Chapter 70 - The Old Man

I entered my details in the auction server. Only after verification, I can bid officially. Soon, the verification was completed. My name and image were shown. It can only viewed by Auction Authorities.

It will remain anonymous to other bidders. Time went by and all other rooms were getting filled. At first, I thought there were few people. Yet in the last minutes all of the rooms were full. I'm waiting for the presenter to appear. I can't look outside directly.

Everything that happens outside is shown via A.I Monitor.. A couple of minutes later, I saw an old man with a black mustache. He is wearing a black tuxedo that is suited for this occasion.

Also, there is a a cowboy hat on top of his head. As he came towards the center of the podium. He gazed towards all our room. His eyes were sharp. Even looking from this Monitor Screen. 

I felt goosebumps. My gut feeling tells me that, this old guy must be a Special Trainee. No way, an ordinary man can impose such a threatening aura. I didn't know whether I'm imagining things.

As I looked at the Monitor Screen. Maybe this fatty has some clue. "Max, do you know about this old man?" I questioned him. Unlike Zack who was observing every detail through Monitor Screen. Max was quietly taking nap.

He decided to wake up when Auction officially starts. "Max… Max" I shouted in low voice. But, this guy looks like went into a deep sleep. After continuous nagging by Zack.

Max opened his eyes. After yawning for a moment. He became clear-headed. "What happened?" he asked. I gesture him to look at the monitor screen. Max was surprised by seeing this old man.

I saw a knowing look on Max's face. I asked, "Do you know him?". Max turned towards me and said, " I heard about him. This old man appears only for an important events such as Grand Auction."

But, I don't know why he appeared here for this Mini- Auction?" I affirmed my guess hearing that, answer. "What's his name? Is he powerful? I bombarded him with my question.

Max has gotten annoyed. "Why do you ask? We came here for auction. It's better to focus on that. As for your question. I don't know?

Like you, I'm heard it from others." He answered in a displeasing tone. Hearing that I stopped nagging him and focused on monitor screen. "why he is on edge today" I wondered inside my heart.

But, Zack doesn't know that, there is something else going on in Max's mind. When Max saw that person. His calm heart started to become turbulent. He used a handkerchief to clean his sweaty palms.

"What's happening? Why am I feeling nervous?" Max wondered in his heart. One hour ago, At Back office of the Thomas Trade Centre. The Presenter Old Man talking to one of his servants.

"is he arrived?" the old man questioned his servant. The Servant is a Male Warrior, Presumably in-between Early to Midlevel Trainee Apprentice. His face is expressionless.

He is maintaining a pin-drop silence. He only responds to the old man questions. He wearing a grey shirt and grey pants. After hearing the question, The Servant sent the details to old Man's Watch.

The old man opened the folder to view. In that folder there is a video. He began to watch the video. As the video started playing. He noticed his target has arrived and there is another fellow tagged along with him.

Seeing that, his lips curved a little. Then he operated on his Sci-Fi watch. To verify the target, he opened the list. The List is none other than the kill list. There lot of names in that kill list. Most of them were ticked right.

Indicating that target is no more. Then followed by it there were few unmarked names. The old man's eyes focused on a particular name. It's Max Stewart. If Max was here.

He can confirm that, why he had a disturbance in his heart. The old man then looked for another name. It was Zack's name. But, there is no mention of Zack's name on the kill list. He then inquired the servant about him.

"That, Guy is a Classmate of the target. According to our intel, he belongs to Army faction." The servants answered. The old man was not surprised. but he had other thoughts going on his mind.

"What about his rank? The old man asked. He wants to verify something. "According to intel, he is not awakened yet. But, recently he went to pinewood forest." The servant answered.

Hearing that, the old man nodded. He wondered in his heart. He is awakened. But not mentioned in my kill list. Looks like the intel team is lagging behind. "What should I do?" the old man commented in his heart.

We already killed so many seed-level candidates who belong to Army Faction. It is not wise to kill the guy , not mentioned in the list. If I do, I have to take personal responsibility for this act.

The organization won't support unsanctioned killing. Then he closed his eyes for a moment and went into deep thinking. He opened his eyes and leaned forward his back from the seat. He smiled a Little.

Which looked devilish. "looking at the larger picture. killing him doesn't make any difference." The old man commented in his heart. He decided to kill both Max and Zack.

Then he secretly told something to his men. At present now at the podium, The old man pointed his fingers downward. Soon, from the podium. An enclosed glass structured room started to appear from above. Once it came downward.

The old man entered inside the glass door room. There is a huge monitor screen installed inside the room. The old man went forward and operated something on the screen.

Soon, the name list of bidders appeared on the screen. As he was going through the list. He smiled seeing Zack's image. Then after confirming everything. He went to another server.

It contains a name list of Auction items. He didn't mind seeing them. After confirming the items. He gave some introduction speech.

Later, the first item was auctioned. The old man gave permission. Then the All the details about the auction item were shown on the bidder's monitor screen. Meanwhile, in Zack's room.

He is been observing everything from the start.

"AIS-(AFFINITY IMPROVEMENT SOLUTION)" Base Price: 100K CREDIT POINTS.

Status: Theory.

Type: Patent.

Author/Expert: Ms. Hera Thomson.

I uttered everything shown on the screen. At first, Reading the name, I was delighted. But, looking at its status. I felt disappointed. No wonder price is at 100K. If it's real.

Then, It would not appear on the auction list. It's a failed product. But, for scholars, it's a valuable item. They can search it from the scratch. I suspect there is anyone here willing to buy the product. But it is getting bid by someone.

I looked at the room number on the screen. The camera turns around and shows the image of room number one. But, I can't see the person who had a successful bid. It was unauthorized from outside.

But, I can see them. Once the auction was over. "It has to be some scholar" I commented in my heart. Seeing me looking at the screen.

Max said, "Don't think about it. You never see them again. Unless it's an auction." Hearing that, I perked my ear. Hoping that he will answer it himself. Seeing fatty's expression I cursed him in my heart.

He wanted me to ask him. I controlled my anger and asked, "Why?" Hearing that fatty had pleasing look on his face. I tried not to look at it. He thinks of himself as a fountain of knowledge.

To some extent it's true. But, I don't believe he knows everything about the auction. "This area is only for bidding. For transaction, they will do at different floor." Then he added, " And it depends upon auction items. For documents, they transfer it directly and for other artifacts it's at the designated room."

Max explained to me. Hearing that I understood. "It's for safety" I uttered a little.

Max nodded listening to that. Soon, the next item was shown.

"Fire Affinity Stone"

Base Price: 300 K credit points.

Type: Container, Count: 1000.

Seller: Anonymous.

It's the first time, I witnessed Fire Affinity stone was sold like hotcakes. The bid was increased by 1000 credit points. I watched every action. The old man opened the container.

I gasped seeing that because each stone was at fist size. They were smoothly carved. All of the stones in the container looked the same. "It's from a certain industry" Max uttered.

I nodded at his judgment. "one thing is clear it's not a looted item." I commented in my heart. Soon, The Container was sold at 350K Credit points. I wonder, what would happen if lightning affinity stone would appear.

But, my speculation came into reality.

"Lightning affinity stone".

Base price: 500 K credit points.

Type: small stone.

Seller: Anonymous.

"What in the…!!!" I uttered unknowingly seeing the description of the lightning stone. My world literally turned upside down. It's a huge revelation of reality.

The item does not justify the word small stone. Because it is in fingernail size. I smiled mirthlessly seeing that. I wanted to bid for it. My inner thoughts urged me to buy it. I was lost in a moment.

Thanks to Max, he interrupted on time.