Denizens of the Labyrinth

The Master of Ceremony stepped forward, his smile sharp and his voice booming with excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, the moment we've all been waiting for Tier V treasures! These items are the stuff of legends, capable of turning the tides of fate and empowering even the greatest of champions. Let us begin!"

A hush fell over the crowd, anticipation so thick it was nearly tangible. Jazmel sat upright, his focus sharp, his Mana-infused vision picking up the faint glimmer of energy surrounding the items as they were unveiled.

The first item was brought out on a floating pedestal, glowing faintly with infernal energy. The MC gestured dramatically to it. "Behold, the Tier V Hell Ticket! This unassuming slip of parchment holds unimaginable power. Insert it into any domain gate, and it will unlock a path to the hell realm a place of greater danger, but also greater rewards. Are you brave enough to take on such a challenge?"

Jazmel tilted his head, intrigued. He'd heard of the hell realm before, a place shrouded in mystery and peril. He let the thought linger but didn't bid, knowing it wasn't the right time for such a venture. No, he had enough going on as it is.

Next, the attendants revealed a crystalline orb, its surface swirling with stormy clouds and flickering lightning. The MC's voice rose as he introduced it. "The Tier V Storm Incarnate! Harness the power of the heavens themselves. With this item, you can summon the incarnation of the storm to fight at your side. A weapon of unparalleled devastation."

Jazmel felt a shift in the room as Sadé leaned forward, her eyes alight with interest. "I'll take it," she said confidently, her voice cutting through the murmurs in their private chamber. She already pooled her coins. By the time she won, it was a few hundred platinum coins already.

The bidding war was short-lived; her determination outmatched any competitors. When the gavel struck, Jazmel glanced at her with a wry smile. "That's going to be a spectacle."

"It will," Sadé replied, her lips curving in satisfaction.

The next item was a small, glowing seed encased in a sphere of emerald light. The MC gestured to it reverently. "The Tier V Verdant Paladin Seed, a sacred treasure of nature. Plant this seed, and it will give rise to the mighty Willow Knight, a guardian of unparalleled strength and devotion. For those who walk the path of growth and life, this is a companion like no other."

Jazmel's chest tightened as memories flooded him of the Willow Knight who had fallen valiantly defending his garden from the sworn. Without hesitation, he signalled his bid.

The room seemed to hold its breath as the bidding escalated, but Jazmel's determination was unshakable. When the gavel fell in his favour, he sat back, cradling the memory of his fallen ally. This would be a second chance a way to honour what was lost.

DING!

YOU HAVE BOUGHT THE TIER V WERDANT PALADIN SEED! Plant the seed and grow the knight! Taking on the duty of the vigil.

DING!

X100 PLATINUM COINS!

Other items followed, each extraordinary in its own right:

A Tier V Wall Array, a powerful defensive mechanism capable of fortifying even the most vulnerable locations. Jazmel considered it but let it pass, knowing his resources were better spent elsewhere.

Finally, two sets of upgrades were presented:

Max Tier Skill Upgrades, each capable of elevating one skill to its ultimate form. Jazmel immediately purchased five, one for each of his skills, knowing how critical this would be for his growth.

DING!

X500 WHITE GOLD COINS USED!

Max Tier Item Upgrades, designed to enhance any item to its peak potential. He claimed five of these as well, already considering which of his prized weapons and tools would benefit most.

DING!

X500 WHITE GOLD COINS USED!

As the bidding for Tier V items continued, Jazmel leaned back in his chair, feeling both satisfied and expectant. These acquisitions would make him and his faction stronger but he couldn't shake the feeling that the best, and perhaps the most dangerous, was yet to come.

As the auction for Tier V items continued, Jazmel noticed Sadé's growing interest in the selections. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes keen and deliberate. When a finely crafted sabre was brought forward, its edge gleaming with an otherworldly sheen, she made her bid without hesitation, winning it with ease.

Jazmel glanced at her, curious. He had noticed she hadn't been using her previous sabre recently. When she caught his gaze, she smirked and answered his unspoken question. "It cannot keep up with my power."

Jazmel nodded, his Mana-infused eyes narrowing as he studied her. He could see the sheer magnitude of Mana coursing through her, the swirling reservoirs glowing like a blazing inferno within her form. He recalled the progression of her strength from their earlier days. When they had first started out, one kitsune tail equated to an additional 500 Mana points. By the time she reached three tails, each added 1,000 Mana. Now, with nine tails, she was a veritable powerhouse.

Her Mana output alone placed her among the top three within the Black Wing faction, a rank she had earned through sheer determination and growth. Her aura was almost overwhelming, even to someone as attuned as Jazmel.

