We stepped inside Hyunshore Hotel at 9:00 sharp.
Our call with Tiernan that morning clarified a couple of last-minute changes—the main one being that, officially, this was now an art and jewelry auction.
"Really?" I said. "Are those easy to move up by two days at the last moment?"
"Apparently they can do whatever they want," Tiernan said, sounding aggrieved. "They haven't even put out a statement."
"Do we need suits?" Llewellyn asked.
Wait, suits?!
In the end, Llewellyn had lent me one of his button-down shirts, which I was currently wearing under my Seashell White Trench Coat, so I wasn't exactly underdressed as I'd usually be, but still.
Well, anyway. It's not like we were planning to take our coats off. If we had to be visible and recognizable, that was the surest way to make people immediately realize it was us.
We walked through the ostentatious lobby, trying not to focus on the eyes suddenly pointed at us.
I'd become so used to using concealment artifacts whenever I went out that the attention here kept me on edge.
I tried to keep my attention on our surroundings. The amount of marble and expensive wood here was almost embarrassing. The floor had the hotel crest worked into the tiles in what looked like actual gold, right where everyone had to walk.
Who the hell was moving Destabilized Artifacts in Baekhaven?!
Anyway.
Right now, I was honestly more worried about going through security with Penguin, who sat against my wrist in his watch form.
Llewellyn walked beside me like he owned the place, his coat sweeping behind him. He looked at ease in his finest cashmere sweater and unbearably cool.
"Can I help you?" the woman at the reception asked when we approached, her eyes widening slightly when she recognized Llewellyn.
"We're here for the auction," Llewellyn said.
She redirected us to a podium near the staircase, where a man in a black suit asked, "Invitation?"
Llewellyn handed over the black envelope Tiernan had given us.
"Llewellyn L. Hyland," the man said, after checking the card. "And guest. Welcome."
He pointed to a corner, where a few men in suits were holding handheld scanners.
"You'll need to pass through security, then you can go in. We hope you have a pleasant stay."
For a black market auction, this surely looked very official.
Why was the hotel even allowing this? There was no way the owners weren't involved, at least in some capacity.
I went first.
"Arms out, please," the guard with the scanner said.
I spread my arms, trying to keep my breathing even and hoping they wouldn't discover Penguin.
The wand passed over me slowly. Down my left side, across my chest, down my right side. It lingered near my wrist.
Fuck. Penguin held perfectly still, but my heart was doing anything but!
I held my breath.
"Clear," the man said.
Yes!
I exhaled.
Damn, that had taken away ten years of my life.
Llewellyn was next, his face impassive. The wand swept over him.
A moment later…
"Clear," the man said. "Enjoy the event."
***
We walked downstairs.
Something was bothering me though.
I quickly opened my inventory. Everything worked as usual.
I tried navigating to the System Shop. It worked too, and I managed to buy a random artifact without any issues.
I frowned.
"What's the point of scanning us if we can buy any artifact from the System Shop once we're inside? Besides, anyone could have dangerous items sitting in their inventory."
"I think they're only scanning for Destabilized Artifacts," Llewellyn said. "I've heard the new scanners can detect them even when they're stored in inventories."
Wait, really?
Artifact-related technology had evolved quite a bit, huh.
The basement level opened in a wide hallway lined with soft lighting and abstract art in cream colors.
The ceiling was high and coffered, with heavy chandeliers, and along the walls, identical seating areas had been set up at regular intervals, with sofas and tall potted plants mirroring each other from opposite sides and matching lamps switched on.
At the end of the hallway, the ballroom was wide and circular, with pillars all around and a stage at the far end where the auction would happen. Elegant chairs faced it in neat rows.
Tables laden with food and champagne dotted the perimeter.
There were already dozens of people milling about, some in designer suits, others in more eccentric outfits, including a woman in a feathered mask, currently filling her plate.
Black market clientele, apparently.
"Let's go for the buffet," Llewellyn said, then dropped his voice. "Don't actually eat anything."
I hadn't planned to.
If they'd really been setting something up, spiking food and drinks would be the easiest way to incapacitate guests.
Of course there were healing potions for that, but you never knew what you were going to deal with. Better not risk it.
Near the entrance to a service corridor, Ejay, dressed in a valet uniform, was standing straight, smiling at the guests. His eyes met mine for a split second and he winked. Then his gaze slid away as if he'd never seen me before.
We pretended to consider the spread of appetizers, occasionally reaching out for something without actually taking anything.
