Ryke remained silent.
He looked at the two vehicles again.
Seven hundred gold.
It wasn't the price he had originally wanted.
But it wasn't terrible either.
He glanced toward the merchant.
The man's expression remained calm, but Ryke could tell he was waiting for an answer.
*Seven hundred for both...*
*Considering the lack of ownership documents, the cost of getting them ready for resale, and the fact that this place probably takes a cut...*
*It's not a terrible offer.*
Ryke rubbed his chin.
*But I don't want to accept too quickly.*
He looked toward the Dark Hawk T-26.
Then—
he glanced at the Pegasus Zoom X.
*They're both worth more than that.*
His eyes narrowed slightly.
*But if we push too hard, he might lower the offer or simply refuse to buy them.*
Ryke exhaled.
He looked toward the merchant.
"Seven hundred."
The merchant nodded.
"Yes."
Ryke crossed his arms.
"For both?"
"For both."
Ryke stared at him.
"And you're certain that's the highest you're willing to go?"
The merchant smiled faintly.
"You're really making sure of this, aren't you?"
Ryke didn't smile.
"I'm just making sure you're not trying to lower the price again."
The merchant shook his head.
"No."
"Seven hundred is fair."
Ryke remained silent for another moment.
Then—
he nodded.
"Alright."
The merchant's expression relaxed slightly.
"We have a deal?"
Ryke held out his hand.
"We have a deal."
The merchant looked at his hand.
Then he reached out and shook it.
"Good."
Aldric sighed.
"Seven hundred gold coins for all that, and you consider that a good result?"
He shook his head.
"How vexing."
The merchant looked toward him.
"Seven hundred is already a fair offer."
"If you're not willing to accept that amount, then there's nothing more I can do."
He shrugged.
"You're free to leave."
Ryke immediately glanced toward Aldric.
"Calm yourself."
He looked back at the merchant.
"Hey, it isn't a bad deal."
"Normally, we might get a thousand gold or even more for them."
"But this is the black market."
"It's to be expected."
Aldric looked at him.
"Shut your mouth."
"How the hell are you going to pay my ten thousand gold if this is the best you could get? Or is it that you don't plan on paying?"
Ryke's expression twitched.
"Yeah, I plan on paying it."
He muttered under his breath.
"My life is on the line, after all."
Aldric raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you'd forgotten that fact."
Ryke glanced at him.
"How could I?"
"This is just a small part of the money."
"There'll be more in the future."
Aldric nodded.
"It's small, alright."
"Only half of it is going to be mine."
Kaelira suddenly walked over.
"So we're done?"
Ryke nodded.
"Yeah."
"We're getting seven hundred gold."
Kaelira's eyes widened.
"Seven hundred?"
She looked toward the two vehicles.
"That's a lot."
Pythia nodded.
"It is."
She looked at Ryke.
"You negotiated well."
Ryke scratched the back of his head.
"Thanks."
Kaelira smiled.
"You're actually useful."
Ryke's expression immediately changed.
"Actually?"
Kaelira blinked.
"Yeah."
She tilted her head.
"Was I wrong?"
Ryke stared at her.
"No."
He sighed.
"But you didn't have to say it like that."
Kaelira smiled.
"Sorry."
Aldric walked toward the merchant.
"Enough."
He looked at him.
"Pay up already."
The merchant nodded.
"Of course."
He turned around and walked toward the back of the building.
"Wait here."
Ryke watched him leave.
The second man who had opened the back entrance remained nearby.
Ryke glanced around the large hall.
There were still countless vehicles, weapons, and other strange objects scattered throughout the building.
Some were damaged.
Some looked brand new.
Others appeared to be nothing more than collections of spare parts.
He couldn't help but look around.
*This place really does buy everything.*
His gaze shifted toward a strange machine sitting in the corner.
It had a long metallic body and several glowing crystals attached to its sides.
Ryke stared at it.
*What the hell is that?*
Kaelira noticed him looking.
"What are you staring at?"
Ryke pointed toward it.
"I don't even know."
Kaelira looked at the machine.
"Me neither."
Pythia walked closer.
"Perhaps it's some kind of transportation device."
Ryke nodded.
"Probably."
Aldric glanced at it.
"Who cares?"
Ryke looked at him.
"You don't even know what it is either."
"Yeah, so?"
Aldric folded his arms.
"Why would I care?"
Ryke sighed.
*Of course.*
A few moments later—
the merchant returned.
He carried a heavy-looking pouch in one hand.
He stopped in front of them.
"Seven hundred gold."
He placed the pouch into Aldric's hand.
Aldric opened it.
Inside were stacks of gold coins.
He counted them quickly.
Then—
he nodded.
"Seven hundred."
The merchant smiled.
"Exactly."
Aldric closed the pouch.
He slipped it away.
*Good. Luckily, it's correct.*
*If there was even a single coin missing, things might've turned really ugly.*
The merchant laughed.
"Is that so?"
His tone made it clear he was asking whether Aldric's words were a threat.
Aldric looked at him.
"See it however you wish."
"I care less."
Ryke shook his head internally.
*He really can't help himself.*
He gave the merchant a small smile.
"That's it, then."
The merchant nodded.
"Yes."
He turned toward the two vehicles.
"We'll handle the rest from here."
Ryke nodded.
"Alright."
Draven suddenly stepped forward.
His gaze shifted toward the vehicles.
The two machines had been left behind.
For a moment, he simply stared at them.
Then—
he turned toward the merchant.
"One thing."
The merchant looked at him.
"What?"
Draven stared at him.
"Can you tell me what's going to happen here tomorrow?"
The merchant looked surprised.
"Kid, what are you talking about?"
He tilted his head.
"I don't quite understand."
Draven continued.
"What's happening tomorrow?"
"I've overheard people mentioning it repeatedly."
"They keep talking about tomorrow."
"What's that about?"
The merchant's expression suddenly changed.
"Oh."
"That's what you mean."
He smiled.
"It's about the auction."
Draven's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The auction?"
"Yeah."
The merchant gestured around the building.
"An auction will be taking place here tomorrow."
He paused.
"At twelve."