Chapter 113: The Auction ( Part 1 )

[ No Fighting Is Allowed. ]

[ The Grand Auction Hall is a beacon of civilization and order amidst the chaos of our world. It is a place where strategy, wit, and foresight reign supreme—not brute force. To ensure a fair and honorable environment for all, the following disciplinary measures are in place:

First Offense:

Any act of aggression or combat within the confines of the Auction Grounds will result in the immediate forfeiture of all your accumulated points. This penalty is non-negotiable and will be enforced without exception.

Second Offense:

Should any Survivor choose to disregard this warning and commit a second violation, they will face the ultimate sanction: teleportation back to the Apocalypse World and banned from future Auction Events.

Additional Guidelines:

Verbal Altercations: Disputes must be resolved through dialogue or mediation. Raising one's voice is permitted only in the spirit of the auction.

Security Protocols: Surveillance by the system's overseers will be constant. Any sign of misconduct will be addressed posthaste.

Let us remember: The Grand Auction Hall is more than a marketplace; it is a testament to our collective will to rise above the savagery. Here, we trade not only in goods but in the currency of hope and collaboration. ]

[ May the auctions proceed with integrity and honor. Bid boldly, bid wisely, and may the spirit of camaraderie prevail over all. ]

A tall figure wearing a Doctor's Garb leaned against a pillar, chuckling softly to himself. "We will be civilized folk today, it seems..." He mutterd, the light catching the glint of amusement in his eyes.

It seemed that he was expecting this place to be chaotic, but this sudden announcement from the System broke it all.

Nearby, a woman with a tool belt wrapped around her waist nodded thoughtfully. "Order is what we need, not more chaos. Losing points would be... unfortunate..." She said, her voice tinged with the gravity of understanding.

"What a bummer..."

A whisper, almost lost in the din, came from a lean figure whose hands rested casually on the hilts of her twin blades. "I thought I could loot more here... Well, it's still good that they reminded us about that instead of surprising us once we killed someone..." She muttered to a companion beside her, her stance relaxed yet ready.

Shane heard these comments and he wasn't too surprised that there are many people expecting that a battle could happen here.

Well, all of them probably knew that it was possible to loot human corpses as well.

"Mhmm?" Shane shifted his attention to elsewhere...

Cloud actually detected this person as half-human!

**

A man with eyes like an eagle surveyed the crowd, his gaze sharp and calculating.

"Are they serious about the rules? Tsk... I wonder how they'll keep watch over us all..." He pondered aloud, skepticism threading through his tone. It was as if he wanted to commit a crime and challenge the system where he would be seen.

Just then, laughter bubbled up from a group gathered around the area leading to the market...

"Hahaha! Since fighting is not allowed, then we can safely take all the items here!" He declared, his confidence infectious.

Duration: The event will span 3 hours.

Participation: All Survivors are welcome to bid in this prestigious event.

Survivor's Exchange:

Location: Adjacent to the Auction Hall is the dedicated building for Survivor-to-Survivor auctions.

Process: Survivors can offer their personal items for auction to their peers.

Catalog Inclusion: Once an item is registered for auction, it will be listed in the catalog.

Duration: Bidding for these items will be open for 1 hour.

Additional Information:

Bidding Increments: Minimum bid increments will be specified for each item.

Payment: All winning bids must be settled immediately with the System's Currency or Points.

Item Collection: Items won can be collected at the designated pickup area post-auction. ]

[ Prepare for a day of strategic bidding and seize the opportunities that lie within. May the best Survivor prevail! ]

"Ohhh... So it was like that... No wonder this place looked so big." Shane muttered as he heard several gasps from other Survivors around him.

For him, the rules were clear-cut, a game within a game, and he felt a thrill at the challenge they presented.

The first event, the Market Bazaar Bidding, appealed to his strategic mind. He could already envision himself weaving through the stalls, placing bids with a decent item. Well, his A.I. Assistant would be keen for undervalued treasures that others might overlook!

'I'm sure there are hidden treasures there...' Shane thought.

Nonetheless, he knew that the main event in the Grand Auction Hall was where he would shine, he was sure of it.

With the points he had amassed, he was in a prime position to claim some of the most coveted items. He could feel the anticipation building, as he and a thousand others prepared to enter the grandeur of the hall.

The third event, the Survivor's Exchange, intrigued him the most.

'I don't think there will be plenty of people who will participate in this event. After all, if they have unused items, they'll just convert them already... Ah, wait... Perhaps we could resell items here?' Shane thought as he realized the others might use this opportunity to win items in the Grand Auction Hall even if they didn't need them to resell them.

However, Shane shook his head as this was too risky if no one decided to buy it.

Anyway, this event was a wildcard, an opportunity to see what personal items others deemed valuable enough to auction.

It was also a chance to gauge the needs and desires of his fellow survivors, information that could be as valuable as the items themselves.

Around him, others expressed their thoughts in hushed tones and excited whispers.

However, none of it matters now as Shane headed to the Grand Auction Hall!

As soon as he entered and found a seat, he didn't wait long before it started!