Chapter 107
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Method Acting (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A few more auctions passed by.
Men, women, even bizarre-looking demi-humans. Regardless of gender or species, human or otherwise, they were all eye candy designed to stir up some twisted desire. Goods worth selling had to give off that vibe, no doubt about it.
In the meantime, I glanced sideways at Rena beside me.
She was barely watching the stage, fiddling with her fingers while wearing that same anxious expression.
Before I could say anything, she spoke up first. Her voice was tiny, like a murmur to herself.
"Did I... ever say I hated my job?"
She continued hesitantly, almost like a soliloquy.
"The contract I signed is a total slave deal. I'm basically stuck as the association's promo model for life. And even then, I'm one of the success stories. In this industry, plenty of girls end up buried in debt and sold off to slave markets before they even get a real shot."
So that's why she reacted so strongly when the slave market came up.
"The entertainment world is that scary a place, huh."
"Nah, not always. Those idiots brought it on themselves. Wannabes partying with drugs and orgies every night, piling up debt until someone had dirt on them and shipped them off to dumps like this."
Her words left me speechless for a moment.
'Fuck, then it's their own damn fault.'
So why was she so on edge? I couldn't for the life of me figure out why this slave market creeped her out so much.
Then, as if reading my mind, she added more, gripping my collar tighter.
"It's not scary."
"......"
"It's just fucking shitty."
She stared off into space, not at the stage.
"I climbed all the way here by stepping on those losers. While they were staggering around high, I was sweating blood in training. While they were sucking off sponsors, I was risking my life against real monsters. I built this image of the cute girl hunter slaying beasts and clawed my way to the top."
"......"
"But here? I might run into a familiar face. Some shitty face from those shitty days. You probably can't understand."
Some kind of trauma, I guess.
Fear of failure. Vicarious terror from watching peers crash and burn.
'Whatever, not my problem.'
I stroked Rena's head.
"Eek?!"
She jolted upright, eyes wide like I'd touched her with a bug, but she didn't swat my hand away.
I whispered softly into her ear.
"Sorry, but my dolls don't say shit that bums everyone out like that."
"...What?"
"Look around a bit, Rena. Get a feel for the vibe."
She reluctantly turned her head. And in that instant, her eyes widened again.
In the hall's darkness, people were indulging in their pleasures.
Slaves sat on laps, hands delving shamelessly under clothes or whispering filthy nothings into ears.
Some swapped deep kisses; others forced a slave's head between their legs.
Her gaze snapped back to me. Her face filled with unease, recalling how I'd fondled her breast and collared her like a dog moments ago.
"Hey... you. You're not planning to do that stuff to me, right?"
"Who knows. But if you stay all stiff like this, won't people suspect you're not a real doll?"
I whispered low and intimate, just for her ears.
"These folks are loaded. Top dogs from all over society, so most under those masks probably already know you're the real 'Miyazaki Rena.'"
"......"
"But if even one spots you're just 'acting' like a doll right now... what do you think happens?"
I nipped her earlobe lightly.
"Eut...!"
Then I converted my mana into sweet pleasure essence and let it flow into her body.
A irresistible languor spread like sweet poison, and Rena's expression began to soften.
"Word'll get back to your sleazy agency boss for sure. S-rank hunter Miyazaki Rena causing a scene here. How do you think the association will see you? One indelible stain on that shiny career of yours."
"Hahk... Th-that can't... happen..."
Rena's voice trembled raggedly.
"At least act the part."
"A-ah... Got it... I'll do it..."
I lifted my mask just enough and kissed her without warning.
Chuwup. Chup.
A kiss with the real Miyazaki Rena, not a clone.
I plunged my tongue deep inside like I'd been waiting. Her tongue, stiff with shock at first, melted under the pleasure essence and started responding.
"Eut, eum..."
Her soft moans drowned in the slick tangle of our tongues.
Chuwup, chuwup. Obscene sounds of saliva mixing. I cradled the back of her head, ravaging her mouth deeper, greedier.
Her small body went limp, leaning fully into me. Eyes glazed in pleasure, cheeks flushed, breaths coming hot and fast—she just took the kiss I poured into her.
"Pua... Nice doll act. Total slave doll."
"D-duh... Who do you... think I am...!"
But her mental fortitude was stronger than I'd thought.
She allowed the kiss, but when my hand slid below her waist toward her swimsuit line, Rena gritted her teeth and slapped it away hard.
Slap!
Her breath was still hot, but her eyes had turned icy cold again.
