Red Moon Girl: Bride of the Lycan King

Jonea Fallon

I stood in front of an old antique shop in the suburbs. I just stood there doing nothing for a while. And it's as if my reflection in the shop glass is teasing me.

You're a loser, Jonea!

Before coming here, I purposely dyed my hair bright red. I hoped this red color could disguise my pale skin from hiding in a cave in the forest for too long.

This old antique shop is among other shops selling everyday items. After standing there, I now became doubtful. Without noticing, one of my feet stepped backward.

"Is there anything I can help you with, Miss?"

I turned my head. A man in his 60s with neatly combed gray hair stood behind me. I glanced at his hand, carrying a cup of hot coffee from the vending machine across the street.

"Come in! You are free to visit my shop."

The man smiled kindly at me and walked towards the shop. He opened the glass door, and the old brass bell that hung above the door jangled.

I followed him into the shop. Strange, the feeling of doubt that appeared a moment ago in my heart now suddenly faded. There was even a strong urge to enter the shop without hesitation.

I looked at the interior of the shop building and saw that there were lots of old things that seemed very ancient on display.

"Sir, I want to sell myself!"

I conveyed my purpose to the man without strings attached.

The old man was surprised and cleared his throat.

“Sorry, Miss. Perhaps you mean you want to sell your antiques?"

I shook my head and looked at him thoughtfully.

"I want to sell myself."

I took a black card from my trouser pocket and handed it to the flustered man behind the shop window.

"Arman asked me to come here."

The silver-haired man checked the card I gave him. "Okay, I understand what you want."

I suddenly felt the shop was cramped and claustrophobic with strange furniture. Most of the table consists of glassware. I'm worried that I accidentally hit one of them and must compensate.

"Come with me, and please watch your step!" scolded the shop owner.

He led me away to a small door inside the shop. The door led us to a different room.

After passing through that narrow door, I suddenly felt like I entered a different world. I was baffled because I was no longer in the antique shop. We stood on the terrace of a building that resembled the Capitol building with tall, majestic pillars.

"Where is this? Am I dreaming?"

I literally rubbed my eyes because I couldn't believe my eyes. The old man who ran the antique shop had walked a few steps ahead of me.

"Wait, Sir! Do not leave me alone. What place is this? Do we go through the unique path and come to the back of the shop?"

"We are in the auction house." The man answered briefly while pointing at the nameplate printed in large between the pillars supporting the roof of the terrace.

"Auction building?" I repeated his words. I've never seen an auction building this grand.

"Didn't you say you wanted to sell yourself? This was no ordinary auction house but a place where magicians and underground creatures legally traded. There are a lot of magic items with supernatural powers being auctioned here."

I need clarification on what he's talking about. We arrived at the entrance. The old man spoke to the two men guarding the door. He handed me a black card that I previously gave him.