American Isekai - Chapter 81 (Patreon)

The rest of the auction continued, and items got more and more expensive with every passing minute.

Enchanted swords, massive spears, entire sets of special armor, unique animals, and ultra-rare materials.

Items were sold for millions of coin at a time. A single weapon fit for an Authority 10 was sold for 30 million coin, and even then it isn’t usually something that can be bought. An entire set of armor fit for an Authority 11 Knight went for 165 million coin.

The numbers were as mind boggling as the items being sold. I rapidly verified the truth behind Captain Ignov’s words.

Some of these things would never be seen again. They were one of a kind and impossibly expensive. To be able to see it at all was a privilege.

Even Umara was stunned into place. She had seen a lot more in the way of wealth than I had, yet the gold that flowed like water had her baffled.

Well, we were both expanding our worldview.

The only things more expensive than an entire set of armor were some enchanting blueprints, the seller basically giving up the rights to produce a popular water production enchantment. The buyer, someone whose identity was shrouded in mystery, bought that for 310 million coin.

However, not even this could trump the final item. There was always that one extremely expensive listing that the auction would end the night with, and after a few hours of watching item by item be rolled onto the stage and sold, it finally appeared.

“Ladies and gentlemen! I now present to you our finale! This is an item unlike any that’s ever been seen before! One of the most powerful that has ever been brought upon this stage in auction history!”

*Ba-dum*

I felt it before I saw it, my heart pounding in my chest even before it arrived on stage.

It was following its rhythm.

And once I saw the cart get rolled out, my eyes widened.

It felt like a living thing. Its Aura was overwhelming. It carried so much vitality that it made me feel vigorous even from a distance.

But I could tell that it actually wasn’t alive, despite it feeling otherwise. Whatever it was felt like a mere remnant of what it once had been.

The cart stopped, and then, the attendant pulled off the cover.

Everyone gasped in disbelief.

A heart.

It was the size of a head and sat suspended on a glass cradle. Even separated from its original body, it continued to beat undyingly. And the container it sat inside of was filled with translucent blue blood.

Everyone in the suite stood to get a closer look. Anybody with good awareness of their Aura could feel the awesome power of the heart.

The auctioneer waved, smiling at the crowd’s stunned silence.

“Behold! The beating heart of an Authority 11 Paragon! We all know that Paragons sit at the top of the animal hierarchy, but this particular Paragon held within it nigh-immortal power! Even now its heart continues to beat, as it has done for the last month since the death of its original body! It is the ultimate ingredient for a Crown Potion! Undying Vigor, endless Mana! This isn’t an opportunity to miss out on for anyone attempting to rise to heights only seen by the demi-gods at the top of the world!

“And without further ado, bidding will start at 250 million coin!”

“Holy shit…”

I muttered, knowing that the starting price would be multiplied a few times over.

So this was the kind of thing I needed to get if I wanted a Crown? I could already tell that my goal would be more difficult than I ever imagined before.

Unless I somehow became filthy rich with some business venture, then I would have to hunt my own Crown ingredients. And anything that I killed had to be strong enough to provide me with a good Crown, yet not so strong that I couldn’t actually kill it in the first place.

Quite a treacherous balance made even more difficult by the fact that I had to actually find a fitting beast or animal to hunt at all. The good ones wouldn’t just throw themselves up as cannon fodder.

However, that suddenly reminded me of something.

The Cyclops Scout. Besides its lasers, its eye was designed specifically for picking things out and seeing at long distances. Not darkness nor camouflage would trick it. It was a powerful Scout with all of its power concentrated on its observational abilities.

As a sniper, having an eye like that would be incredibly advantageous.

Would I be able to make a Crown out of it? I had taken its head cleanly, so although I didn’t know how Crowns were made, I figured that would be enough.

My only concern was whether or not it would be worth it. As I am now, I think it would be a fantastic thing to have. But I would have to ask Maxwell first, just in case there was something I was missing.

I made a mental note and slotted it near the top of my priorities. I would ask the first moment I could after Christmas since the Puppet Master was currently holding the corpse for me. It wasn’t like I could do anything with it now anyway.

With those thoughts I watched the bidding rise for the undying heart.

“500 million!”

“700 million!”

“800 million.”

I heard that last bid from Patriarch Tavera, glancing back at him with a small smile.

