Auction: Part 1

"First rule, do not bid for more than you can buy as we will find out, rule two no fighting or rowdy behavior within the auction house or else you shall personally deal with me, and finally all sales are final within the auction house and payment shall be completed at the end of the auction," Gremi says before turning around and making a gesture towards the curtain

The curtain gets pulled back to reveal three women dressed in sexy black bunny costumes walking down the stage into the view of everyone within the auction house.

'Interesting...' Maddox thinks to himself as he sees that the three girls each have essence within them

Still, it was pitifully weak but allowed them to not be corrupted by the miasma around them but made them unable to be a threat to any of the middle-tier infected present. Their purpose was probably to act as living batteries that get the privilege of living without being killed or turned into one of those holes. Still, Maddox could only guess what those girls had been going through since the moment they arrived here, it must've been hell for them.

Still, their problems were not his as he had more pressing matters to address at the moment maybe if in the future when he destroys this place he might be able to save them, that is if they survive a few more years at the minimum, which may be unlikely.

He was being optimistic on that guessed time frame since many powers were sure to have their hands in this place and destroying it would lead to him essentially just flipping off forces that he can not deal with presently.

That was not to say that he would not attempt anything reckless since he just felt his current arsenal was very limited to just illusions and mind space invasion with both being useful but not really for fighting.

Maddox wanted essence techniques from the Coalition and miasma methods from various infected to improve his arsenal, as each had something to offer against either infected or even humans. So getting some more combat-oriented techniques and ways of fighting was Maddox's needed item right now.

Essence techniques would be easy to get if he found some people within the coalition willing to make a quick buck in either teaching him or handing over the techniques they used in whatever format they were in. Miasma was going to be more difficult to procure since Maddox was only able to utilize his miasma the way he does through trial and error after viewing said technique.

From what Maddox gathered, infected would suddenly be able to utilize their natural miasma to do what they do naturally, meaning that their techniques are something that appears within their minds on how to use. It would be safe to assume that none of those miasma-wielding infected had been so kind as to leave some parchment on how to use their techniques or as they called them, 'spells'.

Maddox kind of found it hilarious that it seemed like the infected had decided to rebrand everything with their miasma by calling it different names, sort of like how kids believe in magic and play around with it. Most of these people here were probably way into the fantasy genre of the world, and as a result of this supernatural power that they received believed it best to rename them.

Still, Maddox would not give two shits about how these freaks called things around here since he knew it as miasma he would just call it as he knew it.

"Now then these fine ladies will bring out the items and demonstrate the effects of them if you all so desire," Gremi explains while the girls visibly wince at the mention of demonstrations since they were certain that they would have to

The three of them, unfortunately, look into the crowd to see that amongst everyone in the crowd almost all the infected in the crowd had visible erections which were either hidden due to clothing or were just out in the open for the girls to see.

They had been glad that they had been able to live till now however, seeing the looks that some of these creatures gave them made them feel like a pair of rabbits being stared at by a pack of lions about to be devoured.

'You three better perform well or else I may just let this bunch have their way with you all' Gremi's voice rings out within their minds causing them to panic a bit before they wear smiles and begin moving around the stage

The first item is brought out was a European medieval-era long sword on a mobile platform where it was placed blade up, that had been ornately decorated with small jewels that were embedded in its golden hilt. As colorful as this sword looked Maddox could not sense even an ounce of miasma or essence emitting from it, making Maddox lose interest since all that meant was this was meant for decoration at most.

"Our first item is this exquisite European medieval longsword which would serve as an excellent piece on top of a mantle. Unfortunatly as most can tell, this is not a mana item however, this blade has stood the trials of time as the blade has been said to have been forged-"

At this point, Maddox stopped listening really, and even though the sword looked nice he did not come here to waste his money on a decoration sword plus he already had a sword which he just bought that in his opinion was a hundred times better than the one on display.

After the explanation of the word the bidding of the item began at $1,000 since it seemed even the seller knew no one was going to want to buy it even after how much he hyped it up.

Eventually, it was sold to one of the high-tiered infected in the booths for only $2,000 after a bit of waiting.

None of the middle-tiered infected cared for decorative items since they had nowhere to put them so they would be useless and a waste of money for them.

