My attributes are increasing infinitely Chapter 412: Auction

Ethan exited the Merchant Association building, his registration finalized and the golden badge secured in his possession.

The lingering stares from the staff and the flushed face of the elven receptionist were beneath his notice.

His thoughts were already focused on the future, plotting the course of a financial crusade designed to bring the Ice Dragons to their knees.

Power was his ultimate objective, yet he did not seek the kind forged by the edge of a blade.

He had already attained a level of strength where his raw capability could destabilize the very foundations of existence.

If he were to exert his full might too aggressively, he risked drawing the attention of the two Absolute Beings—the entities who surveilled the multi-verse with predatory vigilance.

His strategy required him to remain inconspicuous, hidden within the "space cube" until the moment he eclipsed them in power.

For the time being, his tools of conquest would be immense riches, ancient bloodlines, and political leverage.

"Puffin, it is time to begin our work," Ethan murmured.

Ethan bypassed the smaller storefronts entirely.

Instead, he sought out the most prestigious real estate broker in Flanoir City, demanding a comprehensive map of the capital.

With a nonchalant swipe of his spatial card, he finalized the purchase of a 100 square kilometer territory situated in the city's prime district.

Though the massive plot cost a staggering 500 million Origin Coins, to Ethan, it was nothing more than trivial change.

He stood alone in the center of the desolate, frost-covered land.

"Time to give this place some character," he remarked softly.

There was no need for laborers or the slow designs of architects.

With a simple motion of his hand, he forced the laws of Creation to submit to his command.

First, a colossal, majestic wall erupted from the frozen soil, encircling the entire 100 square kilometer perimeter.

It was forged from a dark, indestructible alloy, its surface shimmering with the glow of golden runes.

Then came the main attraction.

Amidst a sudden burst of radiant light, a Primordial Tower surged upward from the earth.

It ascended relentlessly until it breached the clouds, standing 100 floors tall.

The design was unlike anything ever witnessed within the Dragon World.

It featured walls crafted from translucent jade and pillars that seemed to be made of distilled starlight.

Windows of compressed diamond caught the light, marking it as the most extravagant structure in the history of the Ice Dragon Domain.

At the very peak, a massive, luminous sign manifested in a script intelligible to every race.

"ETHAN HUNT."

He refused to obscure his identity behind a corporate title.

He intended for his own name to become the world's premier brand.

The abrupt emergence of a skyscraper that rivaled the Royal Palace plunged the city into a state of paralyzed disbelief.

Traders let their wares fall to the ground.

Sentries gripped their hilts in alarm.

Even the ancient Ancestors of the Great Families—mighty beings dwelling in the Eternal Sovereign realm—opened their eyes in sheer amazement.

Before any faction could dispatch scouts to investigate, a colossal projection flickered to life in the sky above the city.

Ethan’s visage, appearing in his chillingly beautiful Arch-Demon form, gazed down upon the populace.

"I am Ethan Hunt," his voice thundered, bolstered by his innate authority so that it resonated throughout the Ice Dragon Domain and into the borders of neighboring dragon lands.

"I welcome all to my establishment. The day after tomorrow, I shall host the inaugural Grand Auction. I guarantee you items the likes of which this world has never seen."

The image shifted, providing tantalizing previews of the hoard.

"We shall present 10,000 Chaos Grade artifacts, 1,000 Axiom Grade artifacts, 100 Paragon level artifacts, and a single eternal artifact," Ethan declared.

A collective gasp rose from the onlookers.

A solitary Paragon artifact was enough to ignite a global conflict, yet this man was offering a hundred, along with an eternal artifact?

But Ethan had not finished his presentation.

"And finally, the signature product of my firm: The Serums."

"First, the ’Bloodline Awakening Serum.’ This is intended for those not born into the Original Races."

"A single dose will trigger the dormant, ancient blood flowing within you."

"No longer will you be classified as ’lower’ races."

