章 26: Chapter 26: Auction House

They entered a room filled with various measuring device and training facilities.

There, she measured his level and tested his skills for the documentation.

Ethan revealed what was is only necessary while hiding other abilities after learning the requirement list. That way he could be safe more. The previous incidents reminded him to be cautious, never to do anything reckless again.

After an hour's of gruelling process, Finally Ethan got his E-Rank hunter license, and headed out from the Guild.

"Ethan, you're here. Thank goodness!" A crisp female voice called out to him.

Ethan turned to see Lenora Emberion, the girl in fiery red from the tavern. Her sudden appearance surprised him, especially since she finally used his real name for the first time ever.

"Why are you here, Lenora?" He asked, knowing full well the answer. He realized he missed her invitation to the dungeon raid due to being at the prison at that time.

Lenora's face turned into a slight pout. "What do you mean by 'Why am I here'? You missed our appointment for the dungeon raid! Why didn't you show up?" Her tone was like that of an annoyed kitten.

"Uh..." Feeling a twinge of guilt, he said, "I'm sorry, Lenora. I was caught up in an unfortunate accident, so I wasn't able to join you guys."

Lenora's expression softened a bit.

"O-Okay, if you say so. I accept your apology. Now, let's go somewhere to talk in detail," she said, pointing towards a luxury looking tavern.

Ethan, sensing Lenora's discomfort, agreed.

"Sure. Let's go."

They went to a beautifully decorated tavern with a serene atmosphere. The place was luxurious, with ornate decorations and a royal aristocratic vibe. The sweet smell of incense filled the air, creating a perfect setting for their conversation.

Although Ethan was unsure about spending time here with someone three years younger than him to be exact, Lenora seemed to enjoy the place, so he went along. The dishes were expensive, costing as much as an average family's monthly expenditure. However, recalling his ability to earn money easily, he decided to splurge a bit.

As they ordered a variety of expensive dishes, they resumed their conversation.

"Ethan, the rest of my party members are really mad at you now. They started cleaning out the dungeon on their own. What are you going to do?"

Ethan chuckled softly, imagining their reaction amusing and troubling. He could imagine how they would react when he met them again. While he wasn't sure if he needed a party, considering he could handle things solo, he didn't want to be alone and lonely like his previous life.

He wanted to change and find joy. Despite the cruel people in this world, there were good ones too, like Aria, Aunt Greta, and perhaps this girl in front of him. Her character still needed to be evaluated further.

"I'll apologize to them when we meet, Lenora. That day was really hectic for me," Ethan replied softly, not going into details.

Lenora smiled lightly, satisfied with Ethan's response. Their lunch continued with occasional talk, laughter, and chuckles. They planned to set another raid together with her party two days later. She told him that she would try to convince them again.

Afterwards, Ethan went to the hunter's market to buy materials for upgrading his sword. Although his D-Rank sentient sword was powerful, he wanted to upgrade it further for added assurance.

Thereafter, he learned that a nearby Auction House would feature valuable materials. However, he needed more money than he had—about 500-700 gold coins, according to the market.

So, once again he discreetly gathered more funds by selling a few sentient weapons once again. After a while, he amassed a total of 500 gold coins—in bank notes this time. Otherwise, who would carry this much money.

He put the bank notes in his pocket and left for Auction House with quick steps.

Unbeknownst to him, a small boy of 10 began to follow him in secret, his actions finally catching someone's attention.

At the Heavenly Florence auction house, Ethan registered as a participant. The staff were taken aback by the amount of wealth as he displayed the banknotes before them. It's not like they haven't seen that much money on others, but considering his background and age, it was a bit surprising.

"Alright, Sir, your procedure is complete. You can proceed to the venue," the staff said with a smile. They didn't forget to take the entrance fee at all.

Ethan nodded and made his way to his seat in the large auction hall.

The auction hall was a circular building with a small stage in the center. Ordinary people sat on designated seats surrounding the stage, while VIPs occupied the rooms above.

