Chapter 92: Auction House (2)

As the auction time arrived, a man wearing a mask ascended the stage.

"Thank you all for joining us today, gentlemen and ladies."

The man's voice echoed throughout the theater, and everyone's attention turned to him.

"The auction items will be presented in the order listed in the catalog we provided earlier. If you are interested in any item, please write the amount on the paddle and raise it."

Damien examined the paddle he had received earlier. As a magical artifact, it allowed him to write and erase freely.

"Let's begin the auction! The first item is a bundle of Moon Grass!"

A woman, also wearing a mask, appeared, pulling a cart. On the cart was a plant that glowed sky blue.

"As you all know, Moon Grass is a rare plant that can only be collected by water spirits. Therefore, no matter how much you order from herbalists, you won't be able to obtain it."

Damien was familiar with this plant. It was part of the black magic knowledge implanted by Dorgo.

"Though it looks beautiful, you must be careful. It is a dangerous poisonous plant that causes extreme hallucinations. Considering its rarity, we will start the bidding at 20 gold coins!"

People in the audience began to raise their paddles. The auctioneer called out quickly.

"21 gold... 24 gold! 27 gold just came in!"

Damien listened to the room next door, where he could hear Alexander Apple and a woman's voices.

"Your Excellency, Marina has repeatedly emphasized that Moon Grass is essential."

"There's no need to rush. We have plenty of money."

The sound of writing could be heard. Soon, the auctioneer shouted.

"35 gold! The current highest bid is 35 gold!"

No one raised their paddle any further. The auctioneer asked again.

"Is there anyone else? If not, I will award it for 35 gold..."

At that moment, Damien raised his paddle. The amount written on it was 60 gold.

"60 gold! 60 gold has been bid!"

The price jumped from 35 gold to 60 gold, but Damien was not concerned.

Since the other side had said it was absolutely necessary, he had to bid.

"60 gold? Is that plant really worth that much?"

"Though Moon Grass is hard to obtain... it is a bit expensive, but at this price, it is worth it."

From the next room, a voice filled with confusion could be heard.

"Your Excellency, Moon Grass is essential."

"Can't we get it elsewhere?"

"Given its rarity... we can commission water spirits, but it will take a long time."

"Damn it!"

The sound of cursing and writing could be heard. Soon, the auctioneer shouted loudly.

"70 gold! 70 gold has been bid! We've handled Moon Grass a few times in our auction house, but today's price is the highest!"

Damien did not immediately raise his paddle. He focused on the sounds coming from the next room.

"Your Excellency, if the price goes up again..."

"Don't worry. We have more than enough money."

With that, Damien wrote a new amount on his paddle and raised it. The auctioneer called out excitedly.

"90 gold! 90 gold has been bid! I didn't expect such enthusiasm from the first auction!"

As Damien raised the bid again, Alexander Apple became irritated.

"Who the hell is this! Damn it, let's see who wins!"

"Your Excellency, please calm down. The price is too high. We still have many items to bid on. Let's raise the price one more time, and if they raise it again, we'll give up."

Hearing this, Damien put down his paddle. If the other side was not going to bid, he had to back off too.

"100 gold! 100 gold! Is there anyone else? Anyone?"

Thus, the Moon Grass became Alexander Apple's property. The atmosphere in the next room was not good.

"We lost money on the first deal. If I find out who this is, I won't let them off easily."

The next auction item was then presented. The auctioneer pointed to the item and called out.

"Next, we have the Basilisk's Eye! As you might know, it is extremely dangerous and must be handled with care!"

The Basilisk, known as the king of snakes, is a monster that can turn anyone who looks directly into its eyes to stone.

"Your Excellency, it's finally here. We must not miss this. It is the most important item."

Hearing the woman's words, Damien smiled.

For the Poison Master, the Basilisk's Eye is an invaluable treasure.

This time, he could start with a high bid.

"Considering its rarity, we will start the bidding at 50 gold! Please write your bids!"

Since the Basilisk's Eye is rare, the competition was fierce.

People raised their paddles everywhere. The price rose sharply even without Damien's intervention.

