Chapter 610: Don't Leave After School!
[I sincerely apologize here. The previous Chapter 555's Alliance Leader bonus chapter should have been for Alliance Leader Yanling Mansion Jiuxiao, but I mixed it up and duplicated it, causing Alliance Leader Yanling Mansion Jiuxiao to think his bonus chapter hadn't been given. This is my fault. Please forgive me.]
As Ian kept refreshing the shop, the auction gradually reached its finale.
When the Devil Fruit was brought up, Baccarat woke Ian.
Ian pretended to yawn, looking drowsy, spread his arms, and leaned back in his chair, glancing around at the wealthy and powerful people participating in the auction.
Clearly, these people were quite interested in the final Devil Fruit. While the auctioneer introduced it, they whispered and discussed among themselves.
As the upper class with power and influence, these people were indeed interested in Devil Fruits, but don't misunderstand—even if they bought one, they would never eat it!
Devil Fruits had been around in this world for many years. Most ordinary people didn't fully understand the power of Devil Fruits, so they were somewhat afraid of them. Although they knew eating a Devil Fruit would grant extraordinary abilities, they also deeply believed that an indescribable demon resided within the fruit, and that the moment you ate it, the demon would take over your body.
This belief was superstitious, but it was widely spread among the people of this world. As wealthy individuals, the most precious thing to them was their own lives. They would rather believe in these superstitions than risk their bodies by trying to eat a Devil Fruit.
"How could we noble people act like those lowlifes?"...
So, the interest these people had in Devil Fruits was more about entertainment, curiosity, and collection habits, or using them as a stepping stone for advancement.
They didn't dare eat them themselves, but they could have their subordinates eat them. Having a Devil Fruit user as a bodyguard would better ensure their safety.
And it was worth mentioning that the Celestial Dragons, as the world's top nobles, had a significant influence on the words and actions of the noble class. Many people wanted to imitate them by giving Devil Fruits to slaves to eat for amusement...
Soon, the auctioneer announced the starting price for this Devil Fruit: 500 million Berry!
As soon as the starting price was announced, people began bidding. But what surprised Ian was that these guys were only increasing the bid by about 100,000 Berry each time, with occasional jumps of 200,000 or 300,000.
Ian asked Baccarat in confusion, "Are you sure these guys are really wealthy?"
In his opinion, so-called wealthy people should start with at least a million Berry per bid, right? Adding just 100,000 at a time—are you kidding me?
Baccarat covered her mouth and chuckled, whispering to Ian, "You don't understand. Many wealthy people and nobles are only putting on a show. To maintain their luxurious lifestyles, some even live on debt. And most of them aren't stupid; they're quite shrewd. For something like this, used for entertainment, they won't throw money around recklessly. Unless a Celestial Dragon is present, you won't see anyone treating money like it's nothing..."
Ian was speechless. He patted the suitcase of chips at his feet and said, "So, that means I'm richer than most people here?"
"Of course!" Baccarat laughed. "With the chips you're carrying now, over 90% of the rich people here don't have as much wealth as you!"
As she said this, Baccarat felt a bit sorry. Although Tesoro had given Ian 20 billion Berry without blinking, it was indeed a huge amount of money. The Heavenly Tribute Tesoro paid to the Celestial Dragons each year was about that much! Ian had essentially taken a year's worth of protection money in one go. How could Tesoro be willing to let that go?
That was why Tesoro had ordered Baccarat to handle things carefully and try to recover some money from Ian and his group. It was typical gambler's psychology—after losing a lot, you want to win some back, even if you know the opponent is not to be trifled with...
Ian nodded, indicating he understood, and then asked Baccarat, "For a Devil Fruit like this, what's the usual transaction price at your auction house?"
"Paramecia Devil Fruits usually start at 500 million Berry, depending on the ability. The final price is usually around 800 million to 1 billion Berry. For a strong one, it might go up to 1.5 billion," Baccarat said. "Zoan Devil Fruits start a bit lower, around 300 million Berry, with final prices between 600 million and 800 million. Of course, Mythical Zoan fruits are an exception, but they're very rare. I've never seen a Mythical Zoan fruit at auction. As for Logia, they're also quite rare, starting at 1.5 billion Berry, with final prices ranging from 2 billion to 3 billion."
Ian calculated and was a bit speechless. If this Devil Fruit ended up selling for around 1 billion Berry, with these guys adding just 100,000 at a time, how long would it take!?
So, Ian said to Baccarat, "Help me bid, add 50 million Berry!"
Baccarat wasn't surprised. She did as Ian said, adding 50 million Berry in one go, raising the price of the Devil Fruit to 610 million Berry.
