Just when Sunny began to lose interest and was about to leave, the next item was brought out.
The air in the auction hall shifted.
The item he had been waiting for — the one he had hoped against hope to see — was finally brought out. The description wasn't entirely accurate, but one didn't need a name tag to recognize treasure. Gold always knows its own.
"Up next," Ella began, her melodic voice echoing across the silent hall, "is an item even we, the hosts, cannot fully comprehend. But from our gathered intel, this object is truly one of a kind. Anything that involves pure light being compressed into physical form is a rarity among rarities. Ladies and gentlemen… the Holy Spirit Ban Stone."
The white cloth was lifted, and a brilliant glow spilled across the room. The crowd leaned forward as Ella continued, "The starting bid is forty thousand Rubystones."
The audience waited for the usual trickle of bids, but before Ella could even blink, a calm voice rang out from one of the VIP rooms — steady, confident, and commanding.
"Seventy thousand Rubystones."
The words silenced the hall.
Ella froze. She had expected a few incremental bids — not an instant leap. Still, her professionalism held. "Seventy thousand Rubystones!" she repeated, trying not to let the shock reach her tone. Inside, though, she was smiling. If this continues, I might just earn my promotion tonight.
Murmurs rippled across the seats.
"Who bids that high so casually?"
"Seventy thousand? Is he insane?"
"Is that… a god's son?"
In the VIP room, Sunny leaned back, lips curved into a faint smirk. His strategy was simple — overwhelm them. Make them despair before they even considered competing.
But sometimes, plans fall apart in the most entertaining ways.
"Eighty thousand Rubystones," another voice drawled lazily from a different VIP suite.
The hall went deathly still again. Even the servants stopped moving.
Sunny's eyes narrowed. "Interesting," he murmured.
"What's interesting, Master?" Lilith asked, munching grapes beside him, eyes wide with curiosity.
"Nothing, little one," he said with a soft smile, patting her cheek. Her face turned crimson instantly. "Keep eating."
Sunny didn't bid again — not yet. He waited patiently, letting the others tear each other apart.
"One hundred and twenty thousand Rubystones!"
"One hundred and fifty thousand!"
"Two hundred and one thousand!"
"Two hundred and twenty-one thousand Rubystones!"
The voices of the VIPs overlapped in a frenzy of pride and greed. Most of them had no clue what the Holy Spirit Ban Stone truly was — but if someone like Sunny valued it, then it had to be worth something.
And as always, the rich couldn't resist flaunting their wealth.
Down below, a man in a white coat muttered, "They're really going that far over a rock?"
His friend hushed him immediately. "Quiet. You'll get yourself killed talking like that."
The bidding raged on until it slowed, tension thick in the air.
"Five hundred and ninety-nine thousand Rubystones!" shouted a voice from the far end of the VIP section. Gasps rippled through the audience. That amount could build an entire fortified city — or buy a small army.
Ella's tone trembled slightly as she began, "Five hundred and ninety-nine thousand going once, going twice—"
"One million Rubystones."
The words sliced through the air like a blade.
Every gaze turned toward Sunny's suite, though none could see through the enchanted glass. Even the other VIPs were struck speechless.
Was the stone truly worth that much?
Or was this man simply insane?
Whispers swirled like smoke.
"Find out who he is," said a man cloaked in black, puffing from a curved smoke pipe. A shadow detached itself from the floor and vanished, unseen by all.
Ella's eyes widened, but she quickly regained her composure. "One million Rubystones, going once… going twice… sold!"
Applause erupted. Ella smiled gracefully, bowing as the attendants carried the stone away. The auction continued, but the atmosphere had changed — Sunny's boldness had infected the room. Every bidder now competed with sharper ferocity, their pride burning hotter than before.
By dawn, the last item had been sold. Ella stood center stage once more.
"And with that," she announced, "we conclude this year's Black Moon Auction. We thank you all for your participation. For those who wish to network or celebrate, a banquet awaits you to the left wing of the hall. Food and drinks, courtesy of the house."
She bowed, her figure fading gracefully into the backstage shadows.
"Master, master! Wake up!" Lilith's sweet voice chimed as she pinched Sunny's cheek. He blinked, stretching lazily.
"Hmm… looks like some people will be waiting on me tonight," he murmured with a faint grin.
Together, they descended to the underground collection area. The staff bowed respectfully as Sunny passed — his presence alone was commanding.
At the reception, a tall woman in a red dress stepped forward, holding a crimson velvet pillow. Resting atop it was a storage ring that gleamed faintly — a ring worth no less than twelve thousand Rubystones by itself.
Sunny took it casually, scanning its contents with a flick of spiritual energy. A rare, genuine smile touched his lips.
Perfect.
He had finally gathered all the materials needed for Lilith's evolution — and her cure.
"Tell your manager I'll be paying him a visit soon," Sunny said evenly.
The woman, Mika, bowed deeply. "Understood, sir."
The floor shifted, revealing an opening beneath their feet. Sunny and Lilith stepped into the descending passage as it sealed itself behind them.
The tunnel walls were alive with chaotic energy — liquid power roaring like a storm. Yet they didn't so much as tremble.
At the tunnel's end, a colossal whale awaited them, its scales glimmering faintly in the dark. Sunny's eyes narrowed, reading its aura. Late-stage Silver... nearing Gold.
He climbed atop its back, Lilith following closely, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her soft body pressed against him, and she whispered, "Master, this feels warm."
Sunny chuckled. "Then hold on tight."
With a deep rumble, the whale dove into the swirling water. A shimmering barrier enveloped them, shielding them from the violent currents. Minutes later, they surfaced through a different exit — emerging into a quiet underground bay where a sleek black Lambo Bus waited.
As they approached, the doors opened automatically. Both entered, and the vehicle purred to life.
"Destination, sir?" the driver asked.
"Weeping Willow Forest," Sunny replied.
"As you command."
The car sped into the night, tires whispering over the obsidian road.
"Master," Lilith asked softly, "are we really going to begin my evolution there?"
"Yes," Sunny said with a small laugh. "As soon as we arrive."
"But… the name sounds scary," she admitted, nestling into his chest.
Sunny smiled, stroking her hair. "Names can lie, Lilith. Don't worry — the forest won't harm you."
She nodded silently, comforted by his warmth. Outside, the horizon glowed faintly — a promise of dawn. But for Sunny and Lilith, a new chapter was only just beginning.