End of Days Game: I'm the Only One Who Can See the Hidden Cues

"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, next up for auction is an incredibly rare gemstone." Announced the auction manager on the 16th floor of the Nocturne Auction House.

In an unprecedented move, the auction manager had decided to introduce a gemstone into the auction lineup.

His decision successfully captured the attention of everyone present in the 16th-floor hall. All were eager to learn just how precious this gemstone truly was.

The auction house manager opted not to reveal the answer immediately.

Instead, he instructed two attendants to maneuver a cart, meticulously crafted entirely from gold, to the very center of the auction stage.

With the exception of the spotlight illuminating the auction platform, all other lights in the hall were extinguished, plunging the room into darkness.

"This gemstone has been provided by our new member, Mr. Jeremy."

The auction manager announced, first expressing his gratitude towards Jeremy. At that moment, a spotlight illuminated Jeremy's position in the hall.

Sitting at the periphery of the auction room, Jeremy found himself the focus of everyone's gaze.

He responded with a slight nod, maintaining a composed expression.

"And now, the moment to unveil this precious gemstone has arrived!" Declared the auction manager. With a swift motion, he removed the silk cloth covering the gemstone, revealing an exceptionally radiant red gemstone to the audience.

The moment the gemstone was revealed, an audible gasp rippled through the entire hall.

The gemstone that Jeremy was auctioning off was far from ordinary.

This particular gemstone, imbued with the divine power of the sun god, possessed an inherent divinity.

Whether worn as an accessory or embedded in a weapon, the gemstone's formidable power could be fully unleashed.

The auction manager remained unfazed by the collective gasp from the guests in the grand hall.

Unperturbed, he continued his introduction of the crimson gemstone provided by Jeremy, delving into its unique attributes and storied provenance.

"This gemstone is called the Sunstone. According to its owner, Jeremy, this gemstone holds a measure of divinity.

Whether worn or utilized in the crafting of weapons, the Sunstone serves as a powerful enhancement tool."

Having provided the relevant details about the Sunstone, the auction manager then announced the starting bid.

"This auction will differ from our previous ones. Traditionally, we have used gold coins as the standard currency for bids. However, for this auction, the starting price will be set in energy crystals or soul crystals."

The auction manager, amidst the eager anticipation of the attendees, declared the initial bid price.

"The starting bid for the Sunstone is 100,000 energy crystals or 1,000 soul crystals."

The assembly in the grand hall did not immediately respond.

Some potential buyers were absorbed in converting the starting bid into its equivalent in gold coins, while the majority were acutely aware that they simply lacked the means to acquire the illustrious Sunstone.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I trust you've had enough time to consider. Let the auction begin!"

The auction manager declared, signaling the start of the bidding.

In the initial two minutes following the commencement of the auction, not a single bid was placed.

Jeremy, feeling a tinge of apprehension, began to question whether the starting price he had set might have been overly ambitious.

However, he quickly regained his composure, reassured by the fact that the auction manager had not objected when he proposed the initial bid.

Under normal circumstances, if his starting price had indeed been exorbitantly high, the auction manager would have likely issued a cautionary note.

Thus, Jeremy resolved to remain patient and observe the proceedings a while longer. Perhaps those genuinely interested in acquiring the Sunstone were also grappling with their own hesitations.

"I bid 110,000 energy crystals!"

Sure enough, as Jeremy had predicted, a few minutes later, an elegantly dressed elderly gentleman made the first bid.

"Our first bid is 110,000 energy crystals. Any other offers?" the auction manager asked warmly.

"I bid 120,000 energy crystals!"

A woman dressed in red from head to toe, sitting in the corner of the hall, placed the second bid.

"I bid 140,000 energy crystals!"

Announced a portly middle-aged man in luxurious attire from the front row, raising the bid by 20,000 energy crystals.

"150,000 energy crystals!"

The elderly gentleman who had initially placed a bid raised his offer once again.

Seated in the front row, a corpulent middle-aged man cast a sharp, almost ruthless glance in the direction of the elderly bidder before escalating his own offer.

"I bid 200,000 energy crystals!" he declared.

