Free Web NovelChapter 10: Chapter 10: The Mysterious Fragment
The next morning, Kai awoke earlier than usual.
Sunlight streamed through the window of the small inn room, but his attention was already elsewhere.
The black stone.
The unknown fragment displayed at the Aurelis Grand Auction House.
More specifically, the reaction from his Divine Evolution Authority.
Ever since awakening, the authority had remained mostly passive. It responded when he intentionally activated it, but it had never reacted on its own.
Until yesterday.
That alone made the fragment special.
Luna sat across the room, calmly enjoying breakfast.
When she noticed Kai staring out the window, she smiled.
"You barely slept."
Kai sighed.
"Was it that obvious?"
"Very."
The fox maiden took another bite of bread.
"You’ve been thinking about that stone."
Kai couldn’t deny it.
Luna had spent enough time around him to recognize when something had captured his attention.
"Do you think it’s valuable?"
Kai considered his answer carefully.
"I think there’s something unusual about it."
That wasn’t a lie.
It simply wasn’t the complete truth.
Luna nodded.
"Then we should investigate."
That was exactly his plan.
The streets of Aurelis Divine City were already busy despite the early hour.
Merchants prepared their shops.
Adventurers gathered in groups.
Trade caravans moved through the roads.
Everywhere Kai looked, economic activity was taking place.
This city never seemed to rest.
Soon, the massive silhouette of the Grand Auction House appeared ahead.
Compared to yesterday, the crowd was significantly larger.
Apparently today’s auction was attracting considerable attention.
After registering as participants, Kai and Luna entered the main auction hall.
The interior was magnificent.
Rows of seats surrounded a central stage.
Floating crystal screens displayed upcoming items.
Private rooms lined the upper levels for wealthy guests.
Hundreds of participants were already arriving.
Kai and Luna found seats near the middle.
Good enough to observe everything.
Not so prominent that they would attract attention.
The auction began shortly afterward.
A silver-haired woman stepped onto the stage.
Her voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Welcome, honored guests."
The crowd gradually quieted.
"Today’s auction contains one hundred and twenty-three items from across multiple realms and subspaces."
Excitement spread through the audience.
The first item soon appeared.
A magical sword.
The second was a rare monster core.
Then came enchanted armor.
Alchemy ingredients.
Rare minerals.
Treasure after treasure.
The prices quickly reached levels Kai couldn’t even imagine.
Several wealthy gods casually spent hundreds of Divine Coins.
Some spent thousands.
One buyer purchased an ancient artifact for over ten thousand Divine Coins.
Kai couldn’t help feeling slightly depressed.
His entire civilization probably wasn’t worth that much.
Yet instead of discouraging him, the experience strengthened his determination.
One day, he would possess that level of wealth.
Perhaps even surpass it.
Nearly two hours passed before the item finally appeared.
The black fragment.
A servant carefully carried a crystal case onto the stage.
Inside rested the stone.
Just as ordinary-looking as before.
The auctioneer smiled.
"Our next item is somewhat unusual."
Laughter immediately spread through the audience.
Apparently many people already knew about it.
"This fragment was recovered from a collapsed subspace during a recent exploration expedition." freeweɓnovel.cѳm
She continued.
"Multiple appraisal experts have examined it."
"No definitive conclusions have been reached."
More laughter.
One merchant shouted.
"So you’re selling a rock?"
The hall erupted.
Even the auctioneer smiled.
"Perhaps."
"Or perhaps not."
The black fragment was displayed above the stage.
Kai felt the Divine Evolution Authority stir once more.
The reaction was even stronger this time.
Warmth spread through his chest.
For a brief moment, golden text appeared before his eyes.
Unknown Evolution Material Detected
Compatibility: Extremely High
Further Analysis Unavailable
Authority Rank Insufficient
Kai nearly stopped breathing.
Evolution Material.
Not treasure.
Not artifact.
Evolution Material.
The authority had actually identified it.
His heart began pounding.
The fragment was definitely valuable.
Potentially far more valuable than anyone realized.
Unfortunately, there was one major problem.
Money.
The auctioneer announced the starting price.
"Fifty Divine Coins."
Silence followed.
Nobody seemed interested.
Several people exchanged amused looks.
The fragment had been displayed for days.
Apparently no experts had discovered anything useful about it.
Most considered it worthless.
The auctioneer waited.
No bids appeared.
Thirty seconds passed.
Then a full minute.
Kai’s mind raced.
Fifty Divine Coins.
He didn’t even possess five.
How was he supposed to buy it?
Luna quietly leaned closer.
"My Lord."
Kai looked at her.
The fox maiden’s expression was thoughtful.
"We have money."
His eyebrows rose.
"We do?"
Luna nodded.
"The herb contract."
Kai froze.
Of course.
Yesterday’s trade agreement.
Greenleaf Alchemy had already provided an advance payment.
Not much.
But enough.
After subtracting living expenses and registration fees...
They possessed sixty-three Divine Coins.
Just enough.
Kai immediately raised his bidding crystal.
"Fifty Divine Coins."
The hall turned toward him.
Several participants appeared surprised.
Apparently nobody expected anyone to actually bid.
The auctioneer brightened immediately.
"We have a bid."
The room returned to silence.
Nobody raised their crystal.
No counteroffers appeared.
Most people looked relieved that someone else was wasting their money.
The auctioneer waited.
Then began counting.
"Fifty Divine Coins going once."
Kai remained calm.
"Going twice."
Still no competition.
"Sold."
The crystal hammer struck.
The fragment was his.
A few minutes later, a staff member delivered the item.
Kai carefully accepted the crystal case.
The moment his fingers touched the stone, the Divine Evolution Authority reacted violently.
Golden light flashed inside his consciousness.
A new notification appeared.
Evolution Material Acquired
Authority Energy Absorption Available
Would you like to absorb the fragment?
Kai’s eyes widened.
Absorb?
The authority could actually consume it?
Luna immediately noticed his reaction.
"Something wrong?"
Kai quickly shook his head.
"Nothing."
He couldn’t explain.
Not here.
Not now.
For the remainder of the auction, his attention remained fixed on the fragment.
The authority’s message replayed repeatedly in his mind.
Authority Energy.
Absorption.
Evolution Material.
Each word suggested enormous implications.
Eventually the auction ended.
The crowd began dispersing.
Kai and Luna left the building and returned to the inn.
Only after locking the room door did he finally relax.
The black fragment rested on the table between them.
Luna studied it curiously.
"You spent almost all our money on this."
Kai smiled.
"I know."
The fox maiden folded her arms.
"It better be worth it."
Kai looked down at the stone.
The authority pulsed once more.
A faint golden glow appeared beneath his skin.
Somehow, deep inside, he knew.
This wasn’t merely worth it.
This was his first true opportunity since awakening.
The first treasure connected directly to the Divine Evolution Authority.
And perhaps the first step toward unlocking powers that could eventually change the fate of his entire civilization.
Outside, Aurelis Divine City continued its endless bustle.
But inside the small inn room, Kai held a fragment that nobody understood.
A fragment that had chosen to reveal itself only to him.
And he had a feeling that once he discovered its true purpose, nothing would ever be the same again.
