The Executioner's Blade, also known as the Beheading Blade.
This type of blade is typically used for executing prisoners, and due to cultural differences, its design often incorporates peculiar aesthetic elements.
However, their sole commonality is their efficiency in decapitation.
Take, for example, the Executioner's Blade on stage, originating from the early 13th century of the Schiller era. Its crescent-shaped blade curves inward, allowing the executioner to swiftly sever a prisoner's neck by simply pulling it through the arc.
Compared to its relatively short 50-centimeter blade, the handle extends over a meter in length.
This scythe-like design seems to symbolize the notion that human life is as expendable as grass. In practical combat, it serves no functional purpose; it is purely an instrument of execution.
To make matters worse, the blade is imbued with Post-Mortem Will.
Though the intensity is not particularly striking, for a Nen user, it's still an unsettling presence.
For a moment, Biscuit couldn't help but wonder why Morrow had taken a liking to this Executioner's Blade.
At that moment.
The auctioneer on stage finished introducing the blade and announced in a slightly excited tone, "Starting bid at 50 million. Bidding begins now."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the lights in the auction hall brightened.
From the seats, someone raised their hand, fingers pressed together, a gesture indicating a doubled bid.
The auctioneer glanced at the bidder and called out, "Bidder 56, 100 million!"
"Bidder 71, 120 million!"
"Bidder 89, 170 million!"
"Bidder 122, 180 million!"
"Bidder 71, 230 million!"
"Bidder 122, 330 million!"
"Bidder 56, 340 million!"
The bidding escalated rapidly.
Before Morrow could even place his bid, he watched as the price tripled in moments. He rubbed his forehead in frustration.
It was just a 13th-century Executioner's Blade. Who would have thought there'd be so many bidders, and with such reckless spending, as if money meant nothing to them?
With a budget of just over a billion, could he even afford this blade?
If not, he'd just have to remember the winning bidder's number and find an opportunity to touch the blade later.
That way, he could get what he wanted without paying a single penny.
Speaking of free rides…
He wondered if the auction house's warehouse management department was still hiring.
If they were, maybe he could obtain a Hunter License and define a new professional role, Warehouse Management Professional Hunter, specifically tailored for the job.
Morrow mused to himself.
By now, the bidding had reached 600 million.
Morrow glanced at the heated bidding war unfolding in the seats and suddenly began doubting his own judgment.
He knew that most people here had some degree of collecting obsession, but this was just an Executioner's Blade drenched in the blood of countless victims, was it really worth such fervor?
Then again, he recalled how even "fossilized feces" had once sold for hundreds of millions at auction, and his confusion eased.
As he resigned himself to the situation, he watched the price climb relentlessly and ultimately decided against bidding. Instead, he resolved to memorize the buyer's number and find a way to "borrow" the blade later.
Soon, the bidding for the Executioner's Blade surpassed a billion.
In the end, the initial bidder, Bidder 56, secured it for 1.82 billion.
Morrow was left speechless, gaining a newfound understanding of the world's wealthy elite.
As the second auction item took the stage, the bidding frenzy resumed.
In the hours that followed, none of the remaining thirteen auctioned items were Nen-imbued objects that Morrow desired. Nen-imbued objects always have a certain elusive quality to them.
Morrow patiently waited as the auction items took turns on the stage. It wasn't until the nineteenth item was presented that Biscuit, sitting behind him, placed a bid.
The item in question was a heart-shaped ruby, roughly the size of a baby's fist.
Biscuit was determined to win it, stubbornly driving the price up to 8 billion before securing it.
"Hey, don't look at me like I'm some kind of idiot! Spending money on something you love is only natural, you penniless loser who can't even afford a lousy knife!"
Noticing Morrow's gaze, Biscuit immediately brandished her fist threateningly.
Morrow silently turned away, unable to refute her.
After Biscuit claimed the heart-shaped ruby, the next auction item was none other than the game Greed Island.
As expected, Battera won the bid with an astronomical 35 billion.
Shortly after, Morrow watched as Battera, Tsezguerra, and their group stood up and headed straight for the exit.
Their departure drew the attention of nearly everyone in the room.
Clearly, the renowned tycoon had come solely for Greed Island.
With Battera's group gone, the twenty-first auction item was brought on stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is the famed Poultry Scarlet Knife from the Seven Chef's Knives collection. Carved from rare scarlet luorite ore, it boasts astonishing strength and flexibility. A masterpiece by the late 16th-century artisan Sairo..."
The auctioneer's melodious voice introduced the blood-red, crystal-clear Poultry Scarlet Knife.
Morrow's attention was instantly captured.
Around the crimson knife swirled a wispy, smoke-like white aura.
Yet, this chef's knife involuntarily reminded him of the Boning Knife wielded by that Gourmet Hunter he had encountered in the dense forest, also forged from a blood-red ore.
However, compared to the Boning Knife, the Poultry Scarlet Knife on stage was noticeably longer and wider.
So it's part of a series...
The urge to bid for it surged within Morrow.
Not just for the aura enveloping the knife, but also for its functionality.
Morrow had personally witnessed the sharpness and durability of such knives.
Of course, he wasn't planning to buy it for cooking; it would serve as a handy weapon.
Once the auctioneer finished the introduction, hands began rising one after another for bids.
Compared to the previous items, however, the enthusiasm for this chef's knife was noticeably tepid.
If not for its classification as a kitchen tool, it might have drawn more interest from the collectors present.
Despite the lackluster bidding, the price still climbed to 500 million.
Morrow decisively raised his hand.
"Bidder No. 68, 530 million!"
The auctioneer glanced at Morrow with a sweet smile.
No further bids followed, and the blood-red Poultry Scarlet Knife was secured by Morrow for 530 million.
Lowering his hand, Morrow allowed a faint smirk to curl his lips.
Behind him, Biscuit leaned over the back of her chair like a specter, studying Morrow's profile with keen interest. "Seems you've got a thing for Nen-infused items, huh?"
Hearing her voice by his ear, Morrow didn't deny it and simply nodded.
"Ohhh~"
Biscuit's eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Time passed slowly, and the auction gradually neared its conclusion.
During this period, Morrow lacked the means to bid for any other Nen-imbued items that appeared, so he could only memorize the bidder numbers of those who won them. Lot 56, Lot 102, Lot 189, Lot 254...
Four Nen-imbued objects in total.
One of them was an Executioner's Blade entwined with Post-Mortem Will.
Morrow immediately stood up and left his seat, leaning against the wall near the exit while silently observing the seats below.
As the buyers gradually departed, Morrow carefully memorized the appearances of those four particular buyers.
Biscuit quietly approached Morrow's side, deliberately adopting a sneaky posture as she whispered, "What, planning to just snatch them by force?"
Of course, Morrow's intentional act of memorizing the buyers' appearances hadn't escaped Biscuit's notice.
"You're still here."
Instead of answering Biscuit's question, Morrow subtly conveyed his intention for her to leave.
Biscuit immediately placed her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow, "You want me to get lost?"
"???"