Assassin at Range: The Sniper’s Lethal Power

To ensure that tomorrow's auction would be lively, Tristan contacted several guild leaders for final confirmation. These were all well-known large guilds, whose leaders had already set plans to arrive in Davi City for the event, all coming with the goal of bidding for the Guild Token.

Just like DarkSaber, in addition to contacting ShieldBreaker, they also attempted to organize teams to farm bosses for the Guild Token, but none had succeeded. The drop rate for the item was appallingly low.

Once Tristan made his intentions clear, all of the guild leaders pledged their attendance, even if it meant just observing. They knew they couldn't afford the Guild Token, but they hoped to form a connection with Blackshade and perhaps catch a glimpse of an opportunity to secure one at a lower price.

But now, they had new goals.

With the Guild Token out of reach, they could still aim for the equipment. After all, top-tier gear was valuable too. And with such powerful items in hand, wouldn't it be easier to farm for the Guild Token later?

A few guild leaders who initially weren't planning on attending changed their minds after hearing about Blackshade's high-tier items.

The rumor that Blackshade was auctioning not just Dark Gold Grade but also Gold Grade and even some Gold Grade skill books left many players in awe. Some of them had never seen so many quality items gathered in one place. The excitement grew. The auction wasn't just about the Guild Token—it was a chance to get top-tier equipment, and maybe even some rare skill books.

One of the key topics among players was the two Bloodline Factor items Blackshade was offering. They were unfamiliar with this term, but its effects were powerful. Could a regular player gain a boost in attributes comparable to a hidden-class player through these items? The thought was tempting, as most players cared more about power than aesthetics.

Even DarkSaber heard the news. Despite their rivalry, he couldn't help but feel intrigued. He sent word through a guild leader who was on good terms with him, trying to gauge whether he could attend the auction.

Tristan's response was simple: as long as they were sincere in their intent to bid, any guild could attend. However, to prevent disruptions, attendees had to prove they could afford to bid before entering.

DarkSaber, hearing this, sighed in relief but also felt a bit embarrassed. Despite all his hostility towards Blackshade, they were still welcoming him to the auction. Maybe, he thought, he should swallow his pride and make amends.

"Forget it. I'll figure it out after the auction," DarkSaber thought.

As the sun rose over Davi City, players began gathering in large numbers. There were greetings exchanged among familiar faces, with many discussing the upcoming auction. Blackshade's first-ever player-run auction was generating significant buzz, with the Guild Token and top-tier equipment promising an exciting event.

Unfortunately, not all players could get in to watch, as entry was limited. However, some guilds had announced they would live-stream the event, even though it wouldn't be in real-time. This was enough to keep many players satisfied.

On Violet Street, the crowds were thick with at least a few hundred players, and the numbers were growing. Major guilds like IFA, Shadow Legion, Hall of Fame, Stars, and AoShi were all represented. The guild leaders exchanged pleasantries, each trying to gauge how much the others were willing to bid for the Guild Token.

Then, a stir spread through the crowd.

"Drake's here!"

"Drake! I heard you raised three billion overnight to bid for the Guild Token—is that true?"

"Drake, after the battle between IFA and Shadow Legion in Sonar City, do you have anything to say?"

"I heard you and Blackshade are on good terms. Are you friends in real life?"

A crowd of players surrounded Drake, hurling questions at him from all sides. He remained calm, accustomed to this level of attention, but couldn't deny the thrill. After all, what was the point of playing a game if you weren't going to get famous and show off?

Clearing his throat, Drake spoke up. "I'll keep my answers brief since the details are confidential to the guild, but I will say this: I'm definitely going after that Guild Token!"

Tristan had already hinted to Drake that he didn't need to spend everything he had on the Guild Token, but for the public's sake, Drake had to make this declaration.

Sure enough, the crowd erupted in excitement. Many guild leaders exchanged looks, their expressions mixed. If IFA was going all in for the Guild Token, this wasn't good news for the other guilds. IFA's financial power was hard to match. Drake himself came from a wealthy family, and his investments in the gaming industry had paid off. His financial backing was solid.

But not everyone was on board.

A group of players, about a dozen of them, stepped forward. The leader of the group, wearing a defiant expression, addressed Drake. "IFA wants the Guild Token? Have you consulted Shadow Legion?"

It was DarkSaber.

Naturally, he wasn't about to let Drake steal the spotlight. He immediately jumped in to challenge Drake's declaration.

Drake, unfazed, smiled and responded, "How's your gear looking, One Blade?"

He then casually removed a Gold Grade shield from his back. "This shield is great by the way."

DarkSaber's expression darkened in anger. That shield was his!

He had equipped his own shield as a strategic move, but now Drake was making it look like he'd taken it. That wasn't just low—it was downright dishonest!

Just as it seemed like a confrontation was about to break out, a figure appeared between them, stepping into the center.

"Gentlemen, it's a fine day. Why not keep things peaceful and make some money instead of fighting?"@@novelbin@@

"Blackshade!" Drake exclaimed, surprised but relieved to see his ally.

DarkSaber, on the other hand, scowled but still gave a polite nod.

Tristan wasn't fazed by DarkSaber's attitude. He didn't care as long as DarkSaber showed up to the auction—that was half the battle won.

The crowd, however, was disappointed. Seeing Blackshade appear meant that the drama might be over.

As Tristan walked into the center of the gathering, several Davi City guards appeared from the distance, surrounding the shop and cutting off any escape routes.

"Blackshade, you've offended Davi City, haven't you? I heard that your shop might be getting sealed right after opening?" DarkSaber laughed.

Players were confused, wondering what was happening.

"Who said anything about sealing the shop?" A voice came from among the guards, slightly annoyed.

Horreo, dressed in armor, stepped forward and walked right up to Tristan. Smiling, he said, "My lord, I hope I'm not late."