It was said that the Patriarch was around Authority 9, but I was inclined to believe that was false. Just like how Luna, the head of the Polaris family, was labeled as Authority 10, she easily stood on equal grounds with Duchess Talerria.

The details under their names in the Repository were false, no doubt. From the Patriarch I felt subtle power, butI knew he couldn’t possibly be a mere Authority 9.

He was probably pushing Authority 11, maybe not as strong as Luna, but not much weaker either.

And considering the fact that the Tavera Family had been expanding recently, it led me to believe that they contained deeper power than they let on.

And apparently, they were filthy rich. After being contested, the Patriarch threw out another bid.

“1 billion.”

“...1 billion 50 million!”

“1.15 billion.”

“...”

His competitor went silent, and for a while, nobody spoke.

The auctioneer gave another small speech about how amazing this heart was, even about the advantages it would give in competition.

But an entire billion coin was no small amount, not even considering the costs to make the Crown itself.

And finally, after it was clear nobody could afford to bid, the auctioneer raised his hammer.

“1.15 billion going once!”

“Going twice!”

“Sold! The Immortal Heart, 1.15 billion! Congratulations to Patriarch Tavera!”

“Hm…”

The Patriarch hummed from his seat. He wasn’t smiling.

In fact, after he watched the heart get taken off stage, he turned to Captain Ignov beside him.

“Prepare for war.”

“With haste.”

The Captain left, as did most of those with the Tavera family name.

As they did so, I suddenly stood.

“Patriarch.”

“John.”

“I’d like to offer my help, if you want it.”

“...”

He looked at me with a straight face, thinking for several seconds before shaking his head.

“No, go enjoy your Christmas. I will remember your offer, but right now, the risk outweighs the benefit. Plex, on the other hand, will be accompanying me on your behalf.”

“Do I have to?”

“Only if you want some of the leftovers, you slothful cur.”

“Hehe, just what I was waiting to hear.”

“Hm, John really is better than you.”

The Patriarch sighed while walking out, Plex following behind with a greedy grin.

Plex was more powerful than Rayla, but looked less powerful than the Patriarch. He probably sat somewhere around Authority 9. I wasn’t entirely sure because unlike many others, his Aura was completely indecipherable to me.

I couldn’t even sense the man if he didn’t want me to. His invisibility extended to his Aura as well, making him a horrible opponent to have.

What was I smoking back then to think I could ever hurt him? It would be a long time before I was good enough for that. At least he hadn’t gotten me killed up until now. In fact, I think Maxwell was the one I should be more wary of.

Well, since the Patriarch rejected me, I decided not to worry about things for now. Still, I at least had to offer. He had done too much for me to not try and repay some of that favor in his time of need.

But he was right. I couldn’t do much for him. In the best case scenario I could take out an Authority 7 warlock, but that was it. The enemies they would deal with would be well above that, enough to threaten him personally.

The black markets were about to become a warzone. I suppose it was a good thing we were getting away from it since I wouldn’t be participating anyway.

Suddenly, the announcer spoke.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I hereby conclude the Christmas Auction hosted by the Black Spider Auction House! And in partnership with Herald Vatsy, the entire venue will be open for the final Gala of the year! The night has just begun, so grab a drink, and give a round of applause for your favorite orchestra, Light’s End!”

I looked down at the stage as the audience cheered, seeing a dozen different musicians appear with their instruments in hand.

As they started playing, I smiled at Umara. Most people within the suite were leaving, but that didn’t mean we had to. We got the best view in the house and she was looking really excited to see this orchestra.

The drinks were free, the snacks were plentiful, the music was fast and the masks deflected all forms of judgment cast our way.

With each rise in the pace of the music, I could feel the true spirit of the Gala accelerate. Those who were here to spend money had received their prizes, and those who were here for the celebration were finally getting what they wanted.

It was Christmas, and this was an all expense paid afterparty.

Those who didn’t unhinge were the weird ones.

And Umara and I weren’t weird.

So with the encouragement of a few drinks, we indulged in this massive annual jamboree, letting almost completely loose and taking over the suite for ourselves.

……

…

……

“Down the rocks…”

“Over the hills…”

“When I found you on that night…”

“When I fell in love!”

“There was nothing on my mind…”

“But your kisses on my- shit!”

