[APARTMENT 4B - 2:34 AM]

  Alex couldn't sleep.

  It wasn't anything new—insomnia had become his constant companion right alongside Grim. But tonight was different. Something tingled at the back of his mind, a persistent feeling that he was missing something important.

  He sat up on his mattress, checking his phone for the umpteenth time. The guild forums were still active with discussions about "The Ghost Hunter." His name—his real name—was being mentioned with increasing frequency.

  User: TruthSeeker88

  "OK, I did some research. Alex Carter was expelled from Celestial Academy about a month ago. Rank F, skeleton companion. But now he's level 18 and surviving boss encounters? The math doesn't add up."

  User: TheoryGuy

  "Maybe the academy's scanning system was wrong. Or maybe his companion evolved somehow. Unexpected evolutions happen, right?"

  User: SkepticalSally

  "Not at this rate. Something else is going on. Has anyone confirmed what kind of skeleton it actually IS?"

  Alex closed his phone with a sigh. He needed to do something—anything—to distract himself from the growing anxiety.

  He got up, walked to the window. Grim was sitting on the windowsill as usual, currently at 80 centimeters, scythe propped against the wall. The red lights in his sockets glowed faintly in the darkness.

  "You can't sleep either, huh?" Alex muttered.

  Grim turned his skull toward him, tilting his head.

  "Yeah, I know. You don't need sleep. Advantage of being an animated skeleton." Alex leaned against the wall. "Do you ever feel... I don't know, lonely? Trapped in your own head without being able to talk unless you use energy?"

  Grim considered this, then shrugged—a surprisingly human gesture for something made of bones.

  Alex's phone vibrated.

  Message from an unknown number. But it wasn't "R" this time. This one was different.

  "Relic seeker. Rarety trader. Collector of the forbidden. If this describes your interests, then the Midnight Auction may be of interest. Tomorrow, 11 PM, Warehouse 34, Harbor District. Password: 'Ashes of Kings.' Absolute discretion required. - The Broker"

  Attached was an image—an auction catalog. Alex zoomed in, scanning the listed items:

  LOT 7: Mana Crystal (Grade A) - Starting bid 2,000 crowns

  LOT 12: Enchanted Sword - Lightning Attribute - Starting bid 5,000 crowns

  LOT 18: Rare Skill Manual: [Storm Calling] - Starting bid 8,000 crowns

  All expensive things, all out of his reach.

  But then he saw Lot 23.

  LOT 23: Ancient Relic Fragment - Origin Unknown

  Description: Artifact recovered from pre-Cataclysm ruins. Identification inconclusive. Resonates with death/soul energies. Possibly part of a larger set. Not suitable for general use.

  Starting bid: 15,000 crowns

  Note: Buyer must sign waiver—artifact may be cursed/dangerous.

  Alex read the description three times.

  Resonates with death/soul energies.

  His system—which had been silent for hours—suddenly came to life:

  [SYSTEM ALERT]

  [Relevant artifact detected in future proximity]

  [Preliminary scan based on description: 87% probability of compatibility with Path of the Death Sovereign]

  [Recommendation: Investigate. Possible significant upgrade or clue regarding Reaper's Fragments.]

  Alex's heart raced.

  "Grim," he said slowly. "Did you see this?"

  Grim leaped off the windowsill, growing to a meter and a half as he approached. He leaned over Alex's shoulder, studying the screen.

  The red lights in his sockets pulsed. Once. Twice.

  Important. Very important.

  "Yeah," Alex muttered. "That's what I thought."

  He checked his bank account: 847 crowns. Nowhere near the 15,000 he'd need to even try bidding on the item.

  "Shit." He dropped onto his mattress. "I can't afford it anyway. Why bother going?"

  Grim tilted his head. Then he shrank back to 80 centimeters, walked to the corner of the apartment, and returned dragging something.

  Alex's backpack. The one he'd used in the East Sewer Dungeon.

