Reborn with Infinity Money System, I was Worshipped by All Universes!-Chapter 280 - 277-All Five Hit? Born to Be the Sucker!

"Since no one is placing a higher bid," Sherlock said solemnly, "let's reveal the rule for the first item."

"The most thrilling moment has arrived!"

He lifted the box, turning it to show the bottom where five bold words were carved:

"Lowest Price Wins."

...???

Lowest price wins?

The crowd stared in disbelief, wondering if their eyes had deceived them.

Every other auction in the universe followed a single law—highest bidder wins. But here, it was lowest bidder wins?

What kind of twisted auction rules were these?

As the shock settled in, everyone slowly turned toward Anastasia.

She had just bought three Astral Aurum Stones—legendary artifacts that could absorb thunder tides—for the price of a single advanced mana crystal. Who would believe that?

Her luck was unbelievable—outrageous, even.

"Sucker? How did I end up the sucker again?!"

"I only came here to mess around, not to actually buy these stupid rocks!"

Anastasia wanted to cry. She'd done the math, anticipated the twists, and still Velen's auction had thrown logic out the window.

How was anyone supposed to enjoy this insanity?

"You're seriously complaining after getting three Astral Aurum Stones for one advanced mana crystal?"

The rest of the crowd was fuming. If glares could kill, Anastasia would've been vaporized a hundred times over.

But although many were frustrated, none dared voice it aloud—not with Blackie standing to the side, his presence radiating silent menace.

Everyone swallowed their anger and resentment.

"Next up: the second item!"

Sherlock lifted the lid of the second box, revealing three crystal bottles of glowing red wine.

"Damn!"

"Is that… Lafite Vintage?! Ten-thousand-year-old vintage!"

Gasps rippled through the audience.

Sherlock smiled. "You guessed right. Not just three bottles of Lafite Vintage, but each comes with a Divine Sobriety Elixir—so there's no risk of addiction or impairment!"

"The bidding begins!"

"One advanced mana crystal!"

"Two!"

"Three!" Anastasia called out, defiant, refusing to believe she'd win again.

With more bids rolling in, she let out a sigh of relief. No way would she be the third lowest bidder. The final price climbed to 1,320 advanced mana crystals.

Sherlock then flipped the box and revealed the rule: "Third-Lowest Bid Wins."

"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!"

People were howling in disbelief.

This auction was a circus. These rules—so bizarre, so random—were straight-up psychological warfare.

But as soon as they realized Anastasia had won again, the crowd fell silent.

Twice in a row? Both under rare rules?

People began exchanging glances. Suspicion was growing. Some even muttered under their breath:

"Is she… a plant? Is this whole thing rigged?"

Was this auction just a publicity stunt? Would the items return to the auction house anyway?

Anastasia was on the verge of breakdown.

How could this happen again?!

She had come to finally rid herself of the humiliating nickname "The Walking Wallet"—yet fate seemed to be mocking her.

"Third item, up next!" Sherlock's voice rang out once more.

He opened the third box.

Inside were three Ghostleaf Blossoms, shimmering faintly with arcane brilliance. The entire room held its breath.

"50,000 advanced mana crystals!"

"130,000!"

Excitement returned in full force. Learning from the first two rounds, bidders had wised up. No more lowball offers—they were playing to win.

They tried to guess the rule based on the sequence, but no one dared risk bidding too hastily. The stakes were too high.

"500,000 advanced mana crystals!"

Anastasia clenched her fists and shouted her bid.

She couldn't afford to falter now. If she hesitated again, the label "eternal sucker" would cling to her for life.

As soon as she called out her price, the auction hall went dead silent.

People exchanged suspicious looks. Whispers spread.

"She was the thirteenth to bid, right?" someone muttered. "What if the rule is… the thirteenth bid wins?"

The logic seemed sound. Just in case, nobody dared to bid again.

Anastasia scanned the room nervously.

Why did everyone stop bidding?

The eerie quiet made her even more anxious than the bidding war itself.

"Since there are no more offers, let's reveal the rule!" Sherlock lifted the box.

"Highest Bid Wins."

"WHAT IS THIS PLACE?!"

"This auction's cursed!"

"Not only are the rules insane—it's playing mind games with us!"

Outrage swept through the room.

So many had overthought themselves into inaction, missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime treasure due to their own hesitation.

Sherlock stared at Anastasia, admiration in his eyes.

"His Highness Velen truly planned this flawlessly. A bit of sleight of hand, no losses, and the auction's reputation skyrockets. Brilliant!"

Anastasia wanted to punch a wall.

Why did I come to this freak show?!

No matter how hard she tried to break free, she always ended up trapped in Velen's shadow.

"Fourth item!" Sherlock announced.

As he opened the box, a sweet aroma filled the air.

Three glowing Fruits of the Saintess lay nestled inside.

But this time, no one moved.

It was as if someone had cast a mass immobilization spell—no one dared be the first to speak.

Anastasia felt utterly torn.

She had planned to redeem herself. But now, after three consecutive "wins," she didn't know what to believe.

If she bid, would she fall into another trap? If she didn't, would she regret it?

If she could go back in time, she'd slap her past self for even coming today.

"If no one bids soon, this item will be withdrawn!" Sherlock called out, feigning urgency.

"Fine! 10,000 advanced mana crystals!" someone finally shouted, breaking the stalemate.

The room snapped out of its trance. A flood of offers followed.

Gritting her teeth, Anastasia joined in.

To hell with it. Let fate decide.

Later that afternoon…

A knock sounded at the door of the guest room.

Velen, lazily rubbing his eyes from a nap, yawned. "It's open. Come in."

"Ah… that nap hit the spot. I wonder if the auction's done by now. Hope Sherlock didn't disappoint," he murmured to himself, still drowsy.

The door creaked open.

Sherlock stepped in, beaming with pride.

Anastasia followed behind… wearing the most miserable expression imaginable.

Their contrasting moods couldn't have been more obvious.

"I won all five auctions," Anastasia grumbled. "Five items. Five rules. All mine. Am I cursed to be a sucker forever?"

She sighed with the heaviness of someone who had just lost a battle against the universe itself.

If Velen finds out… what kind of face will he make?

She could only laugh bitterly at her own misfortune.

She hadn't expected fate to play such a cruel joke.

Sherlock, meanwhile, was practically glowing.

"Your Highness Velen! That auction was perfect! Everything unfolded exactly as you predicted—without a single hitch!"

Velen blinked.

"…Huh? What do you mean exactly as I predicted?"

He suddenly felt a sense of unease creeping in.

Wait… what?

He had no idea what Sherlock was talking about. What "prediction"?

Sherlock, confused by Velen's reaction, blinked back.

"…Didn't you and the Lady coordinate beforehand?"

"I thought it was all planned—that she'd win everything to hype up the auction…" free𝑤ebnovel.com