Money was probably the hardest thing that the infected had to get since the low and middle-tier could not usually interact with humans for a variety of reasons but the high-tier had it easier since the majority could either take it forcefully or get paid for doing things by humans.

Maddox would also not have that problem since he had his parent's funds and his mother's company was still running which gave him a pretty sizable wallet to utilize.

After the sword was taken offstage, the second item was brought out, which caused Maddox to raise his eyes in a bit of surprise.

"Our next item is a bit more interesting as this is the corpse of the mutated creature known as Belphegor within the United States, his ranking was as the top ten within the country," Gremi pitches in as the remains of Belphegor are rolled out on a large cart by the two other girls but even now Maddox could see a lot of miasma being emitted from his corpse

"He met his end at the hands of the Siren as she wanted to take his ranking within the country and we were fortunate to be the ones to be selling his remains to you all today, as I am sure most of you here can feel how much mana he is still emitting even in death" Gremi adds on

It was weird to see the corpse of the most powerful infected that Maddox had ever faced off against. Still, though there were many things that he could use his miasma for which Maddox wanted to know how to do as well since the barrier he had put up before was useful, more importantly, he wanted to know about what those mutterings were about and how he created flames in his hands that turned his tazer into ash.

Still seeing the corpse's miasma Maddox might as well try and bid for it since he would be able to definitely refill his miasma and have more leftover so he could continue making more essence orbs.

"The starting build will be $5,000!" One of the girls say and immediately the bids start bringing up the price

Soon only a few bidders are left, with them unsurprisingly being amongst the high-tiered infected in their booths. The price had only reached $50,000, showing just how little funds the middle-tier infected had, but until now Maddox had yet to bid since he just wanted to wait until the price range had reached the limit so he could crush it.

"$51,000 going once... going twice" The girl starts the count down

"$55,000!" Maddox says while holding up his sign

All the infected around him looked at him with eyes opened wide as there was no way that this wimpy-looking guy that was the same rank as them, had that amount of funds available while most barely had $10,000, which they had been saving up for years in various places.

"We kindly remind all patrons that they are told to only bid for what they can pay for," The girl who had been leading the auction thus far kindly reminded Maddox as she received a message from Gremi to say that as a sort of warning to Maddox

"I know the rule and I am following it so thank you for the reminder," Maddox replies while bringing down his sign

"Well, then $55,000 going once... going twice... sold to the gentleman in the third row," The girl says as the corpse is wheeled away

Gremi, who had been floating in the air close to the ceiling, had moved his attention to Maddox, who felt his gaze on him and meet it in turn. A small stare-off ensued for a brief moment until the third item was brought out, and both turned to look at it for different reasons.

"Erm... our next item for sale is a small group of coalition members..." The announcing girl says with her discomfort evident as five girls from the coalition are brought out chained together and bare naked

The girls all had faces of worry and discomfort of their situation as they are brought out for the crowd of infected to see.

Facing the crowd, all the infected started getting a bit rowdy and some even went as far as to touch themselves in some sort of weird anticipation. However, that last only a second before cries of pain rang out with Gremi taking action and making it so that the lower half of those who were touching themselves exploded.

With what just happened, all the infected stopped what they were doing before covering up their lower regions and wincing at the sight of a few of those in the crowd struggling and crying in pain before being lifted out of their seats and thrown out the auction house. Maddox didn't pay attention to that, though, since he was more intrigued about the girls being sold since they looked familiar to him for some reason.

"Now then, let me reiterate the need to follow the rules as those who break them will suffer an even worse fate than those just now," Gremi says before subtly glancing at Maddox, expecting him to freak out a bit, but contrary to that, Maddox was smiling at Gremi

Gremi does not say anything more before turning his attention to the stage to see the selling process.

What Gremi does is simple, he tells the ladies on the stage what to do and only directly enters for a few of the items that require his attention, Belphegor is a good example since having the girls speak for him would not be the best way to attract bids for it.

"This recon team was captured in Las Vegas only a few weeks ago and as you can see their bodies are perfect for flesh toys, the creation of holes, or as simple as... something to eat" The girl says with some difficulty, as they were comrades who worked within the Coalition and she was going to give them an unknown fate with one of these disgusting infected

"The starting bid will be... $5,000," The girl says, officially staring the bidding

"$1 million," Maddox immediately bids before anyone else can say anything and causing the once rowdy crowd of infected to stop and stare at him once again