Auction Part Six

Bein surveys his new adversaries: a Shadow Tendril Cat, Gale-Winged Harpy, Inferno Horned Bull, Crystalback Tortoise, and Voidborne Wraith. 'Different ranks, but manageable,' he assesses confidently. His eyes scan each monster, calculating his approach.

Meanwhile, Kael, with his characteristic flair, spins his cane and slams it onto the ground. "The great thing about the future of warfare," he begins, holding up a finger and flipping a gold coin. As the coin lands, he declares with emphasis, "It's Cheap~" His voice resonates across the room, capturing everyone's attention.

As Bein engages in combat, Kael snaps his fingers, and a large holographic screen materializes, displaying various firearms. "We sell the E-B Rank guns in bulk. A and S ranks are sold in pairs." His announcement is met with a mix of awe and concern among the audience.

Queen Celeste, watching the screen, rubs her temples, her mind racing. 'This will cause an uproar. The E-C ranks are priced like low-quality magic swords, yet these guns are simpler and more reliable. B ranks are affordable, too. I'll need a new squad for these weapons. I came for the national-grade weapon, but I can't overlook this...'

In one of the VIP rooms, a hooded figure, a member of the P.O.B., taps the table with a mix of frustration and concern. "This is unacceptable," they utter in a low, cold, yet calm voice. Another figure seated next to them adds, "For them to know where to find us..." Their conversation reveals a hint of anxiety and a sense of being exposed.

"It's unfortunate we can't make a move," the first figure continues, their voice barely concealing the underlying tension.

In a different VIP room, a man who has remained disinterested until now suddenly perks up. His attention is piqued by the unfolding events. He looks down at the display with newfound interest, reaching for his table to grab a cup of green mai tea.

Kael, observing the spectacle with a wide grin, revels in the audience's reaction. 'Yes, yes, YES! They're all strategizing already. They haven't even heard the full terms of purchase, yet they flinch at the mere mention of prices. Hahahahaha! Bow before me you wack-ass fools!' His eyes gleam with delight and a touch of arrogance as he watches the attendees' responses, a testament to his influence.

Turning his attention back to Bein, he silently assesses the vice guild master's performance. 'I need to get stronger. His movements are too fast for me to track. Just a blur of flashes and action,' a hint of ambition and determination in his gaze.

Ilka, floating nearby, swings her feet playfully as she observes. "Hey, Kael, that guy fighting down there isn't bad. But you said he's the vice guild master of the adventurers' guild, right?" She pauses, then continues with a hint of incredulity, "Why is he so weak? The vice guild masters in my time were at least three times stronger than that." Kael, ignoring her commentary, 'Tsk, she's lucky no one else can see her.'

Meanwhile, Bein skillfully navigates the chaos of the battle. He jumps back, scanning his surroundings, as rapid movements encircle him. 'This Shadow Tendril Cat is infuriating. It bends in and out of shadows like clay,' he calculates internally. He fires upwards, hitting the Harpy's wings and disrupting its balance. As it struggles to stay airborne, Bein takes aim at its neck, and with a single shot, its head falls, and the body crashes to the ground.

Turning swiftly, Bein uses the shotgun as a shield against the Tendril Cat's slashing attack. The creature retreats back into the shadows, elusive and unpredictable. 'Without mana or skills, pinpointing its exact location is tricky,' he notes, feeling the challenge of the fight.

His attention is then drawn to the Inferno Horned Bull, charging towards him with horns ablaze like flaming torches. Bein leaps, his agility on full display. 'This one should be straightforward with this weapon,' he thinks confidently. As he descends, he grabs one of the flaming horns, unfazed by the searing heat. He forcefully pushes the bull's head down. 'Its skin is incredibly tough. The only way to take it down is...' He flips his body, positioning the shotgun right into the bull's mouth. As the bull attempts to exhale fire, Bein pulls the trigger, the shot resonating inside and shattering its brain.

Bein, with a firm grip on the Inferno Horned Bull's horn, exerts his strength, lifting the massive creature effortlessly. "I can finally kill you," he mutters with a sense of finality. With a swift motion, he uses the bull's horn to impale the Shadow Tendril Cat, piercing its chest. 'To kill these annoying beasts, I need to stab their heart and rip off their heads simultaneously.'

With remarkable ease, he uses one arm to grab the cat by its neck and tears its head off, ending its elusive dance of shadows. Turning quickly, he uses the now lifeless body of the bull as a shield against an incoming attack. A surge of demonic energy fills the area, causing the barrier to quiver. Dropping the skeletal remains of the bull, Bein prepares for his next opponent, the Voidborne Wraith.

'The problem with this monster,' he observes, aiming at the Wraith and firing a bullet, which harmlessly passes through its form. 'I knew it, this won't do.' Bein dodges back as six black tentacles lash out, trying to ensnare him. His agility keeps him just out of their reach. 'Voidborne Wraiths release demonic energy, shifting into an energy form to phase through objects. Holy magic is the key.'

Rummaging through his pocket, he finds what he expected - a magic bullet imbued with holy magic. Loading it into the shotgun, Bein allows the tentacles to catch him, drawing him closer to the Wraith. As he nears the creature, he aims the shotgun directly at its body and fires, obliterating it with a single, well-placed shot. "I really like this shotgun," Bein muses, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Makes close-range fights a breeze."

