Chapter 2728: Beyond Comprehension

There was no movement from the Werna Family, but Roy acted quickly. The next day, he informed Xu Huo of an upcoming members-only auction, saying he had secured a spot and could bring Xu along.

The auction required anonymity. Xu Huo and his companion donned pre-prepared attire and masks, boarded a specialized aircraft meant to fetch them, and headed to a resort near the base city.

The resort had quite a few people, but only a few were there specifically for the auction. They entered through a special passage and quickly arrived at an underground corridor, winding through it to a room. Through the one-way glass, they could see the auction stage ahead, although the auction hadn’t officially started yet.

To avoid any transaction errors, this auction used the most primitive auction method, bypassing the collection of information terminal. Sellers brought items themselves for physical auction and on-site payment.

The auction didn’t have a prepared catalog; it was only known that all items were either quality Rank-A props or special items.

"Did you bring enough money?" Roy reminded Xu, "Some people play tricks to deliberately inflate prices. If the price is too high, don’t follow. When they can’t sell it, someone will contact you naturally."

Xu Huo nodded, indicating he understood.

The auction soon began. First up was a defensive spatial artifact that provided three minutes of defense time every hour. The defense range was limited to the player but could be used in conjunction with other props.

After a few rounds of bidding, Xu Huo acquired it for twenty-five million.

Roy was somewhat surprised because this item was obviously overpriced. It wasn’t a top-tier defense prop, especially since its defense range was limited to the player. The three minutes per hour usage seemed like a minor restriction, but considering the quality and defense range, it clearly exceeded its true value.

Moreover, given Xu Huo’s ability, he should prefer props with fewer restrictions.

However, seeing Xu Huo happy with his purchase and saying nothing, Roy refrained from commenting further.

The subsequent items weren’t particularly remarkable either, even appearing somewhat mediocre to Roy. In advanced players’ battles, swapping props often creates vulnerabilities, and props with many restrictions are inconvenient to coordinate, especially when personal safety is involved.

Yet, Xu Huo still managed to purchase half of them.

Roy’s expression shifted from initial curiosity to complete incomprehension, "Are you really that lacking in props? Even interested in these?"

Xu Huo merely smiled and said, "I recently came into some money."

Despite losing some props and instruments, with dividends from the Werna and support from the Special Defense Department, along with inheritance from deceased players, he wasn’t short of money.

The auction soon entered its climax as someone offered a life-saving special item.

"No one in the world can die for you a second time, but today’s ’Mother’s Wings’ can. It’s a fusion of a mother’s faith and life, allowing the wearer to survive three deadly attacks! Starting bid at twenty-five million White Notes!"

The price climbed round after round, quickly reaching forty million White Notes. Even as a life-saving prop, this was excessively high, not to mention it could only be used three times.

So when Xu Huo last raised the bid to forty-one million, other competitors fell silent, but just before the deal was sealed, someone else suddenly bid, raising the price by two million at once.

Xu Huo bid once more, but seeing the opponent unwilling to give up, he decided not to follow.

The following items had a similar pattern; once others folded, Xu Huo insisted, and eventually, someone relentlessly pursued the bid. Conversely, if Xu Huo was uninterested in an item, the opponent wouldn’t engage.

"Is everyone here an acquaintance?" Xu Huo asked Roy.

Roy also noticed, and somberly said, "Everyone here has their own tactics; it shouldn’t be others leaking our identity. It’s likely my props were discerned by someone."

"They seem to be targeting you," he added after some careful thought.

It wasn’t "seeming," it was definite targeting.

Xu Huo hadn’t made many enemies since entering Zone 011, especially not wealthy ones. It was easy to guess the opponent’s identity, so he stopped participating in bidding for subsequent items.

His objective had already been achieved.

As expected, it wasn’t long before someone summoned a waiter to relay a message, offering a chance for private transactions.

Such private trades obviously didn’t involve items brought to the auction today; the club didn’t restrict it but just didn’t offer any guarantees.

Players could make a quick getaway, posing some risk to those wishing to sell props, but Xu Huo’s earlier behavior of generously bidding on common props, exuding a wealthy demeanor, made people feel especially at ease.

Xu Huo arranged to meet two people privately, but after about ten minutes, both sent a waiter to politely decline, hinting that someone else offered a higher price for their props. Since it was about earning profits, they naturally chose the higher bid.

This was over the line.

Competing during the auction was one thing, but disrupting private deals was clearly out for making enmity.

Unperturbed, Xu Huo took possession of the several props he won and prepared to leave.

By what could only be described as "fate," upon leaving, he bumped into individuals from another room. Without seeing their faces, just by noticing one person’s full head of curly hair, Xu Huo recognized the other party.

Kage Herta, a friend of Ashis Verna, along with several others Xu Huo had seen at Werna Family banquets. They hadn’t disguised their identities carefully, wearing flamboyant masks that left half their faces exposed.

However, the young player accompanying Kage Herta appeared quite different in demeanor from the others’ arrogance, even seeming somewhat apprehensive.

"I brought you today to get acquainted. Gatherings like this have no threshold, so don’t be nervous." Kage Herta cast a provocative glance at Xu Huo, then addressed the young player beside him.

Xu Huo found it unfathomable, "Is your targeting sanctioned by the Werna Family?"

Kage Herta’s expression shifted slightly, "Are you sure you want to say such unfounded words?"

"No matter, I can ask the Werna Family later." With that, Xu Huo turned and left.

Kage Herta attempted to pursue him, but just as he moved, the Time Force froze him in place. Xu Huo glanced at the group, stated, "Just this once," and left the resort with Roy Clements.

Xu Huo didn’t inquire with the Werna Family, but before dawn the next day, they sent conciliatory gifts, seemingly as an apology. In reality, only two noble offspring came as representatives, without mentioning Kage Herta at all.