Human Auction (1)
“It’s deeper in flavor, I suppose? It was always delicious, but today it’s even better.”
“Thank you!”
“It’s an honor!”
To commend the executives who’d returned from Hoeseong, I threw a feast at the spa. I gave them free rein to use the condiments stored in the seasoning pantry.
The power of modern food science was truly remarkable. The chefs’ dishes had always been tasty, but adding those condiments unleashed an insane umami explosion that made my tongue dance with joy.
After bathing and eating, I took a note-based quiz with the teachers. I hadn’t slacked on my studies. Truth be told, I hadn’t studied properly at first, but watching Seo I-rang diligently doing her homework at the living room table every evening triggered a sudden wave of sage mode in me, and I started sitting down beside her to study too. A kid was putting in the effort—there was no way I could just goof off.
The teachers looked pleased. When I brought up university, they showed interest but said it was still premature. Higher education like college was an investment for the future, so right after establishment, it would basically just consume resources with near-zero productivity. Once we fully unified and stabilized Seoul, it would definitely be worth setting up.
I spent over an hour playing fighting games with Jeong Su-hwan—not competing like before, but approaching it with a learner’s mindset. He started from basic combos and meticulously taught me the fundamentals.
While lying side by side in the forest therapy room, absorbing phytoncides, I spotted Han Seol peeking through the glass window. When I stepped out, she bowed her head shyly and handed me a keycard.
“I’ll be waiting in the rooftop sauna, like last time.”
“Huh? Oh… sure.”
As I took the keycard, Han Seol kept her head down and scurried away.
When night deepened, I told everyone to head back without worry—I’d enjoy myself alone and come in later. Han Eun-ji, in charge of my security, looked flustered. I texted her before leaving the bathhouse, telling her to come to the first-floor bathhouse lobby then, and to rest until word came.
After sending everyone off and changing into a sauna gown, I headed to the rooftop.
“What can I say… she’s really forward.”
Ever since we’d consummated things, Han Seol had become incredibly proactive. Worried about waking Seo I-rang at night, we couldn’t do it on the first floor, so she’d sneak out of her room, and we’d explored the reinforcement room, workshop, hydroponics room, office, and secretary’s office together in the dead of night. The two of us were burning like fireworks in a powder keg.
Clunk.
“Hm?”
Someone had locked the rooftop door from inside. The master key was in the first-floor lobby, so I’d have to go down to get it.
Then, a woman’s silhouette appeared through the frosted glass.
“It’s me.”
Click. The door unlocked.
“What?!”
“The sauna’s a bit hot, huh.”
“Why are you coming out of there?”
The person who’d opened the door was someone I hadn’t expected at all.
***
“…”
I had no idea what to say. Han Byeol grabbed my hand without a word and pulled me into the sauna. We sat side by side, but there was no conversation.
I wasn’t an idiot. I knew why Han Byeol had been waiting for me. In terms of physical affection or shows of love, she’d actually been bolder than Han Seol. I’d just been confused whether it was her personality or actual feelings for me. But this situation proved she liked me too.
“Did Han Seol set this up?”
“No, I asked her to do it.”
“Why?”
Han Byeol looked at me and said,
“Because I like you.”
“…”
A whirlwind of thoughts raced through my head. Was it really okay to take both sisters—twins, no less?
“It’s kinda weird for me to say this myself, but… how long have you liked me?”
“I don’t know exactly. You started as my lifesaver, but living together… I just fell for you. Didn’t I show it?”
“I thought that was just your personality…”
“Who acts like that around a guy they don’t care about?”
“Fair point…”
I’d assumed she was just naturally affectionate.
“Did you do it here with Seol?”
“What?! N-no… not here. Too hot for that.”
“Then?”
“Here we just… kissed and went down.”
“Then kiss me here too.”
“…”
I’d lost track of my own thoughts.
***
Han Byeol confessed her feelings honestly in the room. Moral standards about loving only one person had collapsed long ago in this world. And if the other party was fine with it, I had no reason to refuse. Bluntly put, these were women I couldn’t even dream of approaching in the pre-collapse world.
I’d become their first man. The surprising part was their styles in bed: contrary to her usual demeanor, Han Seol was a bit aggressive, while Han Byeol turned out surprisingly submissive.
***
I created an anonymous bulletin board app. I set up PC bangs with ten laptops each for the Union and Hoeseong, letting people apply to use them.
It wasn’t like the old-school anonymous boards. Mostly info posts went up.