Ethan surveyed the grand venue filled with guests, wondering if they were all there to bid or simply to watch the spectacle. The thrill of witnessing others spend money with reckless abandon seemed to be part of the excitement for many. It was as if the act of spending, more than the actual purchase, held a certain allure in this gathering.

As the grand venue continued to fill up, a young man beside Ethan leaned in and whispered, "Hey, dude, are you here for bid as well? Or, are you also here for watching others throw their money around, like me?"

Ethan turned to see a skinny young man with loose brown hair, his clothes a bit rumpled, suggesting he was likely a commoner as well. The young man's curious eyes hinted at a mix of eagerness and uncertainty.

"I'm here to buy something," Ethan replied calmly, his tone measured. "What's it to you?"

"Nothing, dude. Just asking casually," the young man responded, trying to sound nonchalant. "So, what are you planning to bid on?"

Ethan found the young man's curiosity meddlesome. Rather than indulging him, he simply turned his gaze back to the stage, choosing to ignore the question entirely. The less attention he drew to himself, the better. In a place like this, keeping one's intentions under wraps was a matter of survival.

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章 27: Chapter 27: Wyvern Bone

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our monthly auction ceremony! Hold your horses, folks, because we have a selection of treasures that you'll definitely want to claim for yourself," announced the middle-aged auctioneer, stepping confidently into the spotlight.

His voice echoed through the grand hall, commanding the attention of the diverse crowd gathered below.

The hall was abuzz with excitement. Ornate chandeliers cast a warm glow over the sea of eager faces, while the rich, red velvet drapes added an air of opulence to the venue.

Wealthy patrons, collectors, and curious newcomers filled the plush seats, their eyes fixed on the auctioneer and the treasures yet to be revealed.

With that, the ceremony commenced to a chorus of enthusiastic applause and cheers. The atmosphere was electric, charged with anticipation and the thrill of potential discoveries.

Ethan waited with bated breath, his heart racing in anticipation of the materials he was interested in. He sat towards the back, his eyes scanning the stage as assistants wheeled out the first items for bidding.

The flicker of gold, the shimmer of rare gems, and the gleam of ancient artifacts captured the attention of the audience, their murmurs filling the room.

While his primary goal remained paramount, Ethan couldn't help but feel a spark of curiosity about the other intriguing items the auction might unveil. He noted the competition around him—seasoned bidders with steely gazes, their wealth and determination evident. Not to forget, the VIP nobles as well.

Yet, he was undeterred, his resolve strengthened by the 650 gold coins he possessed. It was not a low number. It should be enough to buy some materials, right?

The auctioneer, holding a small vial, announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, our first item is an A-grade health restoration potion. Crafted by a renowned alchemist, this potion can restore a dying man to full health in seconds."

Gasps and astonished murmurs filled the room as participants reacted to the high value of the potion. The sheer rarity of such an item sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd, and even the most seasoned collectors couldn't hide their amazement.

Ethan was also surprised. "An A-grade potion! Amazing!" he thought, his eyes widening as he leaned forward in his seat. The potion's shimmering liquid seemed almost magical, a testament to its alchemical perfection.

"The starting price for this precious item is 5,000 gold coins, with bidding increments of 100 gold coins," the auctioneer declared, his voice brimming with confidence and authority.

As soon as the emcee finished speaking, VIP guests jumped into the fray, bidding with fervor. An A-grade health potion was indeed a rare find, and for many, it was a lifeline. The atmosphere in the hall grew intense as guests from the VIP rooms raised their paddles, their voices overlapping in a cacophony of determination and desire.

"Five thousand gold coins!" shouted one VIP bidder, swiftly followed by another. Regular commoner could stared at the scene with envy. 5,000 gold coins were a lot to them. They counted the numbers in silver coins and bronze coins, reminding how high it was out of their league.

"5100!"

"5200!"

"5500!"

Ethan watched the escalating bids, his heart pounding. He marveled at the intensity of the competition, recognizing the potion's potential to tip the scales in any critical situation. His fingers drummed on his armrest as he calculated his own resources, and found out that he don't even qualify to bid for an A-Rank item.

Well, It's not like he won't get his chance to get one. They started with A-Rank item first, likely to make the venue exciting from the start.

