The crowd roared in response...

Everyone was curious about this Black Market Auction after all.

They had no idea what kind of items would be sold it.

Would it be similar to the items being sold outside? Would it be better?

Everyone wanted to know as they prepared their Survivor Medals.

Without hesitation, the auctioneer raised her hand, and the first item appeared on the display screens hovering above the arena.

[ Item: Third‑Eye Injector ]

[ Description: A Gene Mutation serum that guarantees the mutation of a Third Eye. Grants the user the ability of Energy Detection that perceives Spirit flows, hidden power sources, and illusions. ]

The woman smiled as she saw everyone’s reaction.

"To welcome you all, the first item is a set of twelve Third‑Eye Injectors. A single mutation serum guarantees the awakening of a Third Eye with almost zero negative effects. With it, you will gain the power of Energy Detection!"

The arena erupted.

A guaranteed gene mutation wasn’t something everyone could easily obtain.

Survivors shouted, raised their devices and soon bids appeared across the screens. The numbers climbed rapidly as desperation and greed took hold.

’What? They’re really okay having a third eye?’ Kai was confused.

After all, these people seemed so desperate. After all, it wasn’t even mentioned why it had zero negative effects!

What if there really were no side effects, but the problem was the fact that the Third Eye would open in random locations in someone’s body!

What if the Third Eye appeared on their palm? Maybe at the back of the feet or butt?

Kai believed it wasn’t mentioned because it could be problematic for many people.

’Seriously... These guys shouldn’t be this happy to have a third eye.’

Nonetheless, Kai just watched as the bidding war raged...

Soon, the item set of serums was sold for 143 Survivor Medals. Essentially, making each Serum worth about 12 Survivor Medals.

This price didn’t seem to be that high. It was quite surprising.

’I guess they’re saving for the second event, huh...’ Kai mused.

***

The auctioneer raised her hand again, and the second item appeared...

[ Item: Phantom Mask ]

[ Description: An advanced item that cloaks the user in shadow, granting temporary invisibility for ten seconds. ]

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Stealth gear was rare, and invisibility was priceless in combat. The bidding surged immediately, climbing past 80, then 120, then 150 Survivor Medals.

Finally, the mask was sold for 176 Survivor Medals.

Kai didn’t actually participate in this despite his chance to win it.

Well, invisibility wasn’t really that great against the A.I. Army with their advanced detection devices. As for against humans, those with high Perception Stat could definitely sense them still.

In any case, the third item appeared next.

[ Item: Dire Claw Gauntlet ]

[ Description: A gauntlet forged with a special alloy. Increases melee damage and grants the ability to rend armor. It works perfectly well with Fist-Type Gene Skills ]

Warriors shouted in excitement...

The gauntlet was a brutal weapon, perfect for frontline fighters. The bidding escalated quickly, ending at 211 Survivor Medals.

The fourth item shimmered into view.

[ Item: Venomfang Dagger ]

[ Description: A dagger infused with toxin. Each strike has a chance to poison the target, reducing vitality over time. ]

Assassins and rogues raised their terminals instantly. The bidding war was fierce, but the dagger sold for 189 Survivor Medals.

Kai wasn’t interested in this thing since it was basically a weapon against humans. He had enough weapons against them at this point anyway.

The fifth item was then revealed.

[ Item: Great Stealth Cloak ]

[ Description: A cloak that adapts to surroundings, reducing detection chance by 80%. ]

The crowd liked this item once again. Survivalists and scouts wanted it badly. After all, it was an added cloak sold for 224 Survivor Medals after a heated exchange.

The sixth item appeared, and Kai finally liked what he was seeing...

[ Item: Talent Upgrade Crystal ]

[ Description: A rare crystal that raises the grade of a Talent. Can be used once per person. ]

Kai’s breath caught. This was what he needed most.

And it wasn’t just one crystal... it was a set of three.

The auctioneer’s voice rang out, commanding the arena.

"To continue, we present a set of three Talent Upgrade Crystals. Each crystal can raise the grade of a Talent. These are priceless treasures, capable of changing your destiny."

The crowd went wild. Survivors swiftly used their devices as bids flashing across the screens. The numbers climbed rapidly... 50, 100, 200, 300 Survivor Medals.

Kai smiled calmly as he knew that the item would become his.

