CLEAVER OF SIN

"Now, as usual, you all know the rules," the Orchid Auction House manager began, his voice calm but laced with authority. "Do not bid on anything you cannot pay for immediately, here and now. We neither can nor will wait for anyone to run home to gather more funds. I assume you all came with enough gold coins to meet your ambitions. There are to be no fights within the Orchid Auction House, any disputes must be settled once you've stepped beyond this property's walls… otherwise, things might get rather messy."

His tone shifted as the last word slipped from his lips, the cold edge of killing intent wrapping around it like a blade. It wasn't an empty threat.

No one spoke, no one moved. The silence wasn't born from fear, but rather familiarity; these rules were already known by everyone present. They were the kind of laws no one dared test.

As the owner of an auction house operating within a Ducal territory, the Orchid Auction House manager's strength was not something to be underestimated.

Without power, such a man could not possibly protect the volume of wealth, resources, and rare treasures that passed through this establishment. The wealth here was enough to tempt even the boldest of criminals, and yet, none dared cross him.

After all, platinum coins did not guard themselves.

"Let's start the bidding, shall we?" The manager's voice shifted, the steel in his tone melting back into cheerfulness. A smile curved his lips, and with that single change, the atmosphere loosened.

All around, people straightened in their seats, adjusting their posture as they readied the shimmering orbs in their hands. The first bidding war of the day was moments away.

"For our first item, we have the Ironroot Herb." A poised young woman stepped gracefully onto the elevated platform, carrying a polished tray. Upon it lay a sturdy, dark-green herb whose roots twisted and coiled like strands of iron wire.

"The Ironroot Herb," the auctioneer explained, "is a common but valuable ingredient used in the refinement of low-grade strengthening tonics. When consumed, these tonics enhance bone density and muscle firmness for Life Rankers below the Blazestar Life Rank. The starting price is thirty gold coins."

The bidding began instantly.

"Thirty-two gold coins."

"Thirty-five gold coins."

"Thirty-seven gold coins."

"Fifty gold coins."

The momentum stalled at fifty. Seeing no further offers, the auctioneer swiftly concluded, "Sold, for fifty gold coins!"

The woman carrying the tray stepped back, giving a polite bow. The buyer didn't so much as glance at her, their focus already elsewhere.

"For the second item of the day, a Windfeather Sparrow Egg. I hardly need to explain its uses to those who value discretion. For the… discreet among you, you understand this bird's value. After all, in this world, information is worth more than gold."

The starting bid was set at thirty gold coins.

"Forty gold coins."

"Forty-three gold coins."

"Sixty gold coins."

"Sixty-five gold coins."

The price doubled in the blink of an eye, bidders trading numbers like blows in a duel.

From his private bidding room, Asher watched silently, making no move to participate. The truth was, he was disappointed. He had entertained the idea that legendary weapons or priceless artifacts might make an appearance, with platinum coins flying recklessly as people fought over them.

But this… this was an auction clearly aimed at lower-tier nobles, ambitious commoners, and knights with deep enough pockets.

Still, he understood. Legendary treasures were not cabbage to be plucked from a market stall. Even if such an item somehow appeared, it would never be placed in the Orchid Auction House's listings.

And even if it was, none of the nobles present would dare compete, such treasures were reserved for Emperors, Dukes, and Marquises.

This was, simply put, an auction for the lower rungs of nobility.

Life-changing materials did not appear every day.

Asher sighed inwardly. 'So, no face-slapping moment today, huh?'

Still, he kept watching. The pace quickened as items came and went. A handful of sales even climbed into the realm of platinum coins.

"Now, for the second-to-last item of the day," the auctioneer announced, his voice carrying a subtle undercurrent of excitement. "We have the Spirit Wolf Fang Pendant."

From behind him, the same young woman stepped forward once more, this time carrying a mannequin draped with a striking red pendant.

"This pendant," the auctioneer began, "grants the wearer enhanced night vision and heightened alertness for short durations when infused with Astra. More importantly, it passively creates an instant barrier in moments of danger, capable of blocking attacks up to the Swiftstar Life Rank."

A few subtle glances were cast toward Asher's private booth by the the auctioneer. He hadn't bid on a single item yet, and the manager, despite Asher's earlier claim of being here only to sightsee, couldn't shake the feeling that this noble had other intentions.

"The starting price is three thousand gold coins," the auctioneer declared.

"Five thousand gold coins," a mechanical voice intoned from one private bidding room.

"Seven thousand gold coins," another voice echoed from elsewhere.

"Ten thousand gold coins," came a third.

A collective hiss of breath rippled through those seated below. Such sums were beyond them. What the giants above were fighting for was clear, the pendant's life-saving barrier. That ability alone was worth more than gold; it was the kind of protection that could turn certain death into survival.

Plans began to take root in darker minds. Some were already scheming to rob the winner after the auction. Others decided to keep their distance entirely, the kind of distance that ensured they wouldn't become collateral damage in the aftermath.

In the end, the pendant sold for fifteen thousand gold coins.

"And now," the auctioneer's voice deepened slightly, "the final item of the day."

Every head turned forward. The last item in any auction was the highlight, the crown jewel. Anticipation thickened in the air.

The young woman reappeared once more, tray in hand. Upon it sat… a rock. A small, black, dirt-encrusted rock.

"This," the auctioneer began solemnly, "was harvested from the place where the history of our current world began, where the Star fell from the heavens. Some call it the Cursed Land. Others, the Blessed Land. Though we do not yet know its nature, we do know it is… special. Bidding will begin with the first offer made."

His words were met with silence, and more than a few skeptical stares.

The so-called Starfall site had been visited countless times since ancient days. People returned with rocks, metals, or crystals, claiming they were fragments of the heavens. It was a well-worn scam. There had never been proof of anything extraordinary there. If something truly valuable had existed, it would have been taken millennials ago.

For the auctioneer to admit that he didn't even know what it was or what it was worth? That alone killed the room's excitement.

It was a balloon punctured in an instant, expectations collapsing into dull apathy.

Even if he hadn't admitted it, no one would still take him seriously or bid their hard earned gold coins on a rock.

And then, breaking the silence, a mechanical voice drifted from one of the private bidding rooms.

"One copper coin."