Yuki's Brothel Nightmare
Namgung Seojun returned from the Yuki Temple after selling off the slaves. But he still had plenty left to do. He called Gisohee over to discuss the training plan.
"Here are some skill books."
He handed her the ones he'd bought at the temple: Power Strike, Thrust, and Shield Mastery—all basic Normal skills.
"They're just fundamental Normal skills, but they're essential. Please make sure the slaves without them learn them, and help those who already have them improve their proficiency."
Even if slaves had the same skill, its effectiveness wasn't identical. Proficiency made a huge difference. That's why Seojun tasked her with boosting their basic skill levels.
"Got it."
Gisohee agreed. One reason Anpisa Sarapova had died was her lack of Shield Mastery. Even without a spare shield, high proficiency might have changed the outcome.
Gisohee took the books, and Seojun spent a while explaining who should get which skills. But there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes.
"Seojun... is this all we have to talk about?"
He caught on immediately. "Ah..."
He wrapped his arm around her waist. "Then how about we discuss the details in bed?"
Her face flushed as she nodded.
"Ah! Ah! Ha! Seojun! Seojun!!!"
Gisohee's moans echoed from the room where the two stayed.
Three days later, at Ruin's south gate, Namgung Seojun and Lee Guho waited for the merchant caravan. Gisohee and the regular party members, along with Isu-yeon, had come to see them off.
Soon, a massive caravan arrived from outside the castle walls.
"We've already been notified. Namgung Seojun! Lee Guho! Join up!"
At the merchant's words, Seojun and Guho grabbed their bags and headed out.
"Seojun, have a safe trip!"
"Leader! Take care out there!"
"Master, I'll be waiting."
Seojun and Guho waved back at the party's farewells before seamlessly blending into the caravan. And so, the two began their descent to the 20th floor.
The journey down was remarkably smooth—and fast. Seojun and Guho traveled with the caravan introduced by the temple, a group of 200 strong with over 80 combat personnel. They barely participated in any fights... or rather, couldn't. The monsters were overwhelmed by the caravan's size and rarely attacked, and when they did, a few fighters handled it easily.
Seojun finally understood why porters stayed in the Tower world for years yet remained low-level. Forty-five days later, they arrived at the 20th floor megacity, Sauschiro.
Sauschiro was as grand and bustling as ever. At the packed temple where people swarmed for jobs, Seojun and Guho reported their arrival on the 20th floor.
"We've heard the story. You know you have a two-month time limit, right?"
"Yes, we're aware."
"See you in two months, then. I'll arrange a caravan heading to the 24th floor for that time."
The two left the temple and headed straight for Sauschiro's slave market, making a beeline for the shop with Yuki.
"Welcome."
The shopkeeper greeted Namgung Seojun and Lee Guho with greedy eyes.
"Where's Yuki?"
"Yuki, huh."
Yuki had mentioned several times that someone would buy her. But the slave trader dismissed such lies from slaves as routine. This time, though, real buyers had shown up.
"She's at the brothel."
"What? The brothel??"
Guho blurted in shock, but the trader explained calmly, face unchanging.
"My second-class slaves whore themselves out for pocket money until they sell. Haha!"
He treated second-class slaves as mere tools, without a shred of conscience.
Guho's mind went blank at "brothel." Even if second-class slaves were just tools, he hadn't imagined Yuki enduring that. It hit him hard.
Seojun asked to see her, and the trader led them to the brothel.
"Welcome."
As they entered Yuki's brothel, the madam greeted them. Spotting the slave trader, she laughed heartily.
"Here to check on your slaves?"
"How's Yuki doing?"
The madam grinned. "Kukuku, that bitch is a hit. Big tits, tight pussy—customers love her. Whoever trained her did a great job."
"....."
Guho's insides boiled. Shock turned to rage at Yuki's pitiful reality.
Noticing Guho's state, Seojun quietly signaled the trader. "Hurry up and show us."
The trader was quick on the uptake. Sensing the tense mood, he snapped, "Stop Yuki's business."
"Uh? Oh."
The madam nodded, catching the hint. The trader guided them to Yuki's room on the second floor.
Inside, Yuki lay sleeping naked on the bed—save for the electric shock collar. Her body bore red marks from rough sex, and dried semen crusted her pussy and asshole from today's customers.
Guho sighed and approached, shaking her awake. "Yuki... Yuki..."
She bolted up and prostrated herself. "I'm sorry! Sorry for sleeping without permission!"
She begged forgiveness, hands clasped. The harsh reality of a second-class slave in a brothel.
"Yuki. It's me. Lee Guho."
At his words, she looked up. "Ah..."
Relief washed over her as she hugged him, finally letting out the tears she'd held back as a second-class slave.
While Guho comforted her, Seojun told the trader, "We'll buy Yuki."
The trader's expression turned sly. "Truth is... I'd love to sell, but it's tricky."
"Sell her! I'll pay plenty!"
Guho snapped from Yuki's arms, but the trader stayed cool.
"I can't sell right now."
"Why not?"
The reason: Yuki's value had been recognized, making her an auction item. She had to be sold at the auction house.
Her market value was sky-high. Freshly turned second-class slave meant long-term use. Decent looks, especially her huge breasts for sex work. Plus a solid job and Healing skill. As both sex slave and healer, she commanded top ratings.
"Contract with the auction house is done. Can't back out."
His reputation demanded she go to auction, he claimed.
"......"
The trader's cunning shone through. Her ceiling was 500 gold—over three times her estimated price. In this situation, he could hit that cap. The contract was real, but cancellable with a fee. He wanted max profit from Guho.
Seojun's Super Sense picked up on it. "When's the auction?"
"Two weeks."
Seojun told Guho they'd buy her at auction; Guho reluctantly agreed.
"I want to keep Yuki with me until then."
Guho wanted to protect her, but the trader refused. "No chance. She might run. Auction rep is my life."
"Then..."
Guho pointed to the brothel room. "Me staying here with her?"
"Uh? Well... pay up, sure."
Seojun stepped in, negotiating. "10 gold for two weeks?"
"She services over five guys a day—earns about 2 gold. 10's too much. Pay more."
After haggling, they settled on 14 gold for Yuki's time over two weeks.
Deal done, Seojun paid the 14 gold first. The trader left the room. Seojun glanced at Guho, shared a knowing look, and stepped out.
Only Guho and Yuki remained.
"Sob... sob... I thought... I'd never see you again."
She'd left a message just in case, but expected nothing. She'd abandoned him. Despite their feelings, as a whore with countless men, he might not save her. She figured auction meant goodbye forever.
"It's okay. I came to save you."
Guho just held her.
Seojun left the brothel without them. Nothing more he could do there anyway.
With time to kill, he considered. Head to the fields alone?
But his Super Sense advised against it. Logically, city-edge fields had little worth hunting, just bandits. Too risky.
Then what?
Wandering from the shop, a massive auction district caught his eye.
Auction house?
First time here, he'd rushed the linked quest on the 24th floor, skipping it. Slave and gear auctions were pricey and time-consuming, he'd thought.
But Sauschiro had many large ones as a gateway city, commerce hub. Rare items and good slaves from floors 1-19 converged here.
He paid the 10 silver entry fee and went in.
Here!
His Super Sense screamed opportunity. Seojun began browsing slowly.