Chapter 242: Seventh Item Half of his current net worth would vanish upon purchasing this single item, leaving him significantly less wealthy despite his recent business successes. The effects were undeniably powerful—random skill awakening, massive temporary attribute bonuses, and substantial permanent physical enhancements. ’I just earned all that money, and it’s already gone,’ Noah thought with internal anguish, feeling like he was watching his wealth evaporate. But despite the financial pain, he knew the value justified the investment. The smoothie’s effects could provide crucial advantages during the tournament and beyond. Lola sensed his obvious distress but couldn’t identify its source, prompting her to offer a teasing comment designed to lighten his mood. "You look like someone just told you that your favorite meal was banned forever," she said with playful concern. "What’s got you looking so tragic this morning?"​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Noah shrugged it off with nonchalance, not wanting to explain the complex economics or system behind the shop. "Just business considerations," he said dismissively. "Nothing worth dwelling on." Lola studied his expression for a moment longer before deciding not to push further. She had learned to respect his privacy about certain aspects of his mysterious operations, understanding that some secrets weren’t hers to uncover. Without further hesitation, Noah confirmed the purchase despite the astronomical cost. [$5,000,000 Deducted] [Item 7 gained: Luxury Fruit Smoothie] The smoothie materialized on his shelf with the same magic as every previous product introduction, its container radiating no energy that immediately drew attention. Sensing the arrival of a new product, Lola approached the display with her usual curiosity about Noah’s ever-expanding inventory. As her ruby eyes scanned the item’s effects, her expression transformed from interest to complete astonishment. Her hands actually trembled slightly as she processed the unprecedented capabilities described in the product information. "This is..." she struggled to find adequate words for what she was witnessing. "Noah, this item doesn’t just enhance abilities, it awakens new skills and provides attribute bonuses to two attributes. This is going to be one hell of an item to sell." The products kept getting progressively more powerful, each new addition challenging her understanding of what was possible through magical craftsmanship. The more she thought she understood about Noah’s mysterious sources, the more they shocked her with such profound products. She stared at the shopkeeper before her with growing appreciation for the magnitude of power he controlled, then said with a sudden smile. "We must—" "Do an auction," Noah finished simultaneously, a smirk on his face. Both of them burst into laughter at their perfect synchronization, recognizing that they’d developed an almost telepathic understanding of each other’s business instincts. "Great minds think alike," Lola said with obvious delight at their shared thinking. "Exactly," Noah agreed, his earlier financial distress forgotten in favor of excitement about the potential profits an auction could generate. "This item deserves special treatment given its effects." Noah turned toward Lola with instructions for implementing their spontaneous auction plan. "I need you to advertise it to both kingdoms," he said with growing enthusiasm. "Let them know about the luxury smoothie and that it will be sold through competitive bidding." Lola nodded with understanding, already formulating the safest approach for such marketing activities. "Without putting yourself in danger, of course," He clarified with wisdom. "Just casual announcements from outside the shop should be sufficient." His plan was logically sound—both kingdoms maintained constant surveillance of the neutral zone area, and their archmage-level practitioners would easily detect any announcements made within reasonable proximity to Noah’s establishment. "Perfect," Lola confirmed with satisfaction. "Their enhanced hearing and magical senses will pick up everything you say, ensuring both factions receive equal information about the auction opportunity." Noah said. The approach would maintain his crucial neutrality while creating the competitive environment necessary for maximizing the smoothie’s sale price through bidding warfare between wealthy kingdoms desperate for any advantage they could gain. "This should generate some interesting results," Lola said with obvious anticipation for the complexities their auction would create. "Interesting is definitely one way to describe it," Noah replied with a grin, already imagining the frantic preparations both kingdoms would make to outbid each other for such a powerful enhancement item. The stage was set for what promised to be the most lucrative single item transaction in his shopkeeping career.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ After Noah had departed the shop to return to his tournament preparations, Lola stood up from her position behind the counter. She made her way toward the shop entrance, preparing to execute their spontaneous marketing strategy for the luxury smoothie auction. Stepping just outside the threshold of Noah’s establishment. Taking a deep breath, she projected her voice across the field with the commanding presence that came naturally to someone of her grandmaster rank. "Attention to all interested parties!" Lola called out. "The Idle Shop announces the availability of a new premium product—the Luxury Fruit Smoothie!" Her voice carried easily across the neutral zone, reaching the observation posts that both kingdoms maintained. "This extraordinary item provides temporary doubled attribute enhancement for one full hour!" she continued with growing enthusiasm. "Additionally, it grants permanent strength and agility, increasing both by thirty points each!" The announcements grew more dramatic as Lola revealed the smoothie’s most unprecedented capability. "Most remarkably, this smoothie possesses the unique ability to possibly awaken dormant skills or guarantee upgrading existing skills." She paused for effect, allowing the implications of such capabilities to register with the hidden listeners before delivering the crucial auction information. "Due to the exceptional nature of this item, it will be sold through competitive bidding!" Lola proclaimed with obvious relish. "The auction will commence later today, with both kingdoms invited to participate equally!" "May the highest bidder claim this item!" Hidden within their respective observation posts, archmages from both territories immediately recognized the significance of what they’d just heard. They carried Lola’s announcements directly to the highest levels of government within minutes. In the Sunward Territories, communication arrays flared with urgent light as Elena’s colleagues transmitted the auction news. The luxury smoothie’s capabilities weren’t to scoff at. Increasing the level of a skill, even if it was a random one was still unprecedented. At their high levels, increadin the level of a skill was as hard as climbing a large mountain as a mortal. Meanwhile, shadow elf communication networks pulsed with dark energy as Kael’s intelligence network relayed identical information to Lord Regent Darian’s war council. The prospect of gaining skill awakening abilities and massive attribute enhancements sparked immediate interest. Both kingdoms began frantic preparations for the evening’s auction, mobilizing treasury resources and gathering their most valuable artifacts for potential trade combinations that might secure victory in what promised to be the most expensive bidding war in either realm’s recent history.