The corridor erupted into chaos, patrons surging towards the auction room as Snow, Ryker, and Kyle pushed against the tide. Vix slipped ahead, her slender form weaving through the crowd like a ghost.
Snow's eyes locked onto the vault door, her senses on high alert. "The Echo Blade's in there."
Ryker's gun was up, his expression grim. "I'll cover you."
Kyle's eyes gleamed with determination. "I'm ready."
The trio burst into the auction room, the scene unfolding like a tableau – bidders in masks, the auctioneer at the podium, and the Echo Blade gleaming in a glass case.
Arachne's voice whispered in Snow's ear, a wicked tone to her voice. "The wildcard bidder's in the VIP section."
Snow's gaze snapped to a shadowy figure in a crimson suit, his eyes fixed on the Echo Blade. The air seemed to vibrate with tension...
The auctioneer's voice was a rapid-fire chant, the bidders' offers escalating wildly. Snow's sword flashed, shattering the glass case as she reached for the Echo Blade.
