In the Grand Auction Hall, the atmosphere was quite tense as they justpleted some intensepetition...


    Boxes of MREs were just sold for about 450 to 550 Points per box, and only 5 Bidders were able to obtain them.


    They were Bidder 1101, who obtained 24 boxes; Bidder 1250, who obtained 8 boxes; and Bidder 1104, 1114, and 1134, who obtained 4 boxes each.


    Each box contained 40 MRE packs, so it was certainly expensive. Nheless, having a different food aside from bread and biscuits was definitely an achievement for many of them.


    After these boxes of MREs, the 47th item—a formidable set of 10 Ballistic Shields—was then imed by Travis, the esteemed n Leader of the Drakeheart Vanguard.


    These shields, renowned for their bulletproof resilience and the ability to repel the corrosive Acid Spit of Spitter Zombies, fetched a hefty sum of 1,700 Points. Despite the steep price, their Rare Grade status and potent defensive capabilities justified the investment.


    As the fervor of the previous bid settled, the auctioneer, a vision of poise in her crimson gown, introduced the next item with undiminished vigor. It felt like this beautiful auctioneer wasn''t getting tired and was as energetic as ever!


    "Behold, the Spiked Mace! A weapon of exceptional might, capable of crushing the skulls of even the dreaded sher Zombies!" Her announcement reverberated through the hall, as the BidLink Communicators of all attendees lit up with the weapon''s details.


    [ Scrapper''s Spiked Mace (Exceptional):A fearsome mace adorned with lethal spikes, its metal head engineered for maximum impact. This weapon is a terror on the battlefield, shattering armor and bone alike.


    Effects:+50% Armor Pration, +30% Crushing Power


    Special Effect:Disarm - A heightened chance to disarm or incapacitate foes. ]


    "The bid starts at 50 Points!" dered the auctioneer.


    With this announcement, bids flew in rapid session, the numbers climbing as Survivors vied for the mace''s brutal efficiency.


    [ Bidder 1505 bids 75 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1237 bids 80 Points. ] chapter-hosted-on-MVLeMpYr


    [ Bidder 1249 bids 85 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1975 bids 150 Points ]


    Thepetition was fierce, but ultimately, it was Bidder 1110 who secured the Spiked Mace for 450 Points—proof that although it was a close-range weapon, it was still a coveted item.


    Shane, observing from the sidelines, refrained from entering the fray for now.


    He doesn''t want to waste too many Points in melee weapons for now since he already has six Super Soldiers that could take care of their closebat.


    Furthermore, his intuition told him that greater treasuresy ahead, and he had to be patient for now.


    His foresight proved urate when the auctioneer unveiled the next item with a flourish.


    "Ladies and gentlemen, what we have next is a rarity that could redefine your survival strategy…" she announced, her voiceced with excitement.


    "A rare Intermediate Survivor Skill Scroll! Take a look!"


    The hall hushed as the scroll was presented, encased in a protective cylinder of ss. The scroll was emzoned with the symbol of a phoenix rising from the ashes—a sign of rebirth and newfound power.


    [ Resurgence Skill Scroll ( Intermediate ): A passive skill that empowers the Survivor with the ability to recover swiftly from injuries, rising from near-defeat with renewed vigor and a temporary boost to all abilities.It provides rapid health regeneration if your health reaches a dangerous level, and for 30 seconds post-recovery, all attributes will increase by 10 points. ]


    "What? A passive healing skill?!"


    "This is a cheat! How could anyone have this skill!"


    "I''m sure there''s a talent simr to this one. I didn''t expect that there''s also a skill for this."


    "This is not good."


    "Hmph! Don''t get too excited. This healing ability won''t help you if you get infected by the virus." Travis finally spoke after noticing that his n members were also feeling a bit too excited.


    "Ahh! You''re right… Before you get injured to a dangerous level, you might have turned into a zombie already."


    "Yes… So don''t think too highly of this skill. There''s a reason it is only an intermediate skill and not an Advanced one.


    As for the starting bid, it was a mere 200 Points for a skill that promised a second chance in the direst of circumstances.


    Shane''s pulse quickened.


    Although it was true that the skill had limited effects, it doesn''t change the fact that it could be a lifesaver!


    ''I''ll take it then…''


    This was the moment he had been waiting for.


    As bidding started, the price quickly reached 400 points.


