Chapter 150

As Leon walked out of the Noble District, he noticed dozens of eyes turning their way. Most of them—men. And most of them weren't looking at him.

They were staring at her.

Reina kept her eyes lowered, walking close beside Leon, but it didn't matter.

'Hmm...? She must've used a potion to hide her identity, but her aura... and those Elf pheromones...' Leon thought, glancing at her with a neutral expression. 'They're pulling in every fucking dog on the street.'

Even cloaked in human clothes and low-profile mana, her natural scent was too strong. Every man that passed gave her a second glance.

"Oi... kid."

Suddenly, A voice called from behind, smug and irritating.

Leon stopped.

He turned slowly, brows twitching with mild curiosity—and immediate disdain.

Standing behind him was a fat, greasy bastard in bright red noblewear, his cane digging into the stone as he leaned on it like some kind of warlord. But what caught Leon's attention wasn't the man.

It was the woman beside him.

A dark elf.

Shackled in thick, rusting chains—wrists, ankles, neck. Her clothes were nothing but a tattered rice sack barely covering her bruised skin. Whip marks, fresh and old, painted her legs and arms like artless strokes of cruelty. Cuts. Blood. Pain. Her eyes were dull but burning with hatred, even in silence.

A collar ringed her throat, with a thick rope tethered to the fat man's wrist like a leash for a wild dog.

'...Who the fuck is this dumbass?' Leon thought, his eyes narrowing as he immediately used his skill.

'Thief? No wonder he looks like a rotting pile of shit in silk. His dad must've paid a shit-ton of gold to hide that trash class from the public.' Leon's lip twitched in disgust.

Then his eyes turned to the elf.

'Level 50... Damn. Even as a slave, she's more dangerous than this pig could ever imagine.'

Leon's eyes returned to Ruy, who smiled like a jackass who thought he was clever.

"Yes?" He asked with a fake smile that barely masked his irritation.

"Want to make a trade?" Ruy asked, that smug look stretching across his fat face.

Leon blinked. "Hmm...? What kind of trade?"

"I'm the viscount's son," Ruy said, puffing up like that title gave him the right to do anything he wants. "And I like that maid. So how about you take this freshly bought virgin elf bitch here... and pass me that beautiful maid beside you?"

He licked his lips while staring directly at Reina.

Leon stared at him blankly, brain flatlining for a second at the sheer audacity of this pig.

'Fucking disgusting. I want to split his skull open right now. Even his breath smells like fermented piss.' Leon thought as he took a deep breath and controlled his anger.

"No, sir," Leon said, his voice flat and cold.

Ruy's expression twisted. "What? Did you just say 'no' to me ?"

"No, no," Leon replied quickly, raising a hand. "I meant—what if I give you an even more profitable deal?"

"What? What kind of deal?" Ruy asked, blinking dumbly.

Leon smiled. "How much did you buy the slave for?"

"Huh? Her? 30 silvers. Why?" Ruy asked, his brows furrowing.

Leon's smile widened. "How about I give you 40 silvers for her ?"

"W-What? Really?" Ruy's fat eyes bulged with surprise.

"Yes, of course." Leon nodded, his smile never leaving.

"It's a deal! She's yours. Now hand over the money." Ruy said eagerly, giving the rope a hard tug.

*Thud*

The dark elf collapsed to the ground like a discarded toy.

"You fucking bitch... Can't you even stay up for one—"

Before the fat bastard could raise his boot, Leon's hand grabbed his leg mid-air.

*Grab*

"W-What!?" Ruy gasped.

Leon's expression stayed calm, friendly even, but his grip was real hard.

"Sir... I won't be able to accept a damaged product," Leon said, smiling wide. "If you damage her womb with that kick, she won't be able to have kids, right ?"

"R-Right..." Ruy mumbled, his eyes darting, fake-smiling as he tried to laugh it off.

Leon let go slowly and pulled out a pouch.

"Here is your 40 silvers. Feel free to count it."

"Hahaha... Thanks, man. Pleasure doing business. You're a good man! What's your name?" Ruy asked, already digging into the pouch.

Leon grinned wider. "My name? It's Rubin."

Reina twitched slightly, glancing at Leon with wide eyes.

"Thirty-eight... thirty-nine... forty. Perfect!" Ruy stuffed the pouch into his pocket. "She's all yours."

