Nekrios stepped out, opening the box and occasionally glancing at the gold inside, his mind wandering as he smiled and daydreamed.
He smiled and spoke to his tendrils:
"What do you think about buying some... hmm... tasty food? Cake… mmm… chocolate cake!"
As he wandered through the city, he searched for a bakery but found none.
All he came across was a strange clothing store filled mostly with cursed cloaks.
And a shop run by a demon who looked absolutely done with life, selling magical potions—some of which had eyeballs floating inside them, staring directly at Nekrios.
So, naturally, he kept walking and didn't even think about stepping inside.
He kept strolling, observing the crowd...
Most of them were demons, imps, and orcs carrying skinned creatures so massive they were unidentifiable. They were selling them to butchers.
And it seemed like everyone loved that kind of meat, especially the lamias—creatures with the upper body of a beautiful woman and the lower half of a massive snake tail, strong enough to crush you in an instant.
Nekrios, staring at one of the lamias, muttered:
"Nope. Not even thinking about flirting with her."
He continued walking. The streets were paved with stone, covered in carvings depicting old battles.
But that place had since become a bustling market that sold almost everything—from clothes to magical potions and curses.
Nekrios sighed and looked around.
"Damn... I haven't found a single bakery.
Everything but food."
Suddenly—
(???) A man shouted from a stage:
"Come closer!
If you want a beautiful lady to entertain you, or a strong man to work for free—step right up!"
Nekrios turned his head, spotting a crowd gathering around the man.
He weaved through the people, demons, and various other creatures until he saw it clearly...
It was a slave auction.
His eyes widened in shock.
"What the hell… They sell slaves in this world like it's normal?!
Somebody slap me—"
SLAAAAP
He clutched his face and looked at Tendril No. 3.
"Damn it, I didn't mean it, you idiot!
I was just shocked.
In my world, slavery is a crime punishable by hard labor!"
The tendril patted his head and slid back like nothing happened.
Nekrios looked back at the auction.
"Damn... Alright, I'll buy someone.
I don't know what might happen if one of these poor souls ends up in the hands of someone terrible."
He walked toward the slaves on display.
Most were humans. Three demons. A large number of female slaves.
But then…
He spotted a girl among them who resembled a tiger.
She had big, fluffy ears and eyes that mirrored those of an actual tiger. Her body was partially covered with striped orange fur, and a long tail swayed behind her.
She refused to obey any orders.
Each time she did, the caravan master struck her arm with a metal rod.
She cried out in pain.
Eventually, she stopped resisting. Her body went limp, and tears welled in her eyes as she stared at the ground.
Nekrios looked at her...
And remembered himself—tortured for no reason, just for the amusement of the sick.
He recalled every bit of pain, every stab he took in the back from that deranged madman.
The girl... was suffering just like he had.
He stepped forward and tossed the entire box of gold in front of the seller, coins scattering all around.
The seller's eyes widened in disbelief.
The seller smiled greedily and looked at the gold:
"What do you want, sir? I have many women from different races. I'll pick you a quiet, obedient one.
Or maybe... you need a man to work for you? That demon over there is strong and tireless, perfect for labor.
Or how about—"
Nekrios cut him off, voice cold and flat:
"No need. I've already chosen.
I want the girl with the tiger tail."
The seller frowned, glancing between the girl and Nekrios.
"Well... she's defiant, disobedient, and not exactly in demand. I've got something better for you—"
Nekrios glared at him with pure contempt.
"I don't want anything else.
You've got more than enough gold. Hand her over."
The seller grew nervous.
"A-Alright... just sign here, please."
Nekrios took the pen and signed the contract.
"Now, bring her to me."
The seller signaled one of his men, who quickly disappeared and returned with the girl.
Her clothes were torn, her body bruised from beatings.
She looked at Nekrios like she wanted to tear him apart... but she stayed quiet.
The seller nervously handed Nekrios the chain and forced a smile:
"W-Well, here you go. She's officially yours. But if anything happens... I'm not responsible. She... bites."
Nekrios took the chain calmly, saying nothing in return.
He simply turned and began walking back toward the academy.
The girl followed, head down, silent... like his shadow.
Minutes passed in silence.
They exited the market. Nekrios sighed and wiped his forehead, then looked at the girl and smiled.
"Alright… Let's get that chain off your neck. You're not some pet, are you?"
She looked at him, tilted her head slightly to the side, her ears drooping.
Her gaze shifted from 'I'll rip you apart' to 'What the hell is this guy doing?'
Nekrios gently undid the chain.
"I'm not going to use you or treat you like a toy, like most so-called masters.
I want you to be my assistant.
What do you say?"
The girl opened her mouth to speak—
"W-Why... are you doing this?
You're not like ...them…"
Her voice was shaky, as if she hadn't spoken in a long time.
Nekrios tossed the chain to the ground.
"Because I'm not from this world.
And I couldn't just walk away while you were being tortured like that.
I'm Nekrios, by the way. And you are?"
She lowered her ears, eyes downcast.
In a voice so soft it was almost a whisper:
"Vera… My name is Vera."
Nekrios smiled as if he'd just heard her deepest secret.
"Beautiful name… just like the one who carries it."
Vera's cheeks turned red. She covered her face with both hands.
"You're the strangest master I've ever had…"
Nekrios laughed:
"Ha! Don't worry, I'm nothing like the others around here.
Now that you're with me, we're going to the academy.
And you're officially my assistant.
I hope you're skilled!"
He winked and motioned toward the academy's looming walls.
Vera blinked in disbelief:
"Wait! You're a student?! There?!
How old are you?!"
Nekrios sighed.
"Seventeen. Why?"
Vera scratched her head.
"No reason... just... you're two years younger than me."
Nekrios:
"Age is just a number, darling.
Come on, let's move. We should get back before sunset."
Vera nodded quickly and began following him.
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Does Vera carry secrets of her own?
What awaits her at the academy?
We'll find out in the next chapter.
To be continued…