He then turns his attention to the giant, slumbering Crystalback Tortoise. Approaching it, he contemplates, "Normally, it would take 13 precise strikes at three separate locations to penetrate its shell. Waking it would activate its magic defenses, making the fight tedious." He notices a small crack in the tortoise's shell and carefully inserts the shotgun barrel. "I knew it," he thinks, pulling the trigger. The single shot echoes, instantly ending the tortoise's slumber - and its life.

As the barrier vanishes, the diligent workers swiftly move in, efficiently cleaning up the aftermath of the battle. Kael, with a flourish, spins his cane and approaches Bein, who methodically places the guns back on display and hands over the remaining bullets.

Kael commends Bein, "Well done, Vice Guild Master. As expected, you can deal with A-rank beasts with ease." Bein, with a hint of fatigue in his voice, replies, "It's my job to hunt beasts." Kael, retrieving a box, thinks to himself, 'Okay, now that this is over, let's start the main event.' Handing the box to Bein, he says, "This is for your guild master. I hope she likes it." Reactivating the seals on Bein before he returns to his seat.

"Now, ladies and gentlemen!" Kael announces, his cane thumping against the ground as he snaps his fingers. The audience's seats rearrange back to their original positions, and the lights shift dramatically, eventually converging on a box covered with a sheet. Kael, humming a tune, strides up to the box and with a dramatic gesture, whips off the sheet. "May I introduce to you the greatest creation of the century!" The platform elevates, revealing the Dragon's Eye Sniper.

The container itself, crafted from pure Elarian obsidian, gleams under the focused lights. Its surface is intricately carved with runes,

each rune adding a mystical allure to its appearance. The crowd's eyes are drawn to the box as Kael grins beneath his mask, his excitement palpable. He opens the box, allowing everyone a clear view of the Dragon's Eye Sniper.

The sniper rifle itself is a testament to craftsmanship and innovation. Its body, a metallic deep crimson-red hue, is accented with sophisticated black and silver linings that trace its elegant yet formidable form. Measuring an impressive 8 feet, it exudes a sense of power and precision. The audience is captivated by its sleek, yet imposing design.

Kael, basking in the awe of the crowd, declares, "This beauty is the pinnacle of weaponry, a true masterpiece." His voice then shifts to a colder tone, "A weapon that controls the battlefield." The audience listens intently, aware they are witnessing a game-changing moment in weaponry.

Queen Celeste, observing the sniper, feels a shiver run down her spine. 'That thing is massive. How much firepower is packed into that? With no external runes, the power must be internal, making replication impossible,' she thinks, her mind racing with strategic implications.

Meanwhile, Lilith's eyes widen in recognition of the sniper's potential. 'I may not be able to use magic right now, but I recognize power. That orb, that faint aura I sense... It's made from a high-grade lich core,' she realizes, her expertise in magic engineering informing her assessment. As Leo cautions her to remain seated, she complies but her mind is racing. "This is insane. It really is a national-grade weapon," she murmurs, her thoughts swirling with concern and intrigue.

Lilith, rubbing her forehead tiredly, contemplates her next move. 'Should I use the magic tower to get ahold of it? The weapon being showcased cannot fall into the hands of any kingdom. The only logical solution would be for a reliable third party to hold onto it,' she muses, her concern evident in her furrowed brow.

In the audience, Zagrax, his excitement barely contained, clenches Vexira's shoulder. 'I want it. No, I need it. That gun is mine. How could—' His thoughts are abruptly interrupted by Vexira's wince. "You're going to break my arm," she complains.

Zagrax, slightly embarrassed, clears his throat. "I got excited," he admits, trying to regain his composure.

Kael, standing confidently with the Dragon's Eye Sniper, can't help but smirk as he senses the overwhelming desire emanating from the audience. 'Hahahaha, that's right, all of you are beneath me! Everything is going according to plan. It's about time I use this bad boy, I've been holding back for so long now,' he thinks triumphantly. Holding onto the sniper, he reminds himself to stay calm. Taking a deep breath, he announces, "This bad boy can hit a target 1,000 miles away! But don't take my word for it!"

With a snap of his fingers, the ground and roof begin to shake. Massive explosions reverberate through the room, drawing everyone's eyes upward. The roof, made of glass, reveals a stormy sky above. As rocks and debris rain down, a shield activates, sliding the rubble off, unveiling the tempestuous sky engulfed in lightning and surrounded by hurricanes.

Kael, with a firm and excited tone, challenges the audience, "Now, can anyone in the audience tell me where we are?"

Queen Celeste looks around, a sense of déjà vu washing over her. 'This weather seems familiar... Have I been here before?' she wonders, trying to place the location.

After a tense minute, a figure stands, removing her cloak to reveal a striking young woman with pink-purple hair and matching eyes. Dressed in an elegant black gown, she smiles enigmatically and winks at Kael. "Sir Seven, this is Aerolithia, correct?" she inquires confidently.

Lilith, who couldn't care less about their location, stands up again, her gaze fixed on the young woman. "Why is there a witch here?" she demands, her tone a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

Kael, acknowledging the 'young' woman's correct answer, smiles behind his mask. "That's right, thank you for pointing it out, Miss Willowmist," he says, pointing skyward as lightning illuminates the peaks of Aerolithia. "We are on the land in the sky, about 1,000 miles that way lies someone everyone here is aware of."