The voices of the crowd echoed in a dull hum. The sound of bids rising, the auctioneer's shouts, and the stinging stench of mud and trash.

Just standing on the stage felt suffocating.

The gazes pouring in were all filthy. Eyes scanning him as if appraising a price.

...Disgusting.

After being abandoned by his previous owner, he ended up back here. The reason was obvious.

Because he wasn't submissive. Because he was reckless.

He didn't even know how many times it had been.

If he didn't sell this time— it would probably be the end.

Whether it was a cliff or disposal. He didn't care.

He had no intention of holding out much longer anyway.

So he just kept his eyes closed.

No matter who called out what, no matter who looked at him.

As if it didn't matter.

Then.

"One million yen."

In an instant, the sound became clear.

The surroundings went quiet for a moment.

He slowly opened his eyes.

At the end of his gaze was a young human dressed in fine clothes.

...A minor?

It was too much money to buy something like him.

No.

It was an excessive price to be attached to this body.

The crowd began to murmur. They looked at the human with disbelief.

And he was led to stand before them, as if drawn by fate.