CHAPTER 227: AUCTION

He grinned widely.

"Let the Secret Auction begin!"

Rhys swallowed hard.

"...I have a bad feeling about this."

Sophia slapped his back.

"That’s the spirit. Let’s get you something cool."

Puddle nodded firmly.

"Master will find treasure. Or explosion. Both fun."

Rhys groaned as the first item was brought out—a glowing black box shaking violently.

Sophia leaned over and whispered,

"...Okay yeah, that one might explode."

Rhys buried his face in his hands.

"Why am I here again?"

Caria patted his shoulder cheerfully.

"Because this is your life now."

The auctioneer lifted the item dramatically.

"Item #1! A Epic Sword of UNKNOWN origin! Starting bid: 50,000 gold!"

Rhys stared at the glowing sword inside the black box.

It pulsed with purple light, humming like it was alive.

Sophia whistled.

"An Epic sword as the first item? They’re starting strong."

Caria leaned forward.

"Looks cursed."

Lyra nodded.

"Definitely cursed."

Aria tilted her head.

"...But also powerful."

Puddle floated above it, squinting.

"Sword angry. Wants to bite someone."

Rhys dragged a hand down his face.

"...Great."

The auctioneer continued loudly:

"An Epic Sword of Unknown Origin! Rumored to choose its wielder... or reject them violently! Starting bid: 50,000!"

Hands shot up across the room.

"Fifty thousand!"

"Sixty!"

"Eighty!"

"One hundred thousand!"

The price skyrocketed instantly.

Sophia let out a low impressed whistle.

"Yep. That one’s trouble."

Rhys shook his head.

"I don’t need a sword that might stab me instead of enemies."

Caria laughed.

"You already have enough problems surviving."

Puddle nodded seriously.

"Master no need bite sword. Master has me."

Rhys smiled a little.

"Yeah. I’ll stick with you."

The auctioneer slammed his staff down.

"Sold! For 320,000 gold!"

The sword box rattled violently, like it didn’t want to be owned.

Guards carried it away carefully as it kept vibrating.

Sophia nudged Rhys with her elbow.

"See? We’re just watching. Nothing stressful."

Rhys felt a chill down his spine.

"...You say that now."

The auctioneer clapped again.

"Next! Item #2! A mysterious potion labeled only with the words—

’DO NOT DRINK.’

Starting bid: 10,000 gold!"

Rhys blinked.

"...Why would anyone bid on that?"

Caria raised a finger.

"Because someone will."

And immediately—

"Ten thousand!"

"Twelve!"

"Fourteen!"

Sophia grinned.

"Players are insane."

Rhys nodded slowly.

"Yeah... I’m starting to see that."

Puddle floated onto his shoulder.

"Master. When treasure that looks safe comes... we buy."

Rhys laughed weakly.

"That might take a while."

The auction continued, item after item—

strange relics, glowing stones, weird gear, enchanted junk.

Then—

The auctioneer snapped his fingers, and the next item floated forward, covered by a velvet cloth.

"Item #7! Something very special... and surprisingly cheap!"

He pulled the cloth away.

It was a small, sky-blue orb with faint swirling mist inside.

The room suddenly went quiet.

Even Rhys felt a strange pull from it.

Aria whispered,

"That... looks rare."

Lyra narrowed her eyes.

"It’s not cursed. I can tell."

Caria leaned close.

"Maybe it’s a skill orb?"

Sophia whispered,

"Or maybe... a pet egg."

Rhys’s heart thumped once.

Puddle froze midair.

Her eyes widened.

"...Master. That thing... very old. Very strong."

The auctioneer raised it high.

"Starting bid: 5,000 gold!"

Rhys gulped.

This one felt important.

Rhys leaned forward without meaning to.

His instincts were screaming at him.

Sophia noticed.

"Uh-oh. You’re interested, aren’t you?"

Rhys hesitated.

"...Maybe."

Caria smirked.

"That’s the ’I want it but I’m scared’ face."

Lyra kept her eyes on the orb.

"It’s rare. And useful. You should consider it."

Aria nodded.

"If Puddle feels something from it, then it’s not ordinary."

Puddle floated beside Rhys’s cheek.

"Master... that orb feels like ancient water. Same age as me."

Rhys blinked.

"That old...?"

Puddle nodded quickly.

"Yes. Maybe older. Maybe friend. Maybe power."

The auctioneer spoke again.

"Starting bid is 5,000! Anyone?"

Instantly—

"Five thousand!"

"Six!"

"Seven thousand!"

The bids climbed but slowly.

Far slower than the earlier items.

Sophia whispered, surprised,

"Why is nobody fighting over it? They mobbed the cursed sword, but not this?"

Lyra answered calmly,

"They can’t sense its value. Only those with affinity or instincts can feel its importance."

Aria smiled at Rhys.

"Meaning... this might be perfect for you."

Rhys swallowed.

He checked his balance.

12,400 gold.

Barely enough.

The auctioneer lifted his staff.

"Eight thousand! Going once!"

Rhys clenched his teeth.

"Going twice—!"

He raised his hand before he could stop himself.

"8,500!"

The room turned toward him.

Sophia slapped her forehead.

"Oh great, now we’re part of the auction."

Caria whispered,

"At least you bid reasonably."

But then—

Someone across the room raised their hand.

"Nine thousand!"

Rhys groaned internally.

His budget was dying.

Puddle tugged his sleeve.

"Master... trust me. Orb important."

He took a breath.

"9,500!"

Several heads turned again.

The man across the room frowned.

"Ten thousand."

Rhys felt his heart drop.

He only had 12,400.

Sophia leaned in.

"You sure about this? You can still back out."

Rhys shook his head.

"...No. I want it."

Aria placed a calming hand on his arm.

"Then trust yourself."

Lyra added firmly,

"If it calls to you, don’t hesitate."

Caria grinned.

"Go dizzy or go home, Rhys."

Rhys stood up.

He raised his hand high.

"11,000!"

Murmurs filled the room.

The man across the room paused.

He hesitated... then sat back down.

The auctioneer’s eyes widened.

"11,000 going ONCE!"

Rhys held his breath.

"Going TWICE—!"

Puddle squeezed his shoulder.

"Master win... please win..."

The auctioneer slammed his staff.

"SOLD! To the boy with 11,000 gold!"

Rhys sat down slowly.

Sophia patted his back hard.

"You actually did it!"

Caria leaned back, impressed.

"Not a bad price."

Aria smiled warmly.

"I’m glad you trusted yourself."

Lyra nodded.

"Now let’s hope it’s worth the cost."

Puddle hugged his cheek.

"Master... this will change things."

Rhys looked at the orb being carried toward him.

It pulsed gently, like a heartbeat.

"...I hope so."

The guard placed the small blue orb in Rhys’s hands.

It was light—lighter than he expected.

But the moment he touched it, the mist inside stirred like it was waking up.

Sophia leaned close.

"Okay... that’s a little creepy."

Caria poked the air near it.

"Don’t explode. Please don’t explode."

Aria watched carefully.

"It’s reacting to you."

Lyra nodded.

"That means it accepts you."

Puddle floated right in front of the orb, eyes wide.

"Hello... old one."

The orb pulsed once, softly, almost like answering her.

Rhys felt a chill and warmth at the same time.

"...What is this thing?"