The moment Mutsuki's kakugan was revealed, the audience fell silent.
"..."
After a pause, Mutsuki's single ghoul eye caused an uproar.
"That's... a one-eyed ghoul?!"
Nearly every ghoul guest stared in disbelief.
No one had expected a one-eyed ghoul to appear at this auction.
This was precisely why many guests were interested in unlisted items—unexpected surprises like this were exactly what they hoped to see.
"One-eyed...?"
Even Matsumae and Kanae were stunned.
They didn't know CCG's specific battle plan—Byakuya hadn't given them those details.
"Wow~"
Roma's reaction was equally shocked, her mouth forming a perfect O.
The recovered Mutsuki hurriedly covered their eyes with both hands, but it was already too late.
Uta twirled the eyepatch on his fingertip. "This is truly rare. However, since it's a one-eyed... please forgive us for repricing..."
"Starting bid: 10 million."
Uta set the new starting price.
"Oh? Ten million seems cheap for merchandise like this."
"20 million!"
Someone immediately doubled the price.
Given the recent publicity around the one-eyed ghoul Takatsuki Sen, everyone had developed awareness of and interest in one-eyed ghouls.
One guest chose this moment to leave the audience—Madam A (Lady A).
She'd only come to observe. With her finances, she couldn't really participate in auctions at this level. But she hadn't expected to encounter a one-eyed ghoul here.
"Madam A, where are you going? This is the main event!"
Another guest noticed her hurried departure.
"Upset stomach—just stepping out briefly."
Madam A gave a random excuse and fled.
After exiting through the venue's back door, she quickened her pace, clutching her skirts and practically speed-walking, wishing she could kick off her heels.
One-eyed...
One-eyed...
Call it feminine intuition—Madam A had a very bad feeling.
After all, as Kanou's former assistant, she'd suffered plenty because of one-eyed ghouls. She strongly suspected this auction's one-eyed ghoul was bad news.
"That woman who just left—she's part of the Madam Organization too?"
From another section, Kanae noticed Madam A's movements.
Just as she was about to act, Matsumae stopped her.
"Leave her. That's Madam A—she helped the Master before. She comes to the café regularly begging for carrion now. Without makeup, she's hard to recognize."
Madam A looked completely different with and without makeup—basically the difference between a plain housewife and a noblewoman.
Since the underground laboratory incident, Madam A had kept her head down, afraid of being captured by Byakuya's group and sent somewhere like Cochlea again.
The safest behavior was avoiding human predation altogether, so she visited the Ward 20 café monthly to beg for "supplies."
But she didn't want to abandon her upper-class ghoul status and still mingled with the Madam Organization. Terrified that acquaintances might discover her shameful behavior, she always went to the café without makeup or grooming.
Few could recognize this plain middle-aged woman as the elegant Madam A.
"Really? I can't tell at all—what a difference..."
Kanae marveled.
"26 million!"
"30 million!"
"32 million!"
"..."
Bidding continued feverishly.
The price had far exceeded the starting bid, with no signs of slowing.
Probably because Mutsuki sat obediently on stage without resisting, the fat clown didn't need to restrain them by force—just stood behind watching.
It wasn't really obedience so much as being too nervous and frightened to know what to do.
This is...
What do I do?
If my identity is exposed...
With this many ghouls here...
If they find out I'm an investigator...
What can I do alone? Fight? Can I even fight...?
Mutsuki's mind was in chaos, inner panic growing.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
Their breathing grew increasingly rapid, almost suffocating.
Pat.
Just then, a hand gently touched Mutsuki's shoulder.
From behind, Uta whispered, "Don't be afraid..."
"?!"
Mutsuki was bewildered.
Aren't the MC and auctioneer both ghouls?
Why would he suddenly say that?
What does it mean?
While Mutsuki was confused and frightened, bidding for them was reaching its conclusion.
"100 million!"
Big Madam raised the price to 100 million yen.
"Such a rare one-eyed ghoul must be mine! And the styling is so cute—I love playthings like this!"
Big Madam looked determined to win.
But it didn't end there—someone was still competing with her.
"120 million!"
"150 million!"
"200 million!"
The final price settled at 200 million, won by Big Madam.
"Truly a Madam—200 million like it's nothing."
"'Hundred million' is an astronomical figure to me—terrifying..."
"..."
Everyone marveled at Big Madam's wealth.
Meanwhile, Mutsuki was led to the reception area. They didn't dare resist throughout.
"Merchandise will be delivered after the auction concludes. Please collect your purchase at the reception desk."
With that, Uta continued introducing the next item.
"Oh? The next item also isn't on the list. While everyone's still excited, this beautiful young lady may push today's highest bid to new heights."
As Uta introduced, Suzuya emerged from the house dressed as a gothic lolita.
"Bright eyes, white teeth, skin like cream—like a beautiful doll!"
Uta continued his pitch.
"Ooh, very impressive."
"Big Madam probably wants this one too?"
"Definitely—clearly matches her tastes perfectly."
"..."
But while the audience was excited, Big Madam alone sat frozen and silent.
"...Madam?"
She didn't respond to her companion's question.
Because she'd recognized the "merchandise" on stage as Juuzou Suzuya...
"Now, the starting price—"
Just as Uta was about to name a price, Suzuya suddenly interrupted.
"No need for pricing."
Suzuya licked his crimson lips, a bloodthirsty, deranged smile spreading across his face. His right leg in its black-and-white striped stocking stomped forward.
CRACK—!
The prosthetic right leg's knee joint suddenly deformed, releasing multiple daggers hidden within. With lightning speed, Suzuya turned Uta beside him into a virtual pincushion.
...
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