Skya country, at the border, Balthazar’s Auction House.
Under the dark of night, a crowd muttered, bodies heating the atmosphere.
In the center of the auction house, a raised platform gradually ascended, exposing items covered by crimson velvet, creating an aura of mystery each crowd member craved to explore.
“I heard the organizers spent a fortune acquiring a rare treasure for this auction.”
“What kind of treasure?”
“How exciting! I'm curious to see how unusual it is.”
In a private box on the second floor of the auction house, slender fingers tapped the table and deep amber eyes carried a glint of humor. The words drifting up from below amused him; how many could even afford such priceless objects?
On the stage, a man dressed in a black tailcoat and wearing a silver fox mask stepped forward. Half of his shoulder-length hair was tied back, a microphone held lightly in his hand. His voice was soft but carried a sharpness.
“Welcome, everyone, to Balthazar's Auction House!”
The chatter in the stands subsided as goods of varied size, opulence, and value were sold, one by one, until only a single item remained.
Balthazar's Auction House, resting along the border of the countries Skya and Pliar, and backed by a mysterious organization, is a place where no one dared cause trouble. To create a scene here and now would mean death. Silence overwhelmed the senses in anticipation of the final reveal.
“The last item up for auction needs little explanation, so I won't say much. Resting here is The Immortal Man's Mutant! Bidding will start at ten million dollars,” the auctioneer cried, his white-gloved hand tearing away the red velvet. The crimson drapery fell, revealing a girl cramped inside a large golden cage.
Her face, partially obscured by a light veil, exposed only her beautifully contrasting black hair and fair skin.
Her eyes gleamed like rippling autumn waters, pure and innocent, unaware of the ways of the world.
One could only imagine the captivating beauty that lay beneath that veil.
Voices clammored and clashed throughout the room.
“So, this is the legendary Mutant of The Immortal Man? Astonishing.”
“I heard that drinking the blood of a Mutant can cure all diseases and even prolong life. No wonder it has a starting bid of ten million.”
“Ugh, how gruesome. I've read from ancient texts that copulating with a Mutant can be equally as effective as consuming their blood.”
“That can’t be true! Although The Immortal Man is internationally renowned in medical research, no one would -”
“They have the most powerful presence, but are also very mysterious. We don't know the exact location they come from; are we even sure there is such a thing as The Immortal Man’s Mutant?”
“You don't understand, my friend. This is Balthazar’s Auction House, they don’t have counterfeit goods.”
“Twenty million!” a voice called from the dark.
As soon as the host's voice fell, someone immediately raised their bidding paddle.
“Twenty-five million.”
“Thirty million.”
“Thirty-five million.”
“Forty million! Gasps could be heard throughout the room. How could anyone choose to spend so much money on one item, even if it [was] a Mutant!
“...”
The people in the stands were becoming crazed and the prices kept soaring higher and higher.
The girl in the exquisite cage kept her head down, her clear eyes calm and innocent, unaware of worldly affairs and without a trace of fear.
In the second-floor’s private room, another suited man entered and approached the seated figure.
“Sir, the Divine Doctor can't be found. What do you think of this ‘Mutant of The Immortal Man’?”
From his seat near the balcony, Sylvester remained silent, his gaze heavy as he looked at the woman –girl, really– in the golden cage. He considered his situation.
With his friend not speaking, Michael Gomez could only wait.
The price had soared to fifty million.
A paunchy, bald man with a hungry gaze grumbled, “Damn, the price is skyrocketing, I’d hate to lose this delectable morsel.”
“Fifty-five million,” a nearby voice called out.
In the neighboring private room, an old man waved his hand, feeling quite proud of his bid.
Hearing this, Sylvester's brows furrowed with displeasure. He casually waved his hand. The subordinate at his side immediately raised the paddle. “One hundred million.”
The price had multiplied several times since the opening bid, but this was unbelievable! For a moment, the whole venue fell silent.
Michael felt a sense of pride. After all, his boss never participated in auctions.
Once the bid reached one hundred million dollars, many people in the room felt less willing to continue. After all, many listed companies didn't have such a high income.
What kind of a person could make such a bid?” One hundred million” flowed from his mouth as if it were nothing.
“Could this be a naive and foolish bidder?” someone doubted.
“Simpleton, for those top billionaires who aren't short on money, the value of a Mutant easily surpasses one hundred million dollars. You should know that what they lack is not money, but the opportunity to enjoy wealth.”