Sunny and his group walked out of the auction hall when a familiar voice called out.
"King God Wolf!!"
They all stopped and turned to see Brittney rushing toward them, clutching her tablet.
"What's wrong?" Sunny asked, a frown on his face.
"God Wolf..." Brittney stopped in front of the group and glanced at Josephine, Jinx, and Ellen.
"Could I speak with you privately?" she asked.
Josephine stared at her for a few seconds before responding. "We'll be waiting."
With that, she walked toward the starships that were already waiting for them. Jinx sighed and followed behind, while Ellen stood still, remaining loyally by her father's side.
"Go on," Sunny urged Brittney.
"There's some information I left out about that planet," Brittney said in a low, worried voice.
'Information? Why is she telling me this now? Why didn't she mention it during the auction?' Sunny thought, his frown deepening.
"Well..." Brittney switched on her tablet and showed Sunny a video.
Sunny watched, his eyebrows raising in confusion.
"As you can see, there appears to be a humanoid figure in the dark region of that planet," she explained.
"Due to the storm and the distance, we couldn't get a clear view, and all parties sent into the storm to investigate have died. None returned, so we've assumed they're all dead."
Ellen was stunned. "A humanoid figure? That's a giant."
"We call them Titans, but you can call them giants," Brittney said.
"I don't really know how they survive in that storm, but we are lucky."
"How is that?" Sunny asked, feeling a bit puzzled.
"These Titans, or whatever they are, can't enter the other zone. It's as if something, a barrier, is holding them back. Also, their strength isn't measured by our ranking system."
"What do you mean by that?!" Sunny's frown deepened. Her words were only confusing him more.
"It's like this," Brittney continued.
"We discovered there are more of these giants inside, and they even have children. I don't know how, but they do. The main issue is that these creatures' children could kill a Celestial-rank warrior if that warrior isn't careful."
"Wait, wait, wait! How do you know this? If everyone sent in died, how did you find this out?" Sunny demanded.
Brittney sighed. "I shouldn't be the one explaining this; I'm just a host of an auction. What do you say if I take you to the only man who has come back alive?" she asked.
Sunny glanced over his shoulder at Ellen, then at Josephine and Jinx standing in front of the starships.
"One second."
He turned and walked toward Josephine. "There is..."
"No need to explain. I heard everything," Josephine said with a smile. Sunny glanced at Ellen over his shoulder.
'This sneaky dragon,' he thought to himself, a smile forming on his face.
"Don't worry, I'll be back... Maybe tomorrow or the day after, but I will be back," he said.
"Huh? I thought you just had to ask some questions," Jinx asked, frowning.
"Yes... but that planet is already ours, and I have plans for it. So I must check this out," Sunny replied.
"I will have to cleanse the planet," he added.
"What?! Didn't you hear her?! She said a kid could kill a Celestial-rank! Just think what an adult could do?!" Josephine yelled in horror.
"I know... and I am not weak," Sunny smiled. "I could also kill a Celestial-rank with one move of my finger, so it's nothing serious."
"I want to come along," Ellen said. She was now standing directly behind Sunny.
"No way! You're too young!" Josephine turned to Sunny.
"I will only agree if Jinx goes with you!"
"Hey! Hold on a minute... Ellen is spared from this, but I'm not?!" Jinx quickly stepped back, raising her hands in protest.
"Yes, and besides, I have a plan with the Three-Eyed Nation. I can't simply back out," she added, finding an excuse.
Josephine stared at her with a frown, then turned to Sunny. "Then I'm coming along."
"No... our nation is still expanding. You must be there to keep watch. I will go alone," Sunny said in a tone that brooked no argument.
"You all misunderstood," Ellen said.
They all turned to her.
"I just want to follow Dad to this person," she clarified.
Josephine stared at her, then turned to Jinx and sighed.
'If Ellen follows, I'll know what's going on. If it's serious, I will just rush over... Besides, I can track her.' Josephine thought, and then she exhaled.
"Fine then."
She turned to Ellen. "Remember! Only go to the man, then head back here. I will be waiting for you." She turned to Jinx.
"Go with her... make sure she comes back here."
"Me again? Why can't you go?" Jinx grumbled.
"Oh, right! Okay, we're all going!"
".....?"
Sunny was stunned, staring at the three females in confusion.
"Okay then, let's go," he said, and turned back toward Brittney.
____
[Supreme Auction Headquarters.]
The double doors of the huge hall opened, and Brittney, Sunny, Josephine, Ellen, and Jinx walked inside, all with unreadable expressions.
"Why the sour faces?" an old man sitting on a couch asked, staring at the group.
"Supreme Elder," Brittney bowed to the man and introduced them.
"Supreme Elder Patrick, this is King God Wolf and Queen Josephine... This is their daughter, Princess Ellen, and Jinx, his subordinate. God Wolf, this is Supreme Elder Patrick, owner of the Supreme Auction and the only survivor I told you about."
"...?!"
The group was stunned.
'Supreme Elder Patrick! Isn't this King Falkor's father?!' Sunny was shocked.
'Wow... Such a powerful man, and I am standing in his presence,' Josephine thought.
'Why is the energy around him so strong?!' Jinx wondered.
{Name: Patrick Dra.}
{Race: Dragon.}
{Bloodline: Dragon Monarch (Awakened - Legendary).}
{Rank: Divine Rank. Stage 5.}
{Strength: 60,000.}
{Agility: 50,000.}
{Stamina: 70,000.}
{Defense: 75,000.}
{Attack: 30,000.}
{Celestial energy: 100,000.}
{Magic resistance: 10,000.}
{Note: These stats will change if he puts on his equipment.}
'Holy!!! Is this the strength of an awakened bloodline?! And what does "legendary" mean?!' Sunny yelled inwardly.