Looking down, Yaro realized he was also wearing the same gray clothing. Even his boots were gray!

Who had dressed him?

Had he been summoned that way, or had it been Lord Kilsov - or one of the poor bastards, ‘Numbers 1 through 4’ - who had dressed his body before he was summoned.

And how had he been summoned in the first place?

Where had his soul been before, and what was the mechanism for attracting him to his new body?

Yaro thought that the book in Lord Kilsov’s hands was the likely culprit. He couldn’t put his finger on why, but it just gave him the feeling of a summoning tool.

“Number 1, today you will feed the Devil Flower. Numbers 2 through 4, you will forage. Number 5-” Lord Kilsov looked at Yaro. “You will accompany 4 when he forages. You will learn what to do from him.

“Today, you will all operate in the ten-meter zone. Clear out all beasts and bring back valuable materials. Return before the sun sets. Go!”

“Yes, Lord,” the servants bellowed. Yaro joined in slightly late. Afterward, he breathed a sigh of relief.

It appeared he didn’t just understand the strange language, but he could speak it as well.

Yaro assumed that the forging would be done in the dark expanse, the so-called unknown territory.

The words ‘ten-meter zone’ indicated that there were different territory demarcations. Perhaps, there were certain dangers that only existed in different ‘zones.’

He was not thrilled at the prospect of walking into it and clearing out these beasts, whatever they were, but there was little choice in the matter.

Right now, as far as he was concerned, the most dangerous ‘beast’ was Lord Kilsov, who could kill him with a word.

Foxes, wolves, or even bears were preferable to facing off against the Lord!

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Of course, this did not apply infinitely.

He was ready to change his mind if he was forced to fight a dragon or some other mythical creature! He could only be pushed so far before he was merely choosing how he wanted to die!

At that point, he would take his chances against his Lord!

Yaro was also relieved that on the first day of ‘foraging’ it also appeared that he would at least have Number 4, whichever one of the lawslaves that was, to show him the ropes.

Out of the corner of his eye, Yaro saw that one of the farmers had walked over to the red soil. It must be Number 1, who had been instructed to feed the 'Devil Flower’.

The lawslave sat down, pulled his sleeve up and stuck his arm on the little sprouts.

What is he doing?

A moment later, Yaro had his answer. He was nearly forced to do a double-take, as he saw the sprouts stretching up towards the bare flesh and latching on like leeches.

So, feed meant to literally feed his blood to the Devil Flower!

Yaro felt revulsion at the thought. The leech-like sprouts seemed utterly filthy and diabolical.

However, it would be his turn at some point, so he forced himself to think differently about the situation.

In the end, wasn’t it like he was donating blood?

Yes! That was it!

The Devil Flower sprouts were like a hospital nurse poking a needle in his arm!

Just a little bit of blood drawn. It could easily be replenished. It wasn’t so bad when he thought about it like that. It might even be better than fighting dangerous beasts in the mysterious dark expanse.

As the rest of the farmers dispersed, Lord Kilsov pointed at one. “You, Number 4, come here.”

“Yes, Lord!”

So that is Number 4, my new partner!

The lawslave who had been singled out walked back, while the rest entered into the dark expanse. Their forms were swallowed by the darkness the moment they stepped forward, as if they had walked through a portal to a different dimension.

“This is Number 5.” Lord Kilsov gestured to Yaro, with the hand that was not holding the thick book. “You will teach him.”

“Yes, Lord!”

“You,” Lord Kilsov turned to Yaro. “Number 5, do you understand?”

How can you expect anyone to take you seriously in that outfit?

Yaro forced himself to respond contrary to his heart. “Yes, Lord!”

Lord Kilsov waved his hand. “Disperse.”

“Yes, Lord!” Yaro and Number 4 replied.

A moment later, Number 4 led the way, stepping outside of the few meters of safety and disappearing into the dark expanse.

Yaro followed reluctantly.

What have I gotten myself into?