"Let's go to the bar," Llewellyn said after a while, apparently satisfied with whatever he'd filed away while scanning the room.
Uh… Was that a good idea? I mean, drinking right now was out of the question, surely, and it would be more difficult to get away with not drinking anything there. So why…?
Then I remembered.
I glanced in the direction of the bar.
Phelan stood behind the counter, serving customers. He looked smooth in his uniform, his expression neutral, almost bored.
When Llewellyn looked his way, he gave the slightest nod.
"Morning," Llewellyn said as we reached the counter, as if he'd never met Phelan before. "Do you also serve coffee?"
"Of course," Phelan replied smoothly. "What may I prepare for you?"
"Espresso for me," Llewellyn said. "And a macchiato, please."
He glanced at me to confirm and I nodded.
It was a good choice. We could drink those quickly and sneak away.
Phelan took our orders and started making our coffees.
Well. Time to put our earpieces on.
***
Shea's voice came through immediately: "Testing, testing. Can you hear me?"
"Yes," Llewellyn said, directed at me, as if I'd been the one asking the question.
"Great. I can see you on the CCTV too," Shea said. "All clear so far. Tiernan's making his security rounds. Jihoon is near the front of the ballroom, close to the stage, aiming for a good seat. Yuè Zhōu is already positioned on the stage, where he should stay until the auction ends. I can see you spotted Phelan; I imagine you saw Ejay as well. Who am I missing? Oh, Roan. He's here on the third floor, helping me out."
"Morning!" Roan's bright voice came in for a brief moment, as if he'd been speaking into Shea's mic.
"We know the artifact is on the same floor as the ballroom," Shea continued, "but we don't know which room—they've done something to their security System that scrambles my equipment. Tiernan is trying to find out, but we don't have time, so I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to try and find the artifact yourselves. In a few minutes, Roan will also search starting from the other end of the basement. Whoever finds it first will alert the team. Keep in mind that all exits to the ballroom are guarded, so make sure to sneak out from Ejay's."
Llewellyn asked something not even I managed to catch, even though I was standing so close.
"Can't confirm that either," Shea replied, "but heat signatures suggest multiple artifacts in containment. One of them's giving off readings consistent with a Legendary-level artifact. The actual location is shielded though, that's the problem."
Our coffees appeared in front of us. We drank them quickly.
As we were about to put our cups down, Shea suddenly said, "Shit. You've got company incoming. Two men heading straight for you. I'm running facial recognition now—"
Huh? I turned slightly, pretending to reach for a napkin.
Two men were indeed approaching. One was tall with silver hair and distinguished features, holding a flute of champagne. The other was just as tall, but broader, his expression less open.
"Silver hair is Shawn Baugh," Shea said, just in time. "He's Alliance, pretty high up. The other one's his bodyguard."
Damn it.
"Llewellyn," Baugh said, stopping directly in front of us with a smile. "What a pleasant surprise. I wasn't aware you're interested in art."
Llewellyn's expression didn't change. "And you are?"
The man's eye twitched.
"Shawn Baugh," he said, extending his business card. "I'm sure we've talked before."
"Have we?" Llewellyn said, taking the card and eyeing it with disinterest. "I can't remember."
"…"
Well. I wasn't sure why Llewellyn was antagonizing him so openly, but seeing the man's face I wished I had popcorn.
"And you must be the new partner everyone's been talking about," Baugh said, turning his smile on me. "Ryo Haewell, isn't it?"
"You seem well informed," I said neutrally.
I mean, I wasn't sure if I was supposed to double down or play the good cop so… being neutral was probably best for now.
"I've heard wonders about this auction. It must be true if two public figures such as yourselves decided to attend in person."
I couldn't tell what he was doing here, whether he was trying to avoid looking involved, or whether he just didn't care.
He eyed us thoughtfully, taking a sip from his flute.
"If all I heard is true, it's certainly a bold move for our hero to show up so openly here."
"An equally bold statement," Llewellyn said, "from someone doing exactly the same."
"Me?" Baugh said with a laugh. "Oh, you misunderstand. I'm simply here on holiday. Have been here all week, in fact. Do you know that some of the executive suites have their own pool? Really wonderful place, I must say. I only found out about this art auction this morning."
As if that was likely.
Llewellyn looked like he wasn't willing to entertain this any longer.
"Please excuse us," he said, without even dignifying that with an answer. "We have a few questions to ask the staff before the auction starts."
"Of course," Baugh said, stepping back. He looked disappointed, but didn't press the point. "Have a pleasant auction."
We both sidestepped him.
