Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully-Chapter 166: The Shadowed Gavel (2)

The iron doors closed behind them with a heavy thud. The hallway beyond was dimly lit by violet lanterns. Their light reflected off the smooth obsidian tiles that lined the floor and walls. A few robed patrons moved in the distance, speaking quietly among themselves.

A slim attendant stood waiting just inside, dressed in a formal high-collared coat. Silver tattoos curled up his neck. He dipped his head politely. "Honored sellers, the Gavel welcomes you. This way, please."

Riku gave a short nod. Beside him, Sherry tried to smile, but her hand tugged once at her cloak’s edge, betraying the tension beneath.

They followed the attendant down a narrow corridor. With each step, faint glyphs lit up beneath the marble floor. Sherry eyed them warily, but said nothing.

At the end of the corridor, the attendant placed his hand against a black door veined with thin silver etchings. The runes shifted, reacting to his touch with a soft ripple of light. The door opened with a quiet shimmer.

"A private receiving suite. Our appraiser will join you shortly," he said.

He stepped away. The door closed behind him with a faint hiss, followed by the clear sound of locks settling into place.

The room inside was round, with high ceilings and a single lantern hanging directly above. In the center stood a stone pedestal inlaid with silver.

Riku placed the Soul‑Drinker sword on the pedestal. The moment he let go, the runes on the blade pulsed dimly. The air felt slightly colder.

Sherry took a step closer. "I don’t know if I admire that thing or want to step back from it," she said.

"A bit of both is healthy," Riku replied.

After a long time, a soft mechanical click echoed as a side door opened. A tall man entered, dressed in dark robes marked with faint symbols. His hair was tied back with a silver clasp. He put on a pair of thin gloves as he approached.

"Name?" he asked, eyes focused on the blade.

"Riku Sakamoto, and this is Sherry."

"Not yours," the man said. "The item."

"Ah. It doesn’t have one. It’s a soul-bound longsword. Private craft."

The man raised an eyebrow. He began to walk around the pedestal, slowly and carefully.

After circling twice, he paused and reached out. The moment his fingers neared the hilt, a flicker of violet light rose toward his glove. He drew back, then cautiously tried again. This time, he attempted to touched the blade.

The runes responded with a faint pulse. The light moved up the glove and settled along his wrist. The man stood still, then wiped away a drop of sweat forming at his temple.

"Rare," he said. "And... unfinished?"

"Unclaimed," Riku said. "It will complete itself when it bonds with a wielder."

"Soul Craft?" the man asked, blinking hard. His voice wavered with disbelief, and for the first time, he looked directly at Riku.

"Impossible. I must test it at once."

He reached into his coat and took out a slim crystal rod. He pressed it to the sword.

A streak of violet light jumped from the blade into the rod. The color deepened, then darkened. The rod vibrated, then cracked loudly down the middle.

The man jerked his hand back. He stared at the damaged tool, speechless.

He exhaled slowly, still staring at the cracked rod in his hand. "This exceeds Tier Seven," he said at last, voice quieter now. "We don’t usually see items like this enter through the front door."

"Yet here we are," Sherry said, her tone dry.

The man looked from her to Riku, then gave a deep bow. "The Shadowed Gavel is honored. This item needs higher authorization. I’ll inform the magister. Please wait here."

"We’re not in a rush," Riku said.

The door closed behind the appraiser with a soft click, followed by several locks sliding into place.

Sherry exhaled. "Looks like that did the trick."

"Good," Riku said. "Now let’s see what doors that trick opens."

---------------

This time, it didn’t take long at all.

The door unlocked again, this time opening wider. A man stepped through, dressed not in appraisal robes but in formal auctionmaster black, trimmed with gold. He carried a small lacquered box and moved with the polished confidence of someone used to being obeyed.

"Good evening," he said, offering a practiced smile. "I’m Magister Kaelith, current overseer of the Ashvail branch of the Shadowed Gavel."

He bowed, not too low, but just enough to show deference without surrender.

"We are deeply honored by your visit, and—more importantly—by the quality of your consignment."

Riku inclined his head. "A pleasure."

Kaelith opened the box, revealing a polished black token inset with a seven-pointed violet star.

"This is our highest level access badge. It grants full access to private viewing lounges, vault storage, and priority bidding privileges."

He extended it with both hands. "Please accept this as a gesture of goodwill—and a symbol of the regard we hold for your craftsmanship."

Riku took it with a faint nod, running his thumb over the symbol. "That’s... generous."

Kaelith chuckled lightly. "With all due respect, Master Riku, a blade of this nature appears without known origin, forging history, or school attribution. Our records have never logged Soul Craft from a living source."

He leaned forward just slightly. "I’d be personally fascinated to know where you learned to inscribe such enchantments."

Riku’s smile thinned. "Ah. There it is."

Kaelith blinked. "Pardon?"

"The polite smile, the generous gift, the gentle probing. All very refined." Riku tucked the access badge into his cloak. "But I was hoping to speak with professionals, not collectors fishing for secrets. Perhaps this auction isn’t the right fit."

He turned as if to leave.

"Wait—please!" Kaelith’s voice cracked as he took a quick step forward. A sheen of sweat had already begun to form along his brow. "I meant no offense. It’s simply that such craftsmanship is... rare. We only wish to ensure the value is appropriately honored."

Riku paused at the threshold. "Then let’s talk value."

Kaelith swallowed and nodded. "Of course. A blade of this rarity—we could begin bidding at ten thousand sovereigns. With your permission, we would list it as a center-stage artifact. You will receive a preferential commission rate of 6%, instead of the standard 12."

Sherry raised an eyebrow at Riku. "Is that good?"

Riku didn’t answer her. He looked back at Kaelith.

"Five percent," he said.

Kaelith hesitated. Then he extended a hand. "Five it is. You have our highest platform, our highest respect, and our guarantee of privacy."

Riku shook his hand firmly.

"Good," he said. "Then we have a deal."

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