"We're not entirely sure what this item does, but the massive amount of Electric-type energy it contains is beneficial to all Electric-type Pokemon. It might accelerate their growth or even improve their potential," the auctioneer explained the dark stone simply before starting the bidding. "Starting bid is zero, with minimum increments of 100,000."
In his eyes, the dark stone was just a simple Electric-type item, and reaching a price of over a million would already be considered good.
Jacob's expression remained neutral. He sat calmly on the sofa, carefully observing the auction proceedings without rushing to make a move.
Not only Jacob, but everyone else attending the auction behaved the same way.
Many people were cautious about the unknown. While they had money, it wasn't earned easily, and they certainly weren't fools.
They wouldn't rush to bid on something unknown, lest they be taken advantage of.
Thus, after more than ten seconds passed with no bids, the auctioneer grew slightly anxious and began to vigorously promote the dark stone.
"Does no one want to buy this item?"
"For just 100,000, you can take home this item full of Electric-type energy and provide a helping hand for the growth of your Electric-type Pokemon."
"Moreover, this item's exquisite appearance suggests it might be man-made, and it could have other unknown effects."
Seeing that the dark stone was about to go unsold, the auctioneer enthusiastically continued his promotion.
"Help me bid on this item," Jacob said, seeing the situation and knowing it was time to act. He leaned over to Sylvia.
"Alright."
Just as Sylvia was about to speak, a voice suddenly came from Box 3. "100,000."
With the first person bidding, a second quickly followed, and the price steadily climbed, soon reaching 500,000.
From 500,000 onward, the rate of price increase began to slow down.
"800,000."
"800,000... Any higher bids?"
"800,000 going once."
"800,000 going twice."
Seeing no one else bidding, Jacob nodded towards Sylvia beside him, signaling that she could place a bid.
"900,000," Sylvia's voice rang out, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
"900,000."
"A VIP from Box 16 bids 900,000. Any higher?"
"900,000 going once."
"900,000 going twice."
"1,000,000."
Just as Jacob thought he was about to secure the dark stone, a loud voice came from Box 3.
Jacob frowned, turning his gaze towards Box 3 and taking a deep breath. He had a bad feeling, but his face remained calm.
"One million!"
"One million going once."
"One million going twice."
"Keep going. Don't stop. Always bid just 100,000 higher than him."
"One million one hundred thousand," Sylvia nodded, continuing to bid.
"One million two hundred thousand," the voice from Box 3 came again.
"One million three hundred thousand."
"One million four hundred thousand."
"One million five hundred thousand."
Everything happening before their eyes caught everyone off guard. They all thought this was just an ordinary item, but they never expected it to attract two VIPs from the boxes to compete for it.
This also made everyone present turn their attention to the dark stone, beginning to carefully observe this unassuming black rock.
This dull black stone, being fought over by VIPs from two boxes, must have something extraordinary about it. The price had already exceeded two million in the blink of an eye, and it was still climbing at an astonishing rate.
"Two million two hundred thousand."
"Three million."
The bidding increment of 100,000 each time annoyed the VIP in Box 3. He didn't want to continue this slow entanglement and directly raised the price to three million.
This also made everyone start whispering and discussing in low voices. Three million was already an extremely expensive price, enough to buy many valuable items.
Spending such a large sum of money to buy an item like this now meant either the two people were wealthy fools, or this black stone was truly a treasure.
Jacob's gaze fell on the dark stone, and at the same time, he turned his attention towards Box 3.
Compared to the price, Jacob was more concerned that the person in Box 3 also knew the value of the dark stone.
If he really knew, Jacob would have to be prepared to spend a lot.
At that point, it wouldn't just be a matter of a few million or tens of millions.
"Continue," as Jacob's voice rang out, Sylvia bid 3.1 million again.
"Three million one hundred thousand."
"Five million."
The voice from Box 3 rang out again. At this point, he was no longer content with 100,000 increments and directly bid five million.
On one hand, it saved time, and on the other, it put pressure on Jacob, hoping to intimidate him into backing down.
"Five million one hundred thousand," Sylvia's voice rang out again, still only 100,000 higher.
"The VIP from Box 16 bids five million one hundred thousand. Any higher?" The auctioneer was also surprised that this mysterious item would attract two VIPs to compete for it, and his voice carried a hint of excitement.
He could earn a significant commission from this single transaction.
"Six million."
"A VIP from Box 3 bids six million."
"Six million one hundred thousand!"
"Ten million."
The act of only raising the bid by 100,000 each time completely infuriated the VIP in Box 3. His voice carried undisguised anger as he loudly announced a price of ten million.
Ten million was already an extremely outrageous price. With that much money, one could buy many rare items and high-potential Pokemon.
No one would foolishly spend ten million on an unknown item. It was clear that this black stone was not simple.
Hearing such a high bid, Sylvia also hesitated, not daring to continue bidding, and turned her gaze to Jacob, waiting for him to make a decision.
"Continue! I didn't tell you to stop, so you don't need to stop."
"Ten million one hundred thousand," Sylvia took a deep breath and announced the price of ten million one hundred thousand.
Sylvia secretly glanced at Jacob. Since the auction began, Jacob had remained extremely calm.
Once the price of an auctioned item became too high, he would directly give up, never spending extra money to buy things.
This was the first time Jacob had bid so frantically, regardless of the cost.
She was also very curious at this moment about what this black stone truly was.
"Bang!"
Upon hearing Jacob's bid, the VIP in Box 3's face grew even uglier. His gaze was firmly locked onto Jacob's box, his eyes practically tangible. He wished he could slice Jacob into a thousand pieces.
He took a deep breath, then announced another astonishing price.
"Twenty million."
The scene instantly erupted. Clearly, no one had expected this broken stone to sell for such an astronomical price. This also made everyone even more certain of the stone's extraordinary nature.
The auctioneer's voice also trembled slightly. "Twenty million."
"Does anyone else want to bid?" The auctioneer kept looking at Jacob's box as he spoke, clearly directing his words to Jacob.
"Twenty million going once."
"Twenty million going twice."
"Twenty million..."
"Twenty million one hundred thousand," Sylvia continued to bid, her voice slightly trembling at this price.