While browsing, I found an intriguing one: a Special Awakener auction happening in Seongnam.
Asking the sisters, they said a recent auction had just wrapped, and they were gathering more intel. The gist was this:
Most Special Awakeners had average physical abilities. There were some with both enhanced bodies and unique powers, but they were rare. So groups often used force to seize the abilities of those with rare, useful powers. Na Hye-won and Seo I-rang had been victims of that.
The Special Awakeners up for auction here were mostly those who’d been exploited until broken, now on the verge of death and sold off. Some apparently volunteered to find a group that would protect them.
If the anonymous poster was right, it was a pretty enticing system. I already knew who wrote it via face verification and login logs: Kim Min-cheol, who ran the Seonghun Merchant Association’s operations. He traded often with merchant groups in Gyeonggi, so the info was credible.
I immediately summoned the executives.
“What do you think? Seems like the fastest way to recruit Special Awakeners.”
“If the info’s legit, it’s a great method.”
“No need for conflict. Just pay, and we get a Special Awakener.”
Among Special Awakeners, top-tier abilities were usually creation-based. Like Park Tae-woo’s bread-and-water creation—welcomed anywhere. Some created food or water, or restored rotten food. Abilities like Na Hye-won’s or Seo I-rang’s were priceless. The Union’s fuel-creator was also high-tier.
There were tons of others. Some created scrap metal or stones—useless since those were everywhere. The barrier ability from Mu Wol Church seemed meh after Han Byeol halved it, but apparently quite rare.
The executives reacted positively, so I ordered an immediate investigation.
***
The probe confirmed the human auction house existed. Even better: auction in three days.
“It’s a lawless black market since they’re trading people.”
“Hm…”
The issue was the lack of security.
“Can’t we bring Union troops?”
Han Byeol replied,
“Rumors of an army heading there would shut it down before it starts.”
We’d have to go small-scale.
“Any way for us to get in? Black markets like this are closed off.”
“Some Union merchants have connections. We can vouch as their friends.”
Han Byeol, Im Jui, Han Eun-ji, and Lee Kyung-min volunteered. Even if we won a bid, the “merchandise” might be in bad shape, so the doctor Lee Kyung-min insisted on coming with meds.
We could take our time, but Union intel said a fuel-creating Special Awakener was up this time. Tempting.
The Union dispatched 20 Awakeners in four teams of five to join us, posing as unrelated groups. Too many would spook them. We reserved good vehicles under repair and aimed for at least 20. With the barrier so vast now, cars were more convenient.
“A fuel-creating Awakener…”
Worth 1,000 bottles of liquor. With a VIP room, infinite fuel.
We’d use two trucks. I loaned Lee Kyung-min a sword, wrapped in white cloth to hide it. Everyone got hooded raincoats.
“Don’t get hurt.”
“Yes, sir!”
The trucks’ beds held 500 bottles of cheap booze for auction and 500 from the brewery. Use cheap first, premium if needed.
We’d communicate real-time via radios and devices.
***
Including a Union merchant to vouch, our five-person auction team arrived in Seongnam a day early. First time in Gyeonggi.
“How’s this?”
“No, I said scenery pic. And keep the hat and mask on. If anyone recognizes you, we’re in deep shit.”
With four blue drones and four coating drones in the truck, we weren’t too worried. Just didn’t want needless fights.
“Sending again.”
“Okay.”
Han Byeol’s photo showed decent infrastructure, being near Seoul. Near an abandoned building, armed folks and vehicles guarded the entrance. They eyed us warily, but our merchant vouched, and we paid entry and lodging: five bottles of soju per person, 25 total.
“Total thieves.”
Han Byeol said,
“These merchants all look loaded.”
They warned no photos or videos inside. Our room had mattresses on the floor—deplorable. We ate bentos from Nakyuan’s chefs.
After overnighting, the auction started the next evening in the first-floor central hall. Phones banned, so I only heard voices via Han Byeol’s pocket radio.
“I’m Yoon Hak-jae, host of this auction. You know me, so no intros. You’ve waited long enough—let’s begin!”
Six Special Awakeners up today.
“First item!”
The first was a 31-year-old woman with Waste Replacement: turning trash she recognized as such into soil. The auctioneer said big things like buildings were impossible, but food waste was easy. Demo gasps echoed.
“That ability’s tempting too… When’s the fuel one?” Han Seol said.
“Rarest, so probably last?”
Never been to an auction, and my first was a human one—bitter thought.