Let's be a smart consumer for once

"The bidding starts from $500!"

As soon as Hancock rang a bell, signaling the start of the auction, several calls came from every direction.

The screen showed every raises other contestants called out.

"...fuck."

Unfortunately for you, your expendable amount wasn't that high.

You currently had $680 to your account, but there was also $1,000 deadline approaching in a few weeks or so.

Considering your incomes, the most you could afford here was a $300—that meant there was no chance for you to win here.

"Hmph..."

But that wasn't the only thing that got on your mind.

As you watched more closely at Chun-Li, you couldn't help but feel like she looked very familiar to Lucius's Chun-Li.

Of course, every Character was identical to each other unless their owners modified them significantly.

However, the more you looked at it... the more it felt like this was the very same Character.

"3! 2! 1!

...and Chun-Li is sold to sir No.3 under $2,600!

Congratulations, sir No.3!"

"Mmmph!"

A fanfare appeared on stage as Hancock tagged the cag with a golden '3' written on it.

Then, the cage holding Chun-Li disappeared into the stage.

"Don't worry, because this is just getting started!

Our second Character for tonight is..."

With a dramatic drumroll, a smiliar looking cage arose from the stage.

"...Toga Himiko from My Hero Academia!

The bidding starts from $200!"

This time, as soon as the bell chimmed, you stepped in.

[No.17 has raised to $250!]

However, not even a second later, another message popped up, overlaying your message.

[No.11 has raised to $400!]

[No.9 has raised to $500!]

You sat back on your chair with a sigh.

It seemed that out of every contestants here, you were the one with the tightest budget.

It would be lucky to get one Character, if anyone at all in this auction...which meant you had to play your card carefully.

'If this allocation is supposed to be a preliminary event, it's most likely that only a select few would get invited to the actual auction...'

If that was the case, it was also likely that whoever made the purchase in the allocation would get invited to the auction.

Normally, that would mean you have at least some amount of money to overrule others.

But since that wasn't possible, you needed to be smart.

So... you waited.

Luckily for you, the auction went surprisingly fast.

The second, third and fourth Characters were wisked away by different numbered patrons in a blink of an eye.

"And Boa Hancock is sold to sir No.5 under $3,100!

Congratulations, sir No.5!"

You watched as Hancock tag another version of herself in a cage.

It was more ironic the more you thought about it, considering her history and what not, but you couldn't dwell on that for too long.

Because the next Character showcase took you by surprise.

It was a metal box.

There were no bars or windows lettinf you see what Character was inside.

Even Hancock, who had been bubbly and cheerful this whole event, put on a serious expression as she stepped up.

"Before I introduce the 5th Character, we must warn ahead that this Character is label as a S-Class threat.

Although our Reality Chips are foolproof, be aware that a small slip up could be catastrophic, not only for its owner but to everyone around."

You raised an eyebrow.

The threat level of these Characters was something you didn't really give much thought about ever since winning Juri in the gatcha ticket.

You already knew that threat levels weren't only labeled by the Character's strength alone.

For example, Tsunade was labeled as a C-Class threat and Juri was labeled as B, but in their original universes, Tsunade was definitely stronger than Juri.

The more defining matter in threat level rankings was the Character's..."records" for a lack of a better word.

The Character 'Han Juri' had several instances of maiming her owner or causing a ruckus, meanwhile the Character 'Tsunade' had not caused have any serious in the past.

'So if a Character is an S-class threat...

It means that they have caused serious problems in the past.'

"Our fifth Character is...

Hancock pressed a button, letting the lid open to reveal the Character.

"...Makima, from Chainsaw Man!

The bidding starts from $0!"

You froze.

You didn't mishear Hancock. The bidding was starting from nothing.

You waited for a few more seconds.

Nobody else stepped in.

Obviously, nobody was willing to risk their life for a single Character...even if she was a very attractive one.

With a smirk, you pressed the button.

[No.17 has raised to $50!]

[No.3 has raised to $100!]

"...huh?"

[No.17 has raised to $150!]

[No.3 has raised to $200!]

"..."

You frowned.

Whoever this No.3 was, he seeemed to be intentionally upping your calls.

Since the minimum bid increment was $50, this was potentially the last chance you had to make a purchase.

"Well, if this is my last chance..."

[No.17 has raised to $300!]

You stared at the screen, hoping that No.3 would cut his loss and step down.

"3!

2!

1!

...and Makima is sold to sir No.17 under $300!"