Arknights - Echoes Of The Unfound Dawn

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The next item was rolled onto the stage with meticulous care-a pair of large, rough stones, one black and the other a deep, almost iridescent blue. They sat on a velvet cushion, their jagged edges untouched by refinement. To most, they looked like unremarkable rocks, but the soft whispers that rippled through the crowd indicated they weren't ordinary.

The auctioneer stepped forward, clearing his throat to recapture the room's attention. "Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is quite the enigma. These stones were recovered from the depths of an abandoned Originium mine in Kazimierz. Their composition defies conventional analysis, and while no one has determined their precise applications, experts agree they are unlike any known material found in Terra. Starting bid: 300,000 LMD."

Xian froze, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the stones.

Originium? No, it's something else entirely, he thought. His vision blurred momentarily, the stones shimmering in a way no one else seemed to notice. The system kicked in, lines of faint text appearing in his mind like a hidden layer of reality.

"Unidentified High-Density Material. Potential latent energy storage at 2.3 times the efficiency of standard Originium. Possible adaptive properties with further refinement."

Xian's heart skipped a beat. This isn't just some collector's item-it's a goldmine of research potential. If I can get my hands on that...

He sat up straighter, his fingers twitching slightly. Swire, who had been idly inspecting her nails, caught his sudden movement and raised an eyebrow.

"You're not seriously thinking of bidding, are you?" she asked, her tone incredulous.

"Maybe," Xian replied cautiously, still focused on the stones.

Swire snorted, leaning back in her chair with a smirk. "What are you going to bid with? Your pocket change? Face it-you'd get outbid by the time you opened your mouth."

Xian shot her a glare. "Not everyone's swimming in money, Swire. Some of us have to think before throwing LMD around."

"Oh, don't be so dramatic," Swire said, waving him off. "Besides, if you want it that badly, I could always buy it for you. Consider it my good deed for the day."

Xian blinked, surprised by the offer. "Wait, seriously?"

"Of course!" she replied, though her mischievous grin betrayed her true motives.

"And what would you want in return?" Xian asked suspiciously.

Swire's smile widened. "Oh, just a small favor. You remember that agreement we made at the mall, don't you?"

Xian's eye twitched. Of course it's about that, he thought bitterly.

"Hold on," Xian said, crossing his arms. "That so-called 'agreement' wasn't exactly fair, Swire. You practically cornered me into saying yes."

Swire feigned innocence, placing a hand on her chest. "Cornered you? I believe you agreed willingly. In fact, I think your exact words were, 'Fine, just this once.'"

"That was because you wouldn't stop badgering me!" Xian snapped, his voice low enough not to draw attention. "You twisted my words."

"I prefer the term 'negotiated,'" Swire said, her eyes gleaming with amusement.

Xian sighed, rubbing his temples. "Okay, fine. But what does that have to do with this?"

"Well," Swire began, her tone overly sweet, "I could consider extending our... partnership. Let's say, for example, I buy this little rock for you now, and in return, you owe me one more favor. Nothing too big, of course."

Xian's instincts screamed at him not to trust her, but the allure of those stones was too strong. He groaned internally. I'm going to regret this, aren't I?

Swire noticed his hesitation and leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Come on, Xian. It's a good deal. You get your fancy stones, and I get a small favor in the future. Win-win."

Xian clenched his fists, his mind racing. He glanced at the stones again, the system's earlier appraisal replaying in his head. The potential they held was undeniable.

This could be the breakthrough I've been looking for, he thought. But dealing with Swire...

He sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "Fine," he muttered. "But don't go overboard, alright?"

Swire's grin was positively radiant. "Overboard? Me? Never."

Xian's stomach churned. Why do I feel like I just signed a contract with the devil?

The auctioneer's voice echoed through the hall. "We'll start the bidding at 300,000 LMD. Do I hear 300,000?"

A hand shot up almost immediately, followed by another. The numbers climbed rapidly-350,000, 400,000, 500,000.

Xian felt a pang of panic as the price soared. "Uh, Swire? You sure about this?"

"Relax," she said, raising her hand casually to bid 600,000.

"What do you mean, relax?!" Xian hissed.

"Oh, hush," she replied, her voice dripping with confidence.

The bidding continued, the numbers escalating past Xian's wildest expectations. 700,000. 800,000. 1 million.

