Inside the iron cage knelt a man, his limbs shackled by heavy chains. There was no cover above him; the filthy gray cloth draped around his shoulders was soaked through. Silver‑white hair spilled across the wet ground as he bowed his head, his frail body trembling under the rain. Both arms clutched two small, motionless figures at his side—protective, desperate, like a dying swan folding its wings around its young.
Ye Cheng's heart clenched. She ran forward, shouting through the bars, "Hey! Can you hear me?"
The man stirred weakly, tightening his hold around the two children without lifting his head.
Her chest ached at the sight. She glanced at the glowing tag showing his auction price, slapped her wrist‑comm on, and while connecting to the seller, turned to Yang Yu. "I'll handle the negotiation—get the medicine and food ready!"
Yang Yu stripped off his raincoat and threw it over the top of the cage, then froze. His eyes were on the dull gray collar around the man's neck. "Master," he said quietly, "he's a native‑born slave. Until you become his legal owner, he cannot eat or accept treatment. If forced… he'll end his own life."
A spark of fury ignited in Ye Cheng's chest, searing hotter with every second. When the call finally connected, she spoke through gritted teeth.
"Governor Kairald of Fontanne Star? My name is Ye Cheng from Yilan Star. I wish to purchase one of your slaves currently listed in the Sunset City government auction."
A languid male voice answered. "Ah, such a kind‑hearted young lady. Didn't anyone tell you I placed him in the Midnight‑grade section and priced him at one Fall‑grade Crystal thirty centimeters wide—for a reason? I don't intend to sell him."
Ye Cheng's expression hardened. A Fall‑grade crystal over three centimeters was already legendary; a thirty‑centimeter one existed only once, displayed in the Union Central Army's headquarters museum. The crystal Andreas had entrusted to her—the one she now carried—was ten centimeters across, already a miracle.
She had been prepared for this arrogance. Drawing a breath, she said evenly, "I understand. But if the name 'Luminous Nightfall' means anything to you, perhaps we can reach an agreement."
There was a pause. The lazy tone vanished. "Nightfall? Are you suggesting—"
"That exact legend," she interrupted. "If you wish to discuss further, it must be face to face. I'm standing by the cage now. I hope to see you here within an hour."
Kairald, governor of Fontanne Star, was vacationing on Yilan Star. Lowering his communicator, he rubbed his chin. "'Nightfall'? Trading a myth for that thing? Where would she even get a legend?"
His secretary, a poised woman beside him, had already been pulling up Ye Cheng's records. "Ye Cheng, fifteen, New‑Human, current residence Yilan Star, District A. Recently applied for a mining license and sold one Chaoshi‑ and one Zenith‑grade crystal at the Sunset City Exchange."
Kairald rose, taking his coat. "Not bad. But Andreas must be pulling her strings."
"Should I report her for undeclared assets?" the secretary asked, fastening his collar.
He wagged a finger. "Now, now—let's not break a sweet girl's heart. If she truly holds a 'Nightfall' crystal, then the tale itself is worth seeing. A few Fallen purples are nothing in comparison."
Back at the auction hall's conference room, Ye Cheng paced in nervous agitation. The image of the chained man haunted her mind. Her gamble had worked—Kairald arrived in less than thirty minutes.
He looked younger than Andreas—handsome, polished, every gesture refined. The moment he entered, he caught Ye Cheng's hand, brushing it with a practiced kiss. If she hadn't seen the state of that slave, she might have been deceived by his charm. Now it only made her stomach turn.
She had considered the possibility that Andreas was lying—but the weight of the crystal in her pocket, the sight of the man and his children—left her no retreat. She took the gamble fully.
"Governor Kairald," she greeted steadily, meeting his eyes. "It seems you have an interest in legends."
He nodded with open amusement. "Indeed. Legends are precious precisely because they're unattainable. When may I have the honor of beholding yours?"
Ye Cheng gestured toward the rain‑soaked yard. "Right outside."
Kairald glanced at the pouring sky. "I'd rather not see a lovely young bird drenched before she reveals her treasure—nor face such a divine miracle looking anything less than reverent myself."
Her jaw tightened. "Then with respect, Governor, if others see the legend first, neither of us will be worthy to own it. I simply ask that you adjust the slave's price. I can't afford your current one."
He smiled faintly. "Fair enough." Raising his wrist, he called, "Salyiel."
A tall mech stepped into view, colored gold and green.
