Chapter 6: Oversleeping and the Slave
While gathering herbs in the same spot as yesterday, waiting for monsters to show up, I realized I'd forgotten to switch out my weapon.
Thanks to my level-up, though, taking down slimes had gotten a lot easier—no big deal.
Ran into a goblin too. The weapon was a pain, but I managed to kill it.
No Mana Seeds this time. Just a short hot streak. The sun was starting to dip, so I headed back to town.
It'd only been two days since I started herb gathering, and today was just half a day.
But I was already bored. Working silently by myself was tough.
Back in my old world, I'd done the same kind of solitary grunt work at my job. Hell, I even preferred being alone.
Something about the loneliness in this world felt different, though. There were fewer people overall, and the night's darkness ran deep.
No, maybe Rakushel and Mizuki's constant chatter had changed me.
Either way, there was a limit to going solo. I'd need companions eventually.
But scoring a party like Mizuki's—using smooth talk and social skills? No way in hell.
She'd probably let me join if I begged, but that party? Forget it.
Guess buying a slave was the quickest fix.
I was walking to check out the dog-eared slaves Mateo mentioned.
Score a bubbly dog-eared beauty, heh heh. Lost in fantasies of the fun to come, I spotted the caravan on an empty lot at the town's edge.
A few wagons lined up, with a massive circus-like tent pitched next to them. That's where they were displaying the slaves. The tent was filthy, didn't scream "deals worth 100+ gold coins."
The evening emptiness added a creepy vibe.
I watched for a bit, but no one came or went.
Maybe buying slaves was normal here, but it still felt wrong. I'd been taught stripping someone's freedom was a grave sin. That guilt was dragging me down.
Mood totally killed, no way I was going in.
Nothing to do but scout around for a peek inside. No gaps.
So I checked the wagons—and a stench hit me.
"Stinks."
It wafted from a 150cm square iron-barred cage being unloaded from a wagon.
Looked empty at first, but at the bottom lay a ragged-clothed, emaciated figure. On closer look, a dog-eared girl. Dirty, but I spotted the slave crest on her arm.
"That ain't for sale!"
No one around, so the voice scared the shit out of me.
A bald geezer who looked ready to swing a nail-studded metal bat yelling "Hyahaha!" stood behind me.
"Want a slave? Inside the tent."
He jerked his chin.
"This one's dead."
"Huh?"
When I said it, the bald guy kicked the cage. Her dog ears twitched.
"Tch, hurry up and die already!"
He kicked it again. Scary as hell.
"Picked her up with a set from the last town. Got stuck with her as a bonus. She's cursed, sick—unsellable. Kill a slave and you get punished, so we're just waiting."
"Ugh... uuuu."
The dog ears woke. Stared at me with dead eyes. Nah, her eyes were open, but vacant.
Leave her and she'd be gone by morning. Bad feeling.
"C'mon, tent."
The bald guy clapped my shoulder, trying to lead me.
"How much for this dog-eared girl?"
"What?"
"I want to buy her." Even I was shocked by my own words.
"Heh, into that kinda kink? Bad idea—you'll get cursed too. But fine, 100 gold."
That matched the female warrior's price. Way too high.
"Don't bullshit me. I'm doing you a favor dumping her."
"90 then."
"50."
"No, 80."
The bald guy grinned at me. Totally toying with me.
"Sorry, don't have cash. Got five Mana Seeds. That work?"
"...Lemme see."
Pulled 'em from Storage. He waved a hand over them.
"Real deal, huh."
Built like a meathead, but appraisal skill? Don't underestimate.
He thought a bit, then nodded.
"Deal. She's yours."
Opened the cage, dragged her out like trash.
"Updating her master to you. Show me your character sheet."
"Nah, remove the slave crest."
"Freeman tax, but whatever—I'll cover it."
Figures. Trash worth 75 gold equivalent? He's laughing inside.
The bald guy chanted the contract spell. The crest vanished from her arm.
"Have fun."
"Yeah, I will."
Lifted her—way too light.
Bought her on impulse, no clue what to do. Might croak any second if ignored.
She was limp, silent. Maybe her race couldn't even talk.
No idea how to proceed. Why'd I do something so irresponsible? Couldn't explain it myself.
Her weight in my arms felt like it was fading—panic rising.
Shoulda gone in the tent like the bald guy said, grabbed a healthy, sexy slave.
For now: inn. Wipe her down. Then hospital.
Heading to the inn, a dwarf blocked me.
"Saw your deal. Where to?"
Acting sketchy outside the tent got me watched, huh.
