"Alright, congratulations to the guest at Table 76 for winning this lot. Our staff will complete the transaction with you shortly. Please wait.
Other guests, please don't worry, we'll continue.
The next item is Lot No. 167. The starting bid is—"
Listening to the auctioneer's smooth and rapid speech, Silas idly flipped through the final page.
The items listed there all had lengthy descriptions, perfect for passing time.
Though most ended with the words: Effect unknown.
"No wonder it's called the 'Unknown Item List.'"
Silas muttered dryly.
Still, the Pokémon world never lacked wealthy collectors interested in strange curiosities.
Provided the items weren't too unknown.
"This Mysterious Crystal seems to have gone unsold three or four times already. I could buy it and later let Steven take a look—maybe I can trade it for something."
After examining it for a while, Silas finally found something marginally useful.
It looked like a dirty blue crystal stone. It should match Steven Stone's tastes.
At the very least, it was rare.
And it probably wouldn't cost much.
That flute, which could only play ordinary melodies and had no known function, had failed to sell countless times.
If it hadn't been excavated from an ancient ruin, Silas suspected the auction house might have thrown it away already.
The Poké Flute could at least awaken sleeping Pokémon, even a Snorlax.
But this so-called Azure Flute? Aside from its grand name, it seemed useless.
"Where does the Goldenrod Department Store even find all these strange things?"
Silas tossed the booklet aside and quietly waited for the items he wanted.
Soon, his first target was carried onto the stage by a Machoke.
"This lot is an evolution item, Protector. It is a special item prepared for Rhydon, crafted from volcanic magma stone.
Though it does not reach the absolute highest grade of hardness, its weight exceeds even that standard.
Starting bid: 5,000,000 Poké Dollars."
The auctioneer gave a brief introduction and struck the gavel.
Rhydon was a popular large Pokémon.
It had both strength and an imposing appearance, something of a substitute for Tyranitar, and perhaps even Aggron.
After evolving into Rhyperior, it might lose some elegance, but it gained tremendous presence.
The price quickly rose to 6.5 million—slightly above market price.
Technological crafted items like this weren't as expensive as Evolution Stones.
The auctioneer remained calm.
At this venue, winning a near-top-grade Protector at market price would be a dream.
Auction prices typically rose at least 30% above market value, sometimes even doubled.
These items were simply too rare.
"Seven million."
Silas picked up the bidding device beside him and entered his offer.
"VIP in Room 77 bids seven million. Any higher bids?
First… Second…"
The auctioneer didn't waste time.
For Pokémon-related items, if you truly wanted it, you had enough time to bid.
Of course, the third page items were another matter entirely.
Within seconds, Silas's seven million was surpassed.
"VIP in Room 77 bids 8.5 million. Any higher bids?
8.5 million, first, second, third.
Sold to VIP Room 77!"
Ten seconds later, the gavel struck.
The auctioneer mentally calculated, about 40% above market price.
Not extraordinary, but satisfactory.
If too many items sold too cheaply, he would be held accountable.
Knock knock.
During the next bidding round, staff knocked on Room 77.
"Come in," Silas replied.
"Here is your Protector. Please confirm."
A Machoke set it down.
Silas glanced at it briefly, Zero instantly provided full data.
Everything matched.
"No problem. Card."
He handed over an anonymous card.
Transaction complete.
"Thank you for your patronage. Please contact us if you need anything."
They left.
Looking at the 6.8 million Poké Dollars deducted, Silas shrugged.
He had an 20% discount as an Honorary Citizen.
While it appeared he overpaid by 40%, in reality he only overpaid by about 10%.
His psychological limit had been 10 million (8 million after discount).
Any higher and he would have postponed the purchase.
"Spending seven million for Pesudo–Elite-level top combat strength? Huge profit."
He hummed as he stored the Protector in his space backpack.
It was so heavy that he could actually feel the added weight.
That was a first.
No matter.
He planned to send it to Pewter Gym later—Rhydon would evolve there. Watching others bid wildly, Silas also picked up several additional items—
Mostly crates of high-quality Berries.
Buying here or downstairs made little difference.
With his discount, the prices were comparable.
After purchasing enough to last about half a year, he stopped.
"Did I buy a bit too much…"
Looking at his balance, Silas calmed down.
This environment was dangerously intoxicating.
Fortunately, he had already prepared supplies earlier (thanks largely to a certain wealthy young master).
Otherwise, even emptying his account wouldn't cover six months of expenses—two or three months at best.
Seeing his balance barely above 100 million, he restrained himself.
If he kept spending, he wouldn't even be able to compete for the Ice Stone later.
Even now, funds might be tight.
Thankfully, he had already prepared a backup plan.
"Next time, don't lose your head like this."
He warned himself.
The money wasn't wasted, but priorities mattered.
He waited quietly.
Many others were similar.
Most VIP rooms were here specifically for the third-page items.
The first two pages were merely appetizers.
Gradually, the first two pages concluded.
The auctioneer took a sip of water and wiped sweat from his brow.
After several hours, it had been exhausting.
