"We have secured our position so you guys are set to go"
"Copy that"
The entrance to the auction house was an imposing sight, a seamless blend of ancient architecture and advanced technology. Lady Naga, Ino, Hanabi, and Suguru moved with purpose, their confident strides disguising the tension beneath their calm exteriors. They received the signal from Shikaku and Kyoto, confirming that their positions were secure. Without a word, Lady Naga led the group toward the glowing doors of the building.
"Woah..."
As they entered, their breath was momentarily taken away by the grandeur within. The lobby was a marvel of sophistication, with holographic displays lining the walls, showcasing past auctions and their prized items. The floor shimmered like liquid glass, and floating drones carried trays of refreshments, weaving elegantly through the crowd of attendees dressed in opulent attire.
"This place is… insane," Suguru muttered under his breath, his eyes darting around to take in every detail.
"Stay focused," Lady Naga reminded him, though even she couldn't completely mask her awe at the spectacle.
They approached the security checkpoint, where guards clad in sleek, armored uniforms stood beside an advanced identification scanner. Lady Naga handed over a set of forged credentials, the biometric data carefully crafted by Shikaku's informant.
The guard examined the credentials with a practiced eye before running them through the scanner. A brief hum and a flash of green light later, the guard nodded curtly. "You're clear. Welcome to the Nagoya Auction House."
They were quickly approached by an usher, a humanoid AI with an unsettlingly lifelike appearance. "Please follow me," it said in a melodic tone, gesturing toward a grand staircase that spiraled upward.
The group followed the AI through corridors that exuded wealth and power. The walls were embedded with intricate patterns of glowing circuitry, and the faint hum of energy filled the air. Eventually, they arrived at a private booth with a translucent, soundproof barrier that offered a perfect view of the stage below.
"Here you are," the AI announced, stepping aside to let them enter. "Your booth is equipped with a real-time auction display. Please make yourselves comfortable."
As they settled into the luxurious seating, a hovering screen activated in the center of the booth, displaying a catalog of items set to be auctioned. Lady Naga quickly scanned through the list until her gaze landed on a specific entry.
"There it is," she murmured, pointing at the screen. The others leaned in to see.
«Konran - The Twin Blades of Chaos
A prototype bio-weapon forged with cutting-edge technology and an unknown core material. Designed for precision and devastation, these dual blades synchronize with the user's bio-energy, amplifying their combat capabilities exponentially. Starting bid: 100,000 gold ingots.»
"That's the main item of the night," Lady Naga confirmed. "We need to secure it no matter what."
Hanabi leaned back, her expression thoughtful. "I can see why it's the centerpiece. Those blades look… alive."
"They might as well be," Ino added, her eyes narrowing. "Anything with an 'unknown core material' is bound to be volatile."
Suguru crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the display. "So, what's the plan if someone outbids us?"
Lady Naga's lips curled into a faint smile. "Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."
The lights in the auction house dimmed slightly as an announcement echoed through the chamber, signaling the start of the auction. The atmosphere in the booth grew tense, each of them silently preparing for what was to come. Below, the stage glowed with vibrant energy, ready to showcase the first item of the evening.
In the distance, the shimmering image of Konran remained on the screen, a reminder of their goal—and the stakes if they failed.
The auction hall buzzed with anticipation as the lights dimmed further, and the stage came alive with a dazzling display of holographic effects. A humanoid AI, its form sleek and radiant with shifting metallic patterns, floated gracefully to the center. Its synthetic voice resonated with a commanding presence as it addressed the audience.
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed bidders, welcome to tonight's grand auction at the Nagoya Auction House. I am ARIS, your Master of Ceremonies and auctioneer for the evening." The AI's glowing eyes scanned the room. "We thank you for gracing us with your presence. Let the bidding begin!!"
The auction started with minor items—ornamental relics, ancient artifacts, and lower-tier bio-weapons. Lady Naga and her group remained stoic and uninterested, exchanging only brief glances as bids escalated in nearby booths.
"Isn't there a fast-forward button for this?" Suguru whispered, leaning back in his chair.
"Patience," Lady Naga replied sharply, her eyes glued to the screen. "Konran is worth the wait."
The auction dragged on, item after item being displayed, discussed, and fiercely contested. Gold ingots exchanged hands in staggering amounts, but nothing fazed Lady Naga—until the moment finally arrived. The holographic display shimmered, and the Twin Blades of Chaos appeared, floating ominously above the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen," ARIS announced, its tone brimming with excitement, "our centerpiece for the evening: Konran, The Twin Blades of Chaos. Starting bid: 100,000 gold ingots."
The room erupted with bids almost instantly. Voices echoed from different booths as the price climbed with breathtaking speed: 150,000, 200,000, 250,000.
Lady Naga leaned forward, her determination palpable. "We're in. 300,000 gold ingots," she declared.
"Bid acknowledged," ARIS replied. The blades' hologram shimmered, highlighting her booth as the leading bidder.
The bidding frenzy continued, yet Lady Naga remained resolute. "350,000."
"370,000," came another voice.
"400,000!" Lady Naga called, pushing their funds to the limit.
For a moment, the room fell silent. The screen displayed her booth as the highest bidder. Ino, Suguru, and Hanabi exchanged hopeful glances, daring to believe they'd won.
But then, a voice came through the comms, dripping with arrogance. "500,000 gold ingots."
The room gasped. Lady Naga froze, her confidence shattered. "That's impossible," she murmured. "Who could...?"
The bidder's booth lit up, revealing a shadowy figure lounging casually. He smirked, his eyes glinting with condescension. "Better luck next time," he sneered, as ARIS declared him the winner.
Lady Naga clenched her fists, her mind racing. "We don't have that kind of money…" she whispered.
The figure descended to the stage, collecting Konran with an air of triumph. "A pity you couldn't afford greatness," he mocked, strapping the blades to his back.
But before the tension could escalate further, the unthinkable happened.
BOOM!
The entire auction house shook violently as a deafening explosion ripped through the lower levels. Fire and debris surged upward, throwing everyone into chaos. Booths shattered, alarms blared, and smoke filled the room.
"What the hell?!" Suguru shouted, bracing himself against the blast.
"Everyone stay down!" Lady Naga barked, shielding Hanabi as the floor beneath them trembled.
The once-glamorous auction house descended into pandemonium, leaving its occupants stunned and bewildered. The figure with Konran staggered on the stage, his arrogant grin replaced with a look of shock.
Through the chaos, ARIS's voice faltered but remained eerily composed. "Security breach detected. Initiating lockdown."
"Lockdown?!" Ino snapped. "This is a deathtrap!"
Lady Naga's mind raced. The auction had turned into a battlefield, and the blades they had come for were now in the hands of an unknown enemy amid the chaos. Their mission had just become infinitely more complicated.