Chapter 6: Auctioning Oneself
Kalifa's goal was clear: reach the auction house at the heart of the black market. Her young mind only had one thought—save her brother, no matter the cost.
The black market's auction house was infamous for selling people. A sign at the entrance displayed the "prices" for different races:
Human: Starting price - 50,000 Beli
Longarm Tribe: Starting price - 70,000 Beli
Fishmen: Starting price - 1,000,000 Beli
Merfolk (Female): Starting price - 7,000,000 Beli
Kalifa stared at the list, her face pale. The cost of a human was insultingly low, but she shook off the bitterness. Her brother needed her. She had to act.
A man at the door greeted her with a professional smile. "Are you here to sell something, miss?"
Kalifa hesitated but eventually whispered, "I want to auction myself."
The man raised an eyebrow but didn't question her. He'd seen all kinds in his line of work. "Very well. Follow me."
Kalifa was escorted inside, where a woman led her to a private room. The room wasn't what Kalifa had expected—no cold metal bars or chains. Instead, a steaming bath sat in the center.
The woman instructed, "Clean yourself. You'll wear new clothes afterward."
Kalifa nodded mechanically, undressing without a word. As she lowered herself into the hot water, tears silently streamed down her face.
"This is the only way. For him." she thought.
Moments later, the woman returned with the clothes: a skimpy outfit designed to entice bidders. Kalifa dressed, her heart heavy, and followed the woman to the registration desk.
"Do you have any specific requests?" the registrar asked, pen in hand.
Kalifa's voice cracked. "All the money... must go to free my brother from prison."
The registrar nodded and wrote it down. Then, Kalifa was led backstage, where rows of cages held others destined for auction. Humans, Longarm Tribesmen, and Fishmen filled the cages, their eyes void of hope.
The woman opened an empty cage. "Get in."
Kalifa obeyed, her tears falling again as the cold steel touched her skin. She curled up, hugging her knees, and tried to steady her breathing.
"Stay strong... for him," she reminded herself.
Suddenly, the lights in the venue blazed on. Voices filled the room as the crowd gathered for the auction.
The auctioneer's voice boomed. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's auction in Water 7!"
Cheers erupted from the audience as the first items were brought out.
Kalifa clung to the hope that this sacrifice would be enough to save her brother. Unseen in the crowd, a figure stepped in. Raizen leaned against the wall, his sharp eyes scanning the scene.
"Selling humans and other races... scum."
He smirked coldly. "This place is about to burn."
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