The Strategy for the Underground Floor
“Alright, time to dump the dead stock. The losers who couldn't find a buyer are waiting for you.”
The clown, who had been scowling since we first arrived, broke into a wide grin at the sight of the wretched slaves. As expected, he was a psycho who derived pleasure from the suffering of others.
“Damn...”
I felt a bit flustered looking at the nine slaves. Perhaps because they hadn't been chosen by me, they were in absolute tatters. I couldn't even imagine the kind of abuse they’d endured; their bodies were covered in whip marks, and some had wounds so festered they looked on the verge of death.
“This isn't just dead stock... it looks like you ruined them yourself.”
“Well, yeah. So what? It’s my choice. No, it’s your fault. You didn’t buy them. Who told you to leave them behind?”
“Geez. You only sell one at a time anyway...”
“Hmph! It’s their fault for not catching your eye. They were given a chance to leave this place. But these incompetent fools lacked the ability to seize that opportunity.”
I decided not to react further to the clown’s words. If he wanted to destroy his own private property, what could I say? I just had to let it slide. I wasn't a saint who would get angry at every little thing. The only part I didn't like was that the slaves I had to purchase were in such poor condition. The hassle of having to use my overflowing flesh to heal them was just annoying.
“And the only future left for those who aren't chosen is... death. Honestly, they should be grateful to me just for keeping them alive this long. In some other cage, there are wretches dying without even being given a chance to be sold. They can’t complain. And those who aren't sold even after being given two chances... I judge their shelf life to have expired and kill them. So choose carefully, Cultist.”
“Yeah, yeah. Hmm... for starters...”
Perhaps because he said he’d kill them if they didn't sell, I could see everyone tensing up. But then...
“Ahhh...”
The Knight of Roses was making strange noises, enduring his pain. He was already unlikable just by existing, but he was putting on a pathetic act, like a tragic heroine. I was incredibly angry at his display. The other slaves were terrified and keeping their mouths shut to avoid showing their pain, yet this guy was pulling stunts just because he was a little hurt. It was obvious that even in an emergency, he’d throw a tantrum and troll if he got even a scratch. I decided to cut the gay Rose Knight who was acting like a noble in pain first. There was no hope for that guy’s rehabilitation. Honestly, I wanted him to die right in front of my eyes.
“I have absolutely no intention of buying that bastard, so please take him out first. I won't buy him even if I die.”
“Is that so? Hahahaha!!! You heard him!! Die!!! Your shelf life just ended!!”
When I said he was out, the Knight of Roses wailed in a greasy voice, begging to be spared. But all that remained for him was merciless death. The clown smiled brightly, pulled a rod from somewhere, and turned it on. The tip of the rod glowed, and electricity crackled.
-Zzzzt!!!
The clown struck the Knight of Roses’ neck with the electrified rod. The knight shuddered and soon collapsed to the floor. Crisped to a turn, he stopped moving. Then, strange, tree-root-like stems crawled out from between the bars behind him, dragged the Knight of Roses away, and disappeared into the darkness.
“Then the remaining stock is eight in total. Phew. That’s refreshing.”
The clown smiled at the remaining eight slaves, who were trembling after witnessing the Knight of Roses’ death. Thinking that if they weren't chosen this time, they’d be finished, the survivors shook with fear or burst into tears.
“Well, anyway, I’ll take a look.”
“Sure. Do as you please. Oh, right, since these are leftovers... two. I’ll let you pick up to two.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. I’m in a good mood, so it’s two as a special treat. But if you pick two, I’ll charge you double.”
“Uh... alright.”
While other merchants sold items in sets of four, this clown bastard always insisted on one, which was annoying, but this time I could buy two. Of course, since the price doubled, I wondered if there was any point in buying two unless they were worth it...
“First...”
I examined the slaves starting from the left. Standing at the far left was the one I’d seen when I first entered the Black Market.
“What was your name?”
“Ah... K-Kreton. *Cough*, I’m strong... and I work well... *Cough, cough*!! P-please, just spare me... I will serve you for life. A-and I am thirty-four thousand coins...”
