TCBUP 81

Chapter 81

 Participation

“Now, let’s shift the mood to something a little softer.”

Ah, that familiar voice.

It was the same host who had been so good at riling up the crowd with energy back at the circus.

‘If that guy’s here, then does that mean the performance is over?’

I had no way of knowing how much time had passed while I was unconscious, so all I could do was guess.

On top of that, Leon, who had gone to rescue the slum residents, hadn’t sent word back. That made me anxious.

Being alone in the darkness, with nothing clear, worries kept coming and going—whether a fight might break out, why it was so quiet outside, and if something had gone horribly wrong.

This mission really was a total disaster.

“And now, the product we proudly present tonight! To repay our noble patrons who always support us, we’ve prepared the most beautiful and lovely little bird.”

As soon as he finished speaking, the curtain rose.

A flood of bright stage lights wrapped around the cage, dazzling me until I could barely see.

“Then shall we start at 10,000,000G? Yes, number 11 has raised their hand. 27. Anyone else? Yes, number 6. Oh, number 34.”

And just like that, an auction began.

As I sat there dumbfounded, I gradually pieced together what was happening.

They were auctioning me off.

“You insane bastards! This is a crime!”

I grabbed the bars of the cage with both hands and rattled them with all my strength, but they were firmly fixed and didn’t budge an inch.

Then—clang—the host smacked the bars with his cane.

“See? Isn’t that little tantrum so adorable? Imagine the fun you’ll have taming her.”

The sound of conversations and laughter spread beyond the stage.

As my eyes adjusted to the overhead light, I finally began to make out the audience seats.

The so-called ‘noble patrons’ were all wearing identical white masks.

Plain white masks with no decoration, the mouth sealed shut so they couldn’t speak, only holes for the eyes.

“The competition is fierce tonight. In that case, let’s raise it by 2,000,000G! Starting bid: 15,000,000G! Do I hear a call? Oh, already—number 11. Number 8. Yes, number 29. Number 34!”

As the price climbed steeply, I clutched the bars and froze.

Good god. Just how rich were they to throw money around like water in a slave auction?

Even 1,000,000G was more than a year’s salary.

“I never expected such a heated response. Excellent! How about 20,000,000G? Yes, number 11. Oh, number 7 joins the fray. Anyone else? Right, number 34—of course you’re in.”

The one who always raised their hand first whenever the price went up was easy to identify.

The crimson hair spilling over the mask—so close to scarlet—it could only belong to Withrow.

And then—

“23,000,000G! Wonderful, number 11. What fierce determination. Incredible—number 34 refuses to back down either! Such spirit!”

Withrow and number 34 were locked in serious competition now.

‘What the hell am I supposed to do?’

The price was climbing to absurd heights, while I sat here like a bird in a cage, waiting to be sold.

The host, gleefully stirring the rivalry, and the masked ‘nobles’ laughing along—it was all like a nightmare.

But what unsettled me most were the so-called patrons.

Could they really not know who I was?

It wasn’t as if they didn’t know I was the Crown Prince’s fiancée. Even if they were trying to curry favor with Withrow, how could they enjoy this so openly? That made them the worst of all.

‘What if I really do get sold?’

I didn’t know who number 34 was, but maybe being sold to Withrow would be better.

No—maybe not.

Even now he acted without restraint. If he officially claimed ownership of me, who knew what else he might do? Just imagining it made my vision darken.

“25,000,000G! Any other bids? Numbers 11 and 34, won’t you call?”

At that, the words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself.

“30,000,000G!”

“…What?”

“I want in. Let me join the bidding. It’s my body—surely I have the right.”

“And do you have the money, young lady?”

“I do. You know that—I handed it to you myself. Besides, I’m the daughter of the wealthy Earl Hargreaves. Soon-to-be Crown Princess, at that. Look it up if you don’t believe me.”

I’d earned a staggering 50,000,000G from the dagger show.

The host, recalling that fact, turned uncertainly toward number 11—Withrow.

I couldn’t see his expression behind the mask, but the way his fingers toyed with his chin carried a spark of interest.

“…”

After several seconds of silence, Withrow finally gave the slightest nod.

“Splendid! For the first time in our auction’s history, the product herself joins the bidding! Remember, this is the very young lady who never screamed once, even with daggers flying at her in a deadly show! Beautiful and courageous! Give her a hand!”

Phew. At least I’d secured a chance not to be sold off to Withrow or number 34.

I exhaled in relief—only for the host to thunderously announce the next round.

“Now, let’s resume! We have three competitors: number 11, number 34, and our pride and joy—the chirping young lady herself! Anyone else care to join?”

All eyes turned with amusement toward Withrow and the mysterious number 34.

But no one else raised a hand, and the atmosphere shifted into a tense quiet, so different from before.

“Of course! It’d be strange for others to interfere now. Very well, bidding resumes at 30,000,000G!”

Oh no, what now?

I was on the brink of exhausting my entire cash reserve.

Meanwhile, messages kept popping up, shimmering temptations urging me to take out a loan, as the bidding crept higher and higher.

My mouth was parched, lips dry, and I kept running my tongue over them.

So this was what it meant for your nerves to burn like fire.

Then it came—whether a lifeline or the devil’s whisper, I couldn’t tell—a cheerful system alert.

<MESSAGE>

Need cash fast?

We offer low interest, generous repayment deadlines.

No matter the amount, funds will be deposited within 1 second.

No screening required.

Because you are our valued player, our VIP customer at Love & Cash.

Simply enter the amount and press YES!

Ugh. Just when I was already on edge, a spammy loan ad? Seriously?

Even as I scoffed, my brain was already racing to calculate how much I’d need.

But I couldn’t bring myself to type it in.

This game had cornered me at every turn—there was no way it would hand over money so easily.

That message was nothing more than a carrot dangled in front of a racing horse. I forced myself to ignore it.

“Number 11 has raised their hand. The bid is now 50,000,000G! Number 34 follows! Bold move!”

Shit. That was beyond my cash reserves.

Anxiety gnawed at me as I chewed on my nails without thinking.

My eyes locked onto the floating system window.

“Number 11 raises again—50,000,000G! Number 34 matches! And now, the question: what about our beautiful, wealthy little songbird? What will she do?”

At this point, the only lifeline left to me was Love & Cash.

But borrowing money carried the stench of disaster—I could feel it in my bones.

I stamped my feet anxiously. Then, in a rush, I scrawled 50,000,000G into the window and slammed YES.

‘To hell with it. Future me can deal with the consequences. For now, I borrow.’

With a resigned grimace, I squeezed my eyes shut. And sure enough, within a single second, the money was deposited.

[ABOUT YOU]

Name: Sienna Hargreaves
Age: 21
Occupation: Investor, Crown Princess-to-be, Bird in a Cage
Wealth: 260,931,005G
Current Status: About to explode
Inventory: Harness (in use), Imperial Palace map, Unquenchable Lantern, Bonk Hammer of Darkness, Potion of 30-minute mind-reading, Unbreakable Toothpick (currently on loan♡)
Others’ Evaluation: “Chirpy” (pfft)
Currently Pursuable Male Leads:
✤ Damian Ortiz: “You awake…?”
♦ Nox Green: “Please let the affection stay as it is.”
♠ Leon/Aiden: “Where are you, what are you doing?”
♥ Huperion: “What am I supposed to do with this man?”
Ongoing Mission: Uncover the true nature of Hell.

The instant I confirmed the amount, I shot my hand up.

“Oh! What a brave and wealthy bird indeed! Now, gentlemen—will you accept her challenge? Our lovely bird makes her move!”