When the bid actually reached 300, only a few of the survivors were bidding.

Based on Kai’s observation, only about 30 people from the thousands of Survivors were appearing...

He then raised his terminal, joining the war. The numbers surged—320, 350, 370. Kai pushed higher.

"What 450!"

"Just how rich are these people?"

"How did these people manage to get so many medals? This is insane."

"Ugh... I thought my 80 Survivor Medals would give me something good."

The crowd gasped, but the bidding continued... 490, 525.

Kai’s visor gleamed as he pressed forward.

At this point, only two people were actually bidding. It was Kai and another bidder with a number 2202. Well, it was a random number as it resets every bid, so the number wasn’t really important.

’So there’s at least one person with that many medals, huh...’ Kai mused.

The arena fell silent. No one else dared to go higher after he crossed the 500 mark.

[ Item Sold: Talent Upgrade Crystal ×3 ]

[ Final Price: 525 Survivor Medals ]

Kai exhaled, his heart pounding.

He had won. The crystals were his.

’This... this is what I needed. With these, I can raise my Talent and push beyond my limits.’

The auctioneer smiled knowingly, her voice echoing across the arena.

"Congratulations to the winner. May these crystals guide your path to greatness."

Just like that, the item was transferred directly to his inventory...

***

Meanwhile, Roderick leaned back in his seat as the bidding war for the Talent Upgrade Crystals came to an end.

He couldn’t help but sigh after seeing the glowing screens above the arena. Whoever had just outbid him with such confidence... they weren’t ordinary.

’Over 500 medals... who could possibly have that much?’

He rubbed his chin, wondering if it was the Rank 1 Survivor.

For months, Roderick had held a place in the Top 10, his name etched into the rankings as one of the most consistent survivors. He even had a huge number of helpers to accumulate his current Survivor Medals. Yet he still failed to win a single item.

He sighed again, frustration gnawing at him.

’At least he shouldn’t be participating again.’ Roderick mused as he knew that there was no way that person could have more.

Those 525 medals must be all they had.

Apparently, he needed those crystals more than anyone else.

His Talent was called Dismantler and he was already at Master Grade. It had carried him through countless battles, allowing him to tear apart machines with his bare hands.

Against the A.I. Apocalypse, it was almost perfect. He could dismantle drones, turrets, and even armored vehicles, reducing them to useless scrap.

But the flaw was undeniable.

He had to touch his target directly, and the process took time.

Against low‑tier machines, it was manageable.

Against C‑Grade units, it was painfully slow... and against B‑Grade or higher, it was practically useless.

He had already pushed his Talent from Uncommon to Rare, then Superior, and finally Master, thanks to sheer luck and hidden quests that rewarded him with upgrade crystals.

Now, the next step was Epic Grade. That was the threshold where his ability would evolve into something truly devastating. But Epic wasn’t cheap... it required multiple crystals, not just one. And if he ever dreamed of reaching Legendary Grade, the cost would be astronomical.

Roderick clenched his fists.

’I was so close...’

The auctioneer’s voice broke his thoughts. Another item was being revealed...

It didn’t take long before 50 items were sold, and a few more, an interesting item appeared once again.

[ Item: Control Collar Set ]

[ Description: A specialized collar that allows the user to dominate and control A.I. units from E‑Grade to D‑Grade. ]

The crowd erupted once more.

The woman’s smile widened as she explained. "This set contains twelve collars. With them, you can bend machines to your will. D‑Grade and E‑Grade units will no longer be enemies... they will become your soldiers."

Roderick’s eyes lit up. His pulse quickened.

This... this was exactly what he needed.

If he couldn’t dismantle higher‑grade machines quickly enough, then controlling the lower ones would give him an army.

With twelve collars, he could potentially field a squad of drones, walkers, or even sentry units. His Talent would synergize perfectly... dismantle what he couldn’t control, and command the rest.

He leaned forward, terminal in hand.

’This is mine. I won’t lose this one.’

He didn’t mind even if he could no longer participate in the next event; he would definitely take it!

However, something unexpected happened!

He failed once again!

[ Item Sold: Control Collar Set ]

[ Final Price: 525 Survivor Medals ]

The item was sold for the exact same price as when he had lost the Talent Upgrade Crystals earlier.

’T-this... Is it the same person?!’