﹫︎Kim Taehyung

The hall was lit with a subdued golden glow. Night had long since fallen beyond the tall panoramic windows, and a tense silence reigned within.
Jungkook stood among the other kidnapped people on a low platform. Each of them had a metal bracelet with a number attached to their wrist. Some tried not to show fear, others were already shedding tears. Below were tables for guests. There weren't many people there, only those who could afford to pay any amount.
On the second floor, in a separate, closed box, sat Kim Taehyung. His presence was felt even without a word. Many knew he rarely participated in such events personally. Usually, his people reported the results later. But sometimes, there were exceptions, especially when something caught his interest.

“Lot number seven,” he announced.
leading.

Another prisoner was brought forward. Taehyung didn't even look up. He'd seen dozens of similar trades over the years. Some people disappeared from his life after a few days. Some worked for him for months. Some he never thought of again.
A typical deal. A typical evening.
Until the host announced the next number.

• Lot number eighteen.

Jungkook was pushed forward. The bright spotlight hit his eyes. A quiet whisper ran through the room.
Taehyung lazily glanced at the platform. And suddenly froze. For the first time all evening. Jungkook himself didn't notice. But several people in the box immediately became wary.
Because their boss had never looked at a new item for so long. Taehyung leaned forward slightly, examining the guy.
Then he slowly placed the glass on the table.

— Start bidding.
There was no emotion in his voice.
But the people who had worked for him for many years already realized that something about this guy had attracted the attention of the most dangerous man in the room.
And this could have been either a stroke of luck or the beginning of big problems.

An ordinary guy, Jungkook, is kidnapped and awakens along with other captives. It soon becomes clear that they are about to be put up for auction at an underground auction where influential criminals and wealthy individuals buy people for a variety of purposes: from ransom and blackmail to working for criminal organizations.
The mastermind behind it all is Kim Tae-hyung, a ruthless and influential mafioso. For him, such auctions have long been routine. Over the years, he's acquired quite a few people: some he used as sources of information, some he forced to work for him, and some he traded for favors and deals.
During another auction, his attention is suddenly drawn to Jungkook. Taehyung himself can't explain why, but instead of letting someone else buy the boy, he buys him himself. Jungkook is brought to one of Taehyung's mansions. Unlike the other captives, he isn't thrown into the basement or treated like an expendable commodity. However, he isn't free either.
Jungkook tries to understand why the mafia wants him. Taehyung himself doesn't have a clear answer at first either. He just senses that the guy is somehow different from the other people he's bought before.