Wasteland: I Awakened A Plant System

"1.4 tons of vegetables!"

Snape crossed his arms, staring expressionlessly at the Survivor who was competing with him.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t prepared meat for this auction, but using vegetables was naturally more cost-effective; even with his vast resources, he had to be meticulous to ensure long-term development.

The atmosphere in the venue was silent for a while, and Lilith’s auction hammer had already fallen twice consecutively.

The other Survivors who had been confidently confronting Snape just moments ago were now out of options.

They now understood the gap between themselves and a true big shot.

Even if they exhausted all their family’s wealth, it wouldn’t be as effective as a few nonchalant words from a true big shot.

In just this short time, the price had increased by another two hundred kgs of vegetables.

They no longer had that defiant spirit from before; on the contrary, their expressions changed faster than flipping a book. They eagerly began to flatter Snape, fearing that he would settle scores with them first after getting the orb.

"Congratulations, congratulations, Brother Snape, on securing the biggest treasure of this auction. If I, your younger brother, did anything wrong just now, please forgive me, Brother Snape. After the auction, I’ll treat Brother Snape to a good time at Crimson Desire Shelter as an apology."

"Yes, just now we were all blinded by the treasure and spoke nonsense. Thankfully, Brother Snape is wise and mighty and woke us up, otherwise, today would truly have been a misunderstanding between close friends."

Seeing that no one was bidding against him anymore and he was finally about to acquire the orb, Snape was in a very good mood.

Even though he knew these people were just flattering him, Snape, who had been holding in a lot of frustration during the auction, found it quite enjoyable.

"Hahahaha, no problem, no problem. I, Snape, am not such a narrow-minded person. After we leave this auction, we’ll all still be good brothers and good neighbors."

"Indeed, a powerful big shot like Brother Snape is truly magnanimous. If this younger brother ever can’t make it in the Wasteland and wishes to seek refuge with Brother Snape, I hope Brother Snape won’t disdain me."

"No problem, feel free to come if you want to seek refuge. Once I get the orb, even if you bring your whole family, I’ll take you all in without fail."

Receiving so much flattery at once, even though the thought of eliminating these Survivors who had opposed him had not completely extinguished in his heart, Snape still responded with a joyful expression to ensure everything went smoothly.

"1.4 tons of vegetables, third call!"

Watching Lilith’s hammer fall for the third time, Snape’s lips curved into a smile, his attention fully on the Tsunami Wave Orb on the display stand.

He had completely forgotten that his most familiar ’good neighbor’ in the room hadn’t said a word the entire time.

When a familiar voice, tinged with a hint of mockery, rang out, Snape’s undisguised smile immediately froze on his face.

"Did you forget someone, my magnanimous Brother Snape?"

"And you want people to bring their whole families into your shelter? Then would you be willing for me to enter your Shelter?"

Before Lilith could finalize the orb’s sale, Vikram, after a sarcastic remark, quickly made his bid, "2 tons of vegetables!"

As he had expected, after teasing Snape repeatedly, the other party was now furious.

Even though the lighting in the auction hall was ample, the other party’s face was still as dark as the bottom of a pot.

If it weren’t for the Survivors from Crimson Desire Shelter responsible for managing auction order keeping an eye on Snape, Vikram estimated that he would have pulled out a gun and shot him on the spot.

However, this time, his bid wasn’t entirely out of spite.

He could let Snape use other things for now; it wouldn’t be too late to take them back after killing him.

But for single-use items like this, if the other party bought it and used it immediately, he wouldn’t have time to snatch it.

With no other choice, Vikram, who was used to getting things for free, could only bid with tears in his eyes.

"That’s a Legendary-level treasure, and there’s even a chance to gain special abilities from it."

Although he didn’t understand why Crimson Desire Shelter didn’t keep it for themselves and instead put it up for sale, the system’s analysis wouldn’t lie.

When it came to food reserves in the Shelter, Vikram was confident he was second to none.

Last time, the food processing plant resource point replenished his warehouse with nearly a hundred tons of canned goods, most of which were meat.

He was determined to get this orb.

At the auction, after Vikram called out a price of two tons of vegetables, all eyes in the room immediately focused on him.

Although he was fully equipped, and his appearance was completely hidden except for his figure, it didn’t stop them from wanting to know who this Survivor was, who had been competing with Snape the entire time.

"Who exactly is this group of people? That’s a full two tons of vegetables, enough to feed a small shelter for several months if rationed."

"Not only that, but look, he’s even crossing his legs, as if those two tons of vegetables are nothing but a mere trifle."

Watching Vikram’s relaxed demeanor in the back row, the murmurs of speculation among the seats grew louder.

"Damn it, we’re all survivors on the same planet, but why is the gap between people so huge?"

"I don’t know why, but even though this kid hasn’t provoked me, I really want to punch him."

The faces of several Survivors in the middle of the auction seats were not very pleasant.

Previously, although the bidders didn’t have enough chips, they had considered pooling resources to acquire the Tsunami Wave Orb.

However, Vikram’s move instantly shattered their hopeful illusions.

