Okumura Syndicate

Chapter 90: Bidding away your life

The auction room stood tall, flashier and more well decorated than last night. Vox was standing at the front with an item Aster had seen before, the book from the dresser. The black haired boy remained tense, he couldn't let anyone else see him like this. Craaq pulled on his arm, "Aster, are you okay? We could bid for this thing if you want.", he reassured. "Yes, let's do it!", replied Aster.

To Aster's right was Catoria, "Be careful intruder, the highest valued items are the least expected.", she mumbled to him. Vox was finally about to speak, "Bidding starts at 10,000 schurrs.", he announced. Aster was speechless, trying to hold in his frustration, "Let's see what the other syndicates bid first.", he thought. Before long, someone from the Renegard syndicate raised their hand, "12,000 schuurs!", they shouted out.

Craaq whispered in Aster's ear, "Aster, bid 4000 schurrs above the previous bid.". Aster was confident in Craaq's experience, so put up his hand, "16,000 schurrs!", he desperately yelled. Rou and Fleur noticed his desperation from behind him and checked on Aster with concern. "Aster, are you okay?", asked Rou. "Do you want that book that bad?", added Fleur. "I-I have to win...", he blurted out, huffing and puffing with each word.

After another few seconds , someone from the Summerset syndicate raised their hand, "24,000 schurrs!", they yelled, "Holy crap, look at all these numbers!", thought Aster. He had to go bigger. "I'm gonna bid double that amount.", he relayed to Craaq. "Not quite yet.", replied the anthro bunny. He put his hand up and bid, "36,000 schurrs!".

Rou and Fleur were sweating from behind, "That's half my salary...", whispered Fleur. "Mine too.", Rou whispered back. With their soldiers determined to win, they sat back and watched as their funds ran dry. Another bidder from the Renegard syndicate raised their hand, "50,000 schurrs!" Catoria looked shocked, "Just like that?", she mumbled to herself. "Bid way over there!", yelled Aster. There was a bit of a lag before they could see what Aster was doing, it wasn't much to be impressed by.

"What the hell are you doing bidding five times the original price?! That's way out of line!", Aster continued to shout. Edward could see him from the back row and rolled his eyes at the stupidity of the soldier, "Pathetic intruder.", he thought. Much to the boss's dismay, Aster still had more to say. "If you're going to play dirty like that, I'm bidding 100,000 schurrs!". Rou felt very embarrassed, "I didn't teach him any of this...", he mumbled to Fleur. "I believe you, just be quiet.", she replied with a glare.

The room was silent, after 20 seconds, Vox had to make an announcement. "Is everyone settled on 100,000 schurrs?". He repeated himself, "Anyone?". Everyone was too shocked to bid. "I suppose you give me no choice, going once, going twice, sold to the Okumura syndicate!". The syndicate all cheered and cheered, thankful that Aster was able to save them from losing half a year's pay, and even more grateful that he had doubled the price and actually outbid the Renegard syndicate.

"I need to look at the item...", begged Aster. Rou nodded, "You were the one who won it. Go ahead, you're dismissed.". Aster looked around, "It's a pity Demitris isn't here to see this amazing bidding.", he smirked. Suddenly his cocky attitude turned to wonder, "By the way, shouldn't he have shown up yet?", he questioned his capo.

"Oh, I got a message from the higher ups. He's fallen ill on his way to the tavern and he's in his dorm. Afraid he'll miss both today and tomorrow.", informed Rou. "Well that's disappointing...", Aster remarked before leaving the main hall. Little did Aster know, Demitris wasn't ill at all. In the weapons room, he was under questioning from Lin, who had much to find out about the syndicate, particularly his younger brother.

The second day of the auction was going to end on the bidding's close, Aster decided that the time for fun was over. With the book in his hand, he was going to find out what really happened to him. Some sort of agreement? A ploy to kill him indirectly? He just had to read and find out, he needed no interference, because in order to figure out the future, he had to deduce the past.