Cain was amazed by the first item of the auction.
[Dance of The War God] Usable by Dragons Only. Dragon Form combat style. Increases damage done by 250 percent of strength.
"The seller of this item requires one viable egg from any species of Divine Dragon in exchange. Do we have a bidder for this exceptional item?"
Not only is the item incredible, so is the price. Cain understands now why they called it the VIP Market, it's more of a trade than an auction, except you're allowed to bid against others who have what the seller needs.
"In this auction, you don't have to pay right away, they'll hold the item for a time while you prepare payment if necessary. But the penalty for failure to pay is extreme." King Aggramor explains to Cain, who is admiring the book.
"As much as I'd love to have it, I don't know where I'd get the price. Divine Dragon Eggs aren't something that I have just laying around.
After a while the auctioneer announced that a single bid has been made and accepted and the book is locked back up and taken away.
The next item up makes Cain smile, the recipe for Frost Giant Vodka. Guaranteed correct by the auction house itself.
"A functional recipe for this potion is a rare item indeed. The seller is asking for a rare Skill Book to finish their combat style. The Skill of [Cloud Dancing], as some of you know it was a secret skill of the Gnomish Royal Guards."
Cain turns to the Auction attendant in their room width a smile. "Tell them I can offer the book on the condition it's used immediately on receipt."
Cain has the skill to copy it, barely, but the copies made by the desk only last about hour or so and he doesn't even know if all the materials needed to make a permanent copy still exist.
A few seconds pass and the answer comes back. "The seller says that's unacceptable. They are a collector and want it for their library."
"Give the seller my apologies and tell them my skill is time limited. I can't give them a copy for their library." Cain says and the agent nods.
A few more moments pass and the auctioneer speaks again. "Unfortunately we couldn't make a sale on this item today. But we have many more amazing items on the roster."
As the bidding goes on, Cain and King Aggramor wait for an item they want and the agent passes a note to Cain. The seller of the Frost Giant Vodka Recipe is asking for any leads he might have on where to find a copy of the book, if he knows.
Cain decides the truth might be even more frustrating than a lie, so he writes the word [Underwood] on the note and hands it back. The hidden city of the Dark Elves isn't an easy place to get to, but they could certainly make a copy of the book.
Finally an item catches King Aggramor's attention. A cursed sword. The seller wants a Lava Bloom Gem half a kilo in weight in exchange and the King passes one to the agent like it was nothing. While they're Legendary Quality materials and very rare, the dungeon under his castle is a source of them.
"Cursed swords have an affinity for Demons, so I gather them when I can." Aggramor explains.
About two thirds of the items sell, all for very rare or regionallyrestricted products. The last item up is a Soul Gem. It is occupied, but the auction can't confirm by what or who. Cain examines it and gets an error message.
[Required Skill: Living Art Not Known] item cannot be used.
Now that's got his curiosity.
If [Living Art] can affect it, then the soul gem must be of a similar nature to the Stasis Gems that his skill creates, only it has the soul inside as well. Or perhaps just the soul, waiting on a body to be transferred into.
"This seller is a bit more flexible than most, since they're looking for an option not an item. The seller is looking for a way to advance a Shadow Priest to the Legendary Infernal Arbiter Third Advancement class without an existing Dark Blessing. The Soul Gem will be provided when the class option is unlocked."
That's an easy one for Cain, he's already done it once, for Misha. He knows he just needs to give them the [Balance] skill and they'll unlock the class right away, but he's not sure that he's willing to give away that much information on his own abilities. The Soul Gem is tempting him though, he's certain there's something really good hidden inside, and he's not willing to pass it up.
"Tell them I know the way to unlock the class, but it must be done in person. I did it for Misha, and the fact she holds the class they want should be proof enough of my claim." Cain informs the Auction Assistant.
"Too tempting to pass up was it?" Neffie laughs, climbing up in his lap.
"I'm pretty sure there's something good hidden in that gem, and once I get a few more levels I'll have a skill that can let it out and make it my Puppet." Cain smiles, rubbing her head.
"Why don't you ever give me cool things like that? Everyone's getting skills and new bodies and special classes in addition to their headpats." Neffie compains, leaning into his hand as it reaches the spot at the back of her ears.
"Well, what exactly would you need? It's a one time thing, and it permanently changes them. While you're still growing up you can get what you want for yourself, with your own abilities, right? Then when you run out of options you can come to me for a little help along the way to get you past the blockage." Cain suggests, and Neffie thinks deeply on his suggestion.
"Well, if it's a once in a lifetime option, I guess it might be better to wait. But I hate waiting, waiting is boring." The little demon Queen complains, making Aggramor laugh.
No wonder Lickity seems so stressed out all the time with a child like this one.
