Chapter 14 - Claim your prize!

'What am I even doing !?' 

The auctioneer, pleased by my very high bid, asks if there is anyone else who would like to increase the price. Externally, I appear calm and collected, but internally, I am praying that no one raises their paddle. Unfortunately, my prayers are not answered and an old lady wearing a flowery hat raises hers. 

"1,200,000 notes." 

'Argh... whatever!!' 

I place another bid.

"2,000,000 notes!" 

A wave of heads turn in my direction, their murmurs travelling around the crowd. My attempt to keep a low profile has monumentally failed. The auctioneer, moonlight, scans the crows and asks if anyone dares increase the price. 

"I have 2,000,000 notes for number 46 in the back! Does anyone offer more? 2,000,000 notes once, twice..." 

'Please....please no one else bid...' 

"And.... sold! To the gentleman in the back! Once this auction is over, you'll be invited to make your payment and receive your purchase! Please, a round of applause for the largest purchase of this evening!" 

*Clap clap clap* 

My heart is beating at an incredible pace and a few drops of cold sweat drip from my forehead. I do not have 2,000,000 notes to spend, that, I am certain of. Once it is time to make my payment, they will realize that I have fooled them, and they will not take it lightly. At best, they'll sell me in their next auction, at worst, they'll kill me right there and then. I need to find a solution before that happens. I cannot believe I was this stupid, I completely let my emotions overwhelm me and acted before thinking. 

As I am having this internal moment of panic, I notice that there is someone new on the stage. That person is neither an auctioneer nor a new butler. Even though they are wearing a mask, they seem to be nearing the age of 60 and their frame elicits a sense of familiarity within me. 

'That's Calvin, isn't it..!?' 

After extensively studying his picture and the information I've found in the DaiKar database for two days, I am positive that the man before me is Calvin Swindell, the human-trafficker. His mask does not fool me, my target has finally shown himself before me. As mentioned in my mission file, he is indeed not an [enlightened], which makes things easier for me. Calvin reaches the middle of the stage, takes the microphone from the auctioneer and begins his speech. 

"I am grateful to see so many of you gathered here today! I hope you have enjoyed the items presented by the Lunar Groove Lounge, as one of the collaborators for the tuning pill, I've been granted special permission to present the new product me and my partner have concocted. Tonight, I present you the tuning pill version 2!" 

'Not a very original name...' 

He opens a small black box and two spherical pills can be seen inside. 

"Because this is still a very new product, the starting price will be slightly inflated. I'll open the bidding at 250,000 notes for both pills!" 

Frankly, while the pill has piqued my interest, it is not my primary objective. The mission given to me by DaiKar consists of neutralizing the man before me. From what I gather, he entered the establishment with two bodyguards, each around the middle of the 1st stage of enlightenment, they won't be easy, but it is not something I cannot handle. Additionally, I do not need to worry about Calvin being in the company of 2nd stage bodyguards either. He might be wealthy, but there is simply no way he is wealthy enough to hire a 2nd stage. They are considered strategic military assets and are given many privileges alongside a considerable salary to work for the government or one of the great families. Because of these privileges, they are not easily swayed by money or crime. Perhaps some of those in the crowd would have the means, but from the information I have, Calvin would not. 

As Calvin directs the auction, the price has skyrockets to 500,000 notes! After some time and a considerable amount of suspense, the pills are finally won by two muscular men sitting near the front row. Calvin wears a satisfied smile and leaves the stage. Moonlight, the first auctioneer, announces the end of the event and the people around me start rising from their seat. I do not let this chance slip by and head straight towards Calvin who is leaving the establishment. A butler stands in my path. 

"Sir, your prize awaits you in the collection room, follow me if you please" 

'Ah, right, I totally did that didn't I...' 

I must find a way to get to Calvin before he leaves, I might never get such an opportunity again. Employing my acting skills, I answer the butler. 

"U-um, can I just use the rest room first?" 

"Very well sir, let me accompany you." 

".... Can I go by myself?" 

"No sir, it will be better if I come with you, I would not want you to lose your way." 

It is evident that they are set on preventing my escape in case I lied to them. This is not an issue; however, I had something prepared in case this type of scenario occurred. The butler follows me as I head to the bathroom. On my way I bump into a man well into his 50s. He clicks his tongue, dusts off his pristine suit, and walks away from me. His mood is seemingly ruined. 

'Heh, take good care of that tracking chip for me.' 

When we bumped into each other, I discreetly slipped a miniature tracking device into Calvin's breast pocket, courtesy of the manufacturing department. With this accomplished, my mind is slightly put at ease. I then head to the bathroom, pretend to relieve myself and follow the butler to the collection room. 

When I arrive, a small girl is sitting on the floor, sobbing. There are signs of blunt force damage to the collection room. She is wearing a chain collar around her neck and her hands are tied behind her back. Clearly, these men do not want her causing any more trouble. Auctioneer Moonlight greets me. 

"Esteemed customer, you've made it! As you may have noticed, she is a bit feisty, but I do not doubt that she can be tamed with a bit of well-meant training! You'll be able to make the transaction with my assistant here, once it's completed, she will be all yours! " 

In this room there are 4 [enlightened] besides me. Moonlight, his assistant and two bodyguards conspicuously armed with sharpsongs. They are all weaker than me, but that is not where the problem lies. Outside of the collection room, there are dozens more [enlightened] and they are certainly not going to help me. This establishment is crawling with criminals. I could always call for Maestro Lauren as a last resort, but I got myself into this terrible situation which isn't even related to my mission. Knowing her, she will be seriously angry, and that is much scarier than my current predicament. Plus, she might not even make it in time. I am truly stuck between a rock and a hard place. 

'Haha... I am so royally screwed...'