The thick smell of filth and damp earth filled the air. I lay on my back on the cold, hard stone floor. The chill seeped through the remnants of my torn clothing, making my skin crawl.
I've been in this rotten place for five years. Do I regret it? No. I was satisfied killing that bastard governor. I was satisfied trapping those adventurers. Even though my situation could be called pathetic, I have no regrets. I am still proud of what I did. My life's mission is over. I don't mind if I die now.
Another day. Or maybe it's night. Time has no meaning down here. There is only the sound of dripping water and the hunger gnawing at my stomach. It doesn't matter. Soon, all of this will stop. I haven't eaten in days. If it weren't for my high level, I'd probably be dead already.
In the darkness, the only light came from a flickering torch at the end of the corridor. The shadows of my cell bars moved on the damp wall.
Suddenly, I heard a new sound: the heavy tread of approaching footsteps. The steps stopped right in front of my cell. A large body blocked the torchlight, creating a dark silhouette before me. A pair of red eyes ignited in the shadow.
That very muscular man. He was the one who caught me and put me here. Do I hold a grudge against him? No, I suppose this is just his role. He's just making a living. A strange thought, perhaps.
"Boy, you're lucky today. Someone wants to buy you," the man's voice sounded deep and hoarse.
I lifted my head slightly. "Me? Why?" My own voice was raspy. Bought? After rotting in here for five years? Who would want to buy damaged goods?
"How should I know!" he replied. He put a key in the lock. There was a loud CLANK, followed by the deafening screech of the iron door being pushed open.
The man stepped inside and stopped, looking straight at me. His gaze was direct, as if trying to read my five years of suffering in a few seconds. He then let out a low laugh. "Forget it. I take my words back. You might not be lucky… because it's safer here than going with that woman."
A woman. Interesting. This guard seems to think he's giving me a warning. Or maybe he just enjoys the small power he has over the condemned. Or maybe he pities me? Why would he care enough to imagine scenarios for my life in his head? My brow furrowed. I pushed myself into a sitting position and scratched my head. "Why?"
The corners of the man's lips lifted. "She's a criminal wanted by all the kingdoms. Vampires, dragons, humans, goblins, dwarves… hahaha, enjoy yourself."
A criminal, huh? I don't really care. She'll probably use me as a sacrifice for her own leveling or just make me one of her minions. Besides, my life's purpose is already fulfilled. I'm actually looking for a way to die without killing myself. I'm already dead; this is just a bonus round.
I just nodded. I then stood up straight, faced him, and smiled a little.
The man gestured with his chin towards the door. "Follow me."
I stepped out of the cell. The rough, cold stone surface was immediate against the soles of my bare feet. Each step felt damp. Grains of sand stuck to my skin.
I walked behind the man, climbing a stone staircase. Along the stairs, I passed other cells. In one cell, I saw a man with wolf-like features curled in a corner. In another, a middle-aged elf leaned against the bars, his pointed ears drooping. Their gazes were empty. The same emptiness I had learned to perfect over the past five years. A useful mask. It makes the guards leave you alone. I felt a sliver of pity for them. Unlike me, they might still have something to achieve out there. Maybe becoming an adventurer, or a merchant. I'm sure some of them have children and miss their families.
At the top of the stairs, the man stopped. A woman was standing there. Bright. Clean. So out of place after the filth of the cells. Her hair was short, blue at the tips and purple at the base. Her eyes were violet, her skin was pale, and her lips looked soft. She wore dark blue clothes and gold jewelry.
Her clothes alone are probably worth more than this entire dungeon. A noble? A high-level adventurer? Whatever she is, she's powerful. And bored, apparently, to be shopping for damaged goods like me. My instincts tell me she's a little crazy. I could feel a powerful magical aura from her. It was also strange.
. Where are the guards? Why doesn't this man realize the guards around him are gone? I theorize this woman is the cause. Maybe she used a little hypnotism magic on him so he wouldn't notice. She's a Witch. The man said she was a criminal. In this world, any Witch reckless enough to level past 100 is automatically branded a criminal and hunted by all kingdoms.
The man smiled widely. "Lady Lairas, this is the slave."
I looked at the woman. She looked back at me and smiled.
The muscular man turned to me. "As I said, he's just a level 9 assassin, but I'm sure, my lady, he will be useful to you!"
I'm actually a level 40 adventurer. I burned my adventurer card and claimed to be level 9. It seems this man believed me, which is why I was rarely bought. I'm curious about this woman. She still wants to buy me after knowing I'm only level 9.
The woman named Lairas nodded. "It's alright." She stepped forward. Her cold fingers touched my chin, lifting it until our eyes met. I prefer open hostility; it's easier to read. This gaze… it's just a strange, intense curiosity. It makes me uncomfortable. I really don't know what her motive is. "He's… quite handsome."
I only raised an eyebrow. I don't understand what she means.
Lairas looked back at the slave trader. "How much?"
The man rubbed his hands together. "1000 gold coins!"
A thousand gold coins. Enough to buy a small house in a village and live comfortably for 20 months. I don't know if this price is an insult or not. The woman named Lairas nodded and snapped her fingers. A leather pouch immediately appeared in her hand, making the sound of clinking coins. She tossed it to the man. "It's all there. Just count it."
The man's eyes widened as he caught it. He opened the pouch and poured its contents onto a table, his fingers moving quickly to separate the piles of coins.
After the man was finished, Lairas gave a short nod, then took my hand. Her grip was strong. She started to walk out of the building. I just remained silent, letting myself be pulled along.
"Why did you buy me? I don't even want to live anymore," I said flatly.
The woman laughed softly. "You will know," she answered, without turning.
My eyebrows knitted again. I don't understand. It's a simple question. You have a reason for buying something. If she wants to use me as a ritual sacrifice, I'd rather she just say it directly. I won't run away; in fact, I'd be grateful.
We arrived at a large wooden door. Lairas pushed it open. Sunlight immediately hit me. My eyes hurt. I instantly squinted and raised my arm to protect them. I felt warmth on my skin.
Lairas's steps stopped outside. She turned, facing the slave trading building. The building was a windowless stone fortress. "Look at this place for the last time," she said.
I lowered my arm. My eyes slowly adjusted. I also looked toward the building. Such a comfortable place. Five years there held no good memories, but I felt a little sad that my days there were over.
"Shield." A transparent, pale-blue dome of energy appeared around us.
She then murmured a single word. "Nfiri."
BOOM! BOOM!
Two explosions occurred from inside the building. Stones shattered and flew. Fire came out of every crack. The sound of the burning fire mixed with screams from within. I felt the heat of the explosion on my face. The screams… I knew some of those voices. Slaves who had given up, just like me. And she killed them all without a second thought? To cover her tracks? For what? Why? Does she hate slaves? I don't understand. I really don't understand why she did that. This woman is far more dangerous than I assumed.
My pupils constricted. My previously resigned face now tensed. "You crazy...," I said, my voice trembling as I slowly turned to face her. "Why did you kill them? What did they do wrong? If you wanted to cover your tracks, you could have just killed that man. You already killed the guards secretly."
The woman turned to face me. Her movement was calm. Her face showed no emotion. All I saw was an empty smile there.
And in that moment, looking at her calm expression amidst the fire and death she had just created, I realized something. She might be the craziest and most dangerous person I've ever met. My life from now on will probably be very different.
My heart beat a little faster. For some reason, I felt myself looking forward to what would happen next.