"74 gold! Is there anyone else?"

When the price doubled, no one raised their paddle.

"Now, we need to write our bid."

Alexander Apple's voice could be heard from the other side. Damien prepared to raise his paddle.

"90 gold! 90 gold has been bid..."

Before the auctioneer could finish, Damien raised his paddle.

"130 gold! 130 gold has been bid! I didn't expect anyone to want the Basilisk's Eye so much!"

At that moment, a curse erupted from the next room.

"Who is this! Who would bid 50 gold higher!"

"Your Excellency, the Basilisk's Eye..."

"I know! It's important! I get it, so stop rushing me!"

The sound of grinding teeth could be heard. After a moment, the auctioneer called out.

"160 gold! Is there anyone else?"

No way. Damien immediately wrote 180 gold and raised his paddle.

"Damn it! Who the hell is this!"

The reaction was much more intense this time. It seemed that their capital was reaching its limit.

This time, Damien did not raise his paddle.

"The Basilisk's Eye! It has been awarded for 180 gold!"

Although he obtained the most important item, Alexander Apple was not happy. He kept cursing.

"We've already spent 280 gold! Just for this place!"

"Your Excellency, please calm down..."

"Do I look calm! ... I warn you. We must succeed in this plan!"

Hearing Alexander Apple's threats, Damien chuckled.

"Next, we have Mandrake Powder! When properly processed, it can be used as a universal remedy! We will start the bidding at 20 gold!"

The woman spoke cautiously.

"Your Excellency, we also need Mandrake Powder..."

"Yes, I know!"

While listening to their conversation, Damien pondered how much to bid.

It was a pleasant dilemma.

* * *

After that, Damien drained Alexander Apple's capital a few more times.

"Next, we have the Mana Cultivation Technique! Unfortunately, more than half of it has been burned..."

Damien also bought the Mana Cultivation Technique he had been eyeing.

"It has been awarded for 12 gold!"

It was not a particularly attractive item, so there were no competitors. The general consensus was that only a renowned expert could restore the burned parts, which would cost more than the purchase price.

Thanks to this, Damien was able to get the Mana Cultivation Technique at a low price.

"Next, we have a mysterious item that we have never seen before! We cannot determine its nature!"

The auctioneer pointed to a crystal on the cart.

"Interestingly, we have information that holding this item can protect against cold and ice magic!"

The auctioneer gave various explanations about the crystal, which was believed to be the Heart of the Spirit.

"Considering its unknown nature, we will start the bidding at 10 gold!"

A few people raised their paddles. The auctioneer called out quickly.

"12 gold! 14 gold! 15 gold has been bid!"

The small increases suggested that no one knew the true value of the item.

Perhaps they were buying it because it looked beautiful and interesting.

Before writing his bid, Damien listened to the next room.

"Your Excellency, we need this item."

"But it doesn't seem necessary for making poison... can we skip it?"

"The crystal is filled with the power of the spirit. It will greatly benefit the Thorn Sword you use."

"The Thorn Sword?"

Hearing about the Thorn Sword, Damien perked up.

"As I mentioned, the Thorn Sword is mostly sealed. Only pure mana can unseal it."

"So that's why we need the crystal?"

"Yes."

Alexander Apple groaned. After some thought, he made a decision.

"Since you obtained the Thorn Sword, you must know better. Alright, let's buy it."

The idea of a relic sword obtained by a black mage from Pandemonium was suspicious.

'Maybe it's not a relic sword after all.'

Damien had already felt a strange sense of unease from the Thorn Sword.

According to Damien's suspicions, it might not be a real relic sword but something suspicious.

"30 gold! 30 gold has been bid!"

The auctioneer's call snapped Damien out of his thoughts. It seemed Alexander Apple had written a bid.

"30 gold! Is there anyone else?"

Damien immediately wrote a bid and raised his paddle.

"40 gold! 40 gold has been bid! You are quite generous!"

It was a significant amount, but it didn't matter. The Heart of the Spirit was worth more.

Damien was prepared to do whatever it took to win the Heart of the Spirit.

However