Forging Chains of Hope and Torment
Within just an hour of the new group's arrival at the shop, they had purchased four 1st Class Slaves and three 2nd Class Slaves. As the purchases piled up, the shop owner stepped in. Grinning ear to ear, he approached the two men.
"Now, shall I show you the regular 2nd Class Slaves who aren't residents?"
"You should start with combat slaves!! I'll show you only the best! No—I'll even gather the top 2nd Class combat slaves from the shops around here."
Namgung Seojun nodded, and all the shop's merchants dashed off to neighboring stores, rounding up combat slaves. In the meantime, he leaned in and whispered to Jo Jaehun.
"We need to buy combat slaves right away to bolster our forces. Keep that in mind and give me your input."
Jo Jaehun nodded. Moments later, a merchant returned, leading in a male slave, and began his pitch.
"This one's a level 24 warrior. Solid stats, decent traits and skills, and just the right amount of experience. A very reliable fighter."
Namgung Seojun and Jo Jaehun took the proffered status window, trait list, and skill list for the slave and reviewed them.
"Not bad," Jo Jaehun said.
"Still, no need to decide right away. Let's look at the others first."
Jo Jaehun nodded, and they continued examining more slaves.
"A versatile archer! Level 29!! Excellent stats! With Multi-Shot, he's perfect as an attacker."
Lee Doyun cost a steep 80 gold, but an archer with Multi-Shot was a solid pick. Deeming him suitable to fill out the archer role alongside Gisohee, they bought him.
"A multi-resource who can wield both sword and shield. Level 27 warrior, with two Rare-grade skills: Consecutive Slash and Mercenary Shield Art. Decent traits too."
Idohun had two Rare-grade skills, making him an immediate asset. Though his traits and stats showed long-term limitations, they judged him essential for now and snapped him up for 60 gold.
"Thinking of investing in the future? This one's got a Rare-grade job: Shieldbearer of Will. Plus traits like Low Stamina, Low Agility, Low Intelligence, Low Flexibility—eight Low-grade traits in total."
Iban Sergeyei was a growth prospect with a Rare-grade job. As Namgung Seojun eyed him, he glanced at Jo Jaehun.
"Jaehun, want to raise him?"
Jo Jaehun smiled. "Shall I take him on?"
The two exchanged nods, sealing Iban's purchase. Though the party still needed more members, they decided to review and buy additional slaves. Namgung Seojun and Jo Jaehun returned the purchased slaves to the inn and immediately called the party together.
"These are your new comrades. Introduce yourselves."
He presented the new slaves to the existing party members, explaining each one's role.
"Kim Juon for healing, Wu Kanghwa for buffs, Lee Doyun the Multi-Shot archer, Idohun the multi-player with sword and shield, and Iban Sergeyei the guard."
After a quick rundown of the combat slaves, he moved on to the porters.
"Song Kang, the veteran porter; Yui Koizumi, sub-attacker and porter; and Choe Sohee, the rookie porter."
At his words, Yui Koizumi and Choe Sohee blinked in surprise. They'd thought they'd been sold as sex slaves, only to suddenly become attackers or porters. Seojun ignored their shock and continued.
"Im Soo-jin and Ryu Seo-yo will make you all happy. Treat them well."
With that, the brief introductions ended. But the atmosphere was awkward, to say the least. With so many 2nd Class Slaves, a pall of gloom hung over them. These hopeless slaves lacked any real motivation. Namgung Seojun had anticipated this and spoke up.
"Look at me first."
He opened his Status Window and revealed his job: Apostle of the Main God (Candidate).
"I swear on my job: I'll give you hope. Show me strong performance in your roles, and I'll grant you a chance to escape slavery. So do your best!"
A spark of hope flickered in the slaves' eyes. For 2nd Class Slaves, such words were sweeter than any promise.
Namgung Seojun took some slaves to the Main God's temple.
"What brings you here, Candidate Apostle?"
The priest greeted him warmly. Seojun said what the priest wanted to hear.
"I want to buy traits for these slaves."
"Oh! As expected of a Candidate Apostle. Developing slaves and eventually restoring them to normal status—such noble thoughts."
He pointed to Isu-yeon, Choe Sohee, and Yui Koizumi, who lacked Low Stamina.
"First, buy Low Stamina for everyone here."
"Understood. 5 gold each, total 20 gold."
After payment, the priest placed hands on the women's heads and chanted. The three gained the new trait: Low Stamina.
"Wow."
Isu-yeon and Yui expressed wonder and mild joy at the new trait, but Choe Sohee looked stunned.
"Holy shit..."
You have acquired the Low Stamina trait.
Your latent Low Stamina trait has reacted.
You have acquired the Mid Stamina trait.
As Choe Sohee rejoiced, Namgung Seojun pointed to Song Kang and Yui.