When the auctioneer excitedly announced the price, the participants let out a low murmur and turned to look in the direction of Baccarat and Ian.
They all knew who Baccarat was, so they realized the bid was from Ian. They looked at him with curious expressions.
Ian sneered at them. Damn, adding 50 million Berry in one go scared you that much?
He felt like jumping up, pointing at them, and saying, "I'm not targeting anyone, but I just want to say that everyone here is a damn pauper!"
This feeling was quite strange. A bunch of wealthy people and nobles were poorer than him, a pirate. That was really something...
Ian's bid indeed shocked many people. They whispered among themselves, guessing at Ian's possible identity.
However, although surprised, these wealthy people and nobles weren't intimidated by Ian's bid. As Baccarat had said, a Paramecia Devil Fruit usually sold for 800 million to 1 billion Berry. Everyone present knew this. They were adding just 100,000 at a time, hoping to get the fruit at a lower price. It was just a shrewd, hopeful tactic.
Among those present, there were indeed people who could afford to buy the Devil Fruit at this price. Although surprised by Ian's large bid, the current price was still far below their psychological limit. After a moment of silence, some began to bid again on top of Ian's offer.
This time, the bids were slightly higher, with some adding 500,000 Berry at a time.
But Ian frowned and signaled Baccarat to add another 50 million Berry, bringing the Devil Fruit's price close to 700 million Berry.
Having someone like Ian disrupting the rhythm was unexpected for the upper-class attendees. Many felt that Ian seemed determined to win, so they hesitated and stopped bidding.
However, in the end, four people continued to bid. One was a fat man with a cigar in his mouth, another was an old man surrounded by beautiful women, wearing a crown, seemingly a king from some country. The third was a well-dressed, glasses-wearing elite, and the last was a fat noblewoman who looked like a nouveau riche.
These four continued to bid, pushing the Devil Fruit's price to 730 million Berry.
"Add 100 million!" Ian said to Baccarat, looking thoughtfully at the four.
830 million Berry. At this price, the Devil Fruit seemed to be approaching their psychological limit. The fat man immediately dropped out.
But among the remaining three, the fat noblewoman added 10 million, the elite added 10 million, and the king-like figure added 20 million.
"Add another 100 million!" Ian said to Baccarat, a strange light flickering in his eyes.
970 million Berry. At this point, the elite sighed, shook his head, and withdrew from the competition. The fat noblewoman gritted her teeth and glared at Ian but didn't continue. Only the king-like figure, lecherously hugging the beautiful woman beside him, looked unconcerned and added 50 million!
The price exceeded 1 billion Berry, surpassing many Paramecia fruits sold at auction. The bidding between Ian and the old king had attracted everyone's attention.
They wanted to see what price this unremarkable, withered Paramecia fruit would reach under their competition.
"Should we add more?" Baccarat asked Ian nervously.
Ian stared at her for a moment, then smiled and said, "Add? Of course, I will. I told you, I must get this fruit."
So, under Ian's instruction, Baccarat added another 100 million Berry.
1.12 billion Berry. Ian looked at the king, and sure enough, the king still looked unconcerned and added 50 million.
Ian smiled and added another 100 million, bringing it to 1.27 billion Berry.
The king hesitated for a long time, then finally added 30 million, pushing the fruit to a high price of 1.3 billion Berry. He turned around and gave Ian a seemingly provocative look.
"Should we add more?" Baccarat was a bit excited but still asked Ian's opinion.
"What do you think?" Ian glared at her and said, "Of course... we don't!"
"Alright..." Baccarat responded instinctively, but then immediately reacted, staring at Ian in shock. "D-don't add more!?"
"Obviously!" Ian said. "I'm not stupid. 1.3 billion is clearly above the fruit's value!"
"But... but you said you were determined to get it!" Baccarat was dumbfounded. "You have over 6 billion in chips, and it's only 1.3 billion now. You're not adding more!?"
Ian chuckled and said, "I am determined to get it, but who said I have to buy it with money?"
With that, Ian slapped the armrest of his chair aggressively, stood up, pointed at the king-like figure, and said with a dark expression, "Old man! You dare snatch something from me! Damn it, don't leave after school!"
The well-dressed upper-class attendees never expected that Ian, instead of continuing to bid, would stand up so ferociously and threaten the bidder with personal harm. They were all stunned, staring at him blankly!
Ian stared at the old man with ill intent, sizing him up as if to memorize his appearance.
Hmph, damn it, a "shill" pretending to be human! You dare play this game with me...
I'll make you spit out everything you've taken!