"It warms my heart to see everyone so enthusiastic."
The auctioneer deliberately drew out his words, heightening the anticipation.
"The starting bid for this second item is..."
"30 million Berries!"
"Let the bidding begin!"
The competition this time was on a completely different level compared to the golden armor.
In an instant, all the wealthy elites in the auction room started making their bids.
"35 million!"
"Get lost! 40 million!"
"50 million!"
...
"100 million Berries!"
In no time, the price had skyrocketed to a hundred million.
The crowd's madness brought immense satisfaction to the auctioneer, who smiled as he looked at the snow leopard girl inside the iron cage.
"Oh, and by the way, everyone," he said, stoking the flames even further, "after a unified assessment by our appraisers, this snow leopard Mink girl is definitely brand new merchandise!"
The remark caused an uproar, sending the rich bidders into a frenzy.
"120 million Berries! She's mine!"
"You fat pig! What could you even do with her? 150 million!"
The bidding had already devolved into verbal attacks.
The grand hall had effectively become a battlefield.
From within a VIP box, Hammer sat watching coldly.
He forcibly suppressed the anger boiling inside him. The ring on his finger had stopped glowing, he had decided to save the girl in the most direct way possible: by winning the bid.
Just as he was about to bid, he realized the bidding speaker he was supposed to use had been crushed into powder by his own hand earlier.
With no other option, he walked to the window of his booth, opened it, and exposed himself to the auction floor.
With no other choice, he strode to the window and threw it open, revealing himself to the entire auction floor.
"300 million Berries."
His voice was calm, devoid of any emotion.
The staggering bid sent a shockwave through the crowd. Every head turned toward the VIP booth, where the imposing figure of Hammer stood framed in the window. His stern expression and icy demeanor radiated an aura of danger.
"You just throw out 300 million like it's nothing? I demand proof of funds!"
A nobleman who had been bidding earlier frowned and challenged the offer.
But the moment Hammer had spoken, Sanders, the chief steward of the Hydra Club, had already stepped onto the auction platform.
"On behalf of Hydra Auction House, I can confirm this VIP guest's financial credibility," he said firmly.
With Sanders' endorsement, the nobleman's face darkened. He slumped into his seat, frustrated and unwilling.
"300 million Berries. Any other bids?" Sanders asked in place of the auctioneer. "If not, this item will be awarded to our VIP guest."
No one responded.
"Very well. Congratulations to our VIP guest on securing this lot."
"Have her delivered to me. Now." Hammer's tone remained flat, giving nothing away.
Sanders frowned slightly at the request but said nothing. He gave a signal, and the cage holding the Mink girl was carried into Hammer's booth.
"My apologies, everyone. It seems our esteemed guest simply couldn't wait," the auctioneer said with a chuckle.
The crowd burst into laughter.
Once the staff had left, Hammer gripped the cage bars tightly, and ripped them open by sheer force.
He drew his longsword and, despite the terrified look in the girl's eyes, sliced through the chains with a few quick strikes.
Then he gently carried her over to the sofa, pulled out a blanket from his ring, and laid it over her trembling form.
"You're safe now," he muttered, awkward but firm. "I'm not like them."
But the girl's spirit had long since been broken from inhumane abuse.
He could only wait for the auction to end before arranging proper care for her.
The auction continued.
What followed gave Hammer a real and chilling glimpse into the dark underbelly of this world.
Hallucinogenic potions.
Human slaves. (Pirate captains. Laborers. Warriors.)
Firearms. Contraband.
Everything imaginable.
With every new horror unveiled, he felt the girl beside him shrink further into the sofa, her quiet whimpers cutting deeper than any blade.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the auction neared its climax.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer announced, "we've now arrived at the finale of tonight's event."
"These last two treasures are every man's fantasy and desire."
"I guarantee, no man can resist their allure."
His words stirred the room into another frenzy.
The eyes of countless men gleamed with anticipation.
If the auctioneer was being this dramatic, it had to be something truly extraordinary.
The staff came forward and presented a delicately crafted box.
All eyes immediately locked onto it.
The auctioneer opened the box, revealing a fairly ordinary-looking pair of glasses.
The crowd visibly recoiled in disappointment.
Was this the great treasure he'd hyped up? Glasses?
Just as the auctioneer had planned.
"Ladies and gentlemen, don't underestimate these glasses."
"This is a rare and genuine treasure!"
"After thorough appraisal by our Hydra Club's certified appraisers, we can confirm that these glasses genuinely possess x-ray vision!"
As expected, the moment the words "x-ray vision" were spoken, the scornful looks from earlier vanished. Everyone's expression changed instantly.
"X-ray vision? Are you serious?"
"Holy crap! If they really work, I'm buying them no matter what!"
The auction house once again erupted into frenzied excitement.
The auctioneer was clearly pleased with the scene.
"They are 100% real. Don't tell me you still doubt the abilities of our club's appraisers?"
"There's a switch on the right side of the glasses. Press it, and you'll gain X-ray vision for five minutes. They can be used a total of ten times. One use was consumed during testing, so nine uses remain."
"I'm sure all of you know, X-ray vision is every man's dream. And now that dream is right in front of you."
"What are you waiting for?"
"Starting bid: 10 million Berries! Let me see your passion!"
As the auctioneer's voice rang out, the bidding began.
"20 million Berries!"
"Hmph! 50 million Berries!"
"I'll buy it and offer it to the great Celestial Dragons! 100 million Berries!"
A voice echoed from a long-silent VIP box, it was a member of the Stanford Royal Family.
His declaration caught everyone's attention.
Right… this is a priceless treasure. If they could just-
Suddenly, the auction turned even more heated.
"350 million Berries!"
The royal who mentioned the Celestial Dragons now looked regretful. If he hadn't spoken up, things wouldn't have escalated so far.
As the 350 million bid rang out, the room fell silent.
A nobleman who had been actively bidding trembled uncontrollably. Gritting his teeth, he made one final offer:
"400 million Berries!"
After shouting that number, he looked completely drained, like his soul had left his body.
"Hmph! 420 million!"The Stanford royal said coldly, unfazed as he raised the stakes again.
Everyone else backed down.
The auctioneer took the opportunity to begin the final countdown.
"420 million, going once!"
"420 million, going twice!"
"420 million, sold!"
The royal let out a sigh of relief, clearly pleased with his win.
But no one was happier than our dear Hammer.
After all, those glasses were just something he'd randomly tinkered with for fun; who would've thought they'd sell for more than 400 million?
He was practically floating from the success.