Amon, The Legendary Overlord

Bianca curved her lips into a thoughtful smile and instructed, "Traditionally, the auction starts by offering lots of genetic cores from all level 4 elements. If you're interested, you can bid, but I recommend not going over a thousand CPs per genetic core. Beyond that price, it's not worth it, as in other places you can easily find the unit for between one thousand and 1,100 CPs."

Ariel promptly questioned, "Does this rule apply to me as well?"

It was a legitimate question since she had noticed that psychic genetic cores had higher prices. But would this difference remain at the higher levels?

"Yes, it applies to you too," Flavia responded assertively. "Although psychic genetic cores of levels 1 to 3 have a higher value than the others, this is only up to level 3. From level 4 onwards, it's not so rare to find beasts with psychic genetic cores."

"I see," Ariel agreed, assimilating the information.

Soon, the auctioneer's powerful voice reverberated through the hall, "Let's begin now. Bring out the first lot!"

With a mysterious gleam in his eyes, the auctioneer unveiled the first item, a set of ten sound attribute genetic cores.

From that moment on, the atmosphere was electric, the audience's anticipation palpable as the first bids began to emerge. Over the next few minutes, the room filled with enthusiastic voices, each person raising their bid in hopes of securing the coveted genetic cores.

Although for those present in the VIP rooms these genetic cores weren't of great interest, for the rest of the audience, they were items of considerable importance that could significantly boost their genetic path, especially for those who didn't have many CPs.

Finally, the highest bid for the sound genetic core lot reached 10,100 CPs.

Then, the auctioneer emphatically announced the next lot. "Ladies and gentlemen, up next we have a lot of fifteen ice attribute genetic cores!"

The mood in the hall became frenzied once again, with bids sprouting from all sides.

After an intense period of bidding, the final bid for the ice genetic core lot reached 16,000 CPs.

The auctioneer's confident voice echoed again through the hall. "Now, we present to you a lot of twenty-wind attribute genetic cores!"

Once again, a flurry of swift and competitive bids flooded the room.

The final bid for the wind genetic core lot reached the sum of 21,500 CPs.

The auctioneer then announced excitedly, "And now, we have a lot of twenty earth attribute genetic cores!"

Just like before, the bidding war for the items restarted, with bids firing from all corners of the hall.

After a period of fierce competition, the final bid for the Earth genetic core lot reached 21,000 CPs.

Maisa looked at the items displayed so far with slight disappointment. "Strange, none of the genetic core lots so far have been of interest to us," she murmured.

Julia, sitting beside her, nodded thoughtfully. "True," she agreed, sharing the same sentiment.

The atmosphere in the room shifted as the auctioneer's voice boomed. "Up next, we present a special lot of thirty fire attribute genetic cores!"

A swift bid of 20,000 CPs was quickly proclaimed, heightening the tension in the room.

That's when a light flashed in the VIP room, indicating a bid coming from there. Barbara, with a determined look, had offered 30,000 CPs.

The hall fell into stunned silence. It was the first time someone from the VIP rooms had actively participated. The bid discouraged many from trying to outbid it, as Barbara's price was within the stipulated limit, making it nearly unbeatable.

With a triumphant and confident smile, Barbara flashed the peace sign with her left hand, looking at her friends in the VIP room. "It's all about playing the game," she joked, pleased with her winning bid.

Applause and congratulations filled the VIP room. "Well done, Barbara!" and "It was a good idea to start with a high bid!" were among the exclamations.

Seizing the euphoric atmosphere, the auctioneer announced the next item: "And now, ladies and gentlemen, we bring another lot of genetic cores. Thirty water element genetic cores!"

Julia turned to her twin sister with eyes shining with anticipation. "Maisa, shall we do the same as Barbara?" she proposed.

Maisa pondered for a moment and then shared her opinion, "I believe if the bid goes up to 33,000, it's still worth it. However, going beyond that, in my view, would be excessive."

Bianca, always attentive, joined the conversation. "33,000 is a reasonable limit, considering you could get it for that price elsewhere. But paying more than that? It would be a waste of CPs."

The twins, perfectly in sync, nodded together. "We understand," they said in unison.

As the conversation in the VIP room unfolded, the auction continued heatedly. The bid for the water genetic cores had reached 25,000 CPs. Julia, determined, decided to enter the fray with a bold bid of 30,000 CPs.

Excited murmurs spread throughout the main auction hall. The bid from VIP room number 7 didn't go unnoticed and became the topic of whispers. Over the next few minutes, the hall was filled with interwoven conversations, mixing frustration and curiosity about who might be behind that room.

In VIP room 7, the twins Maisa and Julia exchanged satisfied glances and discreetly shared a smile. It was a game of strategy, and they were playing it well.

Barbara, watching the dynamic between the twins, gave a thumbs up in approval. They responded with a nod and continued watching the progress of the auction.

Then, the auctioneer's voice rose again to announce the next lot: thirty lightning genetic cores. Amon, without hesitation and aiming to secure the lot, shocked everyone with a generous starting bid of 31,000 CPs. He had a hunch that, despite previous victories, a bolder bid was necessary this time.

To many's surprise, the gavel sounded swiftly. No one dared to compete with Amon's bid. He had secured the lightning genetic cores in a decisive and unexpected move.

"Well, it's natural that it's all coming to us," Bianca said with a smile. "Only the other VIP rooms would compete, but they would hardly be interested in low-level genetic cores."

"I see," they nodded.

It was understandable, after all, although it's useful for them, it doesn't necessarily mean it will be for everyone. Besides, it's typically challenging to extract elemental genes from the genetic cores, so most people think it's a waste of CPs, as they'd have more utility in other aspects.

However, some use the cores to craft weapons, armor, and so on. But they generally prefer higher-level genetic cores.

The room was charged with anticipation when the auctioneer's voice filled the space again. "Ladies and gentlemen, up for bid next are twenty psychic attribute genetic cores. A rarity for many!"

Ariel and Mabel exchanged a knowing look. Before the auction, both had agreed to join forces to obtain the precious cores. Without hesitation, they placed a strong starting bid of 21,000 CPs, following Amon's bold strategy.

However, almost immediately after their bid, an unknown voice echoed with a bid of 21,100 CPs. The atmosphere in the VIP room became more tense, and the hall was filled with expectations.

The auctioneer, sensing the intensity of the moment, asked in a teasing tone, "Any other bids? Who dares to top this offer?"

Ariel, with determination reflected in her eyes, quickly raised the amount to 21,500 CPs. There was a palpable silence, and everyone awaited the previous bidder's reaction. But, the response they anticipated never came.

The metallic and definitive sound of the gavel filled the hall. "Sold to VIP room number seven!", the auctioneer announced. Ariel and Mabel exchanged victorious smiles, having secured the psychic core lot for themselves.