After the auction was over, the auctioneer, Mr. Del, took him to their office. There, he was treated like a VIP guest.

While Neo sat on the velvet-cushioned sofa, the auctioneer brought his manager into the room.

The manager, a sharp-eyed man named Mr. Von, entered the room and nearly stumbled when he saw the dark, shimmering metal resting on the coffee table. He quickly realized he was in the presence of a true Beyonder.

​"Mr. Neo, it is an honor," Von said, his voice hushed with reverence. "Mr. Del has informed me of the... unique nature of your assets."

​Neo remained silent, reaching into his pocket. With a casual flick of his wrist, he produced a second bar of Dark Adamantite.

The two bars sat side-by-side, their combined weight totaling approximately 5 kg.

​The room fell silent. Mr. Von’s fingers flew across his tablet, calculating the current market fluctuations for A+ tier materials.

Given the purity and the rare opportunity to acquire such a quantity at once, the valuation skyrocketed far beyond the initial estimates.

Von’s voice became shaky,

​"Five kilograms of pure Dark Adamantite. The current market for strategic materials of this grade... we can offer you a total of 2.5 billion dollars."

​Neo gave a satisfied nod. It was just the price system has estimated.

But he need to know if he could push more.

"I need 3 Billion!" he said bluntly. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Hearing his demand, Mr. Del and Mr. Von looked hesitating.

"Sir, with all due respect, we have already offered you the generous amount. Still for a your sake, we are will to raise to 2.7 Billion. But this is as far we can go."

Neo stayed silent for 3 seconds, then nodded in agreement.

"Alright. Deduct the 300 million for the Spatial Ring from that total."

​"Of course, sir. Immediately," Von replied.

​Minutes later, Neo’s watch buzzed with a high-priority notification.

The total of 2.4 billion dollars had been successfully transferred into his account.

For Neo, this wasn’t just money. it was the fuel required for his next stage of Universal Synthesis and the expansion of his burgeoning empire.

​He stood up, tucked the newly acquired Spatial Ring into his pocket, and walked out of the office, leaving the two stunned executives staring at the dark metal that would soon become the centerpiece of their most prestigious auction in history.

He quickly transferred 500 million into the company account Rosella had set up. That would be enough to procure the first batch of materials.

Another 500 million was sent to the Ghost ship to buy the necessary materials to create the automated manufacturing machines. With that, everything was settled, and Neo could finally have some peace of mind.

​However, just then, someone blocked his path outside the auction street. It was the same couple who had been getting on his nerves, but someone else was now with them: the fiery, golden-haired girl, Zestia.

​It appeared she knew the couple well and had come to help them take revenge. However, upon seeing Neo, her eyes widened like saucers.

He was the same ruthless killer who had killed her teammates over a few slimes’ deaths. Her heart shook as she recalled the terrifying power he possessed.

​"Zestia, my dear niece, this is the person who cut your aunt’s hand off! Now, you cut his hand!" the man scowled, feeling great confidence in Zestia since she was also a Beyonder.

Zestia stood frozen, her face drained of color as her uncle’s demands echoed in the street. Slowly, she turned toward him, but instead of drawing a weapon, her expression twisted into one of pure fury.

​"Shut your mouth!" she hissed as her voice trembled with a mix of rage and genuine terror. "Do you have any idea who you are talking to? You nearly got us all killed with your arrogance!"

​She turned back to Neo, looking apologetic.

"I apologize deeply for their behavior. They are blind and foolish. Please... please do not hold their ignorance against my family."

​Her uncle and aunt stood frozen, their mouths agape. They couldn’t comprehend why Zestia, a daughter of a prestigious family and a powerful Beyonder, was groveling before a young man in casual clothes.

​"Zestia? What are you doing?" the aunt stammered, clutching her newly regrown arm. "He’s just a—"

​"Another word and I will disown you myself!" Zestia snapped back, silencing them instantly.

​She then took a hesitant step toward Neo, her eyes downcast.

"I also wanted to apologize for what happened on the Blue Slime planet. My teammates were... out of line. I understand now that we were never your equals."

She paused, biting her lip.

"May I at least know the name of the man who spared my life?"

​Neo looked at her with an unreadable expression.

Just as he had done before, he remained silent, unwilling to say word. On the contrary, he looked as if ready to leave.

​Zestia, realizing she was losing her chance, spoke up quickly:

"Wait! I know a secret location here on Earth where they trade high-grade energy stones specifically for Beyonders. You won’t find them in places like Delta Square, I swear."

​Neo stopped at once. The mention of energy stones was a direct hit to his current needs. After all, they were the fastest way to replenish and expand his Cosmic Force.

As such, he let out a soft, resigned sigh.

​"Neo," he answered simply.

​He didn’t provide a family name or any further details, as his trust in her was still non-existent. But the lead on the energy stones was too valuable to ignore.

Zestia smiled victoriously. Even without a surname, she had finally gained a foothold with the most dangerous guy she had ever met.

"So, when do you want to go Neo?" she asked as uf already familiar with the name.

​Neo’s brows furrowed. "Why do I have to go there with you? Just give me the location. I will reach there by myself."

​Hearing this, Zestia snorted. "Tsk, you think everything is so easy? You would need special access to get in. Not just anyone is allowed there."

​"How troublesome!" Neo said lightly. "Give me your contact ID; I will let you know when I am ready."

​Zestia flashed a smile that was somewhat dangerous, yet also alluring.

Whether her interest was purely genuine or a piece of careful cunning, only time would tell.