The auction began soon afterward.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Pain Auction. I can see you're all itching to get started. You must be ready to expose your most private parts."
"We also look forward to seeing new readings on our pain detector! This time, the mysterious Pain Auction has added several new items."
"Unfortunately, their starting pain requirements are all very high."
The auctioneer wore a suit, though there was really no need for one. He looked like Shishio Makoto from Rurouni Kenshin, or perhaps a mummy.
His entire body was wrapped in bandages. Not long ago, he had experienced extensive burns and earned an enormous number of Pain Points.
"Without further ado, everyone, let's take a look at our first lot. A bottle of Wine of Agony produced by the auction."
"They say every drop of this wine evokes intensely painful memories, leaving you lost in a drunken dream, yet wishing you were dead."
A bottle of Japanese sake was placed on the auction stand, drawing cheers from the entire room.
"Wine that creates mental anguish? Isn't that basically an energy replenisher?" exclaimed a man covered in tattoos.
"If I drank that wine, I wouldn't have to mutilate myself for a while!" an old man said. All ten of his fingers were gone, but steel needles had been inserted into his palms as though to replace them.
"Something this amazing right out of the gate! There might be some incredible treasures at this auction!" a one-eyed boy said.
The bandaged auctioneer was very pleased with their response.
"Although I would love to give this bottle to some brave soul who could destroy the Human Hole and restore peace to our Hujiang, unfortunately, the rule of the Pain Auction is this: whoever suffers most wins!"
"The starting bid