Finishing the last bite of his meal, Aryan's gaze remained fixed on the large holographic screen across the street. Rahul Mehra's face was plastered all over the news, boasting about his 'Golden Lion' guild. The sight of that arrogant face brought back bitter memories of the days when he was just a 'porter'—a nameless shadow that anyone could kick around. He recalled how Rahul's guild members had once shoved him outside a dungeon just for looking at their expensive car. Back then, Aryan had tears in his eyes, but today, there was only the cold depth of the Void.
Aryan took a deep breath and shoved his phone into his pocket. The ₹3.9 Lakh balance in his account was his newfound weapon. He knew that true power didn't lie just in money; it lay in the magical artifacts that money could buy. He stood up and navigated through the busy streets of Jaipur, heading toward the upscale 'Hotel Grand Villa.' As he drew closer, a strange vibration began to hum in his chest. It wasn't nervousness; it was his Void reacting to a powerful resonance nearby.
"There's something inside... that belongs to me," he muttered. A hungry beast was awakening within his Void Class.
At the VIP gate, two burly bodyguards stopped him. "Hold it, kid. Entry here is for invited hunters only," one scoffed. As Aryan flashed his F-Rank license, contempt flickered across the guards' faces. But when the card successfully scanned, a green light flashed, and the heavy gates swung open. The guards were stunned, wondering how an F-Rank kid could enter such a place, but they had to let him pass.
Aryan entered. The hall's ceiling was high, and the air was thick with the scent of fresh Mana. Wealthy hunters swirled their expensive wine. He pulled his hoodie lower and took a solitary seat in the very last row, observing the elites in front.
The auction began. The first item was a 'Frostbite Dagger' (D-Rank). Rahul Mehra immediately bid 40,000 and secured it. Then came a 'Guardian Shield,' which Rahul claimed for 60,000. Next was a 'Mana Recovery Ring,' which Rahul snatched for 1.2 Lakh after a brief bidding war. He was bleeding money like water, showing off his guild's status. Aryan watched him, his thoughts cold: 'Wasting money on trash just for show. He doesn't even know what true treasure is.'
The second round was beginning when Kabir (The Tech Fighter) noticed him. Kabir's HUD glasses were flashing red alerts: [WARNING: UNKNOWN ENTITY DETECTED. THREAT LEVEL: UNSTABLE]. To everyone's astonishment, Kabir stood up and walked all the way back to Aryan. Sneha was completely shocked. She knew Kabir never initiated conversations. She followed him, intrigued.
When Rahul Mehra saw the two most elite hunters of their batch approaching a 'common' boy, he lost his mind. Seeing Sneha standing so close to Aryan made him boil with jealousy. 'What is this insect doing here? And why is Sneha near him?' Rahul clenched his fists.
Kabir leaned toward Aryan. "Listen. Since you're here, you must be looking for something specific. If you're short on cash, I'll get it for you. Consider it an 'investment' in someone I find fascinating." Sneha looked at Aryan's humble attire, even more astonished by Kabir's offer.
Rahul Mehra turned back, annoyed. "Kabir! You're going to help this raggedy hunter? Trying to disgrace the Golden Lion?"
Aryan replied calmly, "Thanks, Kabir, but I know how to carry my own weight."
Kabir chuckled. "Fair enough... but tell me, what exactly did you come here to buy? Which of these items are you after?"
At that exact moment, an old, broken black stone was brought onto the stage—the 'Shattered Eye of the Abyss.' As it appeared, the hall's temperature dropped. Aryan's eyes began to glow violet. He felt the stone calling out to him. He pointed directly at it and said:
"That one... the one that just appeared before me."
The auctioneer announced, "Starting bid: 1.5 Lakh!"
Sneha immediately raised her hand, "1.6 Lakh!" She sensed a powerful but terrifying energy.
But Kabir quickly pulled her hand down. "Are you crazy? This isn't for you. My system says this stone is linked to 'Void' powers. It could destroy your 'Holy Light'."
Kabir looked at Aryan, whose eyes held a strange hunger. "Kabir, that stone has already chosen its master. Leave it for him."
Then Rahul Mehra shouted, "1.7 Lakh!" He didn't want the stone; he just wanted to humiliate Aryan. 'I won't even let him have this trash. I need to remind him of his place,' Rahul thought.
Aryan took a deep breath, keeping his Void energy under control. He calmly stated, "2.1 Lakh."
Rahul Mehra jumped up. "2.1 Lakh? Do you even know who you are bidding against? I am Rahul Mehra! Your entire guild isn't worth the price of my shoes!"
Aryan looked him dead in the eye. "Bids are made with money here, not guild names. If your pockets are empty, sit down and watch the adults play."
A stunned silence fell. Rahul checked his funds—he had already spent over 2.5 Lakh and had only 1.9 Lakh left. He flushed red with humiliation and slumped back into his seat.
The victory belonged to Aryan. Rahul's hatred reached a breaking point. 'You humiliated me... just let this auction end, I won't let you leave alive,' he thought, gritting his teeth.