Chapter 117 Rosewater
Eric didn't hesitate and immediately countered with a bid of 30 gold, sending a ripple of surprise through the auction hall.
Several second-tier NPCs, recognizing the skill book's value but balking at the rapidly escalating price, reluctantly withdrew from the bidding war.
Just as Eric allowed himself a small sigh of relief, a voice, loud and commanding, echoed through the hall.
"35 gold!"
Eric whipped his head around, a curse nearly escaping his mouth.
The new bidder wasn't a melee class at all, but a fourth-tier female Archmage.
Mages, in the world of Divine Realms: Legends, were notorious for their wealth. For a fourth-tier Archmage, thirty or even fifty gold coins were a mere trifle, a drop in the bucket compared to the exorbitant costs of their magical research.
"Damn it," Eric muttered, shaking his head in defeat. He simply couldn't compete. With just over 30 gold to his name, he was outmatched. Had he known this skill book would be up for auction, he would have held onto his gold.
Despite Eric's withdrawal, the battle for Inferno Thunderstorm raged on. Other fourth-tier melee classes, unwilling to let such a prize slip through their fingers, continued to bid fiercely. The price steadily climbed, reaching a staggering 45 gold, making it the most expensive item sold that day, excluding the legendary hundred-level equipment.
"45 gold, once!"
"45 gold, twice!"
Just as the white-bearded elder prepared to bring down the gavel, a series of system notifications chimed in Eric's ears.
System: [The Glowing Outfit Design Blueprint you listed on the auction house has been sold. After deducting the auction house fee, 2 gold 31 silver has been deposited into your inventory.]
System: [The Glowing Outfit Design Blueprint you listed on the auction house has been sold. After deducting the auction house fee, 2 gold 44 silver has been deposited into your inventory.]
System: [The Glowing Outfit Design Blueprint you listed on the auction house has been sold. After deducting the auction house fee, 2 gold 27 silver has been deposited into your inventory.]
Notifications emerged oneafter another, at least twenty in total, left Eric stunned.
'What was going on?' he exclaimed inwardly.
During his time in Shadowwing Citadel, it seemed an absurd number of players had purchased his Glowing Outfit Design Blueprint, causing his virtual wallet to swell at an alarming rate.
Emboldened by his newfound wealth, Eric roared, "46 gold!"
The white-bearded elder, momentarily surprised by Eric's reemergence, quickly regained his composure. "45 gold, for the third and final time! But wait! We have a new bid! 46 gold from Black Flame!"
The fourth-tier female Archmage, her brow furrowed slightly, countered with 49 gold.
Eric, whose confidence now bolstered, analyzed the situation. If the Archmage was truly determined to acquire the skill book, he wouldn't stand a chance. However, its value to her was limited. He refused to believe she would spend an exorbitant amount on something she didn't truly need.
"55 gold!" Eric declared, pushing the price even higher. He wouldn't play games; he would win this.
55 gold for a single skill book was an outrageous sum. The fourth-tier female Archmage, no fool, recognized this and reluctantly withdrew from the bidding war.
The other NPCs in the auction hall stared at Eric as if he'd lost his mind. Even for third or fourth-tier class trainers, learning a new skill only cost a dozen or so gold, and those skills were often far superior. To spend 55 gold on this seemed like the act of a madman.
What they failed to understand was the unique perspective of a player. For players, acquiring a powerful skill early on was a game-changer, especially a rare skill like Inferno Thunderstorm with its area damage and stun effects. The advantages it offered, both in grinding and PvP, were immeasurable, making it worth every gold coin and more.
With no other challengers remaining, the white-bearded elder, a wide grin spreading across his face, brought the gavel down with a resounding crash.
"Sold to Black Flame, for the incredible price of 55 gold! Congratulations!"
Eric, barely able to contain his excitement, promptly transferred the 55 gold and claimed his prize. Without hesitation, he clicked "learn", adding Inferno Thunderstorm to his arsenal.
This skill was a godsend for early-game grinding and PvP. With it, Eric could already envision countless strategies for leveling up and dominating his opponents.
The auction continued for another hour, but nothing else caught Eric's eye. Every item that followed had a starting bid exceeding one hundred gold. An Obsidian-grade item even made an appearance near the end, sending the fourth-tier NPCs into a frenzy. The final bid? An astronomical sum exceeding five thousand gold. Eric could only watch in awe, marveling at the sheer wealth on display.
