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?

were tailored to the participants in the final fights also just seemed more true than ever. This one was clearly aimed towards his brother and those from the Court of Shadows. Maybe even Jake himself a little. However, while Jake could use it for sure… then he wasn’t going to bet on it. One reason was that his brother needed it more, and the other was that the price had already reached nine hundred million Credits, and Jake wasn’t sure he wanted

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, as

not to leave when given a chance to before the Monarch appeared. This still left thousands to bid, but as people couldn’t borrow money, then,

a second item appeared. This one was a floating crystal, reminding Jake a bit of

a hundred and fifty million

directly by the system due to Earth’s performance during the Treasure Hunt event. This Dungeon Core is of the intermediate level and

Requirements: Soulbound

true dungeon. Not just

still more than enough for any faction

attempt to buy

Dungeon Engineers among us, and we already have

man just nodded and smiled. “Then don’t mind if I give it a shot… the resale value

over a billion. At that point, Sultan had already bowed out, too stingy to truly invest. It was down to the Holy Church and the Risen bidding against

third item is a necklace created only to be used by a true master of vital energy. Bidding starts at fifty million Credits,” the system being said the

seemed aimed at specific

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

lvl 130+ in any

had a lot of health himself for his level, and

to annoy the guy and knew the pain of assholes forcing you to spend more Credits on items you would obviously need. It was a no-brainer that the madman would buy it. His biggest weakness was mental magic, and now he was offered a way to use his vital energy to create a

clearly made for Eron was apparently

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

Treasure Hunt event. This scabbard will take the shape of any bladed weapon inserted and slowly bond with the blade, taking 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

Requirements: N/A

more obvious. It was tailor-made for the Sword Saint, and the old man was also the first one to place a bid. However, this was not an item only he could actually use, contrary to the necklace. In fact, there were many sword-users. Heck, even Jake could use it as it did

old man had not been bidding much in prior rounds. But he had been selling. The price quickly climbed, and it ended up going for three-hundred and seventy-seven million Credits.

had just gotten

wooden spike. It is a perfect weapon for any curse master, while only a

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 price only went up to

item are gloves made for those who prefer to use their fists, viewing their own body as the best weapon. Bidding starts at fifty

just like the spike, and made all melee attacks better, but more 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 they made

it was Jake’s

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

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

Requirements: Soulbound

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 it really martyrdom to sacrifice yourself when you can just resurrect again? Honestly, that part of

have to spend over two hundred million on it because the undead wanted to be

now, Jake was certain

eighth item