Sadé's acquisitions didn't stop with the sabre. She also purchased a Max Tier Skill Upgrade and an Item Upgrade, clearly intent on enhancing her arsenal even further.

Turning to Jazmel, she offered a rare glimpse into her strategy. "I like the Storm Caller Armour," she said, her voice calm but filled with certainty. "It's compatible with my skills. Plus," she added with a gleam of ambition in her eyes, "I plan on raising Storm Crown to the max tier."

Jazmel regarded her with a quiet sense of approval. Sadé had always been a force to be reckoned with, but her meticulous approach to self-improvement was what set her apart. "With that combination," he said thoughtfully, "you'll be able to shape the battlefield to your will."

"That's the idea," Sadé replied, her tone light but resolute.

Jazmel smiled faintly, recognizing in her the same drive he saw in himself. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would be more than ready to meet them head-on.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

As the auction continued, Jazmel's attention shifted to Charme. Over the past few weeks, he had insisted she take money and earnings from their ventures, knowing she'd earned her share through her skills and dedication. Now, watching her spend it, he felt a small sense of satisfaction.

Charme made her purchases with sharp precision, her focus unwavering as she bid on three martial arts tomes. When the final gavel fell and the tomes were hers, Jazmel couldn't help but let his curiosity show, his gaze lingering on her.

Noticing his look, Charme gave a casual shrug. "You can never know too much," she said simply, her tone matter of fact but tinged with a quiet conviction.

Jazmel nodded in understanding. Charme had always been a martial practitioner through and through. To her, knowledge was power, and mastering new techniques or philosophies was as vital as breathing. The tomes she had chosen seemed to hum with potential, the essence of their teachings practically vibrating in the air.

For a moment, Jazmel considered commenting, but decided against it. Charme didn't need praise or approval; her determination spoke for itself. Instead, he settled back, content to let her follow her path of growth, knowing she would turn those tomes into yet another edge in her already formidable arsenal.

The pace of the auction quickened; the procession of items almost overwhelming. Jazmel barely kept up, his attention snagged by an object of such sinister power that it made his breath hitch. A grimoire, dark and foreboding, its aura thick with ancient malevolence. Even from their secluded room, Jazmel could feel the weight of its Mana pressing against his senses like an oppressive storm cloud.

The bidding for the grimoire was fierce, but it was won by a woman seated near the front. Her identity was unmistakable: a witch. The wide brim of her black hat cast a shadow over her face, giving her an air of mystery. As she calmly raised her hand to claim her prize, Jazmel's Mana-attuned eyes flicked to her, his curiosity piqued.

Her Mana signature was unsettling, a twisted mirror of the grimoire's. It wasn't simply dark; it was deep, ancient, and unfathomably complex, like the roots of some eldritch tree spreading through the very fabric of the Weave. She seemed almost made for the object she had purchased.

Then she looked up straight at Jazmel.

The gesture caught him off guard, his body tensing instinctively. She shouldn't have been able to see through the two-way glass, yet her gaze locked onto him unerringly. A smile curled her lips, faint and knowing, as if she'd uncovered some hidden truth about him.

But it was her eyes that truly stunned him. Her irises were crescent moons, sickles of glowing purple that seemed to pulse with a rhythm he couldn't quite grasp. Their unusual shape and the aura they emanated sent a shiver down his spine.

She had noticed him. She must have felt his intent as he studied her Mana signature, his keen observation betraying him. For the first time in a long while, Jazmel felt his composure waver under someone's gaze.

As she turned her attention back to the grimoire being whisked away, Jazmel leaned back in his chair, troubled and intrigued in equal measure. "Interesting," he murmured under his breath, though whether the word referred to the witch, the grimoire, or both, even he couldn't say.

As the auction continued, the steady rhythm of bidding and hammer falls creating a background hum, Jazmel turned his attention to Baek, who sat relaxed with an air of calm detachment. The old warrior hadn't so much as flinched during the proceedings, not even when particularly rare or powerful items had come up for bid.

Jazmel tilted his head toward Baek, curiosity evident in his expression. "Baek, I've been meaning to ask why don't you ever buy anything at these auctions? You've been here for hours and haven't made a single bid."

Baek chuckled, his voice low and gravelly. "You know me, Jazmel. I'm not one for frivolity. Truth is, I have almost everything I need right now." He glanced at the ongoing auction, where a shimmering orb was being paraded out on a velvet pillow. "At my level, most items in these lower tiers aren't worth the effort or the coin. They're good, sure but not good enough to make a difference for someone like me."

