Chapter 150: Crystals

Artifacts, potions, materials, guns, and everything that anyone can imagine made their entrance to the auction. At this point, Arthur had seen so many items being bought by grandmaster Venkov that he questioned if this guy was a smuggler. 

"A daughter of a wealthy family indeed…" Arthur muttered as the grandmaster raised the bid over a set of feathers. 

"See, I'm the only sensible person of the family." Emma laughed. However, Arthur had also seen her make some bids over things. Through halfway through the auction, the moment finally arrived. 

"Our dear bidders, please calm down and listen to what I want to say. We all know how rare the fire element is and how difficult it is to produce an artificial artifact. That's why we present you this. A set of ten fire weapons, Blades of Flames!" 

The name wasn't one Arthur had picked; it was by the auction. Naming a set made it more unique. The curtains rolled to reveal the set of beautiful weapons, shining with runic lines. 

"Even though they're artificial artifacts, we have already tested their effects. The runic lines are flawless, allowing a more efficient delivery system of mana. The quality of the materials involved are top-notch and can cut through the flesh of high-tier monsters with ease." 

Even though high-tier monsters were mostly hunted by rei-rankers, they were still a source of good income. Furthermore, the fire ability of the weapons gave them the ability to cross ranks and even fight against True Monsters.

A demonstration was shown of the weapon and everyone that gathered there marveled. The fire that has been produced on top of the stage almost scorched the faces of the people sitting in the first row. 

If a group of ten was armed with these, they could make a proper party to farm monster parts. As he finished introducing all of these aspects, the host backed away for the bidding to start. 

It rose like crazy at the beginning. Before Arthur could hear the number, it rose again. 

One million. Two. Three. 

The bids kept coming as this price was for the whole set. It seems the auction had realized how important it is to sell ten weapons with fire rune. 

The price rose past five million. Arthur felt his heart beating faster at such a wild concept. Ten permanent runes can fetch such a sum? This was even with their Reality-Gate closes. The price started to slow down at seven million. It kept increasing steadily as more and more people gave up. 

Luckily, grandmaster Venkov seemed uninterested in artificial artifacts. After all, he sold such things. With how unbranded the weapons were, it seems that it wasn't the production of another workshop. 

"Someone has probably spent the last year making them," He remarked to Arthur in a teaching way. Arthur nodded while holding back a snicker. "I can see that whoever made this has spent countless years studying the fire rune. Such a waste." 

"What do you mean by a waste, Grandmaster?" Arthur asked with genuine curiosity. Seeing how eager Arthur was to learn, the grandmaster nodded approvingly. 

"The rune used to make these is one of the few elemental runes. However, it's not the strongest in the family of fire runes. There are stronger, deadlier fires. Crimson, ancient, and hellish are only a few examples. The higher the rune, the more destruction they could bring." 

Arthur went into deep thought as he nodded at this. Maybe this was the reason that his fire rune didn't have an adjacent number to indicate its level. Higher levels of fire runes must have different properties and names, being a different rune. 

While the two talked, the bidding war was seeing its end. The only two who remained were people Arthur had seen in the ball. One of them, if Arthur remembered correctly, was the vice-captain of the Unbroken Corps. The other person was the guild master of the strongest guild in the Yalveran Union, Last Stand. 

In the end, the guild master won. He wore a sly smile as the vice-captain slumped to his seat in annoyance. With a thick mustache and giant build, the guild master looked like a veteran soldier. 

The last price was ten million one hundred thousand. Arthur sat there gaping and grandmaster Venkov understood it as awe for the price of the artifact. 

"Our profession is always one of money," He said in a deep, wise voice. "However, don't sell your morals for such materialistic things. Always remember that the only strength for us is our knowledge of how the world works." 

"Says the previous captain of the Unbroken Corps." Emma snickered and the old man's face showed his embarrassment. However, there was a hint of pride in it too. 

"That was in the past." 

"Why did you leave, grandmaster?" Arthur asked with bewilderment. After all, he saw how eager the king was to recruit the old man back to his side. 

"Oh," The grandmaster paused. With a cough and a grin, he flicked his sleeve. "For the money, of course." 

Arthur was speechless. 

***

After his items were sold, the rest of the auction proceeded as scheduled. Drinks and snacks were handed out for the guest as the host got ready to introduce the last item on today's agenda.

"Please, ladies and gentlemen. Make sure to swallow your food lest you choke on it. The next item is the one you were all dying to see." 

The host grinned as he jested. The audience laughed relaxedly but their tense bodies showed otherwise. As the lights went out and the center of the stage was illuminated, music was played to build the tension in the auditorium. 

"Angel Wings." 

The host's voice traveled in all directions as the fabric was removed from the case in the middle of the stage. A set of two wings presented itself with snow-white feathers. They were made of metal, bones, and the feathers of some creature. 

"An artifact that has been found in one of the Sins Dungeons." The host said and Arthur flinched at the sudden mention. He had died once, or almost died, in such a dungeon. 

"It allows its user to fly unhindered. The speed of the flight is determined by mana with no limit to how fast it could go. Furthermore," The host paused for suspense. "Every person would fall for whoever wears such a cool artifact." The joke was so unexpected that most people let out a nervous laugh. 

Like a spark that ignited a forest fire, the host's last words made the bids go on before the last one died down. Lights flashed as people shouted. Arthur watched the bizarre scene of people threatening, coaxing, just to get their hands on this artifact. 

Flight has always been an advantage in a fight. Arthur remembers how difficult it was to fight the Dark Queen at that time because of her ability to fly. 

This was even a genuine artifact. If Arthur could study it, given his ability evolved, he could probably learn it and make the rune his own. 

Sadly, the prices were so high that Arthur gave up after a minute. Without slowing down, the price reached a hundred million. Then it started rising until it was sold to the Royal Family of the Yalveran Union for 473 Million. 

As Arthur saw with disdain how much the royal family paid for the artifact, the auction came to a close. He bid the two farewells before finding a place and teleporting away. After a few times of using the rune, he was at the company. 

He sat in the room they used the other day as he waited for Idris. The large, scarred man came in after a while to find Arthur seated inside. 

"Truly full of mysteries, newbie." Idris sighed in a tired voice before pulling a flask of whisky and pouring himself a drink. "You want some?" Arthur shook his head. 

Idris nodded and sat in front of Arthur. As if conscious of his image, he took small sips from the glass before placing it down. 

"I'm sorry, I needed this. The last few days were busy ones." He said as he massaged his temples. "You should have already seen how much they were sold for." 

Arthur had sold artifacts with the fire rune before, but they weren't worth this much. After all, he used cheap weapons to inscribe the rune. That's why he can only sell it for a fraction of today's price. 

The lucky ones who managed to get a genuine artifact for less than a hundred thousand at that time were truly fortuned by the heavens. Arthur had no plans on chasing after them since they were all small-time awakeners. 

"I've also secured the crystals. Twenty, as you asked. The rest of the money was transferred to your account already." 

Idris waved his hand and a box appeared on the table. Arthur pulled the box and opened it to reveal a multicolored set of crystals. With this, he can finally break through. The world's most overpowered breakthrough will take place.