TWLPOD 23

That was a purpose difficult to understand even after hearing the reason. Isn’t it a very obvious fact that clothes come out when you move? If anything, being pulled like this seems like it would restrict mobility…

While a question mark formed above Kay’s head, completely unable to grasp the meaning, Aran raised the corners of his mouth and perched on the edge of Kay’s bed.

“Don’t mind it and finish getting dressed.”

Kay held the remaining one and hesitated for a moment, then glared at Aran.

“Are you doubting me right now?”

So quick on the uptake.

“If you’re going to be suspicious, then try to think of another use for it.”

“I think it would be perfect for wrapping around your neck to shut you up.”

“Was that your preference?”

“Can I try it out?”

“Be gentle.”

He couldn’t just strangle the guy who was willingly offering his sleek neck, and he felt a genuine surge of anger.

To the point where he should perhaps question his own learning ability, which kept him engaging in conversation despite experiencing this kind of outcome every time.

“……”

Kay turned his back to him, fastened the remaining garter belt, and pulled up the slacks that had slipped down to his calves.

Aran, who had been watching the clothes being placed on Kay’s body one by one with an indifferent gaze, opened his mouth.

“Is anything uncomfortable?”

“No. Except that it’s a little big.”

“It looks like it.”

Kay’s suit was custom-made, completed in just four days after Aran hounded his family’s exclusive tailor. The suit, which perfectly met the request to be made with a little extra room from the body measurements taken by a scanner, now only needed a necktie.

“Should I tie it for you?”

“Not necessary.”

“I’ll get my feelings hurt if you hate me too much.”

“Then don’t do things that make you hated.”

“Me?”

The way he tilted his head gently against the bed frame as he asked was annoying, as it was intended to steal one’s gaze. Even more so because of his blatant attitude, as if to say, can you still hate me even after seeing this face?

“Stop testing people like that too.”

With that answer as his last, Kay completely tore his gaze away from Aran and, following his memory, completed the knot of the necktie and slowly tightened it around his neck.

His reflection in the mirror, dressed in an unfamiliar neatness he had never seen before, felt strange. At the same time, his heart felt heavy as he thought of the esper who would be at the place he was about to go, in his stead.

“……”

Aran, who was quietly watching his unfocused face, felt the same subtle discomfort as when he first met him and asked.

“What are you thinking about?”

As their gazes intertwined, the discomfort disappeared. Aran, chewing over the unpleasant feeling, licked the inside of his own mouth instead of Kay’s smooth, bead-like sclera.

“That person. Will he be okay?”

Aran, who briefly wondered who he was talking about, confirmed with an ah.

“The auction item?”

Kay’s eyebrows narrowed as if he didn’t like the expression.

“He volunteered.”

“I know.”

“It’s a good thing, isn’t it? He said he was Simon’s clo.se. friend too.”

Kay’s idea of selling himself to find the suspect was passed on to someone else. One of the espers, who had been arbitrarily selected by the Center, had strongly wished for it. The esper, named Luis, had introduced himself as Simon’s friend and had even begged them to please use him, saying he would do it gladly if it would help.

“Do you feel indebted?”

“It’s not to the point of feeling indebted, but I am concerned.”

If everything could be resolved simply by accepting that it was unavoidable, how would humans be different from machines? Above all, Kay had a certain confidence in himself. Confidence that he was the right person to handle the risks and deal with the situations that came with being sold at an auction.

“Isn’t it tiring?”

“What is?”

“Caring about everyone like that.”

“It’s probably because you’re too indifferent.”

“That’s because…”

“?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

Kay was curious about Aran’s unfinished sentence but didn’t ask again and followed Aran, who was leaving the room. Aran, seeing Kay following with a hardened expression, reiterated to himself.

‘Because they’re strangers.’

To him, Kay’s typical and universal kindness was rather strange.

Since it wasn’t for a military purpose, they couldn’t use transfer and had to travel by vehicle this time. Jin delivered the mission briefing through the screen inside the luxury sedan, which had begun its automated journey to the destination.

— The items put up for the full moon auction begin transport immediately after the auction ends.

— Two devices have been installed on the esper who was put up for sale. One is a mechanical tracker inside his body, and the other utilizes Mr. Kay’s tracking ability.

It was the same principle as the lantern he had given to Leah. Kay could track the location of the fire he himself had ignited, although there were limits to the number and distance.

— However, in the case of the tracker, there is a possibility that its signal will be blocked inside the venue, and we don’t know what kind of variable the esper’s ability will be if there is someone with detection abilities. Therefore…

“We need personnel on site to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, is that it?”

