213 Testing the Waters (1/2)

A wave of applause and cheers filled the room. The crowd on the first floor shouted, trying to get them to hurry the auction along and get started.

”Since you're all so excited, we'll now officially start the annual auction!” yelled the beautiful woman. ”It's day one, so remember that everything under lv. 50 will be sold today. If you're only interested in things more valuable than that, you'll only need to wait one more day, so please be patient.”

”Now, our first item!” She stepped aside and let a group of men push out a trolly.

Atop the trolly was a sword. It didn't look very extravagant, but its aura was fiery and fierce. The crowd saw it and instantly understood what it was.

”This sword may only be lv. 25, but it is still a holy weapon that would be perfect for those young masters in search of a weapon to help them stand out from the crowd,” shouted the woman, making sure to grab the interest of the young nobles and royals. ”This item will start at eight thousand gold, so who wants to make the first bid of the day?”

”Eight thousand gold!”

”Nine thousand gold!”

”Ten thousand gold!”

In less than a second, the first three bids were made and the auction was already heating up.

Argyle glance at Jack, noticing how calm and unaffected he was. With a snicker, he thought to himself, 'I guess he really is above lv. 30 now. To think he got everyone over lv. 30 so quickly… How did he do it?'

While Argyle passed the time imagining how strong Jack was and the capabilities of the former-ancient hero, the first item was sold off for a total of nineteen thousand gold.

To help the auction houses spread out their time and reach three days, there was always at least a fifteen-minute wait between items. Sometimes, it was an hour's wait, depending on the item.

This was because they would exchange the goods immediately after each purchase. If they had to exchange three days' worth of items at once, the royals and nobles wouldn't want to wait so long in a line. It was best for everyone doing things this way, and since it was only once a year, the royals and nobles didn't mind the slower-paced auction.

Soon, the next lv. 25 holy item arrived on the stage. It was a shield blessed by Torian, the Lightning God. It had a passive paralyzing effect that would slow any enemy that came in contact with the shield.

Again, it started at eight thousand and sold for around twenty thousand gold. This was a trend for all the following lv. 25 holy items as well.

Eventually, they finished the lv. 25 items and brought out their first lv. 30 item.

The staff was also a holy item, and greatly boosted a mage's mana supply. Everyone's eyes were getting greedier with every item that reached the stage.

”Twelve thousand gold!”

”Thirteen thousand gold!”

”Fifteen thousand gold!”

Bids came from everyone, quickly raising the price to more than twenty thousand gold. But still, Jack didn't react to the item, surprising Argyle.

Argyle wondered if Jack might have already passed lv. 35 as well. It sounded impossible, but Jack had already down what he thought was impossible, so Argyle assumed it Jack might have pulled it off.

”Twenty-four thousand gold!”

The buds were finally slowed down, giving the auctioneer time to speak. ”Twenty-four thousand gold going once! Going twice--”

”Twenty-five thousand gold!”

A shout came from Jack's private room, startling some people. For those that frequented the Fat Goose, they knew that the last time that room was occupied was when a mysterious young man had arrived and stolen the show and most of the best goods. Though the voice sounded different, some wondered if that was the same wealthy young man. Because it if was, then even the royals would have some stiff competition for the best items.

”Twenty-five thousand gold going once! Going--

”Twenty-six thousand gold!” shouted the same man who almost won the bet. But he was startled when that voice bid him up again without any wait.

”Twenty-eight thousand gold!”

”Twenty-eight thousand gold going once! Going twice… Sold!”

”Gong!”