The moment Reever stepped out of the library, Elderwood burst into speech as if he'd been holding his breath the entire time.
"How was your first experience in there? I'm sure it was great. Don't mind Pixie. She gets cold sometimes. No one really knows what goes on in that little mind of hers."
"Stop wasting time and let's continue our walk. We'll skip the living quarters and head straight to the business center," Reever said.
"Alright boss. You're the one calling the shots," Elderwood answered, falling into step beside him.
As the two walked, Reever's voice took on a quieter tone. "Have you ever wondered how fast time moves? One blink, and everything changes. I remember when I first got into this game like it was yesterday, yet years passed and I stayed here. Does it ever feel the same for you? Like time just slips away without giving you a chance to breathe?"
"Honestly? Not really," Elderwood replied. "One thing I figured out is that we'll never control time. Even the strongest skills can only rewind a bit, nothing major. So we just appreciate the little time we have and live in the moment. Don't get stuck thinking about the past or worrying about what's next.
But anyway… all this talk about time is making me sleepy. Let's walk quietly for now."
Reever fell silent. Elderwood's answer wasn't wrong, but it didn't soothe the thoughts curling inside his mind.
He wondered whether anyone existed who could bend time the way the system did. Even if that power existed, what would it change? Even if he went back, he would still live as he had lived, still do what he did, and still hold no regrets. The emptiness inside him would remain.
The walk toward the business sector grew longer because they skipped the route through the living quarters. According to what Reever remembered, the business sector was the liveliest part of the city and the second largest after the living quarters.
The streets buzzed with life. People streamed in and out of buildings. A large house-like structure dominated the view, and crowds flocked toward it. Shops lined both sides of the street, most of them dealing with weapons. Guns were the most traded items by far.
Reever and Elderwood took their time, soaking in the atmosphere. Elderwood kept making stops to greet old friends, dragging their journey out even more.
Eventually, they reached the large building Elderwood had been aiming for.
"This is the auction house," Elderwood said. "Lots of rare goods get sold here. People from all over the city come to try their luck.
"Entry's not free. You pay ten CP to get in and get a seat. For a VIP room, you pay a hundred CP. And for VVIP, you need five hundred. Cod Points aren't easy to get either. Even if someone's rich outside the game, they can't just buy CP in here.
"One CP equals fifty dollars outside. If you want CP, you either earn them through missions or inherit them. Some people gift points too—that's the only loophole that allows outside money to influence the game.
"So when you handed me a thousand CP, I figured you came from a very rich family. But don't worry. I'll cover the VIP room today for privacy. It's only two hundred CP for the two of us," Elderwood said as they stepped inside.
He approached the counter and paid the two hundred CP. The attendant handed him a golden ticket marked with the number seven.
He didn't bother asking for directions—he knew the place well enough to walk straight ahead without hesitation.
"Well, Elderwood, my man. Never knew you were this loaded. A VIP room? Really?" a bulky man called out the moment he saw them.
"Crimson, it's not me. My little bro here wanted to enjoy the view and paid for everything," Elderwood said proudly.
"No matter how it happened, I'm sure he gave you quite the bonus. I expect drinks and food for me and the gang after you're done showing him around," Crimson said, patting Reever's shoulder with a large hand. "Small bro, they call me Crimson. Strongest in town—after the mayor, of course. If you ever need connections or help, just hit me up. I'll send you a friend request. And when Elderwood comes around, you'd better come too. Gotta introduce you to the crew."
He began to walk away before calling back, "And don't forget to show up. There'll be ladies!"
"Ignore him," Elderwood muttered. "He's a great guy. Loud, but great. And as he said, he's the strongest player in town, Elite V rank. Looks like a brute but he's a genius in battle strategy. Rarely loses."
Reever nodded.
Soon the two reached their designated room.
It was nothing like the simple hall outside. Luxurious couches lined the space. A huge table carried piles of colorful fruits. A fridge hummed quietly at the corner. A massive screen dominated the wall, allowing viewers to see the auction clearly.
Elderwood collapsed onto the couch with a dramatic groan. "Man, this is the life. My first time in a VIP room and I'm loving it. I can't even imagine what the VVIP rooms look like. This already beats anything I've pictured."
"It's not bad at all," Reever said as he took a seat on the other end. "The cooling system is good too. But even with the money I have right now, paying for a VVIP room is too much. The funds I received won't be enough. I need to stock up on good items before taking missions outside."
Moments like this reminded him of his biggest limitation. Being a bot meant he couldn't enjoy anything in the room. He couldn't feel the comfort of the couch. He couldn't taste the fruits or drinks. He could only watch Elderwood devour everything with pleasure.
"That's expected from someone who grew up rich," Elderwood thought while biting into a peach, juice dripping down his chin. "Even the food here doesn't tempt him. I'll stay close to him. A friend like this means benefits."
A voice echoed through the room's speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for another spectacular auction day. We will begin in a few minutes."
Reever leaned back. His eyes narrowed with interest. With the bribed funds the system had granted him, he could buy almost anything this auction house had to offer.
Today was the day he would see what this new world could truly give him. The auction was about to begin.