Chapter 104: Auction House Drama
As the auctioneer spoke to everyone, the noisy atmosphere in the Auction Hall fell silent. Lights flickered from the platform where the auctioned items would appear but its spotlight shifted to a beautiful woman sitting on a seat near the stand.
The woman waved her hand, greeting the crowd with elegant movements.
She wasn't young at all. Hans could vividly see that but she looks really attractive and her mature allure charmed the men of culture around the auction house.
Having no idea who she was, Hans eavesdropped on the people on the ground floor.
"It's Lady Emilia!"
"As expected, she really looks beautiful as ever. I can never resist such a woman!"
"Indeed, maybe… maybe if I could have a chance to see her up close, I will…"
Hans withdraws his hearing. According to some decent people, it seemed that this woman was the boss of the auction house.
'Hmm…'
The black-dressed woman enticed everyone around. Her smiles and alluring eyes attracted even women who felt like they had to change their genders. Some of them, with soft hearts, felt like their lungs were malfunctioning due to the hotness the woman was emitting.
Hans even caught a glimpse of some men's rising tents.
'I feel like some people here only came for her.' Hans thought.
[Indeed.]
Clang—
"Let's have a round of applause for Lady Emilia for organizing the auction today!"
The auctioneer, who was a middle-aged man with a human head and the body of a beast, jovially clapped his hands together. Everyone followed after.
Clap—, clap—, clap—!
Looking at the enthusiastic atmosphere of the auction house, the auctioneer nodded in satisfaction. Then, the spotlight shifted from Lady Emilia back to him.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Garrett and I will be presiding over this auction today. Before we start, I would like to thank all of you for being here. We, the Abel Family, are grateful to all of you."
Garrett pushed his mic away and bowed 90 degrees to the crowd, which resulted in another round of applause.
After a brief period, Garrett cleared his throat and declared loudly.
"I won't waste your time anymore!"
At that moment, the spotlight shifted towards the table covered in cloth. Garrett shuffled towards it and yanked the cloth swiftly.
"Here is the first auction item, the…"
Hans leaned on the soft chair and relaxed with his eyes closed, quietly listening to the auctioneer's voice as he introduced item after item.
But his goal was never these items which he thought would only be garbage in his storage bag. He has already 3 storage bags hanging on his belt. He doesn't want to add one anymore.
On his side, Ella stood motionless as she occasionally glanced at Hans trying to see if he'll be somewhat interested in the items being auctioned.
However, to her disappointment, Hans did not even look at it, nor glanced at it. It seemed like these items can't get to his taste.
Even then, she did not bother Hans or forced her opinion. After all, she respects his decision not to participate.
With that, the auction peacefully resumed.
Items such as weapons and accessories are sold at enormous prices. Some unknown items such as treasure maps and unidentified stones or crystals were, although sold much cheaper, their value still made those poor men drop their jaws.
After the 40th item was sold at 800 Diamonds. It was a skill that should be around billions of dollars if sold back on earth.
However, for Hans, he doesn't need one. He felt like he already had too many to use. Adding one would only confuse him.
"Our first batch of items has come to an end. To everyone who bid and won, I hope you're satisfied. Our servants would accommodate you later for the payment and item." After a brief pause, Garrett continued, "And now for the main items of this evening…"
At this moment, Hans' closed eyes suddenly opened. He straightened his back and stared at the platform where the item will appear.
Garrett pushed a cart containing a box-like appearance but it was covered by a mana cloth so it's hard to identify what it was.
Looking at the anticipation of the crowd, Garrett smiled. Then, with a swift movement, he pulled the cloth away, revealing a small vial filled with blood-red liquid. It was inside a secured glass box to prevent anyone from robbing it.
"The following item is the Blood of a Phoenix! The grade is unknown but our auction house assures you that this is the true blood of a Phoenix."
Countless greedy eyes inspected the vial like a hungry beast ready to devour its meal.
Garrett continued explaining.
"It has many uses like curing diseases and increasing vitality and lifespan. There are many other uses but I won't explain them to all of you. I'm sure you already know that."
Then, with a loud voice, Garrett resumed.
"The starting bid is 10 Diamonds!"
Waahhh—!
As soon as they heard the start of bidding, many people started bidding.
"15 Diamonds!!!"
"20 Diamonds!!!"
"50 Diamonds!!!"
Hans, who was still observing the blood on the vial, suddenly frowned. With his superior sense of smell, he could tell that this blood is that of a monster.
However, he doubted when the auctioneer said that it was the blood of a Phoenix.
Of course, he had no evidence to prove that it was fake. It's just his hunch after all.
In the end, the Phoenix's blood was sold for a whopping 9500 Diamond. That's only 500 Diamonds away from being 1 Ruby.
That's already enough money for one person to live a lavish life in a lifetime.
After sorting the item, another cart arrived at the platform, this time. There was no cover so the people immediately identified what the item looked like.
However, they have no idea what it was.
"Our next item was a History Book of the Harisan Empire."
The moment Garrett spoke those words, the buyers hastily expressed their confusion and dissatisfaction.
One of the VIPs took great courage to ask. After all, the owner of the auction house is here. Although she's a beautiful woman, a war queen resides in her bones.
"Can you explain why this is auctioned? I don't get it. We could just buy that in bookstores if we want to."
