A subtle chill hung in the dimly lit auction hall, pricking at my senses.

Of course, considering it was winter, this place was much warmer than the outside. But for a hotel that was consistently warm and cozy everywhere else, the temperature here felt unusually low.

‘Did they intentionally keep the heating down? I think I’ve heard something about malls or casinos lowering the temperature on purpose to push people into making faster decisions.’

Feeling cold naturally makes people more sensitive and heightens their psychological tension. If this was part of the organizers’ strategy, it made sense.

Still, I regretted my choice to dress lightly, thinking the hotel would be warm throughout. I discreetly tucked my hands under my arms, trying to endure the creeping chill.

“Yuria, are you cold?”
“….”
“Here, take this. I’m fine without it.”

Alice, sitting next to me, seemed to notice my subtle discomfort. With a light chuckle, she took off her thin cardigan and handed it to me.