"And so, there will be an auction in this place. This is the catalog. How about checking it to see whether you have something you like or not?" The middle-aged man handed a small book to Theo.

Theo then opened it while listening to the middle-aged man.

"As for your identity, we've prepared it for you." The middle-aged man glanced at the woman in dress and nodded.

The woman acknowledged his order and walked away as if she was going to retrieve it.

"While she's retrieving the proof of your identity, how about we talk a bit? Do you need our assistance?" The middle-aged man asked.

"Mhm." Theo mumbled with his eyes still focusing on the catalog. "Oh, this one is good."

Name: Dusk and Dawn Rings.

Description: The Dusk and Dawn Rings come in a pair. The jewel used on it is Star Moon Twin Jewels. It's said that the rings can allow the other to know that the partner is still alive. By pouring Magic Power into it, it can dim the light inside the jewel to show the partner that they're alright.

In a world where danger kept looming in the shadows, this kind of ring was perfect for a couple, especially if they were important people. This would allow either the husband or wife to be notified if something happened.

'Should I buy this ring?' Theo looked at the two silver rings with red and blue jewels on top of them. 'These two rings should be perfect for our engagement.'

He thought he was coming only for the stone, but it seemed he had another purpose in this auction.

When Rea took a glance at the ring, she realized that Agata's place in Theo's heart wouldn't be changed no matter what.

Theo continued to look at the items to see if there were any other interesting items.

He really underestimated an underground auction like this. The items they got might be more precious than the items that the temple auctioned.

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There were a few artifacts as well as important medicines and herbs that could increase their status points. No wonder only rich people could attend this auction.

Still, Theo wasn't that interested in other items. He just wanted the pair of rings and the stone.

"Do you guys have anything you want?" Theo asked Felix and Ryo.

"No." Both of them shook their heads.

Meanwhile, Theo didn't ask Rea since she was busy engaging in conversation with the middle-aged man when Theo was looking through the catalog.

After five minutes, Theo finally broke his peace, "So, when are you going to show us your real intention?"

"Huh?" Rea tilted her head in confusion before realizing what was happening. The talk was light-hearted, making her lose track of time. She didn't realize that so much time had passed since the woman from earlier went to grab their proof of identity.

"As expected of Joker. Your reputation is well-deserved. When did you realize it?" The middle-aged man didn't bother to hide it. It was clear that Theo would have realized it at some point, so peace was never an option.

"At the start." Theo yawned. "You truly put a boring plan here. Let me guess. An old official wants you to keep me here."

"I'm sorry, but you are a precious asset in our country. We can't really allow you to court death by going there. I hope that you can stay here until the auction is over." The middle-aged man smiled while glancing to the sides.

Suddenly, thirteen people came out of their hiding, including the woman who had changed her dress to a combat suit.

"Hoh? To think that the army is doing their best Sending out five Mythical Rank Experts and 9 Supreme Rank Experts just to keep me here. Should I be honored?" Theo looked around with a poker face.

"This is not your turf, Joker. We've prepared everything here, so no strategy will work. We've strengthened the house, so you won't be able to escape." The middle-aged man smiled. "I truly don't want to resort to violence. So, I hope that you can remain here."

Rea gritted her teeth and said, "So, you were planning to keep us here half an hour before the auction to make us preoccupied here. And because of the distance, we wouldn't be suspicious of your intention."

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"That's plan A. Unfortunately, we could only resort to plan B. Though, without us, you couldn't get any identity to go to the auction." The middle-aged man smiled.

"Say. Is the soldier trained to talk about their plans?" Theo sighed. "I'm disappointed. Let's go back."

Theo rose from his seat before all the people stepped forward as if trying to stop him.

Ryo summoned his child while Rea took out her sword, ready to fight.

However, only Felix didn't do anything. In fact, he didn't have any intention to fight.

"Please stop, Joker. I don't really want to do this, but I might need to get a bit rough if you're like this." The middle-aged man glared at him, threatening him.

"What do you think?" Theo asked Felix with a smile.

"Nothing much. I can handle all the Mythical Rank Experts, but I don't think my part has come." Felix shook his head with a sigh.

"Then, let's go then." Theo chuckled. Felix indeed had realized his plan. Even though he had heard Theo's plan, it was just a rough one. Only Felix, who had followed Theo for the longest, was able to decipher his true thought.

"Joker, stop!" The middle-aged man shouted, trying to stop him. However, the moment Theo took a step forward, he ordered, "All men, apprehend them!"

"You should stop this If you want to capture me, you should have come to me in a room where the light can't reach." Theo smirked as he raised his left hand. "Rise."

Suddenly, the shadows of the walls, the furniture, and even the humans rose from their position, covering their bodies like a powerful chain.

"What is this?"

"Shadow?"

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"This ability is strange."

The people were confused. Even Rea didn't expect that the shadow would be helping them. However, the most shocking part was the fact that Theo was the one controlling this power.

The people struggled to stop it, but their effort was useless.

"Joker, stop!" The middle-aged man kept shouting but couldn't even move due to the shadow. Even when he released his power, the shadow couldn't be destroyed.

Little did they know this shadow came from the Shadow King. There was no way they could break free from it.

"Let's go then." Theo smirked and walked to the exit. He glanced back and said, "With this, I don't have anything to do with the military anymore not that I have something to do with you from the start. But there's no need for me to trust you guys anymore. Thanks for giving me that reason. Bye."

"JoMhmm!" Theo ended up covering the middle-aged man's mouth because he was already annoyed by his voice.

Meanwhile, the group followed him even though they were confused by this power. They knew that Theo had always planned for something, so this was nothing new.

Still, Rea noticed one more problem.

"Even if we can escape from this place, we don't have the identity to enter the auction. What should we do now? That's right. My father sent a few men here I wonder if they could bring us in." Rea thought for a moment, but the answer came as soon as they left the building.

There were two Cubicars on the outside. In the front cubicar, there was a sexy lady taking the wheel.

She winked at Theo and waved her hand coquettishly. "Hello, handsome man. Let's go to a party."

"Who are they?" Rea gasped, not expecting help coming like this. She didn't recognize the people that drove the car.

However, Theo had already entered the cubicar, sitting next to the pretty lady. He glanced at the dumbfounded Rea and asked, "What are you doing? Let's go now."

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