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Chapter 319 - Bidding War

Both young and old elites felt equal envy. They glanced in the direction of the private booth while wondering just who was this crazy-rich young miss.

They could not see inside but the soft voice from before gave them an idea of her age. This factored along with a reservation in the private booth made them know for sure she was from a powerful background.

In the first seating row across the stage, Anamarie and Mendel were sitting. They looked at each other and smiled. For them and others in the front seating rows, Seven-petal Golden Rose was precious but not worth enough to contest.

Besides, Anamarie and Mendel were not here for participating in the auction. They were here just to represent Dark Stars.

Still, they felt great to see Kiba in the current predicament.

"$500000, Dustless Yarrow, Three-colored Cherrymist, Echinacea, and Ice Essence Lotus," Kiba made another bid.

"Why are you being so cheap by bidding such a low amount?" Sophia asked from her booth. "I'm doubling the money."

People in both private booths and other seating zones felt their lips twitching.

Cheap?!

Miss! You have no idea what that word means!!

If he was bidding low then what about us less mortals who only spent less than $10000?!

Are we beggars?!

Most bitterly realized they could compete with anyone but not this young miss who would double the bid without any thinking. She was just too dangerous!

Kiba glanced at the stage and noticed the excitement in Wassily's eyes as the bidding proceeded. He could bid higher but he knew this was a lost cause that would only benefit the auction house and no one else.

"You can have the rose," Kiba said.

"Huh? You are admitting defeat?" Sophia asked with a satisfied smile.

"Yeap," Kiba said with a smile. He made a reminder for himself to teach this miss a lesson later on.

Ashlyn turned towards him. She was back to her usual self, the serene smile has faded after the auction started.

"You can borrow from me," Ashlyn said. She knew he wanted the rose as he has shared the list of items he needed.

"Naa," Kiba thanked her for her offer. "I can purchase the rose if I use those fruits we acquired but then only the auction house would get rich. And don't worry, my luck is usually good at getting what I want so this loss is not really a loss."

Ashlyn looked at him for a moment and nodded her head.

Wassily was abit dejected that Kiba didn't continue to bid further.

"Oh well, I have already made a good amount," Wassily was happy by the result.

He looked at the audience, and said, " Here is the next item."

Yasmine showcased a small metallic cube of dimensions 10*10*10 cm. Its black surface was engraved with strange runic designs.

Wassily snapped his fingers and on the virtual screens alongside the stage, a video started playing.

The video showcased a lonely desert upon which an individual was standing. This person has placed the cube in a hand and pressed the surface.

The same moment, the top surface of the cube started opening in a mechanical fashion. The runic design on the cube flashed brightly as the top surface parted.

The very next moment, rays of light swept out from the open portion like a vortex. The vortex was akin to the mouth of a humongous beast and it devoured everything in diameter of one mile. The area in one mile was no longer a desert...entire sand was sucked inside.

The cube closed and the video ended.

"This device is known as Devouring Sky Cube," Wassily proceeded ahead to explain. "It was retrieved from some forbidden ruins that were remnants of the Celestial Elysian Plane."

The crowd nodded in understanding but they were also confused. The name of the cube sounded so mighty and its ability was deathly as well.

So why would the auction house sell it? Wouldn't one of the Dark Stars be more interested in it?"

Did the owner want it to be auctioned in exchange for some treasure?

Or was the cube damaged?

"I'm sure you have doubts," Wassily said with a friendly smile. "We don't understand the workings of the cube properly and during its use, well, let's say, the cube lost most of its functions. As of now, it could be used once for an area of half a mile. In the hands of its rightful master, I'm sure the cube would regain the might that suits its name. I pray for the cube to find its true master here."

The top experts in the audience instantly lost interest. They knew it better than to trust Wassily's words and fall for his illusion of grandeur. Who was to say the cube would even work for once after the words he has spoken on how it lost most of its function?

If any problem occurred, the auction house could easily pass the blame to the customer. They could reason how they have explained about the possible defects.

The level I and level II mutants, on the other hand, wanted to acquire the cube as its one use was a powerful trump card.

Sadly, they were worried about the price. Gritting their teeth, they decided to bid and see if their luck was good enough.

In the meantime, Kiba's eyes zoomed on the cube.

Everything else disappeared from his sight as his vision passed through the layers of the top surface. He found an unknown obstacle restricting his enhanced vision.

More strength coursed through his pupils, and finally, he was able to see the mystic mechanism.

"Ah!" Kiba checked the cube more carefully. The technology could not have been any familiar to him as he has witnessed in BSE79.

"It is a real offensive treasure," Kiba thought. "But a type I'm in no need of."

He glanced at Ashlyn and thought for a bit.

"It isn't suitable for either," Kiba decided to not participate but then suddenly, he thought of something.

"$100000 and 20 grade I Energy Gems," Kiba made a bid.

"Damn! He is participating again!!" People cursed in their hearts.

Those who thought they had a chance were no longer confident. Their hearts bleed as they thought of Energy Gems. They were rare gemstones that could be used to restore stamina and escape from exhaustion.

"He is going to get it so no use of trying."

The other bidders gave up.

Just then, from one of the private booths, Sophia's voice came out, "You are bidding so low for a rare artifact. I'm increasing the amount twice."

Kiba's lips curved in a smile but he quickly sported a heavy expression.

"You win again," Kiba let out a sigh.

"Obviously I did!" Sophia was pleased. She didn't want to let the shameless villain win for even once.

The middle-aged woman beside her turned rigid. She felt her young miss was being played...

Another item came on the stage. It was a strange fruit that aroused much interest.

Even before the auctioneer could ask for the bidding to start, Kiba opened his lips and said, "$50000 and a grade I crimson mushroom."

Sophia's bid came the very next moment. Kiba engaged with her in few rounds but ultimately, she won.

For her, everything she has spent so far didn't really didn't affect her. The real wealth she had was reserved for the core region. Monetary cards or the items acquired for her by her guards didn't mean a thing.

And she couldn't have been happier to see them being used to teaching the shameless scoundrel a lesson. The more she looked at his heavy expression, the gladder she felt.

Kiba made a bid for another item and Sophia once again won. The process continued for two more items.

"Miss, I think he is just unnecessarily provoking you," The middle-aged woman said. "He is not interested in buying those items..."

"I know!" Sophia might be young and left a closed life but even she realized something amiss. "But it still feels good to win against him!"

"...."

...

In the meantime.

The young masters from aristocratic families, in the private booths, looked in Sophia's direction. Her private booth was sealed from their vision but they could visualize her from their memories.

Many of them were acquainted with her and knew her personality. She was cute and young but she was also crazy fiend.

Vasco and Maynard were also acquainted with her. Vasco has even tried to court her but was refused point-blank. To please her and get her favor, he was ready to do anything. He could imagine how his standing would rise in his family if he got married to her.

As he thought of it, he slapped the butt of the female staff in his private booth. He then looked out of his booth and brought his eyes on Kiba.

Vasco smiled in disdain.

Kiba was seating in premium seats which were just slightly better than ordinary seats and since he was far from private reserved booths, he most likely has no background to speak of.

Yet he wanted to compete with a young miss from an aristocrat family!?

"That commoner is trying to embarrass himself!" Vasco sneered.

Maynard agreed with his friend...

The next item on the stage was a set of three seeds. They were of different colors.

Everyone looked at the seeds carefully and were left disappointed by the texture. The seeds appeared to be decayed and ancient with no vitality inside them.

"The records we have hints they are seeds of a legendary tree," Wassily shared further details. "In the right environment, they would gain vitality and nourish into legendary trees. They just need nourishment and care."

The screens on either side of the stage showcased the details about the seeds. Many surprised gasps filled the auditorium.

Kiba checked the seeds and thought, "He is not wrong about their origin but the seeds are fully dead. There is not even a trace of the essence and as such, no chances of reviving to former glory. They are completely worthless."

With a smile, he made a bid of $50000 and two grade I fruits and said, "Please let me have them!"

Sophia doubled the price and said, "In your dreams unless you apologize."

With a heavy expression, Kiba increased the bid by half.

At the same time, in Sophia's private booth.

"Miss, you are not winning," The middle-aged woman explained. "He is having fun by seeing how you believe you are winning and wasting your money. So it is him who is actually winning and not you."

