"9,000 zecta for the BFG!"
An explosion of laughter rocked the audience, stunning the Rykerians into not bidding.
Grey touched the mic button. "Good try."
More laughter rang out, reflexively irritating Lina Mion, who ran silent auctions. However, by request, the auction had limited commentary.
Moreover, she couldn't deny it was helping her cause—to an absurd degree.
Most of the weapons she was selling had limited ammo, less than twenty rounds, many with five or fewer. Yet she was selling them for tens of millions! So she overcame her reflexive aversion.
"1 million 9,000!" A player yelled.
"2 million 9,000!"
"3 million 9,000!
"9 million 9,000!!"
The Rykerians realized they were doing it again! They were so stunned by the strange laughter that they forgot to bid!
"10 million!" A Markovian tycoon yelled.
Groans came from the Earthians, hearing the streak break.
Undeterred, someone took up the mantle. "10 million 9,000!"
Cheers rang out instantly after sparking a new wave.
"11 million 9,000!"
"12 million 9,000!"
A Rykerian, picking up the situation, joined in.
"15 million 9,000!"
Hearing a Markov business magnate join in the fun, the players exploded in cheering, unconcerned with the price increases.
"16 million 9,000!"
A bidding war escalated between the Rykerians and Earthians a moment later, devolving into a bloodbath.
***
"50 million 9,000!"
A player yelled out a quantity of money that shook people to their cores.
The finance mechanisms for Myriad Online wouldn't drop until the end of the following week. As a result, financial transactions were handled by third-party subsidiaries.
When a player wanted to sell their zecta, they contacted the company, who sent a person in-game to collect the money while their accountant sent them a wire transfer. Then they sold the zecta to the buyer. It was a labor-intensive service.
Combined with the natural market mechanisms of zecta demand, especially from elites trying to buy Greed's weapons, the exchange rate was 6:1. That meant the player was spending 300 million on the weapon.
However, with reusable ammo, it was worth the money. Anyone with the weapon could level up with it for years, assuming they didn't die trying to use it on enemies they couldn't see during an attack.
"50 million zecta! Going once, going twice, sold!" Lina announced, filling the winner's face with tears of joy, shocking everyone present, "Onto the next item!
Greed calls this weapon the SX Confused King."
The blonde spelled out S-X individually, so the Rykerians weren't confused beyond finding the name the [Confused King] strange. However, the Earthians had a rising suspicion.
-
─┈━═[Weapon Information]═━┈─
Name: SX Confused King (Illegally Modified)
Type: Shotgun-Rifle Hybrid | Spray Shot
Requirements: STR 15
Ammo Type: Custom Shotgun Shells (x1000)
Level: ???
Damage: ???
Condition: Hazardous
Description: This king is confused about whether they're a shotgun or a rifle, so it borders on the edge. However, their identity is irrelevant, as their power rules the land with an iron fist.
After all, the only thing more powerful than a rifle is a rifle that's actually a goddamn shotgun, ammirite?
Note: While ammo is restricted, manufacturing the shells for this puppy is simple and unbelievably cheap!
-
Warning: This weapon has modifications that may change performance or cause it to explode.
─┈━═━┈━═━┈━═━┈─
-
The players burst into laughter, riling the spirits of the irritated Rykerians.
"Bidding starts at one zecta; you may begin!" Lina yelled.
"1 million 9,000 zecta!" A Rykerian roared out of the gate.
All the players fell silent for a moment, shaking their heads to shame the person before continuing.
"Long live the monarch!" A player yelled, "5 million!"
"6 million!"
"10 million!"
The Rykerian's eyes glazed over before they jumped back in.
***
"This item is pretty standard." Lina said in puzzlement, "It says that it's a standard military adhesive grenade…."
-
─┈━═[Weapon Information]═━┈─
Name: Sticky Grenade (x1)
Type: Adhesive Grenade | Plasma
Requirements: STR 5
Ammo Type: Single Usage
Level: 4
Damage: 8,000
Condition: Stable
Description: A standard Markov adhesive grenade renamed [Sticky Grenade] with the resale and mod skill perk.
