Chapter 81: Heart

While we were talking, the auction had continued, prices increasing exponentially from the seemingly large sum I had just spent. 

Anything from massive weapons and sets of artisanal enchanted armor to exotic animals and unique materials changed hands for millions of coin. An Authority 10’s steel spear, a shaft as hefty as its head entwined in silver vines, a near-custom piece never to be seen on the open market, was sold for 10 million coin. An Authority 11 Knight’s set of armor, a gleaming amalgamation of shell and steel, sold for nearly 20 times as much. 

The numbers were as incredible as the items being sold. Captain Ignov’s words seemed to be painting themselves true right before my eyes. 

Most of these items would never be seen again. They were one of a kind and exorbitantly expensive. Even Umara was stunned. Despite her family’s Dukedom and the incredible wealth it entailed, the sheer amount of coin that moved on a whim was still an entirely different scale. 

Well, we were both expanding our worldview. 

The only thing more exclusive than the high-Authority gear was a set of enchanting blueprints; the seller, much like Apocryon did with his enhancement pills sold only a few months ago, gave up production rights to a mass-market water production enchantment. The final price, set by an anonymous buyer after a tense bidding battle, soared to an even 300 million. 

But even greater things were to come. Tension built up in the audience as the end of the auction approached, the blacked out spot at the bottom of the catalogue generating more and more excitement. By the time the last few items had been auctioned off, murmurs and wild speculation rippled throughout the floor, the audience’s anticipation at a boiling point. 

“Ladies and gentlemen! I now present to you our final item, one unlike any ever seen on this stage before, one of the most powerful things you’ll ever see!”

*Ba-dum*

Something alien caused my Aura to ripple as those words were spoken. 

*Ba-dum*

I felt it before I saw it, my heart pounding in my chest even before it arrived on stage. 

It was following the rhythm of those beats.

Two attendants struggled to heave a heavy metal cart on stage. Whatever was underneath the tarp, its Aura was overwhelming. It projected so much vitality it felt like I was drowning, even from the VIP booth. It just felt alive. 

Despite my dead-set conviction otherwise, I could tell whatever was inside was certainly not alive anymore; at most, it was a mere remnant of what it once had been. 

One attendant heaved to stop the cart; the other, with a grand flourish, tore the cloth from what it had covered. 

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. 

A heart. 

The size of a head, the off-white organ sat suspended in a translucent blue fluid. Even when torn out from some creature’s chest, it continued to beat undyingly.

Everyone in the suite stood to get a closer look. Anybody who could even faintly sense their Aura could feel a heavy weight upon it.

The auctioneer flicked his hands towards the artifact, his motion essentially meaningless because of the incredible attention already on the heart.

“Behold before you, a still-beating heart plucked from the chest of the Authority 11 Nemea! As a Paragon, this being already sat at the top of the animal hierarchy, but this one was infamous for its dozens of repulsed capture attempts! Finally brought low by the efforts of our sellers, its nigh-immortal heart has resisted all laws of nature and continued beating, as it has for the past month since it was ripped away! It is the ultimate ingredient for a Crown Potion; Undying Vigor, endless Mana, all at your fingertips to boost you to the heights of the world!”

“So without further ado, bidding will start at 250 million coin!”

“Holy shit…”

I muttered, knowing that the starting price would be multiplied many times over. 

So this was the kind of thing I needed to kill if I wanted a Crown? I could already tell that my goal would be more difficult than I ever imagined before. 

Unless I somehow became filthy rich with some business venture, then I would have to hunt my own Crown ingredients. And anything that I killed had to be strong enough to provide me with a good Crown, yet not so strong that I couldn’t actually kill it in the first place. 

It was quite a treacherous balance, made even more difficult by the fact that I had to actually find a fitting beast or animal to hunt. The strong ones wouldn’t throw themselves at me like fodder. 

However, that suddenly reminded me of something. 

The Cyclops Scout. Besides its laser, its eye was designed specifically for picking things out and seeing at long distances. Neither darkness, camouflage, nor distance could conceal from it. Nearly all of its power was concentrated on its observational abilities. 

As a sniper, having an eye like that would be incredibly advantageous. 

Would I be able to make a Crown out of it? I had taken its head cleanly, so although I didn’t know how Crowns were made, I figured that would be enough. 

My only concern was whether or not it would be worth it. As I was, it would provide a huge advantage. But I would have to ask Maxwell first in case I was missing something.

