"There is a well-known science that saying blood of young people can reverse one's aging. But not many people know that blood of special young people can not only reverse aging but also fix brain damage. The definition of special is children with purer spirits and knowledge than average children. They can be categorized as indigo, crystal, rainbow, and the highest one is diamond. The blood of a diamond child is believed to fix even severe brain damage. However, diamond children are very difficult to find and almost impossible to handle. We found this one child who was a diamond child in the deepest reaches of the Black continent. And in order to collect this blood, we suffered no less than a thousand casualties, not to mention the loss of the child's life as he and his tribe refused to cooperate."
Gasps and murmurs ripple through the audience below as the white-haired man—known to be the owner of the item—finishes his sentence. His cold expression doesn't change, despite the reaction. He raises his hand, holding a retort half-filled with red liquid.
"We managed to take this much of his blood before the boy decided to explode himself, destroying his body, his village, and our colleagues." A faint trace of sadness appears on his face, but I know it's just an act. He exaggerates an exhale before continuing, "Because of that much damage, we decided to sell this precious blood for no less than 75 grand, with 8 grand for each increase."
Miss Lee beside me gasps unconsciously, her attention still locked on the stage.
"Naega dangsin-eul wihae geugeos-eul igigileul wonhasibnikka? (Do you want me to win it for you?)" I ask, watching her intently.
"Mueos? (What?)" She turns to me, surprised.
"Dangsin-eun geugeos-e maeu gwansim-i boinda. Naega dangsin-eul wihae geugeos-eul igigileul wonhasibnikka? (You seem very interested in it. Do you want me to win it for you?)" I repeat.
"Oh... Aniyo. Geuleol pil-yoga eobs-seubnida. (No. You don't have to.)" Miss Lee quickly rejects my offer.
I don't say another word but continue to observe her. She tries to loosen her tension, pretending to be indifferent to the diamond child's blood. But I see through her act as she pours herself a glass of wine, then leans back into my arm. Her gaze is still fixated on the bidding, unable to hide her desire.
"750 grand for 1! 750 grand for 2! 750 grand for 3! 750 grand for 4!" The announcer counts. Miss Lee subconsciously pulls back, straightening her body, her interest more obvious than ever. "750 grand for 5!! And the Diamond child's blood is sold to Room A for 750 thousand Galliluere dollars!!!"
Her eyes flicker toward Room A's balcony, despite her attempt to hide it. The audience claps, but Miss Lee's attention is still drawn to the result.
"750 grand!! Amazing!!" The master of ceremony says, trying to quiet the applause. "Okay, let's continue with the next item..."
The curtain opens again, revealing a glass box with a neck mannequin displaying a necklace.
"Maeu aleumdaun (So beautiful)," Miss Lee whispers, her voice laced with admiration. Her words make me smirk slightly.
"Some of you may have heard about the infamous heist several years ago in country B. The heist took a vault filled with numerous diamonds and jewelry. No one claimed responsibility for the heist, and the treasure was never found. Well, until recently. This piece of art..." The master of ceremony gestures toward the glass box. "Is one of the treasures from the vault."
The audience murmurs in excitement. "This necklace has 200 carats of diamonds on its chain and one large pink diamond that boasts a perfect seven-star glint. The owner of this item refused to make an appearance for a very understandable reason, of course. Thus, the auction bought it from its owner and now sells it here tonight, starting at 25 grand, increasing by two and a half grand each."
Miss Lee leans in closer, wrapping her arm around my waist. "Naui salang (My love)," she whispers with a soft, spoiled tone.
"Hmm..?"
"Dangsin-eun naleul wihae geugeos-eul igil su issseubnikka? (Can you win it for me?)" She asks, her voice sweet and coaxing.
I smile thinly, knowing her game. "Mullon. Dangsin-eul wihae mueos-ideun (Of course. Anything for you)," I respond, playing along.
Miss Lee's joy bursts as she shrieks, pecking my cheek.
I reach for the remote control and press the black button to join the bidding.
"Room E for 30," the announcer calls. "Number 39 for 32.5. Room E for 35. 39 for 37.5. Room E for 40..."
I continue bidding, pushing my competitors out of the race. Eventually, I win the necklace for 87.5 thousand Galliluere dollars. Miss Lee squeals in delight, hugging me tightly.
"Maeu gamsahabnida (Thank you very much)," she says, her voice filled with joy. "Dangsin-eun choegoyeyo (You're the best)."
I smirk, aware of her acting, but I play along and kiss her hair.
"And... for the last item of the night..."
A Middle Eastern man steps onto the stage. His gloved hand reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a tiny concrete box, presenting it to the audience. He speaks.
"Inside this concrete box is a frozen nuclear bomb core. This is the same bomb core used during the Second World War, but we've updated it to have a hundred times the impact, yet it's ten times easier to stabilize."
"Nuga haeg-eul sago sip-eo? (Who wants to buy nuclear?)" Miss Lee murmurs, frowning.
"Michin salamdeul (Crazy people)," I respond briefly, my focus still on the bidding. Of course, the bidders aren't crazy. This nuclear core is the ultimate weapon. Any country that possesses it will hold tremendous power in the world. I suspect the bidders are representatives from nations.
"And the core of the nuclear bomb is sold for one and a half million Galliluere dollars to Room A!!"
"Leol suga!! Abang-e nuga geuleohge bujaga doelyeogo?! (Unbelievable!! Whoever is in Room A must be that rich?!)" Miss Lee exclaims in reflex.
I think the same, though for very different reasons. Room A has claimed both the blood of the diamond child and the nuclear core, items that we both wants.