Agreement

As the bidding intensified, the VIPs continued to fiercely compete, driven by the allure of the sword's ancient legacy.

"110,000 gold coins!" called out one bidder.

"120,000 gold coins!" shouted another.

"150,000 gold coins!" chimed in a determined participant.

Observing Harrington's enthusiasm waning, Devin saw it as the opportune moment to make a move. He approached Harrington and proposed a different approach.

"Harrington, why don't we make use of one of your contracts? I have solid information about the sword that will definitely pique your interest. No amount of money you spend in this auction will compare to the value of this information," suggested Devin.

Harrington furrowed his brow skeptically, but his growing favorability towards Devin prompted him to consider the offer with some trust. After a moment of contemplation, Harrington handed Devin one of his contracts, intrigued to see what revelations Devin would bring forth.

Devin wasted no time, swiftly writing on the contract the terms of their agreement. The information he possessed would be exchanged for shares, with both their investments accounting for 50% each. Furthermore, they pledged not to divulge this information to others and committed to not betray each other for personal gain. Devin included additional clauses to bind their partnership tightly.

Devin, confident in his knowledge of the Elves, had no fear of locating them. The Elves resided in a secluded space hidden from the world, with ever-changing entry points accessible only through their unique methods.

As Harrington read through the contract, he initially frowned at its binding nature. However, when his eyes fell upon the word "Elves," his frown transformed into astonishment.

"Are these words and information true?" Harrington questioned, seeking reassurance.

"Why would I lie to you? If it weren't for my financial limitations, why would I offer to share this information? Moreover, the Elves contract serves as a guarantee. No one would willingly subject themselves to the consequences of breaking it," Devin replied earnestly.

Harrington let out a hearty laugh, clapping Devin on the shoulder. "Devin, you are my brother. Don't worry; I will do everything in my power to acquire the sword."

Without hesitation, Harrington signed the contract, and Devin followed suit. As they completed the signatures, a system prompt resonated:

"[Player Devin has signed an Elven contract with merchant Harrington. This contract is recognized by the will of the world, thereby binding both parties involved. Players should not go against the terms of the contract, as dire consequences will ensue.]"

As the bidding war raged on, the price for the Sword of Kings escalated to a staggering 170,000 gold coins. In Alfred Kramer's room, tension filled the air. He knew that if the bid surpassed the 200,000 mark, he would find himself in deep trouble. This task had been entrusted to him by his father, who had emphasized the utmost care and priority in acquiring the sword. It was the true reason Alfred had participated in the auction.

Meanwhile, the servant accompanying Alfred shared the same concerns, knowing that the Kramer family would not let him escape unscathed if things went awry.

"180,000 gold coins," Alfred called out nervously, hoping to stay in the competition. The bidding had narrowed down to just three remaining participants. Aware that not all ancient relics possessed the cherished legacy they sought, each bidder had to exercise caution.

The intensity now lingered among Alfred Kramer, Dalton Ford, and Harrington.

"185,000," Dalton called out confidently, determined to claim the prized sword.

"186,000," Harrington countered, his teeth tightly clenched.

"187,000," Alfred's voice strained with desperation, knowing the dire consequences he would face if he failed to secure the sword.

"200,000," Dalton countered with a bold move, increasing the pressure on his competitors.

Alfred's eyes turned red in realization of his impending doom, fully aware that his father's wrath would be unleashed upon him if he failed to acquire the sword. He called for his servant, urgently instructing him to inquire if he could bid on credit.

After a brief absence, the servant returned, shaking his head with a solemn expression. Alfred knew he was truly doomed; even the onlookers dared not to approach him, sensing the baleful aura emanating from his tense form.

"210,000," Harrington called out, fueled by determination. He could feel the rivalry between himself and Alfred intensifying.

"212,000," Dalton countered, hoping to outmaneuver Harrington in this high-stakes competition.

With only Dalton and Harrington remaining, the arena was set for their relentless bid-off.

"250,000 gold coins," Harrington called out through gritted teeth, his determination evident in his voice. Dalton remained silent, signaling his withdrawal from the bidding. With a collective sigh of relief from the onlookers, the tension in the room began to dissipate.

Ethan couldn't help but observe the scene, his curiosity piqued by Harrington's substantial expenditure. He wondered what Devin had written on that contract to sway a shrewd businessman like Harrington into spending such a fortune. Though intrigued, he refrained from prying, acknowledging that it was not his place to do so.

As the auctioneer proclaimed Harrington as the victorious bidder, he sank into his chair, breathing in a dramatic manner. "Devin, brother, this better be worth it, or else your brother will go bankrupt," Harrington remarked, half-serious, half-joking.

Devin laughed, patting Harrington on the shoulder in reassurance. He didn't take Harrington's words too seriously, confident that such a shrewd businessman wouldn't be led to financial ruin by a single expenditure of 250,000 gold coins.

"Don't worry, brother. It's all worth it," Devin replied confidently.

With the sale of the sword marking the closing of the auction, the attendees took a few minutes to rest and recuperate, preparing for the commencement of the second phase.

In phase two of the auction, a trade fair was set up, featuring various stalls selling independent goods. Devin, Ethan, and Harrington separated to explore different stalls on their own.

Devin came across a stall that caught his attention—the Herb Stall. Among the array of herbs on display, his eyes were drawn to the blue moon grass. Devin was well acquainted with this grass, as it was one of the key ingredients needed to create the primary gene potion. This elixir, developed by a player pharmacist who researched gene evolution in the real world, had the potential to unlock a person's deepest abilities and enhance their physical attributes such as strength, agility, and speed.

Devin recalled the story of the pharmacist, who had his research efforts cut short due to limitations in obtaining necessary ingredients in the real world. However, in the game, he was able to fulfill his research and create the primary gene potion. The assistant of the pharmacist had released the recipe on a forum, making the required ingredients widely known.

Approaching the stall selling blue moon grass, Devin noticed that the limited space meant that not many items were on display. However, that didn't deter his interest. He picked up a blue moon grass and observed its good condition, satisfied that it hadn't been damaged during the handling process.

"How much is the blue moon grass?" Devin inquired.

"One silver coin per stack," responded the stall owner. Devin quickly realized that once the recipe hit the market, the demand for blue moon grass would cause its price to soar.

Curious about the stock available, Devin asked, "How many stacks do you have?"

"I have a bag here containing 10 stacks," the stall owner replied.

"Okay, I'll take it all," Devin decided, recognizing the value and potential future demand for blue moon grass.

"That will be 1 gold coin," the seller quoted.

Devin handed over 1 gold coin, collecting the bag of blue moon grass. Since there was nothing else at the stall that piqued his interest, he continued to explore other stalls, considering the possibility of collecting all the ingredients needed for the primary gene potion.

As Devin walked forward, he unexpectedly stumbled upon a stall selling colorful stones. Intrigued, he approached the stall, drawn in by the vibrant display. His eyes landed on a pile of stones set aside, and out of curiosity, he bent down to examine one of them using his identification skill.

To his astonishment, the identification skill revealed that these stones were none other than High-Level Magic Crystals. A surge of excitement ran through Devin as he realized he had struck gold. These crystals, formed through the convergence of mystical energies and natural elements, were highly coveted treasures sought by both mortals and magical beings alike.

However, Devin couldn't help but feel perplexed. Unlike typical magic crystals, these ones showed no signs of energy leakage. They were being treated like common stones, which seemed odd considering their immense value. Had it not been for the origin sutra he practiced, which allowed him to sense various types of energy, he might have overlooked them completely.

Intrigued and filled with anticipation, Devin contemplated the possibilities and potential profits he could acquire by selling these high-level magic crystals.