The gavel's echo dissipated. Jack acquired the [Mental Cleansing Board Game]. For a substantial sum of money. But he knew the value was far greater.
The auction continued. The next series of objects rolled by. Each was presented with the auctioneer's practiced flourish.
There was an ornate nine-ring saber. Its hilt was intricately carved. It gleamed under the light.
"A masterwork of the ancient New Continent blade smiths!" The auctioneer boomed. His hand swept dramatically. "Nine rings of legend. A weapon fit for a hero!"
The bidding started. It was spirited, but predictable. Enthusiasts of ancient weaponry and collectors of exotic art vied for it. The saber eventually sold for a respectable sum to a portly man with a monocle.
Next came a golden candle holder. It was shaped like a coiled serpent. Its scales were meticulously detailed. Each one was a tiny facet catching the light. It was clearly made for ceremonial purposes. Perhaps for an altar or a grand feast.
But again, to Jack's [Eyes of Judgement], it was a mundane object. Valuable as an artistic piece. But it was devoid of any inherent power or transcendent property to be considered a treasure.
The jade lucky cat followed. Small, sitting upright with one paw raised in a perpetual beckoning gesture. Its jade was a deep, translucent green in color. It was cool and smooth even from a distance.
This object was clearly ancient, weathered by centuries, yet perfectly preserved. It emanated a faint, gentle aura of residual cultural belief. It had no transcendent aura though.
Afterward, an ink painting of a pagoda was displayed. The scene was rendered with delicate, sweeping brushstrokes. Depicting a multi-tiered pagoda nestled amidst misty mountains and swirling clouds.
The artist's skill was undeniable. The sense of depth and tranquility it evoked could be clearly sensed.. Such art from the New Continent was rare and sought after. But it was, once more, just art. A beautiful, historical artistic creation. Jack calmly watched it go to a quiet, scholarly-looking individual.
Then, came the ceremonial scepter. It was unveiled with less fanfare than the previous items, but its presence immediately shifted the atmosphere in the room. The air around the room seemed to turn slightly colder.
It was a staff of dark, polished wood. Tipped with a crystalline orb that pulsed with a faint, internal light. Strange, jagged symbols were carved into its length. Some of them were glowing with a residual, ancient power.
"Presenting..." The auctioneer declared in a more serious tone. "... The Scepter of the Forgotten Emperor, recovered from the deepest ruins of the New Continent. Its purpose is unknown. Yet its power is undeniable."
Baroness Artheim leaned forward. Her usually composed eyes held a flicker of intense interest.
"That..." She murmured. Her gaze was fixed on the scepter. "That has a transcendent aura. Quite powerful."
"Hold on Baroness." Leon Drake's voice was uncharacteristically sharp. His expression was grim. "I advise against bidding. My instinct screams danger. That object… it feels wrong. Like it will definitely draw calamity."
Chloe Chase had been observing the scepter with an almost pained expression. She nodded slowly. "He's right, Baroness. It feels like a heavy burden of misfortune."
Jack had already engaged his [Eyes of Judgement]. The scepter's information panel flashed into his vision.
[Name: Scepter of Fated King]
[Type: Living Artifact]
[Description: This creature is symbiotically linked to destiny. It bestows immense fortune, power, and influence upon a single 'fated person' destined to wield it. For any other individual, it acts as a magnet for disaster, misfortune, and eventual ruin.]
A cold, clinical understanding settled over Jack. Leon and Chloe were indeed worthy inheritors of Fate and Fortune. They felt the disaster right away. Despite not having the full picture.
Unlike them, he had accessed the information for the object. And the most disturbing revelation was its classification. His [Eyes of Judgement] put it in the category of 'living artifact'. And it is described as a 'creature'.
"They are right, Baroness." Jack stated in calm but firm voice. "Do not bid on that scepter. It is not a treasure. It is a curse."
Baroness Artheim hesitated. The conviction in Jack's voice, combined with the clear apprehension of Leon and Chloe, made her pause. She was a woman of logic and ambition. But she trusted caution.
"Understood." She finally conceded. A note of regret was in her tone. "A pity. It's a shame to pass on such potential. But I'll trust you three on this."
The bidding began for the scepter. Several individuals made tentative bids. Intrigued by its chilling aura. The price slowly climbed.
Then, a thick-bearded man, clad in a typical ship captain's outfit, joined in the bidding. He had a weathered face. And his eyes held a strange, wild glint. He bid aggressively. Driving up the price with casual disregard.
Jack watched him curiously. The information panel for the man showed that he was a primal sorcerer with neutral karma. Not a really strong one. But his demeanor and his almost arrogant confidence, struck Jack as peculiar.
Was he the fated one? Quite an unlikely choice for a king. But Jack knew that destiny was often strange.
The other bidders, intimidated or outmatched, eventually dropped out. The scepter was acquired by the thick-bearded captain for a significant sum. He gave a triumphant grin. Snatching the scepter from the attendant with an almost proprietary air.
Jack simply watched. A faint sense of unease lingered. Time would tell if the captain was truly fated. Or merely a new victim.
The auction continued its rhythmic progression. More objects from the New Continent were presented... elaborate brass astrolabes, silk robes embroidered with vanished patterns. pottery shards that had a faint transcendent aura...
They were all curiosities. Relics of a lost age. But they were nothing that warranted attention from their group. Jack and his companions remained silent through these rounds.
Finally, a thick leather-bound book was brought forth. It was clearly ancient. Its covers were scuffed and worn. Its pages were yellowed with age. The auctioneer described it as an untranslated volume from the New Continent. Potentially detailing lost rituals or forgotten history.
