Chapter 88: Masked Shadows

Chapter 88: Masked Shadows

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Nocturnus wasn't a place one would say was beyond the Union's reach; in fact, they were well aware of its existence. How could a massive underground city remain a mystery when it was directly under their noses?

But if it was, one could only wonder how the Reaper Guild was able to smuggle illegal items into the city if they were aware of its activities.

The explanation lay in the fact the Union chose to turn a blind eye to Nocturnus, recognizing the benefits of having an illicit market that could be indirectly controlled.

Humans are simple, self-serving creatures; they would often go to whatever lengths to get whatever they wanted, and there was no telling what they would do if deprived of it for too long. Trying to completely stop them was an impossibility that has been proven through history time and time again.

The Union saw the benefits of letting the black markets run, viewing it as a necessary evil to keep their otherwise insane world in a sane state. But that didn't mean they completely let the Guild do whatever they wanted. They would gladly punish any guild that took things too far, but such a case had to occur first or at least be reported; it was a clear case of innocent until proven guilty.

And so, with such a system, they could perfectly control the economy, allowing good and evil to go hand in hand.

...

As the woman led Alister in the direction she had pointed out for the Reaper Guild's auction, she couldn't help but steal curious glances at him.

"So," the young woman started, breaking the silence between them, "you have a name, Mr. Wall?"

Alister glanced at her from beneath his hood, his masked face revealing nothing. "You can call me Spade."

"Spade, huh? Mysterious," she said with a playful smile. "I'm Karina."

"Nice to meet you, Karina."

"So, Spade, are you a mercenary?"

"Secret."

"Ok... what are you looking for?"

"Secret."

Karina's curiosity was piqued. "Alright, what guild are you part of?"

"Secret."

"Do you ever give a straight answer?"

"Not when it comes to personal information."

Karina sighed, a touch of frustration and amusement on her face. "You're a tough nut to crack, Spade."

to everyone present.

"Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Reaper Guild's exclusive auction. We have a fine selection of rare and powerful items for you today. Let us begin."

As the auctioneer spoke, a pair of assistants carefully wheeled out a small pedestal draped with a luxurious velvet cloth. They unveiled it to reveal a strikingly ornate dagger, its blade shimmering with an intense glow.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer continued, "this is the Shadow Dagger. Forged in the heart of the Cavern of Shadows, it is imbued with a unique enchantment that allows the wielder to move unseen in darkness. The dagger's blade is crafted from shadowsteel, a rare material that not only makes it incredibly durable but also grants it the ability to pierce most magical defenses."

A murmur of interest rippled through the crowd as the auctioneer detailed the dagger's

properties.

"The starting bid for the Shadow Dagger is 50,000 Union Credits. Do I hear 50,000?"

Hands shot up around the room as the bidding began in earnest.

"50,000!"

"60,000!"

"70,000!"

The bids climbed steadily, the audience's interest piqued by the dagger's unique attributes. Alister watched the proceedings with a calm exterior, this wasn't the item he was after, so he

was patiently waiting.

"80,000! Do I hear 90,000?" the auctioneer called, his voice rising with excitement.

"90,000!" came a bid from the back of the room.

"100,000!" another bidder countered.

The auctioneer's eyes sparkled with delight as the bids continued to rise. "We have 100,000!

Do I hear 110,000?"

Alister turned slightly to see who had made the latest bid. It was the girl he met eariler,

Karina, but this time she had an air of authority, her eyes focused intently on the dagger.

There was slience, no one rised their bids. "100,000 going once, going twice."

He slammed his wooden hammer then yelled, "Sold!"