Chapter 143: The Finale Entrance
The International Transfer was held inside a vast, brightly lit auditorium within the Devil Hunter Association.
A massive stage-like platform stood at the front for the host, while the area below was filled with plush, high-end sofas where representatives from various nations sat to place their bids. The venue was designed to accommodate a large number of spectators, with second and third-level balconies surrounding the main floor.
Typically, only those of significant status earned the right to attend as spectators; ordinary civilians couldn't even breach the perimeter of the Association, as security personnel strictly barred anyone unauthorized from entering.
Otonashi Chiya, Shingetsu, Furia, and the other Hybrids were situated in one of the private suites on the second level. These suites, scattered across the second and third floors, were reserved for the Devil Hunters up for transfer to wait in comfort, complete with refreshments. The glass facing the main hall was one-way, meaning they could observe the proceedings clearly, but no one outside could peer in at them.
With all international representatives in attendance and the candidates waiting in their respective suites, the International Transfer officially began.
"Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, welcome. We uphold the principles of openness, fairness, and justice, and we hope all participants will engage in friendly bidding and depart satisfied!"
Although the host spoke in Mandarin, the representatives from various nations—excluding the host country—all wore real-time translation devices. Following the brief opening remarks, a round of enthusiastic applause filled the room.
"Now, let us introduce the first Devil Hunter of this International Transfer: Mongoado, age thirty-five, from the European Union. He has personally hunted three devils reinforced by the Gun Devil's flesh, though Mr. Mongoado has declined to disclose the nature of his devil powers."
As the host introduced him, Mongoado emerged from one of the suites and stood on the platform, facing the representatives. He was a man of tall stature, but his right sleeve hung empty—the price paid for a devil contract, perhaps, or a lingering scar from a battle.
"Based on the valuation set by his home nation, the starting bid is 100,000. Bidding may now commence!"
The starting price was set by the nation the hunter currently belonged to. Once the final bid was hammered out, the proceeds—after deducting the Association's service fees—would go directly to that home nation.
"110,000!"
"130,000!"
"201,000!"
"..."
Ultimately, the bidding concluded at 345,000.
This price was fairly consistent with Mongoado's market value. According to the host's summary, his only standout achievement was hunting three Gun-Devil-flesh-enhanced devils; the fact that his devil power remained a mystery was a "penalty" to his value, and at thirty-five, he was already past his prime.
In the world of Devil Hunting, older candidates generally commanded lower prices. As age increased, physical capabilities declined, and the remaining parts of the body available for devil contracts grew scarce—making them far less attractive than young, strong candidates with high growth potential.
Mongoado himself didn't care in the slightest about the bidding price. He returned to his suite with an expressionless face, waiting for the bidding phase to conclude before proceeding to the next step. After all, the money wouldn't end up in his pockets; he was simply moving to a new workplace where he would continue to work hard—or risk his life—with, ideally, slightly better benefits.
"Our second Devil Hunter is Takahashi Yako from the Hokkaido Public Safety Bureau in Japan. Once known as the 'Bloody Rose' of Hokkaido, she is contracted with the Man-Eating Flower Devil. Working in a duo, she has hunted two devils reinforced by Gun Devil flesh; in team operations, she has hunted three. As for her age, it remains confidential."
As the host introduced her, a young woman with a sharp, attractive face and a tall, sultry figure walked onto the stage. While her age was officially classified, one could tell by looking that Takahashi Yako was likely in her mid-twenties.
"Based on the valuation set by her home nation, the starting bid is 150,000!"
"200,000!"
The moment the host finished speaking, someone couldn't wait to jump in. Judging by the greedy glint in their eyes, their intentions were likely less than pure. However, they weren't the highest bidder; the Soviet delegation ultimately secured her for over 500,000.
Because the Soviet Union's backbone—meaning the weapon-human hybrids like Shingetsu and Reze—had recently been taken away by Otonashi Chiya, the Soviet military was currently a hollow shell of its former self. Consequently, they were desperate to buy as many powerful and high-potential Devil Hunters as possible during this transfer to fill the gaps in their strength.
Following that, candidates from Northern Europe, the United States, the Soviet Union... and even those "listed" by China itself took the stage. The Soviet Union snatched up nearly half of them. The representatives from other nations understood why the Soviets were acting so frantically, so they didn't engage in malicious price-gouging against them. They feared that if they pushed the Soviet Union too far, the Soviets would vent all their pent-up frustration and resentment onto them.
The youth named Otonashi Chiya had dared to challenge the Soviet Union only because he possessed absolute, overwhelming power. The other nations didn't dare provoke the world's current superpower; if the Soviets truly went insane and unleashed the main body of the Gun Devil, everyone else would be finished. Most of the spectators remained oblivious to the Soviet Union's internal crisis; they simply marveled at how wealthy and bold the Soviets were.
The bidding for the individual Devil Hunters concluded, leaving Otonashi Chiya as the grand finale. Chiya's market value was in an entirely different league—leagues above everyone else—so it was only natural for him to be placed last.
"Next, our final candidate: an extremely special Devil Hunter, the most anticipated heavyweight of this International Transfer. I imagine many of you have already guessed who it is."
Even the host's tone had shifted. "Mr. Otonashi, Ms. Shingetsu, Ms. Furia, Mr. Baluem, Mr. Oleg, Mr. Sevar, and Mr. Toye are all currently in the suite facing due south."
Chiya and his group were unique; they didn't need to walk onto the stage. They simply waited leisurely in their private suite. As the one-way glass facing the arena slid away, revealing them to the crowd, the sound of applause and excited murmurs exploded throughout the hall!
When the Soviet representatives heard Otonashi Chiya's name, their expressions changed instantly. Even though they had known in advance that Chiya would be the finale, seeing him appear before their very eyes left them with complex, bitter emotions. It pained them most to see Shingetsu, Reze, and Furia—who once belonged to them—sitting there with him.
Yet, because of Chiya's presence, they dared not claim that Reze, Shingetsu, or the others belonged to the Soviet Union. They lived in constant fear that if they spoke up, Chiya would come to settle the score once and for all!