Right. His name was Kreton. Was he a Minotaur subspecies I hadn't chosen because I had Mer back then? Or was he a half-breed? Something like that. Anyway, when I first saw him, the apocalypse had just begun, so I hadn't met any true powerhouses, making him a tempting prospect... but now, I felt no real excitement. Above all, there was no will in his eyes. It felt like his passion had faded. Also, he was too old... and he was coughing suspiciously, which made him look unhygienic.
“You look sick... not interested.”
“W-wait!! This is just, uh... yeah! A cold! It’s a cold!!! Please!! Please reconsider!! No!!! It can’t end like this!!!!”
-Zzzzt!!!!
“Gyaaaa!!!”
As the clown stabbed Kreton’s abdomen with the electric rod, he screamed and curled up on the floor. Whether he had some strange disease, yellow liquid flowed from the mouth of the guy who had collapsed and died.
“Next...”
“I, I, I am Kesia. I’m Kesia. Kesia... please. I’m good with a spear... I’m fast out of the water... and even faster in the water... and... uh... I can sing well, too. If you want me to lay eggs, I’ll lay many. I’ll lay many... so I’m nutritious. You can even eat me... *Sob*... please, get me out of here. Please. I’ll do anything you tell me. Please...”
The second was Kesia, an Ocean-folk. She was the prospect I’d given up on because I chose Mer. I didn't know how much harsh bullying she’d endured, but she was a mess... still, she wasn't completely unwatchable.
‘Between the Mermaid Prince’s heart and this... if I ever have to go into the water... I might need her.’
Since I could buy two, I decided to hold off on the decision for now. She wasn't such a good prospect that I felt like buying her immediately.
“I’ll hold off for now.”
“*Gulp*...”
Perhaps because I’d held off, Kesia wasn't killed. Moved by that alone, she covered her mouth with both hands and shed tears of joy at having survived.
“Ha. Seeing you again.”
“Indeed. Your name is...”
“Low. Even if I look like a kid, I’m a Halfling who’s eaten eighty years of life. Buy me if you want. My skills are top-notch.”
A Halfling who looked like a kid, sitting on the floor and talking arrogantly. I’d felt it last time, but this guy was incredibly arrogant. Did he live with the conviction that he’d definitely be chosen? He must have been in this arrogant posture last time and failed to be chosen. A consistent bastard... Sorry, but I don't need you. I’m different from the me back then who had no items and no Seeker-class slaves. I now have the ability to pick locks on my own without needing to buy a cocky little thief like this.
“You’re too rude. Did you think I’d be interested if you acted all rebellious and tried to look cool? Forget it, just get lost. No, die.”
“W-wait! Hold on!! I have skills!! I’m dozens, hundreds of times better than the other morons here!! This is a misjudgment!! You have to pick me!! Hey!!”
It was too late to appeal now. He’d kicked away his own chance. When I shook my head, the clown swung his rod violently at the Halfling named Low or whatever.
“Gyaaaa!!!! You fucking bastards!!!! Kugh!!”
Soon, he went limp and was dragged into the darkness just like the Knight of Roses.
After that, I filtered out the mole-man Malok, the creepy Lizardman Ainke, and the con-artist bastard Loran one by one. With mushroom-men and Alcide-infected creatures everywhere, I didn't need a mole bastard with tunneling skills, and the Lizardman, who was supposedly immune to poison and disease, didn't seem very useful. As for the con-artist Loran, he had nothing but his mouth, so he wasn't worth mentioning. Looking at these guys, I realized there was a reason I hadn't chosen them in the past. They were all mediocre or useless. All three were killed and disappeared.
Finally, I checked Urtan, a meat-lover who even ate human flesh, and the toad-woman who liked raw food. Urtan was an automatic disqualification. He looked weaker than Kreton, and his appetite was incredibly picky, eating only meat, so his food costs would be high. There was no need to buy a guy like that.
“In the end, only these two remain. Kesia, worth twenty-seven thousand, and Kekere, worth thirty-four thousand.”
“If I buy both...”
“If it’s two, the price doubles, so it’s one hundred twenty-two thousand in total. One hundred twenty-six thousand including clothes.”
“That is expensive.”
If you buy only one, you can buy them at the regular price, but if you buy two at once, the price doubles. I pondered whether it was worth burning one hundred twenty-two thousand here.
