Two days later..
The grand majesty of the Crescent Town Auction House stood in stark contrast to the rustic charm of the surrounding area of the town. It was a sprawling, ornate building of polished dark wood and gleaming brass.
Its windows reflected the evening sky. A steady stream of finely dressed individuals flowed through its imposing main doors. Local dignitaries, rich merchants, transcendent adventurers, and wealthy collectors.
Jack, Reina, Baroness Artheim, Bell, Leon Drake, and Chloe Chase arrived in a hired carriage. Drawing a few curious glances.
Unlike his usual leather outfits, this time Jack wore a formal, custom-tailored suit. One that, though simple, exuded an air of quiet authority.
Beside him, Reina looked breathtaking in an elegant gown of deep indigo. Her long, black hair was cascading down in lustrous waves.
Rune floated next to them. Invisible in the non-transcendent eyes. But pulsing in bright green and deep gold colors in the transcendent views.
Baroness Artheim was as elegant as ever. Her pristine noble gown was deep black with blue pattern.
Bell was at her side like a shadow. His face was grim, without any smile. And his sharp eyes observed anything with high vigilance. He was in his... bodyguard mode.
Leon Drake and Chloe Chase blended in after them. They were less imposing. Rather, they looked more scholarly, yet youthful in their formal outfits.
Inside, the auction hall was a cavernous space. Dimly lit by chandeliers hanging from a high, vaulted ceiling. Rows of plush, velvet seats faced a raised stage. One where a polished podium stood ready.
The air buzzed with low conversations, the rustle of expensive fabrics, and the clinking of teacups. Jack's enhanced senses caught a much higher amount of transcendent energy than normal present in the hall. Not just from the attendees, but also from the artifacts waiting to be displayed.
They found their reserved seats in a prime location. Midway back. Offering a clear view of the stage.
Jack's eyes immediately swept the room. His [Eyes of Judgement] were working overtime. He identified several relatively powerful transcendent individuals. Some with obvious mystic or primal auras. Others with the discordant eldritch taint and faith power.
This was definitely not an ordinary auction.
...
The auctioneer eventually took to the podium. It was a portly man with a booming voice and a charming smile. He welcomed the esteemed guests and exaggeratedly explained about the rarity of the items from the distant New Continent.
And then, with a dramatic flourish, he announced the first item.
"Our inaugural piece, Ladies and Gentlemen! A stunning example of New Continent artistry. A Flood Dragon Statue!"
A velvet curtain parted. Revealing a intricately carved stone statue of a serpentine dragon. Its scales were gleaming with a dull, ancient sheen. It was beautiful, undeniably.
Jack scanned it with [Eyes of Judgement]. It held a faint magical resonance. A ritual enchantment for prosperity or good fortune. But nothing truly significant. It was a novelty. A collector's piece. Not something Jack would pursue for its power.
Bidding commenced. Spirited but ultimately settling at a reasonable sum for a valuable antique. Jack's group did not bid.
Next came an ornate porcelain jar. It was exquisitely decorated with geometric patterns and faded, complex symbols.
Baroness Artheim leaned forward. Intrigued. But her analysis confirmed Jack's own information acquired by his vision. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship. But largely mundane in transcendent terms. Another interesting item. But it was not what they were looking for.
A ceremonial curved sword followed. Its blade was dark, almost black. And it was etched with what looked like ancient runic script.
Jack saw that its enchantment was minor. Providing only a slight edge in its sharpness. However, Leon showed a flicker of interest.
He made a bid on it. Increasing it several times to compete with others. But, when the price went higher than what he was willing to spend for it, he gave up. It was acquired by a transcendent man wearing a ship captain's outfit.
Then, a calligraphy painting was presented. It was a delicate scroll with brushstrokes forming shapes and symbols. Abstract for Jack and everyone in the hall.
Every transcendent being in the hall could sense that it radiated an artistic, calming energy. But it wasn't a transcendent artifact. The calming aura purely came from the brushstrokes. An incredible work of art. Definitely.
The bidding for the calligraphy painting was intense. Reaching even more than twice the final price of the curved sword. It was acquired by a visiting nobleman from Wavefront Kingdom.
Those initial items were interesting, certainly. And they spoke of the cultural richness of the New Continent.
But none of them possessed the raw power or unique properties that would compel Jack, or the baroness, to bid. Their expedition was for seeking true transcendent treasure. Not mere curiosities.
The auctioneer clapped his hands together. His smile was undiminished. "And now, for our next item... It's a piece of such unique design. Its purpose remains a charming mystery to us. We present... the 'Mysterious Board of the Forgotten Kings'!"
An attendant carefully carried onto the stage a wooden board. It was perfectly square. Made of a dark, polished wood. With a subtle, intricate grain. The surface was crisscrossed with a precise grid of lines. Forming a multitude of intersections.
Beside it, in a small wooden box, were two sets of game pieces. One set was made of smooth, jet-black stones. And the other was made of luminous, cream-white ones. They were perfectly round. Sitting flat on one side, domed on the other.
