Sasha and Zealot navigated through the bustling maze of vendors and traders, their eyes set firmly on the central auction area. This was the heart of the market, famed for its extravagant display of high-quality slaves, each one meticulously maintained and priced accordingly. However, their goal was decidedly different from most of the crowd’s expectations. They were not here for the elite or the extravagant slaves, but rather, for the cheapest and lowest-quality slaves available.
Sasha, well-acquainted with Azurion City from several previous visits, was fully aware that the low-quality slaves were housed in an underground section of the market. With a determined stride, they made their way to the entrance of the "Crimson Slave Market." The building loomed before them, a colossal structure that dwarfed anything they had seen before. Its vast expanse stretched easily twenty-five times the size of a football field, and its imposing façade hinted at the sheer scale of the operations within.
“Holy shit! This Crimson Slave Market is truly enormous!” Zealot remarked, his voice filled with awe as he stood directly before the colossal building, marveling at its vast expanse.
Sasha, clearly annoyed by Zealot’s enthusiastic behavior, snapped, “Alright, cut the nonsense! We’re here to buy slaves, not fool around.”
“Haha, my bad,” Zealot said with a chuckle.
Without further delay, they made their way inside, ready to navigate the expansive, labyrinthine corridors that lay beneath, all in search of low-quality slaves. The place was bustling with activity, and it was clear that Zealot and Sasha were not the only customers here. The corridors were teeming with other buyers, each pursuing their own goals in finding the right slaves to meet their needs.
Suddenly, a stunningly voluptuous demon girl with rabbit cosplay ears approached them. She appeared to be a staff member here, tasked with assisting customers with whatever they might need.
“Welcome, esteemed guests!” Mira, the voluptuous demon girl, announced with a warm smile. “How may I assist you today? Is there anything specific you guys are looking for?”
Zealot turned to Mira, his expression shifting from awe to businesslike focus. “We’re interested in acquiring the least expensive slaves you have available. We need a large quantity to fulfill an urgent task.”
Sasha stepped forward, her gaze sharp and commanding. “We’re on a tight deadline and need to maximize our resources. Show us your lowest-priced options, and let’s get this done quickly. Every moment counts.”
Mira’s eyes widened slightly at Sasha’s authoritative tone, but she quickly nodded in understanding. “Certainly. We have a section dedicated to lower-quality slaves, which may be precisely what you guys are looking for. Follow me, please.”
Mira led Sasha and Zealot through a maze of bustling corridors, each lined with neatly organized cages and pens. The air was filled with a mix of cleanliness and the subtle scent of care, creating an atmosphere that was more controlled than oppressive. The slaves in this section appeared well-groomed and their surroundings were maintained with a level of diligence that spoke to their good treatment.
As they approached a more secluded area, Mira stopped and gestured towards a series of well-maintained enclosures. “Here is where we keep our lower-tier slaves. Their basic needs are carefully attended to, and they are priced based on their condition and skills, or lack thereof. Feel free to take your time to inspect them.”
Sasha glanced at the lineup of subdued figures. Her eyes were sharp and discerning, assessing each potential purchase with a calculated gaze. “I see. We’re looking for those who are in the worst condition but still manageable. We need to maximize our quantity while keeping the costs low.”
Mira nodded, understanding the directive. "Understood. I believe everything you’re looking for is here. However, I’ll be nearby if you have any more questions or need further assistance."
With that, Mira stepped away, and Zealot joined Sasha in examining the selection. They moved from one enclosure to the next, scrutinizing each potential acquisition. Zealot’s mind raced with strategies, contemplating how best to manage and utilize the slaves once they were acquired. Meanwhile, Sasha’s focus was on efficiency and speed, knowing that time was of the essence.
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After some time, they had identified a sufficient number of slaves that met their needs. The purchase process was expedited, with transactions carried out swiftly to avoid any unnecessary delays. Once the arrangements were complete, Zealot and Sasha prepared to transport their slaves back to Zealot Kingdom.
These slaves they bought were the cheapest available, priced at around one gold coin each. Their low price was due to two factors: their criminal backgrounds and their low levels. Criminals are often cheaper because they are prone to committing suicide if mistreated.
