"There are all types of items, but I will start with these first," the announcer’s clear voice rang across the grand hall, cutting through the low murmurs of the gathered crowd. The stage lights reflected off the golden podium, adding a sharp gleam to his smile.
"The remaining items will be auctioned at the end," he continued. "Now then, let us begin. The starting price is set at one hundred million shards."
A hush fell over the hall, broken a heartbeat later by the first bold voice.
The numbers rolled out in quick succession, each voice laced with excitement, greed, or raw ambition.
The announcer’s gavel struck lightly, urging the pace. "Excellent! Now, who bids one-fifty?"
"150 million!" another bidder barked, raising his hand without hesitation.
The bidding war surged forward like a raging tide, climbing steadily with no signs of slowing.
Kael Vi-rel leaned back in his seat, his eyes drifting over the sea of bidders. Their expressions varied some hungry, some calculating, others almost desperate as the numbers soared higher and higher.
Typical. Throwing money just to prove their influence.
Still, Kael couldn’t deny the thrill in the air. Auctions always carried a certain tension, the kind that made hearts race and hands sweat.
He turned slightly, his gaze catching a familiar figure entering the hall.
Well, well... look who decided to show up.
The executive director of the Crowe Group.
Kael’s lips curled into a thin smile. She wasn’t just anyone she stood at the pinnacle of influence within the group, second only to one other individual. Her reputation for decisiveness and her iron grip on the company’s resources made her a figure both respected and feared.
And, of course, she also happened to be related to that idiot, Lucian Crowe.
Blood ties aside, Lindy is no fool. Unlike Lucian Crowe who has more roles in action, she actually has a role worth remembering in the game’s storyline asides from action.
In the original timeline, players who managed to build a cooperative relationship with her gained access to resources that could tip the balance of entire wars. For Kael, who now lived inside that very world, forging a connection with her could mean absolute security for the future. The source of this content ɪs ɴovelfire.net
The bidding continued to escalate.
"400 million! 400 million shards!"
The announcer’s voice thundered, drawing gasps and murmurs.
Lindy lifted her hand with calm precision, her advisor whispering urgently beside her.
"Raise it," she said simply.
The hall erupted again. The atmosphere was electrifying, almost suffocating.
The announcer barely had time to catch his breath before the next numbers followed.
Lindy’s expression never wavered. She gave a small nod to her advisor. "If they push further, increase the price."
The announcer slammed the gavel again. "We now have six-fifty! Do I hear seven hundred?"
Kael’s eyes narrowed slightly, his thoughts shifting.
I’ve been waiting for this. Most people believe information about this auction is airtight, but creators always underestimate the loopholes. Thanks to my little friend in the system, I can hear every scrap of intel being passed around in this hall.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
This is why being a step ahead matters.
Lindy’s advisor whispered again, his voice just audible to Kael through his hack. "Considering the value and the current pace, it may rise as high as one billion shards, but no more than three billion. That is the ceiling based on the information we’ve gathered."
Three billion, huh? Kael’s smirk deepened.
The bids climbed higher and higher, but to Kael, it was all background noise. He had already secured his profits. The items he sold earlier had fetched astronomical sums.
"The cube kit sold for 1.5 billion shards!"
"Another slot 1.6 billion shards!"
The announcer tallied the totals with flourish. "That brings us to 5.4 billion shards overall, plus an additional 500 million transferred directly to the seller’s account!"
Kael’s heart thrummed at the numbers.
So much money... so many shards. With this, I can buy anything worthwhile that appears today. No need to scramble like the rest of these fools.
He suppressed a laugh, though a small chuckle escaped. This is how you play the game.
The bidding for the current item finally ended with a decisive shout.
"900 million shards!"
The announcer struck the gavel. "Congratulations to the bidder! Now, onto the next item!"
Kael stifled a yawn, his interest waning.
Nothing special. Most of these things I could craft myself or obtain through other means. There’s nothing that really stands out.
His eyes drifted toward the exit. Maybe I should start preparing to leave.
The announcer’s tone shifted, heavier, sharper. "Apologies for the delay, ladies and gentlemen. The next item is something... special. Unlike any other presented today."
"This item is so rare that even world-class appraisers failed to properly evaluate it. It is the only one of its kind available in this auction."
Whispers rippled through the hall, curiosity quickly turning to skepticism.
"And what, you might ask, is this mysterious item?" The announcer drew the moment out with practiced skill before finally unveiling the truth.
"It is... an egg. An egg of unknown species."
The hall erupted in murmurs and laughter.
"They expect us to bid on that?"
"Even appraisers couldn’t identify it! Do they think we’re fools?"
The restlessness grew. The weight of doubt hung in the air, thick and almost tangible.
Kael’s eyes snapped to the stage, his fingers tapping against the armrest.
For a moment, his mind raced.
Wait... I don’t recall this item ever appearing in the game timeline. Not once. But... in scenarios , isn’t it always the hidden treasures that turn out to be absurdly powerful?
His heart gave a sharp, unexpected thump.
Could it be... a dragon egg?