Sophia's eyebrows knitted. She thought her servant's words made complete sense.

"That villain!" Sophia was angry as she realized how he had fun at her expense.

She decided to not bid and let that scoundrel win this round. She couldn't wait to see his reaction.

"Oh well," Kiba let out a soft sigh.

He has heard the conversation so he knew. He didn't really mind being a loser in this round as everything he has done so far was both for the future and also paying Sophia back.

In a way, he let Sophia get Sky Devouring Cube for her efforts to intervene when he was facing Mendel. She has tried to 'save' him even though he didn't really need any saving.

As for the subsequent rounds, it was a bit of payback.

Also, he knew she would sooner or later realize his scheme, and as such, she wouldn't fight with him for more items. After all, she would be worried that he was just trying to trick her again. This would help him in purchasing the items he wants without worrying about her.

The auctioneer called out the price twice and saw no increase, so he was about to declare Kiba the winner when a male voice intervened.

It was Vasco.

"Sophia, my love, don't worry, I will teach that commoner a lesson," Vasco thought in his heart. He was sure sooner he would be able to share words from his heart with her.

"I will buy those seeds for her," Vasco said to himself.

Then, in a loud voice, he increased Kiba's bid by twice.

Sophia: "....."

Kiba: "..."

Both Kiba and Sophia were left speechless for a long time.

Kiba clearly identified him as the man who was earlier expressing disdain to 'commoners'. He has seen how he behaved before so he has a pretty much good idea on what Vasco was thinking.

Kiba was amused as he thought of the tone used by Vasco when he made the bid.

"I'm a commoner now."

Inside her booth, Sophia also identified the voice and thought, "That pig is here?"

She recalled Vasco and his friend. They have met in the State of Avalon a few times, and every time, those two would try to court her.

She followed her mother's words and showed no interest as she was truly not interested. She clearly remembered the way Vasco treated female servants so his impression further fell.

Sophia facepalmed as she thought why he was intervening.

"But he is actually helping that villain!" Sophia was incensed. "Now, that villain would have more fun."

Chapter 320 - Feel Free To Share Your Guess!

On the stage, Wassily's eyes lit up as he heard Vasco's new bidding. He couldn't be happier to see such competition for three decayed seeds which he knew has no actual use.

In his private booth, Vasco laughed as he heard the shocked gasps from the audience. The female staff, Marita, started servicing him for real.

What better time to make him happy then the present when he was bidding?

The auction house made it mandatory for female escort team to service guests from important factions. It was a cheap but time tested method to get better profits.

Besides, the glass walls could restrict sound. The technology in the booth allowed sound to pass outside only if it was intentional. It gave complete privacy to the patrons...

"Sophia must have used most of her wealth in earlier rounds," Vasco thought of a possible reason why she didn't bid further despite her stubborn personality. "I'm definitely going to win and gift those seeds to her."

He couldn't wait to get her favor. In the meantime, he enjoyed the female servant.

Outside, in another private booth, Sophia clenched her fist.

"He is indirectly helping that scoundrel," Sophia was agitated. "What a useless pig."

The middle-aged woman beside her forced a smile.

In the premium seating zone, Kiba didn't know whether to be offended or amused. He has ensured Sophia would not trouble him in the future rounds, but now a young master has taken her stead.

"He is here to impress her," Kiba thought with a smile. "So I should help him."

In his own ways, Kiba would always try to help others. He was just too kind for his own good.

"$40000, Cherrymist, Echinacea, 20 Elemental Energy Gems," Kiba made another bid. All items were of grade I.

Vasco smiled in disdain.

Kiba was seating in premium seats which were just slightly better than ordinary seats and since he was far from private reserved booths, he most likely has no background to speak of.

Also, there was another fact. He only won one item so far after which he repeatedly lost to Sophia.

This left no doubt on his capabilities. He was just a well-off commoner with no ability to deal with the powerful scions of aristocrat families.

"That commoner is trying to embarrass himself!" Vasco smiled contemptuously.

Maynard agreed with his friend.

"I'm doubling the bid," Vasco declared his new bid.

He was rich but nowhere near Sophia. Sophia was the only daughter of an important person in her family. Vasco, on the other hand, has multiple siblings and his father didn't have high status. Still, Vasco felt the money he was spending on the auction was an initial investment for a better future.

"$200000 and the items from before," Kiba gritted his teeth and made a high bid.

"$400000 and the items he mentioned earlier," Vasco felt bittersweet but he knew he was winning. He could feel it from that commoner's tone and expression.

"$700000, Cherrymist, Echinacea, 1000 Elemental Energy Gems, and crimson mist mushroom," Kiba loudly made a sky-high bid. His nails were clawing on the armrests as he made this bid.

The crowd was dumbfounded. They looked at Kiba in disbelief and wondered why was he betting so heavily on some decayed seeds.

Could the seeds be some treasure?

People started having doubts. Regardless, the atmosphere in the auditorium was filled with excitement.

Thousands of eyes became focused on Vasco's private booth. They wanted to know if he would challenge the bid or let Kiba win.

The young miss from another private booth has stopped bidding earlier. Would the young master follow the same suit?

This question was running through everyone's mind as they glanced at the glass walls that restricted their vision and hid the young master from the eyesight of others.

Vasco's face fell in anger as he felt countless gazes upon his booth.

He was sure that the commoner would not bid again. But not only did the commoner made a bid, he even increased the bid by a very high amount.

Vasco looked out through the glass walls and brought his eyes on Kiba. Kiba's expression was heavy just like his breathing. He was sweating and looked on verge of collapse.

"This is definitely his limit," Vasco clenched his fists tightly. "And I can't back now and lose everything."

He took a deep breath and said, "$1000000! Plus the items mentioned earlier!!"

Immediately, auditorium started to buzz with excitement. They never expected the young master to increase the bid by such a high amount.

On the stage, Wassily and Yasmine looked at each other and smiled in joy. They felt the auction couldn't get more fun for them. They didn't even have to rely on Yasmine to seduce the patrons.

Every pair of eyes arrived on Kiba to look at his reaction.

"I lost again," Kiba said with a heavy sigh.

Vasco snickered at Kiba's response. His heart was bleeding by such a high bid but the shocked reactions from the audience calmed him a bit.

He looked at the stage as Wassily proceeded to call out the bid. There was no doubt he was going to be the winner.

But just then, Kiba said something which stunned everyone.

"For the first time, I'm happy I lost," Kiba wondered aloud. "Earlier I thought the seeds have some essence left but now... Phew~ The final bidder saved me from going bankrupt for nothing."

What?!

Vasco didn't dare believe his words.

"Sour grapes," Vasco clamed down as he thought of the fox and the grapes.

In a loud voice, he said, "Don't try to deceive us. The seeds are precious otherwise there is no way Sophia would bid for them."

In her private booth, Sophia facepalmed. She couldn't help but shout, "Idiot! Those seeds are worthless! Otherwise, why do you think I stopped bidding?!"

Everyone in the auditorium was shell-shocked. They didn't dare trust their ears.

Could she be right? The seeds are really worthless?!

If so...

Countless eyes looked in Vasco's direction.

"Damn!!" Vasco shattered the table in front of him.

He pushed Marita away and jumped on his feet.

"I wasted so much for nothing?!" Vasco couldn't take the possibility.

He took another breath of air and said, "I wish to cancel my bid."

Outside, many people couldn't help but smile.

Cancel bid?! Impossible!

The auction house only took bid from those who had the capability to bid. While bidding, a person would place the bid in front of his seat. The hidden sensors would inform the auctioneer that the person in question has the right to bid.

As for going back on words by trying to cancel bid?

Such action wouldn't be allowed otherwise who would respect the bidding process? No one was forced to make a bid and similarly, the auction house could not be forced by a patron to cancel bid.

The auctioneer obviously could not allow anyone to break the rules, not even those from the nine aristocrat families. If the rules were broken and his authority was challenged, then who would take the auction house seriously?

Wassily looked in Vasco's direction with a stern expression. His expression was more than enough to make his intentions clear.

Vasco gritted his teeth. Despite his upbringing and his dislike for commoners, even he knew the ancient proverb - strong dragon cannot repress a local snake.