  "What...?" Alex frowned, then remembered. "Oh. The Ogre's loot."

  He'd been so exhausted after getting back that he'd tossed the backpack in the corner without properly checking what he'd collected.

  He emptied the contents onto the mattress.

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  Mana crystals (six of them—maybe 300 crowns total). Crafting materials from the Ogre (fangs, chunks of tough hide—another 200 crowns). And something he'd initially overlooked:

  A ring. Simple silver band with a single rune engraved on it.

  [Concealment Rank Ring]

  Effect: Disguises the true rank of the summoned companion. Scans will show a rank 1-2 levels lower than current.

  Duration: Permanent while worn

  Note: Does not affect actual energy presence—experienced users may still detect inconsistencies.

  Estimated value: 3,500 crowns

  "For crying out..." Alex stared at the ring. "This is... this is exactly what I need."

  With this, he could make Grim appear as Rank E or D instead of whatever he really was. Not perfect—like the description said, experienced users would still notice something off—but enough to pass casual scans.

  But 3,500 crowns in value...

  If he sold this plus the materials and crystals, he'd have approximately 4,800 crowns total. Still way off from 15,000.

  "Unless..." An idea began forming. Dangerous. Stupid. But possible.

  Alex opened the black market forum on his phone—a place he'd been avoiding because nothing good came from there. But now...

  He posted:

  User: GhostHunter_Anonymous

  "Looking for a loan of 12,000 crowns. Will repay 15,000 within one week. Collateral: dungeon clearing skills, level 18 summoner services. Private contact."

  He hit send before he could reconsider.

  Three minutes later, he received five replies.

  Four were clearly scams. But the fifth...

  "Interesting proposal. We can discuss terms. But interest will be 30%, not 25%. And if you don't pay, the collateral will be more than just services. We'll meet at the auction. I'll recognize you. - V"

  Alex stared at the message, his stomach twisting.

  This was a terrible idea. Getting into debt with black market lenders was exactly the kind of thing that got people killed in alleyways.

  But that artifact... the system had said it was important. And every instinct he had screamed that he needed to be at that auction.

  "Fuck it," he muttered. He'd been doing that a lot lately.

  He replied:

  "Accepted. See you there."

  ---

  [NEXT DAY - 6:47 PM]

  Alex spent the day preparing.

  First, he sold all the Ogre materials and mana crystals at the guild. 4,250 crowns total—more than expected.

  Second, he decided to keep the Concealment Rank Ring instead of selling it. He'd need it more long-term.

  Third—and this was the tricky part—he needed a disguise.

  He couldn't walk into a black market auction as "Alex Carter, The Ghost Hunter everyone's discussing." He needed anonymity.

  He spent 150 crowns at a secondhand shop, buying:

  · Long black coat (concealed his body shape)

  · Gloves (concealed his hands—hands were surprisingly identifiable)

  · Simple mask—nothing elaborate, just a plain black mask covering the upper half of his face

  He also bought temporary hair dye. His ordinary brown hair turned jet black after thirty minutes of clumsy application.

  At 8 PM, he looked at himself in the cracked bathroom mirror.

  He barely recognized himself. Black coat, dark hair, mask hiding his features. He looked... dangerous. Like the kind of person who attended illegal auctions.

  "What do you think?" he asked Grim, who was standing in the doorway at one meter tall.

  Grim tilted his head, then gave him a thumbs up.

  Alex blinked. "Did you just... do a thumbs up?"

  Grim repeated the gesture, clearly pleased with himself.

  "When did you learn that?"

  The skeleton shrugged. I've been watching you. Learning.

  "Great. My ancient forbidden skeletal companion is learning modern body language slang. That's totally normal."

  He checked his inventory one last time:

  · 4,250 crowns (all his liquid money)

  · Knife (hidden under the coat)

  · Three potions (one health, two mana)

  · Concealment Rank Ring (worn—Grim would now appear as Rank E on scans)

  · Shadow Step available (his best emergency escape)

  "Alright," he said, taking a deep breath. "Off to an illegal auction to bid on a mysterious artifact using money we don't have. What could possibly go wrong?"

