Chapter 73: The Integration Auction
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Chapter 73: The Integration Auction
Vocrich Eretor, the vampire lord that would lead the auction, stepped off the stage center. Another vampire, a woman, walked out and placed a shiny cube on the table.
The first item, Vocrich declared, is a high-grade starship. Forged by an apprentice of the famous Horrificus Egen, this ship can cross space at a speed approaching a thousand miles a minute. It operates on the users Dao, meaning its cost-free, and can accommodate up to five peopleor more if you pack light.
Scattered laughs came from the audience. Vocrich smiled. The starting price is 500,000 credits!
Silence.
How the hell is that a starship? Jack whispered to Edgar. The item was a cube that could fit in ones palm.
No idea, the wizard whispered back, shrugging. Magic, I guess.
Jack shook his head as he ran the math.
One thousand miles a minute was sixty thousand an hour. That shipif it really was a starshipwas faster than anything Earth had developed, could reach the moon in four hours, and didnt cost massive amounts of resources to operate.
However, five hundred thousand credits
Jack was aware that most auctions started with a heavy-hitter item to rile up the crowds. Though the starship intrigued him, he couldnt spare the expense.
Unless this is the item the Sage wanted me to get, he thought.
The Sages voice rang inside his mind immediately afterward. Your item will come last, he said, then spoke out loud. I offer five hundred thousand.
Many heads turned to look at the Sage, who sat on his balcony and smiled jovially. Sitting across from him, Dorman didnt bat an eye.
Six hundred thousand, a suited-up man from below offered, standing up. He was bald and muscular, and he oozed an aura of authority. He must have been someone important in the pre-System world. Now, he was only qualified to sit among the crowd.
Seven hundred, the Sage retorted.
Seven fifty.
Eight hundred.
The bald man frowned deeply, then sat back down. Nobody else spoke.
Eight hundred thousand credits, offered by the mysterious Sage, Vocrich announced. Is there anyone willing to trump that? Starships of this caliber dont appear often in underdeveloped worlds!
He waited a moment, but nobody spoke up. Very well, he declared. Then, this high-grade starship has been sold to the Sage for eight hundred thousand credits. Congratulations!
Thank you, the Sage replied with a smile.
An assistant will bring the item to you at once. You can deposit the sum in her credit card, Vocrich said before proceeding. The next item is a set of seven F-Grade servant robots, so you never have to do housework again. The starting price is one hundred thousand credits.
Seven white robots with smooth curves walked into the stage. Several people bid at low increments, but the item finally went to Li Xiang, the martial arts master, for two hundred thousand.
Next is an E-Grade Dao Fruit of the Blade! Ideal for anyone wanting to sharpen their Dao Seed! Vocrich announced as a vampire assistant brought a Dao Fruit on stage. It resembled the one Jack had taken from Henry White, except it radiated an aura of sharpness so strong it was almost corporeal. It was like staring down a gun barrel.
The starting price is
Five hundred thousand, Dorman interrupted him. The announcer smiled and didnt say anything. Neither did the crowd.
Six hundred, Gan Salin called out.
One million, Dorman replied calmly.
Jacks eyes widened. One million credits, gone like that
F-Grade Dao Fruits were only sold for ten thousand. Of course, E-Grade fruits were much, much rarerotherwise this fruit would have never appeared in such a prestigious auctionbut a million was definitely over the market price. Dorman must have wanted it deeply.
Then again, everyone could only use one Dao Fruit of each Grade. Investing in the right fruit for you was worth it.
Jacks eyes glimmered as he considered the F-Grade Dao Fruit of the Fist he kept hidden in his house. It was perfect for him, and he had been saving it for when he attempted to breakthrough into the E-Grade. However, if an E-Grade Dao Fruit of the Fist showed up, how much would he be willing to spend to get it?
Hmm.
Nobody dared bid against Dorman anymore, so the fruit was sold for a million credits. Vocrich had a wide smilebut then again, that was always the case.
One million seven hundred.
Two million.
The price instantly climbed to incredible heights. Except for the two major factions, nobody dared bid now. Of the people on the balconies, nobody else used suitable Daos, eitherbut Vivi and Alexander both understood that this fruit might well be the turning point in their future clash.
Alexander glanced at Elena Richter. Two million two hundred, he declared.
Two million four hundred.
Two million five hundred.
Vivi frowned, too. She looked at Sadaka, who nodded. Two million seven hundred! she announced.
