054. Underground Prison Fortress Interior - Sublevel 1
The interior of the underground prison fortress's sublevel 1 was a vast, hollowed-out space with the second level clearly visible below. All around were countless glass tubes containing grotesque monsters. To the left, skeletal forms; to the right, humanoid creatures. Lions with serpentine tails. Kangaroos clutching masses of fish eggs. And more—beings unlike any seen before.
A sentry standing watch over the scene turned to the figure beside him. "How do you like it, Lord Nain?"
Nain was the name of a Ganan noble. But the sentry didn't know the truth: the one in the white uniform and helmet was none other than Bin, disguised as Nain to scout the place. The real Nain had already been stashed away in Codic's skull.
Unaware of this, the sentry clasped his hands politely, treating Bin with utmost respect. Codic, dangling from Bin's belt, nodded approvingly at the sight.
That's right. Excellent attitude toward my lord.
The sentry's deference was meant for Nain, not Bin—but that didn't matter to Codic. He judged solely by how they treated his master.
"……."
Bin didn't speak, merely nodding. Seeing this, the sentry smiled warmly.
"You seem pleased."
"……."
Bin gave an outward nod of approval, but inside, he seethed. Experiments to create Chimera—clearly part of some sinister scheme.
He scanned the surroundings, frowning deeply.
Chimera...
In his previous life, the Grander family's Chimera had been a major force. As Bin surveyed the area, women's screams pierced the air from below.
"Aaaahhh!"
"Uwaaaahhh!"
High-pitched wails from sublevel 2. Bin turned toward the sound. Iron-barred cells came into view, and inside them, men clutched various tools: knives, scissors, syringes, thread, bandages...
The men surrounded one woman, leering with sleazy grins.
"We'll make you pretty."
"It'll be over quick—just hold still."
She shook her head at their forceful tone. "No! I don't want it!"
But their response was cold. "You won't sell like this."
"Too ugly."
Her body went limp as she shook her head in despair. Unwanted cosmetic surgery, all to fetch a higher price.
Several men grabbed her slender limbs. She struggled, but couldn't break free. One pressed a knife to her nose.
Splat.
Blood sprayed across the floor as she screamed. "Aaaahhh!"
Bin's expression darkened beneath his helmet.
Just for money...
Money made anything possible. Children in Shobe Cave. Women here. Innocent lives tortured for profit.
The captive woman screamed again. "Aaaahhh!"
She wasn't alone—the adjacent cell echoed with the same horror.
"Uwaaaahhh!"
The women grimaced, fighting with all their might, desperate to escape.
Moments later, the men released her. She collapsed against the floor, moaning in agony.
"Haa... haa..."
Even standing was impossible. She looked like a broken tree branch.
"……."
Bin averted his gaze—only to see the same in the next cell. Her face was slashed so deeply the floor was soaked in blood. Swollen features, stitched scars everywhere.
"……."
Bin scowled inwardly. The Grander family had turned children into dwarves for profit. This was the same. These women would be sold off or used to entertain high-ranking Ganans like Nain.
The sentry beside him barely blinked at the sight—it was routine. Casually, he pointed at the two women.
"Which one catches your eye, my lord? The one over there has a fine face; the other has killer curves."
Referring to them as "things." He saw them purely as merchandise, oblivious to Bin's hidden grimace.
The sentry sidled closer. "Ah, sorry. I limited you to one. You can take both to bed tonight if you want."
"……."
"Or play with them your favorite way. We can train 'em to bark like dogs on a leash."
He eyed the white-uniformed Bin warily—no reaction, unlike usual.
Why's he so quiet? He should be chiming in by now. Maybe amp up the enthusiasm?
As the sentry gauged Bin's stoic demeanor, another pained moan rang out.
"Uwaaaahhh!"
He sneered at the women. "Barking like dogs, huh? Hahaha. Hard to believe those things will be mothers someday. Disgusting, right? Spreading their legs without a thought for their station. Tsk tsk."
He mimicked a dog with a twisted wrist—all to curry favor with Nain.
But beside him stood Bin, not Nain. Bin clenched his fists, growling low.
"The disgusting one is you."
"……!"
The sentry's eyes bulged at the unfamiliar voice from the helmet. Bin's patience snapped—he uppercut the man's jaw with a swift fist.
Crack!
The sentry flew back, front teeth scattering in the air.
What... what the hell is this...?
Moments later, the sentry lay battered and bruised in his underwear. Bin and a cloaked, masked Ront stood over him. Even shrouded, Ront's small stature screamed dwarf.
Ront glanced around, then at the caged women. "These fools never learn. They've caught even more since last time..."
This wasn't his first visit. He scanned for Ria's cell from memory, but she was gone. Bitterly, he pitied the others.
How much had Ria suffered here?
Pushing worry aside, he asked Bin, "Found the keys for the plan?"
Bin wordlessly lifted a jangling bundle—plucked from the sentry.
"Good lad. Now just find Ria."
Bin and Ront slipped through the prison stealthily, footsteps cautious. Ront's heart felt heavier than usual. The grotesque tube monsters, the scarred women—all tied to his disciple, Noni. He'd followed orders from above, but still...
"Hoo..."
Ront sighed, thinking, That pure soul, aiding such vile deeds. Even for the dwarves' path, this is...
Bin shot a glance at the unusually somber Ront. Wanting to help—repaying past-life debts—he recalled the description.
Yellow hair...
Searching, but the dim light, multitude of women, similar features made it tough. Bin rubbed his chin.
No easy way...
Then inspiration struck. He looked down at Codic on his belt.
"Have you found her, my lord?"
Codic grasped Bin's intent instantly. Something ghostly emerged from his mouth: ghosts resembling ghouls. Even if spotted by foes, they'd pass as spirits—intangible to physical attacks.
Bin quietly instructed the swarm: yellow hair, find her.
Soon, the ghouls located Ria amid the cells. Overjoyed, Ront cried out.
"Ria! I'm here... How have you fared?"
The familiar voice startled her. She crossed her arms in an X, hunching defensively.
Ront turned away, gently draping his green cloak over her naked form.
Bewildered, Ria clutched it, peering cautiously. "L-Lord Ront?! Really... it's you...?"
A sharp-featured woman in her twenties, short hair. Shackled at one ankle, face scarred like the others.
Embarrassed, she turned away. But Ront stared straight at her.
"Peel the stripes off a watermelon, does it become a pumpkin? You're plenty pretty."
Tears welled in Ria's eyes.
"Sniff... sniff..."
His kind words about her hated face overwhelmed her.
This felt like a dream. She'd resigned to rotting here forever—yet Ront had come.
She asked again. "Really... it's you, Lord Ront...?"
He nodded silently.
"……."
Gazing at him, she inquired about her sister. "What about Mia?"
"Of course I found her!" Ront declared proudly.
Unable to speak through sobs. "Sniff... sniff..."
Her much-younger sister, whom she'd feared lost forever. Tears blurred her vision.
Suddenly, her eyes flashed—spotting Ront's prosthetic leg.
"L-Lord Ront, your leg...!"
She choked up, but he brushed it off. "For a blacksmith like me, these two hands suffice. Let's leave this place first!"
His casual tone only made her tears flow harder. All this, because of her.
"L-Lord Ront..."
She faltered, but he smiled brightly. Missing a leg meant nothing—just reunion mattered.
"It's fine. It's fine. Let's get out and see Mia."
As things progressed smoothly—
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Quick, short footsteps approached. A shadowy figure hailed Bin.
"Lord Nain, a moment!"
Ront whipped around, eyes narrowing.
You...