Chapter 11
Translator: IPO
Chapter 11
The Subway Auction House was built by massively remodeling the old subway station of Hongdae Entrance Station. Upon the traces of the past, it was constructed in imitation of a grand Opera House.
This auction house is not merely a place for transactions. It has become a splendid stage where art and power intertwine, captivating the big shots of the underground world and the Hunters.
Even if this world is dull and dark, it feels as if it is declaring to those who despised us and demanded our sacrifice that we are still living.
“Inside is even better made.”
The entrance retains the traces of the old subway station while capturing the grandeur of an opera theater.
The entrance is built with a magnificent and enormous arched structure, as if containing the glory of ancient times. Like Nietzsche’s words, “The power granted by heaven shall shatter everything on earth,” this place resembles an abyss that devours all desires and greed of the underground world.
When you pass the entrance and step into the lobby, a ceiling painted with golden frescoes and crystal chandeliers radiate light, creating an atmosphere as if evoking the fantasies of those dreaming of a lost paradise.
You can roughly imagine just how much money was poured into it.
Once you enter the main hall, a scene so beautiful it steals your breath unfolds.
The space that once held the subway platform and tracks has now transformed into something that looks as if the grand theater of an opera house was moved here entirely.
At the center of the hall is a circular stage, and this stage rotates automatically so the auction items can be viewed from various angles.
Behind the stage, a large screen is installed, displaying detailed information about the auction items in real time. And the red velvet curtain hanging above the stage unfolds solemnly when the auction begins.
“Ahaha, how pretty.”
Seeing such a beautiful and magnificent sight put me in a good mood.
The first-generation Hunters who were driven underground back then… perhaps they were literally engulfed by a sense of crisis and helplessness, pushed to the very edge of a cliff.
The government, the media, and the entire nation oppressed them. They were a minority, and the number of Awakened who were sacrificed kept increasing—how could they not feel despair?
And yet those people, here underground—
They built nests in the egg sacks of insects, created a new world, and have now transformed into beings strong enough to influence the surface world as well.
Their journey and the time they endured appear to me like heroes shining at the end of adversity and trials. It truly looks beautiful.
“You who claim to be mighty, behold—and despair!
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”
The poem Ozymandias comes to mind.
Ahaha, how strange.
In the past, I didn’t know anything about Ozymandias or things like that. But after becoming a Succubus Empress, poetic expressions occasionally come to mind like this.
Even though I’ve never read the books myself.
Still, the situation suits it well.
The government and civilians despised the first-generation Hunters and forced sacrifices upon them while reigning as the “strong,” yet now the ones smiling are the Awakened who fought back then.
[Beetle Egg Nest] now possesses insect eggs capable of replacing Magic Stones, along with all kinds of smuggled goods, manipulating the underground economy and holding enough power to shake the nation. They call it a wanted zone or a region lacking public security, but in reality it is practically land stolen by a small number of Awakened.
Ah, of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean Hunters are heroes or noble beings.
Most first-generation Hunters were indeed noble, but those who created [Beetle Egg Nest] struggled desperately to survive. Now, rather than heroes, it would not be an exaggeration to call them local warlords or ambitious criminal organizations.
Those who abandoned them—the government—and those who eventually stepped into crime and the dark world while struggling to survive… in the end, everyone is human. All are equally grotesquely beautiful.
I twirled my parasol and stepped inside.
The item exhibition area is decorated as if one were appreciating works of art.
Each auction item shines inside glass barriers like mysterious treasures, and the water flowing across the floor adds a mystical atmosphere, as if holding all the secrets of the world.
This auction house is not merely a marketplace. The auctions held here resemble a drama.
With opera music flowing, the auctioneer introduces items on stage with exaggerated gestures as though performing a show.
What is traded here is not merely goods, but the fate and future of the underground world.
Those gathered here have come to claim a part of that fate—and out of the desire to control what they cannot dominate.
And I came to watch as those grasping hands of desire become entangled.
So, where should I sit?
Since this auction house is modeled after an opera house, aside from the audience seats below the stage, VIP rooms are packed along the ceiling and walls.
Since I’ve come this far, a VIP room would be best.
“This place looks good. It’s directly in front, so the view is clear, and the acoustics are just right.”
“Excuse me? Who are you? This is my seat—”
“Don’t you think you should go home early today?”
“Excuse me? Y-Yes… yes… uhh…”
“I see. Have a pleasant night.”
Fortunately, a kind and gentle person yielded a seat in the auction house to me.
Hehe. I never refuse kindness.
“Then we will present the next auction item!”
“Ah, what a shame… it was already underway.”
Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the earlier auction items, but that’s fine.
