Rebirth System: Blood and Ash

The auction hall lights dim even lower as the glow is set on the stage. It was clear that the air was burning with even greater anticipation than before—the main event was starting. This was the moment the rich would have their battle.

The auctioneer stepped forward, his movements strangely ceremonial, even pompous.

"Now," the auctioneer began, drawing the attention of the entire hall, "for the moment many of you have been waiting for, we present some of the highest-tier martial techniques available in all of Byzeth."

Aric stood. This was it, one of the main reasons he had come. However, he knew no one would just let him have it. Those in the basic section would likely not bother placing a bid. For them, all they gained from this moment during the auction was the entertainment of watching the rich and powerful fight to prove who was wealthier.

Assistants began to flood the stage, carrying boxes where the techniques were safely stored. The number of assistants was less a necessity and more an emphasis on the importance of the next items. That many men were not needed to carry the boxes.

Then, music began—a soft violin that simply flowed in the background, so blended with the backdrop it could go unnoticed.

The assistants cleared the stage, leaving the auctioneer. The hall went silent as they awaited the bidding war to begin.

"We will begin with the first technique of the night, a technique of profound grade—Storm Devourer Fist. This technique allows one to channel violent energy into their strikes, turning Ki into storm-like blasts."

Everyone seemed at the edge of their seats as the auctioneer gave the description. The warriors and adventurers below who were martial artists had their mouths watering. They would give anything for a profound-grade technique, but they simply had nothing of value to give for such an item.

This was further proven when the auctioneer announced the starting bid.

"300,000 gold coins."

That was an absurd amount, at least to those in the basic section. As they wondered how anyone could spend that much, a voice shot from behind them, from the elite section.

"310,000," they offered.

However, their bid did not last long, as it was quickly challenged.

"325,000," another from the elite section gave an opposing bid.

Both bidders continued their back and forth, but everyone present knew that what they did would only matter if those in the prestige section didn’t want what they were fighting for.

"371,000."

The last bid stood unchallenged for a few moments, then, as expected, a bid resounded from the prestige section.

"450,000."

Aric’s voice resonated through the entire hall. It was calm, confident, and enough to permanently silence the elite section bidders.

"Damn these bastards, always raising it so high," one seated in the elite tier looked up, glaring at the booth where Aric resided.

"Oh, it seems the high sitters have decided to make their move. So, do I hear any challengers?"

Another voice boomed from the prestige section.

"500,000."

It was clear the fight had shifted, and from then on, it would be a battle between the lords and other powerful figures.

"600,000," Aric countered.

"700," the voice quickly raised again.

"700,000 for a technique? Madness," one from the basic section exclaimed.

Those at the bottom simply turned their heads and watched as sums of money they could only dream of were called out so nonchalantly. But it was great entertainment. Their eyes now fell on Aric’s section, waiting for the mysterious bidder to make a challenge.

But nothing came. Aric just watched silently, his face unreadable as he gazed down at the stage.

"Sold! To bidder P4!" the auctioneer announced.

"Now for our next technique, also of the profound grade, we have the Heaven Piercing Spear, a deadly technique that can penetrate all, including magical and physical defenses."

Like the last one, this was another formidable ability every martial artist would wish to possess, but most could only sit and watch.

"We will start the bidding at 300,000," the auctioneer announced.

Insistent on trying their luck again, one of the bidders from the elite section offered a whopping bid.

"Three hundred fifty thous—"

However, before their sentence was even finished, Aric’s words cut through the entire hall.

"One million."

A flurry of whispers and gasps began to shoot through the hall. Aric’s words had brought chaos.

"A million gold, just like that?"

"Is it not unfair for people to be this wealthy?"

"Just who the hell is in that section?"

From both the basic and elite sections, conversations erupted. It was always something to be surprised by wealth at auctions like this, but this wasn’t any less shocking. To take the bid to one million so easily was absurd.

Now they waited to see if anyone would challenge the large sum. It wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that someone in the prestige section would offer a larger amount.

However, as the seconds ticked on and moments passed, Aric’s bid still hung in the air unchallenged.

"Sold! To bidder P1," the auctioneer announced.

"Now for our next and final martial arts technique for the night—Shadow Step Arts. This techni—"

"One million gold."

The entire hall was brought to complete and utter silence as Aric’s words interrupted the auctioneer. Most present were left speechless. Whoever was in that booth had not only spent a million gold unprovoked once but was about to do it a second time as well.

"A-Alright," the auctioneer stammered. Even he, the epitome of professionalism and composure, was momentarily taken aback. "Do I hear any challengers?"

As he asked, heads began to turn to the booths, their eyes burning with anticipation as they waited to see if anyone could challenge whoever this rich bastard was that had placed the bid. However, moments passed, and all that followed was silence.

The auctioneer looked around, giving a few more opportunities for anyone to challenge the bid, but no one did.

"Sold! To bidder P1," he declared.

The assistants then came and retrieved the martial arts technique boxes from the stage while bringing in another box.

"Now for our final item, and a Casmir Auction House special: a box of 45 C-level mana crystals."