CHAPTER 146: CH 146: THE AUCTION HOUSE - PART 2

The psychic’s shop smelled faintly of incense and dried herbs, the kind of sweet, smoky fragrance that clung stubbornly to the air and made Kana’s nose twitch.

Shadows pooled along the walls, and the only light came from a single crystal ball resting on a carved wooden table, glowing faintly as though it held a heartbeat of its own.

Kana glanced at Irielle, who seemed almost giddy, her emerald eyes bright with excitement as she took in the dimly lit room.

Meanwhile, Kana’s unease deepened with every step. Something about this place felt... off.

Then, from the far end of the room, a low, melodic voice broke the silence.

"Step forward. Fate has led you here. Sit down."

The woman said, her tone rich and commanding.

Kana’s gaze shifted toward the psychic seated behind the table, her form cloaked in deep, midnight-blue robes embroidered with intricate symbols.

A veil partially obscured her face, but beneath it, her sharp eyes seemed to glimmer faintly, studying them with quiet intensity.

Before Kana could react, Irielle grabbed her wrist and dragged her forward, her excitement practically radiating from her.

The moment they reached the low cushions in front of the table, Irielle didn’t hesitate to sit down and—without warning—pulled Kana into her lap.

Kana stiffened instantly, her face heating up.

"Irielle! W-what are you—"

But when she tried to wriggle free, Irielle’s arms wrapped snugly around her waist, keeping her in place as if daring her to move.

"Shh. Just sit still. It’ll be more fun this way."

Irielle whispered softly, leaning close enough that Kana could feel her warm breath brush against her ear.

Kana opened her mouth to argue, but no sound came out. It was like her voice had been stolen the moment she caught the psychic’s gaze—sharp, calm, unreadable.

She felt her throat tighten under that silent scrutiny, an inexplicable weight pressing down on her chest.

The psychic, however, didn’t acknowledge her discomfort. Instead, she gestured toward the table with one elegant hand.

"Place your hands on the crystal ball."

Irielle obeyed immediately, setting both hands lightly on the glowing surface, her expression practically sparkling with anticipation.

Kana, however, hesitated, her skepticism bubbling to the surface.

’This feels so fake...’ she thought, narrowing her eyes slightly at the crystal ball.

Back in her world, she’d seen plenty of so-called psychics who preyed on people’s desperation, spinning vague predictions and charging ridiculous amounts of money for it.

It had always seemed like a performance more than anything mystical.

But before Kana could say anything, Irielle gave her a small nudge from behind, her chin resting lightly on Kana’s shoulder as she whispered.

"Come on, Kana. Have some fun. It’s just for the experience, right?"

Kana sighed quietly, reluctant but unable to resist Irielle’s soft voice and playful smile.

"...Fine."

She muttered under her breath before placing her own hands gently on the other side of the crystal ball.

The psychic leaned forward slightly, her fingers curling around the sides of the glowing orb as she peered into it. Her voice, low and smooth, cut through the silence.

"For you first...our path... is clouded. But I can see one thing clearly: soon, you will face a difficult choice. A crossroads where you must give up something precious—perhaps something you love deeply—in order to move forward and begin anew."

She said, looking at Irielle.

Irielle’s brows furrowed slightly.

"That’s it?"

She asked flatly.

The psychic nodded, unbothered by her tone.

"That is all I can tell you. You are... guarded. Your heart is locked behind walls, and I cannot see further into your thread of fate."

Irielle huffed, leaning back slightly and crossing her arms around Kana’s waist in a loose but stubborn hold.

"Tch. That’s a boring reading."

Her voice dripped with mock disappointment, but Kana caught the small, satisfied curve of her lips when she thought no one was watching.

’She’s pretending to be upset, but... why does she look so smug?

Kana realized silently.

Before she could dwell on it, the psychic’s gaze shifted toward her. The woman’s posture straightened slightly, her expression sharpening as though preparing herself.

"Your turn."

Kana swallowed, placing her palms fully on the cool surface of the crystal ball. The psychic cupped it in both hands, her sharp eyes fixed intently on the swirling lights within.

For a moment, silence filled the room. Then another. And another.

The psychic’s brows gradually knit together, her lips pressing into a thin line.

The faint glow from the crystal flickered strangely, dimming once, twice, then fading almost entirely before returning just as suddenly.

Kana shifted uncomfortably.

"...Is something wrong?"

The psychic didn’t answer. She leaned closer, her fingertips brushing the surface as if willing the vision to appear, her gaze narrowing with quiet frustration.

Finally, after several tense seconds, she released the orb and sat back, her expression unreadable.

"...I cannot see anything."

Kana blinked, startled.

"You... can’t?"

The psychic shook her head slowly.

"There are only two possibilities when the threads of fate are this obscured. Either..."

Her sharp gaze locked onto Kana’s.

"...you are on the brink of death. Or..."

She paused, her voice lowering to a near whisper.

"...your future has been stolen."

Kana’s stomach dropped.

"...Stolen? What does that even mean?"

But instead of answering, the psychic leaned back and shook her head, her expression closing off entirely.

"I cannot help you. Leave. Both of you. There is no payment needed."

She said firmly, her tone clipped and final.

Kana stared at her, stunned and frustrated, her lips parting as more questions flooded her mind.

"Wait, I—"

Before she could press further, Irielle’s hand came up to rest gently on her shoulder. Kana turned her head, confused, but the subtle shake of Irielle’s head silenced her.

"Let’s go."

Irielle said softly, her voice calm but carrying an unusual weight.

Kana hesitated, glancing between Irielle and the psychic, but something in Irielle’s gaze told her not to argue. Reluctantly, she stood and let Irielle guide her out of the shop.

The moment the door shut behind them, Kana glanced back—just in time to see the psychic rise swiftly to her feet, cross the room, and lock the door tightly from the inside.

Kana shivered, unease crawling down her spine. Whatever had just happened... it wasn’t just some harmless fortune-telling.

And she couldn’t shake the feeling that the psychic had seen something she wasn’t willing to say.