold at nearly any amount. In return, listen to a small request."

"Details."

"If the day comes to rip apart this fine balance between the Pyrites, and my family, to become the next Great Noble house…" She put an arm around Luke's waist. "You'll either marry into the family or tear down the Pyrites with us at that time."

"If that's what you call a small request, I shudder to think what anything large could be from you." He sucked in some air. Crawling forward was going to take some sacrifice.

He was no stranger to such a concept. Before he answered, Calen said, "Only your High Defier is above the influential clutches of this city. Consider this a partial down payment, nothing more."

Avarita motioned, ready to close the sale, the seconds left dripped away. Luke did something rather uncharacteristic of him in action, yet aligned perfectly with his deepest will.

He leaned into Emalia. This time, he would be the one whispering in her ears, "No amount of gold will save your family if it's responsible for his disappearance." Reeling back, the Reaver said, "For now, I agree."

Facing the Interface display, Luke spoke with the proper intent. "75,000 gold."

As Emalia already graciously transferred 20,000 gold—and more if need be—the bid went through after a near instant Interface ether network check. Down below, one could hear a pen drop. The highest bid so far in the auction, and a direct counter to Lesus at that. The Ninth, and the Leader of the Primal Arch Tower Team, at odds.

An easy-going smile crossed the genial elf, stretching the golden skin on his already tight face. The coming words were simple, the intent anything but. "80,000 gold."

The Reaver sighed internally. Of course one of the wealthiest hunters in this entire city would have his eyes set on the same prize.

No other words were needed. A shared signal between Emalia and Calen, and yet another 20,000 gold reinforced Luke's gold pile, reaching 99,000.

Already this deep in, Luke threw caution to the wind, repeating the same steps from his last bid. He said, "90,000 gold."

Lexus countered, "91,000 gold."

Without an ounce of hesitation, Luke said, "95,000."

Adjusting herself next to Luke, Emalia said, "So this is the side of you that comes out when you find something you want. Mesmerizing. Why the fixation?"

"Survival." Luke funneled all his attention onto Lexus. Despite the physical covering, backed by mana enchantments, Luke felt the other hunter return his gaze.

The unusually relaxed Lexus stilled at such an immediate retaliation. He muttered to himself, "Found a sponsor hasn't he? Defiers don't gift gold, so which is it? Ophelia? Or one of the two Titled?" He spread himself out on the suddenly cold chair. "That newest find will have to go without."

Lesus put down his pallet. "You've secured this round, Ninth, may it be worth the price. In gold and freedom of choice."

Swept up by the unexpected conflict between rising Defier and already matured monstrously powerful Lesus, Avarita made futile attempts to raise the price again, as if the eye-watering amount wasn't already inflated beyond any reasonable amount. No takers bothered to listen, drowning out the elf's cajoling. A short gap later, and Luke saw his calculated gold after the sale of his three items, and a transfer of forty thousand gold from Emalia Miel, drop from ninety-nine thousand gold to a pittance in comparison, four thousand.

After that, Luke failed to pay more than minimal attention to the next item, beyond that it too, was a rare quality skill book. That would be a rich man's game, something that had nothing to do with Luke, as a newly minted pauper. For people like him, the only prize left was the entertainment value of the most eye-catching remaining items or how any of them might affect other factions in the city-wide ecosystem. The auction host capstoned the skill book and technique scroll section with another exceptional quality passive skill, for an energy based class like rogue or monk. A short intermission took place as auction organizers prepared the next batch of items up for display soon.

Taking away from that, the Reaver figured out just how precious an epic item is. This whole auction had yet to reveal one, and the highest valued exceptional quality products sold for over 110,000 gold. His bid on Withering Echo set a record, shattered two items later, for a more fiercely contested skill book useful to mana-based combat classes. The Pyrites won the bid for it at 150,000 gold. The bidder must've been that woman Luke saw near Chander not so long ago, judging from the undeniably feminine bidding voice radiating from the flame themed booth.

He turned to Emalia, the couch cushions twisting slightly with him, as Sooty resettled herself on the shoulder furthest away from the monic woman. That ended up bringing his face too close for comfort, but he dealt with it regardless. "So, I'm forty thousand gold in debt, and all you want is a nebulous show of support for a future that may be years away?" he asked Emalia.

"Is it all that far away for an intrepid man?" Emalia smiled knowingly. She swirled a crystalline glass of peach wine. "The balance many have become accustomed to will irreversibly shatter after this Tide, across all three nations, let alone our little slice of society in the smallest country."

For once, the beautiful monic woman scooted away from Luke. Xera cheered at the newfound space. Emalia flattened down her dress and put her attention on the latest items for auction. She said, "We can circle the details after this auction ends. Enjoy the remaining items on display. Uncle will no doubt try to snatch more than an odd trinket or two."

