Chapter 80: Mask Auction (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 80: Mask Auction (2)
A heavy silence descended.
One million people... the lives of non-climbers?
There were one hundred people invited to this auction. That meant a total of one hundred million lives were at stake.
I knew this wouldn't be an ordinary auction, but I never expected something this depraved. I stood there, momentarily speechless, stunned by the Tower’s insanity in using human lives as currency.
“Are there any bidders?” the Auctioneer asked again.
I froze time. I needed a moment to think.
Special rewards? What a joke.
The Tower’s intention was blatant. It was stimulating human greed, trying to force us to slaughter our own kind with our own hands.
And there would definitely be those tempted by it.
A Rare+ Skill Stone had appeared as the first item. It wasn't particularly special to me, but to other climbers, a Rare+ grade was enough to make their eyes turn red with greed.
What do I do?
The answer was obvious. I had to stop it. No matter how great the reward, an auction where the currency was human lives was a nonsensical atrocity.
But how?
Should I try to persuade everyone not to participate? The Auctioneer said using the lives was up to our own free will. If no one bid, the auction would end.
The problem was... would they listen?
Should I reveal myself?
The only way to gain immediate leverage was to reveal that I was Saram123. If I used that name, my words might actually carry weight. I wasn't thrilled about stepping into the spotlight again, but this wasn't the time to worry about my own preferences.
If even one person placed a bid, the rest would follow, and the situation would spiral out of control.
I made my decision and resumed time. I was about to stand up and shout for everyone's attention, but—
“Everyone, please pay attention!”
Someone beat me to it.
The crowd’s gaze shifted. Number 89, a woman, stood up and looked around the room.
“None of us should participate in this auction,” she declared. “The Tower is playing another wicked trick to destroy our world.”
Number 89 removed her mask, revealing her face. I recognized her immediately.
It was Section Chief Shin Su-jin.
“I am Shin Su-jin, a climber with the South Korea Climbing Agency and a member of the 5th Floor Security Force. Why do you think the Tower made us wear these masks? It is inciting us to commit mass murder while hiding our identities. One million lives per person—one hundred million in total. It is an unthinkable number.”
She continued, her voice ringing with conviction. “We must not abandon our humanity for a mere Skill Stone. If we simply refuse to bid until the auction ends, we can return to our world. This is far simpler than the 3-Year Rule or the Branch Tower incidents.”
It was an impassioned speech. Seeing her step forward so urgently, it was clear she shared my thoughts. Since she was already doing what I had planned, I decided to play the role of the supporter.
“She’s right!” I shouted. “Let’s not be toyed with by the Tower’s filthy tricks!”
In situations like this, the initial atmosphere was everything. People began to nod, and a few others voiced their agreement.
Good. At this rate, maybe no one will—
“I disagree,” a voice cut through the air. “Is there really a reason we shouldn't participate?”
A man, Number 41, stood up with a relaxed expression.
“Isn't that Rare+ Skill Stone tempting? That’s a tier of skill usually reserved for top-floor climbers. Does it make sense to just throw away such an opportunity?”
Who the hell is this guy?
Shin Su-jin immediately shot back. “Are you saying you’re willing to kill people? Those aren't just numbers; they are real lives. Bidding is no different from murdering a million people with your own hands.”
“So what?”
“...What?”
“Think about it. Isn't this just an unavoidable sacrifice for the greater good?” Number 41 argued. “If we climbers increase our power, the probability of clearing the Tower increases, which extends our world's time limit. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a net benefit for humanity.”
Shin Su-jin glared at him. “Stop spouting sophistry. Does the number one hundred million mean nothing to you?”
“Why are you being so dramatic? Do you really think everyone here will use their entire million? At the very least, I know you won't use yours,” Number 41 laughed, gesturing toward the stage. “Look, everyone. A Rare+ Skill Stone is just the first item. What’s next? Even greater treasures? Imagine how much stronger we’d become if we secured everything in this auction.”
He looked around the room, his voice growing more persuasive. “Tens of millions of people die every year. Even if a hundred million die now, it’s just people who would have died in a year or two anyway. On a global scale, it’s not even that big of a deal. I repeat, this is for the world. If we give up this chance out of guilt, that is what will shorten the world’s lifespan.”
The bastard was actually trying to stir the crowd with his twisted logic.
I couldn't stay silent. Sensing the atmosphere shifting, I stepped in to back Shin Su-jin.
“No one should bid,” I said firmly.
All eyes turned to me.
“I am Saram123. I implore you all. Please, let no one bid.”
The room erupted in murmurs. Shin Su-jin stared at me, her eyes wide with shock.
I turned my gaze to Number 41. “The Tower is an entity that desires the extinction of humanity. It thrives on sowing discord. Following its lead will never be the path to saving the world.”
Number 41 looked flustered for a second, then a sneer returned to his face. “...How absurd. You’re Saram123? Where’s your proof?”
