As the announcer spoke, the curtains opened, and a figure was brought forward, chains clinking against each other—around his neck, wrists, and ankles.
CLINK
CLINK
The spotlight swung toward him, illuminating his form.
The announcer's voice boomed: "So here we have…"
Ren's eyes narrowed as he took in the figure—bulky, covered in scars, red hair tousled, one eye missing.
That guy looks tough… really tough, Ren thought, noting the muscles and battle-worn frame.
Julius, sitting beside him, noticed his gaze and leaned in with a grin. "You interested in the guy too?"
[ Really? I didn't know that… ]
Ren spun his head toward him, a flash of irritation crossing his face. "Fuck off! You," he said, pointing a middle finger at both Julius and Trash simultaneously. "If you joke around anymore, I swear—"
Julius held up his hands, chuckling nervously. "Okay, okay! Calm down, calm down! I was just joking… yeah, just a joke," he said with a hesitant smile.
Julius exhaled sharply, muttering under his breath, I should think before I speak… and let out an awkward laugh, feeling a little rattled.
[ I didn't say anything! ]
Ren forced himself to calm down and redirected his attention to the auction.
Julius, now serious, leaned slightly closer and said quietly, "But if you consider his build… he could be quite useful in battle, my friend."
Ren thought for a moment. Not wrong… but I need support, not a frontliner…
The announcer continued, voice echoing through the hall: "This tall man is 180 cm, capable of wielding heavy weapons, can serve as a full-time mule as well. However, due to his missing eye, we will start the bidding at 2,000 coins."
Ren tilted his head, calculating. Not bad for a lifetime mule… if you're into that kind of investment.
He leaned back in his seat, uninterested for now, watching the bids fly.
"2,500!" someone called out.
The announcer repeated, "We have 2,500 from No. 23. Anyone else?"
Another bid—3,000. Another—4,000. Before long, the bid climbed to 5,000.
"Anyone else?" the announcer asked. "5,000, one… 5,000, two…"
Ren smirked slightly. Not bad… someone's making a fortune off this guy today.
Suddenly, Julius leaned forward, bidding smoothly. "6,000."
Ren glanced at him, expression blank. "Are you really buying him?"
Julius gave a crooked smile, glint in his eyes. "Just wait and see, my friend. Just wait and see…"
"You'll get it eventually," he said, voice low but firm, almost teasing. "When the time comes… you'll see for yourself."
The announcer continued, voice steady: "We have 6,000 from No. 2. Anyone else… 6,000, one… 6,000, two…"
Before he could finish, another voice rang out: "7,000! I bid 7,000!"
"New bid, anyone higher than 7,000?" the announcer counted. "7,000, one… 7,000, two… 7,000, three… SOLD! To No. 14!"
BANG!
CLINK!
The chains rattled as the man was taken away, and the room buzzed with murmurs of excitement and astonishment.
Ren exhaled slowly, leaning back in his seat, eyes fixed on the departing figure. Well… that escalated fast.
The man—No. 14—was old and fat, bald, his grin smug as he glanced toward Julius, satisfaction clear on his face.
Ren's eyes narrowed, a frown forming. Damn… that price got even higher!
Julius leaned back in his seat, a faint, proud smile tugging at his lips. "I've made a decent amount today from the beginning, it seems."
Ren blinked, surprise creeping into his voice. "What!? Are you the one sold him?"
Julius's grin widened, eyes glinting. "Then… who else could get such a good in this place?"
Ren's thoughts churned, disbelief and sarcasm mixing in a bitter cocktail. So that's why he was bidding… no wonder. He really is a sly fox.
The announcer's voice cut through the room again, slightly dissatisfied as the red-haired, one-eyed man was dragged behind the stage.
CLANG
CLANG
"Now… for our next good," he said, shrugging as if resigned, "it's not that great, but… if you want, you can bid."
A new figure appeared in chains, stepping onto the stage. This time—a girl. No, a child. Injured, pale, her face marked by hardship, tiny and fragile.
Ren's gaze hardened immediately, sharp and cold.
The announcer continued, voice monotone: "Let me quickly give you the details. She is… the daughter of one of the countersan here. Sold for money. Anyway… who cares about background? Let's move on. She is around six to seven years old, 100 cm in height, some bones cracked… not suitable for physical work. That is all."
Ren's eyes flicked toward the girl, but there was no pity. No sadness. Only a sharpened, cold resentment—pure hatred directed at the cruel, unbalanced world.
This world… indeed unfair. No one is born equal. This world is trash… just like the people living in it.
He clenched his fists lightly under the table, voice low but clear in his head.
Time to start the bid… 400 coins. Anyone?
CLINK
CLINK
The chains rattled as the child shifted slightly, tiny sobs escaping her lips.
Ren's gaze never wavered, cold and calculating, already weighing the stakes, already measuring the worth of this twisted auction.
Julius said with a sly smile, expecting some reaction from Ren, "Aren't you gonna bid? She's not pricey… and you could at least put her to some use."
Ren's expression didn't change. No flinch, no twitch—nothing. He leaned back slightly, eyes cold and sharp. "I know exactly what you're implying, but don't get it twisted. I'm not a hero. I've got some morals, sure, but they don't include helping anyone without some benefit for me."
[ Indeed… you're ruthless as hell, haha! ]
Ren muttered under his breath, low enough for only himself, "Shut your damn mouth… or I'll find a way to shove a Chinese bamboo up your ass. For real." Every word dripped with sincerity—he wasn't joking.
[ …. ]
He thought to himself, always remembering the unwritten laws he lived by: Rule 27: In this world, there's no one coming to help you. If you want to survive, carve your own damn path.
Julius chuckled lightly, almost as if he'd expected that response. "Heartless, huh? Well…I am not as heartless as you, my friend."
Without skipping a beat, he bid. "500 coins."
The announcer, not wasting a second, barked, "SOLD! To number 2!"
Ren's eyes narrowed, sharp with calculation. Looks like they really don't want to waste any more resources on her.
He turned to Julius, disgust barely masked in his gaze. "Don't… tell me you're buying her because you're some kind of pedophi—"
The moment Julius heard the word, he practically lunged forward, eyes blazing. "HOW COULD YOU EVEN THINK THAT?!"
Ren rubbed the back of his head casually, expression blank. "Oh… sorry about that."
Julius cleared his throat, calming down slightly, then said, "I'm buying her because she's cheap. That's it. I need more workers in my shop."
Ren's sharp eyes softened just a fraction. So he's… kind, in his own way.
The auction moved on, goods sold one after another, but nothing caught Ren's interest. Boredom crept in, heavy and relentless. His eyes felt ready to fall into a slumber at any second.
Then, something caught his attention. His gaze drifted to Julius, who was staring at the stage with a glint in his eyes. "That looks interesting," Julius murmured. "I'll definitely be bidding on it."
Ren leaned forward, curiosity piqued. "What is it?"
His eyes followed the spotlight to the stage. And there she was. A woman. No chains. No torn clothing. A busty figure draped in a silky nightgown, in her mind thirties completely different from the other auctioned goods.
YAY!
WOAH!
CLAPPING AND SHOUTING
The crowd suddenly roared to life, electricity in the air. Even the old geezers, usually lethargic and hidden behind their masks, were practically buzzing, their lust creeping out in sharp, greedy bursts, impossible to hide.
The auction was about to take a very different turn.