abnormal mutation

Chapter 106 +1000, +1000...

The advantage of official trade fairs is that the quality of exceptional items is guaranteed, there is no risk of being scammed, and you don't have to worry about your personal safety.

The downsides are equally prominent: participants can hide their identities from others, but cannot hide them from the authorities; dark forces or wanted criminals cannot participate.

The vast majority of these trade fairs are unofficial, with irregular schedules and bizarre formats, much like adult websites in my past life, where the location, time, and passwords change frequently.

Regardless of the type of trade fair, the rules are largely the same. Sellers typically make requests and barter, usually in private, small booths. Sellers seeking money generally use open bidding, as this yields higher profits.

Those who don't want money and don't have a specific need can sell their items publicly. This doesn't solely depend on value; sellers can trade with whoever is interested in their item.

There's a private exchange session at the end, where the organizers provide a secluded location but don't guarantee the content of the transaction. This is often used for items or information that can't be brought to light.

"Thank you for clarifying things." Roland nodded slightly. "Open bidding is indeed more suitable."

“In that case, we’ll keep the items. If there are no problems, just sign the contract.” Chris handed Roland a few thick pages.

"A contract?" Roland reached out and took it. It was a standard contract, printed in print, with only three items' information handwritten by Chris. It was stamped with the Chamber of Commerce's seal.

“Now everyone calls it a contract; the word ‘agreement’ is slowly being replaced,” Chris said.

"Hmm." Roland carefully reviewed the contract and signed his name only after confirming that there were no problems.

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you. Roland, you can go upstairs to the private room to rest. There are some snacks and tea. Or you can wait until seven o’clock to enter together.” Chris’s face lit up with a smile.

He had a premonition that this trade fair was just the beginning, and the Chamber of Commerce's influence would definitely grow. Roland was one of their own; he certainly wouldn't let outsiders benefit from good stuff he had.

"Let's go to a private room and wait there." Roland saw that it was getting late and didn't want to go out.

The main problem is that he's always worried about having over 20,000 yuan sitting there; he'd rather wait until he gets the money before spending it.

The group followed the waiter to a private room upstairs. A window on one side faced the square. The girl dancing under the statue was gone, and only a clown was selling colorful balls on a unicycle, surrounded by many children, whose laughter could be heard from time to time.

Roland loved the scene; it made him feel the wonder and beauty of the world.

He pulled up a chair, sat by the window, and ate some snacks that smelled of wine.

"Have something to eat; dinner will probably have to be delayed."

"Oh, okay." Leongard smiled and sat down to the side, looking somewhat reserved.

…………

As the last rays of the setting sun fell on Roland's trench coat, there was a knock on the door of the private room.

Aileya quickly put down the plate on her lap, casually shook the pastry crumbs off herself into the nearby trash can, and then got up to open the door.

"Mr. Otto, the trade fair is about to begin. Please follow me inside." The young waiter smiled, but his eyes twitched involuntarily when he glanced at the four nearly empty plates of pastries.

"Let's go," Roland said calmly.

After going downstairs, you walk through a corridor filled with oil paintings and arrive at the entrance of the trade fair.

The waiter pushed open the heavy bronze door, gesturing for Roland and his companions to go in themselves, as ordinary people would not be present at the trade fair.

Aurelia went first, followed closely by Roland.

What comes into view is a spacious hall with chairs and small square tables, and each chair is more than a meter apart.

Directly opposite the main entrance was a raised platform with a long white table on it. On each side of the wall were rows of forty wooden doors, presumably for small huts used for private transactions.

The hall could seat at least a hundred people, but it was actually quite deserted; only about twenty or thirty people showed up.

Roland had never seen so many extraordinary beings before. He knew that rashly unleashing his spiritual power to investigate would provoke hostility, so he restrained his spiritual power and took a seat in the third row. There were no fixed seats here; you could sit however you wanted.

"Roland, we meet again."

He had just sat down when a familiar voice rang in his ear. A head popped out from the back of the front row chair, red hair and red eyes.

“Percy,” Roland said, somewhat surprised, “Didn’t you go home?”

