The demon's grin stretched wider as his burning amber eyes swept across the terrified crowd.
"We are here to take what rightfully belongs to the Demonic Faction," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly through the hall. "That Fragment is ours."
His hooded followers spread out across the stage, their crimson symbols pulsing with dark energy as screams erupted from the auction floor.
Wealthy attendees scrambled toward the exits, pushing and shoving in blind panic.
But before the demons could move, a figure emerged from the shadows near the eastern balcony.
"You demons have finally shown yourselves to the world, How daring."
He wore traditional robes of deep blue and white, Taoist symbols embroidered along the sleeves, his long hair tied back in a simple knot.
Golden talismans floated around him in a perfect circle, each one inscribed with symbols that glowed with celestial light.
The Taoist Faction had arrived.