"Trait awakening for these two, please."
The priest asked cautiously, "You know awakening has no effect on non-residents, right?"
"Yes, but these two are residents."
"And... it only works if they have latent traits, correct?"
Seojun nodded, and the priest did too.
"Very well. 2 gold... no, just 1 gold."
Thinking Seojun was wasting money, the priest discounted it. After payment, he performed the awakening.
"Wha... what?"
"I had a trait like this??"
The two were stunned. Song Kang awakened Mid Dexterity, and Yui awakened Low Archery.
The investments didn't end there.
"Random Low-grade trait books for these four slaves, please."
The slaves gasped. From the 20th floor on, temple random Low-grade trait books were limited to one per person—and pricey at 10 gold each. Yet he was investing in slaves. Even if 2nd Class Slaves gaining good traits increased their owner's assets, such bold spending was rare.
"Wow, truly impressive."
The priest beamed. "As expected! A Main God's Candidate Apostle is different. I'll fetch the books."
The priest brought four books; Seojun paid 40 gold and had the slaves read them immediately.
"......"
The four read their books, and Namgung Seojun used God's Eye to check the results.
To Choe Sohee: Low Mental Math; Song Kang: Low Animal Affinity; Yui: Low Sewing...
The first three were underwhelming from his perspective. But Isu-yeon's made him smile involuntarily.
Attribute Attack...
Isu-yeon had drawn Low Fire Attribute Attack—a rare trait adding fire damage to all attacks. A huge win for her.
After escorting the trait-empowered slaves back to the inn, Namgung Seojun headed to the slave market again.
Still need one more combatant, one porter, one sex slave.
That would complete the planned 14 combatants, 7 porters, and 3 sex slaves. Spending the day scouring the market and reviewing hundreds of 2nd Class Slaves, he selected and bought two more.
Anpisa Sarapova, a level 18 veteran porter. She'd been trained as a sub-guard by her previous owner, who gave up due to costs and sold her. With useful skills and good potential, he bought her for development.
Park Eunhye, level 22 sex slave with 50 Charm. Her biggest draw was the price—just 30 gold, excellent value. Though defiant and death-wishing like a typical 2nd Class Slave, Seojun promised release after a set period and took her.
No other slaves met his standards, even the two he'd bought barely scraping by on potential and cost. He asked the temple-certified shop merchant guiding him.
"Any other 2nd Class Slaves?"
The merchant pondered. "What about ones in poor condition... seriously rough ones?"
Seojun nodded eagerly. "Yes."
With God's Eye, he could spot potential regardless. Even if rough now, value was worth investing.
"Then come tomorrow—I'll guide you to a special spot."
Namgung Seojun and the merchant agreed to meet the next day. Back at the inn, Kim Hoon and the men were having fun.
"Oh, Seojun-hyung's back!"
Kim Hoon was playing with—rather, already sexually torturing—the newly bought sex slave Park Eunhye.
"Y-yeah..?"
"Yes!"
After hours of agony, Park Eunhye responded in a terrified voice.
"Open your mouth."
"Yes."
Her mouth was bloodied inside... because Kim Hoon had yanked out all her teeth. 2nd Class sex slaves were tools, subjected to any torment or sexual use. When Park Eunhye arrived that morning, Kim Hoon toyed with her lightly. She snapped back sassily, provoking him. He decided to break her harshly, beating her violently and pulling her teeth. His skill Flesh Toilet Training activated, forcing her submission. In half a day, she trembled at his mere sight.
"I tuned up this bitch a bit. She's obedient now. Pretty good at oral too?"
Slurp... slurp...
Her mouth ached from the missing teeth, but to avoid worse, she serviced Kim Hoon and the men diligently.
Namgung Seojun was impressed that Kim Hoon had tamed the death-defying Park Eunhye in half a day.
Is it the skill... or Kim Hoon himself?...
To 2nd Class Slaves, Kim Hoon was a nightmare.
"Play easy and heal her up."
"Huh? Heal what?"
"What's the staple food on expeditions?"
"Jerky... oh..."
Kim Hoon realized his folly. Porters needed teeth to eat properly on trips.
"You broke her, so heal her with your own money."
"Ha! Where would I get money? Porters get smaller shares."
"You hoard plenty. Don't think I don't know. Use your own cash."
Unlike his crude demeanor, Kim Hoon saved diligently. At Seojun's ultimatum, he relented. Fortunately, Seojun had warned the party beforehand about differential treatment by role, avoiding bigger issues.
Even 2nd Class Slaves would be treated differently by role. No sexual duties for combat slaves or porters. This was unusual—2nd Class Slaves were tools for any use, regardless of type. But Seojun had bought valuable ones, so he planned to treat combat and porter roles like 1st Class Slaves. His lusts were sated enough by two 1st Class sex slaves and one 2nd Class.