System Awakening Era: I Have 10x Skill Effects-Chapter 30: Auction In Equipment Store

Aamon got on his motorcycle and sped down the intercity road, planning to enter the city ahead.

In the past, he had always been in Chicago, then joined the Red Armor Knights Faction to New York. As far as he remembered, that faction was the first to recruit members based on class.

Now, he had left Chicago and headed to Indianapolis. Aamon did not want to stay stuck in Chicago. His abilities would not improve there.

He scanned his surroundings, observing buildings and structures in the city that were being repaired. Not all of them, just a few.

As he entered the city, Aamon narrowed his eyes and began pulling the brake. His motorcycle came to a stop right in front of a checkpoint gate set up by the Army.

"Stop. Who are you? What’s your purpose here?" a soldier asked, wearing a black bulletproof vest and holding an M4 rifle with both hands.

Aamon took out his elite member identification token and handed it over. The man knew how to use it. He activated the item and checked Aamon’s status.

"He’s one of us," the man said, handing the token back.

He turned and called out, "Open the gate."

The checkpoint gate opened. Aamon put his token away and rode off, leaving the place behind.

As soon as he passed through, the gate closed again and the soldiers returned to their posts.

Aamon continued down the main road. The city was not as crowded as Indianapolis before the Planetary Trial, but it was clearly busier than Chicago now.

People moved along the sidewalks, and shops were open. Most of them were trading items, either obtained from killing monsters or bought from other survivors.

Although many wore normal clothes, some wore faction uniforms in red, blue, and purple.

I don’t know their levels, but they’re definitely higher than the people in Chicago.

Aamon kept riding until he stopped in front of a shop crowded with survivors. It was not a food shop, but an item shop.

Are there no merchants in this city, so survivors choose to run item shops themselves?

"Come on! The highest bid is 200 coins for this sword!" the shop owner announced. It was clear the shop was holding an auction.

Several survivors raised their hands, offering higher bids. A bidding war began. None of them wanted to miss the chance to get a good sword.

"The highest bid is now 280 coins. Anyone going higher?" the man asked.

Aamon summoned his sword and tapped it twice, displaying its status.

[Weapon Status]

[Name: Iron Essence Sword]

[Type: Weapon – Sword]

[Grade: Medium]

[Durability: 170/300]

I can still use it a few more times. But as durability drops, the damage decreases.

Sooner or later, Aamon would have to find a blacksmith. Only a blacksmith could restore durability and enhance the weapon’s damage.

I have a Flame Stone and a Red Sapphire. Perfect for adding a fire element to this sword.

Lucky me, this sword has no affinity. That helps.

"I bid 400 coins."

Everyone was shocked. Their attention shifted as a woman in a blue uniform raised her hand, offering a price none of them could match.

"400 coins?"

"That’s Lady Mira, Vice Leader of the Rain Sword Faction!"

"Terrifying. We can’t compete with her."

The shop owner was stunned at first, then continued. "400 coins from Lady Mira. Anyone else?"

Aamon turned. The woman was nearby. Not too close, but close enough for him to see her clearly.

Beautiful face, blue eyes, long smooth black hair. She was not alone. Three men in the same uniform stood behind her.

"I’ll count down. Three, two..."

"450 coins," Aamon said, raising his hand.

All eyes turned to him. A clear challenger to Lady Mira. Mira looked surprised and immediately stared sharply at Aamon.

"500 coins," Mira said.

"600 coins," Aamon replied.

"750!"

"850!"

"You?!" Mira shouted.

Aamon remained unfazed. He glanced to the side, noticing clearly that Mira did not like him interfering.

She quickly stepped closer and stood beside him. "That sword... is mine!"

Aamon turned and gave a faint smile. "Then you’ll have to fight hard for it."

"900!" Aamon said firmly.

Mira clenched her fist, then shouted loudly, drawing everyone’s attention.

"1000!"

"1000 coins! My item has reached 1000 coins. Incredible!" the shop owner said. Everyone was amazed at the bidding war between Aamon and Lady Mira.

"And you?"

Aamon shook his head. He could not buy a sword at that price. It was not worth it.

The auction victory went entirely to Lady Mira. Her guards brought her the sword, and she completed the purchase.

"What’s your name?" Mira asked.

"Aamon."

"Why did you stop, Aamon?"

Aamon glanced at the sword she had won. From it, he could clearly feel a water element. The blade was blue, and the hilt looked elegant.

"Your sword has a water element. It doesn’t match what I want," Aamon replied.

"Then why did you bid?"

"I just wanted to see how rich you are," Aamon said.

"You... were playing with me?"

Aamon shook his head. If Mira had not gone up to 1000 coins, he might have ended up buying the sword and losing out. But she kept raising the price.

That alone proved her capability. Low-level survivors would struggle to spend 1000 coins, but not her.

There was a chance Mira was at the same level as Aamon, or even higher.

"Of course not. I would’ve taken the sword if you didn’t outbid me. How is that playing with you?"

"Watch your mouth, Aamon! Do you even know who you’re talking to?" one of her guards snapped.

"Yeah. Someone with resources, guarded by three people. You must be important in your faction, right?" Aamon replied.

Mira fell silent for a moment, studying him closely. She put away her water-element sword and crossed her arms.

"You’re different from other survivors I’ve met," Mira said. "Want to spar?"

Aamon glanced around. People were watching him, waiting for his answer.

"About that... I’ll—"

His words were cut off as a siren echoed throughout the city. The sound came from the Army headquarters.

Aamon did not know what it meant, but those who had lived in Indianapolis for a long time understood immediately.

[Attention!]

[Level 1 monster wave attacking from the west. Repeat! Level 1 monster wave attacking from the west.]

[All survivors willing to assist, gather at the west gate checkpoint.]

Lady Mira and her three guards immediately left the place. Aamon remained standing in front of the item shop.

"Can they handle it?" Aamon asked the shop owner.

"We’re used to this," the man replied. "You’re still young. Go and help them."