He then displayed a vivid demonstration.

A frail youth from a marginalized fox tribe consumed the liquid.

Instantly, his frame expanded with muscle.

His aura flared violently.

The golden specter of a Mighty Titan materialized behind him, signaling his transformation into an instant powerhouse.

"And for those of the Original Races," Ethan added, his eyes gleaming with intensity, "I offer the ’Bloodline Evolution Serum.’"

"It possesses the power to enhance your existing potential by as much as 30%."

"Might, velocity, and longevity—all shall be yours."

The subsequent advertisement depicted an Ice Dragon suffering at the hands of a bully.

Upon drinking the evolution serum, his scales hardened into diamond-like plate.

He effortlessly crushed his harasser and won the affection of his beloved.

The broadcast continued for half an hour, showcasing the prestige and strength these serums bestowed.

Then, as suddenly as it began, the projection faded.

Flanoir City was no longer quiet; it had descended into a state of absolute frenzy.

Cries filled the air as people scrambled to gather funds.

Messengers were dispatched frantically to their respective homeworlds.

Within the Ice Dragon Royal Palace, the Emperor sat upon his throne of frost, his complexion drained of color.

"Do you believe this new Demon merchant speaks the truth?" the Emperor questioned his advisors.

"Your Majesty," an official answered with a quivering voice, "we must verify this."

"If this is a deception, he shall be put to death for insulting the crown."

"However, if he speaks the truth and we fail to act, the other Dragon Domains will surpass us."

"We would face certain extinction."

The shockwave was even more profound among the so-called "low-level" races.

For eons, they had served as the dragons' stepping stones.

The chance to awaken an original bloodline meant they could finally walk with their heads held high.

Inside the Saint House, Rose sat beside her younger sister, Zara.

Both had witnessed the skyward display.

"Sister," Zara whispered, "that man, Ethan Hunt... he looks so familiar. Do you recognize him?"

Rose remained quiet.

Her pulse was racing.

That distant, handsome face in the heavens felt like a memory she couldn't quite reach.

"I am unsure," she breathed. "But we cannot miss the auction."

"If that evolution serum is genuine, your bloodline will be powerful enough to face the Saint Trial."

"And Rey might finally trigger his own original bloodline."

"Understood, sister," Zara replied, leaving to make preparations.

Rose stared out the window at the radiant tower standing in the distance.

"Ethan Hunt... just who are you?"

Throughout the following day, Ethan remained secluded within his tower.

With a mere thought, his Authority of Creation operated at peak efficiency.

Thousands of artifacts and glowing serum vials were brought into existence and stored in protective containers.

For him, this process was as natural as breathing.

To the rest of the world, it was nothing short of a miracle.

Suddenly, his Merchant Association card began to pulse with a vibration.

It was an urgent, high-priority communication.

"Ethan Hunt speaking," he answered coolly.

"Sir Ethan!" the voice of the elf receptionist cried out, sounding breathless and panicked.

"The entire world has lost its mind!"

"Every influential clan, the Royal Court, and even the neighboring Fire and Wind Dragon domains are reaching out."

"They are pleading with you to postpone the auction for one week so their delegates can arrive!"

Ethan reclined in his seat, watching Puffin play with a Chaos Grade pearl.

"I will not delay for anyone," Ethan stated, his tone icy and resolute.

"The schedule is fixed."

"If they arrive in time, they may bid. If they do not, that is their misfortune."

"My company does not wait for those who are slow."

"But Sir! You are turning away Eternal Sovereigns and Royal Kings!"

"Then they should hurry," Ethan countered before severing the link.

He felt no need for pleasantries.

He was not a merchant looking for allies; he was a predator intent on market dominance.

By refusing to wait, he only increased the perceived value of his goods.

He forced the world to understand that he held the reins, not them.

He looked out the window at the thousands of people already setting up camp outside his walls, waiting for the gates to swing open.