Lara Point of View

  The dim light of the venue cast eerie shadows across the room as Thailon and Caelum exchanged determined glances. Their mission was clear—go undercover, infiltrate the area, and free every captive hidden behind these walls. Despite my protests, they insisted I stay behind.

  "We can handle this," Thailon said with an easy smirk, adjusting his cuffs as if this were just another routine mission.

  "Just focus on acquiring everything you can," Caelum added, his golden eyes flashing with certainty. "We’ll take care of things down there."

  I wanted to argue, to insist that I should be down there with them, but the unwavering confidence in their eyes made me hesitate. Reluctantly, I nodded. I had to trust them.

  With a final glance, they disappeared into the shadows, leaving me to play my role in the crowd. I took a seat in the front row, my pulse hammering in my ears. The air was thick with tension, conversations buzzing around me—excitement, anxiety, expectation.

  Then, something cold pressed into my palm. A sleek device—an old-school iPhone or something eerily similar. It felt foreign in my grip, a relic from a time long past. As the screen lit up, my breath hitched. The interface was strange yet familiar, resembling the dungeon scribbles I had once encountered. The symbol at the center of the screen mirrored the ancient stone I had pressed my hands against to enter the dungeon.

  This was my portal.

  A direct link.

  My Infinite Points could be transferred through this device, feeding into whatever system controlled the stakes of this place. The crowd around me didn’t know it, but they were spectators to a game whose odds I could bend to my will.

  Did it really matter?

  The answer settled in my chest like a quiet storm. No.

  I had an infinite supply.

  Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself. Thailon and Caelum had their mission.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  And now, it was time for me to make my move.

  Third Point of View

  The auction hall brimmed with anticipation, a mixture of hushed murmurs and gleaming eyes as bidders settled into their seats. At the front of the room, on an elevated platform, the auctioneer, a tall man with a poised demeanor and booming voice, stepped forward, addressing the crowd with a welcoming smile.

  "Ladies and gentlemen," he began, spreading his arms wide as he surveyed the eager crowd. "Welcome to tonight's grand auction! There's just one simple rule," he said, his voice laced with a hint of mischief, "raise your numbered card when you wish to bid. Once you've won, simply press your finger on the blue stone embedded in the tablet you're holding. This will finalize the transfer of points instantly."

  He tapped a sleek, rectangular stone on his podium as a demonstration, its surface glowing briefly in response to his touch. "Simple, isn't it?" He flashed a grin. "Now, let's dive right in!"

  The crowd leaned forward, eyes glistening in anticipation of the treasures to come.

  "Our first item of the evening," the auctioneer announced, gesturing to his assistant, who unveiled a silver amulet. It sparkled under the lights, encased in glass and resting on a velvet cushion. "An amulet crafted from the Heart of Astonia, rumored to be the last remnant of a dragon's power. This item can boost the strength of any spell it's paired with. It's a true marvel."

  The crowd murmured in excitement, and the auctioneer raised his hand to silence them.

  "We'll start the bidding at 800 points!" he declared, glancing expectantly around the room.

  Lara didn't hesitate; she lifted her numbered card high. "800," she called confidently, her voice cutting through the room's excitement.

  A few heads turned to look at her, some raising an eyebrow in intrigue, while others barely gave her a second glance, assuming she would be outbid quickly. A bidder across the aisle raised his hand. "900!"

  Lara's eyes narrowed slightly as she raised her hand again. "1,000," she stated firmly.

  Another bidder quickly followed suit. "1,100!" he barked, flashing a smug smile as he glanced over at her.

  Lara barely batted an eye. "1,200," she countered, her gaze fixed on the amulet with a calm but unyielding determination.

  The bidding escalated quickly, with other bidders chiming in.

  "1,400!"

  "1,600!"

  "1,800!" a voice called out from the back, a wealthy-looking man leaning back in his chair with an air of confidence.

  Undeterred, Lara raised her hand once more. "2,000 points."

  A hush fell over the room as her final bid echoed through the hall. The wealthy man narrowed his eyes, hesitating, then shook his head, lowering his hand with a defeated sigh.

  "2,000 points going once... going twice..." the auctioneer said, savoring the anticipation. "Sold to the lady in the front!" He brought down his gavel with a resounding thud.

  The crowd buzzed with shock, whispers of amazement and speculation rippling through the room. Lara's calm yet bold bidding had caught everyone's attention. The auctioneer smiled approvingly. "Congratulations, madam. Please confirm with the stone."

  Lara pressed her finger to the blue stone on her tablet, feeling a slight pulse as her points transferred instantly.