─┈━═━┈━═━┈━═━┈─
-
"I'm not sure why this item is here, as it's easily obtainable." The blonde said to the stunned audience, "Greed says, quote, [if you're a real gamer, plant your flag and get your memeage on].
Teach the noobs that [real gamers call this weapon a sticky grenade and let them know its worth and satisfaction value!]."
A wave of delirious laughter and cheers rang out.
"Um, yes…." Lina said in confusion, "By request, bidding starts at 25 zecta, the weapon's price, I guess… you may begin."
"250 zecta!" A male player yelled, "The satisfaction of killing an enemy with one of these is unrivaled!"
"That's all!?" Another yelled, "You call yourself a gamer!? 2,500!"
"You're ridiculous for chastising someone for their ignorance when you're grossly downplaying its satisfaction value!" A woman yelled, "25,000 zecta—it's worth at least 100 times the original price!"
The Rykerians were stunning beyond belief. They couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"Satisfaction?" A man scoffed, "Only true gamers call them Sticky Grenades! You're missing the point! 250,000—on principle alone!"
This is why Greed made limited discussion permissible…." Lina muttered live on camera, eyes wide as saucers, watching the angry Earthians yell at one another.
"2.5 million!" A woman laughed, "Do it for the meme!"
The built-up tension detonated, and the area devolved into chaos, filled with laughter, cheers, and comments raining down from the stands.
Everyone forgot they were bidding for a moment, leading the blonde auctioneer to cough. "2.5 million. Are there any other offers? Going once… going twice… sold to the woman who… did it for the meme."
All the players burst into laughter at the woman's adept joke, judging the value of the strange word.
***
"Next up, a grenade launcher that can level a quarter-mile area."
-
─┈━═[Weapon Information]═━┈─
Name: Dieting Fat Man (Illegally Modified)
Type: Grenade Launcher | Explosive
Requirements: STR 30
Ammo Type: Custom Radioactive Grenade
Level: ???
Damage: ???
Condition: Hazardous
Description: Fat Man's on a diet, making its mini nukes even mini-er. However, they're still enough to kill yourself and everyone else in a quarter-mile radius.
So avoid shooting it near allies to avoid political fallout!
Note: Reverse engineering shells is not advised.
─┈━═━┈━═━┈━═━┈─
-
***
"You may begin!" Lina roared.
"10 million!"
"15 million!"
"25 million!"
"100 million!" Brigadier General Wainwright yelled, making the players feel bitter. They knew what would happen next.
"125 million!" Lieutenant General Ramp followed, officially triggering a military bidding war."
***
"Going once… going twice… sold to Markov Brigadier General Wainwright for 270 million zecta!"
***
─┈━═[Weapon Information]═━┈─
Name: Ray Saber (Illegally Modified)
Type: Sword | Plasma
…
Description: Shoots contained lightning in the color of your choice. Perfect for dimly lit raves, dark parties, and killing your father.
─┈━═━┈━═━┈━═━┈─
***
"Sold for 41 million!" Lina yelled, sending a wave of excitement rippling through the audience.
***
"The second is sold for 35 million!" Lina yelled, sending a wave of excitement rippling through the audience.
Greed insisted there needed to be at least two for sale so they could fight for [the lulz].
He warned people they shouldn't actually fight with the swords, as they were plasma and would pass through each other instead of clashing.
However, he anticipated the people wouldn't listen and that it would be hilarious.
-
─┈━═[Weapon Information]═━┈─
Name: NightN'Gale (Illegally Modified)
Type: Bow | Plasma
Ammo: Custom Arrows
…
Description: Liquid Nitrogen heads followed by an electric pulse. Best for when you want to shock your enemy with just the tip.
─┈━═━┈━═━┈━═━┈─
***
"Sold for 35 million!" Lina yelled, smiling mysteriously, "Now then, we have two items left for you tonight. According to Greed, one is expected, and the other is not."
When she pulled out the next item, the Earthians went wild, sending a primal wave of competition pulsing through the Rykerians.