*Thud!*

Umara slipped off the bar, falling toward a large fort made of couch and seat cushions, but missing them entirely and kissing the floor instead

My head flickered toward her, before I suddenly broke out in laughter.

“Bahahaha!”

“Ah! Get over here, boy! Momma wants some kisses!”

“What’d you say about my momma?!”

“I said- Ah!”

She squeaked as I dove over and picked her up, planting her back onto the bar before jumping atop it myself.

There were a dozen empty bottles scattered across its surface, but that was nothing a few kicks couldn’t fix.

Umara jumped up with me, spreading her arms out as if she were balancing on a tightrope.

“We’re gonna fall.”

“I swore I wasn’t gonna fall!”

“Why was it all in vain?!”

“On that night you stole my heart!”

“And then you gave it all-  AH!”

“Ah!”

“Ah!!”

*Crash*

Umara pulled me off as she fell once again, both of us tumbling halfway into the pile of cushions, the pillow fort collapsing.

And then she sputtered with laughter.

“Bwahahaha! You screamed like a girl!”

“Lies! Deception!”

“You can hit the high notes!”

“You know who else can hit the high notes?”

“I’m falling for you~~!”

“My mom!”

“Hahaha!”

Umara couldn’t control herself as she laughed within the pile of cushions.

I chuckled beside her, jumping up before pulling her out to dance some more.

The two of us flew across the suite, dodging the massive mess that had taken more than a few hours to make.

Scattered chairs, empty bottles and cups, plus some snacks that had been knocked off a table.

We were all alone as we made up a brand new dance on the spot.

It was only when we got dizzy from all the spinning that we stopped and looked at each other.

I gave her a weird grin, my vision half spinning and my mind filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling.

“Hey baby. Wanna watch my chest hair move in slow motion?”

“What the fuck? It moves?”

“Almost as well as I do. Now hear me out… You look pretty. I look pretty. How about we go home and stare at each other?”

“Only if I get to carry you!”

“Huh?”

I was stumped as she ran around, sweeping me off my feet like a princess.

And then she started marching out of the suite.

I relaxed as she moved through the auction house, crossing my legs as if I were in a chair. All around, there were butlers and attendants cleaning the place and helping drunken visitors out.

“Oh yea, this is how I always imagined it. Take me home, baby!”

“You’re heavy!”

“Ugh! How insulting! You will not degrade the majesty of- Stairs!”

“Ack! My ankle!”

“Shit!”

I threw my arms out as Umara tripped, the two of us rolling down a flight of stairs.

“Oof!”

“Ow!”

I grunted as I landed at the bottom, Umara landing on top of me.

I looked up, slowly concentrating from the disorientation and seeing a man standing before me, looking down with a neutral face.

But he was jacked, so I let him know.

“Sir, I want to let you know how proud I am of everything you’ve accomplished.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t let society degrade you! Don’t let the flame die out!”

“I understand.”

“Then I’ve done my job.”

I laid back down, closing my eyes as a small tummy ache started to appear.

“I can die peacefully now.”

“John, no!”

“The Auction House is closing. Please drink this on your way out. It’ll help cleanse your body.”

“I thank you for this-”

“Please move.”

I was pulled up, Umara clinging to me and crawling onto my back as we were handed two small cups from a nearby tray.

After drinking it, both of us walked out of the Auction house before recoiling at the light of the sun.

“Ugh, it’s bright. What time is it?”

“...3 messages from mom.”

“I said time.”

“Our Rail leaves three hours earlier from delays.”

“Time!”

“I don’t know!”

Umara shouted back, making me lift my arm and tap my Aerial with my chin.

“It’s 11.”

“That’s nice.”

“Time for bed.”

“Mm. My ankle hurts.”

“We need a healer.”

I muttered while walking down the street. There were many around us, all of them passed out or recovering along the roads. Everything was trashed as well, but was quickly being cleaned up.

At some point in time, we found our way back to the elevator, so we went straight up to my room.

Over time, whatever drink I was given started clearing my head. Although it brought me out of my drunken stupor, it resulted in a nasty headache and an undesirable feeling in my stomach.

Luckily, I made it back to the room in time before things got bad.

I laid Umara on the bed before joining her.

And I had just enough lucidity left in me to set an alarm. After that I passed out with my girlfriend, fast enough to dodge all the nausea in my guts.