The teller turned out to be headed their way. He emerged from a door at the far end of the hall, moving fast. His polished shoes clicked sharply against the stone floor. His eyes were locked on Jack.

  The rest of the team clustered around him as the NPC closed in.

  “What’s going on?” Horace asked.

  “I have no idea,” Jack said. “It’s like something in our listing spooked him.”

  “Could it be the epic item we put up?” Rob offered.

  “No. Epic items show up at nearly every auction. It must be something else,” Amari said.

  They didn’t have much time to speculate.

  “Please follow me, sir,” the teller snapped, already turning on his heel.

  “Can my friends come with me?” Jack asked.

  “Of course.”

  Horace punched Jack’s shoulder lightly. “Well done, including us, Jackie.”

  The teller marched toward the other side of the hall: the row of locked doors guarded by intimidating soldiers in dark armor. The team shared a few quick glances, then fell into step behind him.

  They walked in single file. It reminded him of the Breach, how they’d walked single file then, too. Only this time, there were no mines or traps or an incoming boss. Just a crowd of curious strangers and the unknown waiting at the end of the hall.

  All around them, heads turned. Conversations quieted. Players stared, sensing something unusual. The Slayer and his friends were also drawn by the commotion and the Slayer in particular was staring daggers at them.

  They approached a door, flanked by two unmoving guards. The teller reached into his coat and produced a small badge. Instantly, the guards stepped aside.

  Behind them, curious players leaned and jostled to get a look.

  One guard moved. “Stand. Back.” He lifted his halberd and slammed it down hard. The sound cracked like thunder, and a shockwave of force sent the onlookers flying backward in a heap of limbs and protest.

  Jack opened his mouth, wondering whether the guards were seriously going to kill people over curiosity. But the second guard had already closed the doors behind them with a resounding thunk.

  He wouldn’t find out what the outcome might have been. Not that it mattered. There was no time to dwell on it.

  The hall beyond had all his attention.

  Light streamed through high arched windows, casting a warm glow over the hall. Every surface was covered in luxurious tapestry, intricate frescoes, or gold filigree. But what truly captured Jack’s attention were the frescoes.

  They stretched from floor to ceiling, depicting heroic battles, grand coronations, and the prehistoric beasts of New Earth. One panel showed dinosaurs trying to ram a wall while brave soldiers fought them from the battlements. Another depicted a craftsman hammering at a glowing sword, sparks flying like stars. Not even the gilded leaf that framed them, or the massive crystal chandelier above, could draw Jack’s gaze away.

  It was strange how paint could feel more valuable than gold.

  Marie’s eyes widened. “So pretty,” she whispered.

  “Yeah,” Jack said, slowly turning to take it all in.

  “So this is what this place looks like,” Horace said. He had only given the artwork a passing glance and was already watching the other people in the room.

  As Jack’s awe began to fade, he also noticed the room’s occupants. NPCs lounged in velvet armchairs and carved settees. The men wore tailored suits and polished top hats. The women, sweeping gowns.

  “Pssst. Look,” Horace said, tilting his chin.

  Jack followed his gaze.

  Near a marble fireplace sat a woman in a black gown embroidered with silver thread. Diamond earrings sparkled beneath her dark hair, and a matching necklace rested against her collarbone. But it was the crown atop her head that stood out most of all.

  “Royalty,” Amari said under his breath.

  “It’s my first time seeing one in person,” Marie added. “She’s so pretty!”

  “Wait—what? Is that a big deal?” Jack asked, still staring.

  “She’s part of the royal family,” Amari said. “They rule Eternia and the entire Twin Rings. They’re the most powerful NPCs in the game.”

  “Let’s go say hi, then,” Jack said, stepping forward.

  Horace grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back. “Are you trying to get us thrown out? You can’t just walk up to a princess.”

  “How would you know? Didn’t you just say that you’ve never seen or interacted with one?”

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  “I—”

  A quiet cough cut him off.

  “Sir?” the teller said nearby. He stood beside a tall side door, holding it open and motioning for them to follow.

  The door led into a private lounge with velvet chairs. Mahogany and oak furnishings lined the room, carved with grape and pomegranate shapes. The lounge didn’t lose to the main hall in beauty, though it had a more restrained elegance.

  “Please wait here,” the NPC said. “I’ll be right back.”

  With that, he slipped through the door and closed it behind him.

  The team settled in slowly, glancing around the room.

  Horace squatted by a cupboard, running a hand along its trim. “Man... What an amazing piece.”

  Jack eased into one of the chairs facing a painting. It was a simple image of a flame, but something about it drew him in. It flickered in stillness.

  After a few moments, he turned to Amari. “Is this kind of interaction normal?”

  “I’ve never seen this happen before,” Amari said, eyes on the closed door.

  “Did you see how everyone was staring?” Marie added. “This must be super rare. Maybe even unprecedented.”

  “Will there be an issue with us participating in the auction?” Rob asked.

  “I don’t think so,” Amari said. “Being brought to the same room as a princess? That’s not a punishment, that’s a huge honor.”

  Minutes passed.

  Then the door opened again, and the teller stepped back into the lounge with someone new in tow.

  The man was as tall as Horace and nearly as broad. But where Horace's build came from hard-earned muscle, this man's bulk had a softness shaped by banquets rather than battlefields. He wore a finely tailored coat and an old-fashioned white wig that sat neatly atop his head.

  “Greetings, everyone. I am Prometheus, the Auction Master,” he said. His voice was a gentle tenor.

