033 CAMOUFLAGE
The auction hall felt less like a marketplace and more like a grand evening gala. Guests mingled in elegant suits and gowns, glasses of wine or champagne in hand, bid paddles tucked under their arms.
Everyone wore masks—anonymity was part of the ga.
Before the auction began, attendees lingered at long tables, sampling fine cuisine and vintage bottles. Dan had never tasted anything so extravagant. To him, it felt like raiding a buffet.
Zairgid had slipped away to et his father and mingle with wealthy acquaintances, leaving Dan to his own devices.
That's when soone bumped into him, nearly spilling her glass. Dan caught it with one hand and steadied the woman with the other.
"You look familiar," she said, studying him through his mask.
Dan smirked. "Familiar? With a mask on? Try a better pick-up line next ti."
Her expression flickered, and without another word she pulled back and left, embarrassed.
Yet Dan felt a strange recognition too about the girl. He couldn't place it at first until instinct kicked in. Slipping out his phone, he discreetly activated his mining app and caught her image.
The na flashed on screen.
"Damn, I was right." He quickly saved her to his Favorite List.
Curiosity sparked within him about the girl.
Carefully, he shadowed her movents from afar as she joined another table, speaking quietly with two n: an older, broad-shouldered figure, and a tall, slim one with sharp posture.
Dan tagged them both, then checked their details.
Na: Dorin West | SIA Codena: chanic
Rank: F
Strength: 17 | Charm: 16 | ta: 32 | Command: 30
Na: Ambrone lrose | SIA Codena: Director
Rank: C
Strength: 85 | Charm: 8 | ta: 320 | Command: 309
Na: Lander Strong | SIA Codena: Detective
Rank: F
Strength: 19 | Charm: 31 | ta: 36 | Command: 33
Dan's eyes widened. "SIA?" Then it clicked in his mind. It was the Superheroes Intelligence Agency.
So Dorin wasn't just a casual trainer at Heroes' Gym. She was an undercover operative for SIA.
"And this Detective…" Dan thought, his gaze flicking to the slim man. If the codena matched his role, he had to be the mind behind their investigations. Dorin wouldn't have the brains to run a case on her own—she was only following orders.
His eyes shifted to the older one. "Director… a lrose. He must be tied to Hansen lrose, the city's governor."
Dan leaned back, his lips curling into a thin smile. This wasn't just a night at the auction. He had stumbled onto sothing far more valuable—information.
And he would save it for later.
-----
"What was that about? Who were you talking to?" Director Ambrone asked Dorin, his tone half-jesting. "Don't jeopardize our mission by flirting with boys."
"That guy's a jerk," Dorin muttered, before quickly adding, "Anyway, I've scouted the hall. Most of the guests are accounted for." She handed him a datapad filled with notes and photographs.
Lander took the pad, swiping through the profiles with practiced precision. His eyes narrowed. "You missed the man you just bumped into."
Dorin crossed her arms. "He's probably just so spoiled heir. He tried a pick-up line on ."
Ambrone chuckled. "He dared to hit on our Dorin? Bold move."
Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away.
Dorin was usually a background operative—she rarely worked the field. Tonight was an exception, and the unexpected encounter with a cute stranger had left her a little off-balance.
Still, their focus was clear.
The SIA was here for one reason: this auction.
With so many influential figures gathered under one roof, they were tasked with safeguarding both the guests and the event itself especially protecting the main auction item of the night: The Eye of Ra.
The three operatives resud their quiet surveillance, their eyes sweeping the masked crowd for threats. Beyond the laughter and clinking glasses, the atmosphere humd with tension.
Soon, the auction would begin.
----
"I spoke to my father. You can have these," Zairgid said, handing Dan a datapad. A long list of equipnt glowed across the screen.
Dan raised a brow. "Are we bidding on these later?"
Zairgid snorted. "Are you kidding? Everything up for auction tonight costs millions of Aurs. These are already paid for and waiting at the stores. We'll pick them up later."
"Then why even drag
here?" Dan asked.
"My father wanted to see you," Zairgid replied.
"Alright, let's go…" Dan started, but Zairgid quickly stopped him.
"Not personally. You just being here is enough. His assistants have already looked you over."
Dan frowned. "Wait. They checked
without
even noticing?"
Zairgid shrugged. "We also pulled your records from the ta training center. Father knows everything about you now."
"Damn you rich people," Dan muttered.
"Relax. We can leave anyti. I booked us a room at Black Owl. This place is just for old n throwing money around."
"Go now? What about the food?" Dan asked, reaching for another plate. "Let
finish eating first. The rich can waste fortunes bidding for treasures, while I'll enjoy my buffet."
Zairgid shook his head. "You're unbelievable. A complete glutton."
-----
The auction rolled on without a hitch while Dan stuffed himself. Few dared compete with him for the lobsters and caviar, and he happily claid the buffet.
Although he wasn't poor anymore, the food here were luxuries that few could afford and he would rather not waste money on… if he must pay the bill.
But the al was free tonight so he wouldn't miss it.
Then, to his shock and horror, the ceiling groaned—and collapsed in a rain of steel and plaster.
"Damnit, the ceiling broke
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