The air became thick and suffocating, as if the very atmosphere had been tainted with something predatory and ancient. Every instinct in Rex's body screamed at him with an unfamiliar sensation he hadn't felt in years.
The auctioneer girl, who had been confidently presenting the items, suddenly paused. Without explanation, she bowed and swiftly exited the stage. A moment later, an older man took her place.
His presence alone sent a cold shiver down Rex's spine.
This wasn't just some noble or high-ranking blood clan official. The sheer weight of his aura was dense, bloodthirsty, and overwhelming, pressing down on the entire room.
It was as if the walls themselves recoiled from his existence. The low murmurs of the audience ceased instantly, replaced by an eerie, collective silence.
For the first time in years, Rex felt his body instinctively react. His muscles tensed, his breath hitched, and his hands curled into fists before he even realized it.
