CHAPTER 117: AN UPRISING EMERGENCY-1

Soon enough, the door opened and the rest of the group walked in together. Zephyriah, who had been sitting in Caelyn’s hands, jumped off and flew straight toward Azhriel.

She landed lightly on his shoulder, her small wings fluttering once before folding.

"Hey there, little one. Did you have your fill?" Azhriel asked, brushing a few strands of her soft silver hair.

"Yes! It was really tasty!" Zephyriah said with a bright smile.

"Good." He smiled faintly.

"Yo, dude." Kevin greeted first, his tone casual.

"Hey," Azhriel replied, raising his hand slightly as everyone entered the lounge.

"So, mind telling us how our mysterious Mr. Azhriel managed to get himself a VIP lounge?" Chloe asked, her eyes narrowing playfully.

"Let’s just say I have good connections. That explanation should be enough, right?" Azhriel said, a small, teasing smile crossing his face.

"No, that’s not enough at all!" Kevin protested immediately.

Azhriel said nothing, the same faint smile still resting on his lips.

"Drop it, Chloe," Samuel said with a sigh. "You know how he is. Once he decides not to tell us something, he won’t budge."

"Yes, Samuel is right," Raymond added, stepping closer and patting Azhriel’s shoulder. "Though I hope someday you’ll share your burdens and secrets freely—with no worries holding you back."

Azhriel almost rolled his eyes. He could practically see the protagonist’s golden halo glowing behind Raymond’s head.

"Ugh, so cheesy," Sydelle muttered, making a face.

"I know, right? That guy can say the most cringe stuff with a completely straight face," Kevin said.

"Hey! I say those things to encourage you all!" Raymond said defensively.

"Who said we needed it, dumbass?" Alicia shot back.

"That language is rude," Raymond countered sternly.

"Ugh, there he goes again with his polite talk," Alicia muttered, rolling her eyes.

Vrrr—Vrrr—

Azhriel’s wristband vibrated softly. He glanced down, a faint glow spreading across the translucent blue screen. A message from Phantom had appeared.

(Boss, I’ve found the target’s location. They’re in Lounge 9.)

(Good work, Phantom. You can take it easy for now. I’ll handle everything from here.)

(Thanks, boss.)

"So, do you know why they were here?" Caelyn’s voice came from beside him, softer than usual. She was standing a little closer than she normally would.

Azhriel nearly flinched. He turned his head quickly—almost reacting on instinct—as he closed the screen.

"Whoa, you scared the hell out of me," he said, exhaling lightly. Then he added, "Yeah, I know a bit. But before that—how much do those guys know?" He gestured slightly toward the rest of the group.

"Not much," Caelyn replied, glancing at the others. "They just know the guards are searching for a lost boy. That’s all."

"That’s reasonable, I guess. The elves have been keeping things secret anyway," Azhriel murmured, his eyes scanning the main cast one by one before turning back to Caelyn.

Then, his tone lowered slightly. "It’s the prince—the third prince, to be exact. He was kidnapped along with his royal guard. That’s what’s going on."

"For real?" Caelyn asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Yep," he said simply.

While the two spoke quietly, the rest of the group subtly watched them from across the room. No one said it aloud, but the glances being exchanged said enough.

Even though it was faint, they could sense it—the distance between Azhriel and Caelyn had lessened.

Azhriel, usually detached and cold, was showing a small trace of warmth.

Elizabeth’s milky blue eyes narrowed slightly, her expression unreadable. She said nothing, only watching in silence.

Meanwhile, Nyverra smiled faintly, resting her chin on her hand.

For her, it was a small but pleasant sight—seeing her lazy, unbothered friend beginning to open up, even if just a little.

******

Blink. Blink.

The lights flared brightly as the stage curtains slowly opened, revealing a grand scene beneath the bright glow of mana lamps.

The long-awaited auction had finally begun—and just as its name promised, it was truly grand.

Below the stage, rows of nobles, merchants, and guild representatives—more than two hundred in total—sat eagerly in their seats, their gazes fixed on the platform ahead.