The board was placed on its pedestal, catching the light, Jack's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. His internal focus sharpened. He knew this board. It was a Go board. And the pieces were Go stones.
But this was no ordinary Go board.
As Jack's [Eyes of Judgement] locked onto the item, a flood of information poured into his mind. An immediate and undeniable verification of its true nature.
[Name: Mental Cleansing Board Game]
[Grade: Epic]
[Durability: Extremely Tough (99%)]
[Special Ability: Mind Calming Aura, Mental Cleansing Charm]
[Description: An ancient game board originating from the forgotten spiritual traditions of the New Continent. Crafted from the petrified wood of a Dream-Weaver Tree, its primary purpose is the profound restoration and purification of the mind. When played by two individuals with focused intent, the game acts as a conduit, drawing out and neutralizing mental afflictions, traumas, curses, and even phobias. Prolonged or frequent use can enhance mental fortitude and spiritual clarity, making the user resistant to future mental attacks.]
Jack's heart pounded with a peculiar mix of recognition and surging desire. This wasn't merely a powerful object. It was a crucial one.
Mental afflictions were a constant danger in the transcendent world. Madness, psychological warfare, soul-crushing curses... these were complicated, dangerous threats for transcendent individuals.
Jack, with his [Mythical Adaptation] power, didn't need to fear mental problems. But the other crew members of the Silent Mermaid didn't have that power. They needed this object.
"A mysterious game board." The auctioneer declared. He seemed to be completely oblivious to the true nature of the item. "A charming antique, perfect for the avid collector of global curiosities! Let the bidding start!"
A few tentative bids rang out. Mostly from antique enthusiasts. The bids were polite, unenthusiastic. No one in the room, save for Jack, truly grasped the profound power sitting on that pedestal.
Jack could guess the reason. The effect of the board game would only appear when it was played by two opposing people. And, due to the extinction of the New Continent's civilization, nobody knew how to play the game.
A bidding voice called from the front row.
Jack didn't hesitate. He raised his hand. His voice cut through the polite murmur with a sudden, sharp clarity. One that made several heads turn.
Jack announced a number. Directly doubling the last bid. His tone was flat, unwavering, and absolute. He had no time for gradual escalation or polite increments. He wanted this item. And he would make that clear.
A collective gasp swept through the auction hall. The sound was a mix of shock and irritation. Double down increase for a game board that no one knew what it is for? It was an outrageously high first bid. A clear statement of intent.
The auctioneer, initially startled, quickly recovered. His eyes were gleaming at the prospect of a great payout.
"A bold offer from the gentleman in the middle!" He boomed. A wide smile was splitting his face. "Do I hear any higher for this unique piece?"
The hall fell silent for a moment. Other bidders who had been tentatively eyeing the board for its aesthetic appeal or minor curiosity now looked at Jack with a mixture of confusion and annoyance. Who was this lunatic?
"Dear?" Reina whispered. A soft smile playing on her lips. She understood Jack's interests and methods. The sudden, exorbitant bid indicated the object's true value. "You truly want this, don't you?"
"We need it, Love." Jack replied with a smile. His gaze was fixed on the Go board. He didn't mind the inflated bidding price. He had plenty of wealth from his project royalties, mission bonuses, and mundane treasure hunt.
Baroness Artheim, however, looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "Captain, that's… an aggressive opening. Do you suspect this 'object' has more to it than meets the eye?"
Her voice was low. Carefully neutral. But her sharp intellect was working furiously. She trusted Jack's judgement. But, she hadn't seen anything special from the object.
"It does. But it's a game. Its power will only manifest for those who know the game. And I'm probably the only one who knows the game in this part of the world." Jack confirmed. Not exactly hiding the truth.
He was not afraid others will fight him for the artifact. Without knowing how to use it, the thing was just a decorative object after all.
The auctioneer called the price again. Scanning the room, hoping for a challenge. Most of the smaller bidders had already dropped out. Only a handful of truly wealthy individuals or dedicated collectors still showed interest.
A thin, aristocratic man in the front row raised his hand. His expression showed a mixture of pique and stubbornness. He mention a number slightly higher than Jack's bid.
Jack didn't even flinch. He called another number. Significantly higher than the last bid. His voice was a calm, steady declaration. Completely devoid of emotion. He was not bargaining. He was claiming.
Another ripple of murmuring swept through the hall. For an unknown board, it was already an inflated price. The aristocratic man visibly deflated. His face turned a shade of crimson. He shook his head. Slumping back in his seat, defeated. This was well beyond simple antique collecting.
The auctioneer's smile widened to a predatory grin. He called the price. "Any other offers for the Mysterious Board of the Forgotten Kings? Going once... Going twice..."
He paused. Letting the tension build, letting the audacity of the price settle over the room. His eyes swept over every face. But no one dared to challenge.
"Sold!" The gavel came down with a sharp crack. Echoing through the now silent hall.
A deep sense of satisfaction settled over Jack. The [Mental Cleansing Board Game] was theirs. It was a substantial sum. But Jack knew its true value far exceeded its price.