Chapter 188
It was hard to grasp the meaning at first, so I had to ponder over Choi Woojin’s words for a while.
Though it wasn’t even half a minute in reality.
“Human trafficking… It’s obviously not that, right?”
If it were, the male students here wouldn’t be waiting so calmly for something.
Hearing my murmuring, Choi Woojin frowned lightly, as if he had heard something absurd.
“Hey, save the innocent act for when you’re around girls. It’s creepy doing it here among guys.”
“…”
“…You seriously came here without knowing anything? You’re not joking?”
When no answer came, Choi Woojin widened his eyes in disbelief.
“…I just heard the name ‘Shadow Banquet’ for the first time.”
“Unbelievable. The so-called heir to one of the Five Families…”
“Don’t be too harsh. It’s possible not to know. I only learned about it right before I enrolled…”
Seunghun calmly interjected, stopping Choi Woojin from further sarcasm.
“So, you guys knew about this?”
“I heard about it from an older graduate.”
“I found out while preparing for enrollment…”
Choi Woojin and Seunghun each replied.
I couldn’t help but feel slightly resentful. Judging by the conversation, it seemed like some secret gathering where the heirs of prestigious families indulged in rebellion.
Why didn’t the head tell me about this? If I’d had even a hint, I could have avoided it.
He nagged about things I didn’t even ask, but not this.
…Perhaps he couldn’t tell me because he was too conscious of my sisters. Maybe they hoped I’d remain unaware of the Shadow Banquet altogether.
They’ve always been overly protective of me.
Not that it matters now, since it’s all too late.
“I-I didn’t know at all… A kind-looking senior just asked me to help out a bit, so I followed…”
A pale-faced male student wearing glasses, who had just regained consciousness, belatedly joined the conversation.
“Who would’ve thought it’d be such a den of debauchery… Ugh… How could I make such a mistake… The spirits clearly whispered that it was fine… I guess judging by appearances alone…”
“…”
Muyoung’s voice was filled with resentment toward Kwon Yuri.
“Well, since we’re here, we might as well enjoy it!”
Choi Woojin laughed heartily, slapping Muyoung on the back.
“Think of it as a life experience! Isn’t this a great opportunity for you? Most of the girls laughing and chatting over there are from the Prestigious Mage Families of the Capital. Score just one, and your life could change overnight…”
“N-no way…! Why would I… with those smelly, dirty girls…!”
“Clicking his tongue. You’ve been hanging out with that gloomy masked guy too much; you’ve become weird. Aren’t you one of those rare spiritists and even a top student? If you just fix that personality, girls would…”
“I said no…! No, no, no…!”
Choi Woojin and Muyoung began to argue fiercely.
In the midst of it, Seunghun, still wearing a troubled expression, approached and began to speak.
“You know that during social gatherings, male students have the upper hand, right? Even in partner selection. Apparently, that’s why female students started the Shadow Banquet in the first place. They didn’t like how even the usually timid male students would act all high and mighty during this time… That’s what I’ve heard.”
I’ve heard that the number of women who awaken as mages slightly surpasses that of men.
Likewise, women tend to grow into more exceptional mages due to their physical compatibility.
Was this secret gathering born from such a background?
“Well, even so, it’s no more than a social club now. Anyway, think of the Male Student Auction as part of that. It’s called an auction, but it’s just for fun… What happens after is up to each individual.”
I think I finally understand the overall situation.
This must be why Kwon Yuri referred to me as ‘cargo.’
She said I could just have fun and leave… Well, it doesn’t seem entirely false.
“…So, where exactly is this place?”
“It’s part of the management space in the Cradle Underground Passage. They found a section missing from the blueprints and secretly renovated it over several decades.”
Choi Woojin, leaving behind Muyoung, who was pulling at his hair in despair, joined the conversation.
Through a large window on one side of the waiting room, it was possible to get a glimpse outside.
Though the dim lighting made it hard to see, one thing was certain: the space was far too luxurious to be underground.
If not for entering through the Secret Passage, one could easily mistake it for a high-end party hall above ground.
The luxurious lighting, various amenities, and even the Fake Scenery displayed on the windows…
Suddenly, a new question crossed my mind.
“So, did you guys come here knowing what it was?”
Even if Muyoung did, the other two didn’t seem like the type to enjoy such a situation.
Especially since Seunghun had a fiancée.
Though it felt unsettling, nonetheless.
Hearing my question, both of them immediately clammed up as if they had made a pact.
“…Then why did you come?”
“Uh…”
At Seunghun’s question, following a long silence, I found myself at a loss for words.
There was no way I could tell them I was helping out Yeon Minha’s club in return for support.
But at that moment, I realized.
Judging by their awkward expressions, Choi Woojin and Seunghun must have gone through a similar process as I did.
Choi Woojin spoke as if it were no big deal.
“Well, it’s an experience, right? I don’t think it’s that bad. I was already getting tired of the boring club activities anyway.”
“I was told I just needed to fill the seat…”
“That’s so dull. You came all this way only to fill a seat? Sometimes, you need to break the mold and try something new.”
“But it’d feel too wrong to Yeowool… Even if it’s just a strategic engagement…”
As Seunghun shook his head at Choi Woojin’s words, he suddenly opened his mouth as if recalling something.
“By the way, aren’t you worried? What if you run into Senior Choi Ireh here…”
“Like that would happen.”
But Choi Woojin immediately shook his head.
“The most uptight person I know is my sister. Do you think someone like her would step into such a depraved gathering? She’s probably patrolling the campus with the Disciplinary Department students.”
“That’s true…”
Seunghun nodded in agreement with Choi Woojin.
-Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting!
Suddenly, a commotion erupted.
Bright lights focused on the dark stage visible beyond the waiting room window, and a voice amplified through a loudspeaker echoed loudly.
Soon, the clattering sound of high heels grew closer, and a curvy yet graceful figure appeared at the center of the stage.
Wearing a Silk Hat tied with a ribbon, holding a Curved-End Cane in one hand, draped in a velvet cloak over her shoulders.
A female student donning a Rabbit-Shaped Half-Mask on her face.
Peeking through the Silk Hat were two fluffy ears, identical to the ones I’d seen earlier.
It wasn’t hard to recognize the identity of the female student who appeared as if performing a magic show.
“Are you enjoying the Shadow Banquet?”
Kwon Yuri’s expression was full of delight.
***
As she appeared, thunderous cheers erupted.
Although it was too dark inside to see clearly, it was evident that there were at least dozens of people in the space.
“Muhihi…”
Confirming the enthusiasm, she smiled with satisfaction.
“Good! Very good! What a truly moving reaction!”
Then she hopped around the stage, continuing in a playful voice.
“Free spirits who have cast off their titles and ranks! The time has come for your gift!”
The girl wearing the Rabbit Mask at the center of the stage raised both arms wide to the sides and shouted.
“The main event and highlight of the Shadow Banquet! Let the ‘Male Student Auction’ begin!!”
-Ding!
Cheers erupted from all around.
He stammered at his words and checked the back of his outer garment.
Only then did he notice the number ’15’ that Kwon Yuri had stuck on him.
By roughly checking the number of people, it became clear that he was last in order.
Since he was already participating, he hoped it would end quickly.
“38 credits! Ah! What is this… the lowest bid in the 88-year history of the Shadow Banquet…”
Not long after the previous male student exited, Kwon Yuri’s voice, filled with grief, resounded throughout the space.
Hearing her lament, a few male students burst into laughter, clutching their stomachs.