I didn’t come here to buy things or participate in the auction. I simply came to observe from above the beauty and ugliness of the items brought here—
And the greedy expressions of humans gathering to buy them.
“The Devil’s Heart! A parasitic bio-artifact that appeared in the Northern Siberia Zone. By parasitizing the wearer’s heart, it grants permanent strength and magic enhancement! The starting bid will begin at 300,000 dollars!”
“400,000.”
“500,000!”
“1 million!”
Oh my, oh my.
Over there… even the Hoyeon Guild, called Korea’s representative guild, is present.
There are many other large guilds as well.
Hehe. They always talk about issuing stern warnings to the thugs occupying Mapo District, yet seeing how comfortably they come here, it seems they have quite a friendly relationship.
Birds of a feather flock together, after all. Awakened people must help each other.
“Haaah… how fun~”
What’s so fun about this scene, you ask?
How could it not be beautiful and entertaining when humans filled with desire collide and tear at one another so fiercely?
Especially since this auction house might produce items capable of shaking not only the underground world but also the future of Korea and the Hunter world.
Desire boils far more intensely than usual here, and the beauty blooming within ugliness is none other than humanity’s fierce struggle for survival—an instinctive reverence for power and desire.
That primal desire and emotion is like a delicacy to me.
And so the auction continued.
Those from the great guilds rejoiced when they obtained what they wanted. Some even revealed killing intent toward those who appeared to be their competitors.
Unfortunately, they didn’t clash.
If things overheated and a violent conflict broke out, that would be worth bringing popcorn for…
“Ah, is there something to drink?”
“If you wish, we can bring brandy along with some light snacks.”
“Please do~”
One should watch spectacles like this while eating something.
“Now! Today’s third highlight auction item!”
At that moment, the host brought out something new.
But something felt strange.
The items displayed until now were ones that strengthened Awakened individuals or rare and powerful equipment.
They were things radiating brilliant light.
But now…
“Damp, gloomy, dark, and unpleasant?”
It wasn’t just me who felt it.
The audience began murmuring as others sensed it too.
“We will reveal it!”
What was revealed was a violin.
But it was not an ordinary violin.
That thing… that thing…
It’s unpleasant.
People often think that jump scares in horror films—sudden sounds, dramatic scene shifts, loud entrances—are fear.
But those are not fear; they are merely surprises.
And surprise fades as quickly as it appears.
True fear begins with ambiguity born from familiarity.
Something unknown, quiet, and still.
Something ordinary, yet carrying a subtle sense of discomfort.
Something similar to us, yet clearly different—uncertainty about its identity and motives.
That is fear.
“…Wh-What is that?”
“Huh…”
“What in the world…”
And that beautiful yet grotesque violin perfectly fulfills those conditions.
Ah… it is so hideous and dreadful that I unconsciously furrowed my beautiful brows.
How could someone do this to a girl.
How could someone do this to a boy.
How could someone do this to innocent children.
Cruelly,
Ahahaha, aha.
Haaaah….
“How pretty….”
Many people fear it, marvel at it, and feel repulsed by it—but to me, how could it look so beautiful?
It is certainly grotesque.
Terrible and tragic. Thinking of the children sacrificed to some vile, irredeemable murderer almost makes me cry.
And yet… and yet it is so beautiful.
It’s beautiful.
“This is a collection piece from the notorious David, an S-Rank terrorist, serial killer, and child exploiter! It is said to be a violin made using the remains of no fewer than 187 children!”
Just what kind of person.
What kind of individual.
With what reason—with what motive—created that thing?
The spine of a child was crushed and wrapped around the strings.
The muscles and tendons of a girl.
The finger bones of a boy were finely ground and used as decoration. Artistic yet grotesque images were carved into the violin.
When a human recognizes that something shaped like a human is not truly human, they feel an indescribable discomfort.
The beauty I feel toward that thing is similar.
It is unpleasant.
It is horrific.
The boys and girls who never had the chance to bloom are so beautiful!
And yet… ah, ah!
It feels as if the children who never bloomed are beckoning to me.
Asking me to hold them.
“Ah, I want it!”
Without realizing it, I stood up from my seat and shouted.
At that moment, the people around me—
The faces of those near me instantly froze.
“1 million.”
“2 million.”
“3 million.”
“Ah—ah? Th-The price is rising instantly! I-Is there anyone else!?”
For me.
Please buy that for me.
Throw your money at it.
Ah—but don’t throw too much.
“….”
The Awakened from other great guilds begin watching each other cautiously.
They are wondering whether it truly has that much value or if it is some kind of trap, glancing sideways and searching for information.
Ah, will you participate?
“Join in~”
I flick my fingers.
Like the fingertips of a conductor leading an orchestra.
Join the cheers of desire.
Ah, of course—that will belong to me.