Chapter 189 – Floor 20: Part 3
While Mathew was bemoaning his circumstances, the screen shifted to show a sound stage and an item. The flamboyantly dressed Auctioneer, holding a microphone, walked to the table holding the item while the camera zoomed in closely.
Mathew was only half paying attention, especially when he saw that it wasn’t the Crown of Lamentation he sought. The object was a black cloak made of fine silk or satin. It had elaborate symbols and detailed stitching along the back, culminating in a large, lidless eye.
“Let’s start this show off with a bang! We have a one-of-a-kind item that comes from us all the way up the Tower of Avarice’s 25th Floor! Woven from the hair of a hundred maidens and imbued with the power of the god of Eventide Supremacy, the first item in tonight’s auction is the Cloak of Whispering Wind!”
Mathew perked up as he heard what the auctioneer had to say about the strange, magical cloak on the screen. An item from higher up in the Tower?
“What exactly is this auction?” Mathew said as he leaned forward on the couch and paid rapt attention to the events on the screen.
“Now, this isn’t some ordinary cloak that can be obtained from the Shop or through the usual means; this is a one-of-a-kind, legendarily unique item that belonged to the Apostle of Eventide Supremacy before they met their unfortunate end on the 25th Floor.”
“This cloak allows the wearer to read minds and project their thoughts to anyone within a one-mile radius; also, once per day, the user can summon a great gust of wind that will carry them aloft, flying them to their chosen destination.”
“Remember, we are not accepting regular currency at this auction! The seller is seeking an item of commensurate value. If you wish to bid, speak in the direction of the screen in your room, and a private dialogue will occur where you may showcase the object you seek to trade.”
“Bidding begins now!”
Mathew leaned back on his couch once more as the auctioneer retreated from the screen. The camera began to pan around the cloak with more detail, zooming in on the stitching and the fabric while highlighting its exquisite details.
After less than a minute, the Auctioneer returned while the cloak disappeared into a flash of light.
“And that’s it, folks! You snooze, you lose, and someone has already snatched it up! Remember, we value your privacy to the upmost! Now, onto the next item for this evening, The Orb of Eternal Twilight!”
There was another flash of light, and the camera went out of focus slightly, only to return to the table when an orb appeared. It was placed on a circular plinth with a metal band around its center to keep it stable.
The orb was made of crystal and contained a black mist that swirled around it. It had a sinister aura, and Mathew suspected this item had an interesting backstory. The Auctioneer seemed to be wary of getting to close to the Orb, hovering on the outskirts of the stage even though that meant he wasn’t front and center on camera.
“You’re right to be shocked! The Orb of Twilight, the legendary cursed item of the god of Vindictive Contrition, the Orb was only recently discovered in some ruins by a lucky individual who was delving through a ruin on the 43rd Floor.”
“Capable of devouring all the light of a sun, this Orb drowned an entire planet in darkness as it consumed the day and transferred that power to its deity. Fearsome stuff! And this power can be yours to command for a price! The god of Vindictive Contrition will pay quite a sum to get this baby back, but that’s between you and them!”
“Let’s get to bidding!”
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Mathew stood up and walked to the bar. Ignoring the non-alcoholic drinks, he pulled out a bottle of clear spirits and a glass. What the hell had he gotten into? What kind of auction was this?!
Items from higher Floors, people bidding on things that belonged to gods he had never heard of and were willing to go against them if they were trying to obtain treasures that a god owned or created. Why was he here, and what did the god of Ubiquitous Exchange want with a Crown?
Pouring himself a drink, Mathew returned to the couch just as the Auctioneer returned. Someone had evidently bought the Orb because it was now gone, and a new item was in its place. The Auctioneer had a wide smile plastered on his handsome face; his white teeth were so bright that they were nearly as blinding as his neon outfit.
“Congratulations on your purchase; I’m sure many suns will tremble in fear now that the Orb of Twilight is unleashed upon a hapless multi-verse once again! But that’s someone else’s problem, and we’re moving on to a new item!”
