By the time the private airship landed at the airport, Neon had produced four prophetic poems with identical content.
The keyword 'final resting bed' in the poems typically signified death.
And those four clients were all scheduled to attend the first Yorknew City Auction the next day.
This unusual situation was no minor matter.
This year's first Yorknew City Auction would be held at the Cemetery Building, with the Ten Dons as the organizers.
The auction venue was located in the basement of the Cemetery Building. There were no VIP rooms, and every guest was treated equally.
The venue wasn't particularly large. In terms of decor, it resembled a medium-sized theater.
Since the attendees of this auction were all prominent figures in the underworld, and the venue was underground, this first auction every year was affectionately called the [Underground Auction] by underworld members. Over half of the year's finest items were sold there.
The organizers took a five percent commission on the transaction value. From this single event alone, the Ten Dons reaped immense profits.
Therefore, to gain the Ten Dons' favor, some underworld figures engaged in frenzied bidding, almost like a form of tribute.
The Underground Auction corresponded directly with the prophecy's content.
Based on this information, one could only conclude the auction would be attacked that night, not who the attackers were.
But Law knew.
The airship landed. Tomorrow was September 1st.
Law disembarked and said only one word to Dalzollene: "Goodbye."
While Dalzollene stood bewildered, Law instantly vanished from their sight.
Outside the airport, Law hailed a taxi and gave the driver the destination.
He then took out his phone to call Kurapika and confirm his location.
Just as he was about to dial, the phone rang first.
The number was unfamiliar, but Law answered.
"Law, lend me some money!"
It was Milluki's voice, panting heavily.
Recognizing it, Law shook his head slightly. "How much?"
"Ten billion! No, twenty billion!" Milluki said.
"What for?" Law raised an eyebrow.
"This year's Yorknew City Auction has several copies of [Greed Island]! I need one!" Milluki explained hastily.
The Greed Island meant the game's login qualification.
Hearing this, Law remembered and said helplessly, "Twenty billion is a lot. Can you repay it?"
"Don't underestimate me. I have at least twelve billion saved," Milluki insisted.
"Fine, go see Sabro. I'll inform him."
"Love you, Law!"
Milluki was ecstatic. He'd tried borrowing from Sabro first, but Sabro passed the request to Law, forcing Milluki to get Law's new number from him.
Fortunately, Law was generous enough to agree immediately.
Ignoring the taxi driver's odd look in the rearview mirror, Law ended the call with a sigh.
He messaged Sabro about the loan and then confirmed Kurapika's location.
The taxi ride from the airport to Yorknew City took ninety minutes.
It went through the Gordeau Desert highway for seventy minutes, past a zone of unfinished buildings, then just fifteen minutes to the city.
Dust often swirled beside the highway, with little vegetation, looking desolate. Yet the road ended at prosperous Yorknew.
As the taxi passed the unfinished buildings, Law rested his cheek on his hand, calmly observing them.
'Here... will be your tombstone.'
The taxi entered the city and stopped at the Bejita Hotel.
Law paid, entered the hotel, went straight to the 52nd floor, found the presidential suite Kurapika mentioned, and knocked.
The door opened moments later.
Seeing Salin, Law was stunned.
"Eaten yet? I just had a meal sent up," Salin said calmly, stepping aside to let him in.
"What are you doing here?" Law entered.
"Delivering auction items. Also waiting for the catalog. Can't miss any ancient books," Salin replied.
"You could have left that to me. No need to come personally," Law said helplessly.
"Couldn't do that. I need to enjoy buying ancient books myself sometimes," Salin smiled.
Law had no reply. He walked through the entryway and saw Kurapika in the dining area.
Noticing Law's gaze, Kurapika looked apologetic for not mentioning Salin over the phone.
Law shook his head slightly. He knew Kurapika had likely been pressured into silence.
He was hungry, so he sat down.
As a high-star hotel, Bejita Hotel's food was decent.
Law and Kurapika ate in silence.
Not wanting to involve Salin, Law didn't discuss plans with Kurapika. Kurapika, understanding, didn't press after sensing Law's intent.
Salin refilled her wine glass, held it up, let the red liquid settle, and aimed it towards them.
"Don't treat me as a burden. If something's happening, I can probably help," Salin said suddenly.
Kurapika remained expressionless.
Law sighed softly, looked at Salin, and said, "Stay out of it. Be good, stay in the hotel. When the Southernpiece Auction starts on the 6th, there will be ancient books you want."
If the Underground Auction was an exclusive event for underworld figures, the Southernpiece Auction was Yorknew City's most prestigious. Many celebrities attended, and the entry ticket and catalog alone cost twelve million Jenny.
"I refuse!" Salin said, still smiling.
"..."
Law fell silent for a long moment, about to try persuading her, when a phone rang… Salin's.
Salin answered. "You're here?"
"Yes, just in the lobby. Is Law there?" A woman's voice asked.
Law's ears twitched, 'It sounded like Ellie.'
"He's here. Come up. Room 5223, 52nd floor," Salin said and hung up.
Lines of exasperation formed on Law's brow. "Was that Ellie?"
"Yes. Didn't Sabro tell you? Ellie goes to the Southernpiece Auction every year," Salin said, putting her phone away.
"..." Law held his forehead, speechless.
Kurapika watched quietly, sensing Law's distress.
Soon, Ellie, in a princess gown, arrived.
"Law!" Seeing him, Ellie's eyes shone as she shouted, then tackled him to the floor.
This made Kurapika stand up, startled, staring at the blonde on top of Law.
A sudden chill ran down his spine, making him glance towards the entryway.
"What a beautiful woman."
His eyes met a pale-complexioned woman with satin-black hair and a mandala flower design on her forehead.
She had delicate features, wore no makeup, yet possessed devastating beauty.
Despite her frail appearance, she gave Kurapika a sense of pressure.
Law, pinned down, also saw the woman.
"Her hair has grown longer... does that mean?"
…
Meanwhile, in the Gordeau Desert.
Dust swirled, obscuring several moving figures.