Chapter 9: The Auction's Crucible
I stood there frozen as I stared at the two Rank 7 Domain Bearers from Japan and Greece, their gazes piercing through me as if demanding an answer, their presence oppressive and undeniable. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest, my throat dry as I struggled to form the words they sought. My mind raced back to how I had reached this point.
Two Hours Earlier
The final day of the auction had been nothing short of chaotic. Typically, the auction house would attract Rank 6 Seed Nurturer Hunters at most, with their impressive strength and standing making them the most prestigious guests. But today was different. There had been no leaks about the items for the final day, yet the anticipation was palpable, creating an atmosphere thick with excitement and anxiety.
My day had been anything but easy. I spent the morning in back-to-back meetings, renegotiating salaries and extra incentives with the various guilds. It was exhausting work, but it was necessary to maintain the fragile balance of power and influence that kept the auction house running smoothly.
By the time 5:00 p.m. rolled around, I was already feeling the weight of the day on my shoulders. But there was no time to rest. I had to prepare for the final day of the auction, the most critical event of the year. I arrived at the auction house at 5:30, a full thirty minutes before the gates were scheduled to open. Already, a line of cars stretched out in front of the building, their occupants eagerly waiting for entry.
At 6:00 sharp, I personally opened the doors and welcomed the guests. But instead of the expected cars, fourteen individuals entered. Among them were twelve Rank 6 Seed Nurturer Hunters and, to my shock, two Rank 7 Domain Bearers from different countries. My blood ran cold as I felt the sheer pressure they emitted, even though they weren't trying to intimidate anyone.
But what truly caught my attention was their gaze. They weren't looking at me; they were fixated on something above me. I followed their line of sight and was taken aback to see the Monkey Saint standing atop the building, his arms crossed and his cold gaze surveying the crowd.
The Monkey Saint was a legend, the sole avatar of Hanuman, wielding his divine authorities with unparalleled efficiency. Clad in a white trench coat, his muscular frame radiated power, even from a distance. His presence alone was a deterrent to the hunters, a reminder of the unyielding authority he held over Delhi. It made sense for him to be here; after all, this auction was turning out to be a far bigger deal than I had anticipated.
As I welcomed the high-ranking hunters, I gestured for the workers to escort them to the special room prepared for such emergencies. I couldn't help but wonder what had drawn them here. The presence of Rank 7 Domain Bearers was outrageous. The only plausible explanation was that information about one of the more extraordinary items had been leaked, piquing their interest.
Soon after, the guild masters of four major guilds arrived, followed by a steady stream of guests. Among them were civilians who had managed to get their hands on invites through various means, hoping to witness the bidding process or even secure a miracle item for themselves. The atmosphere was a mix of excitement and tension, with the powerful mingling with the hopeful.
I found myself in a flurry of discussions with various agents, each representing their powerful patrons. It was disheartening to see these influential people barely glance in my direction, instead focusing on my father, uncle, and elder brother. It hurt, but I knew my limitations, and I had learned to accept them.
Finally, the time came for me to ascend the stage. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come.
"So, isn't this a fun crowd we have tonight? Civilians and esteemed Domain Bearers from all over the world have gathered here, and we even have the honor of the Monkey Saint gracing us with his presence." I glanced towards the Monkey Saint, his gaze still fixed on the crowd. "Respected sir, it's an honor to welcome you to our humble company. Now, I won't bore you with any more of my words. Let's start the auction."
With a signal, a worker pushed a heavy set of gauntlets onto the stage. They radiated intense heat, and their design was both intimidating and awe-inspiring.
"These are the Gauntlets of the Infernal Titan," I announced. "Forged from the molten core of an ancient volcanic dungeon, these gauntlets were found in the Fire Dungeon situated on Lava Island in the Indian Ocean."
The crowd murmured in awe as I continued, "These gauntlets grant the wearer Titan's Strength, significantly increasing physical power. They also channel volcanic power through Molten Fury, projecting searing heat waves from each punch. Lastly, they offer Titan's Resolve, providing substantial resistance to fire and extreme temperatures."
I could see the excitement building in the room as I added, "These gauntlets are kept under ice seals, yet they still radiate this much heat. For those of you ranked 4 and above, please refer to the cards on your right to feel the actual heat radiated by them."
Once the guests had experienced the heat firsthand, I sensed the anticipation in the air. "The starting bid is 1,000 Hunter Coins."
The bidding began immediately. "1,500!"
"1,600!"
"1,650!"
"1,670!"
The bids continued to rise until they finally stalled at 1,800 Hunter Coins. The final bidder was the guild master of the Firestorm Guild, also an avatar of Agni. Though overshadowed by my brother, who worked under him, the guild master was a force to be reckoned with. The rivalry between them was a common topic of discussion, but I knew it was more of a healthy competition than actual discord.