By now, Jack was beginning to feel poor. He had tried his best to gather credits and thought himself rich, but these guys were all richer than him.
It makes sense, he skulked. They had more people, so more chances to gather creditsbut still
I hope the Sage didnt get the number wrong He only told me to gather two million.
Alexander Petrovic lowered his brows and didnt bid immediately. It looked like two million seven hundred was already his ceiling, even when utilizing the funds of the entire Ice Peak.
Vivi adopted a victorious look.
Out of options, Alexander turned to Rufus Emberheart, who still sat there calmly with his eyes closed.
Sir Alexander said. Rufus opened his eyes. His supreme gaze stared deep into Alexanders soul as if conquering it.
Very well. I will assist. Three million, Rufus declared. The auction fell silent.
Vivis face darkened further. She looked at Jack, who raised both brows. Shit! Were doing this too?
Her stare remained. A moment later, he gritted his teeth and nodded. They were in an alliance; he couldnt just let Vivi get her ass handed to her. He just hoped she wouldnt go too far.
Her eyes showed her gratitude. She looked at Rufus.
Three million two hundred, she said.
Four million, Rufus said calmly as if it meant nothing.
He didnt have to raise the price that high. He just did it because he could, and because he followed the Dao of Supremacy.
Jack held his breath. Assuming Vivi only had close to three million herself, if she announced a higher price, she would be cutting deep into his budget. He needed that.
However, she knew the limit. She wouldnt go too far on her allies money. She gazed at the Sage, who only shook his head.
She retreated back into her chair and did not speak.
Four million by the unfathomable Rufus Emberheart, Vocrich said. Is there a higher price?
Nobody spoke. Probably, nobody else had that much, either.
Sold! Congratulations, Rufus Emberheart.
The lion man nodded and didnt speak. Alexander stood up and disappeared into the corridor, soon arriving at Rufuss balcony and standing there obedientlythere were no more chairs. He took out his credit card and passed his money to the lion-man. When the vampire assistant showed up, Rufus paid her, received the lotus, then gave it to Alexander.
Do not disappoint me, he said.
I swear I wont, sir, Alexander replied, bowing deeply.
They had just made a point to the entire human race of Earth-387. Rufus had shown that he treated his underlings well. And Alexander had shown that the best of humanity was inferior to the scions of the Animal Kingdom.
Alexander Petrovic returned to his seat under many heavy glares. The auction continued. It had been going on for an hour already, and the final items were rapidly approaching. As they did, the quality shot up, too.
The other scions were participating, now. Two Dao armors came on stage, one after the other. They were human-shaped, elastic pieces of knight-like metal armor that could hug tightly the wearers body, providing excellent protection even against the E-Grade. Against attacks in the F-Grade, they were almost impenetrable.
Both sets of armor included everything from helmets to boots, and they both incited fierce bidding wars. Gan Salin and Shard Presht were the ones who won, each paying slightly over a million credits.
Then came a green orb glowing with soothing light.
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Chapter 73: The Integration Auction
Vocrich Eretor, the vampire lord that would lead the auction, stepped off the stage center. Another vampire, a woman, walked out and placed a shiny cube on the table.
The first item, Vocrich declared, is a high-grade starship. Forged by an apprentice of the famous Horrificus Egen, this ship can cross space at a speed approaching a thousand miles a minute. It operates on the users Dao, meaning its cost-free, and can accommodate up to five peopleor more if you pack light.
Scattered laughs came from the audience. Vocrich smiled. The starting price is 500,000 credits!
Silence.
How the hell is that a starship? Jack whispered to Edgar. The item was a cube that could fit in ones palm.
No idea, the wizard whispered back, shrugging. Magic, I guess.
Jack shook his head as he ran the math.
One thousand miles a minute was sixty thousand an hour. That shipif it really was a starshipwas faster than anything Earth had developed, could reach the moon in four hours, and didnt cost massive amounts of resources to operate.
However, five hundred thousand credits
Jack was aware that most auctions started with a heavy-hitter item to rile up the crowds. Though the starship intrigued him, he couldnt spare the expense.
Unless this is the item the Sage wanted me to get, he thought.
The Sages voice rang inside his mind immediately afterward. Your item will come last, he said, then spoke out loud. I offer five hundred thousand.
Many heads turned to look at the Sage, who sat on his balcony and smiled jovially. Sitting across from him, Dorman didnt bat an eye.
