NOVEL NEXT Chapter 62: Auction 3
The silence that followed was absolute, as if the room itself had forgotten how to breathe. Even the faint hum of the air conditioner seemed to pause, its rhythmic drone reduced to a barely audible whisper, as though it too was waiting for someone to speak.
"You know that we don't have the time to hike around with this," Mr. Jin said sharply, his voice cutting through the stillness. It was a voice honed by decades of commanding others, a voice that brooked no nonsense. Yet, there was an edge to it today, a subtle tension that betrayed his usual composure. "I am a busy man."
"As I said, I made it. You can check it yourself, right?" Kael Vi-rel replied calmly, his tone measured, almost casual, as his eyes traced over the assortment of gadgets and items neatly laid out on the table. Each piece glinted under the fluorescent lights, reflecting patterns of color and light as if eager to announce its secrets.
The man, a seasoned collector with decades of experience, didn't respond immediately. Instead, he reached for a small, portable scanning device, the kind designed to detect magical traces and anomalies in rare artifacts. The device felt heavy in his hands, a familiar weight that carried authority and expectation. As the device powered up, a soft series of beeps echoed through the room, rhythmically punctuating the silence.
"Normal," the machine reported flatly, its mechanical voice stark against the human tension.
"I… I can't believe this," Mr. Jin muttered under his breath, almost inaudible, as his fingers trembled slightly while scanning each object meticulously. "It's showing normal. There is no particular danger… I… I can't believe this. Even if I keep looking at it, can I… can I analyze the magic code and circle?" he asked, his voice strained, teetering on the edge of disbelief. His eyes darted nervously from one item to another, searching for a clue, a mistake, a hidden signature he might have overlooked.
"No, that won't be necessary," Kael Vi-rel said smoothly, a faint trace of amusement in his voice. He leaned slightly against the edge of the table, eyes bright but calm. "I already applied for the legal documents. You'll be able to see it soon. Also, I'll post the detailed information on my tube online. You can find it there if you want to know everything."
"Oh… okay! How thoughtless of me," Mr. Jin said, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His fingers tapped nervously against the polished wood table, a quiet metronome of anxiety. "I… I should have known," he added, nodding in reluctant acknowledgment, the words tasting like admission and wonder all at once.
"Also, don't forget to follow me and like and subscribe for more videos," Kael added with a playful tilt of the lips, a teasing sparkle in his eyes, as though challenging the older man's solemnity.
"Ok… sure," Mr. Jin said, still captivated by the collection of goods laid out before him. His breaths came slightly quicker now, his senses sharpening with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Each item seemed to hum faintly, a silent song that tickled the edges of his perception.
Kael's eyes drifted across the array of items, his mind wandering. All this kit had been developed after three years of painstaking work in the game's timeline. Each artifact bore the subtle imprint of countless trials, errors, and refinements, yet now they sat here, fully formed and ready for the world. If an item suddenly appeared like this, without any information on its origin or crafting process, anyone would be amazed. Even I have to admit… this will shake a lot of people, he thought quietly, the thrill of anticipation stirring in his chest like a pulse.
"It seems these items will be the main headline for the auction," Mr. Jin finally said, his tone turning serious again, steadying himself as he pushed aside the flicker of disbelief. His eyes scanned Kael with renewed respect, acknowledging the skill and audacity it took to produce something so flawless.
Kael nodded, a faint smirk on his face, lips curling just slightly. "I think so too. It's going to blow people's minds."
Mr. Jin didn't respond immediately. He reached for his phone, the smooth cold surface of the device grounding him, and tapped a few buttons with deliberate precision. "I'll make a call… have someone come in to verify these items with the new scanning machine," he said, holding the phone to his ear. After a brief pause, he spoke again, his tone clipped, exacting, leaving no room for misunderstanding. "Yes, I need you to check the newly arrived items immediately. Use the advanced scanner I sent last month. I want a full analysis: magical traces, authenticity, hidden modifications. No shortcuts, and I want the report on my desk before the day ends."
Kael watched quietly as Mr. Jin delivered his instructions, the faintest flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. Let them check all they want… the truth is already here, and soon everyone will see it.
Mr. Jin ended the call with a sigh that seemed to release some of the tension building within him. He scrolled through a list on his tablet, eyes narrowing as if making sure no detail slipped by. "Actually…" he muttered, voice low, almost to himself, "I need to make another call. This is too important to risk missing." He tapped again, dialing a different number with deliberate care. "Yes, it's me. Add a new item to the upcoming auction list immediately. It's a rare find, completely unique, and the kind of thing that will make headlines. I want it highlighted, featured prominently. Make sure everyone in the auction knows it's a once-in-a-lifetime piece."
Kael allowed himself a small, confident smile, the corners of his lips tilting upward just enough to reveal his certainty. "Exactly. It's going to blow people's minds," he murmured under his breath, though loud enough for the faint hum of the room to carry it.
Mr. Jin finally looked up, eyes bright with a gleam of satisfaction, a spark of excitement tempered by years of experience. "Good. Between these two, the auction is going to be unforgettable,"