Sabaody Archipelago, Auction House.
A fat man in a coat sat in the most exclusive box of the auction house, his thick fingers tapping the armrest rhythmically.
Though his eyes were hidden behind sunglasses, their greedy glint seemed to penetrate the lenses, clearly visible in the air.
"Alright, the fat sheep are coming in. I can make a big profit again this time."
Do Feld's voice was low and tinged with pleasure, the corners of his mouth slightly raised in a sly smile.
The auction house manager stood aside, his face full of obsequiousness, saying:
"Lord Do Feld, after all, you've released some very good items this time."
His tone was full of flattery and ingratiation, carefully weighing each word.
Do Feld, one of the heads of the underworld, nicknamed "King of Loan Sharks," was not only adept at lending money at exorbitant rates but also involved in various other illegal activities.
This auction was held under the auspices of his organization, with the aim of earning more wealth to satisfy his endless greed.
"There are quite a few pirates here this time. I'm a little worried they'll cause trouble," the manager said with some concern, a hint of unease flashing in his eyes.
Do Feld smiled slightly, a light of wisdom gleaming in his eyes.
"Don't worry, a Celestial Dragon will be attending this auction."
His voice was confident and sinister.
"As long as those pirates don't want to die, they won't dare to show their faces at this auction."
A smart man uses his brain to keep everything under his control.
And he was that smart man.
For him, even the Celestial Dragons could be exploited, with just a little trickery.
Do Feld waved his hand casually, as if everything was under control.
The auction house manager breathed a sigh of relief, a look of reassurance on his face.
"As expected of Lord Do Feld. I feel relieved now."
Do Feld leaned back lazily in his chair, his voice tinged with weariness.
"Alright, the auction can start soon..."
"Understood, I'll arrange it immediately."
The manager nodded solemnly and slowly retreated, leaving Do Feld alone.
Do Feld's gaze swept over the scene in the hall, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
More than money, he enjoyed the ugly behavior of people fighting over things.
After all, money was just a string of numbers to him.
The growth of numbers could no longer excite him; he preferred to see the malice, struggle, and death erupting between people.
His fat body leaned forward slightly, his eyes as sharp as a hawk, staring at every corner of the hall.
The auction was about to begin, and he was looking forward to a feast full of malice and desire.
The air was filled with a tense atmosphere, like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment.
Do Feld's fingers continued to tap the armrest, each tap like a beat for the upcoming chaos and strife.
His smile grew more cunning, his heart filled with anticipation for the upcoming drama.
For him, wealth, power, and desire were all games he played, and he would always be in control of this game.
...
...
The people in the hall, of course, didn't know what Do Feld was thinking. At this moment, they were busy confronting those they knew well.
Even if they had good relationships outside, they were competitors here, and most of those who came here were old rivals.
Everyone stared at each other, their eyes full of hostility and vigilance, as if a fierce competition would erupt in the next second.
"It's so lively here!"
Toki Kozuki looked left and right, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement.
It was her first time at an auction house, and everything was so new to her. She observed her surroundings with rapt attention.
Jin'an, on the other hand, remained calm, noticing every detail and observing everyone's expressions and movements.
Although he appeared relaxed on the surface, he was inwardly calculating the upcoming auction items.
Issei still wore that smiling expression.
Suddenly, the lights focused in one direction.
Disco was still the same as before, walking slowly out from backstage with a smile under the spotlight.
The last human auction a few years ago had been a disaster.
Although it had little to do with him, he had always regarded that day as his day of shame, using it to spur himself on.
Today, his confidence was clearly much greater than before, especially since today was the anniversary of his day of shame.
Disco stood in the center of the stage, bowed slightly, and wore a professional smile on his face.
"Welcome, everyone. I am Disco, the host of the 'Walking Bargain Auction.' I hope everyone can bid on the items they need."
A round of applause rang out from the audience. Disco's eyes swept over everyone, a hint of shrewdness flashing in them.
He took a deep breath and announced in a loud voice:
"Now, the auction officially begins!"
The hall instantly fell silent, and everyone stared intently at the stage, anticipating the appearance of the auction items.
The air was filled with a tense atmosphere, and everyone's nerves were on edge.
In Do Feld's box, his smile grew more cunning, his heart filled with anticipation for the upcoming drama.
Just as Disco announced the start of the auction.
The originally dim hall lights suddenly became bright, and the dazzling light made everyone squint.
Then, several Celestial Dragons dressed like aliens walked in.
Their arrival seemed to inject a strong sense of oppression into the entire auction venue.
The originally noisy hall instantly fell silent, becoming so quiet that a pin could drop.
People lowered their heads, not daring to breathe loudly.
The existence of the Celestial Dragons was like an insurmountable mountain for ordinary people, making it difficult for them to breathe.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the ground, fearing that the slightest offense would bring unbearable disaster.
After the Celestial Dragons slowly walked to the VIP seats and sat down, the atmosphere of the auction house gradually recovered.
A low whisper began to sound in the hall. People carefully raised their heads, observing the Celestial Dragons in the VIP seats, their hearts filled with awe and fear.
Disco stood on the stage, a hint of barely perceptible tension flashing in his eyes, but he quickly adjusted his state and said with a smile:
"Thank you for the presence of all the distinguished guests. Now we will continue the auction. I hope everyone can bid on their favorite items."
The auction restarted, and the auction items on the stage were unveiled one by one, causing a burst of exclamations and discussions.
However, the existence of the Celestial Dragons always loomed over the entire venue, adding a layer of shadow to everyone's hearts.
Inside the auction venue, the atmosphere gradually returned to its initial liveliness, but that faint sense of oppression still existed.
Do Feld sat in the box, coldly observing all this, a sneer on his lips.
He liked this tense and oppressive atmosphere, liked watching these people's performances under extreme pressure.
...
...
