Apocalypse Architect: A Tower Defense LitRPG

Chapter 97: Creating Chaos

The scions of the various minor families seated around Zhou Quan began to chatter, pointing at the stage with feverish excitement plastered across their faces.

“Holy hell! She really lives up to the S-Grade title. Look at those specs—absolutely flawless! If I took her back, she could probably survive dozens of high-intensity experiments without breaking!”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Who cares about the data? I didn’t expect the test subject to be such a stunner! Buying her is a two-for-one deal: lab rat by day, bed-warmer by night. That’s a steal!”

“Haha! Don’t you dare fight me for this one! Let me have her, and I’ll treat you all to a feast at the Golden Pavilion! Top shelf liquor, my treat!”

“Pfft! Screw your feast! I want the girl! With a beauty of that caliber, I could stay entertained for months!”

Listening to the vile commentary surrounding him, Zhou Quan felt a cold dread settle in the pit of his stomach.

Damn it! Is the demand really this high? And why the hell is she the opening act? Usually, goods of this quality are saved for the grand finale to build suspense!

On stage, Julian fed off the crowd’s energy. A gleam of excitement flashed in his eyes as he addressed the floor.

“Gentlemen! Words are wind. Let me show you exactly what you’re bidding on. I guarantee that whoever takes this lot home won’t regret it!”

A wave of raucous cheers erupted from the floor. The anticipation was palpable; everyone was desperate to see the woman behind the designation. After all, photographs were one thing, but only the flesh-and-blood reality could truly loosen their purse strings.

Julian proved why he was a top-tier auctioneer. He navigated the crowd’s emotions with the skill of a maestro. He approached the large iron cage with deliberate slowness, his hand grasping the corner of the heavy black velvet drape.

Zhou Quan could practically hear the sound of the audience collectively swallowing their saliva.

Animals. They’re just a pack of hungry wolves.

Zhou Quan gritted his teeth. I’m taking a huge hit here. If I’d known it would be this bad, I would have forced Tang Youya to retreat with me back then. I just hope the Credits I have on hand are enough.

His heart sank as he stared intensely at the iron cage.

As Julian slowly lifted the velvet cover, the first thing revealed was a pair of legs—long, slender, and perfect beyond the average person’s imagination.

“Whoa! Look at those legs! Damn, that just struck right at the tip of my heart!”

“I can’t take it! I absolutely have to buy her! Screw the experiments—who in their right mind would waste such a creature in a lab? Isn’t she better suited as a personal maid?”

“I’ll open the bidding! Ten Tier 3 Cores! Nobody fight me!”

“Bullshit! Are you insane? Ten Tier 3 Cores? You think you can lowball for S-Grade goods? I bid eleven!”

“Dream on! She’s mine! I don’t care what you offer, I’ll top it!”

The auction hall descended into chaos before the price was even officially announced.

Finally, the black cloth was pulled away completely. Inside the cage, a woman in thin, ragged clothing was suspended, her wrists bound to the iron bars above. Her jet-black hair cascaded down, obscuring her face. She appeared to be in a deep coma, her head hanging low, her vitality visibly weak.

Zhou Quan’s brow furrowed instantly. His mind raced, calculating escape routes and rescue strategies.

How was she captured? Has she been abused or violated since we separated? Who is the mastermind behind this sale?

His mind was a whirlwind of anxiety, so much so that he didn’t initially hear the man sitting next to him speaking.

Seeing Zhou Quan staring at the stage in deep contemplation, the man beside him misinterpreted the silence for lust. He leaned in, wearing a conspiratorial grin, and whispered, “Brother, you look new around here. Got your eyes on the little beauty, too?”

Zhou Quan snapped back to reality and turned to the stranger. His expression hardened. “I’d advise you not to buy her.”

The man blinked, taken aback. “What? Why not?”

Zhou Quan paused for a split second, formulating a plan. He lowered his voice, leaning in as if sharing state secrets. “Ahem. I shouldn’t be saying this, but… there’s a secret about this lot. Don’t spread it around.”

The man’s curiosity piqued. He glanced around nervously before whispering back, “Spit it out, brother. What do you know?”

“I know this woman.”

Zhou Quan kept his face dead serious. He wasn’t technically lying—he did know Tang Youya, and quite well.

“And? Is there a defect? Are you saying she’s not actually an S-Grade physique?”

“Oh, the physique is real enough. The problem is… she’s incredibly dangerous. She has a particular fetish for collecting trophies. Specifically, men’s… parts.”

The man felt a phantom chill shoot through his crotch. “Brother, are you for real? A girl that pretty is that vicious?”

