In total, there were twenty-four hybrids in the Hybrid Auction and all of them were hired to look after their boss. There were a handful of wealthy uninfected people in the room, but they were nothing compared to the hybrids who were sent there by their boss to attend the auction. It's not like the uninfected that attended the auction had no regard for their lives, it's just that they were more than confident that their hybrid subordinates would be able to take care of any trouble lest anything arises.
"What's that smell?"
"A human? No... it must be a hybrid."
"Interesting..."
With a purposeful gait, Kazuichi walked inside the Hybrid Auction Hall wherein the auctioneer led him to one of the VIP seats. This was how people in the auction determine their rank and their way of approaching someone. At first, when everyone saw the new face, they all wanted to have a connection with him, but when they realized a moment later that he was actually a bigshot despite being young, they hesitated. Even the hybrids who were about to corner him backed away.
"Please make yourself comfortable. The auction will begin shortly after." The auctioneer spoke in a hushed tone when he addressed Kazuichi. After performing a respectable ninety-degree bow, he turned around and headed back to the storage.
Murmurs erupted from multiple directions as Kazuichi comfortably seated himself. Well, he was not in the least bit comfortable, but he figured he had to act as refined and as business-like in front of these figures in order to impress them a little bit. He was aware that he shouldn't convey any weakness, especially when there are hybrids around.
Fortunately, with the way he was dressed, the two Hybrid Hunters who captured him didn't recognize him at all. He was able to blend in with the wealthy guys quite well. But even after all that, Kazuichi had no idea why everyone was avoiding him. Even the hybrids who were supposed to feel some sort of kinship with him, steered clear of him as if he was an obstacle in the road. He didn't take it to heart though. Instead, he looked forward and paid attention to the auction which was about to transpire.
What Kazuichi didn't know was that his scent was actually pretty confusing. They couldn't tell whether he was human, hybrid, or simply masking his scent with either. That's why they couldn't approach him willy-nilly. Adding to that, he was also considered one of the richest men in the auction since he was directed to the VIP seat. They had no idea how rich he was, but they knew Kazuichi couldn't be underestimated.
The auction hall was not all that spacious. There were two floors, with the second floor overlooking the first floor. More seats were positioned there, and this is where more seats were positioned. The first floor was only for the wealthy ones... and the front row seat belonged to the VIPs who were the richest among the rich. Right now, Kazuichi was situated on the front row seat, overlooking the velvety curtains that covered all the products behind it. A couple of moments ago, Kazuichi was behind those curtains, discussing products upon products with the auctioneer. His mind then drifted towards the young girl he took under his wing.
"I hope she's all right. It's not like I don't trust those people behind the scenes... and they have certain procedures in these types of places... then again, I can't help but feel a little bit weirded out." Kazuichi muttered to himself.
Currently, Kazuichi was misunderstanding his uneasiness. He thought that his odd feeling came from his suspicions. He totally overlooked the fact that he was used to being a shut-in, and the feeling he felt at that moment was that he wasn't used to people around him.
While Kazuichi wore a confused expression on his face, pursing his lips, he noticed a woman smiling in his direction. The first thing that he noticed was her plump red lips that she licked when she noticed that Kazuichi stole a glance towards her. Her lips seductively curved upward before she turned away. It was pretty obvious that she had taken an interest in Kazuichi (she had been watching her for a few minutes now, after all). Then again, Kazuichi was so dense that he didn't notice. Even the fiery gaze that the woman gave him didn't even faze him.
Clap.
The auctioneer suddenly appeared on the pedestal in front. After clapping his hand to garner everyone's attention, he started speaking. "I'm sorry for the delay, thank you everyone for the patience. I now announce the commencement of the auction. Curtains please."
Swish!
With another clap of the hands as a signal. One of the personnel walked out with a wheeled platform in his hand.
"For the first product, we have here ten vials of Hound Blood. Starting price would be three million yen per vial. for a total of thirty million." The auctioneer hasn't even finished speaking when one of the buyers raised his hand
"Thirty-one million."
"Thirty-two million."
"Thirty-three point five million"
"Thirty-five point five million."
The price started increasing, but it didn't surprise Kazuichi at all. He was well aware of how ridiculous it could get inside an auction. Even a hundred million yen is just chump change when it comes to the bigshots. What surprised Kazuichi though was the decency and order of the place. When someone called out his or her price, everyone else would shut their mouths, waiting for the auctioneer to call on their number before they could call out their bid.
But then again, it's always the last bidder who gets the product so everyone wasn't really in the rush to call out their bid.
"Sold to number 32 for forty-five million yen."
The next batch of Hybrid blood was sold at fifty-two million yen, and then the next product was brought out. It was a Hybrid, caged and in good condition. "This Hybrid is a Merc. I'm guessing I don't have to call out the name of the Hybrid Hunter who hunted this Merc down, right?"
As soon as the auctioneer implied that the hybrid was captured by a famous Hybrid Hunter, everyone in the VIP seat except Kazuichi raised their hands. The auctioneer called out bidder number 2, the one right beside Kazuichi.
"One hundred and five million." The man calmly offered.
"Going once?"
"Going twice?"
"Sold to number 2 for one hundred five million yen."