Xian's heart sank deeper with each number. I could live ten lifetimes and not make that much money.

Swire, however, seemed entirely unfazed, her smug expression unwavering. "1.2 million," she said, her voice loud and clear.

Xian buried his face in his hands. This woman is insane.

The bidding slowed as it reached 1.5 million. A few of the other participants hesitated, and murmurs began to ripple through the crowd.

"That's far too much for a pair of rocks," one man muttered.

"Unrefined material with no confirmed applications," another agreed. "Completely impractical."

Swire turned her head slightly, her sharp gaze silencing the whispers. "Impractical for you, maybe," she said smoothly. "But for someone with vision? Priceless."

The other bidders bristled but said nothing.

Xian leaned closer to Swire, his voice low. "Do you have to antagonize everyone?"

"What's the point of being rich if you can't have a little fun?" she replied, flashing him a wicked grin.

"Rich people logic," Xian muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

The final call came at 1.8 million, and no one else raised their hand. "Sold, to the young lady in the back," the auctioneer announced, his gavel striking the podium.

Swire leaned back in her chair, looking entirely too pleased with herself. "Well, that was fun."

"Fun?" Xian repeated, staring at her in disbelief. "You just spent 1.8 million LMD!"

"Correction: we just spent 1.8 million LMD," Swire said, emphasizing the word with a smirk.

Xian groaned, slumping in his seat. I'm never going to live this down.

As the stones were prepared for delivery, Swire nudged him playfully. "Cheer up, Xian. This is an investment. Besides, you should be thanking me."

"Thanking you?" he repeated incredulously. "For what? Putting me in debt to you for life?"

Swire laughed, clearly enjoying his misery. "You'll see. One day, you'll look back on this and realize how generous I've been."

Xian shot her a withering glare. "Generous, my ass."

Inside, though, he couldn't deny the excitement bubbling beneath his frustration. Those stones might just be the key to something extraordinary-and for better or worse, Swire had made it possible.

But I'm definitely paying her back for this. Somehow.

.

.

.

.

.

The dimly lit room at the back of the auction house was a sharp contrast to the opulent grandeur of the main hall. Here, the air was thick with the metallic tang of blood, the cold silence broken only by the occasional scuffle of boots against the floor. A number of bodies, dressed in the uniforms of auction security, lay sprawled across the room. Some were slumped against the walls, others collapsed over tables, their lifeless eyes staring into nothingness.

In the center of the carnage stood Mephisto, his unsettlingly pale features illuminated by the flickering light of an Originium lamp. Around him, his grunts rummaged through crates and shelves, muttering among themselves as they searched for their target.

"This is taking too long," one of them grumbled, tossing aside a box of unmarked vials. "Why do we always have to do the grunt work?"

"Shut it," another snapped, rifling through a drawer. "Do you want to be the one to tell Mephisto we didn't find it? Be my guest. I'm sure he'd love to hear your excuses."

The first grunt shivered and said no more.

"Besides," a third added, smirking, "once we get that thing, it's going to be chaos out there. Imagine the faces of those rich fools when they realize they've walked into their own nightmare."

The group chuckled darkly, their movements more hurried now as the anticipation built.

Mephisto, however, remained silent, his gaze distant. His mind wandered back to the conversation he'd had with Tallulah just hours ago.

"Mephisto," Tallulah's voice crackled through the communicator, her tone calm yet commanding, "I trust you understand the importance of this operation."

"Yes, of course, Lady Tallulah," Mephisto replied smoothly, his unsettling smile audible in his voice. "Though I must admit, I'm a little disappointed you won't be joining us. It's not often I get to witness your... firepower firsthand."

"There are matters that require my attention elsewhere," Tallulah responded firmly, brushing aside his remark. "Faust and Crownslayer will assist you. Ensure everything proceeds as planned. This is a critical opportunity to destabilize the region."

"I've already formulated a plan," Mephisto assured her, his tone brimming with confidence. "The auction is the perfect stage. Imagine it: the wealthy, the powerful, all gathered in one place, completely unguarded. The chaos we could unleash..."

"Report your progress regularly," Tallulah interrupted. "And remember, no unnecessary risks. We can't afford a failure here."

"Yes, yes," Mephisto said with a wave of his hand, even though she couldn't see it. "You worry too much. Leave it to me."

The communicator clicked off, and Mephisto's grin widened.

