"Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to present Item No. 8!"
On the stage, the masked auctioneer bowed deeply to the gathered Ghoul aristocrats. From beneath the floor, Akira — dressed in punk-style leather—rose into view.
The moment her eyes adjusted to the harsh lights, she slowly opened them.
Dozens — no, hundred s— of masked Ghoul elites filled her field of vision.
"So many of them…?"
Akira swept her gaze across the hall, a faint frown forming, cold disgust flashing in her eyes.
"I love that icy expression! That domineering, untouchable vibe—perfection!"
"Same! Same! The way she looks at us like trash… I need that! Look at me again!"
"I'm buying her. I'll bring her home and make her stomp on me!"
"Mommy—!"
As Akira appeared, the Ghoul nobles erupted in excitement.
"Item No. 8! Starting bid: 1 million yen!"
The auctioneer spread his arms dramatically.
"1.5 million!"
"2 million!"
"2.5 million!"
The frenzy had truly begun.
"Five million."
A lazy voice drifted from the VIP balcony.
The Ghoul nobles turned their heads and saw a refined, purple-haired man lounging on an ornate seat.
Shuu Tsukiyama.
Ever since the restaurant incident, he'd become increasingly obsessed with Hayashi.He didn't care about the women tonight—he was using the auction as bait.
As the crowd quieted, Tsukiyama raised his wine glass in an elegant toast.
"Congratulations to Buyer 32 for winning Item No. 8 at five million yen!"
The auctioneer tapped his gavel, and Akira was lowered beneath the stage once more.
"Now then, before anyone's excitement fades, let me introduce Item No. 9!"
Two figures rose from below: Nashiro and Kurona, trembling, clinging to each other under the blinding lights.
"Twins! Perfectly symmetrical! I must collect them!"
"Twins are too dangerous for a beginner—let me handle them!"
"Mommy—!"
The nobles' chatter grew frantic.
"Item No. 9! Starting bid—200 million ye—"
"250!"
"300!"
"400!"
The bids stacked instantly.
Then—
"Ten million."
Silence.
A massive hand raised the bidder's card on the second floor.
A morbidly obese woman with golden glasses and heavy jewelry licked her lips.
Big Madam — Suzuya's former owner and abuser.
"These little playthings will be… delightful."
Her glasses gleamed with twisted appetite.
"Congratulations to Buyer No. 1 for winning Item No. 9 for ten million yen!"
The twins were lowered beneath the stage.
"And now… our final item. The showstopper of tonight's auction!"
The floor rose once again.
Standing atop the platform was Suzuya — dressed in an elaborate gothic gown.
The nobles leaned forward in morbid anticipation.
"Starting price for this exquisite rarity is—"
"No need for an auction."
Suzuya tilted her head with a sweet, serene smile.
From under the gown, she pulled a handful of throwing knives.
And unleashed them.
The blades pierced the auctioneer's skull before he could scream, collapsing him onto the stage.
Gasps filled the hall — but Suzuya was already moving.
She leapt onto the banquet table, lacing the air with more knives. Ghoul aristocrats toppled over, throats punctured, blood gushing across the velvet carpets.
Panic exploded.
Suzuya descended with the grace of a falling feather, landing among corpses, still smiling warmly.
"Ladies… gentlemen… allow me to send you on your way."
She reached into her skirt, drawing two black hilts. With a flick, they unfolded into twin blades—blood-purple, shimmering dangerously.
"Don't be afraid! There's only one of him—kill—!"
"Right! We're nobles! We can't die here!"
"Eat him!"
"Mommy—!"
The ghouls charged.
"Such enthusiasm… you're making me blush."
Suzuya vanished.
Bodies split apart. Blood drenched the walls. Fear devoured every last shred of their arrogance.
The nobles broke. All of them sprinted for the entrance in pure terror.
But just as the fastest ones reached the exit—
BOOM.
The steel doors burst inward.
The nearest ghouls were crushed into the wall, reduced to red mist.
"Sorry," a calm voice said."This place is full."
A white-haired boy stepped inside.
Hayashi.
One hand held the Thousand Demon Daggers. The other rested Asuramaru against his shoulder.
A suffocating pressure flooded the hall.Even the aristocrats felt their knees tremble.
"Don't bother praying to your gods."
Hayashi raised his blade, lips curving into a wild, confident grin.
"Because the real god is standing right in front of you."