The number fell like an insurmountable iceberg, crushing the hearts of Jasper and Hunter and completely extinguishing the flame of hope they had just kindled. The hall erupted in an uproar. Everyone was shocked by the price, and then they turned to look at the corner where Jasper and his companion sat, their eyes filled with the anticipation of a good show. In the Shadow Market, public humiliation was often more enjoyable than a straightforward kill.
Hunter's body trembled slightly with rage, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the armrest. He had wealth, but it was under the control of his family. The $150,000 he could access was a pathetic joke in the face of this figure. For the first time, he hated his powerlessness as a family heir.
"$500,000 going once," the female auctioneer on the stage said, a flicker of surprise in her eyes that was quickly replaced by a professional, charming smile. Her voice was drawn out, full of temptation. "Is there any higher price? This is a divine item that can bring the dying back to life, that can grant your companion a complete rebirth."
Her gaze swept, seemingly unintentionally, in Jasper and Hunter's direction, as if savoring their despair.
In the second-floor box, Ryan reveled in it all. He didn't even bother to put his mask back on, displaying his glee and contempt for all to see. Beside him, the gaunt Sequence 7 powerhouse, codenamed "Vulture," stood like a lifeless statue, his hawk-like eyes locked on Jasper, as if sizing up prey that could be torn apart at any moment.
"$500,000 going twice," the auctioneer's voice rang out again, each strike of the gavel like a countdown to the end of Nidhogg's life.
Hunter slumped back in his chair, his fists falling limply to his sides. He had done his best.
Jasper didn't move. He just sat there, his face hidden in the shadows of his cloak, his expression unreadable. His hand tightly gripped the cold, ash-white Nidhogg in his coat, feeling the faint, almost imperceptible spark of its life.
"$500,000 going three times."
Clang!
With the crisp sound of the gavel, Jasper's heart sank into a bottomless abyss.
"Congratulations to Young Master Ryan, this drop of 'Heartwood of the Tree of Life' is yours!"
Amidst the hypocritical applause of the crowd, Ryan stood up and, looking down from his high perch, made a contemptuous throat-slitting gesture in Jasper's direction.
Failure.
Complete and utter failure.
Jasper felt as if all the strength had been drained from his body. He didn't even dare to feel the fading life force of Nidhogg in his coat. He was afraid he would completely break down.
"Let's go," Hunter's voice was hoarse. He stood up and placed a hand on Jasper's shoulder.
Just as they turned to leave this place of humiliation and despair, the cold system prompt sounded in his mind without warning.
[Host detected in a state of extreme despair... Triggering quest...]
Jasper's steps froze!
[Quest Name: The Fire Stealer]
[Quest Background: Deep within the city's underground 'Forgotten Waterway,' a 'Fossilized Abyssal Dragon Lizard Egg' is sealed. Over the long years, this fossil has absorbed a faint trace of the life source fire of an ancient dragon, which has seeped up from the depths of the earth. This flame has a miraculous effect on the life essence of mythological creatures, but it is guarded by a powerful resentful spirit.]
[Quest Objective: Obtain the 'Life Source Fire' from the 'Fossilized Dragon Egg' within 24 hours.]
[Quest Reward: 『Blood of a Nascent Dragon』 x1.]
[Penalty for Failure: None.]
There was no penalty for failure, because the only outcome of failure was death.
In Jasper's eyes, the extinguished flame was instantly reignited, burning more fiercely than ever before!
"Let's go," he said in a low voice to Hunter beside him, his tone filled with an unquestionable resolve.
Hunter was taken aback. He sensed a completely different aura from Jasper, one that seemed ready to set the entire world ablaze. He didn't ask any questions, just nodded.
The two of them quickly left the auction house, not lingering for a moment, and headed straight for the exit of the Shadow Market.
"Stop."
A withered, cold voice sounded behind them.
It was "Vulture."
The old Sequence 7 powerhouse had appeared a short distance behind them at some point, like a specter of death. He didn't make a move, as private fights were forbidden within the market. But his hawk-like eyes were locked on Jasper, and the undisguised killing intent seemed to freeze the very air around them.
"Young Master Ryan asked me to give you a message," Vulture's voice was like sandpaper. "He said, enjoy the last few hours of your lives."
Cold sweat instantly soaked the backs of Jasper and Hunter. They knew that a relentless, life-or-death pursuit was about to begin.