"Why are there no rare items? Have I been deceived!?"
Truly, this is a snow-covered village devoid of anything.
I must leave it if I wish to grow stronger and master my hobby, even though I do not know what my hobby is, yet perhaps I might excel at it.
"Come on, you wretched man, announce something rare. I shall wait no longer; this is the penultimate item. I have waited far too long."
I believe the auctioneer is about to unveil an item: in the centre of the hall, the auctioneer lifts the black cloth covering the lot and declares, "It is time to announce Lot number 101, which is the penultimate item. Ladies and gentlemen, this is... the final item, the Sword of Ice, which has become scrap." And he said, as a long time had passed, it had become thus, and he announced the sword's price, saying, "The bidding for this sword starts at 1.5 Dao pieces."
The price of this ancient sword is 1.5 Dao pieces. What a waste of money! But I must purchase it as a precaution, and I think no one will bid on the price.
"I shall buy this sword for two Dao pieces." The auctioneer said, "Is there no bidder? I shall sell... Sold to Lady Rufa."
What is the matter with these people? Why do they look at me like that? I detest these glances intensely; they remind me of the past, as if they are saying, "You are a foolish girl with no purpose, wandering the world." (Why must humans interfere in others' affairs? Why are they curious about everything?)
Well, I have 78 Dao pieces left after buying the sword. I have spent a lot this month, but fortunately, I had saved some.
Shall I leave the auction or wait for the final item? I shall wait and see the last lot; they say it is exceedingly rare.
The auction hall was plunged into utter silence, so much so that you would not hear a breath, for everyone knew it was time for the final lot, and rumours said it was exceedingly rare. Thus, no one wished to interrupt the auctioneer's speech, and even those in the private rooms raised their chamber's veil.
Regardless of the items displayed, my story with my homeland is over; it is time to leave. In a tranquil atmosphere, everyone is focused; even the person beside me has sweat dripping from his forehead. The auctioneer began to say, "The time has come to present the final lot, Lot number 102, the last one." And this time, the cloth covering the item was golden, signifying it was rare and its price high. The auctioneer began to count: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1," and he lifted the cloth, saying, "This is a rare item... the Essence of Nature."
What! What is this essence doing here? It is rarer than diamonds; it can elevate a person's talent. But this is only for humans. As for me, a Kahi, it is useless, since I am a Kahi without benefit.
However, by looking at the faces of these humans, you can gauge its immense power over them. Kahi and humans are different entities; Kahi are people who have surpassed humans in everything: in strength, knowledge, and authority. Therefore, this essence can potentially admit you into the world of the Kahi. Truly, their faces are beautiful; they are in a state of frenzy. Even the one beside me has lost his composure. The village authorities will intervene for the sake of their children's future.
Well then, Mr. Auctioneer, you were the cause of this chaos. Announce the price so that the hall may explode with screams and voices. Haaaa, what moments! The auctioneer took a long breath, closed his eyes, and then said, "Silence!" Every person in the hall fell quiet, and the auctioneer declared, "Well, since everyone has calmed down, the bidding starts at 411 Dao pieces."
It is an exorbitant price; this is evident from the hall's atmosphere. Everyone here is stunned. But it is time for my departure; I have errands before leaving the village.
It was indeed an exciting auction, but I gained nothing except this ancient, scrap sword. It is good that I did not raise my expectations. I bought some of my gear and clothes from the black market.
I shall buy some food and water for the journey.
This village is as it has always been, unchanged even after I decided to leave.
The coldness of the weather, the freezing of the water, and all the trees are dead, but this does not diminish the village's beauty. However, humans cannot foresee the future and its hidden intricacies.
I shall return home before a new owner moves in, gather my belongings, leave the village, and head to the Empire of Antifacts.
End of Chapter One.