Scene: Inside a huge hall.Dozens of chairs are filled with people from various kingdoms, all facing a brightly lit stage. Precious is sitting among them, quietly observing.
Kail (Precious's Mana Skill):There are a lot of people here… all from different kingdoms.
Precious:I see. Can you give me details on some of them?
Kail:Of course. (searching)Alright, the beast girl sitting three seats ahead of you is the daughter of "SINY's" secretary. Her name's Ema.Five seats to your left, skip two — that human there is the child of a minister from "Caina State," under "Naco Country." His name's Abdul.Right behind you, the elf — that's Zabuza, right hand of "Mity," the king of the "Eluto" Kingdom.There are also others from Secret Sky, Shin Kingdom, and a few more from different realms.
Precious:I see…
Scene:Suddenly, the curtain on the stage rises, revealing a beastman standing with a wide grin.
Ata (Host):Welcome everyone! I'm your host, Ata — and today's bidding will be full of surprises!(excited and playful tone)Before we start, let me tell you that today's auction includes five items. That means only five — or fewer — among you lucky people will get something!And our main item of the day is—
(A human girl walks on stage, raises her hand, and a glowing magic circle appears. A wooden piece placed on a red cloth manifests on a floating plate.)
Ata:—The Infinity Wood piece! That'll be the final item for today.
(The girl vanishes.)
Ata:Now then, our first item — a legendary dress!
(A blue, white, and slightly golden frock appears out of thin air.)
Ata:This dress once belonged to the First Queen of the Elves.It is said to change color based on the wearer's mood!Alright, starting bid — 100 gold coins!
Random Beast: 120 gold coins!Random Human: 150 gold coins!Precious: 200 gold coins.
Kail:Why are you bidding? We're only here for the Infinity Wood!
Precious:I thought it'd be perfect for Ice.
Kail:Huh? For Pretty? But you stopped talking to her… and Ice too—
Precious:Yeah, well… it's fine.
Ata:201… 202…
Random Elf: 300 gold coins!
Ata:Oh! Things are heating up — 300 gold coins!
That Elf:Hmph! The Elf Queen's dress belongs in the Elf Kingdom!
Precious:500 gold coins.
That Elf:W-What the—?!
Random Ogre: 550 gold coins!That Elf: 600!That Ogre: 750!That Elf: 800!
Precious (thinking):What's even going on here…?
Kail:End this bid already, man.
Precious:3,000 gold coins.
Ata (shocked):What the heck!! Contestant No. 21 bids 3K gold coins for the dress!
(Everyone looks at Precious in shock.)
That Elf:That much money for a dress?!That Ogre:Are you insane?!Ema:Who even is that guy?!
Ata:3001… 3002… 3003!Sold to No. 21!
(The dress vanishes. Next item appears — a sword.)
Ata:Our next item—
(Four more bids pass by in quick succession.)
Ata:And now… the final item you've all been waiting for — the Infinity Wood Piece!
(The same wooden piece reappears, glowing faintly.)
Ata:This piece was discovered three weeks ago near the Infinity Tree by our workers.Starting bid — 50,000 gold coins!
Random Human:That's too high!
That Elf:50.1K!Random Human:60K!Abdul:75K!Zabuza (thinking):That's the one…Zabuza:90K.
Kail:Precious, you should start bidding.
Precious:Not yet. Let it rise first.
Random Human:150K gold coins!
Precious:Who's that?
Kail:That's Mito, head guard of Yatransh, leader of Naco Country's Rangers.He said no matter what it takes, he'll get that wood — even if he spends everything. That's why he didn't bid earlier.
Ata:150K gold coins! Anyone higher?
Random Elf: 160K!Abdul: 200K!Mito: 230K!Zabuza: 250K!Abdul: 300K!Zabuza: 302K!Abdul: 310K!
Precious:500K.
(Everyone goes silent, eyes fixed on Precious.)
Ema:Him again?! I thought he'd already used all his money!
Abdul (whispering):505K.
Ata:Nice! 505K gold coins! Anyone higher?
Zabuza: 510K.Mito: (gritting teeth)I need that wood… 530K gold coins!
Precious:3.
(Everyone confused.)
Ata:No. 21, we're past 500K! You can't lower your bid —
Precious:Let me finish — 3 emerald coins.
(Complete silence.)
Ema:T–Three emerald coins?!Mito:Oh man…Zabuza:F—
Ata:The bid has reached 3 emerald coins! Can anyone go higher?!
Ema:(whispering) 3 emerald coins and 200 gold coins.Mito:3 emerald coins and 500K gold coins!Zabuza:4 emerald coins!
Precious:sigh Fine… 100 emerald coins.
(The entire hall freezes in disbelief.)
Ata (laughing in shock):Wha— HAHAHA! WHAT THE HELL!
Zabuza:Are you kidding me?!Ema:Does that kid even have 100 emerald coins?!Everyone:Yeah! Check that kid!!
Precious:If I don't have it, I'll do whatever you all say.
Ata:Everyone calm down!I don't think anyone can top 100 emerald coins!To be honest, this is the first time I've ever even heard of a bid this high!The winner is contestant No. 21 — congratulations!
(The legendary dress and the Infinity Wood are both awarded to Precious. He quietly leaves the city.)
Zabuza (standing outside the auction hall):What a monster…
Ema:Yeah… seriously.
Mito (in his carriage):I'm sorry, Master… I couldn't get the wood.