"I heard there's a trade fair here, so I came to check it out, hehe..." Percy got up and sat down in front of Roland, seemingly unsurprised by his presence. Where was this place? This was the headquarters of the Northern Union Merchant Guild. As Roland's security advisor, it would be even stranger if he didn't come here in times of danger.

"Good evening, Mr. Roland." Annabeth had burgundy wavy hair, wore a black dress, and had an exquisite face, as if she were attending a banquet.

"Good evening, Annabeth." Roland found it strange, but didn't press the matter.

"Who are these three?" Annabeth asked, but her eyes remained fixed on Aurelia and Mandy.

"This is Leongard, and these are Areya and Mandy..." Roland introduced them briefly.

Annabeth greeted them with a smile, but there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes; she was more interested in knowing the relationship between the two ladies and Roland.

Aurelia and Mandy exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions amused.

"It looks like it's about to start." Roland's attention was focused on the trade fair.

At this moment, the door was closed, and Chris and Edwin appeared at the same time. Chris stood on the platform, accompanied by two extraordinary guards.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please return to your seats. The trade fair will begin shortly." Chris bowed slightly, a reserved smile on his face.

The Percy siblings had no choice but to return to their seats, and the room quickly quieted down.

"Welcome everyone. Today we have thirty-four distinguished gentlemen and ladies present, and twenty-three items for trade. We hope that all of you will achieve your goals..."

"Before we go, please allow me to reiterate the rules of the trade fair. First, the use of any form of extraordinary ability is prohibited. Second, intimidation or threats using words or one's identity are strictly forbidden..."

Roland already knew these rules, and he quietly shifted his gaze, observing the extraordinary individuals around him.

The people were seated rather far apart, dressed in various ways, and most of them showed their true faces, except for a few who wore black cloaks and whose faces could not be seen.

Roland was a newcomer and didn't know anyone, but he could tell from the seating arrangements and the eyes of these extraordinary individuals that many of them were acquaintances. Percy and he, being unfamiliar faces, actually attracted some attention.

"...Let's present the first item: a Sequence 9 knowledge of the Gunslinger Path, including potion recipes, advancement rituals..." Chris's voice was steady and clear.

"Authenticated as genuine, open bidding, starting price 1000 German dollars, each bid increment no less than 10 German dollars, interested parties please place your bid."

"1100 German dollars."

"..."

The Gunner path is a newly emerging extraordinary path, focusing on firearms combat. The earlier the stage, the stronger the combat power, but it is too specialized, and the survival ability is poor after entering the spirit world.

Roland stroked his chin, showing no intention of making a bid. He suddenly realized that the Chamber of Commerce was responsible for appraisals and didn't charge any fees, so they must have a bunch of extraordinary resources at their disposal. If he wanted to buy something, there was no need to do so at the trade fair.

Moreover, knowledge can be copied, and unless it is done through clandestine means, knowledge at the low-sequence stage should be very cheap.

As he expected, the bidding almost stalled after exceeding 1300, and finally settled at 1380 German dollars.

The following items were mainly extraordinary means, potion recipes, and extraordinary materials. Roland had no need for these items, so he could only observe and learn from them.

In private transactions, the seller's identity will be revealed, and the transaction will take place in a nearby hut while others rest. Public bidding is relatively simple; the seller doesn't need to say a word and can just wait to receive the money.

The atmosphere at the trade fair was not particularly lively, with several items going unsold.

Roland was lucky; the "Hidden Veil" was bought by a cloaked man for 3300 German dollars, which was higher than he had expected.

"The next item comes from the Spirit Realm: a Blood Crystal Flying Scorpion Nest. It is of excellent quality and can be used to concoct various magical potions and auxiliary elixirs. It is mild in nature, and even direct consumption can have a soul-nourishing effect..."

Roland's spirits lifted; the trade fair was halfway over, and it was finally his turn to buy his items.

"Each lot consists of 10 schöcklers, open bidding, cut on-site, only ten rounds of bidding, starting price 800 dGerman dollars per lot..."

"1000!"

"1200!"

After a brief silence, the atmosphere in the room instantly became lively.

(End of this chapter)