"And with that, we have sold the third final product of the night to the handsome gentleman over there."
The auctioneer announced it in a melodious voice, extending one graceful hand toward the man who had made the highest bid. He sat among the other buyers in the dim seating area, his face hidden behind a mask like everyone else present.
No applause followed.
No congratulatory words were offered.
This was an auction attended by powerful people. Being outbid here was not something anyone celebrated, and sometimes it could even turn the losing party into an enemy. Because of that, only those who could afford to offend others dared to bid aggressively on items the truly powerful had not shown interest in.
But the auctioneer paid no attention to such tensions.
She carried herself with confidence, protected by her own reputation and backing. As she shifted slightly on the stage, the long red dress clinging to her body moved with her, its tight fit outlining her voluptuous figure. A high slit along her thigh added to the striking image, making her both elegant and alluring beneath the warm lights of the hall.
She clapped her hands lightly to draw the room's attention back to her.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, our next product is here."
She gestured toward the rear of the platform.
From behind the stage, a massive man stepped forward.
His body was bare except for a small pair of pants covering his private parts. Thick muscles covered his frame, and the scars across his face gave him a dangerous, hardened appearance.
Each step he took onto the platform landed heavily.
He wore no shackles.
None were needed.
The collar fastened tightly around his neck had already sealed his fate.
The auctioneer turned back toward the audience, her voice rising smoothly as she continued the presentation.
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is our second-best product of the night—a true champion gladiator with an incredible record of victories."
A faint murmur spread through the hall.
"He has achieved three streaks of eighteen consecutive wins, two streaks of seventeen consecutive wins, and finally one streak of twenty consecutive wins, which crowned him the true champion of the Black Bull Arena this year—writing yet another piece of history."
Several members of the audience straightened in their seats.
Those who already recognized him had been watching closely from the beginning. Kragor was a well-known name among the gladiators of the Black Bull Arena.
The auctioneer continued, her tone rich with theatrical flair.
"His title, Big Jaw, suits him well. His real name is Kragor, and he is only thirty-three years old—still quite young for someone capable of fighting head-to-head with the Knight Commanders of E-rank level."
That final statement stirred subtle reactions among some of the audience.
Many of those present were noblemen who commanded their own private forces. Naturally, they did not appreciate hearing their strongest warriors compared to a half-naked gladiator standing on an auction platform.
Yet none of them could openly refute the claim.
Because it was true.
Many of their knight commanders had already reached the limits of their growth due to age. Advancement to the next rank had become nearly impossible for them.
Kragor, however, still possessed the strength—and the potential—to rise even further.
For the nobles present, acquiring someone like him as a personal guard or elevating him to the position of a D-rank knight commander would significantly strengthen the defensive power of their household.
Seeing the audience's attention finally settle on the prize, the auctioneer curved her lips into a radiant smile. She raised one slender hand, lifting a single finger.
"For this bid," she announced smoothly, "the starting price is one thousand gold coins, with each new bid increasing by at least fifty gold coins."
Her gaze swept slowly across the shadowed seats.
"Now then, ladies and gentlemen—place your bids and see who will claim this extraordinary warrior."
As the words left her lips, the lights shifted. A brighter glow fell directly upon Kragor, illuminating the towering figure standing at the center of the stage.
A hand rose from the darkness.
"Twelve hundred."
The voice was rough, clearly disguised.
Almost immediately, another voice called from the far side of the hall.
"Thirteen fifty."
Then another.
"Eighteen hundred."
The bidding began to climb rapidly.
"Nineteen hundred."
"Twenty-seven hundred."
"Thirty-four hundred."
The numbers continued rising, the voices echoing through the dim chamber until the bids finally slowed… and stopped.
"Four thousand seven hundred."
Silence followed.
The auctioneer glanced toward the bidder. Even if she had known the identity hidden behind the mask—and the imposing presence of the man suggested someone of considerable power—it would not have mattered.
Her job was not to question.
Her job was to sell.
"This gentleman has bid four thousand seven hundred gold coins," she said brightly. "Is there anyone who wishes to bid on this mountain of a warrior?"
Her gaze moved slowly across the room.
No one raised a hand.
It seemed the others had already accepted the outcome.
Seeing no further interest, the auctioneer wasted no time.
"Four thousand seven hundred—once."
"Four thousand seven hundred—twice."
"Four thousand seven hundred—sold!"
