NOVEL WEB Chapter 765: Guided
It was a desperate plea.
Shane knew that a reason like that wouldn't be too effective… Still, since negotiation works with these people, the two might find another way in order to get away from this mess.
Shane then stayed to see what was about to happen to them.
"Consent?" One of the guards repeated.
The warhammer wielder gritted his teeth and swiftly nodded.
Since the other guy already started, he might as well try to see if it works.
"Yes! The slave was the prize! That's legal! We're just doing some transactions."
The lead guard's tone didn't change as he knew that they were just making things up...
"Not under our jurisdiction. You will be escorted out of the realm and barred from re-entry for the remainder of the auction."
"You can't do that!" the taller man spat. "I've still got bids running!"
"Then let us meet with your leader," the hammer wielder added quickly. "We'll explain—"
The guard's gaze was cold. "The commander will hear your protest. But the outcome will not change."
Then, just like that, a portal was summoned by the guards…
The two wanted to fight it off, but they failed to use any of their Survivor Skill and were suddenly restrained by the three powerful guards…
It was as if they had the authority to block off their usage of Survivor Skills!
Soon, the two of them were taken by the guards. After that, they were marched toward the portal, still bound by invisible restraints.
The slave trader's grin had already vanished. His prize, and the spectacle, were gone in an instant.
The two Survivors could only shout in protest, but there was nothing they could do about it.
"This isn't fair!"
"You'll regret this! We had a deal!"
Well, the guards didn't listen and only gave the slave trader a warning gaze.
Just like that, the guards pushed the two through the portal without ceremony, and with a faint snap of energy, the portal collapsed into nothingness.
The street was silent again, save for the faint music of street performers resuming their tunes, as if nothing had happened.
***
Just as the crowd was dispersing after the guards dragged the fighters away, a familiar notification flashed across Shane's vision.
Ding!
[ Attention, Participants! The Apex Auction is about to begin. A personal guide will arrive shortly to escort you to the Grand Hall. All participants must follow their assigned guide without delay. ]
Shane finally nodded as he saw the message.
"So it's finally starting…" he muttered. There was a hint of anticipation in his voice as he knew that the Apex Auction would only show high-level items that could be a game-changer within the continent.
In any case, Shane didn't wait for too long. In just a minute or two, a figure approached from the edge of the market street.
The man was dressed in deep navy robes and was carrying a staff tipped with a crystal orb.
Since everyone was wearing whatever they wanted, the person's appearance didn't attract any attention.
"You must be Survivor Shane," the guide said with a slight bow…
"The Administrator extends congratulations. You have been selected for the Apex Auction."
Shane smiled after seeing the guide.
The guide was actually not just a system prompt on where to go. It was a real person who would literally escort him to the venue.
"Do you know how long this auction will last?" Shane suddenly asked.
"It won't take a lot of time. Normally, 3 hours would do. You can still attend the Grand Auction." The guide replied.
The guide then studied Shane's armor for a moment and nodded in satisfaction.. "An excellent choice. Your appearance is concealed. Still, many prefer masks during the Apex Auction—both for identity and theatrics." He reached into his robes and produced a selection of ornate masks, each with strange carvings and faint enchantment effects.
"Would you like one?" The guide asked.
"Is it free?" Shane asked.
"No… But it will only cost you 10 points."
Shane shook his head once. "This will do."
"Very well," the guide said with a respectful tone.
He extended his staff, and a ripple spread along the ground like a liquid mirror.
For some reason, it was not noticed by those who weren't participating in the event. They were just continuing with their business as if they weren't existing.
It was such a strange scene.
However, this also made him aware that the system had really gone all out on this Apex Auction.
Soon, he saw how the stones melted into light and revealed a spiral staircase that led downward.
"This way, Survivor."
Shane followed as the entrance sealed behind them.
"Alright… Let's see what this Apex Auction is all about."
***
The underground chamber was vast.
The ceiling was high above, supported by large pillars. Then there were various seats arranged to ensure that there was at least a meter space between each of them.
And soon, Shane saw the others…
With a quick count, he confirmed that there were already twenty-two figures within the chamber.
They were all concealed behind armor, robes, or masks.
Still, with Shane's skills, he could feel their aura…
Some of them were quite familiar. Some were not.
His gaze shifted to a few figures… He recognized them—not their faces, but their presence and the armor they were wearing.
He found Raze, Jaxon, Tundra, Asad, and Diana quite immediately..
They were members of his own clan. Yet none of them spoke or even gave a nod in his direction.
They had already talked about this before. This was the Apex Auction, and every participant was a competitor, and secrecy was important.
After all, if they obtained weapons of mass destruction in this place, they wouldn't want to let the others know that they have such a weapon.
Everyone understood this matter.
"Is everyone here?" Shane asked the guide.
The guide then shook his head and explained. "No, Survivor. The others are still being escorted."
With that said, Shane was guided to his seat. It was a random selection, and he was even provided with a new Bidding Device for this auction alone.