Chapitre 26: A Canary

Before the auctioneer could react, Kazuichi was already grabbing him by the collar. He didn't even realize that he was already activated his Hybrid powers when he did so, and before the auctioneer could even speak, Kazuichi already lifted him off the floor.

For a couple of seconds, he sort of dangled from Kazuichi's hand, desperately trying to grab Kazuichi's wrist so he'd struggle free... but it was to no avail. Kazuichi was far too strong for his liking.

"I... I aghk~! I can explain!" The auctioneer choked, but he managed to let out a couple of words in his mouth when he breathed in a lungful of air.

Meanwhile, the men in black suits who were roaming the room while guarding the precious products therein, stopped short and pointed their guns at Kazuichi. Their expressions didn't shift at all, like robots who responded to the most basic of stimuli.

Step. Step.

Sensing that someone was creeping up on the two of them, Kazuichi swiveled his head, thinking that his mind was playing tricks on him. When he turned around, however, he found out that the manager of the auction, Rocky, was there, standing mere inches away from him with a disturbing smile plastered on his face. "I'm afraid you have to calm down, Kazuichi... right beyond that curtain are our important buyers. It would be bad for the business if they were disturbed right now while they're mentally preparing for the auction."

"And also, I would like to point out that there's an explanation for the little girl. It's not what you think... so can you please put down the auctioneer for both our benefit?"

With a sigh, Kazuichi regained his composure. His bloodshot eyes turned into their usual color instead of their bloodshot state. While the auctioneer was still recovering, Kazuichi turned around to face the manager. "De~? Explain this if it's not human trafficking."

Rocky let out a soft chuckle as he jerked his thumbs toward the little girl. "This girl right here... it's true that she's not infected... but she's not an ordinary human either."

"What do you mean?" Kazuichi inquisitively asked since Rocky's explanation was a bit too vague.

The auctioneer was still coughing, but he raised his hand to interrupt the conversation. "Keuhk~ you see... they found the girl in one of the shelters above ground. This shelter had already been infested with zombies... and yet not a single one of them touched the girl. Moreover, they seem to steer clear away from her."

"We believe she's a Canary— someone with a unique DNA that forces the virus to steer clear from her." Rocky continued. "The only reason why we're not affected by it is that the virus has not taken over our minds completely. If we were just like the other zombies, then I think we'll also steer clear from this girl."

"And so? That still doesn't warrant the fact that you're selling a little kid in the auction. Don't you have no shame?"

"Kazuichi, we are only given the product... even we had no intention of selling this girl since she'll be of use to us and the Underground Shelter. But if you're willing to pay us upfront, then we won't mind leaving her in your care." Rocky calmly spoke. "We already have a couple of Canaries in the Underground Shelter. Adding one more or selling one is of no problem to us."

While Kazuichi had no need for a kid, he couldn't help but feel an odd resemblance to it, that's why a small portion of his heart wanted to help the kid. He let out an exhale, and then he pulled out the black card from his pocket. "How much?"

"That would be seventy-five million yen, sir." The auctioneer wore his usual game face as he blurted out the price.

"That much? I'm willing to pay fifty million yen for her. Nothing more nothing less." Kazuichi counter-offered, looking at the auctioneer as relaxedly as he could. He didn't want the auctioneer to take advantage of him, that's why he gave a ridiculous counteroffer.

"But sir... we can't— "

"You've got yourself a deal, Kazuichi. Please wait while our personnel attended to the little girl. You can claim her once she's... presentable." The manager cut off the auctioneer before he could deny Kazuichi's request.

The auctioneer's pupils dilated as he stared at the manager in shock. He didn't expect the manager of the auction to back down so easily, especially when the price was reduced to more than twenty million. In retrospect though, he was just an auctioneer so there was no way he could argue with the manager when it comes to sales.

"In the meantime, why don't you attend the auction? These aren't the only products we have here. I'm sure you'll find a couple of things to your liking." The manager offered.

A moment later, one of the attendants came by to pick up the little girl, carrying her in her arms. Kazuichi watched as the girl gave her one more glimpse before she was brought to another room.

"Right this way, sir." The manager gestured. Even though he sounded a tad bit amicable, Kazuichi didn't buy it at all.

.....

Meanwhile, at a felled shelter.

Slash!

"And that's the last of them." The woman muttered to herself as she seated herself on the pile of dead zombies that she killed by herself. Her black hair was tied up into a bun, and she wore a loose white t-shirt, painted red with blood. Her tight leggings and her shorts were neatly wrapped around her legs, providing her the extra protection she needed from the cold. A cloud of cold air appeared in her mouth as she breathed out a sigh.

"It seems like I was too late..." She clicked her tongue in frustration, slashing an already dead zombie on the ground with her butcher knife. "Where are you... ?"

From afar, the view of the already fallen shelter gave her a sense of hopelessness. But then again, her mission was not yet over, and there were still no signs that the person she was looking for was already dead.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Turning her head, she realized that there were people right behind her. With an incredulous look on her face, she hid the butcher knife behind her back. "Who are you?" She asked, addressing the man in suit and gloves who was clapping all this time.

"That was a fine performance, Tris... but it'd have been easier if we were to lend our aid." The man's face contorted into a smile as he stopped in front of the woman.

"I don't need your help. Go bother someone else." Tris curtly responded. She didn't move an inch from where she was, since she knew that one wrong move and her head will go flying when she least expects it.

"Come on, don't be so cold, Tris, you and I... we'll make a perfect team." The man continued, grabbing Tris by the shoulder and squeezing it. His nails dug deep, and a trickle of blood flowed from Tris's shoulders as she winced in pain.