Later that night, Nick arrived so they could go for the auction.
The night air trailed in behind him, heavy with the scent of magic and anticipation.
Although it was difficult, the driver managed to secure access for three people to enter the auction.
As Ruel opened the door, Nick paused, sensing something off.
"Boss, you seem… are you okay?"
"I am one step closer to obtaining the medicine. Of course, I am good," Ruel answered with a smile. "Come in."
The green-haired, brown-eyed man walked in wearing a cloak.
"Greetings, Mr. Nocten," he said, facing the kid who was sprawled on the couch.
"Yo," Nocten greeted casually, offering a lazy salute.
"Did you bring the goods?" Ruel asked.
Nick smiled and reached into empty space, pulling out a bag.
"I didn't know you had the system… huh, since you were a driver," Ruel said.
Nick chuckled. "I was able to awaken the system – but that life doesn't suit me."
'It doesn't suit you? I wonder why.'
While Ruel quietly thought, Nick dropped three masks on the table.
The masks were simple plain white masks, lacking any holes or design.
"These masks are ranked Epic and conceal presence, identity, aura, and voice. Each is worth 4,000 En—they're currently on rent, though.""
Nick glanced at Ruel and asked with a chuckle, "Boss, can I add this on your tab?"
'Well, I do sneak out a lot so it'll be helpful.'
Ruel replied, "Yes. I'll buy all three."
"Getting Epic rank items on rent, eh? The people sure trust you," Nocten commented.
"A driver knows a lot," Nick smiled and added, "Alright, we should get going."
He brought out a small orb with three layers. The two inner layers, and halfway into the outermost one, glowed with white liquid.
Ruel and Nocten each retrieved a small orb from their pockets and wore cloaks they had gotten from the system shop, then covered their faces with the white masks.
Nick also wore his mask and used his hood.
The three now wore black hoods with a white mask with dark eye holes, looking like members of a cult.
Nick gave a nod and they all channeled mana into the orb.
A faint hum filled the air as mana channeled into the orbs—subtle, yet brimming with latent force.
A notification then rang in their ears.
[You will be teleported to the dungeon, Castle of Echoing Dust]
[Upon death, you will be respawned in your anchored location.]
In the next moment, Ruel found himself surrounded by old walls with growing moss and grass.
Some parts of the walls had broken down while others were stained with dried blood and some corners having bones of varying beings.
Looking up, he saw that the once-majestic ceiling had crumbled, exposing a starless purple sky.
Ruel looked forward at a tall double black door with designs of two beings trying hard to touch each other despite being held back by various hands.
Standing near the door was a man dressed like a butler and two people wearing full body armor.
In front of the butler was a table holding an item with a flat, oval face attached to a short handle.
"Let's go," Nick said with an unfamiliar voice.
'I wasn't told how to change my voice…' Ruel subtly tried sensing how to activate the enchantment as he followed Nick.
[Oi, Ruel, look at me.] Nocten telepathically said.
Ruel turned and noticed that Nocten's figure was looking taller and buff.
[How did you do that?]
Muriel, in her ball of light incorporeal form that was hard to notice for those without spirit sight, replied:
[Channel small mana into it and imagine what you want to change.]
Ruel did as told and although there wasn't any outward change, his hair, eyes and voice had changed nature.
By the time he was done, they had caught up to Nick and collected a pad from the butler.
Then, the tall double doors opened, revealing a vast ruined hall with half its ceiling collapsed.
Multiple red clothed chairs were lined up and there were already various people donning different disguises seated.
There were four tall pillars in this hall that held lamps that lit up the entire hall.
Holding paddles 57, 58, and 59, Ruel, Nocten and Nick sat in the middle section and awaited the start of the auction.
After about ten minutes, the pillar lights slowly turned off, making everyone get seated.
At the end of the hall was a large podium and on there was a destroyed throne that held a light source for the podium.
A man wearing a red suit and covering his face with nothing but tied cloth walked forward.
With a slow sweep of his gloved hand, the man in red waited for silence before he spoke.
He cleared his throat to attract attention and then said with a voice that sounded throughout the hall:
"All bids are final. All truths are masked. The auction begins now. Let wealth and will guide your hand!"
At that moment, a lady dressed in a red maid attire walked forward holding a transparent case that was covered.
The auctioneer gestured to the lady as she unveiled the case, revealing a feather.
The feather shimmered with shifting hues of gold, crimson, and violet.
"This, my esteemed guests, is the Emberglass Feather – a radiant relic believed to be shed by a phoenix in its final, sacred transformation. It carries the last warmth of a dying flame, and perhaps, the luck of a new beginning."
'So phoenixes exist too?' Ruel mused, intrigued.
The room stirred with intrigue.
"Rare beyond measure. Coveted by fire mages, collectors, and even officials who fear curses in their sleep. And tonight… It starts here with you.
"Biddings open at 5000 En coins!"
As people began raising their paddles and called their prices, Ruel smiled tensely.
'I thought I was crazy rich…'
The auction went on for more than an hour.
While Ruel calmly waited for his desired item to appear, he listened to the lores behind items that were brought to stage with interest.
And watched as Nick danced to the tunes of men losing money.
After hundreds of thousands of coins had entered the pocket of the auctioneers, the Auctioneer declared the final stage of this event.
As another maid walked to the stage with yet another covered case, the Auctioneer said, "Hear ye, hear ye—the most wanted item today!"
A hush fell across the room as the final case was brought forward, its faint glow casting eerie shadows across the ruined walls.
The lady pulled off the cover.
Sitting on the cushion within the case was a thick, crescent-shaped slice with glowing crimson flesh and shimmering silver seeds.
Its dark green rind is laced with golden veins, and a cool mist clings to its surface, pulsing softly with latent energy.
"Ain't that a watermelon?" Ruel heard Nocten blurt out.