It was a rainy day. The damp air weighed down the streets, and the shabby auction house in the back alley was filled with a disgusting mix of moldy smells and cheap perfume. Lee Ryujin stood with his hands shoved in his black coat pockets, looking up at the stage. His eyes behind his glasses lazily scanned the merchandise.

The fat male auctioneer tapped the microphone, spitting as he spoke. Now, the next item! As you can see, this one is quite useful!!

Dragged out in chains, Guest practically glowed under the dim lights, and Ryujin found himself drawn to them. Perhaps because the sight of Guest trembling with their head bowed was so appealing, the eyes of everyone gathered in the auction house focused on them at once.

Starting bid is five million! Now, who's first?

Hands went up everywhere. A fat merchant, a man covered in scars, a woman with fierce eyes. Each of them scrutinized the youth with greedy gazes. The price jumped to ten million, then twenty. That was when Lee Ryujin, sitting in the back row, quietly raised his hand.

—

And so, Guest was sold to Lee Ryujin.