"…Siloy potion."
The moment those words appeared, the audience held their breaths in anticipation.
Yufie's eyes narrowed as she observed the audience and felt their emotional fluctuations through her mental power.
Anticipation. Fear. Nervousness.
These three emotions welled up inside everyone as they wondered her next words.
How many Siloy potions would be sold?
Were there were any last-minute changes to sell the potions on missions like the talisman Or for rare materials?
They didn't know. But they did know they had no control over the Auction House.
Yufie paused for a minute as she let the tension build-up. Despite being high awakeners, one by one, their backs were drenched in sweat. As humans they were, they resorted to coping methods.
Some gulped saliva, some took deep breaths, a few started downing alcohol and refreshments.
This deal was too important. So important that their entire lives were at stake.
The supreme leader of Cosa Brotherhood, the orchestrator of Betty kidnap, Barbaroza rubbed his sweaty palms and tried to calm his ragged breath. Yet, no matter what he did, his heart didn't stop racing.
'This stupid…' He was about to curse Yufie inwardly but held himself back. She's a level 9 Psychic. Who knew if she could hear his thoughts.
As he shook his head, he caught the glimpse of Barkis, leader of the Viper gang—their arch enemy.
He was drinking wine like water and stared at the stage with bloodshot eyes.
'If he gets the Siloy potion…' Barbaroza paused for a second and his body shuddered.
Gnuc gang and Soprana gang were also arch enemies. Once the Soprana gang leader got the Siloy potion, the first thing he did after advancing was to wipe out the Gnucs.
Barbaroza knew he would do the same to the Viper gang. But conversely, they would also do the same—Wipe out everyone related to the Cosa brotherhood.
'Calm down. Calm down. Betty made us a lot of money. We can do this. We will be the one to survive.' He affirmed himself and waited in dread as another minute passed in terrific silence.
"There will be one for each city." Yufie's words were like an oasis in the desert and subconsciously, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
Not all cities were equal. The weaker cities were bound to lose if it was an open auction.
"We'll start with Orion city. The eligible ones are the four golden drug gangs." Yufie announced.
Of course, only those that finished 'missions' were eligible to buy.
Cosa brotherhood's mission was…to kidnap Betty and inject her with the poison. So, they too were eligible.
Yufie announced with a clap.
"Let the auction begin."
She didn't even show the product nor did anyone ask. They were in fact grateful to her. If she showed the product on stage, many wondered if they could hold themselves from trying to snatch it.
"1 Million Aura crystals." The first call was already pricier than most auction items. But it was only a tentative call.
"3 Million Aura crystals."
"5 Million."
One by one, the golden drug gangs raised the bid, and soon, it was through the roofs.
Finally, the golden triangle gang paid an absurd 26.7 million aura crystals to win the potion.
To put this into perspective, that amount could be used to fund the military of Orion for 2 years!
'Insane…' Barbaroza looked at the excited man who was seated in the front row with a shocked expression.
They brought the entire savings of Cosa Brotherhood, and they only made it to 16.8 Million.
Almost 60% higher than them!
He was grateful that it wasn't an open auction, but with each potion reserved for a city.
But…
He looked at the Viper gang and saw they were in talks with one of Orion city gangs that didn't win the bid.
"F-Fine!" He gritted his teeth and contacted another loser gang.
"Next, Valos City."
Barbaroza straightened his back and tapped the hologram in front of him.
"2 million Aura crystals by Cosa Brotherhood…"
"3 million by Viper gang."
"…."
Varian yawed as he watched the auction from outside. Ghostship was currently in the clouds right above the auction house.
After entering the secret realm, they learned of the auction items.
Even though he expected it, the existence of Siloy potion came as a shock to Varian.
But since it was sold was at the end, they toured the entire place in the meanwhile.
This secret realm was one of the sites of Shadow Order. It had training centers, resource warehouses, mission halls among others.
But this wasn't anything special per se.
The black market—the auction house, the street stalls, and special trade buildings were only present in one district and it's a mobile district.
So, this secret realm itself hid no secrets but was the key to finding the secret.
'Once I find out why they're selling the potions and where they are taking those massive aura crystals, I can decide my next move.'
Varian thought as he tapped the armrest of the 'throne'. He used it for 'Dreamer' setting, but he thought it was really cool.
Anyway, Betty wasn't injected with venom. She was safe and kidnapping her once again was impossible.
Of course, neither Betty nor her father knew the truth.
"Stupid woman with watermelon chest. Hmph!" Boo cursed Yufie.
Varian nearly choked on his saliva. "Boo, who taught you those words?"
Boo looked at him innocently. "Metanet…I got bored and played a few games."
"…." Varian felt like he was a failure of a parent.
Wait, I am not even a parent!
"Master, isn't she brainless? If she sold potions openly, she'd have made more aura crystals." Boo raised its head proudly. 'Come one, come praise me.'
"…" Varian exhaled and shook his head.
"You underestimate those criminals." He said. "The golden triangle for example. They spent 26.7 million because they had only one chance.
But if it's an open auction, then they could buy it at a lower price after others spend their money.
Besides, the golden triangle can reach an agreement with the golden wolf gang and put a limit on how much they'll spend, say something like 20 million.
So, they'll buy the potion at 20 million instead of the original 26.7.
They'll save around 7 million aura crystals if they don't compete with each other and snatch the potions from other cities.
Of course, every rich gang would join this because they can save precious aura crystals."
"B-But, aren't they arch enemies?"
"Of course, but with this method, both will benefit."
"Whoah. So, Shadow Order…"
"Hm. They're pretty smart. They've pushed these local gangs against each other.
The gangs from poorer cities will borrow aura crystals from rich gangs that didn't win the potion in their bids." Varian said and pointed to the auction hall.
"The golden wolf lost against golden triangle gang. So, they didn't spend anything and have some 20 million aura crystals.
Cosa brotherhood borrowed from the wolf gang just now." He showed the information on their comms captured in the surveillance.
"Why?"
"hm…" Varian paused for a moment. "Maybe gangs like golden wolf want to let Cosa brotherhood allow a few of its members to take refugees in Valos."
"Sounds pretty chaotic…"
"Well…" Varian nodded and he casually glanced at the members in the auction hall.
His eyes paused on one individual.
The man was bald and had a big build. He was sitting next to a woman with violet hair in the back row.
Apparently, they were unimportant members, but Varian had a weird feeling about the man.
"Do I know him?" Varian rubbed his chin. As he was about to ask Boo to check on that man, Yufie's announcement drew his attention.
"Cosa Brotherhood wins the bid for 20 million!"
