Is It Strange for a Succubus to Wear Clothes?

Chapter 11: The Beetle’s Egg Nest 3

The underground auction house was created by extensively remodeling the old subway station of Hongdae Entrance Station.

It was constructed by imitating a grand opera house over the remnants of the past.

This auction house was not just a place for transactions but a glamorous stage where art and power merged, captivating the underground world’s influential figures and hunters.

Even in a dark and gloomy world, it felt like a declaration that we were alive, directed at those who once scorned us and demanded our sacrifices.

“The interior is even more impressive.”

The entrance retained traces of the old subway station, imbued with the grandeur of an opera theater.

The entrance had a massive, arch-shaped structure that seemed to embody ancient glory.

Much like Nietzsche’s words, “The power permitted by the heavens shall shatter all things of the earth,” this place swallowed every desire and greed of the underground world, like an abyss.

Upon passing the entrance and entering the lobby, the ceiling adorned with golden frescoes and the radiant crystal chandeliers created an atmosphere reminiscent of a dream of paradise lost.

It was easy to imagine just how much money had been poured into this place.

When you stepped into the main hall, a breathtakingly beautiful view unfolded before your eyes.

The space where subway platforms and tracks once stood had transformed into a grand opera house-like theater.

At the center of the hall was a circular stage, designed to rotate automatically so auction items could be viewed from various angles.

A massive screen was installed behind the stage, displaying detailed information about the auction items in real-time.

When the auction began, the red velvet curtains draped over the stage unfolded with grandeur.

“Oh, how beautiful.”

The magnificent and elegant scene lifted my spirits.

The first-generation hunters who were forced into this underground world… must have been overwhelmed by despair and helplessness, as if pushed to the brink of a cliff.

The government, media, and citizens oppressed them.

With only a small number of them standing, and more awakened individuals being sacrificed daily, how could they not feel utterly devastated?

And yet, here they were.

They nested in the Beetle’s Egg Nest, built a new world, and became strong enough to influence the surface world.

To me, their journey and time seemed like those of heroes shining brightly at the end of trials and tribulations—truly beautiful.

“You mighty ones, behold and despair!

Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!”

Ozymandias’ poem came to mind.

Ah, what a strange thing.

In the past, I knew nothing of poems like Ozymandias.

But after becoming the Succubus Empress, poetic expressions would occasionally come to me.

And yet, I hadn’t even read books.

Still, the situation suited those words.

The government and civilians once scorned the first-generation hunters and demanded their sacrifices to reign as the ‘strong.’

But in the end, the ones smiling now are the awakened who fought back at that time.

[Beetle’s Egg Nest] holds the power to shake the nation with its underground economy, smuggling, and beetle eggs that could replace mana stones.

They say it’s a wanted zone, a lawless area, or something along those lines.

But in reality, it’s practically a region taken over by a few awakened individuals.

Oh, but that doesn’t mean hunters are heroes or noble beings.

Most of the first-generation hunters were noble.

But the ones who created [Beetle’s Egg Nest] fought desperately to survive and have now become less of heroes and more like provincial warlords or ambitious criminal groups.

The government that abandoned them and the ones who struggled to survive and eventually stepped into the world of crime and darkness—ultimately, they’re all human.

Everyone’s ugliness is equally beautiful.

I twirled my parasol and stepped inside.

The exhibition area was arranged like an art gallery.

Each auction item was displayed inside a protective glass case, glowing like a mysterious treasure.

The water flowing beneath added an air of mystique, as if it held all the secrets of the world.

This auction house wasn’t merely a place for trade.

Each auction felt like a theatrical drama.

With opera music in the background, the auctioneer presented the items on stage with exaggerated gestures, as if putting on a show.

What was traded here wasn’t mere items but the fate and future of the underground world.

Everyone gathered here sought to claim a piece of that fate or fulfill their desire to control the uncontrollable.

And I came to observe those entangled desires.

Now, where should I go?

Since the auction house mimicked an opera house, there were VIP rooms densely arranged on the ceiling and walls, in addition to the audience seats below the stage.

Since I was here, I figured the VIP room would be the best choice.

“This spot looks good. It’s right in front, has a great view, and the acoustics are excellent.”

“Excuse me? Who are you? This is my seat….”

“Don’t you think it’s time for you to head home early tonight?”

“Huh? Uh… Yes, yes… Sure….”

“Great. Have a pleasant evening.”

Thankfully, a kind and accommodating person was generous enough to give up their spot for me.

Haha, I never refuse acts of kindness.

“Now, let’s move on to the next auction item!”

“Ah, what a pity… It’s already underway.”

Unfortunately, I missed the previous auction item, but that was fine.

I wasn’t here to buy or participate in the auction.

I simply came to witness the beauty and ugliness of the various items displayed here.

And to observe the expressions of desire on the faces of the people clamoring to buy them.