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a real treat for you this evening. This item comes to us directly from the god of Accumulative Predomination; may we all benefit from their grace and dwell in the light of their benediction.” The Auctioneer said humbly, pausing and giving a slight bow.
Mathew was impressed; this god must have some sway or pull amongst the others since he had seen the Auctioneer shamelessly auction off a few other gods’ precious items.
“This sale will be slightly different from the others. Accumulative Predomination is not looking for an item but a new Apostle. The item will be yours if you agree to serve them, provided you meet the qualifications. In the event we have multiple bidders, Accumulative Predomination will make their selection from amongst them.”
“With that, let’s talk about the Relic they have offered. Folks, it’s a doozy! I won’t even lie to you; if I weren’t already attached to the god of Corporeal Abundance, I would make a bid! Hell, I still might make a bid!” The Auctioneer smiled, but it quickly turned to fear as the stage began to shake and the camera threatened to tip over.
“Kidding! I’m just kidding! I’d never dream of leaving!” The Auctioneer said quickly, holding up his hands and looking at something high above him. The shaking gradually ceased, and the Auctioneer let out a breath of relief.
“Anyway…We have the Ring of Temporal Reflexes! Such a simple name for such a formidable Relic. This ring can easily equal any reward from Floor 70 and above. Hell, if an object below Floor eighty can match this, I’d eat my suit! This is a Divine Class magical item, a ring forged by a god!”
That caught Mathew’s interest. A Divine Class item? He hadn’t heard of anything like that before. He had seen common items in the shop, along with uncommon. The Wrathful Blade was a Rare class sword, and he was still impressed by the power it held.
How powerful was a Divine Class item that could equal reward from Floor 70?
“Here’s what the Ring does, and you’re going to want to pay close attention to this one, ladies and gentlemen. It lets you peer into the future! I’m not talking about a little peek either; this ring lets you gaze into the future for up to 10 seconds at a time! Imagine the uses for that! Who could ever defeat you in combat if you can see the future!”
“Think of the uses! Ten whole seconds to plan your response! You can be moving before the danger even happens! No more falling into traps! No more dying from mysterious potions! Respond to a Blessing or Spell before it’s even cast!”
“Do I need to go on!??!” The Auctioneer screeched, and Mathew clapped his hands over his ears as the man began to pace the stage and scream.
“LET THE BIDDING START!”
The Auctioneer had barely had the words out of his mouth before the ring disappeared. Even the Auctioneer was surprised by how quickly the bidding ended, and he seemed stunned for a moment as he stared blankly at the now-empty table.
“Alright…..that was quick! Anyhoozle! On to the next item! We have for you an astonishing object, something wondrous and extraordinary. The Crown of Lamentation! Folks, don’t let the name fool you; there’s nothing sad about this crown.” The Auctioneer said, and Mathew shot up from the couch, spilling his drink onto the floor.
He didn’t care; his eyes were locked on the item resting on the table. The camera panned around it slowly, showing it off.
The crown was beautiful, made of delicately crafted silver that had darkened with age. It was adorned with a single, large, tear-shaped sapphire in the very center. The gem shimmered with light, grey and blue hues that alternated and mixed light, a tear caught in the moonlight.
It was inscribed with runes along the rim, faintly glowing white and barely perceptible.
“The Crown of Lamentation. What a beauty, isn’t she? It has quite a history, and this is one of the last remaining items of the ancient Elven race. The Elven Sorcerer, Alarion Morningstar, shaped this crown for the Queen of Eldoria, but demons destroyed their realm before it was completed.”
“Heartbroken, Alarion poured his grief into the crown, hoping it would take away his pain. It succeeded, but the Crown was forever cursed.” The Auctioneer paused, his face slightly sad, before he broke into a grin.
“Anyway, their loss is your gain! Let me tell you what this beauty can do.”