  The team snapped to attention.

  “Greetings, Auction Master,” they said in near unison. Jack, half a beat behind, hurried to echo them.

  “Please, please, do sit,” Prometheus said with a warm gesture.

  Then his eyes found Jack. They narrowed slightly as he stepped closer. “Mr. Craftsman, I’ve just been informed that you’ve brought some very unique merchandise to our Auction House.”

  “Oh? Which ones are you referring to?” he asked.

  Prometheus raised a hand, and seven items floated in the air: a stoneware amphora, a pot hive, an ocarina, a blowing horn, a drinking horn, a music box, a pot bot, and... a brick.

  “These,” Prometheus said, his tone reverent. “We’ve never seen anything like them.”

  Jack resisted the urge to ask if they'd never seen a brick before, when they stood inside a building made of the stuff.

  Prometheus continued, his eyes still on the items. “We occasionally host guests who bring in one exclusive creation. Sometimes two. But seven? And with multiples of each? That is... unprecedented.”

  Jack hesitated. “Is that good or bad?”

  Prometheus smiled. “It’s extraordinary. The more varied the merchandise, the greater the prestige of our auction. And you, sir, have made an extraordinary contribution today.”

  Prometheus studied the items for a moment longer, then added, “These are not just rare. They are something new. It is not often that we encounter true innovation. Remarkable craftsmanship, too.”

  Behind each of those items was a story and hours of labor. Hearing someone show appreciation for the items filled him with pride.

  “I wanted to welcome you to the Auction House personally and say that we’re glad to have you.”

  A soft chime sounded in Jack’s ear.

  Congratulations! You’ve unlocked a new title: [Auction House VIP]

  Auction House VIP (Epic)

  Title description: The Auction House of Eternia only grants this title to extraordinary patrons. To receive one is a great honor and will bring you prestige across the Twin Rings.

  Title effects:

  Free participation in auctions;

  Free trips to Eternia;

  Access to VIP chambers;

  Special treatment by NPCs at the Auction House;

  +5 fame.

  Conditions to unlock [Auction House Golden Member]:

  Make an extraordinary contribution to the Auction House. {complete}

  “We expect you to keep visiting us again, Esteemed Craftsman,” Prometheus said. “Whenever you have something new to sell, please return.”

  Craftsman? Not Mr. Craftsman? Was that the added fame already kicking in?

  Prometheus turned to the teller. “Maurice, please take good care of them and show them to their VIP room.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As soon as Prometheus left through the door, Horace rounded on Jack. “What did you get? What did you get?”

  Jack laughed. “How do you even know I got anything?”

  “Don’t lie to me, Jackie. I’ve known you long enough to recognize that grin you make when you score a sweet reward.”

  “Fine, fine. Here.” He shared the details of the title with the team.

  Their mouths dropped open. Horace pressed his lips into a tight line, his expression unreadable, though the twitch in his brow suggested he was about to turn green.

  “You lucky duck,” Horace muttered. “This title is insane.”

  It wasn’t exactly luck. Every item the NPC had mentioned had triggered the [Innovating Genius] title when he created it. Being the first player to craft so many unique items must have tripped some kind of hidden recognition.

  “Wait, did we just save a thousand gold?” Rob asked.

  “Yes!” Jack said, grinning.

  “Nice!” Rob said.

  “Esteemed Craftsman, the Auction will soon begin. May I show you to your VIP room?” Maurice asked.

  “Please. My friends can come too, right?”

  “Of course, sir.”

  The group followed the teller as he led them upstairs. Beyond the staircase, a wide corridor curved gently around the building’s perimeter. Elegant sconces lit the way, and doors lined one side, each marked with a discreet number.

  Maurice stopped at one of them.

  “This will be your VIP room from now on, sir.”

  “Number 8. Got it.”

  “And here is your number for this auction, sir,” he said, handing over a slender bidding stick topped with a round token engraved with the number 77. “Whenever you wish to bid, just raise it and call your amount.”

  He turned back to the door.

  “Now then…” He opened it with a soft click and stepped aside, sweeping an arm toward the entrance. “Welcome to your VIP room!”

  The VIP room was a private viewing cabin overlooking the auction hall, which stretched wide and circular like an opera house. Below, dozens of rows curved inward toward a central stage. The stage itself was cloaked in darkness, except for a single limelight focused on a solitary podium.

  Private cabins lined the upper tier, spaced evenly around the hall. Strategically placed curtains and clever lighting concealed each one. There were no silhouettes, no reflections, and no sign of movement from within.

  “Nice,” Rob said, “No one can see us.”

  “Right,” Amari said with a nod. “That’s why it felt kind of dark in here.”

  “Well, don’t mind if I do,” Horace said, flopping into one of the wide seats without a shred of elegance.

  The chair let out the faintest sigh as he sank in.

  “Troglodyte,” Marie muttered, settling into her seat with far more grace. She let out a contented sigh. “So comfy. A girl could definitely get used to this. Come sit with me, Rob.”

  “Don’t have to ask twice,” Rob said, dropping into the seat beside her.

  Jack dropped into a seat between Amari and Horace, perfect for commentary from both sides. The cushions nearly swallowed him whole. This was the kind of chair that could knock you out in seconds in the real world.

  He leaned forward slightly, studying the theater. A low murmur was rising as more players entered and filled the rows.

  The auction would begin in ten minutes, and Jack could already feel the tension in the air.