Chapter 4 The Target

(VENAL POV)

We arrived at the venue for the auction. The event wouldn’t start without Dryzen around, else they’d all be dead. That will be added to my responsibility in case it happens.  It’d be my job again to dispose of their corpses. I wished they wouldn’t be stupid enough to put more workload on my plate.

A canopy of big umbrellas greeted us, as heavy rain was still pouring when we got out of the car. I immediately took the coat for Master Dryzen from the valet and put it on him.

We enter as if we are the only guess.

He had a reserved spot in front, closer to the item that he wanted to take for his collection. He’s an esteemed top-bidder in almost all auctions he attended and doesn’t have a care how much the hammer price would reach.

He sat like a king in his own palace, and everyone bowed to him.

Many a businessman was silent when he arrived; some were frustrated, and others were insecure by his presence… They all knew the struggle with dealing with someone like Dryzen Storm.

It was an archeology auction of the allegedly excavated fossils of dragons and dinosaurs. Master Dryzen knows faux from authentic. He allows other bidders to win the lots that he deems as fake… but would always win the lots, usually cover lots, of genuine artifacts.

But he was annoyed from making him waste his time on nonsense.

When he sees something authentic and has great value… He will aim to get it, and no matter what it will be his.

As I said, he doesn’t care about the amount. When he wants something, he surely is his possession.

First, in the auction were bones believed to be of dinosaurs. Master Dryzen just smiled, but he nodded at me to make the opening bid. It was a command, meaning he was interested, and I should be able to win whatever interests him.

We won the first item.

The applause he gets whenever he wins something is music to his ears.  Master Dryzen’s auction collection sometimes makes me wonder if he’s ever built a museum.

Another entrepreneur came to the venue, but his presence was disregarded until something made us notice him.

The next lot was comprised of another set of bones. Dryzen wanted me to win it, and so we did. I was already curious what he’d turn those things into.

Many more items were brought onto the stage. He didn’t bid for a few.

And the winner was happy because he got the lot.

Although Master Dryzen was subtle, he applauded the winning merchants. Maybe he is applauding the winner, that's it, stupid to his mind.

Master Dryzen smiles devilishly.

Until the bidding came down to the last item. A necklace that he had seen from the catalog earlier, and read the description of. I knew he had been waiting for it.

The necklace was an Esclavage made of ruby stones. A blue diamond necklace is appraised higher than the ruby… but Dryzen didn’t want to miss anything, especially real gems.

He nodded at me.

To save all our time, my opening bid was high enough to outbid anyone. Everyone was surprised at the amount, and nobody wanted to challenge.

But I was wrong.

The entrepreneur who had just arrived after the first lot has raised his number. He made an increment bid. Master Dryzen let out a smile and they both started at each other.

I just sighed.

That entrepreneur probably didn’t know that he made the wrong move. I gestured to one of my assistants to get all information about him.

I did another increment, but the challenger didn’t want to lose. Then I raised again. Until it was Master Dryzen who finally asked me to stop. In the end, the old fat businessman won. I should admit he was brave or perhaps just ignorant about Dryzen’s reputation. Nevertheless, many applauded him for his courage.

Master Dryzen stood up and shook hands with him; a smile brimming on his face. That smile was actually a death threat, but that entrepreneur was too stupid to know.

I closed my eyes in dismay.

I’ve made a promise to my ancestors that I will keep Master Dryzen’s death list empty under my care. But after his secretary died, he wanted to reap another poor soul?

“All is well, sir. The item is destined for you.”

“It’s my honor to beat you, Mr. Storm.” They shook hands once more.

Underneath Master Dryzen’s smile, the Grim was smiling at the entrepreneur. I really knew Master Dryzen’s dark plan would commence soon.

@DeathWish