The echoes of the final gavel strike still seemed to vibrate against the glass of my private viewing room. Outside, the once-raucous crowd was beginning to filter out of the grand auction hall, their voices a muffled hum of excitement and disbelief. I remained seated, purposely lingering in the plush velvet chair to allow the initial wave of chaos to subside. I wanted to see the auction owner, Berzan Temir, and I suspected he felt the same way about me. I had intended to wait until the building grew quiet, but it seemed my presence was requested sooner than I anticipated.

  “Tok, tok, tok!”

  A sharp, rhythmic rapping at the door broke through my contemplations. I didn't even have to look up; I knew the auction house’s internal machinery was already in motion.

  The staff member who had been attending to me with such impeccable professionalism throughout the evening stood up and opened the door. She exchanged a few hushed words with someone in the hallway, her expression neutral yet attentive. After a brief back-and-forth, she closed the door and turned toward me, offering a polite bow.

  “Sir, the auction owner has requested an audience with you. If you are amenable, I would be honored to guide you to his private office,” she informed me, her voice as smooth as silk.

  “Sure,” I replied, pushing myself up from the comfortable seat. “I was waiting for this anyway.”

  I moved toward the exit, but the attendant was faster. She rushed ahead to hold the door open with a practiced grace that made the motion look effortless. As I stepped into the corridor, she followed close behind, ensuring the door clicked shut with a soft, final sound.

  “Lead the way,” I said. I had navigated much of the city, but the inner workings of this massive auction complex were still a mystery to me.

  “Yes, sir. This way, please,” she said, her footsteps light and efficient on the carpeted floor.

  We navigated a series of winding corridors, passing numerous numbered doors similar to my own. The opulence of the guest areas slowly gave way to a more functional, though no less grand, aesthetic. We descended two full floors, the temperature dropping slightly as we moved deeper into the heart of the building. The noise of the departing crowd, which had been a constant background drone, vanished almost entirely. The silence down here was heavy, suggesting we were now in the basement or perhaps the highly secured storage sectors of the facility.

  Eventually, we reached the end of a long, dimly lit hallway. My guide stopped in front of a heavy, ornate door that looked as though it could withstand a siege.

  “Tak, tak, tak!”

  She knocked with a specific cadence. After a moment, a resonant voice from within called out, “You may enter.”

  “Please wait here for just a moment, sir,” the staff member requested. She slipped inside the room first, leaving the door slightly ajar. I stood in the quiet hallway for about a dozen seconds before she reappeared, gesturing for me to enter. Through the opening, I could see at least two figures seated inside.

  “My apologies for the delay, and thank you for your patience, sir. You may go in now. The auction owner is expecting you,” she said, bowing low. There was a finality to her gesture that suggested our time together was at an end.

  “Okay, thank you,” I told her, stopping for a second before I crossed the threshold. “I am very satisfied with your service today. I will make sure to put in a good word for you with your superiors.”

  She didn't respond with words, but her bow became even deeper, a silent acknowledgement of my praise.

  As I entered the room, the first thing that struck me was the sheer scale of the furniture. A massive, polished wooden table dominated the center of the space. Behind it sat the auction owner, Berzan Temir, ensconced in a wide, luxurious chair that looked more like a throne than office furniture. Opposite him were four equally comfortable-looking chairs arranged in pairs, with a low coffee table positioned between them.

  “Welcome, Mr. Han. Thank you for answering my request so promptly. Please, sit and join us,” Berzan Temir said. He leaned back, his posture radiating the confidence of a man who had just overseen a historic success. He pointed toward a seat directly across from the other person in the room.

  “Hi, Han. I am glad that we managed to secure an even better price for the items than we originally projected,” said Orzhan. He was already settled into one of the chairs, looking both exhausted and elated.

  “Yes,” I agreed as I took my seat. “It was quite shocking, to be honest. I did not expect the bidding to reach such heights. I’ve always been under the impression that items sold at auction generally go for a bit lower than their peak market value due to the nature of the bidding.”

  “You are correct, in a sense,” Berzan Temir interjected, his tone as measured and natural as if he were discussing the weather. “That logic holds true for standard auctions. But Final Lots are a different breed entirely. They receive a level of psychological attention that defies standard economic models. Even if there is a realistic estimated price, an item can be sold for much more if it is perceived as rare or difficult to access. In a high-profile event like tonight's, the bidding is less about profit margins and more about a show of might. The buyers weren't just buying equipment; they were buying prestige.”

