9 Stolen and Sold
(A/N: I made a mistake in Chapter 7: "A Requested Gift." I was rereading the SL Novel and noticed that everytime Jin-Woo levels up his "Tiredness," or "Fatigue" resets to 0. I didn't know this when writing "A Requested Gift" nor did I know this when writing Chapter 8: "Four Heartbeats. A Cage" so I apologize. So technically since Zefow leveled up right before coming back, he shouldn't really have fatigue. Therefore his "Fatigue" stat will now be 0. I will try to not make a mistake like that again. Enjoy the chapter.)
"Now please, ladies and gentlemen, if you could take your seats, we will start this auction," Derim spoke through the artifact.
After a minute or two passed, I could see some of the men in Derim's crew, they were getting items that were stored to the right of our three cages, they opened boxes, bags and whatever else was stored up. I could hear occasional comments coming from them about the things they had in this room ready to auction.
"Man, this C-class beast mana core is gonna fetch us some nice coins, those nobles are such suckers for these things," one man said.
"Well you aren't a mage, so you wouldn't understand," another man commented.
"Well neither are you or half of those nobles, so what good is it going to be to them?" The first man asked.
"They probably just want the cores to resell them, or maybe save them with the possibility of having children who awaken as mages. I heard those things can do wonders," the second man said.
Another minute or two passed, and the auction had begun. The two men continued to move items, while I could hear Derim auctioning item after item. Bids after bids were being set and raised by the guests and customers of the auction. I started thinking and focusing on myself more than the auction happening, and with that time passed.
***
One thing I noticed after forming my 'Clear Heart' is that some of the slave traders within the group were mages. I could tell because with me having the ability to take in and release mana, I could somewhat sense the mana trickling out of the mages within the group. I couldn't tell what core they were at, probably because I was inferior as far as the abilities of the dicathen mages go, but they didn't have the system that granted other abilities, I did.
From what I had seen, there were at least nine slave traders in the group, three of them being mages. From the hierarchy within the group, I would think that the strongest is Derim, but I could always be wrong.
I didn't know if the mages could sense the pitiful amount of mana I had at the moment, but all I could do was hope that they didn't. I didn't exactly know how to suppress the presence of your mana, so I was rather on edge that the mages within the group would catch on, and then that would lead to more attention, which I definitely didn't want.
Being stuck in the cage, waiting for something to happen, all I was doing was thinking of escape plans and possibilities. It would be troublesome to try to escape right now, when so many people were present and watching. I was pretty confident I could take out the seven non mages of the group, but not so confident with the mages of the group. Maybe one on one, but multiple at once sounded like too much for me, but who knows, I haven't tried fighting with mana or my skills yet.
Though I don't know how long I would last, plus the two other elves here with me would probably get in the crossfire.
'Stat Window.' I said in my head.
Name: Zefrow
Level: 3
Class: None
Title: None
HP: 310
MP: 34
Fatigue: 0(A/N: Changed it from "Tiredness" to "Fatigue." I use the Webnovel Solo Leveling translations so that's why it was "Tiredness" before.)
[Stat]
Strength: 24
Stamina: 18
Agility: 18
Intelligence: 18
Perception: 15
(Available points to distribute: 0)
[Skills]
Passive skills:
- Tenacity Lv. 1
Active skills:
- Dash Lv. 1
'I need to look over my two skills.'
[Skill: Dash Lv. 1]
Active skill.
Mana required to activate: 5
The constant running fortified your legs. When this skill is activated, your movement speed will increase by 30%. During its activation, 1 Mana will be spent every minute.
[Skill: Tenacity Lv. 1]
Passive skill.
Mana required to activate: None.
You possess uniting tenacity. When your stamina drops below 30%, this skill will automatically activate and reduce all damage received by 50%.