“I’m telling you the truth. I saw her at a club once. I asked around later and found out she’s a walking death trap. She plays the part of the obedient servant perfectly. Whatever you want, she’ll do it. But the moment you relax… snick.” Zhou Quan mimed a cutting motion near his mouth. “She hides a razor blade under her tongue. Surgical grade. One kiss, and you’re a eunuch.”

Cold sweat began to trickle down the man’s spine. “Motherfucker… why didn’t the auction house mention this?”

Zhou Quan waved his hand dismissively. “Think about it. Why would they ruin the value of their own merchandise? It wasn’t easy for them to catch her.”

The man looked back at the stage. Tang Youya’s near-perfect face and figure suddenly lost their appeal, replaced by a terrifying mental image. He shuddered.

Seeing the man hesitate, Zhou Quan quietly slipped away to a different seat, putting distance between them. A faint, grim smile touched his lips as he watched the man retreat into his shell.

One down.

He let out a breath of relief, but the problem wasn’t solved yet.

By now, the audience had feasted their eyes on the unconscious captive. Dissatisfaction began to brew.

Someone shouted, “Hey! Is the woman dead or what? Wake her up! We want to see her eyes!”

The mob mentality took over instantly. “Yeah! Other test subjects are lively. You trot out a comatose one—how do we know we aren’t buying a corpse?”

“Exactly! Why is she knocked out? Is she dangerous?”

On stage, Julian’s smile grew strained. He hadn’t been informed about the specific condition of the S1 lot, nor did he know the protocol for waking her.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhou Quan hid behind a cluster of people and shouted, altering his voice. “Does she have a disease? Or are you afraid she’ll speak and expose your shady business? We’re paying with real Credits here, not scrap paper!”

Zhou Quan’s shout acted as a catalyst. Suspicion rippled through the crowd.

Julian looked helplessly at Hazel, who was standing near the perimeter as security. She remained impassive, showing no intention of stepping in to bail him out. She was a woman of principle; standing on this stage was already a compromise she barely tolerated.

Gritting his teeth, Julian raised his hands to placate the mob. “Everyone, please, calm down! I will go ask the Boss for instructions immediately!”

The crowd jeered, urging him to hurry.

Julian rushed backstage, sweating, and arrived at a private office. Inside, a man sat wreathed in cigar smoke, listening to a subordinate’s report with a dark expression.

“Damn it! Where did that woman disappear to? Search everywhere! Do not let a single person leave this facility unchecked! Do you understand?”

The subordinate nodded vigorously, turning to leave just as Julian reached the door.

“Ahem… I’m looking for Boss Peng Qianhe.”

The guard nodded and announced him. “Boss Peng Qianhe, Julian is here.”

Peng Qianhe, the man with the cigar, nodded sharply. “Let him in.”

Julian entered, bowing slightly, his posture subservient. “Boss Peng Qianhe, my apologies. We have a situation with the auction.”

Peng Qianhe looked at him expressionlessly. “Speak.”

“It’s the S1 test subject. She’s still comatose, and the buyers are demanding to see her awake before bidding. They’re getting restless. Should we wake her up?”

Peng Qianhe frowned. “We’ve sold unconscious units before. Why the sudden demand?”

“I… I’m not sure, Boss. The crowd is just volatile today.”

“Fine. Get Captain Zhao in here.”

Julian nodded and fetched the captain of the guard.

When Captain Zhao entered, Peng Qianhe pulled a sealed syringe from his drawer and slid it across the desk. “Give the S1 subject a shot of this.”

Captain Zhao took the syringe, nodded, and left without a word.

Back in the auction hall, the crowd cheered as Julian returned, followed by Captain Zhao.

Captain Zhao strode onto the stage, the syringe glinting under the lights. “You want to see the goods awake? Fine. I need to administer a stimulant. Rest assured, the test subject is completely safe.”

In the audience, Zhou Quan’s eyes narrowed.

Shit. What kind of chemical is that? If they turn her into a vegetable with some experimental drug, this is all for nothing.

Just as the needle approached Tang Youya’s arm, a hand shot out to stop it.

Hazel stepped out from the shadows, blocking Captain Zhao. “No. If something goes wrong with the merchandise, who pays for it? Use this.”

She pulled a small, elegant perfume bottle from her tactical vest. “This compound contains a concentrated neuro-stimulant. It’s effective and non-invasive.”

Ignoring Zhao’s protest, Hazel unscrewed the cap and waved the bottle under Tang Youya’s nose.

The sharp, biting scent drifted into the cage. Tang Youya’s brows twitched. Slowly, groggily, she opened her eyes.