“The Devil’s Heart! A parasitic bio-artifact discovered in the northern Siberian region! It attaches to the wearer’s heart, granting permanent enhancements to strength and mana! The starting price is 300,000 dollars!”

“400,000.”

“500,000!”

“One million!”

Oh my, oh my.

Over there… even the Hoyeon Guild, known as Korea’s representative guild, is present?

There are other major guilds too.

Haha, they always talk about issuing stern warnings to the thugs occupying Mapo-gu.

Yet here they are, getting along quite well.

It seems awakened individuals naturally stick together, like crabs siding with crayfish.

“Ah… how entertaining.”

What’s so entertaining about this scene, you ask?

How could the fierce clashes and fierce rivalries of desire-filled humans not be beautiful and amusing?

Especially since this auction house doesn’t just feature underground goods.

It wouldn’t be surprising for items that could shake Korea and the hunter world’s future to appear here.

Desire surged higher than usual, and the beauty born from the ugliness of it all symbolized humanity’s fierce struggle for survival.

It celebrated the primal essence of strength and desire.

That primal desire and emotion were like delicacies to me.

Thus, the auction continued, and continued.

The people from the major guilds delighted when they secured what they sought and glared murderously at rivals.

Unfortunately, no physical clashes occurred.

If things had escalated into violence, it would’ve been worth grabbing some popcorn.

“Ah, is there nothing to drink?”

“If you wish, we can serve brandy along with light refreshments.”

“Please, go ahead~”

Watching something like this should always be paired with snacks or drinks.

“Now! Presenting today’s third highlight auction item!”

At that moment, the auctioneer brought out something new.

But something felt strange.

The previous items showcased at the auction were artifacts that enhanced awakened beings or rare and powerful equipment.

They shone with radiant brilliance.

But now…

“It’s damp, dull, dark, and unpleasant, isn’t it?”

It wasn’t just me who felt this way.

The audience seemed to sense it too, as murmurs spread through the seats.

“We will now reveal it!”

What was unveiled was a violin.

But it wasn’t an ordinary violin.

That thing… that thing…

It was revolting.

In horror movies, the typical jump scares, sudden loud noises, dramatic scene transitions, or shocking appearances aren’t true fear—they’re just surprise.

Surprise, like a sudden appearance, is fleeting and evaporates almost instantly.

True fear begins in ambiguity born from familiarity.

The unknown, the silent, the still.

Something mundane yet subtly different, evoking an unpleasant sensation.

A being similar to us but distinctly other, with uncertainty surrounding its identity and motives—this is where true fear lies.

“…What, what is that?”

“My God.”

“What on earth…”

And that beautiful yet grotesque violin perfectly fulfilled those conditions.

Oh, without realizing it, I furrowed my lovely brow at the hideousness of it.

How could they?

How could someone…

How could they use innocent children?

So cruel, so brutal…

Ahaha, ahaha.

Haah….

“How beautiful…”

While many around me trembled in fear, marveling at the sight or feeling deeply unsettled, to me, it was incomparably beautiful.

It was undoubtedly grotesque.

Horrifying, tragic, and knowing that innocent children fell victim to a vile, irredeemable murderer brought tears to my eyes.

And yet… even so, that thing was utterly beautiful to me.

It was mesmerizing.

“This is a violin from the collection of the notorious S-class terrorist, serial killer, and child abuser David! It’s said to have been crafted using the remains of 187 children!”

What kind of person…

What kind of being…

For what reason, with what motive, would they create such a thing?

It’s said the strings were made by grinding down children’s spines, finely crafted into tensioned strands.

The muscles, tendons, and sinews of young girls.

The finger bones of boys, intricately polished and used as decoration.

And horrific yet artistic illustrations were etched onto the violin’s surface.

When humans recognize something similar to them but distinctly not human, they feel an inexplicable discomfort—this violin evoked the same response.

And my perception of its beauty stems from something of a similar nature.

It’s revolting.

It’s horrifying.

And the young boys and girls who could never bloom are unbearably beautiful!

But… oh, oh!

It feels as though the children who couldn’t bloom are reaching out to me.

They’re calling to me, asking to be held.

“I… I want it!”

Before I realized it, I stood up and exclaimed.

The people around me…

Their faces froze all at once.

“One million.”

“Two million.”

“Three million.”

“Oh, oh? The price is rising rapidly! Is there no one else!?”

For me.

Throw your money at it for me.

Ah, but not too much now.

“….”

The awakened representatives from other major guilds began to look wary.

Some were debating whether it was worth that much or suspecting some kind of trap.

They exchanged glances and began frantically searching for information.

Oh, will you be participating?

“Let’s join in~”

I moved my hand, just slightly.

Like the hand of a conductor leading an orchestra.

Join the chorus of desire and make your voices heard.

Ah, but of course, that item will ultimately be mine, won’t it?