Exploring Technology in a Wizard World-Chapter 274 - 273 Turmoil After the Auction
Chapter 274: Chapter 273: Turmoil After the Auction
Chapter 274 -273: Turmoil After the Auction
Richard listened to the auctioneer’s remarks and turned his gaze to the seven books presented on a tray by the servants, his eyes flashing for a moment.
The starting bid of 70 Lower-grade Crystal Coins was not high, even lower than the price set by the stunning woman before. Since that was the case…
Richard raised his hand to bid, ready to lift his paddle, after all, attending the auction was one of his objectives.
But the moment his paddle was halfway up, he heard someone beside him shout a bid, “70 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“72 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“74 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“…”
…
“80 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
Clearly, he was not the only one interested in these ancient books. In that case…
Richard raised his paddle, “82 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“Bidder number 48 offers 82 Low-grade Coins!” the auctioneer announced solemnly, “82 Lower-grade Crystal Coins for the first time! Is there any higher bid? Ah, bidder number 70 offers 84 Lower-grade Crystal Coins…”
“86 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“88 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“…”
“96 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“Bidder number 48 offers 96 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!” the auctioneer declared again solemnly, “96 Lower-grade Crystal Coins for the first time! Is there any higher bid? Ah, bidder number 120 offers 98 Lower-grade Crystal Coins…”
“100 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!” Richard raised his paddle with a bid.
Richard’s strategy was simple, just continuously following the bids; whenever someone announced a price, he would counter with a slightly higher one.
He was persistent, but he did not plan to scare off his competitors with a sudden, excessively high bid. In actuality, this conformed to the behavior of a typical bidder.
Gradually, the ancient books’ price climbed to 110 Lower-grade Crystal Coins, 120 Lower-grade Crystal Coins, 130 Lower-grade Crystal Coins.
When Richard bid 140 Lower-grade Crystal Coins—a figure twice the starting price—no one continued to bid. Clearly, this price had surpassed the psychological limit of most participants, and they actively gave up.
The auctioneer, seeing the arduous, relentless bidding come to a stop, let out a slight breath and called out, “140 Lower-grade Crystal Coins for the first time! 140 Lower-grade Crystal Coins for the second time! 140 Lower-grade Crystal Coins…”
Just as the auctioneer was about to announce that Richard had acquired the ownership of the ancient books, a sudden voice erupted.
“200 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
It was a snipe!
A deliberate and magnificent snipe!
“Hmm?” Richard turned his head toward the source of the sound and saw the young man who had previously bid on the “Heaven” potion, slowly lowering his paddle with a calm and confident face, as if he was doing something trivial.
Richard’s eyebrows twitched slightly, he thought for a moment, then turned to look at the Black Robed Man, sensing that something was about to happen again.
Indeed!
The next moment, the Black Robed Man raised his paddle and bid, “300 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“400 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
“500 Low-grade Coins!”
“600 Lower-grade Crystal Coins!”
The seven ancient books were fiercely contested between the Black Robed Man and the young man, with the price skyrocketing just as it had for the previous “Heaven” potion.
In the end, the seven ancient books reached the staggering price of “1000 Lower-grade Crystal Coins,” and were acquired by the young man.
The auction continued, with new items being brought to the fore.
In the time that followed, the young man frequently made bids, each time using exorbitant prices to win the items he desired, drawing much attention.
Richard, however, had almost become an onlooker.
He indeed had plenty of crystal coins, able to throw out bids of thousands or even several thousand lower-grade crystal coins like the young man—using money to impress.
But to Richard, it didn’t seem necessary.
First, he was not one to seek the limelight.
Second, many of the auctioned items, such as the so-called cultural artifacts and books, only piqued his interest slightly. He didn’t want to spend too much without confirming their actual usefulness to him.
Therefore, Richard quietly attended the entire auction, occasionally placing bids. He spent over a thousand lower-grade crystal coins and acquired several small Magic Rune Magic Tools. Aside from that, he had no other gains.
Nevertheless, Richard noticed that the Black Robed Man seemed to take an interest in the ostentatious young man. He and his companion kept looking at the young man and exchanging words, seemingly with some purpose in mind.
Could it be that this meant, after the auction concluded, something special would take place?
Richard wondered.
…
Some time passed.
The auction reached its final moments.
The auctioneer on stage announced the ownership of the last item, bowed and said, “Thank you all for participating in this auction, but I regret to inform you that all the items have been sold, and the auction hereby officially concludes.
“Those who have won items, please stay behind. Our staff will assist you with the transactions. Those who did not win any items may leave, and we hope that you find what you are looking for in our next auction.”
Upon hearing this, many bidders began to leave one after another, while a few stayed behind to finalize their transactions with the auction house staff before departing.
…
Some more time passed.
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The auction ended.
Richard left the venue and was walking down a deserted street.
As he walked, he looked ahead and saw a figure—it was the young man who had made such a grand display at the auction.
The young man was carrying a briefcase, which contained the items he had won. He was walking briskly but suddenly became alert, stopped in his tracks, and looked back toward Richard.
At first, the young man was slightly watchful. After sizing up Richard, he showed a rather indifferent expression. Clearly, in the young man’s view, Richard posed no threat to him.
Richard thought for a moment, then cooperated by showing an “I mean no harm” expression typical of a passerby, facing the young man.
The young man saw this, snorted, and continued walking briskly ahead.
Watching the young man’s retreating figure, Richard’s eyes shimmered. He remembered the Black Robed Man and his companion from the auction.
…
“Tap tap tap…”
With his briefcase in hand, the young man hurried along when he suddenly frowned, sensing an unusual silence around him.
“Hmm?” The young man’s brow furrowed, and the next moment he tensed up and shouted, “Who’s there? Show yourself!”
“Heh, quite vigilant, aren’t we?” A voice sounded, and both Suo Men and Mu Konni appeared.
“It’s you!” The young man looked at Suo Men and Mu Konni. Without fear or surprise, he confidently said, “Is it because I outbid you for the items you wanted at the auction that you’ve decided to stop me here and take them back?”
“Heh, don’t get the wrong idea,” replied Suo Men. “We’re not here to rob you. Though indeed, we had planned to take back and destroy the ‘Heaven’ potion you acquired; we are now more interested in you as a person.
“You see, the ‘Heaven’ potion you obtained at the auction, along with many other items, appear illicit to us—in other words, things that should not exist in this world. What motivated you to know the immense value of these items and to bid on them without hesitation? We’d like to understand your reasons.”