Interestingly, their bravery in committing crimes also extends to their willingness to end their own lives. After all, it takes considerable guts and courage to take one's own life—a feat that most ordinary people cannot achieve, let alone killing others. However, for criminals, this is not an issue, as they have little fear of committing suicide or even taking the lives of others.
Since Master Drelak needed the slaves to remain alive in order to utilize his life force absorption skill and enhance his power, Sasha and Zealot had no choice but to treat the slaves with care. They had to purchase ample food to ensure the slaves were well-provided for the long journey back to Zealot Kingdom.
Naturally, feeding approximately 100,000 slaves was costly. To cover these expenses, Sasha had no choice but to sell some of the loot she had collected from the dungeons’ rewards. As for Zealot, he had little interest in the dungeon loot, so he typically just gave it all to Sasha to manage.
***
A few weeks later…
Back in Zealot Castle, the grandeur of the throne room has been further enhanced by Master Drelak’s skeletal minions, who have meticulously crafted thirteen additional enormous throne chairs, each one intricately designed for the thirteen formidable boss monsters.
These thirteen boss monsters, now elevated to the esteemed rank of generals, have been entrusted with the command of their own legions of skeleton warriors. Each army, equipped and summoned by Master Drelak himself, stands ready under the strategic guidance of their newly appointed generals.
At this moment, Zealot and Sasha had just returned with the slaves. To their surprise, Master Drelak’s level had risen substantially during their absence. Even more astonishing was the fact that the thirteen boss monsters, previously classified as C-Class, had advanced to B-Class in an impressively short time—an achievement made possible entirely thanks to Master Drelak’s support and guidance.
Within the grandeur of the vast royal throne room, the air was thick with an aura of reverence. Zealot and Sasha approached Master Drelak, their heads bowed in deep respect as they knelt before him. The weight of their submission was palpable, highlighting the significance of the moment.
“We have successfully completed the task you entrusted to us, Master,” Sasha declared, her voice steady but infused with a tone of solemn pride. Zealot, standing beside her, nodded in agreement, his eyes lowered in deference. The respect they displayed was a testament to the gravity of their accomplishment and the high regard in which they held Master Drelak.
Master Drelak’s gaze remained as sharp and penetrating as ever. He regarded Zealot and Sasha with a blend of approval and expectation, as sunlight streamed through the towering windows, filling the grand throne room with a bright, welcoming glow.
“Your efforts have not gone unnoticed,” Master Drelak's voice resonated through the vast throne room, each word dripping with cold authority. “The completion of this task is commendable, though it is merely a stepping stone toward the grander objectives that lie ahead.”
Zealot and Sasha remained kneeling, their heads bowed in acknowledgment. The weight of Master Drelak’s words was heavy, pressing down on them with the burden of future challenges.
“I trust the slaves have been secured adequately for their journey?” Master Drelak continued, his voice echoing like the whispers of the damned. “I expect them to be prepared for their new roles in my service.”
Sasha nodded, her expression unwavering. “Yes, Master. We have ensured their well-being and procured sufficient provisions for the journey back. They are ready to fulfill their purpose.”
Master Drelak’s skeletal fingers drummed lightly against the armrest of his throne, a gesture of contemplation. “Good. The expansion of my forces is vital, and your success in this task has paved the way for further endeavors. However, do not become complacent. The true test of your worth lies in what you accomplish next.”
Zealot lifted his head slightly, his eyes meeting the dark void where Master Drelak’s gaze should have been. “What would you have us do next, Master?”
A cold, sinister smile played at the edges of Master Drelak’s skeletal visage. “You will be embarking on a journey to raid a rare Event Dungeon set to open in a few days. Your mission is to capture the Succubus Queen and bring her to me. Should you succeed and return alive, both of you will be rewarded with six months of rest. However, if you fail, you will likely perish within the Event Dungeon, and not even I will be able to save you.”
‘Tch! This greedy Lich King bastard! Is he trying to get us killed?! That’s literally one of the hardest Event Dungeons to raid, with only a 15% success rate! In other words, 85% of adventurers who attempt it fail and never make it out alive!’ Zealot thought, his mind racing with anxiety and anger as he contemplated the grim reality of their next mission.