Six hundred thousand, a suited-up man from below offered, standing up. He was bald and muscular, and he oozed an aura of authority. He must have been someone important in the pre-System world. Now, he was only qualified to sit among the crowd.
Seven hundred, the Sage retorted.
Seven fifty.
Eight hundred.
The bald man frowned deeply, then sat back down. Nobody else spoke.
Eight hundred thousand credits, offered by the mysterious Sage, Vocrich announced. Is there anyone willing to trump that? Starships of this caliber dont appear often in underdeveloped worlds!
He waited a moment, but nobody spoke up. Very well, he declared. Then, this high-grade starship has been sold to the Sage for eight hundred thousand credits. Congratulations!
Thank you, the Sage replied with a smile.
An assistant will bring the item to you at once. You can deposit the sum in her credit card, Vocrich said before proceeding. The next item is a set of seven F-Grade servant robots, so you never have to do housework again. The starting price is one hundred thousand credits.
Seven white robots with smooth curves walked into the stage. Several people bid at low increments, but the item finally went to Li Xiang, the martial arts master, for two hundred thousand.
Next is an E-Grade Dao Fruit of the Blade! Ideal for anyone wanting to sharpen their Dao Seed! Vocrich announced as a vampire assistant brought a Dao Fruit on stage. It resembled the one Jack had taken from Henry White, except it radiated an aura of sharpness so strong it was almost corporeal. It was like staring down a gun barrel.
The starting price is
Five hundred thousand, Dorman interrupted him. The announcer smiled and didnt say anything. Neither did the crowd.
Six hundred, Gan Salin called out.
One million, Dorman replied calmly.
Jacks eyes widened. One million credits, gone like that
F-Grade Dao Fruits were only sold for ten thousand. Of course, E-Grade fruits were much, much rarerotherwise this fruit would have never appeared in such a prestigious auctionbut a million was definitely over the market price. Dorman must have wanted it deeply.
Then again, everyone could only use one Dao Fruit of each Grade. Investing in the right fruit for you was worth it.
Jacks eyes glimmered as he considered the F-Grade Dao Fruit of the Fist he kept hidden in his house. It was perfect for him, and he had been saving it for when he attempted to breakthrough into the E-Grade. However, if an E-Grade Dao Fruit of the Fist showed up, how much would he be willing to spend to get it?
Hmm.
Nobody dared bid against Dorman anymore, so the fruit was sold for a million credits. Vocrich had a wide smilebut then again, that was always the case.
One million seven hundred.
Two million.
The price instantly climbed to incredible heights. Except for the two major factions, nobody dared bid now. Of the people on the balconies, nobody else used suitable Daos, eitherbut Vivi and Alexander both understood that this fruit might well be the turning point in their future clash.
Alexander glanced at Elena Richter. Two million two hundred, he declared.
Two million four hundred.
Two million five hundred.
Vivi frowned, too. She looked at Sadaka, who nodded. Two million seven hundred! she announced.
By now, Jack was beginning to feel poor. He had tried his best to gather credits and thought himself rich, but these guys were all richer than him.
It makes sense, he skulked. They had more people, so more chances to gather creditsbut still
I hope the Sage didnt get the number wrong He only told me to gather two million.
Alexander Petrovic lowered his brows and didnt bid immediately. It looked like two million seven hundred was already his ceiling, even when utilizing the funds of the entire Ice Peak.
Vivi adopted a victorious look.
Out of options, Alexander turned to Rufus Emberheart, who still sat there calmly with his eyes closed.
Sir Alexander said. Rufus opened his eyes. His supreme gaze stared deep into Alexanders soul as if conquering it.
Very well. I will assist. Three million, Rufus declared. The auction fell silent.
Vivis face darkened further. She looked at Jack, who raised both brows. Shit! Were doing this too?
Her stare remained. A moment later, he gritted his teeth and nodded. They were in an alliance; he couldnt just let Vivi get her ass handed to her. He just hoped she wouldnt go too far.
Her eyes showed her gratitude. She looked at Rufus.
Three million two hundred, she said.
Four million, Rufus said calmly as if it meant nothing.
He didnt have to raise the price that high. He just did it because he could, and because he followed the Dao of Supremacy.
Jack held his breath. Assuming Vivi only had close to three million herself, if she announced a higher price, she would be cutting deep into his budget. He needed that.