  Grim didn't respond, but the way his red lights flickered suggested: Many things. Many, many things.

  ---

  [HARBOR DISTRICT - WAREHOUSE 34 - 10:43 PM]

  Warehouse 34 looked abandoned from the outside—broken windows, graffiti, no signs of life.

  But Alex could feel the energy. Dozens of auras inside, some weak, some dangerously strong.

  Two guards stood by a side door—both dressed in civilian clothes but clearly professionals. Their companions—a shadow wolf for one, a battle gorilla for the other—flanked them.

  "Password," the first guard grunted as Alex approached.

  "Ashes of Kings," Alex said, keeping his voice low, different from his normal tone.

  The guards exchanged glances. The second pulled out a scanning crystal.

  "Registered or independent summoner?"

  "Independent."

  "Show your companion. We need to confirm you're legitimate."

  Alex nodded to Grim. The skeleton stepped forward—currently at a meter and a half, dark armor gleaming faintly under the streetlights.

  The guard passed the crystal over Grim.

  It glowed. Flickered.

  [Scan complete]

  Companion detected: Skeleton Type

  Apparent Rank: E

  Level: 12

  The guards relaxed slightly. Rank E, level 12—respectable for an independent summoner, but nothing special.

  "He's clean. Rules: no violence inside the warehouse or your life is forfeit. No recording anything you see or hear. No sharing other attendees' identities. Understood?"

  "Understood."

  "Entry fee: 200 crowns."

  Alex handed over the money. The guard gave him a numbered token—47.

  "Find a seat. Auction starts at 11 sharp. Don't be late."

  Alex entered.

  ---

  [WAREHOUSE 34 - AUCTION HALL - 10:52 PM]

  Inside, the warehouse had been transformed.

  Rows of chairs—maybe a hundred—arranged facing a raised stage. Dim lighting from magical crystals hanging from the ceiling. Security guards stationed at every exit.

  And the people.

  Alex recognized types immediately:

  Guild summoners—clean armor, obedient companions, probably here for specific items their guilds wanted but couldn't obtain legally.

  Nobles—expensive clothes, arrogant attitudes, rare or exotic companions as status symbols.

  Criminals—dark clothes like Alex's, moving with the caution of people used to danger.

  Collectors—older types with hungry eyes, evaluating every item as potential investments.

  And sitting in the middle row, without a mask at all, was Maya Park.

  Alex froze.

  Maya was sitting with her team—Jake and Lin flanking her—casually looking around the hall. She wasn't disguised. Wasn't even hiding.

  Silver Rank, Alex remembered. Probably strong enough not to fear retaliation for attending openly.

  He quickly found a seat in the back row, corner—as far from Maya as possible. Grim settled beside him, shrinking to 80 centimeters to take up less space.

  At exactly 11:00 PM, the lights dimmed.

  A man stepped onto the stage—fifty-something, immaculate suit, smile that didn't reach his eyes.

  "Good evening, distinguished guests," he said, his voice magically amplified. "I am the Broker. I'll be your auctioneer tonight. The rules are simple: bids in minimum increments of 100 crowns. Payment in cash or mana crystals only. No refunds, no guarantees, no questions asked."

  He snapped his fingers. Assistants brought out the first item—an ornate chest.

  "Lot One: Set of three military-grade potions. Instant restoration, no side effects. Starting at 800 crowns."

  The bidding began. Alex watched, learning the flow.

  The items passed—weapons, armor, skill manuals, rare materials. Some went for reasonable prices. Others skyrocketed absurdly high when two wealthy bidders got into an ego war.

  Finally, after twenty-three lots, the Broker smiled.

  "And now, something special. Lot Twenty-Three."

  Assistants brought out a glass box. Inside rested...

  A necklace.

