Leveling Up With My Rebate System

"Five million," Nathan said, casually raising his paddle.

The words barely settled in before the man beside him let out a chuckle. "Is that the best you can do?" He flicked his paddle up with an arrogant look.

"Seven million."

The host smiled at the prospect of a bidding war. "Seven million! Do I hear eight?"

Nathan moved to counter the bid, but a sharp woman’s voice cut him off from the front row. "Eight million."

"Nine point five," another shouted.

"Ten!"

"Eleven point five!"

The hall ignited as other bidders soon joined in, each voice raising the bid even higher. Della watched the numbers climb, her fingers tightening around her purse.

However, it didn’t last. As the bids crossed the twenty-million mark, the casual buyers dropped off, leaving it to the heavy weight contenders.

The man beside Nathan offered a glance. He raised his paddle high, letting his voice carry through the entire hall. "Twenty-seven million."

The auctioneer scanned the room. No one moved. "Twenty-seven million, going once...going.."

Nathan raised his hand. "Twenty eight million."

"Thirty," the rival countered instantly.

"Thirty two," Nathan snapped back.

The rest of the audience became spectators to their bidding battle. A security guard shuffled in one corner, someone opened their phone to send a text and two people whispered among themselves. Every head turned back and forth as both of them traded bids, the air growing heavier with every million added.

But as the numbers crept into the forties, a cold sweat broke on the back of Nathan’s neck. His thumb twitched against his paddle.

It was a fraction of a second but his rival caught it. The man smiled, tasting victory.

He raised his paddle like a king claiming a throne. "Forty-two million."

He turned his head fully toward Nathan, his eyes dripping with arrogance.

"Your move, boy."

Nathan stared ahead, his chest tight. Despite his rival’s show of confidence, he could tell the man was near his limit too as his knuckles were white against the paddle.

But in a battle like this, a few dollars more could change the tide. The question, however, was, who had more.

Nathan mentally pulled up the system interface.

[System Balance : $49,708,800.31]

Nathan frowned at the screen. He hadn’t expected things would turn out this way. If he bidded gradually, that would be a waste of time.

He decided to play a final, desperate card: one final bid, in hopes the man couldn’t counter it.

"Forty-nine point seven million," Nathan said, his voice flat.

The man’s eyes widened for a moment. The bid jump almost choked the air out of him. He was truly at his limit.

But instead of panicking, the man stopped, processing the strange and specific number. A slow malicious grin spread across his face.

"What an odd number to pick," the rival murmured, loud enough for the surrounding rows to hear. "Why not a clean fifty million, my friend?"

Nathan remained perfectly still, refusing to look at him.

"Ah..." The rival gasped in mock realization, a laugh bubbling in his throat. "Because you can’t. That is every single penny you possess, isn’t it?"

The silence in the auction house grew suffocating. Della looked at Nathan, her breath catching in her throat as she saw the rigid line of his jaw. The crowd began to whisper among themselves.

The rival looked around, pleased at the sight.

"Hmph. Well, in that case..." The man stood up halfway from his seat, raising his paddle high above his head, shouting so the entire hall could witness the execution. "Fifty-five million dollars!"

The number hit the room like a bomb. The host froze and Della frowned.

The rival leaned close to Nathan with a hideous grin. "I’ll admit, you put up a good fight for a nobody. Who knew you had so much tucked away?"

He sank back into his leather chair, crossing his legs comfortably. "But let’s face it. A man should know his place." He flashed a devious smile. "Enjoy watching me take it."

He gave Della a smug smile which Della returned with a shake of her head.

The host looked at Nathan, waiting for a miracle that clearly wasn’t coming. Nathan’s mind was already spinning as he considered his options.

Do I buy some premium NFTs right now and use the 5x rebate ticket?

No. There weren’t any assets listed on the digital market that cost that high. Besides, he doubted the host would wait for him.

And there’s no way I’m wasting that rebate ticket.

His eyes narrowed. Wait.

’System. I get a rebate for everything I buy as long as I pay for it, right?’

[Correct]

’Even if it’s a deposit or part payment?’

[Positive. The host will get a rebate, whether in full or part payment.]

Nathan turned the system response in his mind for a moment, an idea slowly forming. He wanted the item and for its price, he could use the 5x ticket for a high enough rebate.

The only problem is this bastard. Unless...

Beside him, Della reached out to touch his arm, wondering if he was going to break under the pressure but she stopped as she saw a smile, slowly spreading across his face. She narrowed her eyes in thought and kept her hands.

The host cleared his throat, lifting the wooden gavel. "Ahem...a truly amazing auction this is. The top bid stands at fifty-five million dollars."

He looked directly at Nathan one last time but Nathan was still in thoughts.

"Going once..." the host called.

The rival smirked, adjusting his cuffs. The eyes of many of the audience were on Nathan, wondering what he would do next.

"Going twice..."

The crowd began to rustle, checking their watches and adjusting themselves as they got ready to applaud the victor.

"Going—"

The word died in the host’s throat as he saw Nathan raise his paddle with a dead-set expression. The audience followed his gaze to Nathan who had stood up.

His rival straightened himself. "No...he shouldn’t..."

Nathan let out a breath and opened his mouth. "Sixty—"

He cut himself off.

Go big or go home.

He looked at the host dead in the eyes, with a mischievous grin.

"One hundred million dollars."

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