As the bids soared higher, the auctioneer's hammer hovered, ready to strike.

As Ethan remained silent, the person beside Ethan seemed excited a little. "Wow! A rare item right off the bat! Looks like this auction is going to be something special. What do you think, dude?"

Ethan shrugged. "Who knows?"

"6,700," came a dignified voice from Room No 21.

"6,700 gold coins from Room No 21. Is there any higher bid?" the auctioneer called out, scanning the room for any remaining contenders.

No further bids came in. The price had already exceeded most people's budgets, and the air was thick with the realization that the first item had set a high bar for the evening.

The auctioneer began the final call, his voice measured and deliberate. "6,700, once. 6,700, twice. 6,700, sold!" With a decisive strike of the gavel, the A-grade health potion was claimed.

As the first item was successfully sold, a murmur of excitement and anticipation rippled through the crowd. The auction had begun with a bang, and expectations were now sky-high.

Ethan grew concerned about whether the auction would feature the materials he needed. He tapped his foot anxiously, recalling the detailed information he had gathered.

According to his sources, the rare and essential components he sought should be available here. But with such fierce competition and sky-high prices, he worried about his chances.

He adjusted his position, trying to maintain a calm demeanor despite the uncertainty gnawing at him. The thrill of the auction was undeniable, but for Ethan, it was more than just a spectacle—it was a crucial opportunity to acquire what he needed for his sword. His mind raced with strategies, ready to seize the moment when the items he sought would finally appear on the auction stage.

The auction continued, with rare items being presented one after another. Ethan's mood grew heavier as he failed to find any materials suitable for his needs. His eyes were glued to the stage, hoping for the right opportunity.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the item number 21 on our list is a set of five D-Rank Sentient swords, each with special effects attached. You know how rare it is to find this kind of weapons, right? So let's get started."

The auctioneer paused for dramatic effect before continuing. "The starting price is set at 350 Gold coins for all five swords, with increments of 10 coins each."

"Finally, something affordable for people like us!" murmured the common hunters, excitement flickering in their eyes.

"Yes, leader, we should definitely get these swords," one of them urged, nodding eagerly.

The common hunters began discussing among themselves, their interest evident. Meanwhile, the nobles in the VIP rooms dismissed the swords with a wave of indifference, considering them less valuable compared to the more exotic items they usually pursued.

Ethan was surprised to see his swords being auctioned there. Then It also meant that he might be able to find his desired materials soon. He leaned forward, intrigued by the shift in dynamics. The auction had primarily catered to the elite, but this item opened the floor to a different group of bidders, bringing a new energy to the room.

He was also interested in seeing how his swords would fare in this auction. The D-Rank Sentient swords, though not the most powerful, were rare and useful. Their sentience meant they could potentially grow stronger and develop unique abilities over time, making them valuable assets for any hunter.

As the bidding commenced, Ethan watched closely. The common hunters' excitement was evident as they raised their paddles, their voices competing in a fervent but friendly rivalry.

"350 Gold coins!" a party leader bid.

"360," another bidder added with a fierce grin.

Despite the aggressive bidding, others were not deterred. The auction continued with increasing bids.

"370."

"400."

"450!"

"500!"

At last, the swords were sold to a party of six hunters for 600 gold coins. Ethan was astonished. He had sold each sword for 50 gold coins each, and here they had been auctioned for double that amount.

He wondered if he should have auctioned them instead, but given that he was a bulk seller, such a result was somewhat expected.

"Now, for the next item, we have a single chest bone from an adolescent Wyvern. It's a C-Grade material and highly valuable for crafting," the auctioneer announced with a smile.

The crowd gasped. Although Wyvern bones were not extremely rare, they were still considered valuable for weapon crafting. The murmurs of excitement and appreciation filled the hall as attendees discussed the potential uses for such a material.

Ethan's interest was instantly piqued. He had been looking for this type of material for his sword. If he could get it, his sword would receive a significant upgrade. His eyes focused intently on the bone displayed on stage, its smooth, ivory surface gleaming under the lights.