Chapter 406: Lawless Zone

The rest of the trip to the gas station was uneventful. They purchased the fuel needed for the trip back to earth and returned to the spaceship. Theresa carried the fuel canisters with unbothered ease, while Jayden walked behind her, hands buried in his pockets.

Kyle was waiting beside the ship’s exit, arms folded across his broad chest. His expression suggested that he’d spent the last twenty minutes regretting every decision that had led him here.

"You’re late," he growled, his eyes flicking between Theresa and Jayden.

"Quit whining, Kyle," Theresa replied flatly, completely unfazed by his glare. She tossed the fuel line connection to the ship’s automated intake valve before turning to face him. "We got the fuel, and the auction doesn’t start for another twenty minutes."

Kyle shook his head in frustration and turned his gaze to Jayden. "We’re moving. Right now."

Jayden nodded. "Let’s just get this over with."

Theresa moved toward the cockpit, pulling off her jacket. "I’ll remain here and monitor the ship. You two can collect the artifact and come straight back."

Kyle nodded. Then he stepped off the ship’s ramp and began walking away from the landing platform.

Behind them, Theresa called out, "Good luck, Jayden! And don’t die!"

"Noted," Jayden chuckled as he followed Kyle out of the hangar and into the subterranean transit grid of Zeta’s capital.

Unlike the bustling commercial districts he’d passed with Theresa earlier, the streets here grew progressively quieter.

The shops became less conspicuous. The crowds thinned. Surveillance devices watched the roads from discreet positions, while several armed individuals stood outside buildings that appeared unremarkable from the street.

This was the city’s underground sector—a lawless zone where the galaxy’s wealthiest criminals, rogue syndicates, and information brokers operated without the burden of planetary law.

Jayden noticed the change in aesthetic. But he didn’t say a word. He just kept walking.

After several minutes, they reached an ordinary-looking building wedged between two commercial structures. There were no extravagant signs, no advertisements, and no crowds gathering outside; only a dark entrance and two armed guards standing beside it.

Kyle approached them without hesitation.

One of the guards stepped forward, holding a rifle in one hand, and a card scanner in the other.

"Hand over your ticket," he said sharply.

Kyle reached inside his jacket and produced a small metallic card.

The guard took the card and placed it below his scanner.

A thin beam of light passed over the card’s surface, illuminating a series of symbols. The guard carefully examined the information displayed on his device.

His eyes moved from the screen to Kyle. Then to Jayden.

"This your guest?"

"My fighter," Kyle said.

The guard nodded and returned the card.

"Proceed."

The door opened.

Jayden followed Kyle inside.

The first room was small and brightly lit. Three security officers stood behind a counter, while several more watched from the corners.

One of them gestured toward a marked section of the floor.

"Stand there."

Jayden complied.

A red lazer grid scanned his body, checking for any unauthorized item or illicit weapon.

The process was thorough without being unnecessarily complicated.

A few seconds later, the security personnel confirmed that he wasn’t carrying anything prohibited under the Exchange’s rules.

Kyle underwent the same checks.

Once they were cleared, an officer handed Kyle a metallic hexagonal tag that read:

<BIDDER 047>

"What’s that for?" Jayden asked.

"It’s is our bidding key," Kyle replied, holding up the tag. "When the item we want appears, I raise the tag to declare a bid. The host acknowledges the number, and then I present you as the proxy fighter. If you look weak, more people will bid on the item thinking you’re easy pickings. If you look like a monster, they might back off."

"I see," Jayden murmured.

They moved toward the far end of the room.

Another reinforced door stood ahead of them.

A security officer checked the tag and approved it before pressing his palm against a concealed panel.

The door unlocked and hissed open, revealing a sprawling, dimly lit amphitheater that sent a wave of roaring sound crashing over them.

Jayden stepped through the doorway and froze. His eyes widened slightly.

The venue was enormous and built like a Roman colosseum.

Despite being buried beneath the city, the chamber was large enough to accommodate hundreds of spectators. Its ceiling rose several stories above the arena, supported by thick metallic pillars and reinforced structures.