However, she knew the limit. She wouldnt go too far on her allies money. She gazed at the Sage, who only shook his head.
She retreated back into her chair and did not speak.
Four million by the unfathomable Rufus Emberheart, Vocrich said. Is there a higher price?
Nobody spoke. Probably, nobody else had that much, either.
Sold! Congratulations, Rufus Emberheart.
The lion man nodded and didnt speak. Alexander stood up and disappeared into the corridor, soon arriving at Rufuss balcony and standing there obedientlythere were no more chairs. He took out his credit card and passed his money to the lion-man. When the vampire assistant showed up, Rufus paid her, received the lotus, then gave it to Alexander.
Do not disappoint me, he said.
I swear I wont, sir, Alexander replied, bowing deeply.
They had just made a point to the entire human race of Earth-387. Rufus had shown that he treated his underlings well. And Alexander had shown that the best of humanity was inferior to the scions of the Animal Kingdom.
Alexander Petrovic returned to his seat under many heavy glares. The auction continued. It had been going on for an hour already, and the final items were rapidly approaching. As they did, the quality shot up, too.
The other scions were participating, now. Two Dao armors came on stage, one after the other. They were human-shaped, elastic pieces of knight-like metal armor that could hug tightly the wearers body, providing excellent protection even against the E-Grade. Against attacks in the F-Grade, they were almost impenetrable.
Both sets of armor included everything from helmets to boots, and they both incited fierce bidding wars. Gan Salin and Shard Presht were the ones who won, each paying slightly over a million credits.
Then came a green orb glowing with soothing light.
Chapter 73: The Integration AuctionVocrich Eretor, the vampire lord that would lead the auction, stepped off the stage center. Another vampire, a woman, walked out and placed a shiny cube on the table.The first item, Vocrich declared, is a high-grade starship. Forged by an apprentice of the famous Horrificus Egen, this ship can cross space at a speed approaching a thousand miles a minute. It operates on the users Dao, meaning its cost-free, and can accommodate up to five peopleor more if you pack light.Scattered laughs came from the audience. Vocrich smiled. The starting price is 500,000 credits!Silence.How the hell is that a starship? Jack whispered to Edgar. The item was a cube that could fit in ones palm.No idea, the wizard whispered back, shrugging. Magic, I guess.Jack shook his head as he ran the math.One thousand miles a minute was sixty thousand an hour. That shipif it really was a starshipwas faster than anything Earth had developed, could reach the moon in four hours, and didnt cost massive amounts of resources to operate.However, five hundred thousand creditsJack was aware that most auctions started with a heavy-hitter item to rile up the crowds. Though the starship intrigued him, he couldnt spare the expense.Unless this is the item the Sage wanted me to get, he thought.The Sages voice rang inside his mind immediately afterward. Your item will come last, he said, then spoke out loud. I offer five hundred thousand.Many heads turned to look at the Sage, who sat on his balcony and smiled jovially. Sitting across from him, Dorman didnt bat an eye.Six hundred thousand, a suited-up man from below offered, standing up. He was bald and muscular, and he oozed an aura of authority. He must have been someone important in the pre-System world. Now, he was only qualified to sit among the crowd.Seven hundred, the Sage retorted.Seven fifty.Eight hundred.The bald man frowned deeply, then sat back down. Nobody else spoke.Eight hundred thousand credits, offered by the mysterious Sage, Vocrich announced. Is there anyone willing to trump that? Starships of this caliber dont appear often in underdeveloped worlds!He waited a moment, but nobody spoke up. Very well, he declared. Then, this high-grade starship has been sold to the Sage for eight hundred thousand credits. Congratulations!Thank you, the Sage replied with a smile.An assistant will bring the item to you at once. You can deposit the sum in her credit card, Vocrich said before proceeding. The next item is a set of seven F-Grade servant robots, so you never have to do housework again. The starting price is one hundred thousand credits.Seven white robots with smooth curves walked into the stage. Several people bid at low increments, but the item finally went to Li Xiang, the martial arts master, for two hundred thousand.Next is an E-Grade Dao Fruit of the Blade! Ideal for anyone wanting to sharpen their Dao Seed! Vocrich announced as a vampire assistant brought a Dao Fruit on stage. It resembled the one Jack had taken from Henry White, except it radiated an aura of sharpness so strong it was almost corporeal. It was like staring down a gun barrel.The starting