Ruy turned to leave, leash dragging behind him, but Leon's voice stopped him.

"Sir..."

"Hmm?" Ruy glanced back.

"You forgot to hand over her slave contract."

"Oh—how dumb of me!" Ruy chuckled. "Sometimes I just forget things when I'm too happy. Here's the contract."

He pulled a small paper scroll from his coat and handed it over.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got another slave to buy."

"Looks like elf slaves are coming in pretty fast, huh?" Leon asked, slipping the contract into his pocket.

"No, no... That's not it." Ruy stepped closer, whispering, "Since we made such a good deal, I'll tell you a little secret. But keep it between us, alright?"

"Oh my... I wouldn't dare open my mouth," Leon said, grinning like the perfect accomplice.

"The Golden Slave Traders caught a big group of dark elves this morning. Elven Forest raid. That's why the price is so damn low for these grown ones. But... I don't think I'll get another one."

"Why's that?" Leon asked quietly.

"They auction only one special slave each day. She was today's slave. I'll have to wait until tomorrow for the next batch."

Ruy shrugged. "Till then, maybe I'll pick up a half-ogre for heavy housework. Strong bastards. Anyway, don't waste my time now—I've got shopping to do!"

Leon didn't reply—just watched the fat pig waddle away.

Once Ruy was out of earshot, Leon glanced to his side.

Fruela was standing next to him—silent, ghost-like.

'When the fuck did she stand up? Her presence is... like air. In a dark room, I'd never even know she's there.' He thought with a surprised expression.

"Come. Let's get you some clothes," Leon said as he turned, leading Fruela and Reina toward the market street.

*Ting*

The little bell rang as they entered the modest clothing shop. A young girl sat behind the wooden counter and stood up the moment they walked in.

"Welcome, sir! How can I help you?" she said with a polite bow.

Leon pointed to Fruela.

"Can I get clothes for her?"

"Oh... your slave? Would you like old clothes or new ones?"

"New."

"Please wait just a second, I'll bring them right out!" she chirped before vanishing into the back.

Leon slowly turned to Fruela, his tone flat.

"Why didn't you fight back?"

Fruela looked up slowly. "This collar is—"

"I meant when they were capturing you," Leon cut her off.

Her jaw clenched, but the collar forced her to speak the truth.

"Children. They captured children and pointed swords at their necks. We had no choice but to surrender."

Leon watched a single tear trail down her cheek.

"What were you even doing in the forest with children?"

"Our homes were destroyed by the Queen. She doesn't like dark elves."

Leon immediately turned his head towards Reina with a smile.

She didn't meet his gaze. Just looked down—ashamed, silent.

"Okay! I have them here!" the shopgirl said as she returned, arms loaded with clothes. "Ten outfits—new, different sizes and styles."

"Pack them all. Give her that black one now."

"Y-Yes, of course. The changing room is at the back if you—"

"Reina, help her change."

"Yes, Master," Reina said, bowing slightly as she led Fruela away.

"That'll be 30 copper, sir," the girl said.

Leon pulled the coins from his pouch without hesitation and handed them over. "Here."

"Thank you."

Moments later, Fruela stepped out in the black outfit—tight, flexible, made for movement. Her body looked sleek, sexy.

"She looks good," the shopkeeper whispered with a jealous expression.

Leon smirked. "Yeah. Let's go."

They stepped out into the street again.

Leon walked in silence, his eyes locked ahead. Fruela kept pace beside him, her eyes forward, posture rigid.

"How many daggers can you use at once?" Leon asked.

"T-Two..." Fruela replied, stunned by the question.

"If I give you two daggers and freedom to do whatever you want... what would you do?" He asked with a smile.

Fruela's voice trembled at first. "I... I would go back to the slave trader..."

"What then ?" Leon asked as his smile grew wider.

Then her voice turned sharp, burning with rage.

"...and kill every last one of them. Behead those who captured us. Gut the auctioneers. Burn their cages—"

"That's enough." Leon's voice cut in.

"Let's get you some blades and see how many can you kill." Leon spoke with a smile as he started walking towards Dekken's Smithy.

Reina and Fruela both were stunned and shocked by this and couldn't understand what Leon was planning to do.

[Author: I would always recommend you guys to read the chapter at least 30 minutes later after upload.

Since I correct some mistakes and other things in the meantime.]