Chapter 22 : Axton's Auction
Axton was clearly using a carrot and stick method to keep them interested in what he had to offer.
'Even if I sold a vial of plain water, these people will take it because it's coming from me,' he thought, chuckling in his mind.
"...The highest bidder gets the item," Axton announced proudly.
Immediately after, he summoned a common staff into his hand.
Everything he did so far was all for this moment. Otherwise, no one would be interested in buying the common staff from him, but if he made it seem like something worth competing for… then, boom! He has them in his grasp.
Everybody rushed over trying to catch a glimpse of what Axton was holding.
At first, they were disappointed seeing that it was only a common grade tool but as they progressed through the item's panel, they were surprised.
"A common grade item that comes with a skill?"
"How does he keep doing these things?"
At this stage in the game, even common grade items were not easy to come by, except for Axton of course.
They had to sweat through the Horned Mountain Goats to hope for such an item and here, right now, Axton was selling one off.
"But it says only healer class players can use it."
"You are right," Axton replied to this random player. "Doesn't mean you can't get it for a healer in your team."
Healer class was probably the least chosen in all of New Eden, since everyone wanted to have a feel of battle.
Many players felt they were not cut out to be on the sidelines or behind the battlefield, treating people.
However, this particular class was common among the female players.
"I will buy it!" one of these female healers shouted from the back.
"Give it to me, Mr. Khan-chan!" the loli's voice was even louder as she did not wish to lose.
Just like them, some more rushed for the common staff.
These female players were shameless with their desires, not just for the common staff but for Axton as well.
Axton was surprised at how the common staffs started to sell as soon as the females picked interest in the items.
Even the ones who were not healers and those who had not shown much interest, started bargaining.
Some even wanted to use the opportunity to get Axton's contact.
Axton shook his head and gave a cold response to the request for his contact, "No… and only real life money is acceptable."
"Huh?"
"Come on."
"This guy…"
Arguments were about to erupt to protest against Axton when a female player made her way towards him.
"How much for it?" she asked with a smile on her face.
"5000."
As if also shocked by the word that came out Axton's mouth, a cold breeze blew past, carrying with it a wave of silence that lingered for what felt like a million seconds.
As soon as one of the spectating players was able to say a word, this female player collected Axton's details and sent the money.
*Ding*
[Credit : $5000]
[Balance : $10,997]
Direct bank transfers were made possible in New Eden, thanks to the scientists who studied the runes and found a way to manoeuvre it.
Axton's mystery bracelet was able to also allow this feature.
"She actually paid for it. That's crazy!"
"$5000 is a lot for a common grade item."
"Well, she is rich. If she wants to waste her money, then it's her problem."
Axton smiled as he got the transfer notification, reading the name of the player from it.
[QueenBee]
"Here you go, Queen… Bee," Axton said as he handed her the common staff.
QueenBee was smiling from ear to ear as she collected the item from Axton, admiring it for the next few minutes.
'To own an item from the revered Khan. Sweet!'
While many of the male players grumbled at the ridiculous cost of the common item, female players were, in fact, jealous that they were not the ones who purchased the staff.
But in truth, $5000 for a common grade staff, even if it came with a skill, was simply extortion.
However, Axton did not care.
He had been a victim of the world's corruption and no one complained once it favoured them.
Why would he stop now that it favoured him?
Axton did not respond to anyone who was not making progress with him business-wise.
"I guess that's it."
Axton was true to his word.
QueenBee was the highest bidder and he gave her the common grade staff.
The female player turned and started walking away when she noticed that every other person's interest piqued and they seemed to be surprised at something.
QueenBee turned and like the others, she was stunned in an instant.
She looked at the common staff in her and at Axton, only to see he had yet another similar in his hand as well.
"H-How…?"
"How does he have two of such items?"
Everyone was dumbfounded.
"This guy is just an anomaly.
******
Axton summoned another staff into his grasp, something that no one has accounted for.
QueenBee was utterly speechless because she thought she had gotten something unique from the great Khan.
She thought she would be the only wielder of such an item, only for this surprise to happen.
Instead of being annoyed, QueenBee smiled.
Her admiration for Axton skyrocketed as her eyes bubbled with a radiant light. "What a smart man."
She could already see what Axton wanted to achieve and from the looks of it, he was already doing it.
"Give me one!"
"Me too!"
The requests for his equipment that had been down because of the price suddenly shot up again.
Now, players were starting to feel like if they didn't get it now, they would miss a great opportunity.
Axton had employed the sense of scarcity to increase the demand for his common grade staff.
Little did they know he had much more than they would have guessed.
"Still $5000, but if someone bids higher, they have a better chance at getting it," Axton reminded them.
"That said…"
A brief pause followed.
"Going?"