When the auction ended, attendants moved quickly, guiding buyers toward the settlement counters and the collection rooms.
Those who had purchased rare beasts, weapons, potions, or slaves were already lining up, excited to receive their items. Some buyers bragged, others counted their money with smug smiles, and a few whispered about the mysterious "crazy buyer" in VIP Booth 1 who had just bought a cursed Ancient Dwarf.
"Whoever he is, he's doomed," one merchant laughed quietly.
"Buying a dwarf who refuses to forge? Might as well throw money in fire."
"Maybe he's just stupidly rich."
Their whispers followed Mike all the way as he walked down the private corridor for VIP customers.
The attendant led him politely.
"Sir, please follow me. Your purchased item will be delivered in a secured room. You can also finalize payment there."
Mike nodded casually, hands in his pockets.
He didn't look worried.
Not even a little.
But the staff around him?
They were whispering in fear.
"This VIP 1 person is doomed."
"He bought that dwarf?"
"Poor man. He just wasted a hundred million…"
The corridor lights dimmed as they arrived at a large reinforced door. Two guards stepped aside and bowed.
"VIP 1, welcome."
The door opened.
Inside was a clean white chamber, glowing slightly with runes.
And in the center—
Gandolf, the Ancient Dwarf, sat chained by glowing cuffs. The mute barrier was gone now, but the suppression runes kept him from breaking the room.
He didn't lift his head.
He didn't even acknowledge anyone entering.
Just sat there quietly, like a stone carved into a man.
The attendant bowed to Mike.
"Sir, your bill is prepared. Please verify and confirm the transfer."
Mike looked at the floating screen.
**225,000,000 Credits — Ancient Dwarf (Cursed)
Lich Summoning Skill Book (Legendary)**
He tapped Confirm without hesitation.
A soft beep echoed.
Payment Complete.
"The amount will be deducted from the money you will earn from the remaining Black Mithril Knight set armors," the attendant explained.
Mike nodded calmly.
She continued,"Also, would you like to receive the 55 million credits from the Black Mithril Knight set, or should I use it to pay part of what you still owe us?"
Mike thought for a moment and replied,"Hmm… I'd like to keep the money for now. The other knight sets are more than enough to cover what I owe."
The attendant nodded.
"Understood, sir. Here is the money you earned from the Black Mithril Knight piece—49.5 million credits after our 10% commission."
She handed him a sleek black credit card. Mike accepted it casually.
"And here is the slave seal for the dwarf," she added, producing a small metal plate engraved with glowing runes. "Please place a drop of your blood on the seal. Once that is done, ownership will officially be transferred to you."
Mike didn't hesitate. He pricked his finger lightly and let a drop of blood fall onto the rune.
The plate brightened—then dimmed.
A sudden connection snapped into place inside Mike's mind.
He could feel something faint behind him—a presence.He somehow knew that with a single thought, he could order the dwarf to kneel… sleep… or even die.
The slave seal bonded instantly.
Gandolf the Cursed Ancient Dwarf…now belonged to him.
"Also, here is your VIP Booth No. 4 ticket for next year's Annual Auction at our Auction House," the attendant said, handing him a small metal medallion.
"Booth 4 this time?" Mike raised an eyebrow.
"There were some items provided by others that were even more valuable than the sets you gave us," she explained maintaining her smile.
Mike shrugged.
"Booth numbers don't matter to me."
"Then I will be going," Mike said as he stood up and walked toward the dwarf's cage.
He placed his hand on the lock.
With a soft click, the cage opened.
The dwarf didn't move.
Mike spoke calmly, "Come out."
Gandolf's body began to move on its own—dragged forward by the slave seal.
He stepped out of the cage, glaring at Mike with deep hatred.
Mike didn't even blink.
Then he turned to the attendant.
"Can I get better clothes for him?"
"Of course, sir," she replied immediately.
After about ten minutes, the dwarf returned—now dressed in clean, simple civilian clothes instead of the old rags he had worn probabaly for years.
He looked almost human again…
but his eyes were still full of resentment.
Mike also took the Skill Book and stored it in his inventory before leaving.
After coming out of the Auction House, he brought the dwarf back home.
His mom and dad were both there.
His dad frowned.
"Who is he?"
"Just a poor guy. I'm going to help him," Mike said casually.
They all saw the pure hatred in the dwarf's eyes whenever he looked at Mike.
But when Mike's parents looked at each other, they nodded.
"We believe you, son. You always do the right thing," his father said.
"Of course I'm going to help him. Just like I helped Mom. Maybe then he'll be at least a little grateful… and stop giving me that 'I will kill you' look," Mike shrugged as he pulled the dwarf toward his room.
"Don't worry," his dad said to his mom as Mike disappeared up the stairs. "If he was dangerous, this house is the last place he'd dare try anything."
His mom looked down.
"…I once thought the same. Until I was betrayed," she whispered, then quietly walked away.
His dad sighed heavily.
"I guess after getting her powers back, her old hopes—and old wounds—came back too," he muttered, rubbing his forehead. "I should probably tell Mike about her past… maybe then he won't accidentally reopen those scars."
He paused, then shook his head.
"Who am I kidding… he took after her more than he took after me. He even helped her regain her strength."
"and most likely help her get her revenge too"
He headed toward the kitchen.
"Looks like I'm cooking dinner tonight," he mumbled as he started preparing food seeing his wife shutting herself in her room.