As the auction finally came to a close, Eric, his pockets significantly lighter but his spirits soaring, made his way out of the hall. He was eager to return to Willowbrook Town and uncover the mystery behind the Glowing Outfit Design Blueprint's unexpected popularity.
If it was still in such high demand, he would craft another batch immediately, capitalizing on the opportunity to amass even more wealth.
Back in Silvercrest Dominion, Eric had considered himself quite well-off. However, his experience in Shadowwing Citadel had been a humbling one, revealing just how far he was from true wealth in this new environment.
Just as he was about to depart, a voice called out from behind, tinged with urgency.
"Black Flame! Please, wait a moment!"
Eric turned to see SolitarySwan and the others hurrying towards him, including FurybladeSolo, the player who had so vehemently tried to drive him away earlier.
"What do you want?" Eric asked, his voice cold.
He understood SolitarySwan's previous inaction, but understanding didn't equate to forgiveness. Being invited somewhere only to be unceremoniously kicked out left him upset.
SolitarySwan, sensing Eric's displeasure, offered a wry smile. "Black Flame, I sincerely apologize for what happened earlier. It was all a misunderstanding. Can we talk?"
"SolitarySwan," Eric replied, his tone firm, "I believe I made myself clear before. We're not on the same path."
He saw right through their charade. They had abandoned him for their own benefit, and now, realizing he could access the auction house, they were crawling back.
Their behavior disgusted him. Cooperation was out of the question. Who could guarantee they wouldn't betray him again when it suited them?
As Eric turned to leave, FurybladeSolo, his pride wounded, couldn't contain himself any longer. "Don't be an ungrateful fool!" he spat. "The power and influence of our top guilds are far beyond your comprehension! The rewards we offer are substantial, more than enough to make you the richest man in your pathetic little town! This is an opportunity most can only dream of! I suggest you think carefully before throwing it away. Your precious title won't mean anything soon, and there will be countless people just like you."
For a free player, the prospect of becoming the wealthiest individual in their town was a tantalizing one. It signified possessing a small fortune, at least three or four gold coins, an unimaginable sum in a small town where copper coins were the primary currency.
"The richest man in a town?" Eric chuckled, amused by their desperation. "What a tempting offer. Unfortunately, I'm not interested."
He had already achieved that status, and far more, in Silvercrest Dominion. Their paltry gold meant nothing to him.
Before anyone could respond, a new voice, melodic and captivating, interrupted their conversation.
"Excuse me, are you Black Flame?"
A stunningly beautiful female player approached, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She appeared to be in her early twenties, her features delicate and refined. A dazzling purple robe adorned her slender frame, hinting at her magical prowess. She smiled at Eric, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, enhancing her already considerable charm.
"Yes," Eric replied, taking in her appearance. "And you are?"
He didn't recognize her, but her level 7 status and the Dark Iron-grade equipment she wore spoke volumes about her skill as a Sorcerer.
"My name is Rosewater," she said, her voice as enchanting as her appearance. "We crossed paths at the auction hall earlier, though you may not have noticed me."
Eric was shocked.
Rosewater. One of the top ten Sorcerers in Divine Realms: Legends. A sixth-tier Spell God. He couldn't believe his luck.
In his previous life, Rosewater's fame had eclipsed even that of the Divine Priest, Violet Mistflow.
"You were at the auction hall?" Eric asked, bewildered. To gain entry to the VIP auction hall required considerable status. He had only managed it through a stroke of luck, completing the first stage of an Obsidian-grade quest.
"I'm afraid I'm not quite as remarkable as you, Black Flame," Rosewater replied with a self-deprecating chuckle. "I could only observe from the sidelines, unlike you, who casually dropped 55 gold on a single skill book." She paused, her expression turning serious. "I'm here on behalf of Echoes of Dusk. We're interested in discussing a potential collaboration. Would you be open to it?"
Echoes of Dusk, a name that sent shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned players, one of the most powerful and influential guilds in the entire virtual gaming world. And Rosewater, an honorary elder within their ranks, held a position of immense power and prestige, her fame rivaling that of the legendary Ice Goddess.
FurybladeSolo and the others stared at Eric, their mouths agape, completely speechless.
They had dismissed him as a nobody, a free player with limited resources. They had assumed their offer of 5 gold would be met with gratitude and subservience. Yet, here he was, casually spending 55 gold on a whim, his wealth dwarfing their combined fortunes.
'Who was this Eric, and what had we gotten ourselves into?' they felt confused.
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