The monic warrior's face spasmed, although his silence spoke enough volumes. The Miel family acquired slim pickings so far, but that would be expected for a clan like them. If they obtained just one real prize, that would meet the objective set out by the Matriarch for them.

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Using a finger to scratch under Sooty's beak, Luke found some stress relief that way. What's done is done. He'd made a choice, and despite its potential entanglements, he didn't regret it. Potentially angering Lesus was a non-factor to him anyway. The bigger issue was creating a debt with one of the Titled noble families, not to mention the City Lord's claws sinking into him as well. Putting too much mental acuity into it would be a luxury he could afford after the Tide. All his decisions lately pointed towards just two goals. First and foremost, to travel down the trail to potentially track down his dad, and second, to increase the chances of surviving the Tide that'd be here any day now.

If you had to underpin the reason behind his current underwhelming attitude to yet another massive chain wrapping the Reaver to Sylen and its mortal affairs, Luke could sum it up as he believed in his ability for growth by now. Current means gave the Miels or even the City Lord leverage, but if he became something similar to Iona, they simply wouldn't have the same influence over him anymore. So let them have their moment or month.

He'd have the rest.

The short pause between presentations ended, and Avarita resumed with a bang. Gesturing with her entire body, a diamond-encrusted cage with a flame scarred cub settled beside her up on the auction stage.

"Feisty little rascal, this one. Hunters will starve themselves to buy it, Beastmasters will sell their pride and soul. Collectors, the rest of their fleeting wealth, and the rest of you… Well, you'll only dream of catching sight of this magnificent beast in passing."

Overlaid to the Interface-linked misting mana screen, a small yellow and red patterned Lynx rotated for observation, its regal yet confused expression animated in real time. Details on the captured beast displayed underneath.

[Emberfang Lynx Cub]

Quality: Exceptional Potential

Caught from the Emberfang beast queen clutch, found only on a limited duration hidden floor in the Silver Black Tower, this cub's evaluation from Sylen's Beastmasters placed it within the top quintile of its species. The Emberfang Lynx is famed for its ember-lit clawed fury and blazing speed, matched by few other companions near its level.

Requirements: Beastmaster, Hunter, Warlord, or Companion-capable professions.

Starting Bid: 75,000 Gold.

A chorus of excited roars rang within Luke's ears. Wealthy collectors suffered bulging eyes. Upper ascended hunters, beastmasters, and warlords of all races either envied the beast's anticipated potential, or often rued their lacking companions. Of course, a minority had developed a deep emotional bond with their chosen beast companion; even this tantalizing prospect could not make them waver.

"It's been over a year since the last exceptional potential flame type cub has last been up for action, I can't believe my luck. 150,000 gold." A tier 3 white furred, blue-spotted tora warlord bid with gusto.

On cue, the collectors reared their ugly heads. A monic man, clearly from some sort of wealthy background—likely some sort of non-combat type as Luke couldn't sense a hint of battle experience from him—bid right after the tora warlord. "For the highest potential feline type companion this war-ridden city will see all year, anything less than 200,000 gold would be an insult."

As Luke was about to comment on what a waste it would be for that companion to go to someone clearly unsuited to make the most of it, Calen stirred. The warrior monic cracked his spine, shoulders set.

"300,000 gold."

Luke surely thought that would be the end of it. Oh, how wrong a man with a common background like him was, the wealthiest in any society always had more money than objects of real value to spend it on. A confident, almost challenging voice announced itself once more from the Pyrites blazing booth.

"350,000 gold."

Letting out something dreadfully close to a hiss, Emalia said beside Luke, "The Pyrites, the fools always meddle where they are not wanted."

Taking the challenge in stride, Calen kept his composed body language. He returned a counter bid through the Interface Platform display nearby. "360,000 gold."

A hint of fierceness entered the feminine voice coming from the Pyrite's private bidding booth. "380,000 gold."

Unlike before, Calen restrained himself from offering up an immediate counterbid. Dark shade overtook his eyes, his two meaty hands interlocked, level with his nose. A stern calculation entered the monic's demeanor. Slowly, he uttered a measured bid, "390,000 gold."

Alas, a new player decided to join in on the fun. One that surprised even Luke, coming from the Defier's reserved area, a voice the Reaver recognized came out.

"Many a child is mine, let's add another. A cub for one of my favorite ladies. 400,000 gold."

Eldacar hadn't made a bid this entire time, and now he's risking this much wealth for a… 'favorite'? Luke struggled to fully understand the order of operations that drove the most lustful Defier.

A thin vein rose to the surface of Calen's forehead, yet he ceased any bidding. Whether it be due to Eldacar's announcement or if he believed the cub no longer worth the rising price, was anyone's guess. The turn of events invigorated the bottom bidding floor.

