NOVEL WEB Chapter 766: The Apex Auction
After Shane got on his seat, the guide finally spoke, "I will be staying behind, Survivor… If you've won any item in the auction later, I will be the one assisting you. Of course, if you have any more questions, you can just find me behind."
Shane nodded as he indeed noticed the other guides guarding the back of the hall like statues…
Then, as the guide left, Shane checked the new device and received another system notification.
[ New Bidding Device Detected
—Link established.
—Instructions available. ]
Just like that, the device activated. It wasn't ornamenta. It was there to guide him with the Apex Auction Event.
[ Apex Auction Device ]
[ Functionality Overview:
Bids can be placed through a voice command.
Real-time updates on competing bids will be displayed within the interface.
Identity concealment guaranteed by auction protocols.
Emergency safeguard: bids exceeding the total available points will automatically be rejected.
Attempted interference or tampering will result in expulsion. ]
After this notification, the device suddenly morphed and turned into an armlet.
"Ohh… This looks great." Shane muttered as he was unsure whether he could take this back to the continent or not.
Then, he flexed his wrist, testing it, and a translucent number appeared briefly in his vision—the total of his accumulated points.
There were still seven digits there, even if he had already used about a hundred thousand points.
After some time, Shane relaxed in his seat…
He just needed to wait until the event started, and it shouldn't take that long as he was feeling the presence of other Survivors' arrival...
Then Shane finally observed the others who were also waiting for the event to start…
One man in particular drew Shane's attention. He wore white-and-silver armor engraved with a crest of twin wings. A long spear rested at his side, and though his face was obscured by a hawk-shaped mask, Shane could tell who this person was…
It was none other than Travis. Even if he was using an unconventional armor, Shane could still subtly feel the Draconic Powers within him.
Travis' Legendary Talent, Dragon's Blood, was incredibly unique after all.
After his Ascension Quest at Level 50, Shane knew that the man should already be capable of transforming into a humanoid dragon...
He would be a terrifying opponent, but thankfully, with Travis' crude oil supply and his Distillation Tower, they certainly had a good relationship.
While Travis' Drakeheart Vanguard Clan lacked the technology to process the oil, he could continue with their good relationship.
'But he might be thinking of a way to process his crude oil alone… I should find another source soon…' Shane mused.
Then, Shane turned to another one wearing black knight's armor. With a lion insignia etched on the chestplate, Shane immediately recognized him.
It was Lancelot, the leader of the Overlord Clan.
"I guess he wasn't too worried if he was found out," Shane muttered to himself.
Well, there was another clue why Shane believed that it was Lancelot.
Apparently, there was a woman close to him wearing deep violet robes. That terrifying aura she possessed was undeniable…
Even if the crimson mask concealed everything but her lips, Shane could tell who she was.
Lesley, the woman with a Legendary Talent, Petrifying Gaze.
Now that she had also finished her Ascension Quest and was probably about level 65 or more, she would be a terrifying opponent.
Right now, Shane wasn't even sure if his Elemental Resistance and other defensive skills could actually stop this woman's petrification.
In any case, other figures like Natalie, the Clan Leader of the New Haven Clan, and the Top 4 in the Rankings were also present.
Needless to say, everyone here was a powerful or wealthy figure within the Continent.
Of course, these were not just strong Survivors. They were leaders, powers in their own right.
It wasn't long before Travis's gaze shifted toward him. The hawk-mask tilted slightly, studying Shane's Bio-Armor with evident interest.
He didn't recognize Shane at all.
Shane could tell that Travis's interest was in the Bio-Armor itself.
There was a hint of admiration in his eyes before he turned away, clearly impressed yet he didn't want to cause any misunderstandings.
Others noticed Shane's Bio-Armor as well, and Shane felt their eyes linger.
His Bio-Armor wasn't just protection—it was a display of wealth and power…
It made him an enigma, and in this chamber of concealed titans, that was an advantage.
One by one, more participants entered.
The chamber was soon filled with people, and each of them was assessing everyone else..
Soon, when the count reached eighty-nine, the chamber's massive bronze doors sealed with a heavy echo.
Boom…
From the 10,000 Survivors who had been invited to this Grand Auction Nexus, only eighty-nine Survivors collected more than 300,000 Points!
There were eighty-nine elites—clan leaders, warlords, prodigies, maybe even lone hunters as they gathered in one place…
Then, just like that, Apex Auction was about to begin.
The chamber dimmed, and soon, a woman stepped onto the raised platform at the center.
She wore a black gown and, unlike all the participants, she wasn't hiding her attractive face and figure…
Every Survivor in the room understood immediately.
This was the host. The auctioneer.
"Welcome, eighty-nine of the Continent's finest… gathered in one place. The Apex Auction is honored by your presence."
"Today, what you'll see before you are not trinkets. Not simple items, but they were opportunities. Each item is vetted, each treasure tested, each artifact… rare beyond measure. You already know why you are here."
Then, with a casual wave of her gloved hand… a crystalline object slowly materialized, floating in a sphere of light. It was no bigger than a palm and seemed just an expensive jewel…
However, everyone knew that it was not for decoration.
The woman smiled and finally introduced the first item.
"Our opening item: a Talent Advancement Crystal!"
Her words stunned everyone.
Shane was also impressed by the very items…
'So they're starting with this…?' Shane thought as he looked at the item with interest.