September 10th, the final day of the Youkexin City auction.
Good things are always saved for last, so this day saw the highest number of wealthy attendees. The auction hall was packed with millionaires, all carefully selecting their desired items.
As item after item was auctioned off, and the annual auction neared its end, the event reached its climax.
"3.5 billion!"
"3.6 billion!"
"3.7 billion!"
After a fierce bidding war, the final hammer fell.
"4 billion once, 4 billion twice! 4 billion three times! Sold! Congratulations to President Platus for winning the Star of Hope!"
The winner was a thin, monkey-like man. As he successfully claimed his prize, he flashed a smug grin, revealing a mouth full of gold teeth. Every one of his ten fingers was adorned with rings—he might as well have had "I'm filthy rich" written across his face.
"Is that all for this year's auction? I only spent some pocket change, and it's already over? How underwhelming," President Platus remarked.
A beautiful attendant carried down a fist-sized, dazzling blue gemstone, its radiance undeniable. The auction tag on the tray bore the buyer's name. After the auction ended, winners would head backstage for payment and collection.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please hold on! Up next is the grand finale of this auction!"
The host's words stirred a wave of excitement.
"The Star of Hope isn't the finale? That gemstone is already so valuable!"
"Is there something even better coming up?"
The millionaires who failed to win the Star of Hope perked up. They weren't short on money—they just saw no point in spending tens of billions on a mere gemstone.
"I thought the final item on the list was the Star of Hope."
"You really don't know? I heard before coming here—there are two very special items being auctioned today."
"You heard too? I held back on bidding just for this!"
Soon, a group of scantily clad attendants wheeled in a cart, draped in an exquisite red silk cloth.
"Some of you may already know," the host teased, raising his voice dramatically, "that in addition to the treasures listed in the auction catalog, two more items have been added."
His mysterious expression heightened the anticipation.
"They are treasures from a mysterious hidden realm!"
His words left the crowd breathless with curiosity.
"And now, allow me to unveil the mystery!"
Under the eager gazes of the attendees, the host pulled away the red cloth.
"A completely different kind of aircraft—not an airship, but a Hidden Realm Flying Device that can carry multiple people into the sky!"
A jet-propelled aircraft, vastly different from anything seen before, was revealed.
As the host demonstrated its functions, the more business-savvy attendees' eyes gleamed with recognition. They immediately grasped the commercial potential of this item.
If it were merely an aircraft, it would be rare but nothing more than a collector's piece.
But this thing—this could be replicated!
Currently, the transportation industry was monopolized by airship companies. They had no competitors. But this aircraft could break that monopoly entirely.
If they could study and mass-produce it... that would mean an endless stream of wealth!
But first, they had to win the bid.
Thus, the rich merchants went into a frenzy, rapidly driving up the price. The bidding skyrocketed past 10 billion in no time.
This was now a game for the wealthiest of the wealthy.
Even President Platus, who had been so arrogant moments ago, was stunned by the figures. Sure, he was rich, but this was on another level.
Yet, the bidding didn't stop. After a brief silence, it soared once more.
Almost every guest started making frantic phone calls.
Their goal was simple—gathering money.
Without sufficient funds, there was no chance of winning.
This was the Youkexin City auction, where cash upfront, goods in hand was the unbreakable rule set by the original Ten Elders. No one dared to play games here.
There were no installment plans or promises of payment later. The auction only recognized hard cash.
In the end, the jet aircraft was sold for a staggering 50 billion.
A few major business alliances had banded together to buy it.
Even in the history of the auction house, such an astronomical price was a rare occurrence.
Backstage, Kairal was utterly dumbfounded.
Even after the auction took its cut, his personal commission alone was nearly 10 billion.
And that was just for one item.
Kairal swallowed hard, his throat dry, his body feeling hot.
As for why the mafia didn't keep the aircraft to produce it themselves? If they were going to invest time and effort into manufacturing, they wouldn't be a mafia in the first place. They had no expertise in that field.
"Now, for the final auction item..."
"A miraculous capsule that can store items and shrink them down to pocket-size—the Miracle Capsule!"
The host's announcement sent the crowd into another frenzy.
"A Hidden Realm Flying Device and a Miracle Capsule—who comes up with these awful names?"
Yamcha muttered, unimpressed.
"Oh well, as long as they sell for good money."
The auction, which should have ended in the afternoon, stretched on into the night. The last two items caused such an uproar that the audience went completely wild.
They also set a new ten-year record for the highest auction prices ever seen.
After deducting taxes (because paying taxes is the duty of every citizen) and auction fees (because the auction house takes its cut), Yamcha still walked away with over 100 billion Jenny.
By selling just two relatively worthless items from the Dragon Ball world, Yamcha had become one of the wealthiest people in the Hunter x Hunter world.
Exclusivity is always the most profitable business.
Why didn't Yamcha sell more Miracle Capsules?
Because rarity makes something truly valuable. If he flooded the market, their worth would plummet.
Besides, time was on his side. If the opportunity arose, he could always sell more next year.
As for how that would affect those who bought them...
That wasn't his problem.
Didn't they know that first editions are always the most expensive?
The Night After the Auction
The next evening, in the same luxurious Mojito family hotel, inside Kairal's office.
"This is yours," Kairal said respectfully, handing Yamcha a black, gold-embossed card containing his auction earnings.
So much money. So much wealth. It would be a lie to say Kairal wasn't tempted.
But he never even considered robbing Yamcha. He wouldn't dare. With Yamcha's unpredictable abilities, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Yamcha glanced at the balance on the black card and flicked it lightly, letting out a sigh that would make anyone green with envy.
"Tsk. Having too much money is also a hassle."