The auctioneer's voice resonated through the room, the gravity of his words drawing the attention of every guest present. "Now, esteemed guests, we have arrived at the final item of the night. This last artifact offers knowledge—perhaps even revelation—but at a price."
He gestured toward his assistants, who carefully wheeled forward a book encased in glass. Unlike the leather-bound tome of A Hero is Born, this volume had a stark, clinical appearance, its cover labeled in faded lettering: The Encyclopedia of Common Diseases.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer announced, "I present to you SAI-1025, more commonly known as The Encyclopedia of Diseases."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the room. While they were unfamiliar with this particular book, they all understood that it must be something special if they brought it out as the final item of the night. So they eagerly awaited his introduction of the item in full.
"This book is no ordinary encyclopedia," the auctioneer continued, his tone grave. "It holds within it the ability to make any ailment described on its pages a reality. Merely reading an entry in this book may manifest its corresponding symptoms in the reader, with effects that range from discomfort to... more severe consequences."
The crowd shifted uneasily, some guests exchanging wary glances. For all their ambitions and desires, none of them were fools. They knew the dangers of playing with forces beyond their understanding.
"But before you dismiss this artifact as a mere curiosity, consider this," the auctioneer continued. "For those with the right knowledge, this book provides a unique opportunity. Imagine a pharmaceutical empire, or a research facility able to isolate diseases with such precision that they could not only understand them but perhaps cure them. Or consider the implications of having the ability to control—if carefully managed—ailments that could cripple enemies or silence rivals."
Amongst the many people in the room, both those who had been bidding and those who had mostly been just watching it all understood that this book was dangerous. Many truly deadly diseases weren't easy to find out there, after all, nature had long since proved that it was the true master in biological warfare.
While humans had long since attempted to make weapons to kill one another, they just couldn't compare to what nature cooked up; even the greatest weapons of their kind were merely slightly altered versions of diseases nature created.
However, the more dangerous something is, the more money it is often worth. And this book, which apparently held all the world's desires within it, could potentially be very dangerous. And therefore very, very valuable.
"You say it's the Encyclopedia of Common Diseases, does that mean there is an advanced one?" Someone couldn't help but shout out that questions, one which sent waves through the crowd since everyone suddenly wanted the answer to that question.
The auctioneer smiled, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mystery as he let the question linger. "Ah, that, my dear guests, is a question I'm not privy to answer in full," he replied, his voice silky.
"Let us simply say that this volume contains pages describing and therefor holding all known and yet known diseases, including many that are just as impossible as the objects we sold here tonight."
The auctioneer's carefully chosen words hung in the air, adding an extra layer of intrigue to an already chilling artifact. Each attendee now eyed The Encyclopedia of Diseases with renewed interest and a sense of both opportunity and trepidation. In a world where influence and control meant everything, the ability to wield disease at will—or at least understand it on a supernatural level—was a power that couldn't be ignored.
"Shall we begin?" the auctioneer intoned, his voice both calm and commanding. "Let the bidding open at fifty billion."
The room was silent for a beat, everyone considering the stakes. Then, a hand lifted from the shadowed corner where a reclusive biotech CEO sat, known for his aggressive acquisitions in experimental medicine. "Sixty billion," he called, his eyes fixed on the book as if it were a long-lost key to his empire's future.
Without missing a beat, a tech mogul raised his own hand. "Seventy billion," he announced smoothly. In his world, data on health could prove priceless, and this artifact might offer a means of knowing—possibly even shaping—the next global crisis before anyone else.
"Eighty billion," came the voice of a European pharmaceutical tycoon, her company a leader in vaccine development and disease prevention. She knew her rivals well; allowing them access to such knowledge would be tantamount to signing away her company's future.
One by one, hands raised, as a Middle Eastern prince, a hedge fund manager, and an influential researcher from a government health agency each signaled their bids. The number rose to one hundred billion, then one hundred twenty, as each attendee weighed the potential risks and rewards.
Across the room, Evelyn Crawley's hand lifted. "One hundred fifty billion." Her voice was steady, almost casual, as if she were purchasing something far less lethal. But her eyes held a glint of fierce determination. The Encyclopedia of Diseases was more than just another artifact; it was a strategic weapon that could provide leverage against both allies and adversaries.
Tony watched with mild fascination as the bids soared. Even for a man who had long mastered the fine line between risk and reward, The Encyclopedia of Diseases was a gamble. He could see its tactical appeal but also its insidious potential. Still, he wasn't about to enter a bidding war when others were so desperate for it.
The auctioneer nodded approvingly. "One hundred fifty billion from Ms. Crawley. Any further bids?"
The biotech CEO from earlier hesitated, his gaze fixed on the book, fingers drumming on his armrest. After a tense moment, he raised his hand. "One hundred seventy billion," he said, voice taut with the weight of his decision.
Evelyn's lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded, conceding her own limit. As the auctioneer scanned the room, he noted that some of the most determined bidders had stepped back, leaving only a few in the final stretch.
"One hundred seventy billion going once…" the auctioneer called, his voice calm, his eyes scanning for any last sign of a raised hand.
In the silence that followed, the tech mogul from earlier lifted his hand, his expression hard and resolved. "One hundred eighty billion."
The room collectively held its breath as the auctioneer's gaze swept over the remaining bidders one last time. The others remained silent, their ambitions held in check, watching as the tech mogul claimed his prize.
"One hundred eighty billion, going once… twice…"
With a final resounding thunk of the gavel, the book was his.
The auctioneer straightened, offering a gracious nod to the room as the finality of the evening settled over the guests. "Congratulations to all of our esteemed buyers," he announced, a faint smile touching his lips. "Tonight, each of you has acquired items of unique power and potential. I wish you wisdom in wielding them."
As the lights dimmed and the guests began to rise, the weight of the evening's purchases lingered. Each of them had secured something that could shape the future—for better or worse. The night was over, but its consequences had only just begun.
Those who had won something all wished to get back home as fast as possible, all afraid that they might get caught up in some unpleasant business like what happened at the last auction. No one wanted to have their new treasures stolen from them.
While many of those who, for one reason or another, hadn't gotten any new treasures were already thinking about how to go about getting their own hands on those items, and all for a far cheaper price as well.
Tony Stark was one of these people, he had already told Jarvis to keep an eye on every winner and was planning to pay them a visit.
One of the biggest winners of the night was, without a doubt, Harlan Brune, who had gotten multiple items this night. So he was a major target, while everyone was unwilling to really take on Blackstone when it came to wealth, the same couldn't be said for using more shady means.
Sure, they wouldn't do anything against Blackstone itself, after all, given that it was the world's largest investment firm, they all had their own investments with them, so they wouldn't hurt their own interests, but Harlan himself was free game.
Harlan was well aware that he was being targeted by some rather powerful people, yet he wasn't worried at all, after all, not only did he g
et the butler's handbell, which would allow him to always have a loyal helper around.
He also got his hands on the cap of neglect, granting him invisibility, ensuring he could escape any and all danger. And on top of that, he had that desk and the ability to make deals with the devil; he was well and truly covered.
Yet, he wasn't planning on using any of those objects, not even once. He didn't even need to rely on them to keep him safe, after all, poor Harlan Brune would simply have to take the fall for this, he might die, but the Harlan Brune who was here this night, he would just go on, wearing his own face as if nothing had happened.