Seeing that no one else was willing to outbid him, I began the final call. "Going once… going twice… going thrice… and sold! Congratulations to the guild master of the Firestorm Guild. May these gauntlets give you the confidence to ascend to Rank 6 and sprout the World Sapling, lowering land prices—because, to be honest, they're getting outrageous by the day," I ended with a bit of humor, eliciting a few chuckles from the crowd.
As the Firestorm Guildmaster accepted his prize, I signaled for the second item to be brought forth. This time, a gemstone of mesmerizing beauty, shimmering with dawn and dusk hues, was displayed. Set in a delicate platinum frame, it glowed softly, exuding an aura of serenity.
"This here is the Celestial Seraphite," I said, watching the crowd as they admired its beauty. "It enhances light-based or healing magic through Divine Radiance, offers moderate protection against dark magic and curses with Heaven's Protection, and increases the wearer's charm and presence with Seraphic Inspiration."
I paused, letting the information sink in. "This is an absolute must-have for healers, especially women," I added with a knowing smile.
The bidding for the Celestial Seraphite started at 1,200 Hunter Coins and quickly escalated. It eventually settled at 1,950 Hunter Coins, won by Shirazawa Arisuki, a Rank 7 healer from Japan and the avatar of Kiyomizu. She was renowned as one of the best healers in the world, rumored to be on the brink of becoming a Rank 8 Saint, though how much truth there was to that gossip was anyone's guess.
Next came the Aegis of the Eternal Phoenix, a large, flame-colored shield adorned with an intricate phoenix design. It shimmered with the colors of flame, symbolizing rebirth and resilience.
"This shield possesses the power of Phoenix Rebirth," I explained. "It allows the bearer to survive a single fatal blow by reviving them with significant health restoration. It also absorbs fire-based attacks with Blaze of Glory, releasing them back as a powerful defensive burst. Finally, Phoenix's Aura provides enhanced regenerative abilities while active."
The Aegis was more of a life-saving item than a traditional shield. While its buffs and resistance were notable, its true value lay in its ability to save its bearer from death. The bidding started at 1,500 Hunter Coins and was eventually claimed by the guild master of the Moksha Guild, an avatar of Buddha known for his ascetic lifestyle and dedication to self-actualization. I was certain he had acquired the Aegis for the safety of his guildmates, rather than for his own use.
As the Aegis was taken away, I could feel the anticipation in the room reaching its peak. The guests knew the final item had to be something truly extraordinary. I glanced at the Monkey Saint, who stood in the corner, his gaze meeting mine. Earlier, I had left a note for him with the details of the last item, knowing that its true power would not affect a Saint like him. It was a story for another time, but I had acquired this item in a chance encounter with the Gun Saint, and it was one of the most valuable things I had ever held.
Seeing the Monkey Saint nod, I took a deep breath and brought out a crystal vial, showing it to the crowd. Inside was a shimmering silver liquid that seemed to pulse with a life of its own.
"This item," I began, my voice steady despite the gravity of the moment, "is something I traded with the Gun Saint during a chance encounter. This potion is called the Elixir of Immortality's Echo, made by an ancient alchemist and found in his corpse at the deepest point in the Ganga River. This potion enhances reflexes for several hours after consumption…"
I paused, watching as the crowd's anticipation deflated slightly at the seemingly lackluster power. I allowed the silence to stretch for a moment before I continued, "If that were all, we wouldn't be here, would we? This potion also instantly cures all diseases, poisons, and curses. And finally, it grants the user a single use of 'Echo Resurrection,' restoring them to life with full health if they die. This can only be triggered once."
As the final words left my mouth, the shock in the room was palpable. It was as if the air had been sucked out of the room, leaving a vacuum of stunned silence. Then, all at once, I felt the brunt of the aura from the two Rank 7 Domain Bearers as they stepped forward, their eyes boring into me. They only asked a single question, their voices cold and commanding.
"Does this work on Domain Bearers?"
I stood there, frozen in their gaze, my heart racing. The weight of their auras was almost unbearable, but I managed to stutter out the answer they sought. "Y-y-yessss…"
As if on cue, their pressure vanished, replaced by an even greater aura that filled the room. It was unfathomable, a power that dwarfed even the Rank 7s. But more than the power, I felt something deeper—the ringing of chants and bells in my ears, a closeness to the aura that resonated within me.
A single sentence was spoken, the voice deep and resonant, carrying infinite authority. "Have you forgotten whose territory you are in, that you dare to unleash your aura, and that too at a rankless?"
The voice was the embodiment of wisdom and strength, as if the world itself were speaking through the Saint's mouth. The longing it stirred in me was profound, a desire to grasp the wisdom and power that lay within that voice.