Even a dragon (from the outside) finds it hard to control a snake in its old haunt. In simple words, powerful outsiders can hardly afford to neglect local bullies.

Vasco understood this simple principle no matter how he hated it. He knew he couldn't afford to offend the auction house but Kiba was a different matter.

He turned towards Kiba's direction to vent his frustration. If not for Kiba none of this would happen.

He has to let the commoner know the difference between them.

"You," Vasco called out.

Kiba looked in the direction of private booth and said, "Me?"

"Yes, you," Vasco nodded. Then, in a thundering tone, he asked, "Do you know who am I?"

As his voice moved forward, a pressure unique to the nine aristocratic families enveloped the surrounding.

This was innate suppression that originated from those who shared the bloodline of the Nine Sovereigns.

Those in the normal seating rows and premium zones shuddered. They gasped in fright while wondering about Kiba's fate.

Kiba, in the meantime, has a serious expression on his face. He put a hand over his chin, and said, "No, I don't know who you are but I think I have a good guess."

Vasco sneered.

He could imagine just how shocked and frightened Kiba might be after he thundered loudly with the bloodline suppression.

Vasco looked at Kiba's serious pondering expression and said, "Why don't you let others know of your guess?"

"You wouldn't get offended, right? I have heard people of great heritage don't like...." Kiba trailed off.

"Relax. While we of noble blood don't like commoners talking about us, I'm giving you special permission," Vasco said like a merciful king. "So feel free to share your guess on who I am."

"Thank you for your permission," Kiba said in a very polite tone. "I guess you are a guy with a small penis."

The entire auditorium turned pin-drop silent. Even the sound of heartbeats disappeared as Kiba shared his guess.

Many women blushed and closed their ears at the embarrassing guess. A few men, especially those in the front row and premium booths, openly chuckled.

Vasco's entire body turned stiff and rigid.

He didn't dare believe what he has heard. He was sure Kiba's guess would be about his superior background, his rich heritage, and his noble influence.

This should have been obvious given the way he used bloodline suppression on Kiba and others.

And yet, what he heard was something he never expected even in his worst nightmares.

He could see the suppressed smiles, hear open laughter and feel the mockery among the audience. Even his friend Maynard was barely hiding his smile.

The veins on his body protruded out and the blood inside him boiled.

"What did you say?!" Vasco barked like a vicious dog.

Vasco expected Kiba to be frightened, horrified or in the worse case, sarcastic and amused. Yet, his expression was something he never expected.

Bewildered.

It was like Vasco's question has perplexed him.

Kiba looked in Vasco's direction and said, "Why are you angry at me? Didn't you give me permission to share guess without any worry?"

For a moment, even the audience felt Kiba was right.

Why was Vasco angry at Kiba for doing what he wanted?

Vasco's eyes turned red. He was trembling and barely able to stand but he suppressed his raging emotions, and pressed on a switch.

The glass walls retraced and he became visible in the auditorium. Marita hurriedly covered her body with clothes and hid in a corner.

"Bastard! I don't have a small cock!" Vasco shouted loud enough for his response to ring in the auditorium. In his entire life, he has never faced such humiliation.

"Really?" Kiba said with a doubtful expression. "But I made my conclusion based on what trespassed between you and that woman."

No one said a single word in response. They didn't even ask how he knew such a thing given private booths restricted all forms of surveillance.

Kiba pointed to Marita before continuing, "While servicing you, she looked so bored that she might as well read some book and relieve her boredom in the process. Her fake moans couldn't have any more obvious---"

"Son of a bitch!" Vasco threw a glass at Kiba and interrupted him.

Kiba easily ducked the glass and said, "I don't understand why you are getting so angry at me. First, you told me to share my guess about you. Then you said you are not a guy with a small penis so I explained my reason."

Vasco's entire face was a dark shade of crimson. He grabbed Marita and said, "This bitch couldn't get enough of my cock!"

"That's another indication you have a small cock."

"......"

Chapter 321 - Just Wait!

Vasco showcased Marita and said, "This bitch couldn't get enough of my cock!"

"That's another indication you have a short cock," Kiba said as a matter of factly.

"..."

Vasco was left fuming. He has wanted to prove Kiba's earlier statements wrong, which is why he made this declaration about Marita. He firmly believed the humiliation he suffered would be washed by his declaration, and yet the situation only got worse.

Vasco started at Kiba with a ferocious expression. If looks could kill, Kiba would have died god knows how many times.

The entire auditorium was completely silent.

Almost everyone in the auditorium was having fun in one way or the other. The way they giggled and snickered couldn't have made it more obvious.

Even the experts and old-timers were amused.

Perhaps, the happiest people were those in ordinary seating zones.

When Vasco and Maynard first arrived in the auditorium, those in the ordinary seating zones became a subject of humiliation. The way the two young masters showed-off their special reception made the ordinary masses felt doubtful of their existence.

Now, the same ordinary masses got to witness Vasco becoming a joke.

Earlier, no one would have believed words could hurt more than a physical attack. But seeing the flushed and angered face of Vasco, they no longer doubted the might of words.

Vasco was trembling from anger, his body on verge of explosion. He looked out from his open booth to the floor below where Kiba was present.

There was such a high difference in status, and yet, he found himself to be on the receiving end of the worst type of humiliation a man could ever face. Steam continued to draw out of his ears and his eyes flashed with rage as he looked at Kiba.

"This noble-blooded young master first gave me permission to state my guest without worries, but then he got angry," Kiba wondered aloud. "And now he is looking at me like some fierce dog just because I pointed out a few facts. He is really strange."

"Commoner!" Vasco shouted. "I can hear you!"

Kiba looked confused.

He brought his eyes on Vasco and said, "Of course, you can. No one said your ears were defective unlike...well, nevermind."

Kiba didn't complete his words. But for the audience, it wasn't hard to guess what he wanted to imply.

Vasco was having a hard time restraining himself. He was verge on passing out just from anger.

It was the first time that thousands of people were doubting his manhood and even he started feeling same.

No! There is no way this is true!!

No woman has ever complained! They all squealed when I swept inside!!

Vasco reasoned to self and yet, he couldn't help but remember all his bed companions so far were hired.

Not conquered or courted.

Vasco glanced at Marita and then clawed his hand on her wrist. Marita grimaced with tears bubbling up in her eyes.

"Surely you are not going to show how big of a man you are by harming some poor servant girl, right?" Kiba asked, his tone changed.

She has done no wrong to him so he wouldn't let her hurt because of him.

"Besides, shouldn't you be grateful to her?" Kiba put a hand over his chin and asked.

"Grateful?!" Vasco was dumbfounded.

"Yes," Kiba gave a slight nod and said. "She is obliged to make you feel great, so she let you believe you are not some pencil dick."

As soon as he completed his sentence, almost everyone started laughing loudly.

"Commoner!" Vasco pushed Marita away and focused on Kiba. "Learn your place!"

Vasco's pupils brightened with a cyan glow that wrapped the entire eyes. Then, two optic beams shot down with incredible speed. They rushed straight as Kiba's chest, to destroy his vitals.

The ripples from the blazing optic blasts made people close their eyes.

At the same time, in the front seating row, Mendel and Anamarie jumped on their feet. They charged towards Kiba; not to save him but save Vasco for they know his strength.

"That idiot doesn't know he is kicking an iron sheet!" Mendel cursed Vasco in his heart. "Why do these youths have to be so brained dead?!"

Vasco was just a Level I mutant and from Mendel's perspective, no different than an ordinary human. As a Dark Star, he didn't want a descendant of an aristocrat family to die here and impact the working of the fair.

Meanwhile, with great ease, Kiba leaned back as the optic beams rushed at him.

The two bright cyan energy beams swept past and slammed on a chair some distance away. The chair blasted into pieces and the person sitting on it crashed onto the floor, heavily injured.

Mendel and Anamarie were just twenty steps away when a strange event occurred.

Vasco felt a strange but stifling gravitational force enveloping him. It was like he was a metallic pin pulled down by an enormous magnet.

"AHHH!"

Vasco let out a miserable shriek. His body smashed through the railing as it shot downwards like a meteorite.

Vasco crashed into the smooth floor. The tiles underneath his body cracked like a growing spider web.

"You are really hard to understand," Kiba arrived before him. "You first harm some poor individual and then try to commit suicide."

