"Ahem, just joking to lighten the mood, everyone continue..."
Lynn wasn't sure if his face was flushed red, but he still forced himself to sit back down despite the awkwardness.
It's all the Enchanting Demon's fault for being too alluring, otherwise, he wouldn't have lost his composure earlier.
It's also the game company's fault for hiding the Enchanting Demon in "Miracle" so well, which only fueled players' endless imaginations.
In areas where the Demon Race is active, Enchanting Demons naturally exist, but to pass censorship, the game company has covered 80% of every Enchanting Demon appearing in players' views with a mosaic.
With that setup, the part of the Enchanting Demon players could see is just the exceptionally captivating, soul-stealing face, the black horns protruding from the forehead, feet resembling goat hooves, and a tail long and thin like a whip.
As for the alluring figure, graceful curves, and ample...
Anyway, any parts that could be censored were censored, only revealing racial traits to indicate that mosaic lump is the legendary Enchanting Demon.
Clearly, a special race that could make people exclaim "how big, how white, this is a wickedly worthwhile battle," was stubbornly turned into one of the top ten unsolved mysteries of Miracle World.
"Succubus Collar, a trophy from the front-line battlefield, due to its high difficulty in acquisition, it's very valuable. As for its effects, I suppose everyone here, even if you haven't used it, has heard of it, so I won't elaborate."
"This item starts at a bidding price of 1500 Gold Coins, with each increment no less than 100 Gold Coins!"
After collecting himself, the host began to introduce this auction item rather indistinctly. He didn't even clearly state its specific effect, verbally saying "those who know, know," to avoid detailing it, but he was actually being careful not to offend the female customers present because this item indeed isn't very friendly to women.
"2000 Gold Coins!"
"2100 Gold Coins!"
"2600 Gold Coins!"
"3500 Gold Coins!"
"5000 Gold Coins!!"
This bidding session was far fiercer than that for the Demonic Contamination Staff before, evidently those present recognize the value; Lynn alone could be considered clueless.
Previously in the game there were no items like the Succubus Collar; if the game company dared to release this thing, they'd be beaten to death by critics, never to see the sun the next day.
So, regarding the specific utility of the item on the stage, Lynn could only guess based on the term "Collar", yet even imagining a vague concept was enough to make his heart throb.
Yet being moved doesn't mean he should act; he doesn't even have a girlfriend now, what's the use of buying a novelty item? Even if he finds a girlfriend someday, he wouldn't use such a thing on his true love...
"6000 Gold Coins!"
"6500 Gold Coins!"
"8800 Gold Coins!!"
"I bid ten thousand Gold Coins!"
While Lynn was struggling internally, bidding continued on the floor, with a starting price of 1500 Gold Coins quickly soaring to five figures. Surprisingly, the final bid of ten thousand Gold Coins came from a woman's voice, clashing with the earlier heated competition among all male bidders.
If the woman who suddenly intruded was a regular guest, everyone might want to see which big shot she was, yet the voice originated from a high-level VIP lounge, causing many interested in competing for the Succubus Collar to promptly play the retreat tune.
It's not that the Succubus Collar isn't desirable, but their lives take precedence.
"Guest from VIP lounge number 3 bids ten thousand Gold Coins, any higher bid?"
"Ten thousand Gold Coins once!"
"Ten thousand Gold Coins twice..."
The host began the regular procedure fittingly, predicting that there's likely no one left wishing to compete with the VIP for this item, fearing such quality planned to fetch thirty thousand Gold Coins might be sold low this time.
"Ten thousand Gold Coins three..."
"Fifteen thousand Gold Coins!"
However, just as the host was ready to hammer the deal, another voice abruptly rang out.
Everyone turned to the sound, discovering it was someone bidding from another VIP lounge, rendering their expressions subtly complex.
"Guest from VIP lounge number 5 bids fifteen thousand Gold Coins, any higher offers?"
Following auction house rules, the host continued his calls but anticipated the upcoming scene, whether a bid competition between the two VIPs or VIP 5 taking it with fifteen thousand Gold Coins, as no one dared to rashly join further.
Indeed, as his voice fell, the auction hall turned utterly silent, everyone stared blankly at the two lounges, with no one inclined to bid again, though the item hadn't reached its true value yet.
"Bruce, must you compete with me?"
At this moment, the crisp and pleasant voice of a woman echoed from inside lounge number 3, differing from her previously casual bid statement, this time clearly letting others discern some information from her voice.
She was a very young woman or girl, the voice slightly immature even in its crispness, suggested to be in her early twenties at most, but likely not even twenty.
Regarding other information, it's unclear for now, but observing that she occupies lounge number 3 while the Bruce Clan members only sit in lounge number 5, it's not hard to infer she bears a remarkable identity.
"Please call me Bada, thank you. Bruce is my surname, not my name, just as I wouldn't call you Miss Jones, which you wouldn't appreciate."
Sitting composedly in lounge number 5, the man responded indifferently to the noble lady's inquiry; as the second son of Marquis Bruce, he enjoyed the benefits the name Bruce brought yet disliked being addressed by it, since it made him seem noble solely by blood, with little personal worth.
"Sorry, I can't remember names of minor characters. Bruce as a surname might catch my eye, but switch to Bada, who knows which puppy's name that is."
Clearly, the noble lady had conflict with the nobleman named Bada Bruce; otherwise, as fellow Celestial Destiny City nobles, she wouldn't speak so disdainfully and rudely.
"No problem, coincidentally I can't recall Miss Jones's name either, since in Celestial Destiny City everyone knows of the marvelous Marquis of the Jones Clan, while the grand mansion lacks an heir."
Compared to the noble lady's straightforward taunt, Bada Bruce appeared more polite; however, his method of digging at others without direct insult is considered conventional, lacking novelty.
In Celestial Destiny City, Marquis Jones surpasses Marquis Bruce in strength and status overall. Publicly, they cohabit harmoniously, yet compete in secret.
Initially, in all regards, Marquis Jones held absolute advantage, but upon reaching heirs, the renowned Marquis Jones had little to say.
After all, the Bruce Clan boasts three sons, while his family has only one daughter...