Chapter 376 - 375: Species Discrimination

Chapter 376: Chapter 375: Species Discrimination

"It’s disgusting that humans can even attend the auction. Why can’t The Golden Auction House be more discerning? Just the thought of bidding alongside these humans makes me feel like the air is filled with a foul stench."

"Did the person above buy the cheapest box? Why else would there be a stench?"

"What did humans ever do to you? Racism is a thing of the past. If you ask me, you old fossils are the ones who deserve to die!"

"Watch your mouth. What if they’re pure-blooded royalty?"

"So what if they’re royalty? Haven’t they been in decline for ages? They’ve integrated with so many species by now. You don’t say a word when other species show up, but you have such a big problem with humans? What is it? You can’t afford to offend the established species, so you just pick on the newcomers?"

"To my friend in the post above, could you elaborate? What do you mean by ’royalty’? And ’other species’? Isn’t this just a game?"

This information was too important.

Through these few sentences, Seraphina Sinclair could vaguely glimpse a corner of this entire world.

She guessed that no humans had spoken up to refute them, probably because this information was just too shocking.

’Royalty... species integration...’

’What secrets does this world truly hold?’

"Asking again! And again! You shameless creature!"

"I mean... I was speaking up for you, but aren’t you a bit too thick-skinned?"

Only then did Seraphina Sinclair realize that the one trailing after them with questions was the same person who had been asking all along.

Amidst the chaotic and blatantly species-prejudiced discussion, the auction item’s information finally appeared:

"[Zuge the Proliferator], an F-level Monster Atlas. Upon use, it will illuminate the entry for the F-level monster, Zuge the Proliferator, in your Atlas! Single-use item, consumed upon use! One of the F-level monster cards that doesn’t actually exist. A must-have for collectors!

Starting bid: 300. Each bid must be an increment of at least 50 Black Fog Coins."

’Zuge the Proliferator?’

Seraphina Sinclair thought seriously for a moment. She only remembered that her F-level Atlas was missing one entry to be complete. As for whether the grayed-out entry was Zuge the Proliferator, she honestly couldn’t recall.

However...

Seraphina Sinclair remembered that the Description for the last Atlas entry she bought also stated it was a monster that didn’t exist.

’Since this one is different from that one, this... must be the final piece of the puzzle for my F-level Atlas.’

The starting bid was only three hundred Black Fog Coins.

’It’s quite cheap. The only question now is whether the other bidders are interested in it.’

Seraphina Sinclair opened the public chat. At some point, the conversation had already shifted to another topic.

As for this Monster Atlas entry... all Seraphina Sinclair could find were a few sarcastic comments:

"What big collector doesn’t already have all the F-level cards? I’d bet five hundred Black Fog Coins this thing will go unsold."

"Bet five hundred? That’s more than the item’s worth, haha."

"I’m no collector, but even my F-level Atlas is complete. The only ones with grayed-out F-level monster entries are probably those newcomer humans, right?"

"And there’s no way those humans would be willing to spend three hundred Black Fog Coins on this right now. Looks like it’s destined to go unsold."

Below these comments was a question from the human who had been constantly asking questions in the public chat: "Is there any use in completing the Atlas? Is there a reward for illuminating all the entries?"

This time, a kind soul actually answered: "Of course it’s useful. You get a reward for collecting them all. But, well, the reward for completing the F-level Atlas is just F-level stuff."

It was only this one vague answer.

Seraphina Sinclair propped her head on her hand, pondering for a moment. ’I’m only missing this one entry. There’s no need to be stingy over three hundred Black Fog Coins.’

Besides, judging by the public chat...

’...it seems like no one else is going to bid on this.’

The countdown continued. The price remained at the starting bid of 300 Black Fog Coins, completely ignored.

’Excellent.’

Just as the countdown was about to enter its final seconds, when it looked like the item would go unsold for lack of bids—

Black Fog Coins.

Seraphina Sinclair had entered the minimum price, without adding a single Black Fog Coin more.

Her VIP Badge appeared once again next to the bidder’s name.

The public chat went silent for a moment, then the direction of the discussion immediately changed.

"This VIP again?"

"Why are they bidding on everything? They wanted that useless box earlier, and now they want this worthless card? I’ve never seen such a strange VIP!"

"Could it be... is there some hidden secret to this card that we’re not seeing?"

"Get real. What kind of secret could a Monster Atlas entry have? The VIP probably has money to burn. Or maybe they’re a hobbyist? The type who likes to collect a bunch of cards and arrange them for photos."

"They’re a VIP, after all. That means they have a minimum deposit of one hundred thousand Black Fog Coins. What’s 300 Black Fog Coins to them?"

"Makes sense... but I’m still not interested in this thing."

"Hey... you guys think this VIP could be a human? They wanted that eco-stabilizer, and now they want this Atlas entry. If both of these things are actually useful to them, then this VIP is definitely a human, no doubt about it."

’You guessed right, but there’s no prize.’

Seraphina Sinclair watched with a blank expression, but she was answering silently in her heart.

"A human? It’s not impossible. But to have saved up one hundred thousand Black Fog Coins by now, they must be among the most elite. If they can survive, they’ll definitely be a big shot in the future."

When the countdown ended, the transaction was complete!

After a 5% handling fee was deducted, Seraphina Sinclair acquired the [Monster Atlas - Invasive Species Zuge] for the extremely low cost of 315 Black Fog Coins.

At that moment, the countdown for her meal preparation also reached its end.

A small opening slid silently open on the side of the smooth platform in front of her. A tray, emitting a soft white glow, rose steadily and stopped within Seraphina Sinclair’s easy reach.

The items on the tray were simple:

A simple, white, round bowl; a serving of translucent soup of an unidentifiable substance; and a small spoon beside it.

The outside of the bowl was warm to the touch, but not hot.

The soup inside was a faint, milky white. It shimmered slightly, its surface covered with a very fine, pale gold sheen.

Seraphina Sinclair sniffed it, but there was no discernible scent.

She picked up the spoon and mentally prepared herself for a moment before scooping some into her mouth.

The texture was peculiar, like a very fine pudding, yet with the smoothness of a liquid.

’The taste... was hard to describe.’

It was neither sweet nor salty, with no distinct flavor profile, but after she swallowed, a gentle warmth spread from her stomach, quickly diffusing through her entire body.

Almost simultaneously, she felt a slight trace of fatigue quietly dissipate. Her mind seemed to clear for a moment, and the mental strain from continuously repairing items and maintaining a high level of concentration was subtly alleviated.

The effect was real, and it was very pleasant.

It seemed the name "Customized Soothing Set" was not just for show.