Jazmel nodded thoughtfully, leaning back in his chair. "I can understand that. I just sold a ton of my old gear. Stuff I've long since outgrown. No point holding onto things that don't serve a purpose anymore."

Baek smirked, his sharp eyes flicking to Jazmel. "Exactly. And don't get me wrong, I'm always keeping an eye out. There are still things I'd like to acquire. But so far, nothing has caught my attention. The truly rare treasures, the ones worth fighting for, are few and far between."

Jazmel took a moment to consider Baek's words. His own excitement had been building for the higher-tier items, but Baek's restraint reminded him of the patience and discipline required to truly master one's path. "You're waiting for the right moment, then," Jazmel said, a note of admiration in his voice.

Baek inclined his head. "Patience is a virtue, Jazmel. Especially in our line of work. When the right item comes along, I'll know it. Until then, let the others scramble for what they want. I'm in no rush."

Their conversation flowed easily; their camaraderie apparent even in the brief exchange. All the while, the auction continued unabated, the energy in the room shifting subtly as the anticipation for the higher-tier items grew. The hum of voices and the occasional sharp cry of a bidder kept the atmosphere alive, but for Jazmel and Baek, it was just noise, a backdrop to their measured, thoughtful discussion.

Jazmel couldn't help but smile as he glanced back at the stage, wondering if Baek's patience would pay off tonight or if the old warrior's discipline would see him leave empty-handed once again.

Jazmel watched with growing interest as the last few items passed, most of them not worth his attention. His mind kept drifting back to Yoru No Tsubasa, the sword that had claimed its place in his hands, the one weapon he truly needed. Anything else felt like a waste in comparison. The pouch of dwarven coins that came up next barely registered in his mind. Once, he might have coveted such a treasure, but with his forge run by dwarves and the riches of the world at his fingertips, the need for mere coin was long gone.

As the item was bought with an eager shout and cheer, Jazmel couldn't help but chuckle. The bidder practically danced with excitement as he clutched the pouch, clearly unaware that it would be of little use in the hands of anyone who truly knew how to wield power in this world. "Poor fool," Jazmel muttered under his breath, watching the excitement with a smile.

The crowd's energy, though, shifted as the next item appeared on the stage. Jazmel straightened up in his seat, Baek beside him, both of them turning their attention to the HUD display with sharpened focus. The MC's voice rang out with excitement as he revealed the next item. "Behold, the Cowl of Calamity!"

Jazmel leaned forward, eyes narrowing as the cloak was revealed. It looked ordinary enough at first glance just a simple cloak with a dark, hooded cowl. But as the MC slipped it on, the crowd fell silent in anticipation. Then, in a burst of movement, the MC pulled the cloak's cowl over his face, and smoke began to billow out from the cloak, filling the air in a swirling cloud.

Jazmel's eyes widened slightly as he watched, the sudden surge of Mana emanating from the cloak undeniable. The smoke moved with purpose, coiling, and weaving in the air as though alive. The MC darted across the stage with fluid grace, and Jazmel could see the shadows of figures marionettes emerging from the smoke. They were humanoid, but their forms were more ethereal than solid, wispy, and delicate like fragile silk strings, but deadly in their movements. Their swords flashed in the dimming light as they lashed out, slashing the air in perfect synchrony with the MC's movements.

The crowd gasped in awe, and Jazmel was no different. He could feel the cloak's power even from where he sat, a palpable energy crackling in the air. The marionettes' sabres moved with precision, almost like an extension of the MC's own will. He moved with ease, weaving through the attacks of the phantasmal warriors, his every motion perfectly coordinated. After a long moment, the smoke began to recede, the marionettes dissolving back into the mist as if they were never there.

The MC slowly removed the cowl and held it out to the crowd. "The Marionettes protect the wearer," he announced, his voice full of pride. The audience erupted into applause, but Jazmel was already lost in thought.

His mind was calculating, weighing the potential uses of such an item. A cloak that summoned protective entities, essentially an extension of one's power. To have marionettes in battle would be a dangerous tool, allowing him to stay untouchable while they did his bidding.

"Interesting," Jazmel muttered under his breath, leaning slightly toward Baek. "That could be useful."

Baek glanced at him with a raised brow, his expression as calm as ever. "A tool of deception, no doubt. It would be difficult to discern what's real and what's not. It's a weapon of misdirection as much as defence."

Jazmel's lips curled into a thoughtful smile. "A dangerous one, too."

As the auction continued, Jazmel kept his eyes fixed on the stage, the Cowl of Calamity now at the forefront of his mind. He'd have to be cautious with this one if it were up for bid, it would likely fetch a high price, but Jazmel was used to competing with the wealthy and influential. He knew how to play the game.