price isFive hundred thousand, Dorman interrupted him. The announcer smiled and didnt say anything. Neither did the crowd.Six hundred, Gan Salin called out.One million, Dorman replied calmly.Jacks eyes widened. One million credits, gone like thatF-Grade Dao Fruits were only sold for ten thousand. Of course, E-Grade fruits were much, much rarerotherwise this fruit would have never appeared in such a prestigious auctionbut a million was definitely over the market price. Dorman must have wanted it deeply.Then again, everyone could only use one Dao Fruit of each Grade. Investing in the right fruit for you was worth it.Jacks eyes glimmered as he considered the F-Grade Dao Fruit of the Fist he kept hidden in his house. It was perfect for him, and he had been saving it for when he attempted to breakthrough into the E-Grade. However, if an E-Grade Dao Fruit of the Fist showed up, how much would he be willing to spend to get it?Hmm.Nobody dared bid against Dorman anymore, so the fruit was sold for a million credits. Vocrich had a wide smilebut then again, that was always the case.One million seven hundred.Two million.The price instantly climbed to incredible heights. Except for the two major factions, nobody dared bid now. Of the people on the balconies, nobody else used suitable Daos, eitherbut Vivi and Alexander both understood that this fruit might well be the turning point in their future clash.Alexander glanced at Elena Richter. Two million two hundred, he declared.Two million four hundred.Two million five hundred.Vivi frowned, too. She looked at Sadaka, who nodded. Two million seven hundred! she announced.By now, Jack was beginning to feel poor. He had tried his best to gather credits and thought himself rich, but these guys were all richer than him.It makes sense, he skulked. They had more people, so more chances to gather creditsbut stillI hope the Sage didnt get the number wrong He only told me to gather two million.Alexander Petrovic lowered his brows and didnt bid immediately. It looked like two million seven hundred was already his ceiling, even when utilizing the funds of the entire Ice Peak.Vivi adopted a victorious look.Out of options, Alexander turned to Rufus Emberheart, who still sat there calmly with his eyes closed.Sir Alexander said. Rufus opened his eyes. His supreme gaze stared deep into Alexanders soul as if conquering it.Very well. I will assist. Three million, Rufus declared. The auction fell silent.Vivis face darkened further. She looked at Jack, who raised both brows. Shit! Were doing this too?Her stare remained. A moment later, he gritted his teeth and nodded. They were in an alliance; he couldnt just let Vivi get her ass handed to her. He just hoped she wouldnt go too far.Her eyes showed her gratitude. She looked at Rufus.Three million two hundred, she said.Four million, Rufus said calmly as if it meant nothing.He didnt have to raise the price that high. He just did it because he could, and because he followed the Dao of Supremacy.Jack held his breath. Assuming Vivi only had close to three million herself, if she announced a higher price, she would be cutting deep into his budget. He needed that.However, she knew the limit. She wouldnt go too far on her allies money. She gazed at the Sage, who only shook his head.She retreated back into her chair and did not speak.Four million by the unfathomable Rufus Emberheart, Vocrich said. Is there a higher price?Nobody spoke. Probably, nobody else had that much, either.Sold! Congratulations, Rufus Emberheart.The lion man nodded and didnt speak. Alexander stood up and disappeared into the corridor, soon arriving at Rufuss balcony and standing there obedientlythere were no more chairs. He took out his credit card and passed his money to the lion-man. When the vampire assistant showed up, Rufus paid her, received the lotus, then gave it to Alexander.Do not disappoint me, he said.I swear I wont, sir, Alexander replied, bowing deeply.They had just made a point to the entire human race of Earth-387. Rufus had shown that he treated his underlings well. And Alexander had shown that the best of humanity was inferior to the scions of the Animal Kingdom.Alexander Petrovic returned to his seat under many heavy glares. The auction continued. It had been going on for an hour already, and the final items were rapidly approaching. As they did, the quality shot up, too.The other scions were participating, now. Two Dao armors came on stage, one after the other. They were human-shaped, elastic pieces of knight-like metal armor that could hug tightly the wearers body, providing excellent protection even against the E-Grade. Against attacks in the F-Grade, they were almost impenetrable.Both sets of armor included everything from helmets to boots, and they both incited fierce bidding wars. Gan Salin and Shard Presht were the ones who won, each paying slightly over a million credits.Then came a green orb glowing with soothing light.