"Found it!" one of the grunts exclaimed, snapping Mephisto back to the present.

The group gathered around as the grunt held up a small, unassuming box. Mephisto stepped forward, taking it with deliberate care. Inside, nestled within a bed of velvet, was a large, translucent stone, its surface shimmering faintly with an unnatural light.

Mephisto's smile grew predatory. "Ah, there you are," he murmured, cradling the stone like a precious artifact.

"What's so special about that thing?" one of the grunts asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

Mephisto's pale fingers ran along the stone's surface, and for a moment, his eyes gleamed with a sickly green light. "This little gem," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction, "will amplify my control over Originium-based lifeforms. With this, even those beyond my reach will succumb to my influence. Imagine the possibilities."

The grunts exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing.

Mephisto turned, his cape billowing slightly as he moved. "Prepare yourselves," he said, his voice commanding. "We'll put on a show for the good patrons of the auction today. Let's see how well their wealth protects them."

The grunts grinned and began rummaging through a pile of disguises-waiter uniforms, janitor suits, and auction staff attire.

"This is going to be fun," one of them muttered, slipping into a uniform and adjusting his cap.

"Fun for us," another chuckled. "Not so much for them."

Mephisto looked on, his grin unwavering as he pocketed the stone. Let the chaos begin, he thought, stepping out of the room with a flourish.

The group exited the back room, leaving behind the eerie silence of their earlier carnage. Each grunt wore their disguise with confidence, blending seamlessly into the bustling environment of the auction house staff. Mephisto strolled ahead of them, his composure calm yet brimming with a sinister energy, as though the very air around him crackled with anticipation.

The hallway leading to the main auction room was alive with movement: servers carrying trays of champagne, security guards stationed at intersections, and attendants guiding latecomers to their seats. Yet no one seemed to notice the disguised intruders weaving through the crowd, their movements practiced and precise.

"Stick to your roles," Mephisto murmured as they reached a side entrance to the auction hall. "And remember, no mistakes. This performance needs to be flawless."

The grunts nodded, each one eager yet disciplined, knowing the consequences of failure under Mephisto's command.

Inside the auction room, the air was filled with the hum of quiet conversations and the occasional burst of laughter. The wealthy attendees, adorned in their finest attire, exuded an air of indifference as they observed the items on stage. Mephisto, now seated inconspicuously among the crowd, took a moment to observe his surroundings.

He closed his eyes briefly, the stone in his pocket thrumming faintly against his palm. He could feel its power coursing through him, a tangible promise of the chaos he was about to unleash.

"Let the games begin," he whispered under his breath, a wicked smile spreading across his face.

Arknights: Echoes of the unfound dawn

Back the auction room.

Xian leaned back in his chair, legs crossed lazily as he gazed at the opulent surroundings of the auction hall. The low hum of murmured conversations and the occasional clink of glasses filled the room. Beside him, Swire adjusted her perfectly tailored blazer, her sharp feline ears twitching slightly as she stretched her arms.

"Honestly," Swire began, her voice laced with the usual playful arrogance, "I don't get how you always look so... unbothered. Don't you ever get restless just sitting around like this?"

Xian smirked, his relaxed posture unchanging. "Sitting around isn't so bad. You'd be surprised how much you notice when you're not constantly on the move."

Swire raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Sounds like an excuse to be lazy if you ask me."

"I could say the same about you," Xian shot back with a grin, nodding toward her slouched posture.

Swire clicked her tongue, then leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table between them. "So, tell me," she said, her amber eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. "What exactly did you do before all this? Your work, I mean. You don't strike me as someone who's spent their life in Lungmen."

Xian hesitated, his expression turning thoughtful. He scratched the back of his head, choosing his words carefully. "I worked with machines mostly-fixing things, building things. Nothing glamorous."

Swire tilted her head, her curiosity deepening. "Machines, huh? So, what kind of things did you build? Don't be vague now."

"Just... things people needed," Xian replied, deflecting skillfully. "Cars, appliances, gadgets. Whatever paid the bills."

His casual tone didn't fool Swire, but she didn't press him further. Instead, she smirked. "Fine, keep your little secrets. Must've been a dull life though."

Xian chuckled, leaning forward slightly. "What about you? What's it like being an LGD officer?"

