It costs tens of millions of shards for an A-rank appraiser to evaluate a single item. If one were to request the services of an S-class appraiser, the cost would skyrocket into the hundreds of millions just for a single evaluation.
And even then, it wasn’t guaranteed success. If the evaluation turned out wrong, or if the item ended up being worthless, the buyer would be left with nothing but an empty purse and bitter despair.
One misstep, and you could lose everything.
The crowd murmured in restless waves, doubt and greed clashing in equal measure. To them, this egg was a dangerous gamble too risky, too costly.
The very fact that such an item made it here, placed under the banner of a major auction house, proved it wasn’t found by ordinary means. Whoever obtained it must have gone through hell to bring it here.
Kael’s lips curved faintly as he activated a skill he hadn’t used in a while.
"Let’s make sure before I move."
Activating skill: True Scan [E/EX].
Designated target confirmed. Scanning based on user’s will.
Displaying information of the designated target...
Item: Dragon Egg [SS]
A sealed egg of a great dragon, hidden away during the War of Dragon Supremacy long ago.
The bloodline within is a hybrid of two dominant dragon races... (further details below)....
Kael’s eyes widened, his heart slamming against his ribs.
His fingers trembled slightly, excitement flooding through him. I need to get this egg. Right now.
Even in myths, they were spoken of as near-impossible treasures. To obtain one was already beyond belief. To raise one? To tame it? That was a feat so legendary that most wouldn’t even dare dream of it.
For others, maybe it’s impossible. For me... it’s a certainty. I can do this.
He clenched his fist under the table. This egg must be mine.
The announcer struck the gavel lightly. "The bidding will begin at 150 million shards! Who will open?"
"That announcer must be out of his mind."
"A starting bud if 150 million shards for a unknown egg."
"Still... what if it’s rare? What if it’s something legendary?"
"160 million!" someone immediately called.
The numbers rolled quickly, hesitation giving way to greed. Even though the egg was unevaluated, the mystery alone stirred the crowd’s desire.
"Do I hear another?" the announcer’s eyes scanned the crowd. "Two hundred million going once—"
"210 million!" a new voice shouted.
The announcer grinned. "Ah! We have 210 million!"
Kael Vi-rel’s gaze swept across the bidders. Nobles. Merchants. Hungry opportunists. Some sat stiff-backed with narrowed eyes, while others leaned forward like vultures circling prey.
As expected of a top-class auction. Even when the item can’t be identified, there are still plenty willing to throw money just in case it’s valuable.
"310 million, do we have 330 million?"
Oh yes! 340 Million, do we have 350 million
The announcer slammed the gavel. The crowd stirred with excitement again.
Kael Vi-rel exhaled slowly, tapping his armrest. If I keep waiting, the price will spiral out of control. Time to end this.
He raised his hand. "500 million shards."
The room fell silent.
The announcer’s eyes widened for a brief second before his professional smile snapped back into place. "We have a bid of 500 million shards! Do I hear another?"
The silence didn’t last long. A wave of murmurs rippled outward like a pebble dropped in water.
"Five hundred? For that?!"
"Who even is that bidder?"
"Must be some fool with too much money to burn."
"Or maybe he knows something we don’t..."
"Ridiculous. An unevaluated egg isn’t worth half that!"
The hall buzzed with hushed speculation, voices overlapping in disbelief. A few bidders even turned in their seats, craning their necks to get a glimpse of Kael Vi-rel. Their eyes glittered with curiosity, suspicion, or plain irritation.
Kael Vi-rel pressed his lips together tightly, hiding the thrill in his chest. Please... just let it end here. This is already pushing it. Any higher, and people will start wondering why I’m so desperate for this unevaluated egg.
"Five hundred million going once!"
The announcer raised the gavel.
Kael Vi-rel’s knuckles whitened as he clasped his hands together under the table. Don’t bid. Just let it go... you don’t need this. Leave it to me.
"Five hundred million going twice!"
The announcer’s eyes roamed the crowd. A few hands twitched, lips parted, but no one committed. The risk was too great, the whispers too sharp.
"Half a billion shards for a gamble? They’ll regret it."
"That bidder must be out of his mind."
"Still... what if it’s rare? What if it’s something legendary?"
Kael Vi-rel’s heartbeat thundered. He leaned forward slightly, whispering under his breath. "Come on... just back away. You have no use for it. But me? I’ll show you why this matters."
The announcer lifted the gavel high. "Five hundred million going thrice sold!" ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NoveIＦire.net
The sound echoed like thunder in Kael’s ears.
"Yes!" He punched the air in joy before quickly reining himself in, forcing his posture back into something calm and composed. Drawing too much attention here would be a mistake.
Still, the grin tugging at his lips was impossible to hide.
I did it. A dragon egg. Mine.
The murmurs swelled again, disbelief thick in the air.
"Half a billion shards on a whim..."
"Either a genius or a lunatic."
"Well, if he loses everything later, it’ll be his own fault."
Kael Vi-rel ignored them all. His mind raced with possibilities, strategies, and the countless ways this single egg could alter his future.
While the rest of the hall whispered about wasted shards and reckless bidders, Kael Vi-rel only saw the path opening ahead.
This is the beginning. With this, the game’s story is no longer the same. From here on, it’s mine to write.