  Not particularly impressive at first glance—tarnished silver chain, a pendant made of what looked like bone carved into a tiny skull shape. But even from the back row, Alex could feel it.

  Energy. Death. Something ancient whispering at the edges of his perception.

  [SYSTEM ALERT]

  [Artifact detected: Soul Dominion Necklace]

  [Effect: +5 maximum undead servants. Enhances control over reanimations.]

  [Warning: Cursed artifact. Extended use may corrupt the user's soul.]

  [Compatibility with Death Sovereign: 94%]

  [STRONG RECOMMENDATION: Acquire this item.]

  "This beauty," the Broker said, "is a pre-Cataclysm artifact. Origin unknown, but our appraisers confirmed it resonates with death and soul energies. Perfect for necromancers, death masters, or collectors of the macabre."

  Whispers filled the hall. Necromancy was forbidden magic—not exactly illegal, but highly restricted and socially stigmatized.

  "We'll start the bidding at 15,000 crowns."

  Silence.

  Fifteen thousand was a lot. And for something so specialized, most attendees would have no use for it.

  "No one?" The Broker smiled. "Come now, ladies and gentlemen. A genuine ancient artifact, proven functional, with unique applications—"

  "Fifteen thousand," said a voice from the middle row.

  Alex looked.

  A noble—thirty-something, elaborate clothes, multiple rings on every finger. His companion, a miniature wyvern dragon, was coiled around his shoulders.

  The Broker nodded. "Fifteen thousand from Gentleman number 23. Anyone else?"

  Alex calculated quickly. He had 4,250 crowns of his own. If he took the loan from the mysterious "V," he'd have 16,250 total. Enough for one bid, maybe two if the noble didn't raise aggressively.

  He raised his token. "Fifteen thousand one hundred."

  The hall turned to look at him. Alex kept his face neutral behind the mask.

  The noble frowned. "Sixteen thousand."

  Shit. That was aggressive.

  "Sixteen thousand one hundred," Alex said.

  "Seventeen thousand."

  Alex's stomach sank. This guy clearly had no budget.

  "Seventeen thousand one hundred," he tried anyway.

  "Twenty thousand," the noble said flatly, looking directly at Alex. "And if anyone else bids, I'll go to thirty."

  Clear threat: Back off or this gets expensive.

  Alex gritted his teeth. He couldn't compete with that. Even with the loan, twenty thousand was out of reach.

  "Any other bids?" the Broker asked, looking around the hall.

  Silence.

  "Twenty thousand, going once. Twenty thousand, going twice—"

  "Twenty-five thousand," said a new voice. Feminine, amused.

  The hall turned again.

  Maya Park had raised her token, smiling at the noble like a cat playing with a mouse.

  "Excuse me?" The noble blinked.

  "Twenty-five thousand," Maya repeated. "I'm curious to see how high you'll actually go."

  The noble reddened. "Thirty thousand."

  "Forty."

  Gasps around the hall. Forty thousand crowns was serious money.

  The noble hesitated. His eyes narrowed at Maya. "Who the hell are you?"

  "Someone with more money than you, apparently." Maya leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying this.

  The noble looked between her and the necklace. Finally, he growled: "This is ridiculous. It's not worth forty thousand."

  He sat down, admitting defeat.

  "Any other bids?" the Broker asked.

  Silence.

  "Sold to Gentleman number 31 for forty thousand crowns."

  Maya stood up, walked to the stage, and paid—pure mana crystals, probably a month's guild salary.

  Alex watched, feeling sick. So close. He'd been so close.

  The auction continued. More items, more bids. Alex barely paid attention.

  When it ended at 1:30 AM, attendees began dispersing. Alex waited until most had left, then headed for the exit—

  "Hey."

  Alex froze. That voice.

  He turned slowly.

  Maya Park stood there, holding the glass box with the necklace. Jake and Lin flanked her.

  "You," Maya said, studying him. "You bid on this early. Why?"