Baroness Artheim, however, was interested. Her keen eyes noted the intricate script. Although it was utterly alien, it seemed to exude a subtle, transcendent energy. She immediately joined the bidding.
She outbid a scholar from the local city and a collector of antiquities. Securing the book for a moderate sum. It was not as grand as the scepter, but the baroness clearly held a high regard for knowledge.
Jack used his [Eyes of Judgement] on it. It was called the [Tome of Arcane Talisman Craft]. While containing immense transcendent energy, this energy is contained within its knowledge. The tome itself possesses no inherent supernatural abilities beyond its informative capacity. Its contents require understanding and practice to unlock their potential.
As the book was delivered to their box, Jack looked at the baroness. "Interesting acquire, Baroness. This isn't just an old historical book."
Baroness Artheim carefully ran a gloved finger over the strange script on the cover. "No, I suspected as much. It felt like there was immense weight of knowledge within its pages. But the language..."
She sighed. Showing a rare display of frustration. "It's completely indecipherable to me. And I don't know anybody that understand this language. A shame to possess such potential and be unable to unlock it."
"The Lonestone Academy has no record on this language?" Jack raised his eyebrows. "Dr. Crafton and Professor Enderson know the dark elven language, don't they? Isn't that language more ancient than this New Continent's one?"
"Elven language was from the northern part of our continent. It had been carefully documented." The baroness replied calmly. He pointed at the script on the book. "This one hadn't been known until explorers arrived in the New Continent. And, it was already too late. The civilization there had been extinct by then."
"Well, in that case... I can actually help with that, Baroness." Jack calmly said. Ignoring the auctioneer that introduced a mundane, ceremonial golden sword.
"I possess a spellcard, [Omni-linguistic Sense]." Jack continued. "It allows the user to understand any language for fifteen minutes. It has a six-hour cooldown after use, but it would certainly allow you to make headway with this book."
Baroness Artheim's eyes lit up. "Truly? That would be invaluable. What would be your terms, Captain?"
"Simple." Jack replied. "You share the knowledge you gain from it. Specifically, the content of the book. Perhaps we can even translate it over time, working together. This expedition is about shared discovery, after all."
The Baroness considered this for a moment. Her gaze flickered from Jack to the book, then back to him. The knowledge within the tome was clearly a great prize. Sharing it with the one who could provide the 'key' seemed a fair trade.
"Agreed, Captain." She said. "We will begin translation discussions once we depart Crescent Island."
Jack nodded. The knowledge from the [Tome of Arcane Talisman Craft] would be a powerful addition to his arsenals and the expedition's resources.
...
The auctioneer's voice boomed once more. Signaling the last item of the day. A hush fell over the room. Filled with anticipation. This was always where the true prizes, or the biggest gambles, were unveiled.
A team of hulking attendants wheeled out a reinforced, ornate cage. Its bars were thick and unyielding. Inside, nestled on a bed of exotic silks, was an egg.
It was gigantic. Easily the size of a man's torso. Its surface was covered in shimmering, iridescent scales. Like overlapping plates of mother-of-pearl. Subtly shifting colors under the flickering lights.
The scales pulsed with a soft, ethereal glow. And a faint, crackling static could be felt in the air around it. It wasn't a mundane object. It wasn't even a standard transcendent item. It was alive. A surviving monster egg.
"And now, esteemed guests..." The auctioneer declared. His voice was filled with dramatic flair. "The piece you have been waiting for. The final marvel from the depths of the New Continent. Untold fortunes await the one who can hatch this magnificent creature. We present to you… a genuine, fertilized DRAGON EGG!"
A wave of murmurs swept through the hall. Dragons had long disappeared into myths for most people in this part of the world. Dragon eggs were things of legend. Almost unheard of outside the most fantastical tales. A tangible one was a sensation.
But Jack's [Eyes of Judgement] were already locked onto it. And the truth, as always, was laid bare.
[Name: Lightning Kirin Egg]
[Type: Mythical Creature (Embryo)]
[Description: This is the unhatched embryo of a [Lightning Kirin], a mythical creature of immense power and divine lineage. Kirins are beings of pure essence, often associated with prosperity, justice, and powerful elemental control... specifically, lightning. This egg is currently dormant but retains strong life force and transcendent energy. Hatching it would require significant magical energy, a suitable environment, and careful nurturing. Upon hatching, the Kirin will imprint on its first conscious observer.]
A Kirin egg. Not a dragon. But it was no less rare. No less powerful. In his past life, Kirins were creatures of Eastern lore. Symbols of purity and immense, untamed power. Comparable to dragons. This was a truly monumental find.
Baroness Artheim was already moving. Her hand shot up. Her paddle was raised decisively. She declared a significant number for her bid. Her voice was firm. Cutting through the murmurs. She wasn't holding back. She wanted this.
Two other bidders immediately rose to challenge her. Increasing the bid without hesitation.
One was the visiting nobleman from Wavefront Kingdom. The one who acquired the calligraphy painting. He had a smug, self-satisfied air about him. And he raised his paddle with an almost casual disdain for the price. Calling a number that was double to the baroness' bid.
Another man called after him. Raising the bid even further. This other person was a man whose presence made Jack's eyes glinted in predatory hunger.
He was a man with long, dark coat and ship captain's wide-brimmed hat. He sat in the back. Shrouded in shadow. A large, sinister figure with a cruel, thin smile. Jack's [Eyes of Judgement] immediately provided a basic information about him.
The most prominent one was the thick aura of dark karma he possessed. And aura of power no weaker than Jack's. This person was not a collector. He was a predator.
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