Kiba grabbed Vasco by his wrist to pull him up.

Vasco wanted to curse but he was far too overwhelmed. His face turned deathly pale as he felt energy waves erupting on his wrist that phased into his bloodstream. Tears streamed down his cheeks and he screamed loudly.

"It would be all right," Kiba tried to pacify him. "The pain from such a falling is intense but you will overcome."

Vasco's scream died in his throat. He wanted to scream and shout, but he was helpless.

Just then, Mendel arrived, a few steps away. He was about to ask Kiba to leave Vasco, when suddenly, Kiba tossed Vasco like a human sack.

With a thud sound, Vasco collapsed into Mendel.

"No matter your background, the law enforcement here is truly strict, " Kiba sat back in his chair. "Two Dark Stars have come to punish an offender. What a great example."

Mendel's face sunk. He checked vitals of Vasco and found his meridians were destroyed into a broken mess by some rampaging force.

"But please, be humane," Kiba requested with a smile. "He has suffered grave injuries from fall so help him recover. You can punish him later."

Bastard! There is no way this internal mess is from falling!

Mendel wanted to curse but he restrained himself.

Anamarie glanced at Kiba but ultimately didn't say anything. She turned around and left along with Mendel.

"Just let this auction be over and you will learn your place," Anamarie swore in her heart.

Chapter 322 - A Piece of Rock

Kiba sat down on his chair without any worry. Ashlyn sighed as she looked at Vasco who was in Mendel's arms.

She couldn't help but think of the people whom Kiba faced before they visited the core region. Besides the defeat of his opponents, she found another common point.

Pure, unadulterated sadistic pleasure.

At least, this time she felt he didn't enjoy much. She reasoned it was not due to the location but rather Vasco being so weak that he didn't find the idea of toying around any fun.

A medical team rushed in the auditorium with a stretcher. Mendel placed Vasco on the stretcher and walked back to his seat. The medical team gave a quick check to Vasco and detected heavy internal damage.

The damage could be undone in no time thanks to advanced medical facilities. The problem was he suffered this damage when two Dark Stars were rushing to save him.

Mendel was visibly dejected and he was in no mood to counter Kiba's sarcastic remarks. Anamarie was same and she sat down in her seat.

The auditorium was filled with silence for a long time. Most of them didn't find Vasco to be any strong but they were stunned nevertheless.

The threat posed by Vasco was not his strength but rather his background. The usage of bloodline suppression left no doubt on his identity as a noble descendant.

Everyone might know he is weak but rarely would anyone dare thrash him in public. It was similar to how a strong, bulky man wouldn't dare harm a frail prince out on streets. The identity itself was both protection and threat.

Yet, Kiba not only harmed him but also humiliated him in the cruelest way possible.

Maynard looked in Kiba's direction for a long while. He wanted to issue a threat and challenge Kiba but he was afraid.

Afraid of being mocked and shamed just like how his friend was.

Marita glanced at Kiba for a long time before bringing back the glass walls of the booth. She turned towards Maynard and said, "Young master, should I service you?"

Usually, Maynard would have agreed but given what happened to his friend, he didn't dare agree.

"No. Just sit."

"As you wish."

Marita controlled a smile.

In her private booth, Sophia was annoyed by Vasco.

"Damn pig made the villain win again!"

The middle-aged woman didn't know whether to cry or smile. She then gently pacified her master...

On the stage, Wassily was a bit taken aback by the development but he quickly got the situation under control.

He was in a joyous mood after the previous sales so he decided to be a bit generous. On his command, the patrons were served with free refreshments.

A few minutes later, auction resumed with full force. The conduct was such that no one even bothered about Vasco any longer.

Yasmine placed the next item on the table. It was a piece of dark rock stored in a glass container. The rock piece was as small as a baby's fist and it showed no extraordinary features.

Every pair of eyes was focused on the rock to see why it was being auctioned.

The transparent force field allowed them to freely check it out, and even though the aura of the rock was not sealed, no one felt any energy fluctuations.

"Dear patrons, don't judge a book by its cover," Wassily rubbed his palms and continued. "This special rock was retrieved in a previous exploration of the core region. A detailed scan has shown it contains something far too extraordinary."

Loud discussion started as soon as the core region was mentioned.

"Core region! Then it must be definitely extraordinary!"

"Indeed!"

"Nothing from there can be normal!"

"I must purchase it!"

"Are you all idiots?" A middle-aged mercenary named Rashad asked. He was sitting in the ordinary seating zone but his voice was lough enough for everyone to focus on him.

"What?!"

"How dare you!"

"What dare?" Rashad suppressed his urge to facepalm. "Idiots, I'm saving you from being scammed."

"Scam?!"

"Yes! Give some work to your unused brain and remember the previous item that was auctioned."

"A set of three seeds...!"

"Auctioneer said they originated from a legendary tree... they only needed nourishment and care..."

"But we now know those seeds were completely useless," Rashad reminded them the most important part.

"Damn!"

"That young master from before almost went bankrupt..."

"Origin means nothing," Rashad said with a sigh. "Someone might bring a pair of shoes from the core region. Would you start treating them as a royal crown?"

"That's...!"

"Auctioneer is running a scam!"

"This rock must be as precious as a pebble!"

The excitement instantly died. Everyone looked at Wassily with heavy suspicion.

"I have never lied much less commit fraud or scam," Wassily was internally angry but on the outside, he sported a professional smile. "There is a risk in everything in life and the same applies to this auction. But tell me, if I was running a scam, would thousands of people come to attend this auction twice a year?"

The crowd felt his words made sense but the memories of Vasco's fall was far too fresh in their mind.

"Rough diamonds may sometimes be mistaken for worthless pebbles," Wassily tried to clear suspicion from audience mind.

No one started bidding yet.

Wassily brought his eyes on Kiba and muttered to himself, "If only he hasn't mentioned the truth about those seeds! Now this rock wouldn't make any profit! Damn him!"

Wassily wasn't lying when he said a detailed scan was done on the rock by the researchers at the fair. It was just that the scans found a big obstacle and the research team felt it was unfeasible to spent a fortune to bypass the obstacle.

Even before, many obstacles have been found. Usually, those obstacles were pieces of some unknown material that would hinder the sensors. They were worthless compared to the cost.

This was why the research team let go of the rock and gave it for auction.

Kiba neither listened to chaotic discussion nor he felt Wassily's stare. He was too focused on the rock to divert his attention.

"This is...!"

Cosmic energy wrapped his pupils and his visual perception changed. He saw everything in a different spectrum of light and energy.

The piece of rock indeed contained an unknown metal that restricted electromagnetic and other forms of sensory arrangement.

The unknown metal was a darker shade of blue. So dark that it was almost black.

Kiba saw this metal was folded in a conical form.

As his vision passed right through the conical metal, a familiar incendiary feeling developed inside him.

This sensation was like the briefest moment before a burning matchstick catches fire in a pool of gasoline.

It was a prelude to an explosion.

Not an explosion of some ordinary fuel, but rather, an explosion of the greatest power source the humanity has ever known.

Gene.

The sequence of nucleotides that serves as blueprints for building the chemical machinery that keeps cells alive.

Genes were more than just physical and functional unit of heredity. Unlike what was believed before the era of evolution, genes carried more than just a particular set of instructions.

They actually stored infinite power source...

Thanks to this untapped potential, human body was actually a treasure trove with endless possibilities.

The incendiary sensation crawling inside Kiba targetted this very potential to start an explosion of grand proportions.

"Thankfully I didn't make a direct connection," Kiba sighed in relief as he saw the source of this sensation.

"Otherwise the entire forest would be exterminated in a series of chain explosion."

What could be the source if not for Nanites?

The very reason he was forced to visit this forest...

Chapter 323 - Auction End Approaches

"No, that's not entirely correct," Kiba correct his thoughts as he observed the structure within the cone.

"Obviously those nanites have a weakness or something works as a balance to counter them. Otherwise, the blasts from back then would have eradicated the entire city and then the entire world."

Exploiting potential in genes as a volatile fuel was the most terrifying ability of nanites.

Felicity was only harmed by a single nanite that was greatly weakened. This allowed him to save her life but by then, the genetic material inside her was compromised. Something which was impossible to undo despite the current technological advancement.

