NOVEL WEB Chapter 771: Floating Fortress
"Mute slaves, huh…"
"Builders?"
"I wonder what they can build."
The Survivors weren't doubting the Auctioneer's words. However, they were quite interested to know the limit of these slave builders.
Thankfully, the Auctioneer provided more information for them.
"With proper blueprints or plans, they can construct fortresses, towers, siege weapons, or any grand structure with precision. For leaders seeking expansion, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
The crowd was excited.
While slaves weren't rare, builders of this caliber, ones who could create even high-level architectural designs, were invaluable.
They weren't something you could easily buy after all.
No more explanations were needed. The bids began immediately.
"Sixty thousand!"
"Eighty-five!"
"One twenty!"
"One fifty thousand!"
This time, Shane knew that he had to win this auction…
He didn't hesitate to increase the price immediately.
"Two hundred thousand points." He spoke to his device…
It was unlike the others who were unnecessarily shouting their bid.
The hall quieted for a moment. Many hesitated—two hundred thousand points for slaves was astronomical, even if they were skilled.
Still, Shane didn't mind… He could acquire incredible weapons since he had a lot of precious metals and other resources. He also had Item Upgrade Crystals and incredible craftsmen. Lastly, he had Skill Infuser Talent that could help him strengthen other items.
Travis and the others also wanted the 12 slaves… However, for 200,000 points, it was just a bit too much. They could already equip a few people with high-level equipment for that amount.
Many of them hesitated and decided to let it go…
Soon, the gavel struck.
"Sold!"
Shane's eyes narrowed beneath his Bio-Armor. He was excited… He was already envisioning future fortresses, bases, and hidden outposts he could raise with their help.
With the Floating Engine he had just obtained, he might be able to create a new fortress with these 12…
As for the blueprint, he could just get it from Cloud or from the Anima Store!
Then, the next item was revealed. This time, Shane felt really excited as soon as he saw its figure…
'Is that a bottle?' Shane clenched his fist as it seemed that the next item was something that he really wanted.
The hall buzzed as anticipation reached its peak. Soon, the attendants carried a clear glass bottle…
Inside the bottle floated a silhouette of an island or a fortress suspended in miniature… It wasn't clear, but this floating island had towers and battlements barely visible through the chamber's light.
"This is not a model or replica. What you see sealed within is a true Floating Fortress. Preserved and stored through space magic in this vessel. Once the bottle is broken, the fortress will be released in its entirety."
The entire hall shuddered with murmurs of disbelief.
It was at this point that even Raze, Diana, and other members of the clan couldn't help but look at Shane's figure.
They all wanted to have it but since they already spent a huge portion of their wealth, they may not be able to win its current price…
From their estimation, Shane should have had about 1.5 to 1.8 million points before he left.
It could even be about 2 million points.
Without a doubt, if Shane wanted this item, he'd be able to obtain it!
The auctioneer then continued, "Be warned, however. When released, the fortress will float high into the skies. Without means to fly, you may never even set foot upon it."
She chuckled after saying, but it just proved that this thing could indeed fly…
It even fueled the greed in the room.
Dozens of bidders sat forward, ready to throw everything they had.
And Shane? He was ready… This was the very thing he had waited for.
'At last… the Floating Fortress.'
"The Floating Fortress doesn't have a name. We only know that it was a relic from an ancient skyfaring civilization…"
Some couldn't tell if this was fortune or madness—but to the true elites, it was a chance that would never come again.
The auctioneer then started the bidding price at 20,000 points, the highest starting price ever.
However, many of the bidders immediately poured out everything they had in their Points Collection. Most of these people were the ones who hadn't purchased any item just yet.
"350,000 Points…"
"410,000 Points."
"450,000 Points… Please, be mine…" Another one even prayed to get it.
The price increase was just too massive, and many of the Survivors were outbid immediately and could only watch as the bid continued going up.
Finally, those survivors who had been saving their money and didn't buy any item until now, were making waves.
"480,000 Points."
The numbers climbed like wildfire.
Shane narrowed his eyes as he waited for the excitement to die down a bit…
He could already see Lancelot's group moving—their devices lit up as well. They wanted it. Travis's usual steady hand didn't falter as his bid also came swiftly. Tundra and Raze's devices followed a heartbeat later…
"490,000 Points."
"500,000 Points."
The crowd was ablaze. Others joined the fray, unwilling to let go of something this legendary.
"510,000 Points!"
"What? Over Five hundred thousand already?" a masked bidder muttered from the back… He was shocked the see the quick price increase.
The auctioneer's smile widened. This was what she wanted!
She then fanned the flames even more.
"Indeed! A fortress in the sky is priceless—but you decide its worth!"
Shane finally gave a bid using his device, without hesitation.
"600,000 Points!"
Almost instantly, Lancelot countered…
"610,000 Points!"
Travis followed.
"670,000 Points!"
Shane exhaled slowly. 'So it's you guys… I should have known.'
It seemed that Natalie had used up a lot of her Points, so she had already stopped bidding.
The numbers surged higher with only the three of them left!
"680,500 Points!"
"685,500 Points!"
"695,000 Points!" This was Shane's bid.
The auctioneer noticed a pause and tried to squeeze the Survivors a few more Points!
"Six hundred ninety-five thousand points! Do I hear higher?"
Lancelot and Travis started hesitating…
Right now, they already had an idea that they were dealing with Shane.
If Shane obtained this fortress, he would become a lot stronger, and surpassing his rank would be quite impossible at that point.
They just couldn't give this up!
As soon as Lancelot bid with 700,000 Points, Shane immediately bid with 710,000 Points.
'This fortress… this cannot fall into anyone else's hands. Not Lancelot's, not Travis's, not even Asad…'