I made a mental note and slotted it near the top of my priorities. I would ask as soon as I could after Christmas since the Puppet Master was currently holding the corpse for me. It wasn’t like I could do anything with it now anyway. 

With those thoughts I watched the bidding rise for the undying heart. 

“600 million!”

“700 million!”

“900 million.”

I heard that last bid from Patriarch Tavera, glancing back at him with a small smile. 

It was said that the Patriarch was around Authority 9, but I was inclined to believe that was false. Just like how Luna, the head of the Polaris family, was labeled as Authority 10, but easily stood on equal grounds with Duchess Talerria. 

The details under their names in the Repository were false, no doubt. From the Patriarch I felt subtle power, but I knew he couldn’t possibly be a mere Authority 9. 

He was probably pushing Authority 11, maybe not as strong as Luna, but not much weaker either. 

And considering the fact that the Tavera Family had been expanding recently, it led me to believe that they contained deeper power than they let on. 

And apparently, they were filthy rich. After being contested, the Patriarch threw out another bid. 

“1 billion.”

“…1 billion 50 million!”

“1.15 billion.”

“…”

His competitor went silent, and for a while, nobody spoke. 

The auctioneer gave another small speech about how amazing this heart was, even about the advantages it would give in competition. 

But an entire billion coin was no small amount, not even considering the costs to make the Crown itself. 

And finally, after it was clear nobody could afford to bid, the auctioneer raised his hammer. 

“1.15 billion going once!”

“Going twice!”

“Sold! The Immortal Heart, 1.15 billion! Congratulations to Patriarch Tavera!”

“Hm…”

The Patriarch hummed from his seat. He wasn’t smiling. 

In fact, after he watched the heart get taken off stage, a scowl marred his face.

“Prepare for war.”

“With haste.”

Captain Ignov left, as did most of those under the Tavera family.

“Patriarch.”

“John.”

“I’d like to offer my help, if you want it.”

“…”

He looked at me with a straight face, thinking for several seconds before shaking his head. 

“No, go enjoy your Christmas. I will remember your offer, but right now, the risk outweighs the benefit. Plex, on the other hand, will be accompanying me on your behalf.”

“Do I have to?”

“Only if you want some of the leftovers, you slothful cur.”

“Heh, just what I was waiting to hear.”

“Hm, John really is better than you.”

The Patriarch sighed while walking out, Plex following behind with a greedy grin. 

Plex was more powerful than Rayla, but looked less powerful than the Patriarch. He probably sat somewhere around Authority 9. I wasn’t entirely sure because unlike many others, his Aura was completely indecipherable to me. 

I couldn’t even sense the man if he didn’t want me to. His invisibility extended to his Aura as well, making him a horrible opponent to have. 

What was I smoking back then to think I could ever hurt him? It would be a long time before I could even scratch him. At least he hadn’t gotten me killed up until now. In fact, I think Maxwell was the one I should be more wary of.

Well, since the Patriarch rejected my help, I decided not to worry about things for now. Still, I at least had to offer. He had done too much for me to not try and repay some of that favor in his time of need. 

But he was right. I couldn’t do much for him. In the best case scenario I could take out an Authority 7 warlock, but that was it. The enemies they would deal with would be well above that, enough to threaten him personally. 

The black markets were about to become a warzone. I suppose it was a good thing we were getting away from it since I wouldn’t be participating anyway. 

Suddenly, the announcer spoke. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I hereby conclude the Christmas Auction hosted by the Black Spider Auction House! And in partnership with Herald Vatsy, the entire venue will be open for the final Gala of the year! The night has just begun, so grab a drink, and give a round of applause for your favorite orchestra, Light’s End!”

I looked down at the stage as the audience cheered, seeing a dozen different musicians appear with their instruments in hand. 

As they started playing, I smiled at Umara. Most people within the suite were leaving, but that didn’t mean we had to. We got the best view in the house and she looked really excited to see this orchestra. 

The drinks were free, the snacks were plentiful, the music was invigorating, and the masks deflected all forms of judgment cast our way. 

With each rise in the pace of the music, I could feel the true spirit of the Gala accelerate. Those who were here to spend money had received their goods, and those who were here for the celebration were finally getting what they wanted. 

It was Christmas, and this was an all expense paid afterparty. 

Those who didn’t unhinge were the weird ones. 

And Umara and I weren’t weird. 

So with the encouragement of a few drinks, we indulged in this massive annual jamboree, letting almost completely loose and taking over the suite for ourselves. 

……

…

……

“Down the rocks…”

“Over the hills…”

“When I found you on that night…”

“When I fell in love!”