"And there must be something in me, or more specifically, in my power of cosmic that allowed me to overpower the nanites."

Kiba recalled his encounter with nanites. Even he has faced a lot of pain and suffering when the nanites linked with his genes. He had to summon his entire strength in order to get rid of them.

Kiba bitterly smiled as he remembered the scene. He focused on the present and looked further into the piece of rock.

The entire metallic cone was filled with hexagonal prismatic cells like a honeycomb. These cells were radiating terrifying blue glow that was somehow restricted by the metallic walls.

"Nanites and yet different the ones used by those revolutionaries," Kiba was lost in thoughts.

He has acquired a small container of nanites from revolutionaries he captured in Delta City. The nanites he had was in form of a seething blue liquid.

Before coming here, Claudia has distributed nanites in his possession into three containers. One was with Claudia while the other two he has brought with him.

Of the two he possessed; he has used one when Count Viper escaped into core region through a space gate.

Kiba checked the flow of energy to see if he could discover some clues but failed. He could not even identify the metal nor why was it inside a small piece of rock.

"If it was this easy, I won't be here," Kiba chided himself.

"Nor Lizenea would be able to push World Government by the threat of nanites."

He retraced his vision back and his visual perspective returned to normal.

"I need to get that rock regardless of cost," Kiba decided, his eyes glued on the rock.

Not only for him but even for Lizenea and World Government, this rock would be priceless.

At the same time, on the stage.

"There is no lower limit," Wassily said with a very professional smile. "The bidding starts now."

Much to his disappointment, there was no excitement among the patrons. No one wanted to be another Vasco and waste money.

Even the presence of sexy Yasmine on the stage didn't have any effect.

"Well, this was unexpected," Kiba was both bewildered and amused by the situation.

Earlier, he has missed the discussion among the audience. But now after thinking for a few moments, it wasn't hard for him to guess the factors behind their hesitation.

"$1000 and a grade I - Cherry Grass," Kiba made the first bid.

Everyone instantly focused on him. They felt this bid was the weakest so far in the auction but when they saw his face, the crowd erupted into a frenzy chatter.

"He is even bidding for some rock!"

"He has bid for almost all items so far!"

"It was due to him that young master almost went bankrupt!

"Now... he is at it again!"

"Is he some collector?!"

"Or maybe he is just insane!"

At the same time.

In her private booth, Sophia snorted coldly.

"Villain! I will not fall for same trick again and again!"

She was sure he was trying to provoke her so that she would purchase this rock. She refused to fall in his scheme again and give him satisfaction.

"That's a right approach," The middle-aged woman beside her was happy.

On the stage, Wassily's expression turned downcast. He first looked at Kiba and then at Rashad. They both were responsible for the present lacklustre atmosphere.

"We got this rock for a lot more but now..." Wassily took a deep breath. "Never mind, the auction house has profited greatly from previous rounds. This useless rock doesn't make a difference."

With same smile from before, he declared Kiba as the new owner of this piece of rock.

Kiba was amused by looks of sympathy he got when he received the rock.

...

In any auction, the best items would be sold at last. The worth of those items varied from person to person, depending on their background and needs.

Grade II medical leaves and flower petals that could heal heavy injuries were now being sold. Given the crisis in the forest, such valuable items were hot in demand.

Kiba, on the other hand, showed no interest in them. Before coming to the forest, Claudia has handed him hundreds of pill bottles. They dealt with every possible case, so he wasn't in need of healing medicines.

Of course, many people here have also brought medicines from their hometowns. But they already used most of them by now, so they were in more need. Furthermore, regenerative pills contained impurities which were harmful in the long run. One might even form a resistance to such pills so acquiring natural methods of healing was a better option.

Kiba didn't face such problems. The pills created by Claudia has 100% purity and they had no side effects. This was possible thanks to a high-tech lab.

Those in ordinary and premium seats sighed in relief knowing Kiba has no interest in bidding these items.

If he participated, even if they wanted to, they felt they didn't have the right to compete for any item he bid for.

He didn't seem to have any background and yet he could spend such wealth without any restraints.

It was like he has too much money and he wanted to spend it any way possible. Perhaps, the only other person with such extravagance was the young miss from one of the reserved private booths.

Thirty minutes later.

"Now, we will begin with privileged items," Wassily informed the audience. "Their owners have very specific demands for what they want in return. As such, the earlier bidding process is no longer valid."

The new process was almost like an exchange for whatever the owners wanted.

Wassily started the process and sold carcass of two Level III beasts. Corpses of both humans and beasts were precious for research purpose. In government-operated cities, one can't get corpses, but the forest didn't have such restriction.

As long as the corpses were intact and without internal damage, they would be in demand. Their value depended on the strength they had before they died...

Kiba was not interested in corpses but representatives from science community were excited. They were more than happy to meet the demands of the original owners.

Some twenty minutes later, Wassily brought another item on the stage. The item was not clearly visible despite it being stored in a clear glass box.

The entire box was brimming with brilliant beams like rays of the sun. They were a mixture of red and blue, emitting hissing sounds.

As the audience looked at the glass box, they felt a sharp and chilling sensation crawling up their consciousness.

Kiba's pupils glowed and his vision zoomed on the glass box to check the source of brilliant beams.

It was a crystalline sheet.

"It seems familiar but I'm sure I didn't see anything like this in BSE79," Kiba thought.

At the same time, Wassily said, "According to the owner, this item----"

Even before Wassily could half-complete introduction, a feminine hand rose up in the normal seating zone.

Kiba looked in the direction of the hand. He was surprised to see it belonged to Leela.

"Why would she be seated in such a place given her background?" Kiba wondered.

Between the index finger and thumb, she was holding a golden coin. The coin has an engraving of a wheel.

Dharma Chakra.

In the front seating row, a man - whose features were hidden by a bamboo hat - rose to his feet.

"Deal," The man said.

On the stage, Wassily was taken aback.

"Sir, you demanded---"

"My item, my rules," The man interjected. "Besides, you already have received your commission."

Wassily was helpless and all he could do was give a nod in acknowledgment.

Leela flipped the coin in the air and it was enveloped by telekinetic energy. Like a beam of light, it shot forward and arrived in front of the bamboo-hat man.

He took the coin in his hand and pressed it tightly.

"You could have done a direct exchange," Leela's voice entered his ears. "Without all this."

The bamboo-hat man didn't reply. He put the coin in his pocket and left the auditorium.

Leela also rose to her feet and took her leave.

Almost everyone was baffled. They felt the item must be truly special for it to be sold this late in the auction, and yet, its owner was satisfied with some coin.

A few people in the front seating row knew what the inscription on the coin meant but even they were surprised. They knew the coin denoted Dharma Chakra but were oblivious to its significance.

Only one individual knew the value of the coin.

Sophia.

"Promise of Dharma!" Sophia's misty blue eyes turned wide. "Dad has only two!"

While curious, Kiba didn't think about the golden coin. Instead, he tried to remember why he felt the crystalline sheet familiar.

"The main components of the satellite used by Akshobhya have similar crystal structure!" Kiba recalled three blue crystal cubes. "This sheet was emitting both blue and red beams... Then that would mean..."

Kiba has a faint idea of why Leela wanted to acquire this sheet.

"Let's move to the next round," Wassily said to the audience.

At the same time, a group of staff members placed around ten container jars on the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let me present you the vital organs of a level V reptile: Three-headed Cobra," Wassily gave a brief introduction.

The entire auditorium instantly broke into a chaotic discussion. The very mention of level V was more than enough to overwhelm everyone.

Level V?!

That was almost like a legend for the masses. Most mutants were struck on either level I or II, and further advancement was not only difficult but extremely costly.

So, it wasn't hard to guess how shocked the audience was.

Ashlyn turned her head towards Kiba as she recalled him wanting the gall of this snake. Just as she expected, he was pleasantly surprised.

"Iron Blood Mercenary Corps hunted this cobra," Wassily informed the audience. "It took them months of preparations and execution along with the sacrifice of hundreds of their comrades... The auction house pays respect to those fallen heroes."

Wassily knew secret details of this hunt. From what he heard, the cobra was at its weakest after it laid eggs and the corps used it as a perfect opportunity.

