The Primal Hunter

Jake collected himself as he entered the booth again, shaking his head.

“That is that same thing…” Felicia muttered once he was inside.

“Yeah, it is,” Roman nodded.

“Is that the personification of the system?” Miranda asked curiously.

“Thinking about it is a waste of time… it simply is,” Jake just answered. “Trying to understand the ununderstandable will only lead to understanding what it wants you to understand.”

“That made no fucking sense,” Roman muttered.

“Neither does an omnipotent system taking a human-like form to hold an Auction for a bunch of D-grades,” Jake countered.

“Good point, I guess,” he answered. “But why is that damn thing not talking?”

“Because we are,” Jake guessed. When no one else said anything… the system entity began talking.

“This auction round has been awarded to the denizens of Earth due to exemplary performance during the Treasure Hunt event. All bidding will take place using Credits. All possibilities of borrowing Credits are no longer available. Only individuals who participated in the final phase of the Treasure Hunt will be allowed to bid during this round. Without further delay, let the auction begin.”

The moment it stopped talking, Jake registered it was as if everyone attending the event had heard it at the same time, even if clearly some like their group had made the entity delay. Time… does not work as it should. Perhaps reality itself is entirely controlled.

But focusing on the matter at hand, Jake was happy to see that the bidding was limited to participants of the final phase and that the borrowing option was gone. Hopefully, it would allow Jake not to waste as much money if something good did appear.

He was unsure what to expect as the being down on the central platform summoned the first item.

“The first item is a Heart of Darkness. This item can be used to improve skills of the dark affinity and works best with ones using purely the dark affinity. The bidding starts at two hundred million Credits.

This time, it appeared that they would not be shown simply through a system interface but be shown in reality. Due to this, Jake considered leaving the booth to get a better feel for the item, but just when he thought it, it was as if the entire frontal window of the booth disappeared and mana washed in. It was still blocking the outside from looking in, but it seemed like it allowed everything else to enter.

The first item looked like an impossibly black fruit about the size of an apple, and the mana that washed into the booth from the outside was purely black mana, far denser and potent than anything he had ever felt before, even than in the chamber with the Umbral Lotus.

Jake identified the item on offer… and it truly set the stage for this part of the auction event.

[Heart of Darkness (Unique)] – A Heart of Darkness offered directly by the system due to Earth’s performance during the Treasure Hunt event. Consume the Heart of Darkness to be filled with an intense amount of dark energy and experience potent Records of the affinity itself. Will greatly assist in improving any skill using dark mana. Uses remaining: 3/3

Requirement: D-grade

Without knowing for sure, Jake had a feeling this kind of item wasn’t just valuable by Earth standards, but on a multiversal level. The potential to upgrade a skill was nearly invaluable, especially considering how much the Viper praised Jake’s Path of the Heretic Chosen. To consume an item that would allow one to do that, not just once, but three times?

However, while Jake could use it for sure… then he wasn’t going to bet on it. One reason was that his brother

interface, and it still displayed the name of the bidder. The top one was Caleb, but a few independent factions were also bidding, as well as the undead also wanting it. Jake just sat back, a part of him feeling lucky one could no longer borrow money,

before the Monarch appeared. This still left thousands to bid, but as people couldn’t borrow money, then, in reality, it was only a select few with enough resources

any words or motions, a second item appeared. This one was a floating crystal, reminding Jake a bit of the Pylon

Dungeon Core. Bidding starts at a hundred and fifty million Credits. Be warned that using a Dungeon

(Unique)] – A Dungeon Core offered directly by the system due to Earth’s performance during the Treasure Hunt event. This Dungeon Core is of the intermediate level and can

Requirements: Soulbound

was almost a joke. Jake knew the value of Dungeon Cores simply due to random talks with Villy. A Dungeon Core allowed one to create their own true dungeon. Not just a subdimension, but one with all the dungeon features,

creatures within… but that was still more than enough for any faction to

Haven attempt to

shook her head. “We have no Dungeon Engineers among us, and we already have a

smiled. “Then don’t mind if I give it a shot… the resale

stingy to truly invest. It was down to the Holy Church and the Risen bidding against each other, with Casper facing off against Jacob. In the end, Casper

million Credits,” the system being said the moment it had sold the core. A necklace that looked to just be a small crystal

items before had seemed aimed

the Treasure Hunt event. This necklace holds a vast storage within of pure vital energy and can store incredible amounts more. Allows the user to use this vital energy to create a shield around the soul, protecting against soul and mental attacks. Infusing the vital energy storage with power is a slow

any

the ridiculousness. Jake had a lot of health himself for

the pain of assholes forcing you to spend more Credits on items you would obviously need. It was a no-brainer that

item clearly made for Eron was apparently not

treasure their blades above all else. Bidding starts at fifty million Credits,” the system said as the second shameless display appeared. It was a simple-looking scabbard that appeared far too large for any sword, but Jake saw why that didn’t matter when he

on properties related to it. This scabbard will protect the blade from any damage, slowly repair it from any damage taken, and consistently keep it in peak condition. While the blade is sheathed, it will be infused with energy from the scabbard based on the blade’s properties. This energy can be released all at once when drawn for a mighty blow, with remnant energy lingering

Requirements: N/A

to place a bid. However, this was not an item only he

The price quickly climbed, and it ended up going for three-hundred and seventy-seven million

Saint had just gotten something, so surely

while only a

for his friend. The spike was able to improve the power of any curse channeled through it and could even replicate itself. It looked like a perfect weapon for the Risen and his curse powers in all ways. He also learned that using curses wasn’t that mainstream as the

to use their fists,

than that, they would originally reform if the hands or arms were damaged, along with being incredibly resilient. They even said that any skills working with fists would function as if

Surely, it

a shield for those willing to give up their own life for others. Bidding starts at

- A shield offered directly by the system due to Earth’s performance during the Treasure Hunt event. This shield is incredibly durable, and anything blocked releases a pulse of healing energy, restoring health to everyone around the user. Does not heal the user. As a true martyr, sacrifice your own life energy to restore the health of another. The user can also choose to sacrifice their own life, releasing a pulse of healing energy that restores Health Point corresponding to

Requirements: Soulbound

where he practically killed himself did some serious damage to the Monarch, so Jake recognized his contribution for sure. It was brief but powerful, so it was only fair he also got an item. Though Jake found the entire naming and sentiment of the shield a bit funny… is

Holy Church bought the shield, but they did have to spend over two hundred million on it because the undead

certain

eighth item