CHAPTER 296: THE VIP IS HERE

The chat channels across Earth Online were in an uproar. Players were frantically speculating about the mysterious legendary item, digging through guild contacts, trade forums, and even in-game fortune tellers, hoping for a hint.

Even prominent guild leaders were blindsided by the announcement. Messages and commands flew across private channels as they tried to confirm the details and prepare their bids.

The news didn’t just stay within one kingdom or region. It spread like wildfire across international borders. From the Empire players in the East to Dominion guilds in the West, everyone was watching the Valemire City Auction House.

Global players jumped into the chat room, proudly declaring they’d be joining the bidding war. Those who couldn’t attend in person began hiring local mercenaries to represent them and arranging courier runs to claim the item afterward.

And all of this... before the auction had even officially begun.

Streamers swarmed Valemire City. Content creators set up around the marble steps of the auction house, cameras rolling, commentary flowing. Some were there for the auction itself. Others were waiting for a fight to break out.

As time passed, the plaza filled up. More and more players arrived, some just to watch, some hoping to snipe bids, and some dreaming of a miracle.

The auction house itself sat in a prominent place in the city. Moreover, the city had also increased the security detail, even recruiting from the neighbouring cities for the occasion. Even with the crush of players shoulder to shoulder, order held.

Players flooded into the city with an unstoppable momentum. The city gates never stopped swinging open, letting in wave after wave of players and NPCs. All sorts of important NPC figures started popping out.

The teleportation circle at the heart of the city pulsed with intense magical energy, running at maximum output as players jumped in from all corners of the game world.

Within moments, the entire town was overflowing with activity. The streets were packed wall to wall, and the area surrounding the Valemire City Auction House became so densely crowded that even walking a few steps forward was a challenge.

Everyone watching the scene unfold knew the truth, even if no one said it aloud.

This wasn’t just a bidding event. This was the first massive server-wide spectacle in the game, a moment destined to be carved into the annals of the game forever!

Half an hour later, Damon arrived alone at the auction house entrance. It looked like the auction house had undergone some last minute upgrades, thanks to his deeds. The previously modest auction house now looked grand and spectacular. This was the work of some high-level mage no doubt.

Its size was also increased considerably. It could now house thousands of people comfortably. However, the problem was that there were more than a thousand who wanted to barge their way inside.

Despite each ticket being sold at a whopping 1000 gold coin, waves of players crowded the gates outside the grand halls of the Valemire City Auction House, desperately trying to get their hands on an entry pass.

But those golden tickets? They were already in the possession of the elite, high-ranking guild leaders, top-tier PvP champions, or players backed by real-world corporate sponsors. None of them had any intention of parting with their access.

Before long, the black market within the game’s system store reflected the madness. Entry passes were selling for as much as 50,000 real-world dollars, and those were for the worst seats, far from the stage, with terrible angles and minimal comfort.

As for VIP access? Completely out of reach. Those seats were already locked down by the powerhouses of the gaming world, people with too much influence, too much money, or both.

Damon walked over to the VIP arena calmly. The auction house had already sent him a ticket and also a special robe that made his figure obscure and his identity anonymous. Unless one had a SSS rank skill that specifically allowed them to see through masks, it would literally be impossible for anyone to guess his identity.

This was a service offered to the person who placed the item for sale and the robe would be active until the person leaves the auction house and a good hour after that, thereby giving them plenty of opportunity to get out of the area safely.

Damon picked an empty seat and sat down. He had come three hours early and it looked like it was still not enough. Almost the whole section had beat him to it. Several heads turned his way as he picked a seat inside a private booth and sat down.

From the looks of it, everyone seemed to be aware that he was the person who put up the item for sale. Or at least someone like him who wore the special robe. But they couldn’t do anything about it.

Unless one had permission, they wouldn’t be able to enter someone else’s booth. This prevented anyone curious from knocking on his doorstep.

In reality, he did not even have to appear in the auction house in order for everything to go down. He could simply observe it online but Damon did not want to miss the good part.

The hidden forces were finally going to come out of their hiding places. It would be a shame if he missed the show.

Time passed by quickly and soon the auction officially began. The lights dimmed slightly, and a hush fell over the crowd. Every gaze locked on the center stage.

Everyone was here for one reason, the first-ever legendary item in the game’s history and the time was finally here. Whoever bought the item would become the focus of the entire gaming world, their name echoing across guild halls, streams, and headlines, their power shooting to the stars.

In fact, some attendees didn’t even care if the item was strong. The publicity alone was worth its weight in gold. Influence. Fame. Clout. All bundled into one mythical object. The first legendary item to be revealed in the game!

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