They set a trap of explosives and used the eggs as bait. Yet, despite the preparations, over a hundred died. This was besides the drones and droids that were destroyed.

"This must be the reason why they are auctioning here instead of transporting the corpse to a city," Wassily thought. "They are in urgent needs of resources."

No one in the audience truly cared about how the losses incurred by mercenary corps. All they wanted was for the auction to start.

"A representative from Iron Blood Mercenary Corps is here and he will decide the winner of every bid," Wassily pointed to an individual in the front seating row.

He was a large and well-muscled man.

The virtual screens beside the stage displayed this representative.

He was broad in the shoulders with white hair gathered into a topknot. The left part of his face was covered by a mask in which only his red pupil was visible. The right part of his face was normal though his eye was shut tight.

"Maddox from Iron Blood Mercenary Corps!" Many in the seating rows identified him.

"He is one of the strongest in Gamma mutants! He is just a half-step from Beta!"

"He is also greedy and abuses his strength to get what he wants!" A few silently muttered in their hearts.

"We will be first selling the heads," Wassily informed the audience. "For the first head, Maddox has demanded over ten Grade III or higher herbs focused on enhancing regenerative abilities."

Very few had the capability to participate in this bidding round.

Kiba silently waited as one organ after another was sold.

"The next item is the gall," Wassily pointed to a container jar. "It is very useful for research purpose, especially in genetic engineering."

There were other uses as well but Wassily was aiming for rich patrons who were representatives of corporations and scientists.

"It would be exchanged for any item that is capable of extending lifespan," Wassily stated the demand. "At the very least, an extension of six months."

The entire auditorium instantly turned silent.

Extending lifespan?!

Even items capable of giving an extra hour were rare much less six months.

The mutants who possess such items would not sell. After all, who doesn't want to keep such item for self or for loved ones?

And those that might sell, there is no way they would spend it just like this.

Wassily shook his head in disappointment. He knew Maddox was asking for too much but he had no say in it so he just stated demand.

"Since no one is betting then I would," Kiba's voice broke through the silence like a sword.

Almost everyone in the hall had their breath taken away. They glanced at Kiba and saw fruit in his hand.

"No way!"

"A vitality enhancing fruit!"

"It is raw so, at most, it might extend lifespan by a year! That's twice the original demand!!"

"Damn!"

"Why would he sell such precious fruit?!"

"He must be crazy!"

Everyone inhaled sharply in disbelief and wonder. Most of them wanted to snatch that fruit from his hand but they didn't dare.

Inside a private booth.

Sophia and her middle-aged woman were startled.

"He has such a fruit!"

Sophia looked out of the glass wall and focused on the fruit in his hand.

"He could have easily won previous rounds if he wanted!"

The middle-aged woman nodded and said, "Yes, he could, if he wanted."

"Scoundrel was hiding his wealth!"

If Sophia had acquired such a fruit, she wouldn't be allowed to use it. She would be obliged to hand it over to her family.

After all, the ones who feared death the most were the old and powerful. An aristocrat family didn't lack such people.

An aristocrat descendant might enjoy a lot of privileges, but this also made them shackled to the ties of blood...

Outside the booth, everyone was chattering about the fruit. They still found it hard to believe Kiba was spending it here.

"He is throwing away a treasure!" Wassily muttered to himself. "What a waste"

"Wonderful!" Maddox's pupil brightened in excitement.

"Wait, his expression is nonchalant despite him agreeing to exchange such a fruit! That would either mean he has more such fruits or, he is so desperate for that gall that he doesn't care about the fruit! Or even both!!"

Maddox inwardly sneered as he reached this conclusion.

"Wassily, you seemed to have mistaken my demands," Maddox turned towards Wassily and said. "I wanted two items and not one. That fruit might have double vitality to what I wanted but it can be only consumed by one person, so it hardly makes a difference."

"What?!"

Chapter 324 - As Expected!

(A/N: Two chapters combined into one!)

No one dared trust their ears.

Maddox was asking for another fruit?! And even saying the extra six months vitality didn't make any difference?!

Does he think vitality enhancing fruits were some common cabbages?!

Wassily stared at Maddox for a long time. It wasn't hard for him or others to understand his intentions.

Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.

Kiba knitted his eyebrows.

He only has one such fruit, and even that was acquired due to actions of some fools who wanted to cause trouble.

As for why he didn't show any hesitation or discomfort, it was rather simple. The fruit has no value for him.

None compared to what was at stake for him.

Maddox looked at Kiba with a sly smile. He knew he was asking for a fortune, but he has confidence.

Ashlyn stretched her left hand out. On her palm, out of nowhere, clusters of light appeared. They converged together to transform into a reddish-green fruit.

"That's...!" Maddox's breathing turned heavy.

"A Life Boost Fruit!" Wassily stumbled a step back in shock. He rubbed his eyes and checked the item in her hands.

"How did such rare fruits become so common?!" Anamarie was having a hard time making sense of things.

Kiba was also surprised. He wasn't aware of her having such a fruit.

Without saying anything, she placed the fruit in his hand.

Maddox and others were stunned. Even though her actions seemed obvious after she retrieved the fruit, the actual act made them dumbfounded.

"Did I see it right?!"

"She is giving him such a precious fruit?!"

"Are they both insane?!"

A few seats away, Lambert and Pollard looked at each other. They both analyzed Ashlyn's actions and instantly reached to same conclusion:

Nutcracking Demoness is under complete control of the traitor!

"Ashlyn," Kiba didn't know what to say.

He might not find life-extending fruits valuable, but he knew their worth. They were priceless...

"You can pay me later," Ashlyn said after which she closed her eyes.

"Yeah," Kiba smiled in response.

He brought his eyes on Maddox and showed him the two fruits. The one he had could enhance vitality almost by a year while the one Ashlyn gave could boost lifespan by 6-7 months.

A staff member handed him the winning item while taking away the two fruits. The staff member returned to backstage.

Maddox was all smiles as he saw the distant silhouette of the staff member. He knew he just must wait for the auction to end and those fruits would be in his hands.

Just then, a cold voice entered his ears.

"Greed is so destructive that it destroys everything."

Startled, he turned back but Kiba ignored his response...

The auction resumed with more items. Some of them were precious enough to catch the eyes of the representatives of important factions.

An hour later, the last item was sold.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the auction is not yet over," Wassily said with a cheerful smile.

"The auction is not over?"

Guests from both floors of auditorium wondered aloud.

"Well, it has but not entirely," Wassily informed his patrons. "Let me show you what I meant."

A section of the floor opened, and a metallic column rose up. Above it, a glass box was placed, covered by a red cloth that made it impossible for even those with enhanced eyesight to investigate.

"Is it another item?" The crowd wondered why the secrecy.

Wassily could have just auctioned it with other items. They looked at him with a questioning look.

Wassily easily understood the thoughts running in their minds.

"This item is not for sale," Wassily signalled his assistant. "At least, not for now."

Yasmine picked the cloth and let everyone see the item inside the glass box. It was a mass of a jelly-like crystalline ore with its dimensions even lesser than a baby's fist.

The crystalline ore has glowing particles flowing through it, following some principle that was hard to grasp for a human mind. It was completely translucent, colorless despite the glowing particles, and seen-through.

The ore was beautiful like a mighty ocean and limitless sky...

As long as one sees it for even once, it was hard to concentrate on anything else. Despite the glass seal and the force field protection, everyone could feel the fluctuations radiated by the crystalline ore.

"These energy fluctuations are like the life of a new-born! Pure and innocent!"

"What is it?"

Most people were completely clueless about the identity of the core. They just continued to stare but those in the front rows and VIP booths were shell-shocked. Their expression instantly changed into shock and disbelief as soon as they felt the fluctuations.

"Body Molding Ore!" Abbasov exclaimed. "One can use it to create a new body!"

"What?!" The auditorium went into a frenzy. Discussion started with everyone's eyes still glued on the stage.

"Creation of a new body is different than cloning," A knowledgeable middle-aged shared information. "The Body Molding Ore offers more of symbiosis function along with a strong ability to adaptability. But unlike most symbiosis' genetic material, this crystalline ore has no instinct of its own. So, by borrowing principles from both hybridization and cloning, it is possible to have a perfect body of own without the usual side effects of cloning..."

