Chapter 74: Bidding for Dragon Blood |
A series of crisp, pleasant magical chimes rang within the private room. The item list on the crystal screen disappeared, replaced by a live view of the auction stage.
A middle-aged man dressed in a silver-blue formal suit, holding a golden auction hammer, walked calmly onto the radiant stage. His voice spread throughout the venue via amplification arrays:
“Distinguished guests, welcome to the Fifth Grand Auction of Coral Thorn City! This auction features a total of one hundred and sixty valuable items, presented in three segments: ‘Special Resources,’ ‘Transcendent Items,’ and ‘Secret Treasures.’”
His gaze swept across the audience below and the unseen top-floor private rooms as he gave a slight bow.
“Now, I declare—the auction officially begins!”
With a crisp strike of the hammer, two elegantly dressed maids stepped onto the stage, carrying a velvet-lined tray. Upon it rested a strange embryo sealed within transparent crystal.
It glowed with a warm golden hue, gently pulsing and contracting rhythmically, as if nurturing boundless vitality.
The auctioneer’s voice rang out again:
“The first item—Luminshire Embryo! Starting bid: one thousand magic crystals! Each increment no less than fifty!”
Inside a naturally decorated mid-tier private room:
Mick stared greedily at the first item on the screen, his eyes nearly turning red.
This was an extremely rare special variant among flower spirits.
A top-tier manager for magical herb gardens—it could care for most types of magical herbs and even enhance their quality.
“Fifteen hundred magic crystals.”
The crystal screen behind the auctioneer began displaying bids rapidly.
“Eighteen hundred magic crystals.”
“Nineteen hundred magic crystals.”
……
The numbers kept changing until they finally stopped at 3,750 magic crystals.
“Rich people…” Baruk·Blackrock smacked his lips. The fruits here weren’t filling—he had already devoured them in a few bites.
But the taste? Absolutely incredible.
“Our entire tribe’s income for five years wouldn’t match that.”
Mick ignored him, carefully holding a small bunch of grape-like fruits resembling purple gemstones, savoring them slowly.
His mind was focused entirely on which item to bid for. His funds were only enough to go all-in on one item—and even then, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t be outbid by someone wealthier.
The auction proceeded in an orderly fashion, with item quality and prices steadily rising.
When the tenth item appeared—the first confidential top-tier item of the event—the entire venue erupted.
“The tenth item—five bottles of Black Abyss Nether Dew!”
The auctioneer’s tone rose sharply, full of gravity.
“Each bottle starts at five thousand magic crystals! Minimum increment: two hundred!”
Three attendants stepped forward, each carrying a tray.
They simultaneously lifted the silk coverings, revealing three thumb-sized crystal bottles.
Inside, blue-purple liquid flowed as if alive, refracting a mesmerizing yet dangerous glow—irresistibly alluring.
Even through layers of magical barriers, the faint aura caused some weaker-willed bidders to momentarily lose focus.
“Seven thousand magic crystals!”
“Nine thousand magic crystals!”
……
“Thirteen thousand eight hundred magic crystals!”
Qued watched the final price and finally relaxed.
The first bottle sold slightly lower than last time—but still within acceptable range. The remaining four bottles would likely fetch similar prices.
Though unfortunately, he had to give up some “snacks.”
In another private room, O’Brien and Dean listened to the astronomical numbers, the latter feeling as if he were hearing the most fantastical legends—utterly unreal.
Even O’Brien hadn’t expected such treasures to appear. Compared to these, his forged equipment set was probably just a warm-up item.
As items were sold one by one, the atmosphere grew increasingly heated.
Finally, the auctioneer announced in an unprecedentedly excited tone:
“Next, the finale of the ‘Special Resources’ segment—the 93rd item!”
All lights focused on the stage. A magical projection appeared—three bottles of liquid sealed in special runic crystal containers. Even as projections, they radiated immense, violent energy, with faint arcs of lightning flickering within.
“Adult Legendary-level—Thunderstorm Sub-Dragon True Blood! Three bottles, ten milliliters each! Starting bid: thirty thousand magic crystals! Minimum increment: one thousand!”
A wave of shock swept through the venue.
Legendary sub-dragon blood!
A supreme treasure used for forging Legendary equipment, crafting top-tier potions, or even directly tempering the body. Its value was immeasurable!
The kind of item that might not appear once in a century across the entire continent.
Kyle’s eyes lit up as he stared intensely at the projection.
This came from a forbidden mage of a secret arcane society—part of their remaining stock, brought out to fund their research.
“Thirty-five thousand magic crystals.”
Kyle made the first bid, also testing who else would compete.
“Thirty-eight thousand magic crystals.”
“Forty-three thousand magic crystals.”
The price rose steadily, but once it surpassed forty thousand, the pace slowed.
Though sub-dragon blood was valuable, its price was staggering. Many bidders began conserving funds for other targets.
Kyle wasn’t in a hurry. This was his main objective.
Besides—Mills Horne was footing the bill anyway.
……
“Fifty-two thousand magic crystals. Any further bids?” the auctioneer scanned the crowd.
After a brief silence, the number changed again.
“Fifty-five thousand magic crystals.”
Kyle paused slightly and traced the causal thread—someone was actually competing with him?
Veriya?
What would a devil want with sub-dragon blood?
“Sixty thousand magic crystals.” Kyle raised the bid without hesitation.
Meanwhile, in the private room of the Silver Moon Chamber of Commerce, Mills stared at the numbers, feeling his heart bleed.
“Ancestors… slow down… there are still two bottles left…” he muttered, clutching his chest.
He was rich—but not rich like this!
***
Veriya raised an eyebrow slightly, a playful smile curling on her lips.
Her powerful sensory talent allowed her to detect a strong, persistent wave of desire behind the bidding.
It piqued her interest.
She wanted to see who wanted this dragon blood so badly.
The formation arrays might block most things—but not beings like her.
Yet after scanning the area—she found nothing.
‘Interesting.’
Her curiosity deepened.
Either the opponent was extremely powerful—or possessed talents like hers.
‘Now this is a toy worth playing with.’
She wanted to see whether the bidder would lose control if they failed to obtain it.
“Seventy thousand magic crystals.”
She raised the bid casually, as if tossing pebbles.
The entire venue was shocked—the jump was enormous!
Kyle instantly understood—this devil was simply messing around, indulging her malicious amusement without regard for cost.
Classic devil behavior.
But give up?
Not happening.
“One hundred thousand magic crystals.”
Veriya’s smile widened.
As expected, he didn’t disappoint—raising the stakes so quickly.
‘Heh, I’ve got plenty of money to play with. Even if I don’t get it, I won’t let you have it easily.’
“One hundred twenty thousand magic crystals.”
Kyle was speechless. She was really determined to oppose him.
“One hundred fifty thousand magic crystals.”
He pushed the price to a suffocating height.
If you bid again, it’s yours.
But the remaining two bottles? There’s no way you can match that price.
Kyle knew her financial limits quite well.