"Come, Salyiel," the governor said lightly. "Let us escort our saintly young lady to her grand revelation."
The mech's metallic hand opened. Ye Cheng climbed in without protest. Moments later, Kairald joined her in the cockpit, taking the pilot's seat.
He didn't pressure her to display the crystal immediately. Guiding the mech through the storm to the cage outside, he glanced down at Yang Yu standing in the rain. "Tell me—was the legend you spoke of unearthed by this slave?"
"Yes," Ye Cheng answered.
He smiled curiously. "Would you be willing to sell him?"
Ye Cheng froze, eyes wide. Kairald lifted a placating hand. "Relax, young lady. It's merely habit—I enjoy collecting beautiful and obedient things. Now then, may I finally see your legend?"
With trembling fingers, Ye Cheng summoned a palm‑sized transparent box. Inside lay a crystal, pure radiant gold.
The moment Kairald saw it, his demeanor changed; his polished smile faded into solemn focus.
Ye Cheng closed her fist around the box, her voice low but firm. "I… can't pay your asking price. Change it, and this Nightfall crystal is yours."
For several heartbeats he said nothing, watching her carefully. Just as the tension became unbearable, his smile returned—warm as spring sunlight. "Deal."
He tapped his Subspace Ring; a pale‑blue hologram opened. A few quick inputs later, the slave's tag flickered and displayed a new price: one Union Credit.
Ye Cheng immediately confirmed purchase. He approved the sale, transferring the man's ownership contract to her Ring.
She retrieved the small box from her pocket and offered it to him in exchange. The crystal glowed once in his hand—real, perfect. As she turned to leave, Kairald moved suddenly, pulling her against him.
She gasped, but his grip was iron. His breath brushed her ear as he murmured, "My dear little princess of legends, how careless you are."
Before she could scream, he produced a delicate gold‑leaf earring. Holding her still, he pierced her earlobe with the thin needle tip. A drop of blood welled up; he wiped it away tenderly.
"You took my finest collectible without its certification. Without it, your ownership is incomplete. Such carelessness shouldn't go uncorrected."
When his arm released her, Ye Cheng stumbled back like a frightened rabbit, scrambling toward the hatch, nearly tumbling out.
Amused, Kairald let her go. "Don't worry," he said gently. "I always keep my promises."
He commanded the mech to lower its palm, setting her on the ground before closing the cockpit again. Then the machine gripped the iron cage, wrenched the top and sides free of the earth, and flung the metal aside in one effortless motion. Moments later, the golden‑green mech vanished into the heavy rain, its thrusters fading into distant thunder.
Ye Cheng stood motionless, chest heaving, staring after it with eyes that burned.
Yang Yu approached, pulling another raincoat from his Subspace Ring. He crouched by the collapsed slave, covering him and the two limp children from the downpour. Opening the med‑kit, he drew a power‑nutrient injector. "Master," he said quietly, "give him the command, please."
Ye Cheng forced herself to focus, kneeling beside the man. "Your name is Sorra?"
Slowly, the man raised his head. His pale gaze fixed on the tiny leaf‑shaped earring glinting on her ear. His lips moved silently; even speech was beyond his strength.
Her eyes followed the two children still nestled by his side—one awake, one unconscious—and her heart twisted. "From this moment," she said softly, "I, Ye Cheng, am your master. You're too weak—I'm giving you nutrient support. Hold on."
He moved his lips once more. She recognized the silent word: Yes.
"Do it," she told Yang Yu.
Yang Yu injected the serum into Sorra's arm, then dosed the two children as well. Ye Cheng projected the ownership contract and purchase record onto the stand beside the cage. The restraints unlocked with a metallic click.
But before she could speak again, Sorra's body went limp. Yang Yu caught him before he hit the ground.
As the rain washed away grime and blood, Ye Cheng finally saw the truth: the two children—one half‑awake, one asleep—each had one of the man's bloodied fingers in their mouths. A trickle of red stained their lips.
Her throat tightened; tears blurred her vision. She lifted both children into her arms, wrapping them in her own raincoat. "Tubby," she said hoarsely, "let's go home."
Yang Yu, silent, heaved the unconscious man onto his shoulders and followed her into the storm.
Behind them, a bent nutrient injector tumbled into the mud, its metal twisted out of shape.
In the pooling dirt, a pair of black eyes opened—deep, endless, filled with something dark.
"Kairald…"