My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 411: Registering as a merchant

The auction house in Flame City was a masterpiece of luxury, boasting walls crafted from volcanic glass and floors shimmering with embedded glowing embers.

However, a murky tide of avarice was beginning to surge beneath the facade of professional etiquette.

Having retreated into the inner chambers, the appraiser claimed he needed to "verify" the hoard of one million Chaos Grade artifacts.

In truth, he was secretly alerting the high-ranking elders of the Fire Dragon clan, the city's sovereign rulers.

Through their telepathic web, intelligence regarding a solitary traveler—an outsider of unidentified race possessing a literal mountain of high-tier treasures—circulated with lightning speed.

To the draconic race, such wealth was more than mere currency; it was a birthright granted by the heavens.

The prospect of an Axiom Dominion traveler departing with ten billion Origin Coins caused their blood to boil with a voracious greed.

The origin of these items was irrelevant to them.

Their only concern was ensuring that these treasures would soon be under their control.

"Detain him there," came the directive from the clan’s secluded inner sanctum.

"Allow the auction to proceed and grant him his coins. While the eyes of the world are upon us, we shall uphold our image as a reputable trading center. However, the moment he passes through the city gates, eliminate him."

The proceedings of the auction spanned several hours.

Ethan reclined within a private suite while Puffin snored gently upon his shoulder.

He observed as his artifacts were auctioned off to various merchant syndicates and noble houses.

The "Chaos Grade" designation proved its worth; even the most rudimentary items crafted by Ethan far surpassed the local workmanship.

Once the final gavel fell, the appraiser reappeared, his bow even more profound than before.

He presented Ethan with a high-tier spatial card.

"Ten billion Origin Coins, exactly as we agreed, Sir," the dragon stated, a subtle light flickering within his gaze.

"It has been a sincere pleasure conducting business with you."

Ethan accepted the card, maintaining an inscrutable expression.

"I’m sure it was."

He turned away, making his way toward the primary teleportation plaza of the city.

The sensation of being watched was palpable.

This was no mere pair of spies, but a sophisticated, coordinated net.

Tailing him from a distance were six dragons at the Axiom Dominion level and one Origin Paragon—a true powerhouse.

Ethan was certain they would avoid a confrontation within the walls of Flame City.

The city's status as a neutral territory was far too precious to jeopardize.

Should a prominent merchant be assassinated in broad daylight, the Merchant Association would likely blacklist the city for a thousand years.

Ethan entered the massive chamber housing the teleportation arrays.

"Five jumps to reach the Ice Dragon Domain," he whispered to himself.

He input the coordinates for Laren City, a transit hub located several light-years away.

The space surrounding him warped, and he manifested instantly within the crowded plaza of Laren.

He wasted no time.

As he exited the portal, seven distortions in space immediately appeared in his wake.

The dragons had pursued him.

Laren City lacked the prestige of Flame City; it was a grittier location where "disappearances" were a common occurrence.

The seven dragons bypassed any formal introductions.

The moment they moved away from the congested portal zone, they trapped Ethan in a desolate alley flanked by towering obsidian buildings.

"Relinquish the spatial card and your storage rings," the Origin Paragon commanded, his voice vibrating with the inherent power of his realm.

He was a hulking figure with crimson scales tracing the line of his jaw.

"Act quickly, and we might allow you to survive as a slave."

Ethan showed no sign of fear.

On the contrary, he appeared entirely disinterested.

He was prepared to raise a finger and reduce them to stardust, but a slight weight shifted on his shoulder.

Puffin, the small fluffball resembling a harmless pet, suddenly snapped its eyes open.

The tiny creature sensed the murderous intent aimed at its master, causing its "Source Authority" instincts to ignite.

Before the dragons could react, Puffin’s jaw unhinged.

It didn't merely open; it transformed into a literal black hole.

A long, shimmering tongue darted out at the speed of light.

Slurp.

With a single gulp, the six Axiom Dominions and the Origin Paragon vanished from existence.

There was no blood, no struggle, and not a single sound.