I haven't had enough time to learn or make my own skill to master, mage wise, so i'll have to depend on 'Dash,' 'Tenacity' will also be helpful but it's a passive skill, so it will activate itself when the requirements are met. What I need to focus on is 'Dash,' my movements increasing by 30% is a big deal. Taking 5 mana to activate, the dash skill would last me 28-29 minutes, that is if that was the only thing I did.
'Inventory.' I said in my head.
In my inventory I could see the dagger I had purchased back in Xyrus City, and the pouch I had been awarded, which was not filled with sand from the penalty zone. I wanted to learn how to do the 'mana blade' Arthur had done to kill those slave traders, but I didn't have enough confidence in myself yet, maybe with time, or unless it's my last option.
'Maybe the system shop has something helpful? This dagger doesn't have any additional stats since it's not from the system, so I'd like to get something more effective and practical if possible. A couple potions wouldn't be a bad pickup either.
'Store.' I said in my head.
'Tti-ring.'
The blue holographic screen changed once again, now only two words showing themselves.
'Buy' and 'Sell'.
'Buy.' I said in my head.
[Your level is too low to access the 'Buy' function.]
'Damn it, I have to be a higher level to unlock the 'Store,' I was hoping I could buy something right now, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Looks like I'll have to go on a level rising spree, that is...if I ever get out of here.' I thought to myself.
Since I didn't have anything to sell-selling being available-the store was no help to me. The thought of the penalty quest surfaced in my mind.
'Damn, plus I doubt I'll have the time and space to do my 'Daily Quest.' Which means, if I don't hurry I'll get put into the desert plain of the 'Penalty Quest.' This would be even more troublesome than before.'
The sound of walking brought me out of my thoughts, one of the men from Derim's crew was walking to our cages. He stopped at Evelyn's cage, which was to the left, Ezra being in the middle, me on the right.
He took a key out of his pocket, brought it up to the lock, and unlocked the door. We had clothes put into our mouths again before being brought to this room, so when Evelyn squealed and tried to scream as the man forcibly took her by the arm, her cries were muffled.
Ezra grabbed and started hitting the rods of his cage, muffled cries came out of him too, but just like Evelyn, they were muffled, the pain in his voice was heartbreaking.
But because I was right next to him, I could tell what he was screaming, 'No please no, Evelyn' was all I could hear from his muffled voice.
"And now, for our last act, we have some very nice goods and products that are just itching to be sold," Derim said excitedly, the curtains being slightly moved so let the man and Evelyn go through, allowing more light to briefly pass through, and me to slightly see the audience.
"First up, a five year old elven girl. Let's start the bid at 5 gold," Derim announced, hands with signs in them immediately rose at the offer.
'Monsters.' I raged in my head.
***
"And sold, for 70 gold to the man in the fine blue coat. Please follow us to the back after the end of the auction to collect and finalize your purchase," Derim announced. I could see the man in Derim's coming back to the cages, this time he took Ezra out and brought him through the curtains.
"Up next, a five year old elven boy. Same as the girl, the bid shall start at 5 gold."
***
"SOLD! To the man and woman in the second row for 55 gold. Please follow us to the back after the end of the auction to collect and finalize your purchase," Derim said, giving directions to the buyers, as he did to all the others.
The sound of footsteps made me look to my left, the man had come back once more to the cages. 'I guess it's my turn. I'll have to make my move right after the auction ends, it's the only and last time Ezra, Evelyn, and I will probably see eachother.' I thought to myself as the man opened my cell, bringing me to the stage of the auction. The audience and buyers now laid their eyes upon me, just as I laid my eyes upon them. Some of them didn't seem to care so much for the slaves, while others' faces brightened up as if they'd laid their eyes on a gold mine. 'I guess that's why the name is 'The Gold Mine Auction.'
Before Derim had even spoken about me, I could see people ready to raise their signs. There's a term we have for these types of people, the term running in my thoughts.
'The filth of this world.'
***
(A/N: I apologize for the slow pacing of the story so far, I'm just not trying to rush it. And even though it's slow right now, I hope you guys stick with me through the continuation of this story.
Till next time.)
