“Privileges at my very first auction,” I mused, a cool detachment settling over me as I sat confined within an iron cage.
I was seated in the very front row, granted a clear view of every item slated for auction. It was undeniably VIP treatment, flawless in every aspect—save for the minor detail that I myself was an auction item, forbidden from bidding.
Overwhelmed by boredom, I began to scrutinize the other auction items. After a few moments of observation, a stark realization dawned: this establishment dealt exclusively in living beings, operating much like a den of “human traffickers.”
My reasoning was simple: even those two black, spherical creatures from earlier had conversed in human tongue. It seemed the definition of “human” in this Dark Realm stretched far beyond conventional understanding.
Furthermore, I found myself profoundly appreciating the intricate depth of Chinese characters. The words for ‘fish’ and ‘human,’ when combined in various ways, could astonishingly convey two entirely distinct concepts.
Consider the being in the cage over there, for instance. Indeed, it possessed the head of a fish and the body of a human—‘fish’ preceding ‘human.’ This was not the familiar mermaid-like creature, with a fish tail and human torso, often clad in a top but no pants.
However, the majority of the surrounding creatures were grotesquely formed, their names utterly unknown to me. I found myself at a loss for words to even describe them. In essence, the vast world truly held endless wonders.
Yet, one particular detail was undeniably worth complaining about. I was currently locked inside a cage so exquisitely crafted it bordered on excessive, with each bar meticulously carved and studded with numerous jewels.
But why, then, was I still burdened by this black, thick, heavy collar around my neck? Its crude appearance starkly contrasted the elaborate artistry of the cage.
Frankly, merely sitting there, my neck was already starting to ache subtly.
Growing increasingly restless, I began to examine the cage more closely. Its primary hue was gold, adorned with a dazzling array of colorful, unfamiliar gemstones, giving it an undeniably opulent appearance.
‘Ha, the evils of the bourgeoisie,’ I thought.
However, I was curious if this strikingly ornate, birdcage-like iron structure was truly sturdy, or merely a decorative facade.
Slowly, I crawled to the edge of the cage, gently tugged at a bar, then immediately retracted my hand, inching back to my original spot.
It was, unequivocally, just a birdcage. My gentle pull had caused a slight bend, startling me into quickly resuming my seated position.
In truth, I had misjudged the cage. Its actual strength was considerable, more than capable of containing even primeval beasts.
****
“And now! As per tradition, the final auction item, our grand finale, is upon us. Tonight, however, presents an absolute anomaly, a rarity perhaps seen once in a billion years! I trust you’ve all heard whispers.
Our headline item tonight is a collection—a group of four. Each individual among them, if presented alone, would far surpass any typical concluding auction piece!” The hostess’s voice vibrated with excitement, her efforts clearly aimed at igniting the crowd’s fervor.
Her words, it seemed, were highly effective. The atmosphere in the hall gradually swelled with increasing enthusiasm.
Even if one couldn’t afford to bid, witnessing such a spectacle firsthand was a privilege in itself.
“And—!” The hostess drew out her words, building a small, tantalizing suspense. “This time, purchasing these four comes with a complimentary gift, valued no less than the combined worth of the four items themselves!”
At this, the hall erupted, the atmosphere reaching its zenith. While such theatrics might not sway the truly wealthy bidders, it certainly fostered an impressive image for the auction house among those with less substantial means.
The hostess, adept at managing the crowd, recognized her objective had been achieved. Without further ado, she declared, “Excellent, it is now time for the auction item.” She clapped her hands sharply.
Backstage, the lights abruptly extinguished. Two demon-kind had, moments before, shrouded my cage entirely with a large red cloth.
Then, I felt the cage begin to sway. It wasn’t long before the movement ceased, indicating it had likely been transported to the front stage.
‘Hmm… being auctioned off. Not many people, I imagine, would ever experience such a thing…’
‘Then again, probably not many would *want* to, save for those with peculiar predilections…’