  “I understand,” I replied. I felt a fleeting sense of irony. “I’ll admit, I felt a bit bitter when I first heard I had to part with 15% of the income, and even more so when we agreed to 20% to cover the advertisement costs. But seeing the results, I am more than glad to have worked with you. Both the final take-home amount and the visibility provided by the announcement are more than satisfactory. I hope we can find opportunities to collaborate again.”

  I meant it. Even though I was effectively paying them a fortune in commission, the service they provided was worth every gold coin. They had turned a set of steel gears into a legendary event.

  “The feeling is mutual,” Berzan Temir said, a thin smile touching his lips. “We will be taking our agreed cut and preparing the remaining balance for you. Given the scale of the sum, it will take a short while to process the physical transfer of such wealth.”

  “That is perfectly fine,” I said, waving off the concern. “The auction house isn't going to vanish into thin air, after all. And since I am here, I might as well settle my accounts with Orzhan. I prefer not to let debts linger. Here, take this.”

  I didn't want any future complications, so I reached into my inventory and handed over 9 platinum coins to Orzhan—his 5% cut of my final proceeds.

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  “Oh, you didn't have to do that right now, Han,” Orzhan said, though he accepted the coins with a grateful nod. “But thank you regardless. Working with you has always seemed to bring me good fortune. By the way, there is something you should know. Several influential people have already expressed a desire to meet the enchanter behind the set. Most notably, Thrain Coldhammer, the blacksmith whose sword you won earlier, is very interested in an audience.”

  This was exactly what I had hoped for. Our primary goal wasn't just the gold; it was the reputation and the supply chain. We had successfully advertised our services to the highest level of clientele, and now we were creating direct lines to the best suppliers in the region. To enhance equipment, I needed a steady stream of high-quality base items, and a connection with Thrain would be invaluable.

  We spent the next hour coordinating our schedules. We decided to schedule the meeting with the master blacksmith for three days from now. I didn't want to seem too eager, and a man of his stature might refuse a meeting that felt too imminent or rushed. Once we had a solid plan for the upcoming week, I stood up to take my leave.

  As I walked out of the private office and through the basement levels, I noticed that the attendant from before was indeed gone, replaced by a different staff member at the exit. I felt a brief moment of regret; my high wisdom and intelligence stats often allowed me to predict social outcomes with annoying accuracy, and I knew I wouldn't see her again. Still, the entire experience had been a net positive.

  The night air was cold and crisp as I stepped out into the street. The auction had run so long that it was now the middle of the night, the stars bright above the canyon walls of Yargan. I felt the physical weight of exhaustion, but it was tempered by the knowledge of what I had achieved. It had been worth every bit of effort.

  Even after all the commissions and fees, the financial gain was staggering. The equipment set had sold for 225 Hazaroth platinum coins. Berzan’s house took 45 platinum as their 20% cut. That left me with 180 platinum coins. From that, I had just paid Orzhan his 9 platinum.

  In the end, I was left with 171 platinum coins of pure profit from that one sale.

  I had entered the auction house today with 25 platinum coins (not counting my gold and silver). During the event, I spent 20 platinum coins on the azure sword and the initial deposit for skill crystals. Adding my 171 platinum profit back into the mix, my current liquid wealth stands at 176 platinum coins, 150 gold coins, and a few hundred silver coins. To put that in perspective, I could buy nearly three hundred more slaves for Nari's original price.

  I didn't dawdle in the streets. I headed straight for the gateway between the inner and outer city. The security was significantly tighter than it was during the day; the guards looked alert, their hands resting on their weapons. Normally, passage after certain hours was strictly forbidden, but special provisions were made for nights involving major events like the monthly auction. I passed through without incident, my mind already drifting toward the warmth of my home.

  When I arrived at the front door, I moved as quietly as possible. I didn't want to wake the house if everyone was already asleep. However, as I approached my bedroom, I noticed a faint light and heard the muffled sounds of movement. When I pushed the door open, my suspicions were confirmed. Woya and Wyn were both awake, waiting for me.

  “Welcome back, master.”

  They were standing right in front of the door, greeting me the moment I stepped inside.