"Haa... I didn't come here for this. You... did all that stuff with my doll too, didn't you?"
"Who knows. No clue."
"Haa...! Kid's already hooked. Be grateful for a simple kiss. Kissing the great Miyazaki Rena is a lifelong honor."
"Yeah, yeah, sure."
I backed off easily. No intention of fully conquering her here anyway.
As the slave auction hit mid-point and beyond, the stage scenery shifted.
Flashy eye candy gave way to real 'talent.'
"Next up, 'Elise,' former secretary chief of the 'Blue Whale' Guild! As you see, stunning looks, but her real value's in her head! She's got C-rank combat skills, plus B-rank 'Asset Management' and A-rank 'Personnel Evaluation'! Ready to serve a new master after her guild's bankruptcy!"
A poised woman in a neat suit and glasses stood expressionless on stage.
Admin talent. Just what a guild needed to run.
"Next! Informant 'Shadow Rat' Davis! Low skill ranks, but he knows every back-alley rumor in Nocturne Town's underbelly! His brain's worth more than any info guild's database!"
The second was a skinny, terrified man glancing around nervously.
Not bad for running an info guild.
"Laszlo."
"Yes, Mr. Kang Ihyeon! Your word is law!"
"That glasses woman on stage left. Let's go with her."
I pointed at Elise, the ex-guild secretary with B-rank asset management. With Doris Finch as guild master, she needed a solid admin backup.
"Oho! As expected of Master—impeccable eye! No one's better for handling guild finances! I'll snag her right now!"
Laszlo scribbled a number on his paddle in a frenzy. But his bid got buried instantly by higher offers. In the end, that wolf-masked guy who'd been standing out grabbed her.
"Kuh...! That wolf mask is throwing money around like crazy! No worries, Mr. Kang Ihyeon! I won't miss the next one!"
But his boasts fell flat in the next auction, and the one after. Shadow Rat went to a crow-masked geezer.
A young guy with C-rank alchemy skills went to a flashy peacock-feather-masked woman. Laszlo failed every bid, spouting wild excuses each time.
"That crow old fart's jacking up prices on purpose! He's gotta be targeting me!"
"Ahh, that peacock mask... jealous of my stunning beauty, maybe?"
When the fifth talent slipped away too, I finally spoke up.
"You messing around, Laszlo?"
"Y-yes? What do you..."
"Fifth one. You showing off with free tickets and tanking bids on purpose? Or can you really not afford a single decent talent?"
At my cold jab, the exaggerated shock on Laszlo's face melted away.
Instead, a sly, calculating smile crept onto his lips.
"Hahaha... As expected, Mr. Kang Ihyeon. Sharp as ever."
He dropped the excuses.
"Truth is... my personal funds are tapped out. Can't buy talents like these on my dime. My loyalty to you runs deep, but my wallet's light—what can ya do."
He shrugged shamelessly, leaning in to whisper.
"But it's not hopeless. How about this? Take an advance on the contract deposit for our grand new pharma company, 'Nocturne Apothecary,' right here. Or cash out a tiny sliver of the shares you'll own. What do ya say?"
Only then did I fully grasp why he'd invited me here.
No such thing as motive-free kindness.
He wanted me splashing cash to tilt the contract in his favor.
I wasn't mad. Just don't spend, problem solved. But one thing bugged me.
It was too obvious a trap. Cute, even.
His real aim?
"Laszlo."
"Yes, Mr. Kang Ihyeon!"
"Something else on your mind?"
Irk the witch's business partner over pocket change like this?
He's no fool. Just a fanatic zealot. Can't miscalculate risks like that. Risk souring ties with the witch for chump change? Didn't add up.
At my blunt question, his smug smile froze. Mask hid it, but I caught the flicker of surprise in his eyes. Then he flashed an even deeper, weirder grin, like nothing happened.
"Heh heh heh...! We really do click, Mr. Kang Ihyeon."
Completely unfazed, he adjusted his glasses and continued.
"Forget that pathetic pitch. My mistake—underestimated your caliber. Honestly, seeing you eye bargain-bin trash like that? Disappointing. Why slave away nobodies when one ad pulls in waves of 'em?"
"......"
"But hey, first shopping spree. My bad. A good shopping buddy points out the gems! Can't watch you fuss over junk in a premium spot like this."
His eyes gleamed with madness again. He pointed to the stage, where a new item appeared.
A massive egg.
A throbbing black-tinged giant egg.
'Wha... what...'