Chapter 2 "A slave girl"

As I was walking in some dirty alley in order to go the Inn without much hassle before someone interrupted me.

"You appear concerned, young man." A voice from behind me said. As I turned around to see the source I saw a man wearing formal wear, and an oversized top hat. His eyes were covered by rounded glasses.

"Who are you?" I immediately asked him.

"Who I am is not important. What is important is that I can offer you a person-"

"I'm not interested in comrades. You cannot believe anyone these days." I answered coldly.

"Oh, a comrade? I can offer you someone that cannot disobey you instead." He quickly explained.

'Oh someone that cannot disobey you? I'm interested now.' I thought.

"Word travels fast. You're the rumoured Shield Hero, aren't you?" He said as he inspected me with his sight.

I only managed to say "...Oh?", Still feeling uneasy about him.

"My eyes don't decieve me... I like the way your eyes are. But please, if you'd like to follow me." He then gestured me to follow him.

Since I was curious, I decided to play along, for now. If he tried to double-cross me like that Bitch, he'd be the next food for orange balloons.

After a while we were standing in front of a Circus Tent. 'Hmm... This must be their cover.' I thought.

"Right this way." He said pointing me forward. I took a look around and spoke:

"I get it... You sell slaves, right?"

"Oh yes, good sir. With that said, I sell more demi-humans than actual humans."

'Demi-humans... It's how they call people that have the animal characteristics? I've seen quite a few, but all of them were used as a cheap labour.' I thought reflecting on his words.

"I understand." I answered him. He then approached one of the cages and grabbed it's cover.

"Now there, I'd like to recommend this slave to you." As he said that, he showed me the 'goods'.

It was a beatsman, a wolfman to be precise. His fur was grey, as to be expected out of wolves.

"His level is 75. He was a former gladiator. I picked him up after he broke his leg in one of the fights." The Slave Merchant explained. I could only smirk.

"I get it. You're showing me your most expensive stuff even though I cannot afford it." I said to him, at what he immediately smiled.

"But of course. You're a customer who has a pair of good eyes. I need you to further develop keen sight." He then adjusted his glasses and asked:

"What type of slave would you like?"

"A cheap one, but not it's not broken down. Preferably a male." That was my answer. He then thought fora second and started walking further into the cages. I followed him.

"Hmm... Something that can be used trained to fight. Also, about that rumor..." This is were my nerves run out. Enraged, I hit one of the cages that was closest to me.

"I. DID. NOT. DO. IT." I spoke angrily, words coated in venom.

"Is that so... You do seem different from the man in question. Anyways, we're here." He them stopped walking and turned around to face me.

'Hmm... Those must be his cheapest slaves. I can barely smell the reek of death.' I thought as I looked at the 'goods'. One of them immediately caught my attention. It was a young female demi-human with long chestnut hair. Judging from her cough, she must have some sort of illness.

"Raise your head." I called out to her. She flinched, but slowly complied.

When she fully raised her head I noticed her brown eyes.

"Your name?" I asked her.

"...Huh?" She was still confused about this whole event.

"What, you don't have one?" She then answered, albeit weakly and in frightened voice.

"Rap-h... Raph-talia." And there it is.

'I already decided thought.' After getting her name I turned to Slave Merchant.

"I'll take this girl." I proclaimed loudly.

"If that's what you wish." He answered.

After a while we were in his office, where Slave Merchant was busy with Slave Crest. I then remembered about that name.

"Can I also ask you something?"

"Go ahead." He answered without turning.

"Do you happen to know anyone under a name of 'Daud'?" He then flinched and turned his head.

"You're not talking about the infamous 'Knife of Melromarc'." Now that's interesting.

"If I am, then what? You don't know nothing about him?" I pressed further.

"He made a name for himself being a famous assassin for hire. His abilities are extraordinary. For some strange reason, his underlings have the same abilities as he does. And don't look for him. He will find you himself." He ended this information completely frightened. 'This Daud is sure feared. Maybe I'll have the chance to hire him... Maybe I'll even pay him to kill the bitch'. I grinned at the thought.

"The Slave Crest is almost done, I just need you to drip a bit of your blood into the ink." Slave merchant said, and handed me a small dish with a black fluid in it. Then I made a little cut on my thumb and dripped my blood into it.

"Thank you." He then turned around and applied the ink on the Slave Crest. The Girl screamed, and grabbed her dirty clothes.

"Hey, what's..." I spoke.

"Relax, it will pass shortly. Now, please pay for the slave." As he said that, I reached for my pouch and handed him the payment, 31 coins. He took them and counted them.

"Hey, it's one more here." He said

"It's a payment for application of the Crest and the Information. Consider it a bonus." I answered indifferent.

"Oh, I can see that you'll become one of my best customers!" He said happily. I decided to ignore it and approached the girl.

"Hey you, get up. We're going." As I said that I grabbed her by the wrist and literally dragged her out. She shrieked silently, but complied.