"A new body!"

"In the long run, it is better than those vitality fruits!"

"I need to purchase it!"

"My old man is at his life's end! He needs it!"

"My mother is in a coma and she can only awaken if her physical body's condition improves... I'm going to purchase it!"

"Fuck your senile parents, you dimwits! I need to have a trump card when death comes for me...And this core sounds like a very good option for me!"

"Damn you! Even if you have the core, you would need to hire top scientists! No genetic scientist would help an idiot like you!"

"I have money and resources so I will get what I want!"

On the stage, Wassily was smiling from ear to ear as he listened to the chatter. He knew the effect of this new item would have on people. Some would desire it for their loved ones as they approached their life's end. While most of them wanted it for themselves. After all, the greatest fear in the world was death. People would jump on any chance to delay it even if it was just by an hour.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Wassily clapped his hands to get the crowd's attention back.

"This item would be sold in the next auction, i.e. after the closing of the core region. Many of you would be exploring the core region when it opens, and in the process, you would acquire priceless treasures. But remember, nothing is as precious as life! And this Body Molding Ore is another chance for life! So make sure you attend the next auction 50 days later! If you acquire a treasured item from the core region, it wouldn't be impossible for you to purchase this ore!"

The patrons erupted into another discussion.

Not many attended the first auction as it was before the core region opened. As such, the items were not that precious. But it would be obviously different in the second auction.

Kiba didn't listen to the chatter and discussion. He didn't care for the words spoken by Wassily either.

As soon as he saw the crystalline ore, he has only one thought: "I must get it now!"

He didn't need it to create a body of his own. He knew that was impossible for him as his body was different than others.

In his highly advanced lab where every equipment was high-tech, he has tried to clone parts of his body but only achieved failure. This was not due to lack of skills or knowledge but rather lack of data on cosmic genetic material. Cosmic Spark would mask his genetic material from the technology of humans, and as such, it was impossible to duplicate his body.

Kiba neither needed it for him or for even Felicity. For Felicity, it was no option due to the nature of damage the nanites did it in the genetic functions linked with consciousness. If he created a new body, it would still have the same problem as her original.

He needed this ore for the most important entity in his life.

The one who has given total support to him whether he was Kiba or Zed.

Who could it be if not Claudia?

She was an advanced Artificial Intelligence and not a biological organism. As such, she has no physical body except for the core that served as her source and brain.

She has personality, intelligence, and self-awareness. And just like any human being, she was constantly learning and changing from experience.

Could she still be called just a machine?

Claudia might not be a living being from a traditional point of view, but for him, she was no less than a human.

She only lacked a physical body...

While she hasn't expressed any wish to have a real body, he was sure she would love to have one.

Body of a human and not that of a robot or cyborg.

If it was a few days ago, he would lack both the confidence and ability to construct a human body. The presence of this crystalline ore wouldn't have made any difference. After all, the ore contained life energy that would only match with the consciousness of a living organism.

Even now, this problem existed but thanks to his meeting with Pythia, he has some possible solution in mind.

Pythia has acquired a Legacy Orb dealing with the life of Asmodeus Freyr Burislav. She has used this Legacy Orb to explain Kiba about various branches of immortality.

He was not interested in immortality but now, he was glad she explained to him in details. Thanks to that, he has some ideas on using the principles of immortality to construct a body for Claudia.

Specifically, he planned to use the basic concept from Parasitic Immortality and use it to construct neuron receptors that could resonate with processors constructed to Claudia's orb.

Of course, so far, everything was just in theory. He would need more resources and even after that, success was not guaranteed.

But for now, the faint hope was more than enough.

Kiba opened his eyes and smiled. Ashlyn noticed his expression and wondered if he was also interested in buying that item.

On the stage, Yasmine put the red cloth back on the glass box. Wassily was ready to end the auction when he saw Kiba standing up from his seat.

"What?" Wassily enquired as he saw Kiba taking a step towards the stage.

"I have a schedule to keep," Kiba's steps were slow and relaxed as he continued. "Due to which, I would be in time constraints and most likely, I won't get the chance to attend the second auction."

He has given his words to Agatha to return in two months. So far, it has been a little over two weeks. and by the time the core region opened, and his exploration ended, he would be close to the deadline. At that time, he couldn't afford to wait for a week or two just for the second auction to start.

"You are a valued patron, but I can't change the rules for you," Wassily internally snorted in disdain. If Kiba couldn't attend the second auction, then he has lost his value as a patron now.

"There must be a way," Kiba pressed for leniency.

"There is," Wassily thought for a moment before continuing. "If you have a truly precious item whose worth is no less than a treasure from the core region."

"Oh!" Kiba nodded with a pondering expression. "I understand."

"So do you still want Body Molding Ore?" Wassily asked.

"Yes," Kiba continued to step slowly towards the stage.

Everyone looked at him and wondered what he has to offer. They wondered if he has some supreme treasure or precious resource if he wants to exchange such a valuable item.

"He must be really confident if he thinks he could purchase it," A young master from an aristocrat family said.

"It is definitely not vitality extending items! They are precious but not as precious as this ore!"

"What item do you think he has?" A female miss asked her friends.

"Maybe some treasure map of the core region? After all, any information about that region is truly precious."

"Naa! A map is not an equal exchange! There is no way the auction house would give him the crystalline ore for that."

"Maybe some key or an alien relic carrying secrets of Celestial Elysian Plane?"

"It is possible."

Anamarie, Mendel, and a dozen of others on the front rows wondered what he has to offer.

Wassily looked at Kiba with a curious expression while wondering the same. He inwardly thought he would not let Kiba scam him with any item that was even 1% less precious than the crystalline body molding ore.

"What do you have to offer, kid?" Mendel asked loudly. He didn't want to drag time if the item Kiba wants to exchange was useless.

Kiba didn't reply but his eyes flickered.

With a speed that eyes could not register, Kiba smashed a palm on the transparent force field surrounding the stage. Golden ripples cascaded out of his palm surface and crashed into the force field.

The ripples carried intense vibrations that spread throughout the force field. Every object has a weaker point and the golden ripples swept towards the weak points.

In the case of this force field, this weakness was its power source. Over a hundred pod-like discs implanted below the stage were the power source.

The golden ripples rampaged through them and they started emitting a buzzing sound. The devices responsible for a force field that was strong enough to handle a few attacks from a strength-type Level IV mutant was malfunctioning from inside.

Rumble!

The entire stage shook with heavy noises, and under the shocked stares of everyone, the force field began to crack apart into brilliant sparks. It has not been even two seconds from the time Kiba smashed his palm to the present rumbling.

BOOM

The force field exploded like an eggshell.

Swoosh~!

A massive storm of force field fragments erupted in all directions, carrying deadly force.

A small fragment crashed into a power circuit nearby, and the lights above the stage instantly dimmed. The virtual screens alongside disappeared with strong buzzing sound.

Wassily's complexion changed instantly. He wasn't particularly strong, and this was why he only managed auctions.

Chi~ Chi~

Wassily stepped back from the glass treasure chest as dozens of glass-like energy fragments swept towards him.

He pressed on a specially manufactured protective charm and rays of light swept out to surround him with a barrier. Yasmine did the same and she ran backstage to save her life.

At the same time, the guests on the front rows jumped from their chairs and leaped back. A few of them, who were not fast enough, were sent flying back as the fragments struck into them. They released terrible shrieks as the blood inside them tumbled like a rampaging beast.

For most, the exclusive seats in the front became a source of absolute misery.

Anamarie gave a light snort as the force field fragments drew towards her. Her hair rose into the air and two braids whipped forward, their open ends emitting a devouring force. The fragments disappeared among her hair.

More braids swept out and sucked the fragments of force field. Her quick action saved a lot of lives, but she wasn't the least bit happy.

"What do you think you are doing?!" Anamarie knitted her brows tightly as her eyes fell on the stage.

While everyone was busy saving themselves from the force field storm, Kiba leisurely walked on the stage and arrived before the column above which the most precious item of the auction was placed. He threw away the unnecessary red cloth and brought his eyes on the crystalline liquid.

With a smile that could make women drop their skirts, he grabbed the treasure box in his hands.

Anamarie's expression turned ugly. It could not be any more obvious to her what his intentions were.

