Chapter 163: The Auction [3]

Derrick caught the subtle shift in Gideon’s eyes and knew immediately the man was lying through his teeth, but he kept his face smooth, a knowing grin spreading beneath his mask.

“Ah, tactical documents,” Derrick said smoothly, playing along without breaking a sweat. “I completely understand.”

“A man of your standing always has important business to manage.”

Gideon let out a heavy sigh of relief, visibly glad Derrick didn’t press him on what kind of ‘tactical’ stuff he was reading.

He grabbed his massive mug of beer and held it out toward Derrick.

“You’re a cool guy, Harold,” Gideon spoke with a faint smile on his face. “Most people would’ve pissed their pants if I raised my voice.”

“But you, you didn’t even blink. I like you.”

Derrick tapped his champagne glass against Gideon’s oversized mug with a crisp clink.

“I find that panicking rarely helps in any situation,” Derrick said smoothly, taking an easy sip. “Besides, I doubt the great Azure Emperor would waste his energy crushing someone over a chair.”

Gideon’s rough, imposing features softened, though he maintained his usual calm, cold exterior.

That very look routinely terrified lower-ranking hunters and corporate executives alike.

While most people mistook his quiet posture for lethal stoicism, the giant simply liked having a good time without the unnecessary drama.

“So, Harold,” Gideon said, taking a measured gulp of his beer. “What line of work are you in? A guy with your nerves doesn’t just spawn out of nowhere.”

“Nothing too glamorous,” Derrick replied smoothly, taking a slow sip of champagne. “Just a worker for a company, sent here to handle a few bids for tonight’s auction.”

Gideon’s sharp blue eyes narrowed slightly as he set his mug down. “A simple employee, huh? You’ve got a hell of a grip and an even stronger presence for a regular suit, Mr. Bush.”

Derrick merely offered a faint, unbothered smile behind his mask, keeping his mouth shut and letting the silence do the talking.

Turning his head toward the stunning black-haired woman beside him, Derrick changed the subject. “What about the Red Rock Group? It’s pretty unusual to see top-tier hunters hanging around a commercial auction like this. Are you two eyeing something specific?”

Cynthia leaned back, her cool, dark eyes resting on Derrick. “You could say that. I recently broke my main set of daggers during a high-rank gate run. The catalog mentioned a rare set of blade materials popping up tonight, so I’m here to see if they’re worth the price tag.”

She paused, her gaze sharpening with mild curiosity. “Which brings me back to my earlier question—which company did you say you were representing, Harold?”

Derrick opened his mouth to give another vague, clever answer, but before he could utter a word, the heavy ambient music in the hall softly faded out.

Clink! Clink!

A well-dressed auctioneer stepped onto the central elevated stage, holding a microphone as the overhead spotlights shifted toward him.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” the man’s voice boomed through the high-end sound system. “We are officially ten minutes away from opening the main hall for tonight’s Apex Auction. Please finish your drinks and begin making your way to your designated private booths and assigned seating.”

A sudden wave of rustling suits and excited murmurs broke out across the room as guests began moving toward the main theater doors.

Derrick set his empty champagne glass onto a passing floating tray and stood up, adjusting the cuffs of his dark jacket.

“Looks like duty calls,” Derrick said, giving Cynthia and Gideon a polite, easy nod. “It was a real pleasure chatting with the legends of the Red Rock Group.”

“Likewise, Harold,” Gideon grunted with a rare, genuine grin. “Good luck in there. Don’t let those greedy corporate pigs push you around.”

“I’ll see you inside, Mr. Bush,” Cynthia added quietly, her eyes following him for a brief second.

Derrick turned and strolled casually into the flowing crowd, leaving the S-Rank duo behind as he made his way toward the auction hall’s entrance.

The double doors swung open, leading the crowd out of the reception room and into the grand auction hall.

The space was massive, built like a high-tech amphitheater.

Rows of sleek, round tables swept across the terraced floors, each set with elegant crystal glasses and illuminated digital nameplates indicating the reserved spots for major corporations, top guilds, and influential private figures.

Derrick walked in with the main crowd, his hands loosely tucked into his suit pockets.

All around him, eyes kept surreptitiously darting toward his back.

The corporate leaders and guild representatives who had watched him chat so comfortably with Cynthia Moon and Gideon were practically burning with curiosity.

“Is he going up to the private VIP balconies? Only the big sharks are allowed in that place if they want to go there.”

“Wait, look… he’s heading toward the main floor tables.”

“Who the hell is he representing?”

Even Cynthia and Gideon, walking a few steps behind with their silent, imposing presence, kept their eyes fixed on Derrick.

“Which faction do you think he belongs to? You seemed quite curious about him earlier.” Cynthia asked without taking her eyes off Derrick.

“You might not have noticed it but he is a monster in his own way.” Gideon suddenly spoke in a somber tone.

“The way he presents himself. Underneath that carefree and easygoing attitude, the sharpness and vigilance of a fighter.”

His eyes narrowed sharply, “There is no doubt about it. He is a hunter. A very high ranked one at that.”

“Are you sure?” Cynthia gasped. ‘I had not even felt a breath of Enhanced energy from him.’

“I know what you are thinking. I did not sense any energy from him as well.” For the first time, the captain of the strongest hunter team sighed. “I am just as confused. Which is why I am more eager to find out about who is he.”

“Hmm…” Cynthia also hummed as she nodded.

They were genuinely curious to see which faction had managed to employ a man with such unshakeable nerve.

Derrick casually strolled past the reserved tables of major regional guilds and wealthy media houses, ignoring the intense stares following his every move.

Finally, he stopped at a high-end table situated right near the front row.

A prime location reserved only for the several upper class heavy weights of the business world.

Derrick pulled back a sleek leather chair and sat down, leaning back comfortably.

On the center of the table, the digital tag flickered brightly, displaying a single, bold name in glowing gold letters:

[ MYRIAD PILL PALACE ]

Thump!

It was as if an invisible shockwave suddenly hit the entire hall.

A heavy, suffocating silence instantly fell over the room.