Chapter 368 - Becoming a VIP
Ray surreptitiously continued to watch the VIP section of the auction house. From what he could see— it seemed like each member arriving at the would hand over some kind of a black card to the guards. Once received, the guards would then process the card through a machine.
But before they could even take a step forward to enter, they would be asked to place their hands over some kind of a crystal. Only after these checks were done would they finally be granted permission to enter. As Ray continued to watch...
He saw that many people actually got through the first few checks but it seemed like the final check was far valuable than the prior checks.
The ball would often not light up and if this happened— the person would not be allowed to enter. Seeing the crystal ball not light up brought back bad memories for Ray when he was a child. He remembered when an old mage had told him back then that he would not be able to use magic.
'If only he could see me now...' Ray thought to himself. Strangely enough, the man who had done the testing for him long ago was someone whom he never saw again.
"If you're thinking of beating up one of the VIP members and disguising yourself as them, well don't bother doing it. It's useless." Bob said. "You're not the first person to think of trying that to cheat the system and it's because of people like you that they now have so many security measures."
Ray's conjecture hit the bull's eye. That last crystal method must be some type of registration device for VIP members. Even if Ray used his transformation skill it would be useless.
This meant that he would need to be invited into the VIP area. It was now about time for the normal auction and Ray, along with Bob quickly scurried over to the auction hall. As they entered— they were given a paddle with the number 23 on it.
It was a large hall that currently had about two thousand or so people in it. While on the seating area above them had around fifty members in the VIP section. The normal auction was to take place first and then after they would clear out the regulars to start the VIP bidding.
It was done this way just in case there was an item the VIP members wanted. Before the auction started Ray had one question that he had to ask Bob.
"What happens if a person is unable to pay for the items they bid on?" Ray asked.
"Usually, the item would then go to the second bidder. The first time someone does something like that, they would get a warning. But if it's a repeated offence, I imagine they will be personally dealt with by the Dem family."
Ray didn't want to cause trouble just yet and would only do so before leaving. But if he was forced to cause trouble so early, there was only one thing that he could do.
"How much do you think we would be able to get for that carriage we brought in early today?" He asked.
"That carriage, with its technology… It's most likely priceless. For the minimum, I would say around 2000 gold coins for it."
Hearing that number nearly made Ray jump out of his seat. He remembered the armadillo advanced chest piece that he bought cost him 10,000 coins which was equivalent to one gold piece and he was saying the carriage was worth at least 2000.
Perhaps, once Ray solved the Redwings border problem and opened up it would need to licence this technology, but that wasn't the important thing right now.
The first item was rolled out, and it seemed to be a beautiful woven dress.
White in colour with blue and gold trim along the sides.
"Here we have a beautiful dress that was originally commissioned to be made for the princess of the Cyterian kingdom. However, the princess had gotten too big and she was never able to wear such an eye candy. In the end, it ended up being traded by a few merchants and has now ended up in our hands. This dress is a one of a kind so I will start the bidding high at 5 silver coins!" The auctioneer shouted at the end.
"Five silver and two bronze coins!" A man shouted.
"Five silver and 4." Another female said.
Then suddenly, a voice from the back that came out quite loud said. "1 gold coin." The crowd of people had immediately stopped their bidding and excitement. Someone had just nearly doubled the asking price of the dress. It was a good dress, but it was clear that the person was overpaying for it.
"If there aren't any more offers, then the item will be sold to number 23 at the back!" The item was then wheeled off as the next one was being brought onto the stage.
"I didn't think someone like you would have any need for a dress?" Bob said as he looked to Ray at his side.
"I don't," Ray replied. But after hearing Bob's words, the image of Sylvia wearing the gorgeous dress popped up in his mind for some reason.
The next item that was brought onto the stage this time was a painting. Once again, the man described that it used to be a treasure and had landed in the hands of the auction house in the end. This item had no use for Ray
The bidding started again with a few people raising the price and it eventually got to the price of two coins and then once again.
"2 gold coins!" Ray shouted from the back.
"Looks like we have a big spender here today." The man said as he hit his hammer down on the stand and continued the auction. A few people started to m.o.a.n as the same person seemed to have won the second item.
There was no rule regarding the number of items a person could bid on.
At the end of the day, it belonged to whoever could afford it the most.
"Are you mad? What are you trying to do?!" Bob asked.
"I'm going to get in that VIP room area," Ray replied with a smile.
This was the only thing Ray could think off to get invited into the VIP Area. Perhaps if he was treated as a big spender who had lots of coins to burn then surely, they would invite him. The auction place existed because such a town valued money in the first place.
Right now, Ray had around 100 gold coins on his person. It was given to him by Slyvia after they had raided the Black Ring's Guild and took hold of the chest.
If that wasn't enough then he would use Bob's funds and if even that wasn't enough, he would sell the carriage as a last resort.
But Ray never intended to let the auction house keep this money of his, they would just be keeping it warm for him for now. In short, Ray was letting them hold his money temporarily.
The next set of items were brought on, some being beast crystals, some were potions and weird articles of items. Ray didn't hesitate and managed to buy all of them. Still, even in the auction house— there didn't seem to be a weapon that suited Jack, nor a beast crystal high enough worthy to be crafted and become a weapon for him.
As Ray continued to overpay for items, the crowd started to get rowdier.
"This is no fun!" One said. "If that man just takes everything that we are meant to fight for… This wouldn't be fun anymore! Also, I doubt that he even has a use for those items that he bought. He clearly just came here to show off his wealth!"
A few more agreed with the person and it seemed like all eyes had now turned on Ray and Bob.
It was at this moment that a man in a neat black suit had appeared in the midst.
"I apologize for the interruption, sir. But would you mind going with me somewhere else?" The man asked as he bowed down.
"Why should I? I'm having fun and just buying whatever I like." Ray replied.
"Sir, please I think it will definitely be worthwhile. These items here are nothing compared to what I am willing to offer..." The man said as he pulled out a black card and handed it to Ray.
As Ray looked down at the card, he could see the gold writing on it...
VIP.