The price set forth by the corpulent middle-aged man elicited a collective gasp from everyone present in the hall.

200,000 energy crystals was an exorbitant amount. Converted to gold coins, it could easily purchase the entire Nocturne Auction House building.

The elderly gentleman who made the first bid shook his head, deciding not to continue. The woman in red remained silent as well, seemingly finding the price too steep.

"200,000 energy crystals, going once!"

"200,000 energy crystals, going twice!"

"200,000 energy crystals, going three times!"

"Congratulations, Mr. Hector! You have successfully won the Sunstone!"

The auction manager directly announced the name of the portly middle-aged man sitting in the front row.

Applause filled the room, though some in the crowd felt Hector had overpaid by purchasing the Sunstone for 200,000 energy crystals.

"I just don't get it. Why would such a shrewd businessman spend so much on a Sunstone?"

"Even if the Sunstone possesses divine properties, it shouldn't be worth that much. Is he just trying to burn through his money?"

"I find it not only peculiar that Hector behaves so oddly, but also that this man named Jeremy is quite strange. He actually uses energy crystals as the unit for setting prices."

Neither Jeremy nor Hector paid the slightest heed to the murmurs and discussions that rippled through the hall.

After the auction concluded, the auction manager approached Jeremy directly.

"According to our auction house's rules, the buyer and seller need to meet once a deal is closed. If it's inconvenient for you, just let me know, and I'll handle it."

Jeremy shook his head.

He didn't need the auction manager to turn down Hector's request for a meeting. After all, his goal was to find a gemstone merchant capable of purchasing his gemstones and weapons.

"Actually, I'd very much like to meet Mr. Hector. Please arrange it."

The auction manager nodded and left the room.

A few minutes later, Hector appeared at the door to Jeremy's room.

"You must be Mr. Hector. I have to admit, you have excellent taste! Buying the Sunstone for 200,000 energy crystals is absolutely worth it."

Jeremy said with a smile.

Hector smiled and nodded in return.

"I spent 200,000 energy crystals not merely to acquire the Sunstone. Another objective was to meet you. Anyone capable of obtaining the Sunstone is certainly not ordinary."

Hector said, scrutinizing Jeremy as if trying to discern something hidden.

Jeremy, brimming with confidence, replied, "Have you discerned anything from me? What exactly makes me so unusual?"

"Everything about you is extraordinary. Could you tell me how you came into possession of the Sunstone?" Hector queried as he made his way into the room, casually taking a seat.

Jeremy recounted in detail the story of how he had obtained the Sunstone.

Satisfied, Hector nodded, "I can now confirm you weren't lying. I assume you have more gemstones, don't you? You must have found other gemstones during your quest for the Sunstone."

"Indeed, I possess more gemstones. However, the question is, do you have the means to purchase all of them?"

Jeremy's query was met with hearty laughter from Hector.

"You're quite amusing, truly a newcomer to Nocturne City! Haven't you heard of me, Hector? I am the most financially powerful gemstone merchant in Nocturne City.

No matter how many gemstones you have, I have the capital to buy them. My only concern is the quality of your gemstones, I don't deal in substandard goods."

With Hector's confident affirmation, Jeremy had no further reservations.

He promptly retrieved a multitude of gemstones from his storage space.

Hector was momentarily stunned by the sheer volume of gemstones Jeremy possessed. What Jeremy said next left him at a loss for words.

"These gemstones are merely a small fraction of what I own. However, you needn't worry, I don't expect you to buy them all, as I've already agreed to collaborate with other gemstone merchants. Rest assured, the remaining gemstones are abundant enough to ensure highly lucrative returns from our partnership.

My only requirement is that you promptly provide me with energy crystals and soul crystals. Can you agree to that?"

Hector had never encountered a trading partner quite like Jeremy before.

After a moment of contemplative silence, he rose from his chair and extended his chubby hand towards Jeremy.

"I agree to all your terms! I hope our collaboration will be exceptionally smooth. We will undoubtedly achieve mutual benefits and substantial profits."

Jeremy was thoroughly satisfied with Hector's response. He shook hands with him, thereby sealing the deal.