Ryan let out a slow and controlled sigh as he removed his hand from the hilt of his weapon.

’It wasn’t my intention to intimidate him to this extent.’ Ryan thought to himself, evaluating the sudden tension in the private box.

’I think that because of my overconfidence in assimilating the new SS-Rank stats, I ended up releasing a fraction of my power without realizing it. Whatever the case, it’s not like that matters too much right now.’

Upon thinking that, he closed his eyes for an instant. He adjusted his breathing and completely suppressed his presence. Every trace of the overwhelming energy he had unleashed dissipated into the air, returning the private box to its normal temperature.

’I thought I was controlling myself very well. I must be much more careful in the future.’

When the air finally calmed down, Ryan opened his eyes and noticed how the A-rank guard accompanying Edwin swallowed hard.

The man slowly lowered his hands from the hilt of his sword to resume his posture as a simple administrative assistant, but Ryan noticed how the bodyguard’s fingers trembled slightly against the fabric of his pants.

Even though the warrior seemed to keep his composure intact, his survival instinct had just been completely crushed.

Or at least, that was what his body language allowed Ryan’s analytical gaze to see.

Then, Ryan turned his face and observed Edwin. The merchant leader was looking at him with a bitter smile, still having a thin layer of cold sweat beading on his forehead.

Down below, on the first-floor stage, the announcer raised his voice with enthusiasm, presenting another of the auction’s highly coveted products.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, we begin the bidding for this formidable Epic Shield recovered from the northern dungeons! We start at nine hundred thousand crones!"

The crowd went crazy, throwing out frantic bids, but neither Ryan nor Edwin was distracted in the slightest by the noise from the ground floor. The true negotiation was taking place up there.

"Listen, Edwin," Ryan said, breaking the silence with a firm voice completely devoid of any hostility.

"This weapon is not for sale. Could you settle for that answer?"

Edwin opened his mouth, probably to try and improve the offer or apologize for the daring proposal, but Ryan didn’t stop there.

Without giving the noble time to respond or try to recover his pride, he placed a new proposition on the table.

"Instead of that, would you be interested in trading with me?" Ryan asked, resting his elbows on his knees and leaning slightly toward the merchant.

"I am sure that both of us will have things of mutual interest in the near future."

Edwin blinked, quite surprised by the sudden shift in the direction of the conversation.

He didn’t hesitate for a single second at Ryan’s request. His business instinct quickly overcame the fear he had felt just moments ago.

The noble immediately extended his hand across the small mahogany table. Ryan took it firmly, and Edwin shook it with a barely contained emotion.

"Agreed, Krai. I am sure that is something that will greatly benefit both of us."

"Are you seriously going to accept so quickly?" Ryan questioned, raising an eyebrow with curiosity at the speed of the deal.

"Without even knowing where I come from or what kind of materials I handle?"

"Of course," Edwin responded, recovering a part of his refined posture.

"As I told you before, I knew perfectly well that you were not a simple adventurer when I saw you walking down my hallways with that weapon. And it became more than clear to me a moment ago that you are by far, by a very large margin, much stronger than my assistant."

When the noble said that so bluntly, the assistant behind his back twitched his fingers, clenching his fists.

It was an involuntary reaction, a small blow to his pride as an elite warrior, but he knew that his boss was entirely right.

Ryan noticed the bodyguard’s micro-gesture and smiled internally. He was establishing a clear hierarchy without the need to spill a single drop of blood.

"Besides, I know that people with your power hate having others pry into their affairs," Edwin added.

’Even after I leave this city, I plan to leave the nine spies behind to continue gathering information. But I will leave coordinating that infiltration network in Beatrice’s hands.’

"I see. Then it is a done deal," Ryan commented naturally, letting go of the merchant’s hand.

"I hope we manage this agreement in the best possible way, Edwin."

"Of course, Krai. I cannot wait to see the marvels you will bring for me and my shops."

’Even if I have the dwarf Runa and the alchemist Mika manufacturing high-quality items for us back at the refuge, we will eventually require large sums of money on the outside.’

Ryan analyzed in silence.

’Maintaining a good, direct relationship with a merchant guild leader, who also doesn’t ask unnecessary questions, will undoubtedly benefit us in the long run.’

Having secured his new contact, Ryan stood up, smoothing out his coat.

He had already decided not to buy anything at that auction. Upon realizing how they bid for things on the first floor and the absurd prices they handled, he came to a simple conclusion.

Even though he was not bankrupt, if he were to actually buy something useful in that place, he would definitely end up with no money.

Furthermore, it made no sense to spend millions on a magic accessory if Runa could forge him a better one in exchange for materials.

"Are you leaving already?" Edwin asked, looking up at him.

"Yes. In the end, there was nothing on the stage that really interested me," Ryan replied, turning halfway around toward the door of the private box.

"I figured as much. Those who wield chimeras rarely settle for common relics," the noble said with a polite smile.

"I hope you come to visit one of our main shops very soon."

"Count on it."

Ryan crossed the wooden door of the box and slowly withdrew, walking down the carpeted hallway toward the stairs.

Although he was already far enough away that a normal person would stop hearing anything, his SS-Rank attributes perfectly picked up the conversation left behind.

He could hear with total clarity the long, heavy sigh of relief that Edwin let out upon finding himself alone.

"That boy is terrifying," the noble murmured in the privacy of his box, his voice trembling slightly.

"If he had wanted to kill us, sir, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything to stop him," the tense voice of the bodyguard replied.

"He is a mysterious person; we must do everything possible to maintain a good relationship with him."

Ryan smiled smugly as he descended the stairs that led to the exit of the premises.

’For now, I’ll go back to the dungeon. Tomorrow I will have to meet up with Ophelia.’