Where am I?

Where is this place?

Honestly, I can’t remember much.

The world just suddenly went black and in a second I somehow ended up here. In a blink of an eye, I teleported from the slums to inside this dark place.

I raised my arm, trying to touch my surroundings.

Clank.

“Huh…?” I muttered in confusion.

As my senses slowly returned to me, my eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. My wrists were shackled by chains, close to where my cuboid bone had also been chained.

Attempting to forcefully break them by pouring mana seemed futile since it was probably enchanted. Still, that didn’t discourage me from at least trying. Unfortunately, there were no results. Observing more of my surroundings, I just noticed that I was inside a cage. A tiny one at that, I couldn’t stretch my legs fully.

I heard some cries around me, assuming it was another person I desperately shouted to make contact. “Hello? Is anyone here?”

“Shut it!” A voice immediately responded, it was one of a girl younger than me.

Footsteps echoed as it seemed to be getting closer and closer. A looming figure stood in front of my cage. To get a better look at them, I put my face close to the iron bars.

“Ah, sorry for yelling at you. You must be the goods that were just shipped here. I forgot the restocking date, so forgive me will you?”

A demi human girl who looked to be no older than twelve put her hands together, like if she was giving a prayer. Her fluffy fox ears twitched and tails swayed as if she enjoyed seeing me like this. Her white hair contradicted her age as she was clear in her teens, her hazel colored eyes stared at me in amusement.

“Wow, he finally caught someone sooo gorgeous! Not that the rest weren’t, but you are on another level. After all, capturing a cow girl is like finding a needle in a haystack!”

Oh…

That’s right…

I now remember how I ended up in this situation. When searching for a food source, I encountered these two middle-aged men who without no warning tried capturing me.

A tiny glimpse of hope.

I held onto it, hoping, begging someone to save me. And right when a cloaked figure seemed like he was going to save me, he was acquainted with them.

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What was his name? Ah, yes. Lipski, I think. He was the one who knocked me out. So, I’m going to be sold to slavery once again.

I hate this. Last time I went through this I was blessed, blessed with a good owner. Yet he died because nobles betrayed him! Just because he supported the opposing faction, there were so many others who could’ve been the victim, but it had to be him!

Why?

In fear, I gritted my teeth, placing my hand on my head, tears swelling on my eyes. Seeing me like this, the demi human girl tilted her head as if not understanding.

“Hm? Why are you acting like that?”

As if something clicked she grinned. “Oh! You’re unsure if your beauty is going to be enough. Don’t worry! Your long silky smooth rose pink hair and emerald eyes are already overkill! Not to mention you still have lots of years to grow! Especially a certain area if you know what I mean,” she said, talking and talking not minding if I was even listening.

Is this the fate awaiting me? Please don’t do this to me! I can’t, I can’t, why do I have to go through with this!?

All I wanted is for those happy moments to continue! Is it really too much to ask for?

“Stop scaring her, Mizuki,” rebuked a man who suddenly appeared without me noticing.

He looked familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on it…

“Fine, but only if you stop calling me by my given name as we’re not as close as you think, Lipski,” retorted the girl, crossing her arms and glaring at the man.

So that is why he looked similar…

“Sure thing, Shinozaki. No need to get angry at me for nothing,” he said, glaring back.

They seemed to not be on good terms, or that’s what it seemed to me…

“It wouldn’t be nothing if you didn’t try to scold me like a little child.”

“Well, then don’t act like one.”

“But I’m not. I’m doing my job and you have to interrupt! Ugh,” she exclaimed, clicking her tongue.

“But that wasn’t his orders, are you telling me you would disobey his own word?” Lipski asked in a mocking manner, daring her to say otherwise.

“Of course not! I would never!” Shinozaki denied, waving her hands.

“Then hurry up and get her out of her cage,” he ordered, tapping his foot on the ground.

“Tch, only because he said to do this. Otherwise, I wouldn’t even listen to a single word that comes out of that damn mouth of yours,” she grumbled, yet followed his order unshackling me.

”Bitch, you think I give two fucks about your opinion!? As long as you follow his orders I don’t care if you whore yourself out,” he replied in similar fashion, throwing his formal manner of speech out of the window.

The girl didn’t respond, instead choosing to order me to stand up. I obliged as I had no idea what punishment awaited me if I refused. She then motioned me to follow me, and I did so quietly. I didn’t want to be caught in their current bickering.

Wait, if there bickering then I might have a chance to—

“Don’t think about it.” Both of them turned to me and gave me a death stare at the thought just coming into my mind.

“Eek!” I yelped in fear, looking away.

Walking past my cage, I saw many more as I went through the area. All of them were somehow empty, so what was the source of the crying I heard? Did I really imagine that?

“We’re here,” Lipski said, making me stop.

I closed my eyes to brace myself to my new life. I had no time to adjust or even let all my feelings out. I had no idea what life had in store for me, so all I could do was push forward.