  “Yeah, I’m home,” I said, sighing as I began to unbutton my heavy jacket. “Why are you two still awake? It’s the middle of the night; you really didn't have to wait up for me.”

  Woya moved instantly to my side, her hands reaching out to help me with the jacket. “How could we just go to sleep, master?” she asked, her voice tinged with emotion. “We can’t rest comfortably while you are out there working so hard for our sake.”

  “... I see,” I replied, simply accepting their devotion. It was hard to argue with that kind of sincerity.

  “Master, have you eaten yet? Should we prepare the table for you?” Wyn asked, her eyes searching mine with the focus of a dutiful maid.

  I thought about it for a second. It had been several hours since I’d had those spicy snacks in the auction room, and while I wasn't ravenously hungry, the thought of a home-cooked meal was tempting. I was ready for bed, but I didn't want to dismiss their efforts.

  “Hmm… what did you make for dinner?” I asked.

  “We prepared a dish of vegetable fillings,” Wyn explained, her expression brightening. “We used pepper flakes and tomatoes, creating a spicy and sour sauce mixed with rice. We stuffed the mixture inside the hollowed-out vegetables and boiled them in a pot until everything was tender. It’s a traditional recipe from our village.”

  “We also made lentil soup,” Woya added eagerly. “You mentioned before that you like garlic in your soups, master, so we crushed several cloves and mixed them in with some fresh mint. Do you want to try it? I really hope you like the taste.”

  I looked at them both. They were so earnest, so clearly hoping for a chance to serve me after my long day. Disappointing them now felt like it would be a greater waste than the food itself.

  “Hmm… I didn't plan on eating this late, but since you've both put so much effort into it… I’ll have a taste. I’d hate for all that hard work to go to waste.”

  I followed them downstairs and sat at the dining table. The girls moved with a renewed fervor, quickly setting a place for me and bringing out the dishes. As they served me, they stood back slightly, watching me with shining, expectant eyes.

  Because they had been waiting for me in my room, they were already dressed in their thin night dresses. The sight of two beautiful, well-endowed girls attending to me in such provocative attire certainly didn't hurt my appetite; if anything, the scenery made the meal taste even better.

  I wasn't hungry enough for a full feast, so I focused on sampling everything. The lentil soup was excellent—the aroma of the garlic and mint was strong and invigorating. The "vegetable filling" was equally impressive; the rice and the peppers had been cooked to the perfect consistency, dissolving easily on the tongue with a satisfying burst of savory and sour notes. It was exactly the kind of comfort food I needed.

  “Thanks for the meal,” I said, finally setting my fork down on the empty plate.

  “Oh, thank you, master! Was it really to your liking?” Woya asked cautiously, her hands clasped together.

  “Yeah, I genuinely liked it. I’ll definitely be asking you to make this again in the future,” I said, offering a sincere compliment.

  “I-is that so? I’m so happy you enjoyed it!” Woya chirped, her face flushing with happiness.

  “You can count on us to prepare it whenever you wish, master,” Wyn added, her voice steady and reliable.

  Once the meal was finished, I headed back up to my room and lay down on the bed. I didn't have to wait long. After a few minutes of clearing my lone set of dirty dishes, the girls came upstairs.

  “Come here,” I said as they entered the room.

  Despite the fact that we had done this many times now, they still carried a faint, charming shyness as they approached. They climbed into the bed from both sides, reaching out to anchor themselves to me. I felt the weight of their heads on my shoulders and the warmth of their bodies against mine. No matter how many times I experienced this, the sense of peace it provided never grew old.

  “Today was an incredibly tiring day,” I whispered, closing my eyes and pulling them both closer. “And we have to be up early tomorrow, as always. Let’s just sleep like this for tonight. No activities, just rest.”

  “Yes, master,” they said in unison. I could hear the smile in their voices as they closed their eyes, shifting until they were perfectly comfortable.

  I had already confirmed that they enjoyed our more adventurous nights, but it was clear that they valued this kind of simple intimacy just as much. Just the act of hugging and falling asleep, feeling the rise and fall of each other’s breath, was enough. In the quiet of the room, surrounded by the scent of home and the warmth of two people who truly cared for me, I felt a sense of belonging that gold could never buy. It felt less like a master and his slaves, and more like a family—or at least, like lovers. All three of us drifted off into a deep, contented sleep.

  [Edited]

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