He was carrying out a robbery in broad daylight!

"I'm really in need of this," Kiba said cheerfully. "So I hope you don't mind me having it."

As Wassily heard Kiba's words, his breathing turned heavy and he gripped his fists so tight that they turned white. Earlier, Kiba has nodded when he explained about equal exchange but now, the attitude he displayed was in complete contrast.

Bastard!

Are you kidding?!

Obviously we would mind!

This is an auction and not some charity gala where a needy person can take anything he wants!

Wassily's eyes lit up as he saw the guards and droids rushed towards the stage. He didn't want to risk his life facing a guy like Kiba, so he was happy to see the incoming guards.

Wassily was sure of Kiba's fate. He decided to ask the guards not to kill Kiba as his living body could be sold for a good price.

Kiba, on the other hand, didn't seem worried about the guards nor about Anamarie and others who were getting ready to act.

His eyes sparkled as he ran a hand over the glass box.

"Every single of you is so generous to help a needy person," Kiba placed the glass box under his one arm and then turned towards the seating audience. "But I can't take it for free so..."

With his other hand, he took out an envelope from his shirt pocket. He placed it down on the column.

Kiba turned towards the audience where everyone was looking at him in shock.

Anamarie's two braids rushed out like poisonous snakes. They penetrated through air and whizzing sound of rushing wind ringed throughout the auditorium.

In less than a moment, they appeared before his chest, ready to pierce him.

Kiba's lips curled up in a smile. Then like a bolt of lightning, he rushed through the short gap between braids.

A sonic boom reverberated, and he transformed into a stream of light that brushed past the incoming guards.

His speed was too fast for most people to even detect his movements. All they felt was a gust of air passing by and nothing else.

"You are courting death!" Anamarie's eyes blazed with fury she has never known.

Her braids twirled behind her like a turbo motor and her speed exploded. She rushed to capture the source of this absolute humiliation along with Mendel and a few mercenary friends.

Ashlyn was still seating in the premium zone. She looked on as Kiba rushed out through a door followed by Anamarie and others.

Despite her personality, she couldn't help but smile.

"I should have known this is what he would do."

She rose to her feet. Blue current erupted below her feet and she speeded out...

In one of the private booths.

Sophia was seating on a sofa. She placed down a glass of juice on a table and said, "As expected, he has finally shown his true colors! Villains don't pay, they just rob!"

Chapter 325 - Bold Inspiration!

The guards were still dashing towards the stage as they saw Kiba standing there but only after they arrived, did they noticed it was just a shadowy spectre, created by terrifying speed fluctuations. The spectre slowly faded into thin air...

Both the guards and guests have a blank look for a long time.

"Did you see what I see?"

"I just witnessed a robbery..."

"So my brain is not messed up... The auction house was really robbed in front of two Dark Stars and top experts!!"

"Why would he do it?"

"Well, he said needed that crystalline liquid so he robbed it?"

"He could have purchased it... Did he not have resources?!"

"Obviously not! Besides, that's not the issue!!"

Most people here have attended auctions around the globe, but they never witnessed an auction house being robbed so openly.

No, they never heard about an auction house being robbed at all. Till now, their idea of a robbery was usually restricted to banks and houses.

Today, their horizons were truly expanded after witnessing a truly unique event.

In the future, when history would be chronicled, they would be remembered as witnesses of this grand event. It was something to be proud of.

Many of them would even share today's events as a story with their grandkids...

Meanwhile, Wassily noticed the white envelope on the column. He remembered what Kiba said about it, so he picked it.

The attention of others was also taken by the envelope.

"He said that he can't take the item for free! So maybe this is not a true robbery?!"

"I don't think that's how it works..."

"Perhaps it contains some information about core region?"

"Or a check...seems more plausible."

"Unlikely after all he has done!"

The virtual screens around the screen activated back.

Wassily opened the envelope and took out a letter.

He looked at the letter carefully but didn't notice anything special. It was a plain letter that can be purchased anywhere with no cost at all.

"So cheap," Wassily cursed in his heart.

Suppressing his anger at the thief, he opened the letter and noticed three lines of text. As soon as he read the text, his eyes bulged out. His entire body shook and the anger he was suppressing till now exploded in his bloodstream.

"Son of a bitch!" Wassily was so incensed that steam was coming out of his ears. His face was flushed red like a tomato and he threw the letter on the floor.

At the same time, Yasmine returned from backstage. Her face was pale, and she was huffing loudly.

"Sir! Bad news!" Yasmine said while trying to breathe in.

"What could be worse than having our main treasure item stolen?" Wassily snapped at her angrily.

"It isn't that bad," Yasmine agreed though she was sure he wouldn't think the same way after she shared the news.

"Just tell me what it is," Wassily barked while looking at the letter on the floor.

"Sir, as you know, the wealth and resources we gained from selling the items were moved backstage," Yasmine was trembling as she continued. "They are now missing."

"Missing?!" Wassily's expression turned unsightlier.

"According to the staff members, rays of white light wrapped around the money cards and resources... then they disappeared in thin air," Yasmine gave an explanation. "I think it happened at the same time as the force field broke on stage. The fluctuations from force field storm created enough disturbance for no one to notice..."

Everything they have gained from the auction was gone. This was very terrible news for the auction house. They have yet to pay the original owners of the items but with everything gone, just how were they supposed to pay?!

If it was only monetary compensation, the auction house could manage. But the problem was they must pay the original owners with mutated fruits and herbs. Some of the owners had made specific demands before they agreed to auction their items. Like the person who wanted fruit with the ability to boost life force.

When Wassily thought this, his face turned as white as a paper. He once again looked at the letter on the floor and his eyes turned bloodshot.

The rage boiling inside him accelerated his blood pressure beyond the capacity of his old heart. His veins snapped and he lost consciousness.

With a thud sound, he collapsed on the floor...

Wassily didn't know it now, but when the chronicles of the first auction robbery would be recorded, his name would be forever engraved in the history books.

He would be fondly remembered as the honest auctioneer who was so angered by the thief that he fell unconscious.

It was a different matter that Wassily would rather be not remembered at all for this glorious episode. He would prefer to be forgotten as an unknown...

At the same time, the autofocus of the camera was zoomed on the letter. The crowd didn't hear the conversation between Wassily and Yasmine as their voices were low.

Rather, the audience looked at the screens. They were overwhelmed when they read the text through the screens.

They had a hard time believing they were reading it right. Many of them even rubbed their eyes before reading the text again.

[Thank you for being so generous. In return, you have my heartfelt gratitude. Goodbye and have a nice day :-) ]

"Shameless!" The crowd erupted into loud curses.

"Despicable!" Both men and women, young and old, joined in cursing Kiba.

"He didn't have resources, so he stole the crystalline ore...that was still fine to a certain extent but this...!!"

"Heartfelt gratitude?! My ass!"

"How can anyone from the auction house have a nice day after being robbed?!"

"No wonder the poor auctioneer collapsed!"

Yasmine let out a bitter cry as she heard the loud discussion. The audience didn't know he has robbed the entire auction house and not just one item.

"He is truly something," Yasmine thought of Kiba and sighed. She crouched down to help her master...

This kind of thing had never happened in the auction. Perhaps, in the several decades of the fair's history, this was the first time that such a robbery has taken place.

This was the reason the entire auction house fell in chaos and uproar. Everyone madly discussed the events so far while wondering what will happen now.

"It might be an unpopular opinion," The mercenary named Rashad's words picked everyone attention.

"But that golden-haired man did no wrong. We are in Desolate Blood Forest... the law of the jungle reigns supreme here."

"That's true!" Another old-timer agreed. "The Fair is an exception but everywhere else in the forest, people kill each other for their wealth. Even in the cities governed by the world government, stealing is not uncommon. Corrupt officers, corporates... everyone is robbing us!"

"That man has guts to do what none of us ever could... stealing from lion's den!" Rashad said. "He should be your source of inspiration!"

"Right!"

"Rob what you can't purchase!"

"Yes!"

"Rob!!"

In one of the private booths, a beautiful young woman listened to the intense discussion outside.

Her eyes sparkled as she heard old-timers romanticizing the robbery.

"A true man takes whatever he wants even if it is by stealing! Only such a man can get a woman's heart!"