"Indeed, if this is one of the best items you could offer, then we, the Rodeo Family, are utterly disappointed." said one of the VIPs with a rough voice resembling an old man.
Even Hans also was bewildered.
'Is there something special with that book?'
[Hmm… looking at it, I could say there is.]
Hans glanced at Ella for an explanation but she just shrugged her shoulders. In fact, she's also confused by the current events right now.
Despite the audience's dissatisfaction, Garrett maintained a smile. Some of the intelligent crowd could already guess that something might be special about the book itself.
"I understand all your complaints but don't be hasty as this book was not your ordinary history book."
The crowd fell into a deafening silence and the people raised their heads in anticipation.
"This book… is a hundred thousand years old! It contains the history of the first developments of the Harisan Empire! The starting bid is 500 Diamonds!"
On the platform, the spotlight gleamed even stronger exposing the detailed appearance of the book. Just from its aura alone, people with keen eyes could already tell that it truly came from ancient times.
However, their reactions are mixed.
"Although it's a rare sight seeing a book survive for many years, it's not worth the money." said one of the VIPs loudly.
"I agree. Additionally, the content might be lacking compared to the history books today."
"It was a good item but I'm sorry, I think it's not for me."
"My son likes to collect relics from the past. I like it but it's too expensive."
"If they could lower the price, I would surely buy it."
Garrett's face gradually crumbled. He forcefully maintained his smiling face even though no one wants to buy this ancient book.
Well, in truth, he also wouldn't buy such a thing but the seller doesn't want to lower the starting price otherwise this book could have been bought by the collectors.
With the increasing tension in the air, Garrett glances at Lady Emilia. The moment their eyes met, she nodded. Garrett's face suddenly became firm.
'It's time to bait these people.'
Since no one wants to bid for it, he'll make it happen.
"According to the seller, this book might contain the location of precious artifacts. But as it was never opened, the owner needed immediate money and had no interest in these priceless artifacts."
However, the response is not something Garrett expected.
"Pfft…"
"Seriously?"
"They really treat us like fools?"
No one got fooled.
Hans watching from the bubble let out a soft giggle. He's happy because no one seemed interested.
'Fortunately, no one got fooled.'
These people don't know the real value of that book at all. For Hans, this history book is already cheap at 500 Diamonds.
Hans sat with a shining gaze as he stared at the item.
In the next second, his deep voice abruptly sounded out.
"500 Diamonds."
The noisy hall fell silent.
"..."
Everyone raised their eyes to the source of the voice but they realized it was coming from a VIP room.
In their eyes, Hans might be one of those stupid rich people who buy everything he sees.
'What an idiot.' They thought.
But their surprise increased when at the same time, another voice echoed in their ears.
"1,000 Diamonds!!"
Everyone's eyes shifted towards the owner of the voice. The person wasn't sitting in a VIP room but instead in the front seat of the venue. He's a young man in his 20s but his body looks frail.
Although there's a smile on his face, a coldness constantly leaked under it.
The people immediately recognize this man.
"He's Aeron, the son of the famous merchant. I heard he's finding a cure for his body. That's why he's been collecting clues about ancient medicine."
Hans glanced at the young man and couldn't help but feel pity after seeing his condition.
[He looks like a skeleton.]
Just like Plundy said, the young man really resembled a skeleton with skin. Hans even thought that with just a slight breeze of wind, this young man might fly away.
'But I'm sorry, I don't know you.'
He wouldn't give up this book just for the health of a stranger. Hans sometimes has tendencies of saving someone but he's not a good person.
The young man needs this to achieve his goal and so does he.
Thus…
"1,200 Diamonds!" Hans increased the bid.
On the auction platform, Garrett grinned ear to ear after hearing the bid increase as time passed. In his opinion, he might have fooled these two bidders into thinking that the book really has the location of treasure in it.
Aeron gritted his teeth and increased the price.
"2,000 Diamonds!"
Since the other bidder only increased it by 200 Diamonds, he might be short of money now.
Oh, how wrong he was.
Just after Aeron's bid, a familiar voice echoed in the venue once again.
"2,200 Diamonds!"
Aeron's smile gradually crumbled and solidified into a frown. His face flushed and his throat tightened.
He slowly looked at the VIP room whom he had never seen before and coldly yelled, "Can't you see my condition!? I need to find medicine to cure myself and you're still robbing me?"
"Why didn't you bid for the Phoenix blood then?" Hans asked.
"I already tried it but it's useless so please, I'm begging you!" Aeron cried as kneeled on the ground.
However, Hans' response was not what he expected.
"2,500 Diamonds."
"You! Don't you have a shred of conscience!" Aeron yelled but still, Hans didn't budge.
Instead, his smile grew even wider. Everyone might have been fooled by Aeron's words but in Hans' eyes, this is just a facade.
If he didn't meet Urs back then, he might have believed Aeron's almost convincing act.
Who's ill person would go to an auction house instead of a doctor?
Even then, Hans did not expose him.
"Stupid guy, if you don't have money then get lost already."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
IQCA
IQCA Here's the new chapter.
If you see some errors or mistakes please let me know and I'll fix them immediately.
Anyways, thank you for reading and have a great day!
[Fact: Approximately 50,000 humans die from monsters everyday.]
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