''The 80th item to be auctioned is something of a rarity.'' The silver-haired man introduced a glass bottle with brownish roots inside. The roots emitted some strange energy that wrapped the whole stage.
''This ingredient is called Root of Dreams. A special product of Dream World!''
The beautiful woman, who pulled the cart, felt intoxicated by being in the near vicinity of the bottle. It was like there was some kind of strange energy around the bottle that kept pulling her toward it.
However, she woke up from her stupor by a gentle push from the silver-haired man.
The players directed their greedy eyes toward the glass bottle. They had heard rumors of Dream Potion. No one knew where the rumor came from, but it had been the biggest talk past week. Apparently, it helps the player to improve enough to become Top Player with one leap.
Inside various VIP Suites, many interested gazes were directed toward the stage.
In one of them, a tanned woman with curly blond hair and an exotic-looking face showed a spark of interest. She was a resident of Noble Circle, part of the Sunflower Family.
Her name was Blair Sunflower, the Matriarch of the Sunflower Family.
She rapped her long-nailed finger against the small table, and a tiny smile forced her lips to curve upward. Behind her were several Sunflower Family's servants.
''This was the… The root of Dreams?'' She asked the servant who held the catalog in her arms.
''Yes, madam.'' The servant replied with pleasantry.
''Hmm, how much is the budget?'' While picking up the glass containing champagne, she asked, ''How much can I bid while I still have enough to bid for the last items?''
''4 million.'' The servant replied after making a quick calculation.
''Hmm…'' She smiled slightly.
In another VIP Suite.
The room had a black-haired man with a well-toned body and short beard watching the auction with a lofty expression. Behind him was a black-haired teen standing tall with his head slightly lowered, a humbled look on his face.
''Root of Dreams…'' The black-haired man murmured. In his chest was a logo of an M letter with a crown topping it. He was the Guild Master of Monarch, Silver!
His son, Lynch, humbly stood behind him, ''Father, are you planning to bid for it?''
''Yes, but it will be a bloodbath.'' Silver gazed toward another dark-windowed room, ''I am not the only player within VIP suites. They want it as badly as I do.''
Lynch nodded, and curiously looked toward the glass bottle, a tinge of greed in his eyes.
After introducing the item, the silver-haired man shouted, ''The starting bid is 1 million!''
It was a jaw-dropping starting bid that made many people gasp. The NPCs in the audience were shocked. They wondered why some item from Dream World was so expensive when items from Moon Realm and God Realm didn't have such a crazy starting bid!
Only the silver-haired man knew its importance to the players. Thus, he made a high starting bid, which he knew would be just an appetizer.
Luna covered her mouth in shock, ''1 million… already above what I can afford.''
''1.1 million.'' A shout came from one of the VIP suites. An elderly man with a wrinkled face and murky eyes showed a tinge of interest. Beside him were his grandsons, watching the auction with interest.
Then, a counter-bid was shouted from the audience, ''1.2 million!''
The audience members turned to look at the wealthy-looking player. The player was sitting on the left-handed side of the hall, where the semi-wealthy ones were seated. There were many among them who believed they should have received a VIP suite and were quite displeased because they had to sit in the hall.
The bidding war continued, and each bid caused turmoil in the audience's hearts.
The silver-haired man continued smiling gently, and the bid soon reached 2 million.
Then, The Guild Master of Monarch, Silver, stood up and pressed a button on the side, ''2.2 million!''
After shouting, he sat up with his legs crossed. His eyes slightly narrowed as he watched the dark-windowed rooms staying silent.
However, soon that silence was interrupted, ''2.5 million!''
Inside the Sunflower VIP Suite, Blair Sunflower shouted with her melodious voice. She had a small smile on her exotic and mature face.
Silver frowned and turned to look at the dark window. Then, he shouted, ''2.7 million!''
''Oh.'' Blair looked amused and shouted, ''3 million!''
The audience gasped in horror. They stayed silent and allowed the VIPs to have their war. The wealthy ones seated in the hall gave up, not planning to risk making the VIPs their enemies.
Silver narrowed his eyes and shouted, ''3.1 million!''
''3.2 million!'' Blair countered.
''3.3 million!'' Silver's eyes had a tinge of red as he shouted.
''3.5 million!'' Blair countered while sipping the cup of champagne calmly.
Silver opened his mouth before closing it again. He sighed and shook his head, ''I give up.''
''But father, what about the Dream Potion?'' Lynch asked with disbelief. He didn't expect his father actually give up!
''I try to win the next bid and find Root of Dreams from somewhere else.'' Silver calmly explained with eyes closed. Still, the loss of the bidding war made his heart pinch.
Lynch nodded thoughtfully. If it was him, he would go all out, but he understood that his father had a plan and again was reminded of his shortsightedness.
Blair calmly finished the champagne and let out a sigh, ''Haahhh… I guess I won, hehe.''
The audience quieted down, and the silver-haired man thought it was over. He was about to announce the winner.
But then, against all odds, a single voice reverberated throughout the hall.
''4 million!'' Isaac removed his hand from the button after shouting.
The audience, with jaws wide open, turned to look at the dark-windowed room.
''Oh?'' Emperor Lock Stronglord slightly leaned forward and gazed toward the VIP Suite. His eyes began shining like he could see past the dark window. Then, two figures became clearer to him, and a surprise flickered off his eyes.
'It's him… and her… I see.' He smiled and closed his eyes. Then, opened them again, and he could only see dark windows.
''Father, aren't you planning to bid?'' Key asked curiously.
''No. It's far more valuable for him…'' Emperor Lock Stronglord said mysteriously.
''Hmm?'' Blair, inside her own suite, frowned. The servants behind her gulped.
Next to Isaac, Luna's eyes were wide open, ''4… million…''
Isaac closed his eyes and waited for anyone to counter-bid.
Like he expected, a melodious shout soon rang in his ears, ''4.1 million!''
