Descendant of Sloth
Chapter 83: The Trade on Nox

Chapter 83: The Trade on Nox

One by one, the "trades" were paraded out—ten in total, each dragged into the spotlight like Sara.

Humans, Animals, Demi-Humans, Devils and other unique creatures, tied up in chains, some meant for grabbing attention like Sara and some just for a showcase.

Some tried to smile; others just stared at the floor. The bidding started fast and furious every time, numbers climbing into the millions for a couple of them.

The winners grinned and high-fived, while the losers cursed under their breath. The announcer kept the pace relentless, his voice a constant drumbeat over the chaos.

Hina’s hands balled into fists on her lap. "Ten of them," she whispered, her voice shaking with barely contained rage. "Ten people, and we’re just sitting here."

"We’re waiting for Nox," I reminded her, keeping my eyes on the stage. "He’s the target. Stick to the plan."

Serina let out a shaky breath, her fingers digging into her arms. "I hope he’s last. I don’t know how much more of this I can take."

I didn’t answer, just watched as the ninth trade— a devil with muscles guy with a fake tan and a tight shirt—was sold off for five million grand.

The crowd clapped again, but the sound was starting to feel hollow, mechanical. My glass sat empty now, the ice melting into a little puddle on the table. Nine down. One to go. Nox had to be next. He had to be.

The air in the auditorium crackled with restless energy as the announcer strutted back to the center of the stage, his coat swishing dramatically.

The ninth trade had just been carted off, and the crowd was buzzing, their voices a low hum of excitement and impatience. I leaned forward slightly, my empty glass still dripping condensation onto the scratched table. Hina and Serina sat rigid beside me, their eyes locked on the spotlight cutting through the neon haze.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen," the announcer called, his voice rising to a fevered pitch, "for the final trade of the night—the one you’ve all been waiting for! Our most adorable, one-of-a-kind demi-human... Nox!" He threw his arms wide, and the crowd erupted, cheers and gasps mingling into a deafening roar.

The bunny-costumed girls reappeared, their heels clicking in unison as they escorted the last "trade" onto the stage. My eyes caught for a second when I saw him again. Nox was tiny—barely the size of my palm—with skin a vibrant, shimmering green, like a freshly cut lime. His hair wasn’t hair at all; it was a wild burst of green flames flickering atop his head, dancing like a living torch. His eyes were big, round, and glossy, taking up a lot of space in his little face, giving him an almost cartoonish look. He looked exactly like his elder sister Billie.

The girls held his tiny hands gently, guiding him to the center of the stage as the crowd leaned forward, craning their necks for a better view.

"Oh my, oh my, would you look at how cute he is!" the announcer cooed, swooping down to scoop Nox up in his arms.

The little creature didn’t flinch, just blinked those enormous eyes as the announcer held him up like a trophy. "Say hello to the nice people, Nox!"

Nox tilted his head, his fiery hair flaring brighter for a second, and then he leaned toward the microphone in the announcer’s hand.

"Hello, I am Nox," he said, his voice high-pitched and squeaky, like a toy coming to life. The crowd melted. A chorus of "awws" rippled through the room, and a group of women near the front squealed, clutching their husbands’ arms. "Oh, he’s adorable!" one cried. "Honey, buy him for me—I need him!" another demanded, her voice sharp and insistent.

I glanced at Hina. Her hands were clenched into fists on the table, her jaw tight. "He’s here," she whispered, her voice trembling—not with fear, but with something fiercer, something ready to snap.

"Yes," Serina breathed, her eyes narrowing as she stared at Nox. Her fingers twitched, like she was itching to move, to do something.

"Let’s wait for the bidding to start," I said, keeping my tone calm despite the adrenaline starting to hum in my veins. "Then we make our move at last." They both nodded, quick and sharp, their focus shifting back to the stage.

The announcer set Nox down gently, patting his flaming head with a chuckle.

"Alright, folks, let’s get to it! The bid on this little gem starts at one million dollars!" He clapped his hands, and the room exploded into action.

Hands shot up like fireworks. "One point five!" a woman in a glittery dress shouted. "Two million!" a guy in a tux countered, his voice smug.

The numbers climbed fast, ruthless—three million, five, seven. Nox stood there, tiny and still, his big eyes scanning the crowd as the bids soared.

The announcer paced the stage, grinning wider with every raise, feeding off the frenzy.

"Ten million!" a gravelly voice called from the back. Heads turned, and I caught sight of the bidder—an older man, his hair silver and thinning, decked out in a shiny suit that screamed money.

Next to him sat a woman half his age, her lips painted red and her eyes gleaming with excitement. Maybe his wife, maybe his mistress or just a side chick—either way, she was bouncing in her seat, clapping her hands like a kid at a candy store.

"Oh, he’ll look so cute in my collection!" she chirped, and the old man smirked, clearly pleased with himself.

The bids slowed after that, the crowd hesitating as the price hit twelve million. The announcer raised an eyebrow, scanning the room.

"Twelve million going once... going twice... No one wants to top it? Alright then, Nox will go to that distinguished gentlem—"

He froze mid-sentence, his words dying in his throat. The crowd gasped as Hina leapt up, planting one boot on the edge of our table with a thud that echoed through the room. She stood tall, her face set in a fierce, unyielding glare, and thrust her hand into the air.

"Fifteen million dollars!" she shouted, her voice ringing out clear and commanding.