Riven moved at a steady pace, his breathing even, his steps light.
The sect faded behind him faster than expected as he walked into the forest.
Then he entered the mist he'd passed through on the way here again.
But this time from the other direction.
It didn't stop him.
After a while he left the forest behind him and continued on his path.
Kael had given him a map to follow.
It was smaller than the one he already had so it was kind of useless.
But at least he knew where to go.
The travel was uneventful.
Small villages.
Plains.
Time passed.
But he noticed one thing as he got closer to his destination.
A faint tug at the edge of his awareness.
As he continued walking, it grew clearer. Not stronger, just… nearer.
Riven's pace slowed slightly as his eyes drifted toward a tree line off the main path.
He could feel the green tinged spider from the Newcomer's Trial nearby.
That distant forest must be the Whispering Hollow from back then.
For a moment, he considered turning.
It wouldn't take long to reach it.
That spider reminded him of the predator spider that was with him now.
It had initiated a bond with the tattoo.
And as far as he was concerned, that probably meant he would be able to form a Silk Symbiosis with it.
But then he shook his head.
He needed a higher ranked version of the skill to form a second bond.
Riven looked toward the forest for another moment, then turned his gaze forward again.
There was no reason to go there right now.
He continued on.
After another few hours the path widened, the ground leveled, and signs of human presence became more frequent.
Fields stretched out ahead, divided into neat rows. Crops swayed lightly under the afternoon breeze, their movement steady and uniform.
A few farmers worked among them, their tools simple, their movements practiced. One or two glanced up as Riven passed, eyes lingering briefly on his robes before returning to their tasks.
That's when Riven realized he probably shouldn't be walking around in the sect's uniform outside.
He quickly found a place off the road that was covered with some bushes and changed.
His body was now donned in the simple training clothes he'd gotten on his way back to the sect before.
He continued on.
The road became clearer the further he went, packed earth worn smooth by repeated travel. Small carts rolled along in the distance, pulled by beasts too mundane to warrant attention.
And eventually—
A city came into view.
Stone walls rose from the horizon, weathered but intact. Beyond them, tiled rooftops clustered tightly together, layered in uneven lines. Smoke drifted upward from somewhere inside, blending into the pale sky.
It wasn't particularly large.
But it was busy.
Alive.
Riven studied it for a brief moment as he approached, then stepped onto the main road leading toward the gates.
The closer he got, the more movement gathered. Travelers, merchants, carts—nothing chaotic, but steady. Controlled.
Two guards stood at the entrance, spears resting loosely at their sides.
One of them glanced at Riven as he approached.
"Welcome to Greyford City."
His tone was neutral. Routine.
"State your identity."
Riven reached into his robe and secretly summoned the identity token Kael had given him.
Green Lotus.
The guard took it, glancing over the surface briefly. Then he handed it back.
"Looks fine." he said flatly. "Ten square coins."
Riven's gaze didn't change.
Tch.
Verdance had had an agreement with them to waive the entrance fees.
But this place was different.
He reached into his pocket, connected to his spatial ring, and summoned the coins, handing them over as if they'd been in his pocket.
It was cheap.
Easily affordable.
Still—
Annoying.
He was here to make money.
Not spend it.
The guard stepped aside.
"Move along."
Riven nodded and walked past.
The city swallowed him quickly.
Stone streets. Narrow alleys branching off into quieter sections. The air carried a mix of dust, cooked food, and something faintly metallic.
It wasn't refined.
But it wasn't poor either.
People moved with purpose.
No one paid him much attention.
Riven slowed slightly and glanced around before stopping near a passerby.
"Silvercrest Manor?" he asked.
The man pointed without hesitation.
"North side. Past the inner district. Can't miss it."
Riven gave a small nod and moved on.
The streets widened the deeper he went.
Buildings grew larger. Cleaner. More deliberate.
Less survival—
More status.
Eventually—
He saw it.
Silvercrest Manor.
He really couldn't miss it.
It had its name carved into a huge stone next to the entrance.
