The Genesis Of A Necromancer - Chapter 87

Chapter 87: the mana dew potion.
Jack’s eyes stayed fixed on the shimmering surface of the Never Map as it rested on the elevated platform.

The artifact seemed alive, its fluid etchings shifting with a hypnotic rhythm. He had known the map would be here. It was, in fact, the very reason he had come to the auction in the first place.

The significance of this moment wasn’t lost on him, though he reminded himself of one crucial fact: the Chapters of Time couldn’t possibly appear at an event like this.

‘If it did, there wouldn’t be bids—there would be war,’ Jack mused.

The thought played out vividly in his mind: hordes of powerful beings clashing in a violent frenzy for control of the artifact.

‘We wouldn’t stand a chance.’

He sighed, leaning back slightly, though his gaze never wavered from the stage.

‘But who would even want to sell something as priceless as the Chapters? It’d depend on the conditions…’

The chaotic bidding surrounding the Never Map grew increasingly frenzied. Jack closed his eyes briefly, letting the noise wash over him while he gathered his thoughts.

He needed clarity.

‘In the future, I won’t have much support. I’ll need funds from the sale of the Divine Sword to stay afloat. But this map…’ His gaze flickered toward the artifact again, determination solidifying.

‘We definitely need it.’

Jack’s strategy was clear: observe, wait, and strike when the time was right. He let the bids climb higher, each shout a barometer for how much the others valued the map. Hesitation tempered his resolve, though, stemming from one undeniable truth.

‘The map requires a ridiculous amount of mana to function. If I burn through my moonlight stones to acquire it, how much more will I need to actually use it?’

The enormity of the decision weighed heavily.

Jack had initially dived into the pursuit of the Chapters of Time with an almost reckless abandon, but now, the reality of the journey loomed large.

He had to think not only about acquiring the map but also about the costs that lay ahead—especially since his self-imposed exile from royalty meant he would soon lose access to the vast resources he had once taken for granted.

‘But in the grand scheme, the money won’t matter soon enough.’ The thought crystallized, calming his turmoil. Jack’s decision was made.

The hall’s rowdiness began to subside as the bidding war narrowed to two competitors.

Jack’s sharp eyes caught the subtle interplay between the two: Alorinel, the youthful heir to a noble house, and Herald, the stoic figure whose calm demeanor exuded quiet menace.

“Five million moonlight stones,” Herald declared, his voice steady, his expression unreadable.

“Five point five—” Alorinel’s words faltered as his guard leaned in, to whisper something.

Jack couldn’t hear the exchange, but he didn’t need to; Alorinel’s expression told the story. The young demon’s lips pressed into a tight line, his confidence wavering.

“Young Master,” the guard murmured, just loud enough for Alorinel alone to hear, “do not exceed your monthly allowance. The Lord won’t grant you leniency if you overspend again. You still need resources to train, and if you fail this time, he may disown you.”

The quiet reminder was enough to still Alorinel.

His shoulders slumped, and he sank back into his chair, conceding defeat without another word.

The auctioneer, sensing the lull, prepared to close the bid.

“Any other offers? The Never Map is going for—one, two—”

“Ten million moonlight stones,” Jack’s voice rang out, cutting through the tense silence like a blade.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by murmurs of disbelief.

All eyes turned to him, the unassuming bidder in the VIP section. It wasn’t just the amount that stunned them; it was the audacity of a young demon throwing such an exorbitant sum at an artifact riddled with flaws.

Jack met their stares with calm indifference.

The flaws of the Never Map were no secret—it was notoriously fickle, often leading its user to random locations.

Its hunger for moonlight stones was insatiable, draining resources faster than most could replenish them. But Jack wasn’t swayed by the whispers of doubt.

Herald’s gaze locked on Jack, his calm exterior cracking ever so slightly. Jack could feel the weight of the man’s scrutiny, the unspoken promise of consequences.

‘I’ve waited years for this map to reappear,’ Herald thought, his jaw tightening.

‘I can’t waste everything on the first item. But if it slips out of my grasp… there are other ways to acquire it.’

The auctioneer, visibly startled by the sudden escalation, quickly recovered.

“Sold! The Never Map goes to the young bidder for ten million moonlight stones!”

He didn’t bother with the customary second count; it was clear no one else intended to challenge Jack. As the artifact was carried away, Jack leaned back, satisfied but aware of the storm brewing in the room.

The next item was wheeled out with less fanfare, the cart uncovered to reveal its contents: three crystalline vials glowing faintly with an almost divine radiance. The hall buzzed with renewed excitement, whispers spreading like wildfire.

“The Mana Dew Potions,” Alisha and Nephris breathed in unison, their awe palpable.

Even the composed Gale arched an eyebrow. “Now, this is a surprise.”

Jack remained still, his eyes narrowing as his system interface provided the details:

[Mana Dew Potion]

[Refined essence of pure mana. Grants power comparable to that of a god, though only for a fleeting moment. A rarity across all realms, its potency is legendary.]

‘So, this is what’s stirred them up,’ Jack thought, intrigued. The potion’s reputation was legendary, tied to tales of great battles and impossible victories. It was said that Haraus, the famed demon king, had used these very potions to defeat the Dragon King in an ancient conflict.

“This is a riot waiting to happen,” Jack muttered under his breath, watching the crowd’s growing frenzy.

Gale’s voice was calm, almost nostalgic.

“I haven’t seen these in centuries. Back in my time, wars were fought over fewer vials than those. To see them here… interesting.”

Jack glanced at him, his own resolve hardening.

‘If what Gale says is true, these potions could shift the balance in ways I can’t even predict. I can’t afford to let them slip through my fingers.’

The auctioneer stepped forward, his grin wide.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the Mana Dew Potions! We’ll start the bidding at ten million moonlight stones.”

A collective intake of breath filled the room before the chaos erupted anew.

Jack’s jaw tightened as he prepared to wade into the fray once more.