Chapter 189: Auction

Outside the Grand Auction House of Verrant City, crowds of nobles and high-ranking Awakeners were bustling around, trying to make their way inside the main hall.

As the guards in front of the doors tried to maintain order, Alen stood at the very back of the crowd. Glancing at the massive line ahead of him, he couldn’t help but sigh.

’What a pain. Now I have to wait in such a long line just to get inside the auction. Damn, it seems my life is a magnet for trouble.’

Just as he was cursing to himself, not knowing how long it would take to actually enter, or if he could even reach the doors before the program ended, he noticed something. He saw a man who wore stylish, luxurious clothes enter through a different door, entirely separated from the normal main entry. It didn’t take long for Alen to realize what was happening.

’It seems high nobles gain an advantage here too. They can simply enter inside without having to wait in line. Sigh... I also want a taste of VIP entry...’

As he thought to himself while looking around in a daze, he suddenly remembered the black card he got from the Supreme Sage.

’Oh, I remember that VIP card! Sylvia said that it has other benefits too. Is it possible that I can enter the auction without having to wait in this long line? Well, if it is really possible, then let’s try it. I am sorry, naive lady’s father, but I have to use your name to get inside.’

After deciding to use that man’s prestige for his own benefit, he began walking toward the VIP door, casually passing the long line. The people waiting behind him fell into confusion, wondering why he was choosing that specific path.

"Hey man, that place is only for VIP entry! Don’t go through there or you will be pushed out by the guards."

"Yeah, it seems it is his first time coming here. He doesn’t even know the basic rules..."

Alen ignored their words and kept walking until he finally reached the private door. Just as he was about to enter, the guards beside the frame halted his steps.

"Show your pass..."

Alen stopped in his tracks. He calmly pulled out the black card with the golden imprint of a star in the middle. He showed it to them quietly, making sure to hide his face under his hood.

The guards looked at the card, and their faces instantly turned pale. They scrambled backward, bowing immediately.

"It is an honor to meet you, sir. Please, just give us a second."

One guard quickly scrambled inside the room to contact the manager. After hearing the news, the manager dropped all of his work and ran straight toward the VIP entrance.

"My apologies, sir! I didn’t know an esteemed guest was coming... Let me guide you to the VIP room."

He wore a wide smile on a nervous face, and his voice trembled in a tense mood as he guided Alen toward the upper floors.

Alen didn’t open his mouth. If he spoke now, he might raise their suspicion or cause a misunderstanding, so he remained quiet and let the manager guide him.

After entering the VIP room specifically allotted to him, he took a seat on the soft couch. From here, he could see the whole auction hall through a large glass window. Swarms of Awakeners and nobles from all around the Human Empire were present below. Today’s auction was especially important, as it was held only once a year, and the items being auctioned were all extremely rare and valuable.

Alen felt fortunate for that random pamphlet. If he had found out about the auction after it had ended, he would have felt massive regret. But to his luck, he found out just before it began.

’If luck was calculated as a stat, then I might have the highest luck possible...’

"Sir, I apologize for the guards being unaware of you. We will deal with them accordingly. If you want anything from us, just order it, sir."

Alen waved his hand in dismissal. He was surprised to be shown such respect by the manager, but he didn’t overreact.

"Tell me, how can I raise my bids during the auction?"

The manager looked up slightly, wearing a professional facade, and straightened his back.

"Well, on the table, there is a tablet with the auction function installed. From there, you can simply select your bidding amount and increase it to your own wish. On the main stage, a massive monitor is present where the current bids can be seen. Anything else, sir? Refreshments and wine?"

Alen shook his head and waved his hand, looking out the window waiting for the auction to begin.

"Leave. I need privacy."

The manager nodded and bowed slightly. "I will let the other guards and servants know to give privacy to the esteemed guest. If you need anything, you can contact me through the telephone placed beside the couch. If you will excuse me."

Without saying more, he backed away and walked out of the room, leaving Alen alone to look down at the auction stage.

...

A few hours passed.

"Damn, how long will I have to wait before the auction starts?!"

Alen grumbled while taking a sip of the tea he had ordered. He felt bored waiting for the event to kick off, but it seemed several preparations still had to be done before the bidding could officially begin.

Alen sat stiffly, leaning back on the couch with a mentally drained expression. He was tired of waiting, and his patience had already worn thin.

"Sigh... It seems the preparation is finally done, as the staff have left the stage. I hope the auction will start as soon as possible..."

While tapping his finger on the armrest, looking at the stage with a calm expression, he narrowed his eyes. He felt like something was wrong.

"Wait, am I forgetting something?..."

As he tried to remember what was missing, his eyes widened. He suddenly remembered exactly what the problem was.

"Damn, I don’t have any money to buy anything! What the f*ck am I going to do here without any money?!"