"Sigh… since Madam Castros insists that 700 is her final price, I'll give you mine," the manager said firmly. "Eight hundred gold."
He sighed inwardly, disappointed that swindling this woman wasn't going to be easy.
"700," Vienna snapped. "Take it or I'm leaving."
She turned to leave, her heels clicking confidently on the stone floor.
"Deal!" the bald manager said quickly, raising his hand in mock surrender.
Vienna turned back with a victorious smile, clearly proud of the small win. She pulled a gleaming pouch from her belt and handed over the gold coins without hesitation.
The manager accepted the payment and began the process of transferring the slave's ownership to Madam Castros.
Once the contract was complete, the two parties were about to part ways.
That's when I made my move.
I threw myself at the manager's feet, catching everyone off guard.
"Manager Denkai! Please, give me one more chance. Just one more fight!" I pleaded, my voice desperate. "Let me prove I'm worth more than that pampered noble!"
Instantly, all eyes turned to me. And the room went still for a moment.
But I had no choice.
This was the only way I could change my fate.
My sudden outburst made the guards tense up and point their spears toward me.
Denkai scowled. "Wretch, what are you doing here? Didn't you already win your match?"
"I did," I replied, panting, "but I need another. Just one more fight! I'll prove I'm worth more than him—worth more than 700 gold!"
I pointed shakily at Archon, knowing full well what I was doing. The crowd nearby began to murmur, and Vienna halted mid-step, glancing back with narrowed eyes.
"Is that so?" she said with interest, her tone playful but sharp. "You think you're worth more than the pet I just bought?"
I lowered my head but didn't answer. Silence sometimes worked better than words.
Denkai clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. "Madam, don't waste your time. This one's got nothing but a mouth. Barely lived through his fight. He's desperate now that he's seen his freedom slipping away."
Vienna's eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, thoughtful.
I was nervous. If my gamble didn't pay off, I would surely be punished—maybe even tortured.
So, I played my final card.
"Madam Castros," I said, forcing a slight smile, "I know how to do math, chores... and give a special massage."
I dragged out the last words deliberately, hoping to spark her interest. In the novel, I remembered clearly—she had a real fondness for massages. She used to demand them often from the protagonist.
Now I was betting everything on that detail.
The manager looked like he wanted to strangle me on the spot.
But when I glanced back at Madam Castros, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
She was smirking.
"Hehehe... Interesting."
"Very well, " she said, turning back to Denkai. "If he's that worthless, why don't you just throw him for 100?"
Denkai blinked. "Hah?"
"You heard me. Two slaves for the price of 800," she said, crossing her arms. "You won't get a better offer. And I'm not paying a copper more."
The manager hesitated, lips twitching as he calculated the risk. "You're cutting my throat, Madam."
"Then I suppose we're done here." She turned once more.
"Fine, fine! Take him!" Denkai huffed, waving his hand like swatting a fly. "But don't come crying when he dies on the road."
And just like that, my fate was sealed.
Vienna looked down at me, one brow raised. "Try not to embarrass me, boy. You're mine now."
I bowed my head. "Yes, Master."
No, not master.
Just a temporary leash... until I find that shop.
The one where the Protagonist's legend begins. And maybe… mine too.
The whole time, Archon just watched me with a puzzled expression. He was likely wondering where I had even come from.
This was supposed his and her show, but not anymore.
I was actually having a little fun.
I knew everything about him—his strengths, his flaws, his fate. But he knew nothing about me. And soon, I would become the villain who steals his luck, his opportunities, his destiny.
I would prove that I'm better than the world's chosen darling.
[ Luck Points +50 ]
Madam Castros boarded the carriage with her favorite boy-toy, Archon, taking her seat with grace and pride.
And me? I was ordered to follow behind—on foot. Like a mangy dog.
Archon enjoyed the full privileges that came with his handsome looks, while I, the beaten extra, was left to stumble along, unnoticed and unwanted.
Well, given how ugly I looked, it wasn't surprising she didn't want me anywhere near her. In fact, it was a miracle she even bothered to buy someone as insignificant as me.
Still, that didn't stop the fury burning inside me.
She was just another arrogant bitch who did whatever she pleased, using people like toys.
My already battered body was drenched in sweat as I continued running behind the carriage, enduring the disgusted stares of the passersby. Each step carved the humiliation deeper into my soul.
But I would get my revenge.
Every ounce of it.
Once I get my hands on the Soul Core, everything will change.
One day, I will put her under my groin.
That, I promised myself.
Soon, a massive estate came into view. Ahead was a mansion that reeked of nobility and wealth.
At the grand entrance, frogmen guards stood on either side, their amphibious eyes widening the moment they spotted me, nearly naked and limping behind the carriage. They stared, speechless.
But one word from Vienna Castros, and they stepped aside, allowing me through.
I didn't miss the thick, pulsing green magical aura radiating from their bodies—proof they were not ordinary creatures. Magical species. Warriors.
Each one of them could likely kill me a hundred times in a single minute.
So, escaping from this place? Not likely.
Inside the estate, we were greeted by a beautiful dark elf maid with silver-blonde hair tied back in a neat braid.
At first glance, she looked serene—kind, even. But then her lips curled, and venom dripped from her words.
"Ooh, Mistress, you've picked another fine specimen this time. But why bring along this piece of garbage too?"
Her gaze lingered on Archon with a nod of approval, but when her eyes landed on me, they narrowed, full of disdain.
Vienna didn't dignify her question with an explanation. Instead, her voice rang cold and commanding:
"Hilga, you don't need to pry into my business. Just clean them up and give them workers' clothes."
And with that, she turned and walked away, her heels clicking against the marble floor.
The dark elf maid—Hilga—nodded, the smugness on her face briefly vanishing under Vienna's firm tone. There was fear there. Even she knew not to cross the Mistress of the house.
Still, I caught her sideways glance at me.
Disgust.
I clenched my fists. One day, I'll make her eat those words too.