Proof. I tried to open my Communication Window, but it wouldn't activate.
Tsk. Is this place considered 'inside' the Tower?
Even if she didn't fully recognize me yet, Shin Su-jin took my side. “He is indeed Saram123.”
“You’re only saying that because he’s agreeing with you—”
“Number 15 is Saram123,” another voice interjected.
Number 3 stood up and removed his mask.
“I am Justin, Vice-Captain of the 5th Floor Security Force. I was personally present during the Wang Kai incident. I imagine many of you recognize my face. I guarantee that this man is Saram123. He is the one who saved the lives of my entire unit.”
I remembered him now. I’d seen his face once before. Had he recognized my voice, or was he just choosing a side?
Justin continued, “I trust no one will fall for Number 41’s preposterous words. If someone bids and people die at random, can you guarantee your family, your lovers, or your friends won't be among them? One hundred million is more than one percent of the global population. Those aren't low odds.”
He was right. My own family could be caught in the crossfire. I had to stop this.
Justin looked at me and then addressed the room. “This is the man who gave up the Ark and cleared the Nightmare 6th Floor to save us all. In the presence of such a person, surely there isn't a piece of scum here willing to massacre innocents for a Skill Stone. Right?”
The attention returned to me. I spoke one last time. “I believe in you all. Please, do not participate.”
I hoped it would be enough.
The Auctioneer, indifferent to the drama, spoke up. “Are there any bidders? I will count to ten. If there are none, the first item will be passed.”
He began the countdown.
One. Two. Three. No one moved.
But then—
“One thousand people.”
Every head snapped toward the voice. Number 41 had his hand raised.
The Auctioneer didn't hesitate. “We have a bid for one thousand people.”
That crazy bastard actually did it. I glared at him, but he only sneered back.
“Everyone, do you really believe he’s Saram123?” Number 41 asked the crowd. “If the Security Force members just align their stories, anyone can impersonate him. And even if he is... so what? No matter what you say, I’m going to bid.”
“You crazy son of a bitch!” Justin roared. “Cancel it right now!”
Number 41 shrugged. “Who ever heard of canceling a bid at an auction? Mr. Auctioneer, is that possible?”
“Canceling a bid is impossible,” the Auctioneer replied.
“Hear that? He says no can do.” Number 41 giggled as he walked down the stairs to the front of the audience. He looked around at the masked faces. “Is no one else going to join the fun? The Tower even graciously covered our faces. Let’s be honest with ourselves.”
Silence.
“Well, if you’re really not going to, that’s fine. I’ll just sweep up all the items for myself.”
Before I could even open my mouth, another voice spoke.
“...One thousand one hundred people.”
The floodgates opened. It was Number 60.
“We have a bid for one thousand one hundred people.”
“H-here! One thousand two hundred!”
“One thousand two hundred people.”
More hands went up. The price quickly surged past two thousand.
I watched the scene, a heavy sigh escaping my lips. What were these people doing? Were they really willing to murder thousands for a measly Skill Stone? Did they feel no guilt? No weight to their actions?
I had feared it might come to this, but seeing it happen was far more exasperating than I had imagined.
“Five thousand people!” Number 41 shouted, doubling the current bid. He looked around, egging them on. “Let’s not be stingy. Anyone else? Or am I taking this for a mere five thousand?”
I slowly raised my hand.
All eyes focused on me. Shin Su-jin and Justin looked at me with devastated, surprised expressions.
“Please state your bid,” the Auctioneer said.
I shook my head. “It’s not a bid. I have a question.”
“What is it?”
“You said there are two rules: do not attack the Auctioneer and do not touch the auction items. Is anything else permitted?”
The Auctioneer nodded. “That is correct.”
“Then attacking or killing someone other than you is also permitted.”
“That is correct.”
“What happens to the auction if a bidder dies?”
“The bid becomes void, and the bidding restarts from the beginning.”
I looked at Number 41 and asked one last question. “What happens to the one million people held by the deceased bidder? They don't die with them, do they?”
“In the event of a bidder's death, the currency is rendered void. Unless the lives are actually used to purchase an item, the non-climbers will not die.”
Number 41’s expression hardened as he listened. He scoffed, trying to maintain his bravado. “...What’s this? Don't tell me you’re actually going to try and kill me—”
I froze time and activated Mental Focus.
Then, I fired a Destruction Ray.
The pitch-black beam erased Number 41 without a trace.
Fsssh...
If thousands of lives were at stake, and the only way to cancel a bid was to kill the bidder, I was more than willing to do it. I had to.
“Since the last bidder has died, we will restart the bidding from the beginning,” the Auctioneer said calmly, as if nothing had happened.
I walked down the stairs and stood in the spot where Number 41 had been standing moments ago.
Did I really have to go this far? Why wouldn't anyone listen when I asked nicely?
I looked around at the crowd. Every face was frozen in shock.
“No one bid,” I said, my voice cold.
“...”
“If you bid, I will kill you.”