They simply ceased to be.

Puffin’s mouth clicked shut, reverting to its small, adorable size.

The creature emitted a long, contented burp that resonated through the silent alleyway.

"Master, those insects were quite flavorful. May I consume more?" it inquired, gazing up at Ethan with large, guileless eyes.

Ethan looked at the empty void where seven formidable beings had stood just moments ago.

He remained silent for a beat before letting out a dry chuckle.

"Certainly, if we are attacked again," Ethan answered, stroking the creature’s head.

"But try not to ruin your appetite for dinner."

Following four additional teleportations, the atmosphere turned biting and cold.

The skyline was dominated by colossal, jagged peaks of eternal ice that radiated a soft blue glow.

This was the Ice Dragon Domain.

They arrived at the station in Glacier City.

As Ethan exited, two sentries in frost-laden plate armor obstructed his path.

"State your business, traveler. This domain is restricted," the guard barked.

Ethan was in no mood for a debate.

Reaching into his sleeve, he produced five Chaos Grade artifacts and an Axiom Grade sword that pulsed with a frigid aura.

He tossed them over as if they were worthless baubles.

"I have come for trade," Ethan declared.

The guards' eyes widened in total shock.

The Axiom Grade sword alone possessed more value than the entire guard post.

Their demeanor shifted instantly.

"Of course! Please forgive us, Great Merchant! Enter as you wish. Welcome to the Ice Dragon domain."

As Ethan walked onto the frozen paths of the city, a peculiar ripple disturbed the world's fate.

Deep within the "Saint House," the royal palace of the Ice Dragons, a stunning woman with silver hair suddenly broke her meditation.

Rose gripped her chest, her breathing becoming shallow.

"What is this sensation?" she murmured.

"It feels as though the mists over my destiny have cleared. As if the sun has finally dawned."

Walking miles away, Ethan felt her soul’s resonance.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"I have arrived, my princess," he thought.

He gazed at the high spires of the Ice Dragon capital.

His mind was made up.

These dragons had used Rose as a mere political pawn, leaving her in sorrow and isolation.

He would do more than just save her; he would tear down their entire social structure.

He intended to seize their freedom and replace their sovereignty with the Human Empire he was set to establish.

"First, we require a legitimate identity," Ethan remarked to Puffin.

He made his way to Flanoir City, the domain's capital.

To conduct trade here without harassment from local authorities, one needed membership in the Merchant Association, an entity governed by the 100 Original Races.

He stepped into the grand branch office, a structure grown from massive white crystals.

A young elven girl with long green ears sat at a desk, organizing documents.

"Greetings, I wish to register as a merchant. What are the criteria?" Ethan inquired.

The elf looked up.

She sensed his Axiom Dominion aura but remained composed.

She encountered powerful figures on a daily basis.

"You require a minimum of five billion Origin Coins in liquid assets to begin. Furthermore, I must verify your race for our files."

Ethan offered no verbal reply.

He set his spatial card upon the desk.

The terminal screen flashed: 10.0 Billion Origin Coins.

Next, he produced several Axiom Grade artifacts and displayed them.

The elf’s mouth hung open in surprise.

"Ten billion... and these treasures..."

"And my race?" Ethan prompted.

He began to shift his form.

He understood that appearing as a human would invite unwanted scrutiny, as humans were not known to reach such heights of power.

Instead, he tapped into the lineage of the Demon Race.

Two enormous, crimson bat wings tore from his back.

Sleek black horns emerged from his forehead, and his eyes transformed into a sharp, icy red.

His features became chiseled and cold, exuding a hauntingly beautiful aura.

The elf girl blushed, her heart racing.

This "Arch-Demon" was not only incredibly wealthy but also strikingly handsome.

"Everything is in order, Sir," she whispered, her tone now much gentler as she handed him a golden merchant insignia.

"Welcome to the Merchant Association. With this level of capital, I am certain you will become a tycoon in no time!"

Ethan took the insignia and reverted to his more "civilized" look, though he retained the dark, lingering aura of the demon.