Inwardly the San-Baka breathed a sigh of relief. And thank the heavens for who made the butcher change his mind at the last minute. Hiro shared the regalia rating of each person. Thus the San-Baka learned a new way of looking at the world for the first time.
"10%, 20%, 0%, hell we even have negative values for some of the tents." Marveled Geo.
On the other hand, Aurum asked Hiro in curiosity. "Master, is this Karma rating something you came up with? How is it determined?"
"Don't ask, all I can say is I am not the one who judged them. The world did."
At Hiro's cryptic reply, his men stayed silent, they each had different ways of interpreting it ranging from admiration to curiosity. It was at this moment that Jack announced in a loud voice the moment they all waited for.
"We finally come to the highlight of tonight's auction, an item of rarity and magnificence beyond compare! An unawakened dragonkin!"
Two large men brought a small girl ten-year-old girl to the stage, the girl had black hair and wore a simple white tunic that covered her petite frame. The chandelier's all turned off their lights, and spotlights focused on her while the hall got covered in absolute darkness.
Due to being the only one in the light, the young child tried to cover her eyes in pain. The sound of metallic chains and shackles echoed with her every movement.
"The seller went to great lengths to procure such a fine specimen for tonight. As a dragonkin, the product is far stronger and far more durable than your average human, on top of having an unprecedented Aura capacity and immense potential."
A large man then held one of the child's arms as another smashed a two-handed ax on her frail-looking limb. Widely different from one expected, the girl's arm didn't get chopped off but the man got thrown back instead.
"Even at the novice rank the product already has [Dragon Armor] a [B] rank defense skill and [Aura Enhancement] an [A] rank support skill. Once it gets to [Initiate] or even [Adept] its potential is beyond comprehension."
The large men then stripped the girl nude and held her hands to allow the hall to see her entire body. The young child who didn't understand what was going on cried pitifully as the over a thousand people inspected her like a piece of fruit.
"As you can see, even underdeveloped, the product has extremely soft skin, an exquisite face, and would be able to endure much punishment. Dragonkin regenerates at an extremely fast rate so the product is certain to last for a long period of time, even if subjected to let's say more intense physical activities."
The men then forcefully dressed the small dragonkin and connected her chains connected to the platform; as one would tie a dog to a post. An elegant-looking black collar got clamped on her neck before they left the stage. With their departure, the hall's focus returned to the black-haired child.
"So as you can see, in terms of quality the product is top tier. Whether to be used as a guard, a pet, a tool for amusement, or sexual relief. The product will satisfy her new home ensuring her new master would get their money's worth!
"To ensure her obedience, a special restriction collar comes free with her purchase. This collar restricts Aura and skills and comes with a shock feature, which is extremely useful for training, torture, or punishment."
Jack then showed a small device and pressed a button on it. An audible beeping sound came from the black collar and a powerful electric current caused the child to fall to the ground.
The shock had such a high voltage that the dragon's skin charred in some parts. In the next second, however, her skin healed back to normal verifying Jack's claim.
Smoke lingered around the child as Jack told her a simple command. "Stand back up quickly or get shocked again." Afraid of pain the young girl tried to get back on her feet as she trembled.
"As you can see, the product is a fast learner and understand simple instructions really well, in terms of food, feeding the product is optional as Dragonkin has the innate ability to convert Aura into sustenance."
Jack then fixed his monocle as he slammed his auction hammer to get everyone's focus back on him.
"Now that the explanations are over. We shall begin. Bidding starts at Ten billion Vals! 100 million Vals per Increment per bid. Begin!"
"15!"
"15 Billion to tent number nine! Do I hear 20 Billion?"
"Okay, 20 Billion to the gentleman in tent 45! Do I hear 21 Billion?"
"22!"
"30!"
"36!"
"36.1!"
"Do I hear 37 Billion? 37 Billion! Do I hear 38 Billion?"
Very quickly the amount started to skyrocket, indicating how much interest the hall had in the child. Hiro, whose fist already started to bleed from gripping too hard, had a mini storm of calibers revolving around him.
The one's bidding had an average Ledger rating of negative 30%. It did not take a genius to understand why. The San-Baka who were being drowned in the palpable killing intent radiating from their master stayed silent.
They did not know how Hiro wanted to begin the slaughter, but as he had yet to say anything, they only stood behind him waiting for orders. Unknown to them Hiro wanted to see who would covet Rilu, for these bastards, a quick death is far too simple.
If he didn't get here ahead of time, Rilu would have been bought and tortured by these fucking pieces of trash. The stress culminating in his body needed a release soon. Hiro then raised his number to indicate his willingness to participate.
"150 Billion."
"150 Billion! Amazing! 150 Billion To the gentleman in tent 32! Does anyone intend to go higher?"
"Tsk. Unclout bastard."
"Such a boorish man, I lost interest."
"150 Billion? That can already buy a small country. Who the hell is this rich bastard?"
Along with the money he raised, various people expressed their displeasure at Hiro, the people most hated at auctions were the ones who raise the price too high too quickly.
It kills the excitement of the bidding while forcing the amount to be paid to quickly skyrocket, normally beyond the reach of most people participating.
Hiro who had the entire hall focused on him, radiated killing intent enough to send most guards to their knees. Alarmed, most of the ones complaining quickly shut up in silence.
"150! Going once! 150 going twice! SOLD at 150 Billion! Bidder number 32, please wait until our attendants fetch you at your tent. You will be then guided to the venue where the transaction would be completed. Congratulations!"
"No need, I will take her now."
"Huh? Please comply with the auction rules, this is what the terms indicated by the seller are."
"I couldn't care less what he wants."
Hiro slowly stood up and used his inventory to instantly transform into his costume. He had a skull mask on half his face, and his neck downward was wrapped in bandages all while fake metallic prosthetics covered his arms like armor.
Eccentric in all definitions of the word the man leaped from his tent all the way to the stage. The butcher then approached the child and ripped apart the steel post she was tied to. In the same second both the black collar and the shackles on the dragonkin hands and feet all fell apart.
The man then reached out his hand and spoke in the kindest voice he could muster. "Child, I heard your cries, I am here. You do not have to be afraid of the dark any longer. I will protect you. None may harm you so long as I am here."
