Dawn Walker Novel Chapter 99: Smelled Like Trouble II

Chapter 99: 99: Slled Like Trouble II

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As they approached the Dawn House business district, the familiar building ca into view: tall stone, iron reinforcents, the Dawn crest displayed proudly above the entrance. There were two main doors. One for the shop, bustling with daily buyers. One for the auction hall, quieter, guarded, and used when high-level deals happened.

The building looked the sa as in Sekht’s childhood.

But the air around it felt different.

Tense.

Like a blade hidden under a cloth.

Sekht stepped inside the shop first.

The sll hit him imdiately.

tal. Old wood. oil. faint blood residue from beast parts used in crafting.

And fear.

Fear was not a sll for most people.

For Sekht, with his blood awakened and his senses sharpened, it was.

He could sll it on clerks. On guards. On custors who looked over their shoulders too often.

A middle-aged man approached quickly from behind the counter.

He was not tall. Not short. His hair was neat. His beard was trimd. His clothing was clean but slightly worn at the edges — like a man who tried very hard to look respectable while quietly bleeding inside.

This was Reyan.

Manager Reyan.

He forced a smile as he bowed.

"Young Master Sekht," he said warmly. "Welco ho. It is... it is a relief to see you alive."

The words sounded right.

But the way his eyes flicked once toward Auri and then away felt wrong.

Reyan’s smile widened.

"We heard rumors," he continued quickly. "Many rumors. But I said... I said, no. Dawn House young master does not fall so easily."

Sekht studied him.

Reyan’s respect was perfect. Too perfect.

Sekht offered a polite nod, his tone calm.

"I am here now," he said. "Give

an update."

Reyan’s smile tightened. "Of course, young master," he replied.

He guided Sekht behind the counter and into a private office. The shop noise softened behind thick doors.

Thunk...

Reyan gestured toward a chair.

Sekht did not sit imdiately. He remained standing, looking at the shelves and papers like a predator pretending to be a custor.

Auri stood behind Sekht quietly, hands folded, eyes calm.

Reyan cleared his throat.

"First," Reyan said, "the shop is stable. Sales are lower than last year, but not catastrophic. Our regular clients still co."

Sekht’s eyes narrowed slightly. "And the auction house," he asked.

Reyan’s smile twitched. "That," Reyan said carefully, "is... difficult."

Sekht did not speak. He waited.

Reyan continued.

"We have fewer legendary items," Reyan admitted. "Suppliers are delaying. So claim their routes are unsafe. So claim their items are already reserved. The auction hall—" He exhaled. "We are running on older stock."

Sekht’s gaze hardened. "How long," he asked.

Reyan hesitated.

"Almost two months," he admitted. "Since your father left."

Sekht’s jaw tightened slightly.

"So it matches,"

he thought. "The business started bleeding harder the mont Father disappeared for sothing."

Sekht’s voice remained steady. "I will hold an auction," he said.

Reyan blinked. "An auction," he repeated, as if the word itself was dangerous.

"Yes," Sekht replied. "Next month. First day."

Reyan’s eyes widened slightly.

"Young Master," Reyan began, voice cautious, "we do not have the items for that. It is dangerous. If we announce an auction and fail to deliver quality, Dawn House will beco a joke. Our rivals will laugh. Buyers will stop trusting us. It could—"

Sekht lifted one hand.

Reyan stopped instantly.

Sekht’s gaze was calm, almost cold.

"I will find the items," Sekht said. "You will handle the announcent and preparations."

Reyan’s smile returned quickly, forced but obedient. "Of course," Reyan said. "If you insist, I will... I will handle it."

Sekht watched him closely.

Reyan’s words were loyal. But his heartbeat was wrong.

Ba - dum... Ba - dum...

It was not the heartbeat of a loyal servant speaking to his lord.

It was the heartbeat of a man smiling through fear because he was already owned by soone else.

Sekht did not show suspicion. He did not accuse. He did not threaten.

Not yet.

He spoke as if the business was a simple equation.

"Give

lists," Sekht said. "Supplier nas. Missing shipnts. Buyers who stopped coming. Staff who changed behavior."

Reyan nodded rapidly. "Yes," he said. "Yes, Young Master."

Reyan pulled papers. Reyan offered numbers. Reyan spoke smoothly.

And Sekht listened.

Auri stood behind, watching everything silently. Her eyes were sharp, but her face remained blank.

After enough conversation, Sekht nodded once.

"That will be all for today," he said.

Reyan’s shoulders relaxed slightly, as if a storm had passed.

"Of course," he replied. "We are honored to have you back."

Sekht turned toward the door.

Auri followed.

As Sekht opened the office door, the shop noise rushed back in again.

Clang... chatter... laughter... bargaining...

Sekht walked through the shop calmly. He did not glance back.

But behind him, in the office, Reyan’s expression changed the mont the door closed.

His smile dropped like a mask thrown into dirt. His eyes hardened. He muttered under his breath.

"Brat," he said quietly. "You think you can fix this with one auction."

He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples like he was annoyed by a fly.

Then he stood and walked toward a hidden drawer in his desk.

Click...

He pulled out a communication stone.

It was small, dark, and carved with iron symbols / patterns.

Reyan held it and smirked. "Iron House," he murmured. "He is alive."

The stone ward faintly.

Reyan’s smile twisted into sothing ugly.

"He wants an auction next month," Reyan said. "First day. He believes he can ’find items.’"

Reyan’s eyes flicked toward the door as if imagining Sekht’s calm face.

"He does not have anything," Reyan continued, voice low. "He is returning from purgatory with nothing but pride. This is perfect."

... He paused. Then he laughed softly.

"He will announce an auction. Buyers will co. Dawn House will fail publicly. The na will collapse."

Reyan’s smile widened. "This is the best chance to destroy Dawn House completely."

The communication stone pulsed once.

Reyan nodded, satisfied.

Outside, Sekht and Auri stepped into sunlight again.

The street noise hit them.

Shout... wagon wheels... negotiation...

Sekht’s expression remained calm.