The air was filled with quiet chatter, the soft clinking of glasses, and the faint hum of anticipation.

Above them, fifteen lavish VIP lounges encircled the hall, reserved for the most influential guests.

From there, the city’s elite watched with calm eyes and subtle smiles, each already calculating their bids before the first item had even appeared.

A bright spotlight fell on the center of the stage as the auction host stepped forward, dressed in a fine black suit embroidered with red patterns.

"Good evening, noble ladies and gentlemen," the host began, his voice smooth and practiced.

"On behalf of the Grand Auction House, I welcome you all to one of the most luxurious and prestigious events of the year!"

The audience responded with polite applause.

"It’s finally starting, it seems," Caelyn said softly, sitting beside Azhriel inside their private lounge. Her cherry eyes gleaming faintly under the golden light.

Azhriel leaned back slightly in his chair, one leg crossed over the other, his expression calm as his gaze followed the stage below.

"So," Caelyn continued, turning toward him, "what are you planning to buy? Don’t tell me you’re also here for that item?"

"Which item are you talking about?" Azhriel asked, though he already had a few guesses. There were several valuable artifacts being sold tonight—each one more tempting than the last.

"Hmm," Caelyn hummed, twirling a strand of her silver hair. "Of course, I mean The Map of the Fog Ruins."

"Ah, that one," Azhriel replied, his tone casual. "No, I’m not here for it."

’What’s the use of a map,’ he thought, a faint smirk touching his lips, ’when I already remember every path inside that place?’

The Fog Ruins were one of the mysterious areas known throughout the continent—a labyrinth of shifting mist, strange monsters, and lost treasures.

It held many secrets, and several future things in the game revolved around it. But for now, it was far too early.

His eyes shifted subtly toward one of the nearby seats of his VIP lounge.

Sitting there, calm and radiant as ever, was Arianne. In the original story, she had been the one who successfully won the bid for the map.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the host’s voice rang out again, drawing everyone’s attention back to the stage, "let us begin this year’s grand auction! And now, allow me to present our very first item!"

A hush fell over the hall. Two attendants brought forth a small glass container covered by a dark velvet cloth.

With a smooth motion, the host lifted it away—revealing a glowing purple-blue stone inside.

A wave of mana rippled through the air the moment it was uncovered. Even through the protective glass, everyone could feel its dense, raw energy.

"It’s a mid-grade Atherium!" the host declared proudly.

A soft murmur spread through the crowd.

"Whoa..." someone whispered.

"Damn, they’re starting strong this year."

"It’s not called the Grand Auction for nothing, huh?" another said with a grin.

Even though a single mid-grade Atherium wasn’t enough to impress the heirs of ducal families sitting above, it was still an excellent way to start the event.

"The starting bid for this Atherium is thirty gold coins!" the host announced, his hand raised theatrically.

"Thirty golds!"

Almost instantly, the voice of a merchant echoed through the auction hall.

Then another followed—"Thirty-five!"—and another, "Forty!" The bidding picked up quickly, one shout after another overlapping in rising tension.

Within seconds, the air was alive with excitement.

"Fifty!"

"Sixty!"

"Seventy-five!"

"Eighty!"

The numbers climbed steadily, the host’s eyes sparkling as he gestured gracefully toward the crowd.

"Ah, wonderful enthusiasm from our dear guests! The energy tonight is truly remarkable!" he praised, clearly enjoying the momentum.

In the VIP lounges, the higher-ranked nobles and academy prodigies merely watched in quiet amusement.

None of the main cast also made a move.

****

[Seperate Notes.]

How currency works-

The actual currency that works anywhere in the World, i mean on the others six continents is Vanz. Which you can think as of like dollars on Earth.

The reason why only the central continent used, gold and silver coins because as the name tells the central continent also host the largest banks in the world.

And the bank allows all kinds of physical and materialistic value. So only in the central continent Gold and Platinum coins can be used legally without any problems.

If you any more questions just comment and ask.