“Choose quickly! It’s almost closing time!”
“Damn it. First, I’ll buy Kesia. And... Kekere, you...”
Honestly, if Aila the jeweler hadn't come to my side, I would have bought the scholar-like Kekere to attach to Hellas. But now, she didn't seem very necessary. She was slow to speak, slow to act. She had no self-appeal. In fact, feeling she was scholar-like was just my impression; Kekere hadn't told me anything. Furthermore, I had to conquer the Underground Floor of the Black Market right away. Could I carry around someone that slow? Of course, I could leave her at Cheshire’s base, but...
“I’ve decided. I will buy Kekere as well.”
“Good. One hundred twenty-six thousand coins.”
And so, the slave purchase was over. We immediately took Kesia and Kekere to the central plaza. Aila was waiting for us there, holding some kind of meat skewer.
“Are those the slaves you bought this time?”
“Yes. This is Kesia, and I bought her to use as a vanguard. This is Kekere... she says she’s a cleaner.”
“I see? Uh... for now... you should wash them.”
Unlike Kekere, who was standing there blankly, Kesia kept glancing around, wary of us. Every time she did, a few bipeds would lick their lips and scan her as they passed by. Kesia seemed extremely anxious and grabbed the hem of Aram’s clothes. Aram didn't really care whether Kesia grabbed her clothes or not. She was having a hard enough time just protecting her own mind. She said she felt a bit dizzy because everything around her looked pixelated.
“Then let’s head back to the base for now.”
“Okay.”
We bought more food at the central plaza and decided to head back to Cheshire’s base since it was time for the shops to close. After having a light meal at her base, Aram and Cheshire took Kesia into the bathroom. It seemed they intended to scrub her clean from head to toe. As for Kekere... she was just sitting still. She was a quiet one.
In the end, I sat alone with Aila, drinking mushroom beer and talking.
“Hey, Jun.”
“Yes?”
“About the Underground Floor of the Black Market.”
“Yes.”
“Have you heard anything about it from Cheshire?”
“Uh... no? Cheshire just said it was extremely dangerous... and I don't know the details either.”
“I see. The underground of the Black Market... it’s quite vast. It’s wide, and dangerous.”
“Aha...”
“I... have been inside once in the past.”
“Yes? Are you serious?”
“Yeah. Back then... I went in with Cheshire to try and recover her soul fragments.”
“Geez... and then?”
“To give you the result, I failed. Cheshire and I could only manage to run away. I haven't been back to the Black Market since that failure. I felt too sorry to face Cheshire.”
“Geez... then this time, too... the possibility of failure...”
“Is high. No, wait. It will definitely fail...”
My chest tightened at Aila’s words. Definitely fail... Aila must have said that after making an objective judgment.
“But it’s not that there’s no way at all. If you hadn't bought those things...”
“Yes?”
“The reason we failed back then was... because we couldn't conquer the final floor.”
“The final floor?”
“Yeah... The underground consists of four floors in total. Cheshire and I could somehow manage to break through up to the third floor. But... the fourth floor was impossible.”
“What’s on the fourth floor?”
“The fourth floor is... a massive warehouse. It was an incomprehensible place where an entire world had been turned into a warehouse. We couldn't find Cheshire’s soul there in the end. We were even gradually becoming poisoned by the Magi spreading in the air. Furthermore, the warehouse keepers cursed us every moment. We had to run away without any way to endure it.”
“Uh... then...”
“But a strategy has emerged. Honestly, I thought there was no strategy... but... I was very lucky.”
“Yes?”
“The strategy I found is... Aram and the Slaughter Beast. Aram, who can absorb Magi, will purify the air on the fourth floor. Then, we’ll pass the curses onto the Slaughter Beast. Then there’s a good chance. There’s hope to find Cheshire’s soul... And...”
Aila pulled a necklace with a blue gem from her pocket.
“It’s a Necklace of Soul Tracking I bought from a fence. You can use this to track Cheshire’s scent.”
“I see...”
I was lucky. With Aram, the Slaughter Beast, and the Necklace of Soul Tracking, I would be able to find Cheshire’s soul. The problem was whether we could reach it safely... but this, too, was a matter I had no choice but to leave to luck.