Chapter 164: East Anekta Crisis (3)

The sun had already disappeared beneath the horizon by the time the first auction was about to begin.

East Anekta looked entirely different at night. The streets were illuminated by elegant rows of lights, the windows of the skyscrapers shone against the dark sky, and the restaurants surrounding the central promenade were filled with wealthy guests and Awakened from all over Europe. Luxury vehicles moved along the streets while private security personnel monitored every entrance and intersection.

For an island dedicated to the Awakened elite, the atmosphere was almost unnaturally peaceful.

Eden stood in the lobby of their hotel, checking the time on his phone.

"You’re sure you don’t want me to come?" Lucy asked.

She had changed into a simple outfit for the evening, though her expression suggested she wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about the idea of being left behind.

"You’ve been yawning for the last twenty minutes."

"I’m just a little tired."

"Then go upstairs and rest. I’ll be back later."

Lucy looked toward Vespera, who was waiting near the entrance.

"You’re going with her?"

"She’s our guide. It would be strange to leave her behind."

"That’s not what I meant."

Eden looked at her.

Lucy hesitated before lowering her gaze. "Nothing. Just... don’t stay out too late."

He understood what she was getting at, but decided not to tease her about it.

"I won’t."

Lucy reluctantly headed toward the elevators. Before the doors closed, she glanced at him one last time, as though considering whether she should say something else. In the end, she simply waved.

Eden watched until the elevator disappeared from sight.

"She’s quite attached to you," Vespera remarked.

"She’s a friend."

"Riiiiight."

There was something about the way she said it that made Eden glance at her, but he chose not to pursue the matter.

"Shall we?"

Vespera nodded, and the two left the hotel.

Eden had seen the auction house earlier that afternoon, but its true scale only became apparent once he stepped inside.

The building was enormous. Its main hall resembled an opera house designed for the wealthiest people on the continent, with several levels of seating arranged around a vast central stage. Ornate golden decorations covered the walls, enormous chandeliers illuminated the ceiling, and a series of private balconies overlooked the main floor. Every detail seemed deliberately designed to remind visitors that this was a place where fortunes were made and spent.

The guests reflected that impression.

Some wore expensive suits and dresses, others displayed the insignias of prominent guilds and Associations. A few were accompanied by personal guards, while others had entire groups of Awakened surrounding them. Eden even recognized several faces from television and Association broadcasts.

These weren’t ordinary wealthy people.

They were people who could afford to purchase items that most Awakened would never even get the chance to see.

"Quite impressive, isn’t it?" Vespera said.

"Certainly."

"Most of the guests attending tonight are representatives of guilds or private collectors. The first auction usually focuses on relatively accessible merchandise, though I wouldn’t call anything here cheap."

Eden glanced at the seating arrangements.

"How much does an average item go for?"

Vespera gave him an amused look.

"That depends on the item. A few hundred thousand euros for ordinary equipment, several million for rare materials, and considerably more for exceptional artifacts."

Eden walked toward the far end of the hall and stopped near one of the walls, where he could observe the entire room without drawing much attention.

Vespera followed.

"Wouldn’t you rather take a seat?"

"I’m fine here."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

He folded his arms and began surveying the surroundings.

There were guards stationed near every entrance, several more positioned around the stage, and additional personnel scattered throughout the seating areas. Some were wearing the auction house’s uniform, while others appeared to belong to private security companies.

Eden focused his attention on their auras.

Most were ordinary Awakened, probably C-Rank or B-Rank. A handful of A-Ranks were stationed around the stage and the private balconies. There were also several security personnel outside the hall, judging by the faint traces of Essence he could sense through the walls.

’Not bad.’

It wasn’t an extraordinary defense, but it was enough to discourage most ordinary intruders. The island’s main security force would presumably respond to any large-scale disturbance, while the auction house’s own personnel would protect the merchandise and guests.

Eden shifted his gaze toward the stage.

A few attendants were preparing the first items, while the auctioneer stood near a podium and reviewed the schedule. The auction would likely last several hours.

Then he noticed someone sitting near the opposite side of the hall.

A familiar figure with dark red hair.

’Luvian?’

Eden narrowed his eyes.

He hadn’t expected to encounter him here.

The young man was sitting comfortably in one of the more expensive sections, occasionally raising his hand to place a bid. He appeared to be in good spirits, and from the way he was dressed, he seemed to have no intention of hiding his identity.

But something was different.

Even from across the hall, Eden could sense it.

There was something strange about Luvian’s Essence. It felt denser than before, almost as though it had been compressed into something far more volatile. Eden couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but the difference was noticeable.

’Did he advance to A-Rank?’

That was certainly possible. Luvian had always been talented, and he had the resources and connections to accelerate his growth. But even if he had reached A-Rank, that wouldn’t explain the peculiar sensation Eden was picking up.

It was almost as though something else had become intertwined with his Essence.

Eden watched him for a few more seconds before looking away.

’Whatever. Not my problem.’

He returned his attention to the security personnel as the auction continued.

The guests seemed thoroughly entertained.

Eden wasn’t.

He spent most of the time watching the guards change positions, observing which entrances were used by staff, and noting how frequently the security personnel communicated with one another. Occasionally, he glanced toward the private balconies, where several particularly powerful auras were gathered.

Everything appeared to be running smoothly.

Perhaps too smoothly.

He was still examining the guards stationed near the western entrance when the entire building shook.

A tremendous explosion erupted somewhere outside.

The sound was so powerful that the windows trembled violently, and several guests nearly fell from their seats. The auctioneer stopped speaking mid-sentence. For a brief moment, the entire hall seemed frozen.

Then came the screaming.

"What the hell was that?!"

"An attack?"

"Everyone stay calm!"

Another explosion followed, this time accompanied by a deep rumbling that seemed to travel through the foundations of the building.

Eden immediately turned toward the nearest exit.

Vespera was already moving.

"Stay close!" she shouted.

They pushed through the crowd, making their way toward the entrance as more guests began rushing in the opposite direction. Several security personnel attempted to restore order, but their voices were drowned out by the growing commotion.

Once Eden stepped outside, he understood what had happened.