    After considering the amount he wanted to waste for this item, he ced his bid with confidence, entering thepetition as the scroll''s value became the center of a heated bidding war.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1000 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1201 bids 1050 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1300 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1405 bids 1350 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1550 Points. ]


    The bids escted, each Survivor was eager to im the scroll''s life-saving prowess.


    Shane aldready expected that this would be easily so he backed out. determined and strategic, continued to bid, his resolve unwavering.


    [ Bidder 1405 bids 1650 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 1850 Points. ]


    [ Bidder 1405 bids 1950 Points. ]


    The tension in the hall was intense as the air filled with the collective breaths of those gathered. Shane, with a steely gaze, ced one final bid—a bid that he believed should be more than for this skill and would very well ensure his dominance in the trials toe.


    [ Bidder 1101 bids 2,300 Points. ]


    A hush fell over the crowd as the auctioneer called for any further bids. Seconds stretched into eternity until, atst, the gavel fell, and the Resurgence Skill Scroll was dered Shane''s for 2,300 Points.


    The hall erupted in murmurs and apuse, some in admiration, others in envy.


    Shane, however, remained focused. The scroll was but one piece of his grander vision—a vision that would see him rise above all as the ultimate Survivor, or the one who will end the Apocalypse!


    As the auction continued, with each new item unveiled, Shane''s legend within the Grand Auction Hall grew.


    TheSharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Riflewas next on the block, it was a marvel of technology that assured lethality at a distance with its energy-based attacks. Shane''s eyes narrowed as he assessed the weapon''s capabilities as soon as it appeared in the BidLink Communicator.


    [ Sharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Rifle ( Exceptional ):An eliteser sniper rifle that harnesses advanced technology for precision and energy-based assaults. Itsser beams are unerringly urate, capable of piercing the toughest armor and vaporizing foes.


    Effects:+50% Energy Efficiency, +30% Armor Pration


    Special Effect:Beam Focus Mode - Intensifies theser beam for amplified damage and enhanced pration. ]


    Apanying the rifle wereLaser Sniper Cell Chargers, essential for maintaining the weapon''s formidable power supply. Shane knew the value of such a weapon; it was a game-changer.


    [ Laser Sniper Cell Charger:A dedicated charger forser sniper rifles, essential for powering and recharging the energy cells vital for the rifle''s operation.


    Quantity: 10 Cells per Charger ] x10


    All of them in the Hall wanted this weapon, but only one was being sold.


    As the biddingmenced, Shane entered the fray with a calcted bid. However, the bids escted quickly, but Shane was resolute. His final bid of 4,900 Points was met with silence, and the gavel fell.


    TheSharpshooter''s Laser Sniper Rifleand its chargers were his!


    The triumph was short-lived, however, as the next item—aMarksman''s Precision Sniper Rifle—was introduced. Its reputation for unmatched uracy and stopping power made it a coveted prize.


    [ Marksman''s Precision Sniper Rifle ( Exceptional ):A sniper rifle of the highest caliber, engineered with precision for long-range engagements. Its uracy is unrivaled, ensuring that threats are neutralized from afar.


    Effects:+50% uracy, +30% Damage


    Special Effect:Enhanced Scope - Offers superior magnification and target tracking for pinpoint shots. ]


    The apanyingHigh-Caliber Sniper Roundswere the perfectplement to the rifle''s precision.


    [ High-Caliber Sniper Rounds:Precision-engineered sniper rounds designed for long-range engagements. These rounds are optimized for their trajectory and impact, ideal for taking down distant targets.


    Quantity: 50 Rounds per Box ] x10


    Shane made his bid until it reached 3,000 Points, when a sudden vibration from his BidLink Communicator caught his attention.


    A private message shed across the screen, its contents urgent and personal.


    ''Right… The BidLinkmunicator is linked to our Friends list.''


    Shane was distracted by this as he read the message. Because of this momentarypse, it cost him the opportunity to bid on the Marksman''s Precision Sniper Rifle.


    The final bid went to another Survivor, and Shane could only watch as the rifle slipped through his fingers.


    ''Ugh…'' Shane shook his head at this.


    Nheless, he could only move on.


    Apparently, the message was from Raze, his friend and fellow Survivor, who had encountered an unexpected situation in the bazaar.


    She needed his assistance immediately.


    ''She''s not someone who would easily ask for help… I wonder what happened.''


    With a mix of frustration and concern, Shane replied to her message to ask what was truly going on.