The Invincible Auction House

Chapter 2: The Game Begins

The morning sun filtered through the misty peaks of Veridia, its golden rays casting long shadows over the dense forest that stretched for miles. The mountain range was alive with the sounds of chirping spirit birds and the occasional guttural growl of unseen beasts lurking in the underbrush. Adam stood at the entrance of his auction house, its opulent façade carved into the side of a mountain. From the outside, it looked like a magnificent ancient temple, its jade walls gleaming faintly under the sunlight.

This was his domain, his fortress. And now, it was time to see how far he could extend his influence.

Adam gazed at the forest below. Beyond the trees, he could see faint wisps of smoke curling upward, indicating a settlement. A village. He needed information about this world—its power structures, its factions, and its resources.

He stepped outside, his black boots crunching against the gravel path. The system's glowing text appeared in front of him as if it knew his thoughts.

"Expand my influence, huh?" Adam smirked. "Let's see what this world has to offer."

He began his descent, following a winding path that led him through the thick forest. The air was rich with the scent of damp earth and pine, and the occasional glimmer of spiritual energy flitted past like fireflies. Adam felt a strange sense of calm despite the dangers this world promised.

The path led him deeper into the woods, where shadows thickened, and the calls of spirit beasts grew louder. After a time, the faint rustle of leaves caught his attention. Adam paused, crouching low behind a thick tree trunk. His sharp eyes caught movement in the distance: three figures moving with trained precision along the forest trail.

A moment later, they appeared: three cultivators, each clad in simple yet practical robes. Two men and one woman. The tallest of the trio, a brawny man with a broadsword slung over his back, noticed Adam first.

"Halt!" the man barked, stepping forward. His eyes narrowed as he took in Adam's unfamiliar attire. "Who are you, and what business do you have here?"

Adam raised his hands in a placating gesture, a polite smile on his lips. "Just a traveler passing through," he said smoothly. "I'm looking for the nearest village."

The woman, slender and sharp-eyed, exchanged a glance with the third member of their group, a wiry man with twin daggers strapped to his belt. "You don't look like a cultivator," she said, suspicion coloring her tone.

"Looks can be deceiving," Adam replied cryptically.

The brawny man scowled. "You'd better not be lying. There's been trouble in these parts—bandits and beasts preying on travelers. If you're looking for the village, it's down this path, half a day's walk."

Adam trudged down the forest path, the weight of silence pressing in from all sides. Leaves rustled overhead, their movements unnatural, like whispers passing between unseen watchers.

He paused and scanned the tree line. Shadows twisted just beyond his vision, and the faint sound of claws scraping bark made his pulse quicken. "Beasts," he muttered. Why does it sound like they're hunting me?

A low growl echoed through the trees, vibrating through his bones. Adam tightened his grip on a broken branch. "No system here to keep me safe," he said bitterly. "So, what do I do? Think."

He crouched low, dragging his hand through the dirt, his mind racing. In this world, even prey had to outthink the hunter. He gathered small stones and spread them across the trail like a trap—primitive, but maybe enough to distract whatever stalked him.

The growl came again, closer now, but Adam didn't wait. He bolted down the trail, his breath ragged. Invincible in the house, but dead meat out here. That'll change—soon.

The path eventually widened, leading him to a dark clearing nestled at the forest's edge. Adam stopped to catch his breath, his hands on his knees. From where he stood, he noticed a narrow trail leading toward the mouth of a cave hidden in the mountain's shadow. The cave pulsed faintly—a pale, bluish light illuminating the dark like a heartbeat.

Adam's eyes narrowed, curiosity overtaking caution. That glow… it's unnatural. Spirit energy? Or something else?

He hesitated only a moment before stepping forward, the air growing colder with each step. The entrance yawned open before him, jagged stone framing it like the teeth of some great beast. He gripped the broken branch tightly, the only weapon he had.

Inside the cave, the glow grew stronger, dancing off the walls like liquid light. Puddles of faintly glowing water dotted the stone floor, and the air buzzed with power. Adam stepped carefully, his boots echoing softly. He reached a wide chamber deep within the cave, where the source of the light awaited him.

It was a crystal—large, jagged, and pulsing with soft, blue luminescence. It jutted from the cave floor like an ancient monument, its glow casting long shadows against the walls.

Adam's heart skipped a beat. This could be my ticket. He stepped closer, running his hand over the smooth surface of the crystal. It was cold to the touch, yet he could feel energy coursing within it, like a living thing.

The system flared to life again.

Adam smirked, determination sparking in his gaze. "Alright, let's see what you're worth."

A sudden tremor shook the ground beneath him. Adam stumbled back, his eyes widening as a deep rumble echoed through the cave. The crystal's light flickered, and from the shadows beyond the chamber, a low growl reverberated.

Adam cursed under his breath, spinning toward the source of the noise. A pair of glowing red eyes blinked open, and a massive shape slithered into view—a beast, part serpent, part panther, its scales shimmering darkly in the faint light.

"Oh, great," Adam muttered, tightening his grip on the branch. "Here we go again."

The creature lunged, jaws open wide, but Adam was already moving. He darted toward the crystal, his mind racing. If I can register it now...

The system flared brightly.

Chains of glowing light erupted from the floor, ensnaring the creature mid-attack. The beast roared, thrashing violently, but the system's power held it fast.

Adam straightened, catching his breath as he watched the monster struggle in vain. A slow smile spread across his face. "Looks like I'm not so dead after all."

He glanced back at the crystal, the first treasure in his growing empire, and let out a triumphant laugh that echoed through the cavern.

The game was on, and Adam was ready to play.