The first ray of sunlight broke through the window and landed gently on Revati's serene face. Her peaceful sleep made her appear angelic, her breath calm and rhythmic. Beside her, Rahul lay still, watching the way the morning light kissed her skin. It was a rare, delicate moment—one he wished he could capture with a smartphone. Alas, technology belonged to another time.
Revati stirred. Her eyes fluttered open and met his, catching him in the act of quietly admiring her. Instead of recoiling, he smiled. She immediately buried her face in the pillow and, with a muffled voice, asked, "Were you watching me all this time?"
Rahul chuckled. "Not long. But I wish I had."
She peeked at him again, her expression caught somewhere between mock irritation and genuine affection. Blushing, she got up and went to freshen herself, her movements unhurried yet graceful. That sleepy glance—playful and innocent—was etched into Rahul's memory.
They had spent the last few days in the city's finest hotel room, courtesy of Haripada's hospitality and Rahul's growing status. The accommodations were far more luxurious than the humble hut they'd lost to fire. Meals came included with the cost of the room, and it felt like life had temporarily given them a peaceful pause.
Three hours later, the two found themselves at the bustling Auction House.
Rahul approached Kalidas, who was managing the day's proceedings with his usual cunning smile.
"Sir, the remnants of the sloth bear will be auctioned today, but you'll have to wait a bit—we've already begun," Kalidas explained.
"That's fine," Rahul said. "Where should we sit?"
"Front row, sir. With madam. And don't worry, no one will say a word today."
Rahul raised a brow. "Not like the restaurant incident, I hope?"
Kalidas looked embarrassed. "That was a mistake, sir. This is my friend's place, and he understands respect. Here, both of you will be treated like guests of honour."
They made their way to the front row. Revati looked radiant yet cautious. As they took their seats, Rahul noticed some of the wealthier attendees shifting away in silent protest. Their faces wore expressions of disdain—whether for his unfamiliar name, the tribal woman beside him, or simply the fact that someone new had entered their elite circle.
Rahul smirked. The more they hate, the more EXP I'll gather, he thought.
On stage, the auctioneer—a flamboyant man with excellent crowd control—was announcing items in a dramatic cadence.
Nothing appealed to Rahul. He was practically broke after his investments into construction, housing, and seven days of elite lodging. Bidding was out of the question.
Then came the moment.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer announced, "we now present a unique offering—remnants of a ferocious sloth bear. A complete set—skin, fangs, bones, and claws. Bidding starts at 250 gold coins!"
The crowd leaned forward with interest. Bids came in quickly—270, 279, 317, then a sudden jump to 399, then 486…
Eventually, only two remained in contention: a young nobleman and a regal older gentleman. The tension escalated between them as the price climbed rapidly.
"1,200!" the younger one shouted.
"1,500," the older one said with an air of finality.
The younger man clenched his jaw and conceded. The elder gave a smug nod, basking in victory.
Rahul was distracted, caught between fascination and disinterest, until Kalidas whispered behind him.
"Sir, the man who won the bid wants to meet you privately. He's waiting in the VIP meeting room."
Rahul raised a brow. "He's not trying to haggle, is he?"
Kalidas looked baffled. "No, sir! He just wishes to talk."
"I was kidding," Rahul replied, smiling. "Let's go."
Revati glanced at him. "Don't take too long, Rahul."
He paused for a moment, letting her words sink in. She had used his name, not 'sir'. He gave her a quick nod and followed Kalidas.
As they walked, Kalidas asked hesitantly, "Sir, may I say something personal?"
"Shoot."
Kalidas blinked. "Shoot?"
"I mean—go ahead."
Kalidas continued cautiously. "About madam… I noticed she addresses you by name."
"Yes, I told her to. Any issue?"
"No, no, sir! It's just… rare. Not many men let women speak so freely."
"That's a pity," Rahul said flatly, ending the conversation.
They entered the meeting room where the older man awaited, seated with grace and discipline. The conversation that followed lasted about thirty minutes. Outside, Revati sipped her fruit juice and looked at the meeting room door from time to time, waiting.
Inside, Rahul watched her through the window for a moment before turning back to the man.
"So, Mr. Rahul, do we have a deal?" the man asked.
"Yes," Rahul replied, "but with conditions. I will leave after six days. The rest—I'll say when I meet your landlord."
The older man grinned in relief. "Splendid! My name is Prabin Chandra Roy. I represent Lord Surya Singha Chowdhury. Please accept these gifts from him."
Kalidas entered, carrying a detailed chest. Inside it were:
3 Amethyst Coins
500 Gold Coins
A Tier-3 War Horse (1x)
Acquisition Contract (1x)
Diamond Ring (1x)
Gold Necklaces (2x)
Assorted Rubies and valuables
Rahul's eyes widened slightly at the amethyst coins. He had ten of them before but no clue what they meant.
The auctioneer, standing nearby, noticed his curiosity. "Each amethyst coin equals 1,000 gold coins, sir. Only royalty use them. They can't be traded without royal permission. But… my friend deals with these under special terms. For you, he won't charge commission."
"Thanks," Rahul said. "I'll meet him in two days."
"And the contract?" he asked.
Kalidas and the auctioneer both tensed.
"With that," Kalidas said, "you can legally force someone to hand over their business—for the right price. It's rare and powerful."
Legal extortion, Rahul thought grimly. Colonial India sure had some wild rules.
Finally, he paid 10% each to Kalidas and the auctioneer—300 gold coins total—and stored the rest of the valuables in his game inventory.
As he stepped out, he looked at Revati, waiting patiently. A smile touched his lips.
The game was changing. Slowly but surely, he was carving his path toward the heart of Kolkata.
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🔮 Next Up – Chapter 12: A King's Gambit
From whispers in the alleys to dominance in the bazaar—Rahul is about to shake the city's core.An ancient contract, a ruthless takeover, and a deal brokered in shadows push him closer to power… but every jackpot has its cost. Will he claim the prize or trigger a storm he can't control?
🡆 Don't miss Chapter 12: A King's Gambit👉 Tap to read, vote if you support Rahul's rise, and drop a comment to shape what comes next!