Jin nodded calmly.

— For your information, Corps Commander Teito was extremely displeased about the matter of Mr. Aran moving personally.

“I told him I’d yield if there was anyone else who could get an invitation.”

Aran took out a stiff-looking envelope from his breast pocket and shook it.

— I will not bother explaining what kind of profanities I heard from him in response to that. Well then, you two, please be careful.

Before getting out of the stopped vehicle, he placed the small device he was given on the bridge of his nose, and a holographic mask was created. Click, click. A bat mask was formed by stacking layers, and as Kay touched it, marveling at it, he saw a hand held up in a V-sign in his field of vision.

“How many?”

“Two.”

“Very good.”

He could tell that the man under the horned deer mask was smiling, even though he couldn’t see him. Kay pushed the fingers away and got out of the vehicle, which had been filled with his presence.

The bright night of Lympus, which he still wasn’t used to.

“Well then, shall we go?”

The full moon floating above their heads illuminated the night path, and following the trail of light created by the moonlight led to a staircase that went down to the semi-basement of a building.

“Welcome.”

After turning a narrow, C-shaped path where there would be no escape if ambushed, an employee wearing a fox mask was standing in front of the entrance. From the turtleneck down to the slim-tipped shoes. The employee, armed with a thoroughness that showed not a single speck of flesh, extended both hands with a somewhat exaggerated politeness.

“I will check your invitation.”

Aran took the invitation out of his breast pocket. Inside the envelope, a hologram popped up from a bluish card, and when it was recognized, a guide tone sounded.

[Verified.]

A door within the opened door. Inside that, there was another door, and after passing through the triple device and getting on an elevator, the buttonless machine began to move.

The 불안하게 shaking interior stopped, and the doors opened. There.

“Welcome.”

He saw a hall that was larger than he had imagined.

A full moon, as vivid as the real one, floated in the center of the stage, and the water droplets falling from the ceiling sparkled like a real silver-filled Milky Way.

Among the massive decorations, the participants, their appearances concealed by finery and masks, were examining the miniature auction items inside the display cases.

“First time at an auction?”

Kay, who was walking around, looking about, answered the question and took a spot in a dark area by the wall.

“No. I’ve seen one. In Willamere.”

Thanks to the masks they were wearing, both Aran’s voice and his own sounded unfamiliar.

“Then you know how it proceeds, right?”

“Roughly.”

“The esper will be sold last, so watch comfortably until then.”

Saying so, Aran, who was leisurely stretching his body, was already holding a catalog in one hand.

“Didn’t you say you have no money?”

“Looking is free.”

Of course, now that he knew the family name and power Aran possessed, he was well aware that it was absurd to mention things like money to him, but it couldn’t be helped that it made him seem even more detestable.

The moment Kay’s mask, who wanted to fire back one more word, moved with the shape of his mouth. The splendid interior lights all went out at once.

Soon, a light came on near the entrance they had used, creating a single path that led to the central stage under the full moon decoration.

[“Welcome. To everyone who has participated in the full moon auction.”]

A figure in a neat suit and a perfectly fitting jaguar mask appeared, receiving everyone’s attention. He went around the circular hall once, greeting everyone. He must have worn strong perfume, as a powerful floral scent lingered where he passed.

[“Have you checked the catalogs placed at your seats? It is best to check your balance in advance and keep an eye on the items you like! Here, at the full moon auction, only the prepared get the opportunity!”]

A powerful voice and a confident tone echoed thunderously throughout the auction house.

[“Is everyone ready to welcome the precious items from all over the world?”]

He, who had stepped onto the stage, spread his arms wide as if to show off the showmanship he was born with.

[“If you are ready, then from now on, the first item!”]

The cloth covering the auction item coming down from below the full moon was instantly whisked away.

[“Is the human swarm!”]

The first auction item, whose nature couldn’t be guessed from the name alone, was like bees gathered in a hive. It was a sculpture in which hundreds of humans were entangled to form a single mass. It was beyond perplexing, it was incomprehensible, and the protruding entrails and the twisted forms of bodies ruthlessly intertwined were nauseating, but contrary to Kay’s impression, the price shot up in an instant.

Afterward, incomprehensible items and prices continued to be exchanged.

Artificial skin using new materials, a book recording a journey in ancient Willamere, and even an unidentified device used for sex. When the auction was already halfway through.

[“Number 209, one thousand!”]

Number 209?

Kay’s head turned. It was the number of the seat where Aran was sitting.