"He'll be watching us now," Llewellyn said when we were out of earshot. "We need to time this right."
Shea's voice crackled in my ear. "Llewellyn's right. Pretend to ask Ejay something. I'll keep an eye on Baugh and tell you when he's distracted, so you can sneak out. You've got about thirty minutes before they'll start bringing artifacts to the stage. If you're going to go, it needs to be now."
Right.
But there was one problem.
"We need the fake first. Which room is Jihoon keeping it in?"
"Room 412, fourth floor," Shea said. "Service elevator's right around the corner. Ejay can get you access."
Shit. So we had to go up to the fourth floor and then come back down?!
Wouldn't it have been easier if someone from TAPESTRY kept it in his inventory and passed it to us?
On the other hand, what if we couldn't cross paths before the auction or couldn't get it through security. Maybe this was safer.
We had a brief meaningless exchange with Ejay before Shea said, "Now."
"Got it," Ejay said, barely audible. Then to us, "Follow me."
We slid out of the room.
"Service elevator's around the corner," Ejay said under his breath. "Use this card. Fourth floor, room 412. Jihoon left the fake in the bathroom, behind the mirror panel. You'll have to come back down, but they've got guards doing the rounds and there might be more in the room that holds the artifact. You sure about this?"
"No," I said honestly.
Ejay grinned. "I need to go back. Good luck."
The noise of the ballroom faded behind us.
We found the elevator around the corner, scanned the key, and pressed the button to the fourth floor.
The doors slid shut.
"Do you think Baugh's the seller?" I asked. Something about him had been weird.
"I don't know," Llewellyn replied. "It's unfortunate that we can't tell whether the Alliance is here to buy or sell, but whatever it is, their presence doesn't bode well. I'd assumed they would stay behind the scenes and wouldn't be bold enough to show up."
He had a point. Though I supposed that's what Baugh thought about us, too.
"Have you met him before?" I asked, remembering what Baugh had said.
"Yeah," Llewellyn said. "I've been accosted by multiple Alliance members in the past. If I remember correctly, he wanted the Alliance to be officially invited to one of the royal events. He hoped I could put a good word in with the Queen."
That was exactly how to guarantee he'd never speak to them again.
The elevator dinged. Fourth floor.
We found room 412.
"I've taken care of the cameras," Shea said, giving me a heart attack. I forgot he was still there. "The key should be tucked behind the plant next door."
Llewellyn collected it quickly and we opened the door, slipping inside.
Well, that had been smooth so far at least. I exhaled.
We found the mirror panel. Llewellyn pressed the edge and it slid open, revealing the compartment behind.
Inside sat the fake silver bull ornament.
It looked identical to the photos of the real one. Whoever Jihoon had commissioned that from had done a fantastic job.
Llewellyn picked it up carefully and put it in his inventory.
We left the bathroom. However, before we went back downstairs…
"Wait, a moment," I said, catching his arm. Llewellyn looked at me questioningly. "Let me just check on Penguin."
He nodded.
I sat down on the bed and tapped Penguin.
"Hey," I said. "You can come out for a bit."
The wristwatch blinked, then Penguin transformed back and landed on the bed, waddling in a circle, before coming closer and rubbing his face against my hand.
"How are you holding up?" I asked, patting his head gently. "Do you need anything? You won't be able to transform for a while after this."
Penguin chirped.
"Okay," I said, extending my wrist again. "You can transform again then."
Penguin chirped one more time and went back around my wrist.
Perfect. Honestly, he was the coolest creature ever.
"We need to be quick," Llewellyn said as we were both standing in front of the door, looking at each other. "We wasted too much time. Shea, what's the safest route back to the basement that also allows us to investigate? You mentioned guards doing the rounds. Should we use the elevator again?"
"No," Shea said, "it's too close to the ballroom—you will be spotted at once. Stairwell at the end of the hall goes all the way down and should be distant enough that you can check most of the floor as you make your way back. As for the guards, I'll keep my eyes on the screens and guide you."
Right. Here it goes.
"I'm sorry I can't guide you more accurately," Shea said. He sounded frustrated. "We've been trying all morning and have made no progress."
"We'll handle it," Llewellyn said.
While Llewellyn talked to Shea, I tried to expand into the Magic Field and see if I could sense the artifact location, but it seemed I could only detect that it was somewhere on the ballroom's level, nothing else.
What kind of security did these people have?!
Though… Wait a moment. Now that I thought about it, maybe there was something I could do here.
"System," I said. "Activate Intuitive Drift."