Ten girls, with dog collars around their necks, were led to the stage and positioned in a line. The black hoods covering their heads were removed, revealing their faces.
Each girl had a number from 1 to 10 attached to her waist for easy identification during the auction.
The lights intensified dramatically, making even the sweat on their faces clearly visible.
The girls, with tear-streaked faces, looked down, too scared to make eye contact with the monsters sitting in the dark. Their hands covered their private areas in an attempt to shield themselves.
Although I was several rows back, I could still feel their fear and anxiety.
"Raise your heads, all of you."
The handlers tied their hands up to hooks suspended in the air, fully exposing their bodies.
In the face of absolute power, they didn't dare to disobey.
"...," the girls sobbed softly, lifting their heads to face the abyss below the stage.
The so-called stage was just a single step above the ground, with a large black curtain behind them.
The camp displayed the girls naked in front of the curtain for the bidders to select, inspect, and judge.
What kind of demon would come up with such a method to auction off human beings?
"Today, dozens of camp owners are here. Keep an eye out; maybe your old boss will show up."
A wrench whispered to me.
The room was filled with people in the dark; it was impossible to see anyone clearly.
If someone were to shoot from behind, no one would know who did it.
Unfortunately, their guns were confiscated at the door.
Only personal bodyguards were allowed inside, while the rest waited outside.
The KK camp assigned about a dozen of us with guns to maintain order.
"My previous camp was blown up, and I never met the big boss. The only one I met, the inspector, was..."
I made a slitting motion across my neck, indicating that Qiangzi had killed him.
"Good. Be alert. If anyone causes trouble, don't hesitate to throw them out."
"Got it. And make sure Ba Yi doesn't wander off; I don't want him getting into trouble."
After a few more instructions, the wrench went to talk to Ba Yi.
The auction officially began.
I mimicked the other guards, carrying an AK-47, and patrolled the venue, closely monitoring the crowd.
Wrench mentioned that almost every auction had unexpected incidents.
Better safe than sorry.
"Number 1, height 160 cm, measurements 34/68/88, age 25, a part-time graduate student, starting bid 50,000.
Number 2, height 165 cm, measurements 34/70/90, age 23, a college student, starting bid 60,000.
Number 3, height 168 cm, measurements 36/66/92, age 19, a freshman, starting bid 100,000..."
The hostess, holding a microphone, stood in front of each numbered girl, giving a brief description.
The ten girls ranged from 19 to 28 years old.
How they ended up here, now being auctioned like goods by monsters, is beyond me. It's heartbreaking to think about.
Among them, Number 3 was the most beautiful.
With a heart-shaped face, willow eyebrows, cherry lips, and big, sparkling eyes, she evoked a protective instinct in people.
Her skin was smooth and bright, making her stand out even more.
Aside from her face, her measurements alone made her the star of the auction.
"I choose Number 3, 120,000!"
As soon as the hostess finished, a wealthy bidder couldn't wait.
"Number 3, 150,000!"
Another bidder quickly raised the stakes.
"You guys go ahead and drive up the prices. I'm not competing. I'll take Number 4, 80,000."
"I choose Number 8 with the long legs, 100,000!"
"I want Number 10 with the nice butt, 90,000."
The auction hall echoed with boisterous shouts.
The more they competed, the happier the camp became.
If the prices skyrocketed, that was even better.
I gripped my AK-47 tightly, watching these devils bid on the girls, seething with anger.
But what good would it do to shoot them?
There would always be others to take their place. Without addressing the root cause, the problem would never go away.
"Number 3, 250,000!" the first bidder stood up and shouted.
"250,000? I bid 300,000! I must have this girl tonight!"
The old man who had been competing with him also stood up and yelled.
"350,000!"
"400,000!"
"Mr. Cai, are you picking a fight with me tonight?"
The first man was visibly annoyed.
If this weren't Myawaddy, he might have charged over to attack.
"Mr. Peng, why would I fight you? I just happen to like this girl too and want to take her home for a few days."
Mr. Cai laughed slyly.
"Gentlemen, please don't fight. The camp prohibits fighting. If you do, you'll be escorted out."
The hostess reminded them from the stage.
Seeing this, I walked over with my AK-47 to prevent a brawl that might reflect poorly on my supervision.
"You better know your place," Mr. Peng snorted and sat down.
"You're nothing but a joke," Mr. Cai muttered as he sat next to me.
With them quiet, the room calmed down.
The hostess continued sweetly, "Let's continue the auction...
Number 10, sold for 210,000. Congratulations to the Kokang camp owner, please come to the stage to inspect your purchase."
The bidder for Number 10, smiling, walked up, hugged the crying girl, and groped her thoroughly before taking her away.
"Number 4, sold for 320,000. Congratulations to the Mu Jie camp owner, please come to the stage."
Number 4 had large, sagging breasts, the oldest of the group, and a scar on her belly, likely from childbirth.
"Ha, I love big breasts. Tonight, I can sleep well," the bald man ran to the stage, eagerly groping her before taking her away.
I couldn't imagine their fate after being sold.
All I felt was sympathy.
Soon, all the girls were sold at various prices, except for Number 3, who was left hanging alone on the stage.
Some unsuccessful bidders stayed, curious to see what would happen.
Number 3's tears dripped continuously, soaking the black cloth beneath her.
But in this hell, tears and conscience were worthless.
At such a young age, they were treated worse than animals, humiliated and sold.
Apart from sympathy, I felt powerless.
Thinking back, I wasn't much different.
The only fortunate thing was that I was a man.
My value kept me alive, under the protection of the cunning Ais.
The prolonged bidding for Number 3 was due to the ongoing competition between the two men.
I thought they might come to blows, but what happened next gave me a glimmer of hope for escape...