The Genesis Of A Necromancer

Chapter 88 The Auction's Inferno

The hall had become a tempest of clamor and anticipation. This time, the bidding war eclipsed even the frenzied hustle for the Never Map. The stakes were infinitely higher now.

The item gleamed with an ethereal glow under the auctioneer's spotlight: three crystalline vials, each cradling an ocean of radiant, swirling energy. The Mana Dew Potions. The murmurs across the room were fevered, each voice echoing the same unspoken truth.

"An item that grants power akin to a god's—if only for a fleeting second…"

The allure of such an artifact was undeniable. Even in planes where godlike beings already walked among the masses, few could resist the temptation of holding that kind of strength in their grasp. And in a place as politically volatile as the demon planes, power was the ultimate currency.

From the VIP section, Gale observed the escalating commotion below with detached amusement. "Hmm, I'd love to see who ends up claiming this prize," he remarked, leaning back casually.

The crowd's fervor spiraled further out of control. The auctioneer barely managed to call out the bids.

"12 million moonlight stones!"

"15 million!"

"30 million! None of you will get it!" A demon roared, his arrogance amplified by desperation.

Despite the cacophony below, the VIP section remained eerily calm. The elite bidders, shielded by luxury and privilege, either watched with bemusement or ignored the chaos altogether. Yet Jack's sharp eyes noticed something peculiar. Unlike the overt commotion in the lower section, the silence among the VIPs carried an edge—an unspoken tension.

Jack's thoughts churned as he observed the scene. 'They're either imitating my strategy from earlier, waiting to pounce at the last moment, or they're genuinely uninterested. It's possible many of them have already attained power beyond what the potion can offer.'

He cast a quick glance at Alorinel, who sat fuming in his seat, his pride clearly bruised from losing out on the Never Map. Jack's lips curved in a faint smirk. 'Scratch that—Alorinel is just broke.'

That left only three competitors who mattered: Herald, the unnervingly composed figure whose every move radiated power, and two others Jack hadn't bothered to analyze deeply. Herald's calm demeanor was a mask, Jack knew. Beneath it was a calculating predator.

"50 million moonlight stones!" The shout came from the lower section, a booming voice laced with triumph. All eyes turned to the bidder: a sweating demon whose gloating expression betrayed how much he'd staked on his bid.

The room fell into an uneasy silence, and the demon seized the moment. "Let's see any of you beat that!" His voice rippled through the hall, his confidence a thin veneer masking the desperation in his eyes.

For a brief moment, Jack considered the irony. 'He's spent his entire savings on this… and he still thinks he's won.' The corner of Jack's mouth twitched upward.

From above, Herald's voice broke the silence like the crack of a whip. "I'm sure that's every stone you've ever saved. What a pity."

The demon froze, the color draining from his face as Herald rose to his feet. The room seemed to shrink as Herald's presence filled it. He spoke again, his words slow and deliberate, carrying the weight of certainty.

"70 million moonlight stones."

The lower-level bidder crumbled under the pressure, slumping back into his seat in defeat. He dared not challenge a man like Herald, who exuded an aura of quiet menace.

And so, the auction turned into a duel among the true elites. One by one, the remaining VIPs entered the fray, their bids climbing higher and higher in a deadly dance of wealth and influence. Jack stayed silent, his expression inscrutable.

Herald glanced at him, his sharp gaze probing for any sign of intent. Jack's disinterest seemed genuine—almost too genuine. Herald narrowed his eyes. 'Perhaps he's regretting his earlier splurge on the Never Map. He likely doesn't have the resources left to compete. After all, he's no noble; just look at the way they're dressed.'

Satisfied with his assumption, Herald smirked and made his move. "85 million moonlight stones."

He leaned back with a sigh, relief washing over him. 'Thankfully, I didn't have to blow the entire family quota on this. It was easier than I thought.'

The auctioneer began the final countdown, dragging the words deliberately to heighten the tension. He'd been in this game long enough to recognize when someone still had cards to play—and his instincts told him Jack wasn't done yet.

The young bidder sat there like a coiled spring, exuding an air of latent energy. The auctioneer's eyes sparkled with anticipation. 'Go ahead. Make your move.'

Jack's mind raced as he recalibrated his plan. He weighed his remaining resources against the potential gain, factoring in every variable. The Mana Dew Potions weren't just tools; they were investments in survival and dominance. '100 million moonlight stones. And here I was thinking it was a small fortune.'

His resolve hardened. 'Painful as it is, I'll just have to rely on Alisha's moonlight stones to power the Never Map later. For now, this is worth the risk.'

Finally, Jack leaned forward and spoke, his voice cutting through the air with precision.

"90 million moonlight stones."

The hall erupted into chaos. Gasps and murmurs filled the space as everyone turned their attention to the mysterious hornless demon who continued to defy expectations. The question on everyone's mind was the same: Who is he?

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'A hornless demon with this kind of wealth? Impossible. Where's the money coming from?'

Herald's eyes narrowed. He hadn't expected this. Jack's seemingly aloof demeanor now felt like an elaborate ruse. Herald's grip on his armrest tightened as frustration crept in. 'He's playing me. But how much does he really have left?'

The auctioneer, seizing the moment, completed the count. "Sold! To the bidder in the VIP section!"

But just as the auctioneer moved to finalize the sale, a voice from the crowd interrupted.

"This is ridiculous! How can a hornless demon shout out prices like that without proof? Show us the money!" The shout was quickly echoed by others, the room descending into a chorus of accusations and demands.

Jack remained unfazed, his calm exterior unbroken. The auctioneer, however, looked momentarily flustered. He turned toward Jack, about to request confirmation, when the guard from earlier stepped forward and whispered something in his ear.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer announced, his tone firm, "our esteemed bidder's funds have already been verified. There will be no further scrutiny. Let us proceed."

Though the murmurs of discontent continued, they soon dwindled as the next item was unveiled—a fiery blade that seemed to burn with malevolent energy.

Herald's gaze lingered on Jack, his expression unreadable but his intent clear. He wasn't just interested in the auction anymore; he was interested in Jack.

From her seat, Alisha scowled. "What a pest," she muttered, glaring at Herald.

Gale, ever the voice of reason, chuckled softly. "Well, we've certainly attracted attention. Let's see how Asriel handles it."

Jack's lips curled into a faint smile as he leaned back, his eyes now fixed on the Devil's Blade. 'Let them watch. This game is far from over.'