Tiered seating curved upward, packed with hundreds of cheering spectators and bidders. Suspended high above the main floor were luxurious, bulletproof glass VIP booths overlooking the center of the arena. These booths contained some of the wealthiest and most influential figures across the galaxy.

At the centre stood a circular combat platform enclosed by a transparent barrier.

The arena floor was dark grey, marked by scars and fractures left behind by previous battles. Heavy mechanical gates stood at opposite ends, allowing competitors to enter and leave.

Holographic displays floated above the central platform, showing the artifacts available for acquisition.

The audience was a mixture of races, appearances, and personalities. Some wore expensive suits. Others arrived in elaborate robes, armoured clothing, or garments that looked more appropriate for a battlefield than a social gathering. Several spectators wore masks. A few even brought armed escorts.

But nobody seemed particularly concerned about the unusual company.

Jayden slowly surveyed the place.

"So this is the Grand Exchange."

"Yeah," Kyle replied as he led Jayden towards their designated seats. "Artifacts, weapons, rare materials, information. Almost anything valuable enough to attract the right bidder can end up here. And as you already know, the bids are won through battle."

He pointed toward a large display screen above the arena. A metallic gauntlet appeared on it, rotating slowly to reveal its intricate construction. Thin lines of blue light ran between overlapping plates, and a circular crystal sat embedded in its palm.

Below it, a short series of information were written:

[ARTIFACT 025— AETHERFORGED GAUNTLET

Classification: Rare]

"Every artifact has a designated number," Kyle explained. "Interested parties register their bids using their tags. Once bidding closes, the bidders present their fighters, and that’s when the real bid begins. They fight each other to the death."

Jayden studied the arena. "How many people can enter at once?"

"That depends on the number of bidders," Kyle replied. "The host may arrange a smaller match if the participants agree to fight in groups. If not, they fight all at once until there’s only one fighter left."

Jayden hummed. "What happens after that?"

"The host asks whether anyone else wishes to challenge the victor. If nobody does, the fighter wins the bid and claims the item. But if someone still wishes to bid, they’ll fight the victor. Then the process repeats until nobody is willing to challenge the last fighter standing."

A slow smile spread across Jayden’s face.

Interesting.

This event wasn’t simply a test of strength. Every bidder had to consider the competition, assess the fighters, and decide when to commit.

A powerful fighter could still lose if they were forced through too many consecutive battles.

Someone who bid early might attract challengers. Someone who waited could observe the competition and step forward when the odds were more favourable. And someone who misjudged their opponent could lose an expensive artifact before the evening was over.

The rules rewarded strength. But intelligence determined how and when to use it.

"One more thing," Kyle added. "Don’t assume everyone here fights personally. Wealthy bidders often hire fighters to compete on their behalf."

Jayden nodded. "Understood."

Kyle took his seat, his eyes scanning the crowd. "We arrived just before the opening rounds," he said. "Pay attention to the early bids. You’ll understand how the whole thing works before it’s our turn."

Jayden settled into the seat beside him. "Got it."

Just then, the lights above the arena dimmed.

A spotlight illuminated the central platform.

A man in an immaculate dark suit stepped onto the podium just beside arena, carrying a slender microphone. His silver hair was combed neatly backward, and his expression carried the confidence of someone accustomed to commanding a room full of dangerous people.

"Ladies and Gentleman! Welcome to the Grand Exchange! An Auction where the winner isn’t determined by how much gold or credits they have, but by their strength and willingness to destroy their opponents!!"

The audience responded with scattered applause and cheers.

The host waited for the noise to subside.

"As always, our rules remain unchanged. The highest offer does not determine ownership once an artifact enters contested bidding. Those who wish to claim an item must fight, or present a fighter to earn it."

He gestured toward the arena.

"Fifteen fighters may participate in a single round. But participants may choose whether to fight simultaneously or in smaller groups. Once a victor emerges, a new bidder may challenge them. If a fighter is unchallenged, the artifact belongs to them."

His smile widened.

"Now. Let the bidding begin."