"Alright, now comes the moment everyone has been waiting for.
No more preamble.
We begin the featured collection with—Liechi Berry.
I won't repeat its effects.
Starting bid: 1 Poké Dollar."
He spoke even more concisely this time.
"88,880,000 Poké Dollars."
The first bid exploded onto the scene.
Classy number choice, Silas noted silently.
"90 million."
"91 million."
"92 million."
The bidders acted as though millions were pocket change.
The price soared rapidly to 120 million.
At that point, the voices thinned.
After all, compared to 90 million, 120 million was over 30% higher.
But the bidding continued.
130 million.
140 million.
150 million.
When VIP Room 8 shouted 150 million, the hall fell briefly silent.
Had that first bidder not chosen such an extravagant number, 150 million would have been nearly double the opening explosion.
"150 million—first…"
The auctioneer deliberately slowed his tone.
At this price level, no decision could be rushed.
"150 million—second…"
The hammer in his hand seemed ready to fall at any moment.
"155 million."
Someone bid again.
It looked like an attempt to scare off the competition, raising the price by five million in one go.
If you asked Silas, it wasn't ruthless enough—why not raise it by ten million?
Of course, he was speaking lightly.
No one's money was blown in by the wind.
If five million could do the job, why spend twice that?
After two more rounds of bidding, the price rose to 160 million.
Four more exchanges later, when the number 180 million was announced, the venue finally fell into true silence.
After dragging out the second call for a full thirty seconds, the auctioneer finally struck the gavel.
"Congratulations to the VIP in Room 8. Our staff will assist you shortly. Please wait."
Jackpot.
That was the only thought left in his mind.
The Liechi Berry had sold at least 50% above market price. That was a massive profit.
He steadied himself, suppressing his excitement. It wasn't over yet.
Sure enough, the second ultra-rare Berry, Lansat Berry, sold for 190 million.
Perhaps the atmosphere played a role, it fetched an even higher price.
Next came the two Key Stones and two Mega Stones.
Their average selling price was slightly lower, around 120–130 million each.
Primarily because Beedrillite was relatively unpopular.
From the noise coming from the winning VIP room, it sounded like a woman had purchased it.
Silas swore he wasn't eavesdropping.
His hearing was just unusually sharp.
Soon, the three high-quality Evolution Stones were up for auction.
To Silas's surprise, the first one presented was the Ice Stone (Quality 96) rather than the Thunder Stone (Quality 95).
"Right… There really aren't many Ice-type Pokémon species in Johto or Kanto. If this were Sinnoh, there'd probably be more competition."
He quickly understood the reasoning.
Purely in terms of intrinsic value, the Ice Stone should have been worth more, the single-point quality difference could mean a lot.
But factoring in regional demand and type popularity, the Thunder Stone might actually command a higher price.
It seemed his earlier assumption had been slightly off.
"100 million."
The moment the bidding began, Silas immediately called out a nine-digit figure.
The goal was to scare off weaker competitors.
Sure enough, the venue fell silent.
The previous items hadn't started this aggressively, everyone had raised prices gradually.
"105 million."
Someone cautiously tested the waters.
"120 million."
Silas immediately shut him down.
This guy is dead set on getting the Ice Stone.
The others quickly realized it.
Then they hesitated.
With this bidding style, no one could gauge his upper limit.
And perhaps…
Was the Ice Stone really worth it?
That was exactly what Silas wanted them to think.
"Does no one have interest in this Ice Stone of Quality 96? This is an exceptionally rare treasure. Even if the typing doesn't suit you, you could always trade it later."
Hearing the auctioneer's encouragement, Silas resisted the urge to strangle him.
Sure enough, someone was persuaded.
"125 million."
"140 million."
Silas knew this was not the time to show weakness.
He maintained the same aggressive rhythm.
"Maniac."
The previous bidder immediately withdrew.
Adding tens of millions at a time, who knew what this person's limit was?
Besides, the price had already climbed well above market value.
The auctioneer dragged things out for over a minute, but no one else bid.
With a hint of regret, he struck the gavel.
Only about 20% above market price. A pity.
He would have loved to see someone clash with this madman.
In auctions, the worst scenario wasn't having no buyers, It was having only one.
Still, it was about as expected.
There simply weren't that many Ice-type specialists.
Even Lorelei, the Ice-type Elite Four member, primarily used Water-type Pokémon.
It was just that her frequent victories over Lance using Ice-type moves and her consistently cold demeanor, earned her that title.
"Phew…"
Silas exhaled deeply.
At 140 million, with his 20% discount, he would pay just over 110 million.
A reasonable price.
"Thanks. You don't need to cover the next three installments. I'll send the project plan on schedule."
He sent a message through his wrist device.
"No problem. Small matter."
The reply came quickly, accompanied by a smiling emoji.
A familiar knock sounded at the door.
After most of his funds were deducted by staff, Silas suddenly felt lighter.
So this is what being broke feels like.
He had almost grown used to it.
Looking at the little over 20 million Poké Dollars remaining, he realized it had been a long time since he'd been this "poor."
..
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