The Galliluere Auction

The lights on the first floor dim, leaving only a spotlight illuminating a man in tails and a top hat standing on the center of the stage. A golden masquerade mask conceals his face.

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. Once again, welcome to the Galliluere Auction."

The man pauses briefly as the audience's applause ripples through the hall.

"Tonight, we have thirteen amazing, sophisticated, and one-of-a-kind items ready to be handed over to you," he continues before delving into the auction rules. "Each item will be brought to the stage by its owner. The announced price is the base price, increasing incrementally each time one of you places a bid. Audiences shall have remotes for bidding. Golden token holders will find theirs on the side tables, while silver token holders will find them on the left arm of their chairs. To place a bid, press the black button on the remote. Your chair or room number and bid amount will be announced. The auctioneer will count to five to determine the final bidder. At the end of the auction, winners will be guided to the transaction room to finalize payments, which can only be processed through our private bank account..."

"Geogie gyejeong-i issseubnikka? (Do you have an account there?)" Miss Lee asks, breaking the silence in our room.

"Mullon. Chodaebad-eun modeun salam-eun eunhaeng gyejwaleul gajigo issseubnida. (Of course. Everyone invited has an account,)" I reply, finishing my wine.

"... Transactions made here are guaranteed to be secure and untraceable."

The master of ceremony concludes his explanation to another round of applause.

"We will begin with our first item..."

The curtain rises, revealing a man beside a waist-high table with a clear glass box on top. Inside lies a rolled parchment.

"This is the lost scripture of John the Baptist," the announcer declares. "It is believed to have been written by John the Baptist for his disciples before his capture and beheading. Our experts, along with the Roman Church, have authenticated it. Bidding starts at 10 grand, with increments of one grand. The bidding begins... now!"

"Number 10 for 10 grand. Number 12 for 11 grand. Number 228 for 12 grand..."

The bids escalate quickly, closing at 45 thousand.

"Migug dalleoingayo? (Is it in USD?)" Miss Lee asks.

"Aniyo. Geudeul-eun jasin-ui tonghwaleul sayonghabnida. 1000 US dalleo sangdang-ui 1 dalleo tonghwa. (No, they use their own currency. 1 dollar of their currency equals about 1000 USD.)"

Miss Lee nearly spits out her drink. "Maeu bissada (So expensive)," she mutters, making me grin.

"For our second item..." The announcer moves on as a woman in a white gown takes the stage, followed by four men carrying a caged box. Inside, something black writhes. Suddenly, flames erupt within the cage.

"Ooohhh!" The audience gasps collectively.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is... a baby fire dragon!"

The crowd erupts in astonished murmurs.

"This one-month-old is the second generation. Its parents were the result of cloning technology ten years ago, but this hatchling is from natural breeding. Its mother died after laying four eggs, and its father followed shortly after. This is the only egg that hatched."

"How big will it grow?" an audience member asks.

The woman in the gown answers hesitantly, "The parents... they were about the size of a two-story house."

The audience gasps again, awestruck.

"Bidding starts at 25 grand, with increments of two grand. Room I for 25, Room B for 27, Number 105 for 29..."

"Wae geudeul-eun yong-e daehae geuleohge heungbunhabnikka? Yong-eul gileuneun geos-eun wiheomhae boinda. (Why are they so excited about the dragon? It's dangerous to keep one,)" Miss Lee murmurs, frowning.

"Naneun yong-ui taaeg-i manh-eun jilbyeong, teughi pibubyeong-eul chilyohal su issdago deul-eossseubnida. Ttohan pibuleul jeolm-eojige hal su issseubnida. (I've heard dragon's saliva can cure many diseases, especially skin conditions. It can also rejuvenate skin,)" I explain.

"Jeongmal? (Really?)"

I nod. "Gwansim-issni? Wonhasindamyeon ibchalhaedeulil su issseubnida. (Are you interested? I can bid for you if you want.)"

"Naega imi neulg-go juleumsal-i jyeossdaneun malsseum-isingayo? (Are you saying I'm already old and wrinkled?)" Miss Lee pouts.

I laugh. "No, no, of course not. Dangsingwa gat-eun jeolmgo aleumdaun yeoseong-eun mullon dangsin-ui aleumdaum-eul hyangsangsikigi wihae eotteon doumdo pil-yohaji anh-eul geos-ibnida. (A young and beautiful lady like you certainly needs no help to enhance your beauty,)" I tease, kissing her hand. "Yeogiseo wonhaneun geos-i issdamyeon mangseol-iji malgo (If you want anything from here, don't hesitate.)"

"Dangsin-i neomu joh-eun (So nice of you)," Miss Lee blushes. She moves closer, shifting the food tray aside and leaning into my embrace. Her head rests on my chest as her hand wraps around my waist.

I stiffen as her lips press against my chest, her hand sliding to my belt.

"Miseu Li (Miss Lee)," I sigh, gently stopping her. "Ulineun yeogiseo hal su eobs-eo (We can't do this here)."

"Wae an dwae? (Why not?)" she asks, her tone sultry.

"Na... kondom an gajyeoga (I... I didn't bring a condom)," I blurt out.

Miss Lee freezes, straightening up. "Geuleom... geunyang i ibenteuleul jeulgyeoyaji (Then... let's just enjoy the event)," she says coolly.

"Hwa naeji ma (Don't be angry)," I coax her. "Oneul bam-e gap-eulge, al-assji? (I'll make it up to you tonight, okay?)"

Reluctantly, she nods, settling back into my embrace.

I exhale in relief. Knowing Miss Lee is likely using Seo Jong So to gain access to this auction, I didn't expect her to be so forward. More importantly, I can't risk compromising my holographic disguise during any intimate moment.

We behave ourselves for the next hour, watching the auction progress. The items are interesting but ultimately useless in my eyes—until the eleventh item is announced.

"A tube of blood. Not just any blood, but a Diamond Child's blood."

Miss Lee, who had been relaxing against me, suddenly stiffens.