"Inn. In a hurry. Outta the way."
"Not Big Monkey Pavilion. No non-humans."
"Really?"
Dwarf nodded. News to me. Racial discrimination?
"Go to Asuka Pavilion. But first, church. I'll introduce Myra."
"Yeah, but church for what? Hymns?"
"Later. Treatment and recovery for the dog ears."
Remembered the goblin-attacked woman said church healing too.
I'd been too panicked to notice anything around me.
This dwarf reeked of top-tier strength. Could squash the bald guy with a pinky.
I nodded and followed.
"Wrap this on her arm."
Handed me bandages.
"Eh? Drop in the bucket?" Tons of bruises.
"Not for treatment. This town's got discrimination against non-humans, right? Wrap it to hide the crest spot, act like you're her master."
Didn't know, but better play informed. Makes her "human property"—hands off.
"Got it." Nodded.
Bandaged her arm, followed the dwarf to church.
Shown to a small room.
Busty priestess inside.
"Oh, Ira, right?"
"Hm? You know Ira? I'm her sister, Myra."
Similar, but Myra had that mature big-sis vibe.
"In town, Myra's more famous than Ira. Big reason."
Dwarf grinned meaningfully. So Ira's rack was natural, not Lead's doing.
"Hmm. This girl, eh? Let me check."
Myra held her hand over the bedridden dog ears, muttering a spell.
Dog ears limp like a corpse. Barely breathing, chest twitching faintly.
"Phew. Can restore her stamina, suppress the curse temporarily. Back to normal life level. But full miracle from the high priest needed."
Myra finished chanting, exhaled, face grim.
"Miracle?"
"Priest hates non-humans big time. Depends on this." Dwarf made a money circle.
"Can't remove curse?"
"Not with this church's power. Imperial capital maybe."
Myra answered.
"Capital's worse—turned away at the gate."
"Then east Migurutto church."
"Yeah, they'd treat her." Dwarf nodded.
"But survive now first. How much donation?"
Myra eyed me head to toe, face sourer. Pegged me poor.
"No set amount. Priest's mood. Offer once, rejected? No second chance."
Total corrupt monk. Yet top miracle-worker here. Rakushel'd hear about this.
"I'll cover it."
Dwarf offered. Why for a stranger?
"No. My tab."
Pulled five remaining Mana Seeds from Storage. Pure luck, no regrets.
"These work?"
Myra trembled in shock. Shame her tits didn't jiggle too.
"Real? This'd fill the church with hymns, summon God's miracle."
Church worships cash? Keeping quiet.
"Please. Handle the haggling?"
"Leave it to me." Myra puffed her chest.
"Also, can someone wipe her down, dress her?"
"On me!"
Bounce. God's miracle witnessed.
Missed the priest's miracle.
Dwarf left for "business." Tried thanks, brushed off with one hand.
Waiting in the room, monks carried her back.
Seemed asleep. Face glossy, even meatier. Bruises, scars gone—healthy as anyone.
True miracle.
Brown hair to shoulders, floppy Labrador-like ears. Tail poking from butt. And damn, a total beauty.
"Magic sleep. Wakes tomorrow morning."
"Thanks. Don't know how to repay."
"Your faith. Returning this—need for full curse lift."
Handed one Mana Seed. She'd negotiated on our side.
"You sure?"
"Of course. Got clothes, girl essentials too."
"No clue what she needed—lifesaver." Bag to Storage.
"Hee hee."
Myra smiled warmly. Popular with believers for sure.
"Wanna thank you proper."
"Prayers and offerings to God suffice."
Held her—healthier, heavier. No walking to inn.
Myra helped piggyback.
"Don't forget: curse returns without lift."
"Soon?"
"No, years suppressed."
Nodded.
"Really helped."
"Tell Ira I said return to church."
Sun down. Cresent moon like old world hung in night sky.
Left church for inn.
Passed slave market—crowded now. Night draws customers?
Kept distance.
Passersby eyed me like a total creep.
Pervert kidnapping a drugged girl vibe.
Asuka Pavilion. Like Big Monkey but with kitchen for self-cooking.
"Hm? Two? Double room."
No clue what innkeeper meant, nodded anyway.
"10 silver then."
"My meals." Dog ears out till morning.
"+1 silver."
Paid, got key, up to top-floor room 5. Stairs sucked.
Twin room, bigger than Big Monkey. One bed.
No choice—share.
Said she'd sleep through, tempted pranks but held back. Gave in to groping her budding tits a bit. That softness, first touch—brain melting.
Her breathing kept me up horny all night.