The Invincible Auction House

Chapter 6: Seeds of Influence

The dawn painted the sky in hues of gold and crimson, the light casting long shadows across the dense forests and winding trails leading to Greyridge. The village lay quiet, save for the distant hammering of the blacksmith and the soft chatter of early risers in the square. To most, it was another ordinary morning—but to Adam, it was an opportunity.

Adam stood at the entrance of the auction house, the mountain wind tugging at his dark coat as he gazed across the horizon. Below, the faint trails of smoke rising from villages reminded him of how fragile these settlements were—a perfect environment for someone like him to take root. Behind him, the auction house's jade walls glimmered faintly in the light.

The bandits who had sworn loyalty to him were already at work. Some scouted the surrounding regions, slipping through woods and narrow trails like shadows, while others maintained the grounds of the auction house, transforming it from a lair into something resembling a sanctuary of power. Adam observed their progress with faint satisfaction, though he doubted their loyalty ran deeper than fear—for now.

The system flared to life before his eyes.

Adam's lips curled upward. "Slow, but steady."

He turned back toward the glowing orb pedestal at the heart of the auction house. The recent auction of Gorath, the former bandit leader, had brought in profit and sent ripples far beyond Greyridge. Now, whispers of a strange and powerful auction house—and its enigmatic master—were spreading.

Adam chuckled to himself, his voice echoing faintly in the grand hall. "Let's see how the world reacts to this."

The village square bustled with activity. Farmers traded goods, children ran about with wild laughter, and merchants shouted their wares. But beneath the lively chatter, an undercurrent of unease lingered. The villagers spoke in hushed tones of the auction house, its strange power, and the man who had seemingly tamed bandits.

Joran, the militia captain, stood near the well, arms crossed as he listened to the murmurs.

"They say the spirit beast is gone because of him," a farmer said, leaning close to his companion. "If he's that powerful, what else can he do?"

"Power like that doesn't come without cost," muttered another. "Mark my words—we'll pay for it sooner or later."

Sienna approached Joran, her aged but sharp gaze scanning the villagers. "You're troubled, Captain," she said softly.

Joran sighed, his expression darkening. "It's him—Adam. I don't like what's happening here. The bandits are gone, but now we've got something worse. A man with that kind of power doesn't just stop at saving villages."

Sienna tilted her head thoughtfully. "Perhaps not. But would you rather he had let the beast roam free? He gave us peace—for now."

Joran clenched his jaw. "Peace doesn't last. We'll keep an eye on him. If he becomes a threat, we'll deal with it."

Inside the auction house, Adam addressed his new subordinates. Eight former bandits stood before him, their shoulders stiff and postures uneasy. Their transformation from criminals to servants was far from complete, but Adam didn't need their loyalty—only their usefulness.

"You chose to serve me," Adam began, his voice cold and even. "And you'll soon see that loyalty to me comes with its rewards—wealth, power, protection. But betray me, and you'll share the same fate as Gorath."

The memory of their former leader's auction still hung fresh in their minds. The men nodded quickly, fear glimmering in their eyes.

Adam's tone softened slightly. "For now, you'll prove yourselves. I have tasks for each of you—simple ones. I need information. Villages, cities, cultivation sects—anything of interest within the region. Knowledge is power, and we're going to collect it."

Ren, a wiry man with sharp eyes, cleared his throat. "What about the villages we... hit before? If they see us, they'll tear us apart."

Adam raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp as a blade. "You're under my protection now. If anyone challenges you, remind them whose banner you serve. But don't provoke them unnecessarily. This is about observation, not conflict. Understood?"

Ren swallowed and nodded quickly, as did the others. Adam turned toward a table scattered with maps, unfurling a larger parchment that marked nearby settlements and trade routes.

"Rydale City," Adam murmured, tapping the southern edge of the map. "A hub of commerce and cultivation activity. That's where we'll expand next."

The system chimed softly.

Adam straightened, his voice calm but commanding. "Your mission is simple. Go to Rydale and learn its weaknesses—its factions, power players, and their ambitions. Every city has cracks, and cracks can be widened. Watch, listen, and find me opportunities."

The bandits nodded, though some exchanged uneasy glances. Adam's confidence, sharp as steel, made it hard to argue.

"We're not just running an auction house," Adam continued, his tone turning low and dangerous. "We're building control."

As the sun set, the forest surrounding the auction house grew quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Adam stood once more at the edge of the cliff, his hands behind his back as he gazed at the vast horizon. In the distance, lights twinkled faintly—villages and cities, unaware of what was coming.

"This is only the beginning," he muttered, the wind carrying his words into the twilight. "They'll come to me—willingly or not. And when they do, they'll realize just how much they need me."

The glow of the system flared faintly behind him, a silent promise of the power yet to come.

Adam turned back toward the auction house, his steps slow and deliberate. The game had begun, and every move he made would bring him closer to mastering Veridia.