The estate itself stood behind a low but well-maintained wall, reinforced with iron latticework. From what he could see, the buildings inside followed a clean, structured design—white stone, dark wood, and sharp edges. It wasn't overly luxurious, but everything about it spoke of discipline and order rather than excess.
Riven slowed slightly as he approached, his gaze sweeping across the entrance.
He hesitated for a brief moment.
Before leaving, he had asked Kael two more questions.
The first—
Why couldn't the sect just give him an auction spot directly?
Kael had answered simply.
They could.
But not for someone like him.
You needed an identity.
Someone from a demonic sect wouldn't pass. Unknown individuals would draw even more attention. Even the Green Lotus cover identity wasn't enough—there was already someone attending under that name, and it wasn't a strong enough faction to justify sending multiple representatives.
This auction was meant for the upper circles.
And it couldn't be known who was truly behind it.
Riven hadn't fully understood all of it, but one thing had been clear—
If he wanted in, it would be through this.
The second question had been simpler.
Why me?
Kael's answer had been just as direct.
He looked like their young master.
Same age range. Same missing arm.
And more importantly—
Unknown.
That young master had hidden himself away after losing his arm in childhood. Very few people had seen him since. According to the mansion's own people, Riven was similar enough that even if someone saw him, they wouldn't question it.
That was all it took.
Riven exhaled quietly.
Then stepped away from the entrance and slipped into a narrow gap between nearby buildings.
He couldn't just walk in like this.
Not while the real young master might still be inside.
Reaching into his spatial ring, he quickly sorted through its contents. He hadn't prepared anything specifically for this, but the belongings of the Knight's Order girl and her maid were still there.
He carefully filtered through their clothes in search for a cloak.
Eventually he found one.
Brown. Plain. Functional.
Riven pulled it over his shoulders and raised the hood, letting the fabric shadow his face. It wasn't perfect, but it would do.
He adjusted it once, then stepped back out.
Good that I didn't throw them away.
The he walked straight toward the entrance of Silvercrest Manor.
Two guards stood at the gate, their posture straight, eyes sharp. As he came closer, one of them raised a hand.
"State your business."
Riven didn't stop immediately. Only when he stood a few steps away did he lift his gaze slightly beneath the hood.
He reached into his robe and pulled out the identity token Kael had given him.
Green Lotus.
He held it out.
The guard took it, scanning it briefly. The moment he recognized it, his posture shifted slightly, and he exchanged a quick glance with the other guard.
"Ah. The master has been expecting you."
He handed the token back and stepped aside. "Please, follow me."
Riven took it and walked past the gate without another word.
He didn't want them to recognize his voice later.
Inside, the manor was quiet. Stone paths ran cleanly through a structured courtyard, dividing training grounds, smaller buildings, and neatly arranged greenery. Nothing was excessive. Everything had a purpose. Servants moved through the space with quick, controlled steps, none of them lingering or speaking.
The guard led him straight ahead, up a short set of steps and into the main building. The doors opened smoothly, revealing a wide corridor that carried the same restrained atmosphere as the courtyard. They didn't stop until they reached a set of double doors at the end.
"The master is inside," the guard said, stepping aside. "You may enter."
Riven pushed the doors open and stepped in.
The hall beyond was spacious but not overly decorated. Polished stone floors reflected the muted light coming in from above, and tall pillars lined the sides, giving the room a sense of structure rather than grandeur.
At the far end of the hall, two figures sat facing him.
The man occupied the central seat, his posture straight even at rest, one hand resting on the armrest while the other tapped lightly against it in a slow, deliberate rhythm. His robes were dark with fine silver threading, tailored cleanly to his frame. A faint scar ran from the edge of his brow down to his cheek, cutting through otherwise composed features and giving him a sharper, more severe presence. His calm eyes settled on Riven the moment he entered.
Beside him sat a woman in lighter robes, the fabric flowing more naturally around her. A jade hairpin held her dark hair in place, though a few loose strands framed her face. Her eyes moved over Riven slowly, pausing at his shoulders, his stance, the way he carried himself.
Neither of them spoke right away.
Then the door closed behind Riven.