Swire groaned dramatically, throwing her head back against the chair. "Oh, don't get me started. It's supposed to be my break, and here I am talking about work."

Xian hid a smile. "Break, huh? Funny, I thought you never took those."

Swire glared at him, though her expression was more exasperated than angry. "Oh, don't you dare start. The paperwork alone is enough to make anyone go mad. And then there's Ch'en..." She sighed heavily. "Do you know how exhausting it is to work under someone who thinks everything needs to be done perfectly and immediately? It's like she doesn't believe in rest."

Xian listened attentively, occasionally nodding as Swire vented her frustrations. Despite her sharp tongue, there was a genuine exasperation in her tone that made him wonder just how much pressure she was under.

"And the conflicts," Swire continued, her voice dropping slightly. "The city feels like it's on the edge of something. You can sense it, can't you? The tension? The Infected situation is spiraling, and the upper brass..." She shook her head, her expression darkening.

At that, Xian perked up. He always paid close attention to any updates about Lungmen's Infected and the rising tensions. The impending chaos he feared seemed to inch closer with every passing day.

"Reunion's been stirring up trouble too," Swire whispered, leaning closer. "We had a run-in with some of their people not long ago. It wasn't pretty. And you, lucky you, will probably end up dealing with them eventually. Part of the job, you know?"

Xian frowned, his laid-back demeanor slipping slightly. "I'm just an informer. Why would I have to deal with something like that?"

Swire grinned mischievously, her sharp teeth flashing. "Oh, come on. Don't play coy. With arms like those," she said, poking his bicep, "you're practically built for it."

"Arms like these," Xian retorted, pulling back, "are for fixing things, not fighting. If you're expecting me to dive into the fray, you've got the wrong guy."

"Oh, I know all about you," Swire said smugly, leaning back with a knowing smile. "Ch'en's told me plenty."

Xian froze. His mind raced, irritation bubbling to the surface. Why would she talk about me?

"What exactly did she say?" he asked, his tone sharper than before.

"Oh, you know," Swire said nonchalantly. "Stuff about you being surprisingly capable. A little mysterious. And that she sleep-talk in the office sometimes."

"She..what?" Xian blurted, his expression a mix of disbelief and annoyance.

Swire laughed, clearly enjoying his reaction. "Don't worry, she didn't say anything too embarrassing. Though now I'm curious about what she dream about."

Xian pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering under his breath. Why does this always happen to me?

Before Xian could formulate a response, a commotion near the front of the room drew their attention. One of the auction staff had stepped up to the podium, whispering urgently to the speaker.

Xian's sharp eyes caught the subtle shift in the speaker's expression-shock, followed by fear. He turned to Swire, about to comment, when the unthinkable happened.

The speaker's body jerked violently as a knife plunged into his side.

Gasps erupted from the crowd, followed by screams. Chaos broke out as guards rushed to protect their patrons, their movements swift but disorganized.

"Stay down!" Swire hissed, pulling Xian behind their table as arrows rained down from above.

Xian glanced toward the entrance and spotted several Reunion members wielding crossbows, their faces obscured by crude masks.

"They're already here?" he muttered, his mind racing.

Four of the attackers turned their attention toward Xian and Swire, leveling a crossbow in their direction. Xian moved on instinct.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small knife, his fingers working with blinding speed to modify it. In a blur of motion, he slashed through the supports of the chairs around them, sending the makeshift barricade toppling just in time to deflect the incoming arrows.

The bolt clattered harmlessly to the ground, and Swire stared at him, wide-eyed. "What the hell was that?"

"No time," Xian said tersely, scanning the room.

Swire snapped out of her shock, grabbing her bag. She rummaged through it before pulling out a small bottle of perfume. Without hesitation, she hurled it at a nearby attacker.

The bottle shattered against the grunt's face, and he screamed, clawing at his eyes.

The chaos intensified as guards and Reunion clashed. Some of the guards managed to take down their attackers, while others fell to the relentless assault. The air was thick with the sounds of metal clashing, arrows whizzing through the air, and cries of pain.

Suddenly, one of the Reunion members hurled a large bag into the center of the room.

"Bomb!" someone shouted, but the warning came too late.

Xian's ears caught the faint hissing sound just before the explosion. Without thinking, he grabbed Swire and pulled her close, shielding her with his body as the blast tore through the room.

The force of the explosion sent th