CHAPTER 320: CHAPTER 320 - HEART OF THE VOID

The host then explained the auction item in more detail. "It’s a Unique-grade, and it comes with the skill Tempest Drive. It temporarily merges the user with the storm, boosting lightning element, movement speed and attack range while leaving electric trails with every movement. The bidding starts at ten million UGD."

Atlas immediately straightened up, realizing how perfectly the item suited him. "Should I join the bid for this one?"

"That’s seriously perfect for you, Atlas," Ember said. "Though I’m pretty sure lightning is a composite element that already has quite a few users."

The price began to climb quickly, and before long, it had reached seventeen million UGD.

"What do you think, Edrik?" Atlas asked.

"The bracelet’s skill matches your fighting style very well, my lord," Edrik replied. "It’s especially useful because even if you already have a similar skill, using an item like this will reduce the strain that normally comes from activating that skill without an item."

"Explain that more clearly, Edrik," Luna chimed in.

"In simple terms, when you use an item, the main burden of the skill is absorbed by the item itself," Edrik explained. "It still uses the user’s mana, of course, but the item is designed with special effects that boost the skill’s functionality. That makes it very useful, especially since Lord Atlas only wears one bracelet right now. He still has one more slot he can use."

"Can someone without lightning affinity use it?" Luna asked next.

"They can," Edrik replied. "Though the lightning effect will be weaker for someone without that affinity. However, if they use it over time and their basic element is compatible, it might eventually trigger an affinity toward lightning as well."

Atlas nodded slowly, watching as the price continued to rise. "It’s insane that this might sell for even more than the legendary-grade sword."

And at that very moment, the price had already climbed to twenty-two million UGD.

Atlas pressed the button on the table and joined the bid. "Twenty-four."

The host responded, "Oh, the bid isn’t over yet, twenty-four!"

Atlas looked tense, fully aware of how much money he was putting on the line for this item. It was still within the range he could afford, but ideally, he wanted something with a broader effect. Something that could benefit not only himself. A blueprint, for example, would have a much greater impact. Still, if the price stayed within his reach, this item would be worthwhile.

The number kept climbing until it reached twenty-eight million.

"Someone’s clearly playing around with the bid," Ember commented. "Are you going to keep going, Atlas?"

"At twenty-eight million, if I continue, I’ll lose the ability to bid on other items after this," Atlas muttered.

"You still have backup funds from the item you’re auctioning too, right?" Ember asked.

"But it’s too early," Atlas said quietly, holding back as the price rose to thirty million UGD.

"Thirty million!" Atlas gritted his teeth.

"My lord, remember, the bracelet is only Unique-grade," Edrik reminded him.

"What do you think, Edrik?" Atlas asked.

"While the effect suits you perfectly, it’s still somewhat redundant with your current skills combination," Edrik replied calmly. "If I may suggest, it might be better to let this one go."

"I just hope I won’t regret this," Atlas murmured.

The host then announced that the final bid was closed at thirty-three million UGD.

Atlas exhaled slowly. "It even sold for a higher price than the legendary-grade sword."

"This bracelet has a passive skill," Luna commented. "It’s not surprising, especially since it’s a bracelet. Users don’t have to replace their main weapon, which might already suit them better."

The auction continued with several more items afterward. They were impressive, but none quite fit what Atlas needed at the moment. Still, he thought that if he bought a few of them, they could at least be useful to his Elite Subordinates.

However, Atlas knew that his elite subordinates were already powerful enough that these items wouldn’t significantly enhance their abilities. Spending millions of UGD on them right now simply wasn’t worth it.

The host’s voice rose with excitement as the next item appeared on the display. "Up next, we have a truly exceptional piece. Heart of the Void! A Legendary Artifact, forged from the essence of the abyss itself. This core drastically enhances dark-element affinity, allowing the user to wield the power of shadow beyond their limits... but be warned, it comes with a price. The more you draw upon its strength, the closer you step toward corruption!"

"A dark-element item," Atlas muttered, refocusing his attention.

"But this one has a drawback," Ember pointed out. "Even though it’s legendary-grade, that risk makes it tricky."

Edrik chimed in next. "Special elements like Dark and Light often have unpredictable effects, but they’re always sought after because of their immense potential. Even if we don’t need one right now, it’s still worth obtaining as an investment."

Atlas nodded slightly. "The downside, of course, is that anyone who buys it will lose the ability to bid on the next item since their funds will already be spent."

The host’s voice rang out with growing excitement. "The bids keep rising. Eighteen million! Now twenty million! Twenty-two million and climbing! Don’t stop now, everyone, let’s see how high this one can go!"

Ember spoke up again. "I’m sure Morganna would love to use that item, Atlas."

Atlas let out a long sigh. "Morganna would destroy it the moment I gave it to her."

"What about Milo?" Ember said with a small giggle.

"Milo’s already corrupted without this item," Atlas replied with an awkward smile.

"Master Kurogasa?"

"Kurogasa is already powerful enough without it too," Atlas added.

"You could always use it for yourself, my lord," Edrik suggested.

They continued to watch as the price climbed to twenty-two million.

"Surprising... I expected the price to go much higher. Is no one interested in this item?" Atlas wondered aloud, glancing toward Edrik. "What do you think, Edrik?"

"I believe if the price stays reasonable, we can handle the drawback and master it," Edrik said. "With Master Kurogasa’s guidance and Morganna’s influence, we should be able to suppress the corruption, my lord."

Atlas decided to join in playfully. "Twenty-three million."

The host called out, "Do we have anyone willing to go higher than twenty-three million?"

A few moments later, the host continued, "Twenty-four million!"

Atlas pressed again. "Twenty-four point five."

After a brief pause and a few calls for higher bids, the host finally announced, "Sold! Heart of the Void, for twenty-four point five million UGD!"

Atlas took a deep breath, uncertain whether to feel pleased or bewildered, but at least he had just won his first item at a truly remarkable price.

Ember and Luna both clapped for him. "Congratulations, Atlas!"

"Yes, more torture for me, I suppose," he said with a half-smile.

Moments later, a new item appeared on the display, and right then, a notification popped up on the panel in front of Atlas, informing him that the next item to be auctioned was his own.

Atlas immediately straightened in his seat, while at the same moment, Edrik quietly stepped out of the room.

The host’s voice rang out with enthusiasm. "And now, we have another extraordinary item! Make sure to focus your bids, everyone. This is a rare opportunity you won’t want to miss!"