“There was nothing on my mind…”

“But your kisses on my- shit!”

*Thud!*

Umara slipped off the bar, falling toward a large fort made of couch and seat cushions, but missing them entirely and kissing the floor instead.

My head flicked toward her before I suddenly burst out in laughter. 

“Bahahaha!”

“Ah! Get over here, boy! Momma wants some kisses!”

“What’d you say about my momma?!”

“I said- Ah!”

She squeaked as I dove over and picked her up, planting her back onto the bar before jumping atop it myself. 

There were a dozen empty bottles scattered across its surface, but that was nothing a few kicks couldn’t fix. 

Umara jumped up with me, spreading her arms out as if she were balancing on a tightrope.

“We’re gonna fall.”

“I swore I wasn’t gonna fall!”

“Why was it all in vain?!”

“On that night you stole my heart!”

“And then you gave it all-  AH!”

“Ah!”

“Ah!!”

Umara grabbed a fistful of my pants, dragging me with her as she tumbled once again into the pile of cushions.

She came up sputtering with laughter.

“Bwahahaha! You screamed like a girl!”

“Lies! Deception!”

“You can hit the high notes!”

“You know who else can hit the high notes?”

“I’m falling for you~~!”

“My mom!”

“Hahaha!”

Umara couldn’t control herself as she laughed into the pile of cushions. 

I chuckled beside her, jumping up before pulling her out to dance some more. 

The two of us flew across the suite, dodging the massive mess that had taken more than a few hours to make. 

Scattered chairs, empty bottles and cups, and plenty of snacks littered the floor.

We were all alone as we made up a brand new dance on the spot. 

It was only when we got dizzy from all the spinning that we stopped and looked at each other. 

I gave her a weird grin, my vision half spinning and my mind filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling. 

“Hey baby. Wanna watch my chest hair move in slow motion?”

“What the fuck? It moves?”

“Almost as well as I do. Now hear me out… You look pretty. I look pretty. How about we go home and stare at each other?”

“Only if I get to carry you!”

“Huh?”

I was stumped as she ran around, sweeping me off my feet like a princess. 

And then she started marching out of the suite. 

I relaxed as she moved through the auction house, crossing my legs as if I were in a chair. All around, there were butlers and attendants cleaning the place and helping drunken visitors out. 

“Oh yea, this is how I always imagined it. Take me home, baby!”

“You’re heavy!”

“Ugh! How insulting! You will not degrade the majesty of- Stairs!”

“Ack! My ankle!”

“Shit!”

I threw my arms out as Umara tripped, the two of us rolling down a flight of stairs. 

“Oof!”

“Ow!”

I grunted as I landed at the bottom, Umara landing on top of me. 

I looked up, slowly concentrating from the disorientation and seeing a man standing before me, looking down with a neutral face. 

He was jacked, definitely a bouncer. So I let him know.

“Sir, I want to let you know how proud I am of everything you’ve accomplished.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t let society degrade you! Don’t let the flame die out!”

“I understand.”

“Then I’ve done my job.”

I laid back down, closing my eyes as a small tummy ache started to appear. 

“I can die peacefully now.”

“John, no!”

“The Auction House is closing. Please drink this on your way out. It’ll help cleanse your body.”

“I thank you for this-”

“Please move.”

I was pulled up, Umara clinging to me and crawling onto my back as we were handed two small cups from a nearby tray.

After drinking it, both of us walked out of the Auction house before recoiling at the light of the sun. 

“Ugh, it’s bright. What time is it?”

“…3 messages from mom.”

“I said time.”

“Our Rail leaves three hours earlier to avoid delays.”

“Time!”

“I don’t know!”

Umara shouted back, making me lift my arm and tap my Aerial with my chin. 

“It’s 11.”

“That’s nice.”

“Time for bed.”

“Mm. My ankle hurts.”

“We need a healer.”

I muttered while walking down the street. There were many around us, most passed out or limp beside the road. Trash littered the streets everywhere, but the various attendants’ work had cleared up a vast portion of it already.

At some point in time, we found our way back to the elevator, going straight up to my room. 

Over time, whatever drink I was given started clearing my head. Although it brought me out of my drunken stupor, it left a splitting headache and an undesirable feeling in my stomach. 

Luckily, I made it back to the room in time before things got bad.

I laid Umara on the bed before collapsing next to her.

I had just enough lucidity left in me to set an alarm, passing out fast enough to avoid the wave of nausea surging up my throat.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep