"[Welcome to the Tower's First 'Black Auction'!]"
"[Notice: For the safety and privacy of individuals, please do wear the mask given to you. Have fun!]"
The system notifications flashed as we stepped through the 'Gate', the light of the transition fading to reveal a solitary, imposing castle-like structure. There was nothing else in this pocket of space with no sky, and no horizon but just the dark stone of the building and a few paved roads connecting the various participant 'Gates' to the main entrance.
A simple face mask appeared in my hand, its design intricate and slightly cold to the touch. The moment I put it on, I felt a shroud settle over me. These masks were enchanted to completely conceal a Ranker's energy signature and block low-ranked information gathering Skills. While a few elite Rankers might possess something powerful enough to pierce the veil, like my own SS-Rank [Eyes of Gluttony], the Tower was only on its 3rd Floor. It was highly unlikely anyone else here had reached that level of sensory perception yet.
Inside, the grand hall was already filled with Rankers from every corner of the globe. The air was thick with tension and the smell of expensive wine. Using [Eyes of Gluttony], I could see the 'Energy Signature' of everyone in the room, though their specific details remained blurred. I could have boosted my 'Luck' to pierce through the 'Restriction' and see their true identities, but that would be like ringing a dinner bell for the Administrator in charge. It wasn't worth the risk.
Mel and I drifted through the crowd, engaging in the mandatory social dance. Several Rankers approached us, and we exchanged the kind of empty, polite conversation that usually defines high-stakes politics. No one was here just to chat; they were scouting, measuring, and calculating.
"{Ahem.. Ahem... I see that you all have gathered and made yourselves comfortable. That's a good behavior. My name is Rick, the Tower's Lower-Floor Manager, the 'Administrator', if you will.}"
The voice cut through the chatter. A being that looked like a human child, sporting bright blue hair and piercing golden eyes, appeared seemingly from nowhere. Despite his appearance, the pressure he exuded was immense.
"{No need to be alarmed,}" 'Rick' continued, his voice calm and strangely melodic. "{I understand this is the first time a representative of the 'Tower of Trials' has personally met with you humans. You have many questions, but all will be answered in good time. Anyhow, you are here for an Auction and a Ball, right? Then let us begin. The rules are the same as in the human world: an Item will be displayed, and you bid. Please enjoy bidding.}"
As Rick vanished, a small wooden paddle, resembling a table tennis racket, materialized in my hand with the number '48' etched into the circle. The lights dimmed, and a spotlight snapped onto a stage that rose dramatically from the floor.
"[Notice: The 'Black Auction' has officially started!]"
"[Introducing the 1st Item, 'Titan's Arm'.]"
"[Info: The S-Rank, 'Titan's Arm' was taken from a literal titan from the Titan Race. The Blood of a Titan can boost your essence exponentially!]"
"[Starting Bidding Price is 30,000 Coins. Please place your bets!]"
"Ho? A 'Titan's Arm'?" Melchior murmured, his face a mask of casual indifference. "Their blood is indeed rich in energy. I wonder how long it has been since I last drank the blood of a Titan?"
I had to suppress a smile. Sometimes I forgot that beneath that aristocratic suit, Melchior was an ancient monster. To him, a race as sturdy and terrifying as the Titans was just a source of a good drink.
The auction moved quickly. High-ranking Items were paraded across the stage, and Rankers fought tooth and nail, driving prices into the hundreds of thousands.
"Arthur," Melchior eventually asked as the flurry of bidding continued. "You brought me here to buy something, yet you haven't raised your paddle once. Why are you waiting?"
"Good things take time, Mel. Be patient," I replied with a comfortable smile.
"Well, if you need anything, just place your bet," Melchior added, checking his own internal inventory. "I want to clear some storage from my Vault anyway."
"Why thank you, partner," I grinned.
"Pshh, don't make this weird," Mel grumbled, looking away. It was a funny sight, seeing an ancient being get flustered over a simple word.
"[Introducing the 46th Item, 'Dying Tree Branch'.]"
"[Info: This B-Rank Item, 'Dying Tree Branch' was taken from an ancient tree that was the last of its kind. Useful as a decorative Item.]"
"[Starting Bidding Price is 15,000 Coins. Please place your bets.]"
"[15,001 Coins confirmed from the Number 48!]"
The room went quiet. Most Rankers looked at me like I was insane for bidding on a piece of dead wood.
"[Bet going once!]"
"[Bet going twice!]"
"[Bet going thrice!]"
"[Congratulations! Item Number 46 sold to the Participant Number 48!]"
I didn't mind the stares. After exchanging some of the high-value treasures from Mel's Vault in the 'Shop', my balance was sitting at a comfortable 3,029,300 Coins.
"What's with these trashy items?" Melchior asked, watching as I successfully snagged a few more 'useless' pieces. "I guess you're cooking something up as usual." I just nodded.
"[Congratulations! Item Number 51 sold to the Participant Number 48!]"
"[Congratulations! Item Number 57 sold to the Participant Number 48!]"
"[Congratulations! Item Number 66 sold to the Participant Number 48!]"
"[Congratulations! Item Number 82 sold to the Participant Number 48!]"
Over the next hour, I dropped 100,000 Coins on four more Items: a B-Rank 'Black Meteorite', an A-Rank 'Word Tree Leaf', a B-Rank 'Glass Shard of Queen's Mirror', and an A-Rank 'Dragon's Tooth'. To everyone else, I was just a rich eccentric buying expensive paperweights.
Then, the next Item appeared, and I raised my paddle again. This time, however, a paddle on the far side of the room shot up immediately after mine. Finally, someone was actually trying to compete with me. This was where it started to get interesting.