The underground hall had grown quieter.
The final item of the auction rested beneath a glass dome at the center of the stage.
The fragment of black crystal shimmered faintly beneath the chandelier light.
Elias could feel its presence clearly.
Even without touching it.
The threads of dream energy surrounding the object twisted and pulsed like living veins.
A fragment connected to The Lucid One.
That much was obvious to him.
But the reaction of the crowd confirmed something even more important.
Other occultists recognized its significance as well.
The bidding began cautiously.
"Two thousand," someone called.
"Three."
"Four thousand."
The numbers climbed quickly.
Several figures leaned forward in their seats.
Elias observed them carefully.
The priest wearing the symbol of the Veiled Church raised his hand calmly.
"Six thousand."
His voice carried quiet authority.
Another bidder responded immediately.
A tall man wearing a crimson mask.
"Seven."
The atmosphere in the hall tightened.
Everyone could feel the weight of the artifact.
Relics connected to ancient entities were rare.
Dangerous.
And extremely valuable.
Elias remained silent.
He had no intention of bidding.
Not tonight.
Buying such an item would draw far too much attention.
Instead he focused on watching the players.
Information was far more valuable than artifacts.
"Ten thousand."
The voice came from across the hall.
The masked priest.
His posture remained perfectly calm.
But Elias noticed something.
The man's fingers were trembling slightly.
Excitement.
Devotion.
The Veiled Church clearly believed the relic had great importance.
Then another voice spoke.
"Fifteen."
The entire hall turned.
The figure wearing the plain white mask had raised their hand.
The mysterious observer.
Their voice was soft.
Almost bored.
But the number silenced the room.
No one countered immediately.
The host smiled behind his golden mask.
"Fifteen thousand going once."
The priest of the Veiled Church leaned forward.
"Sixteen."
The white mask tilted slightly.
"Twenty."
Silence followed.
The priest hesitated.
Even wealthy cults had limits.
After several seconds he slowly lowered his hand.
The host raised the gavel.
"Sold."
The crystal fragment was carried toward the white-masked observer.
Elias watched carefully.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The mysterious organization Calder had mentioned earlier—the Silent Observers—had just purchased a relic connected to the Lucid One.
Which meant they were likely aware of the entity's influence.
Or at least suspicious of it.
Elias leaned back slightly.
This hidden world was clearly more organized than he had expected.
And more dangerous.
The auction soon concluded.
Guests began rising from their seats and quietly discussing the evening's transactions.
Some negotiated trades.
Others simply left.
Elias stood calmly.
He had already gained what he wanted.
Information.
But before he could leave—
Someone approached.
The figure wearing the white mask.
They stopped a few feet away from him.
Up close, the mask appeared plain and featureless.
No decoration.
No symbols.
Just smooth white porcelain.
"Good evening," the stranger said.
Their voice was neutral.
Impossible to identify.
Elias inclined his head slightly.
"Good evening."
The observer studied him carefully.
"You showed particular interest in the final artifact."
Elias shrugged lightly.
"Curiosity."
"A collector's curiosity?"
"Perhaps."
The observer tilted their head.
"You did not bid."
"Because I lack fifteen thousand crowns."
A small pause.
Then the white mask spoke again.
"You are new to gatherings like this."
It was not a question.
Elias smiled faintly behind his own mask.
"Everyone begins somewhere."
"True."
The observer folded their hands behind their back.
"May I ask your profession?"
"A merchant."
"A collector?"
"Occasionally."
Elias subtly activated Veil of Distortion while speaking.
The illusion shifted the way his voice resonated.
His posture seemed less confident.
Less dangerous.
To the observer, Elias now appeared like a mildly curious nobleman exploring occult markets.
Harmless.
The white mask remained silent for several seconds.
Then they nodded slightly.
"I see."
Behind them, the priest of the Veiled Church watched the interaction carefully.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Elias noticed.
But he pretended not to.
The observer spoke again.
"Artifacts connected to dream entities are extremely dangerous."
"I imagine so."
"Many collectors underestimate that danger."
"I will keep that in mind."
Another pause.
Then the white mask said quietly,
"If you continue attending gatherings like this…"
"You will eventually encounter things that do not belong in this world."
Elias smiled faintly.
"I suspect I already have."
The observer studied him again.
Then they chuckled softly.
"Perhaps you have."
Without another word, they turned and walked away.
Elias watched them leave.
The Silent Observers.
An organization that gathered information and collected dangerous artifacts.
He would need to learn more about them.
Soon.
The hall began emptying quickly.
Elias slipped out through the same corridor he had entered earlier.
The night air outside felt colder now.
The city streets were nearly empty.
Gas lamps flickered softly along the road as he began walking back toward the northern district.
Then he noticed the footsteps behind him.
Someone was following.
Elias did not turn around immediately.
Instead he allowed the person to close the distance.
Eventually a voice called out.
"Hey."
Elias stopped.
A young man wearing a leather coat stepped out from the shadows of an alley.
His mask hung loosely around his neck now.
An artifact hunter.
Probably one of the bidders from the auction.
"You were inside," the hunter said.
"Yes."
"You bought the Dream Anchor."
"I did."
The hunter crossed his arms.
"That ring is useful."
"I'm aware."
"You planning to resell it?"
"No."
The hunter frowned.
"You new to this world?"
Elias looked at him calmly.
"Why do you ask?"
The man stepped closer.
"Because people like you usually don't survive long."
Ah.
So that was his intention.
Intimidation.
Perhaps robbery.
Elias sighed quietly.
"Allow me to offer some advice."
The hunter smirked.
"Oh?"
"Yes."
"Choose your targets carefully."
The hunter laughed.
"You think you're dangerous?"
Elias did not answer.
Instead he activated his power.
The alley around them darkened.
The hunter's laughter stopped abruptly.
Because suddenly—
The shadows behind Elias began moving.
Eyes opened within the darkness.
Hundreds of them.
Watching.
Silent.
Ancient.
The illusion lasted only a few seconds.
But it was enough.
The hunter staggered backward.
"What the hell—"
The vision vanished.
The alley returned to normal.
Elias adjusted his coat calmly.
"Good evening."
Then he walked away.
Behind him, the hunter remained frozen in place.
Heart racing.
Completely unsure whether what he had just seen was real.
Elias returned to the Vale Estate shortly before dawn.
The mansion greeted him with familiar silence.
He entered the library and placed the Dream Anchor Ring on the desk.
Then he examined it carefully.
The artifact stabilized dream energy.
Which meant it could help him enter the dream realm intentionally.
Not accidentally.
A controlled descent.
Elias smiled faintly.
That would be extremely useful.
Because there were many questions he still needed answers to.
And the dream realm held many secrets.
He slipped the ring onto his finger.
Then he whispered quietly into the empty library.
"Let's see what dreams reveal."
Far above the waking world—
Beyond the veil of sleep—
Something ancient stirred.
And watched.