Kuro sat in his VIP seat, his sharp eyes fixed on the stage as the latest human slave was dragged into view. His expression remained unreadable as the auctioneer barely made an effort to introduce her—already knowing she wouldn’t fetch a high price. The air in the auction hall smelled of expensive cologne and nervous sweat, the murmur of wealthy demi-humans creating a constant buzz beneath the auctioneer's voice.

The girl in the cage was dirty, covered in grime from head to toe. Her wrists were bound, her fragile form barely concealed by torn, ragged cloth. Unlike the other humans sold before her, there were no gasps of admiration, no eager bidders raising their numbers. The cold metal of her cage glinted under the harsh spotlights, casting stark shadows across her emaciated frame.

Her price was insulting.

Yet, Kuro couldn’t look away. Not because of her body—he had seen and discarded far more desirable humans. Not because of her rarity—there was nothing exotic about her. No, what held him captive were her eyes. Despite the filth, despite the humiliation of being locked up and displayed like a piece of meat, her eyes burned with something untamed. Defiance. Resistance. They cut through the noise of the auction hall like a blade.

He glanced at Kota, his lion friend, who was watching with mild amusement. "Give me her. I’ll pay two million."

Kota turned to him, blinking in surprise before letting out a sharp laugh. "Two million? For that?" He gestured lazily toward the cage, whose bidding had barely reached a fraction of that amount. "Bruh, don’t waste your money on a low-quality thing. If you want a human pet, I’ll find you a better one—soft, obedient, exotic. That one?" He shook his head, golden earrings catching the light. "Barely worth a million."

Kuro's gaze darkened, his voice low and unwavering. "I don’t care. I want her. Tell your men to prepare."

Kota let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck before signaling his staff. "Fine. She’s yours. Just don’t come crying to me when you regret it."

The bidding came to an abrupt end. The cage was wheeled off-stage, and the girl was taken to be prepared for her new owner. The sound of the cage wheels echoed across the marble floor, a final countdown to her new life.

It didn’t take long before she was brought back, her body freshly cleaned, her hair brushed until it shone. The filthy rags had been replaced with soft, elegant clothing that clung to her delicate frame. She smelled of jasmine now, a sharp contrast to the stench that had surrounded her earlier.

Kota let out a low whistle, tilting his head. "Well, well. She doesn’t look bad after all. I should give my polishing staff a raise."

Kuro said nothing. His eyes slowly trailed over her, assessing her from head to toe. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he tossed a heavy bag of money at Kota’s feet. The coins inside clinked loudly in the suddenly silent room.

"Take it." His voice was final. "We’re leaving."

The men obeyed immediately, ushering her toward the sleek black car waiting outside. The leather seats felt cold against her still-shaking body as they drove through the city, the landscape transforming from bustling market streets to the quiet luxury of tree-lined avenues.

When they arrived at his estate, Kuro stepped out first, gripping her wrist as he led her inside. His home was vast, imposing, the kind of place where no one would hear her even if she screamed. The marble floors reflected her small form like a dark mirror as they passed through rooms filled with expensive art and antique furniture.

He led her straight to his bedroom and shut the heavy doors behind them with a resounding thud. For a moment, he simply studied her, roaming around her like a predator inspecting his prey. The air felt thick with tension, his scent—smoke and pine—surrounding her completely.

Then, without warning, he reached out, gripping her chin between his thumb and forefinger. He tilted her head up, his sharp eyes piercing into hers. His touch was surprisingly warm against her cool skin.

"Your eyes... aren't they beautiful?" His voice was deep, quiet, almost amused.

He let go, stepping back slightly, his expression unreadable. "Starting today, you are mine. You will call me Master. You will follow me wherever I go. You will obey every order I give you. You belong to me now. Understood?"

He paused, then gave her a final, unyielding command that hung in the air like a death sentence.

"Now strip. I want to see everything."