Her voice rang clearly through the chamber.
"Kragor the Big Jaw is sold to this gentleman. Congratulations on obtaining such a formidable fighter."
The masked man merely gave a slight nod.
On the stage, Kragor let out a low grunt. Without another word, he turned around and walked back the way he had come, his heavy steps echoing softly as he disappeared behind the platform.
The auctioneer began again, her voice smooth and theatrical.
"Now, ladies and gentlemen, for the final item of tonight's auction, we have something truly special for you…"
She continued with her practiced speech, carefully marketing the product that would soon appear on the stage. Her words flowed like silk as she painted the image of something extraordinary, building anticipation within the audience.
Several masked figures leaned forward in their seats.
Hands tightened subtly.
Everyone could feel it—another bidding war was about to begin.
Meanwhile, Kragor was already leaving the stage. As he walked down the corridor behind the platform, he passed the final product waiting to go up.
Kael.
The two men met eyes for a brief moment. Kragor gave a small nod.
Kael returned it.
A silent acknowledgment between fighters who understood one another, even without knowing each other's names.
From the stage beyond, Kael could hear the auctioneer's voice continuing, her flowery words painting him as something rare and valuable.
Then came his cue.
Kael stepped forward onto the platform.
Unlike Kragor, he wore more clothing. His body was not meant to display brute strength alone—it carried a different kind of appeal as well. The organizers clearly intended to keep much of it concealed, ensuring that whoever bought him would feel they had obtained something exclusive.
The strategy would only make the bidding more intense.
And the price far higher.
As Kael emerged beneath the lights, the auctioneer extended her arm toward him with dramatic flourish.
"Ladies and gentlemen… meet a genius born once in ten thousand years—Kael Soren, also known as the Dark Prince."
Her voice rose proudly as she continued.
"At only nineteen years of age, he has already created history—achievements many gladiators fail to reach in their entire lifetimes. Not only did he become the youngest champion with ten consecutive victories, he also achieved the legendary feat of twenty consecutive wins in his very first championship run."
The audience listened in attentive silence.
"In just three years within the arena, he has reached heights many fighters never approach."
The auctioneer stepped closer, circling Kael slowly as though presenting a priceless artifact.
"And now, ladies and gentlemen…"
She spread her arms toward him.
"That very man stands before you."
The auctioneer smiled again, her voice smooth as she continued.
"And with the kind of handsomeness he possesses, he is not merely suited to be a guard. No… making him only a guard would greatly undervalue his true worth."
She gestured gracefully toward Kael as she spoke.
"He could become a knight. A personal butler. A diplomat. He could be placed in any position where his presence alone would elevate the prestige of the one who owns him."
Her tone softened slightly before rising again.
"But…"
She paused deliberately, letting the silence stretch just long enough to capture everyone's attention.
"It would be unwise to neglect his training. After all, he is a prodigy who has already reached E-rank at only nineteen years of age. Who can truly say where his limits lie?"
The atmosphere inside the auction hall shifted.
The air itself seemed heavier as countless gazes fell upon Kael.
For a moment he felt like a rare specimen displayed under glass.
And, thinking about it now, perhaps he truly was—if even half of what the auctioneer was saying held any truth.
Still, he had to give the woman credit.
She knew exactly how to command a room, using both her beauty and her voice to guide the mood of the crowd.
The auctioneer clapped her hands lightly once more.
"Now that I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen, let us begin the bidding."
She looked across the masked audience and smiled.
"The starting price…"
She paused again.
"…will be none."
A ripple passed through the room.
"Please be the first to offer the opening bid."
Her hand swept outward.
"The bidding begins now."
Almost instantly, a voice rose from the darkness.
"Five thousand gold coins."
For a heartbeat, the entire hall fell silent.
Then the storm began.
"Six thousand!"
"Eight thousand!"
"Eleven thousand!"
The bidding war erupted with far greater intensity than anything seen earlier in the night.
Standing on the stage, Kael couldn't help feeling a faint spark of pride as the numbers climbed higher and higher.
But the feeling faded quickly.
Not a single coin of that fortune would ever reach his pocket.
What a waste.
He watched silently as wealthy, masked men and women continued to bid for him, their voices rising one after another.
Meanwhile, the auctioneer's smile only grew brighter as the price climbed ever higher.
----
If you're enjoying this novel, please add it to your library. Comments and Power Stones are greatly appreciated!