Despite noticing the suddenly unfriendly gazes of the people present, due to their internal imbalance, Vikram still maintained his nonchalant attitude.

It wasn’t that he wanted to underestimate them; it was mainly that the items in their hands were simply not enough to compete.

So far, the only ones who could bid against him were probably Snape... and the group from the Official Shelter, who had been very quiet throughout the auction.

Sure enough, as soon as the thought arose in his mind, Snape, sitting in the front row, glared at Vikram before quickly making his bid, "2.2 tons of vegetables!"

Compared to Vikram, who had raised the price of the orb so much in one go, Snape’s counter-attack seemed somewhat weak.

No choice.

He was indeed a powerful figure with extensive resources, but with many people working for him, it also meant he had many mouths to feed at home.

Even though his faction’s operating model was already very energy-efficient, it was impossible for him to accumulate tens of tons of food.

This time, he had only brought about five tons of vegetables and a small amount of meat to the auction.

Originally, he could have easily handled a bid of two tons, but because of the previous transaction where Vikram had given him a reverse discount, he now only had a little over half of his vegetables left in his backpack.

However, he did not give up. He knew the situation of Vikram’s Territory.

Compared to his forces and tentacles spread across various locations, Vikram’s territory was pitifully small, with only the space between two hilltops and an empty space in front of the mountain which he had hidden by a wall.

Although he also knows that, Vikram was currently trying to increase his territory.

But he didn’t believe that it would increase quickly. Which meant he did not have so many places to plant the vegetables.

He didn’t believe that the other party could have a very large food reserve when growing crops in such an environment.

However, Vikram was destined to disappoint him today.

Just as he gritted his teeth, made his bid, and stared intently at Vikram, eagerly wanting to see awkwardness and hesitation in Vikram’s eyes.

The other party merely unhurriedly took off his goggles and returned a look of disdain.

"Why are you looking at me? You wouldn’t think I’d still condescend to give you some vegetables to bid for the Tsunami Wave Orb, would you?"

After disdaining Snape, Vikram had no intention of wasting any more time, slowly extending three fingers and continuing, "3 tons of vegetables!"

"Whoosh!"

"Another nearly one ton of food offered in one go?"

"This is simply inhumanly extravagant! It seems Snape is out of luck today."

The Survivors who had been prematurely celebrating Snape’s victory just two minutes ago were now all dumbfounded.

Yes, they admitted that Vikram’s previous appearance had indeed amazed them.

However, in their eyes, since they were all Survivors invited by Lilith, the difference between them shouldn’t be too great.

After all, even before Vikram, the most generous bidder, Snape, only had a tiny bit more resources than them.

When it came to food transactions measured in tons, they could clearly see Snape’s struggle.

But so far, the Survivor who had been opposing Snape all day, after calling out his price, didn’t show even a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

Aside from being calm and composed, they couldn’t discern any unusual signs of heartache.

"Hiss! Truly terrifying!"

"Don’t tell me that while we’re still gloating about having a little extra food, this kid already has tens of tons of vegetables?"

As soon as this thought was uttered, the other Survivors in the venue felt it was increasingly possible, and all were left stunned, unable to accept it.

Needless to say, Snape on the other side, his face changing from white to yellow and back again, felt as miserable as if he had eaten dirt.

The only thing that hadn’t changed was the even more resentful look in his eyes when he looked at Vikram.

His resources were no longer enough to continue bidding against Vikram, and this orb was destined to fall into Vikram’s hands.

"3 tons of vegetables, twice!"

"3 tons of vegetables, thrice!"

"3 tons of vegetables, sold!"

"Let us congratulate Mr. Vikram for winning the final item of this auction!"

Lilith’s piercing congratulations reached Snape’s ears, further fueling his anger.

Being deliberately targeted by Vikram earlier was one thing, but now even the main goal of his visit to the auction had been taken, so he was incredibly frustrated.

However, he dared not act on the spot, so he could only swallow his anger, give Vikram a deep look, then pay for and take his acquired item before leaving the venue.

"It was taken so easily?"

Vikram frowned. He had originally thought there would be some unexpected turn of events, and he would have to use the canned meat he had brought.

After all, in his anticipation, the Official Shelter had not made a single move from beginning to end, nor had they acquired any items, which could only mean they were here for the orb.

Who knew this was just his own wishful thinking; the official people didn’t care at all.

"That’s strange, then what exactly are these official people here for?"

Watching the Survivors, one by one, exit the venue at Lilith’s signal, Vikram’s eyes showed deep confusion.

It is worth mentioning that the auction house, apparently for the safety of the bidders, had four entrances and exits.

Each time a Survivor left through an exit, there would be a two-minute wait before other Survivors were allowed to pass.

He did want to catch up with Snape and kill him on the spot, but clearly, there was no opportunity at the moment. He could only watch as Snape, in the front row, disdainfully discarded the ordinary crystals freely given by Lilith, and left first.

By the time it was his turn to leave, sitting in the second-to-last row, more than half an hour had already passed.

With so many people in the venue, trying to chase after him with biological detection would certainly be too late.

Just as their team of six was about to leave, Vikram was called out by a familiar voice...