coobybook Chapter 399 [Empire] Auction
Chapter 399 [Empire] Auction
I sat on the sofa in the private room. The lavish decorations around me seemed a bit too extravagant under the dim light. Shan Qi leaned back on the sofa, his posture languid, yet he still exuded an undeniable sense of authority. The atmosphere in the room was oppressive and quiet. Faint sounds emanated from the auction hall outside, like whispers or footsteps.
I imagined the people in that area, wearing gorgeous clothes, perhaps some wealthy businessmen with special status, or perhaps some greedy politicians.
Everyone wears a mask to hide their true appearance, as if everyone is hiding some unknown desire.
I glanced at the refreshments before me. The delicate desserts and fruit platter gleamed with an alluring luster, but I wasn't in the mood to enjoy them. I felt a sense of unease, yet it seemed like there was nothing to worry about. Shan Qi sat there in silence, casually picking up his teacup, his eyes gazing deep into the distance, as if he had no intention of saying anything to me. This man, always so silent and confident, made it difficult to fathom his true intentions.
Below the auction hall, the lights were on and voices began to rise. Shan Qi glanced at the clock, slowly put down his teacup, and turned to me, "Are you ready?"
I nodded casually. Although I didn't fully understand what he meant, I had begun to slowly adapt to the role of "spectator." In fact, I didn't need to do anything. As he said before, I just needed to stand aside and watch - or rather, stand aside and wait to watch a game that belonged to him.
"But what are you planning to auction?" I finally couldn't help asking. Looking at his calm attitude, it seemed that everything was under his control.
Shan Qi chuckled softly, lowering his head to adjust his sleeves. "You don't need to know." His voice remained calm, yet it carried a certain undeniable conviction. He then turned to gaze out the window at the night scene, seemingly unconcerned with my question. "You just need to know that some deals are never as simple as they appear."
My heart trembled, and I suddenly realized that what Shan Qi was involved in was a dangerous yet fascinating game. The circle he inhabited was not something I could easily understand. Just now, I thought I was just an insignificant "companion," but now, I vaguely felt that this auction, this transaction, might affect me, even drag me deeper into the vortex.
Suddenly, the door to the private room was gently pushed open, and a waiter walked in, breaking the silence. He was holding a small, delicate tray of snacks. He bent slightly and respectfully placed it on the table. "Everything is ready. The auction is about to begin."
Shan Qi nodded slightly, stood up, straightened his collar, walked to the window, and glanced coldly at the venue. "It's begun," he said, his tone filled with a hint of anticipation, or perhaps a silent command.
The atmosphere in the venue grew increasingly tense as the projection screen lit up. The massive screen hanging in the center began to flicker, gradually revealing each lot. The auctioneer's voice, carried throughout the venue via the sophisticated sound system, carried a touch of excitement and professionalism, a thrilling yet perfectly timed delivery, as if each lot held an endless allure.
The first exhibit was a specimen of a strange beast—a massive, black beast covered in tough scales. Its rugged facial features and sunken eyes seemed to have just been awakened from the shadows of death. Blood-red spots still dotted its massive body, hinting at its past struggles on the brink of death. The interplay of light and shadow in the projection imbued the beast with an eerie sense of life, as if it were wriggling on the screen, poised to break free from its mask of death and pounce on any prey within its reach.
"This is a specimen of a deep-sea Megalodon, hailing from the distant Death Swamp, a land of life and death. Countless mercenaries once died for it." The auctioneer's tone gradually intensified. "Now, its flesh can no longer pose a threat to you, but its scales are still extremely valuable alchemical ingredients, perfectly suited for enhancing the strength of armor, weapons, and protective equipment. Starting price: 300,000 star coins. Bidding begins!"
I couldn't help but frown. Mercenary guilds can also find plenty of this kind of stuff, albeit of lower quality, and seemingly several notches lower in value than this specimen. In the stands, several masked figures were already bidding, and the atmosphere was lively. After all, exotic beast specimens aren't just trophies; they're also symbols of wealth and power. Some major guilds and private collectors even collect them as status symbols.
Next on display was a carefully nurtured exotic beast cub. Its small size and furry appearance gave it an even more menacing appearance. Its eyes gleamed in the dim light, appearing exceptionally alert. "This is a 'Nightmare Tiger' cub, a highly dangerous exotic beast bred in extremely remote, deep forests. Rumor has it that its cry can instantly break the will of its enemies, inducing an extreme fear response. Starting price: 200,000 Star Coins." The auctioneer's words were devoid of much emotion, but it was clear that the item before him was undoubtedly drawing the most attention.
Shan Qi, standing nearby, didn't seem particularly interested in the items. Instead, he gazed intently at the black-robed bidders, as if he could discern the hidden stories and intentions behind each one.
I turned to look at him, only to find he had already averted his gaze, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of his chair, appearing remarkably calm. I knew that to him, all this was just an ordinary transaction, and that what he was truly concerned about was probably the grand finale lot that was about to appear.
Sure enough, soon after, some of the items at the back began to be displayed. They were the kind of things that would make your heart beat faster. Things like combat plant essence cores, energy weapons, and special chips, these rare items that once only appeared in top mercenary missions, now made their debut like stars.
But the real climax came with the final three lots. As the auctioneer took up the microphone again, the sound system amplified the volume, ready to welcome this true "gluttonous feast."
“Now, the real highlight, the final three lots. I’m sure everyone here has been eagerly anticipating this. We will be showcasing the rarest of items—only for those who can afford the risk and have the financial wherewithal to purchase them.”
The auction hall suddenly fell silent, everyone's eyes fixed on the projection screen. As Shan Qi had said, this was the highlight of the night. My heartbeat quickened. Although I didn't fully understand the true value of these items, I could feel the atmosphere heating up. Each item before me held immense risks and rewards, enough to make anyone pay a high price to vie for it.
The projection screen began to rotate slowly, and the first finale item gradually emerged - an ancient scroll emitting a mysterious glow, which seemed to embody some kind of deep power.