"To spend that much on a woman…" A newly ascended tier 2 human hunter questioned the meaning of all his struggles up to this point.

Next to the downtrodden human, a tora man placed a furred hand on the human's shoulder. "Greater fortunes have been spent for lesser reasons, accept it."

Cutting into the bubbling conversations beneath, the Pyrites struck again. "430,000 gold."

Bids ran back and forth between Eldacar and the Pyrites. Eventually, the Pyrites raised the price to an astounding 500,000 gold. Eldacar had been casually bidding back up until that point. Avarita intentionally extended out the process, your typical going once, twice—sold. Except she just wouldn't close it out. Such tactics failed to squeeze out another bid, however. Thus, the Pyrites won the Emberfang Lynx Cub for 500,000 gold.

The auction moved on from the battle of the wealthiest giants up above on the upper floor to the ones below. Merchants and the most veteran tier 3 hunters waged wars of gold over various companion items, or companions for purchase. In addition, items attractive to summoners, like special essences, crystals, or shards that could permanently strengthen their familiar, were up for bidding. Since the Reaver rarely saw such items, he overlooked one quickly, reeling at the bid price.

[Shard of Infernis]

The most primal shard of Infernis, a rare fire elemental spawn found on random floors on any of the three remaining Silver Black Towers. Forcibly awakens the fire attribute talent in a summoned familiar, revealing the path to Fire Elementalization. May also be used to strengthen an already established fire affinity by ten points.

Starting Bid: 50,000 Gold.

The Reaver felt very thankful for his ability to steal affinity from others. He didn't even want to consider the sheer struggle it would take to obtain affinity through items like this, or esoteric training methods he'd yet to encounter. Attribute theft felt far more accessible in spite of its inherent danger. He tuned out the bidding. Calen did most of that for the Miels leaving Emalia more open to conversation.

She lounged against the couch, leaving a drink on a tray the nearest servant held. She weaved a new conversation with Luke. "Care for a change in pace?" She once again began to close in. The Reaver spared Xera, putting her on the opposite side, beneath Sooty, sinking slightly into the fabric.

"Could start with either how I can pay you back, or what I originally signed up for in return for staying here this time with you, rather than the other Defiers," Luke almost casually answered.

Pursing her lips slightly, Emalia's white hair appeared radiant. She breathed out lowly. "Need you worry about repaying us so soon? 40,000 gold is quite the fortune even to hunters who delve in the Tower for days on end."

"A direct amount of 40,000 from your family, and an indirect 30,000 from the City Lord by virtue of the overpayment on the Soul Cloak skill book I put up for sale. For the sake of my future, I can't exactly skirt the issue."

She put a hand lightly on Luke's arm. "I won't say the more obvious answer to your woes. Inviting you into the family could only be so easy, something you clearly are hesitant of. Leave any thoughts of repayment until the Tide is withstood. As for your father…" the monic lady revealed gleaming white teeth, "the final showings of the auction are underway, less than an hour left of your patience is all I require. Uncle, you'll leave the booth after the auction is over, I trust?"

Setting down the platter he ate from, Calen dismissed the auction host assigned servants in the booth. Once they left, he answered, "The family has urgent matters on multiple fronts, the Ninth owes us a debt, but that's meaningless if you don't fulfill your end of the bargain, niece. When the final item is revealed and sold, I'll depart to begin the duties the Matriarch assigned me."

Time passed by faster than any of the three had anticipated. Avarita announced to the crowd, "And here it is, Elgodar himself begged to secure this item for our humble auction tonight." She paused, her eyes scanning the crowd for but a moment. "Sylen's finest, abandon all pride, beg for loans. You can't miss out on this once in a life time gem, coming all the way from the Shattered Blade Empire. Words from me fail to do this master crafted item justice. Take a look for yourselves, the sole epic armor piece up for sale tonight."

Luke recalled that the auction sold off various epic material pieces, akin to items like the Arjanax's Soul Core he owned, but higher in quality and potency. Any epic weapon or armor had eluded the auction thus far. He scanned the item details presented on the Interface linked mana mirror. A deep purple and red cape trimmed by gray chain emitted a terrifying Spatial Concept around it; the object demanded obedience.

[Cape of Silent Dominion]

Quality: Epic

Stats: +150 Intellect, +150 Agility, +10 Space Affinity, +10 Resilience

Passive - Muted Sovereignty: Suppresses all hostile passive abilities by 25%.

Passive - Subjugation Aura: Enemies within combat distance of the wearer suffer an increasing reduction to Health, Agility, Intellect, and Strength every three seconds up to 9%.

Active - Silent Edict: Generates a small ether field at the targeted area for ten seconds, where all active and passive class or item skills are sealed away for the duration for anyone who inhabits the region, including the user of Silent Edict.

Requirement: Tier 2, Level 75

Starting Bid: 150,000 Gold

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