Chapter 2: S-Rank Sword Talent, White-Haired Girl Olivia |
The next day, scorching sunlight poured down on the slave market, baking the ground until it was piping hot. The air was thick with the mingled smells of livestock and sweat.
"Young Master Jonas, these are the latest batch of slaves. Please take a careful look."
A slightly obese slave trader rubbed his well-maintained hands together obsequiously, his face plastered with an ingratiating smile.
Young Master Jonas was famously generous with his spending. Just closing this deal would earn the trader a substantial profit.
"Look, these are Oxen-Horse hybrids. Born with incredible strength, they can work tirelessly all day on just a little food without needing rest."
As he spoke, the trader poked the sturdy Oxen-Horse hybrid beside him with his whip. The hybrid stood there woodenly, eyes empty.
"And this feline beastfolk—see how soft her tail is? It sways with quite a unique charm..."
The trader continued his introductions, but Jonas frowned.
While the slaves before him were of decent quality, none caught his eye.
Jonas and Arcaso then wandered through the entire slave market and the bustling adjacent bazaar, yet still failed to find the genius candidate he dreamed of.
Upon reflection, this made sense.
True geniuses would reveal their talents early, being taken in by noble families for careful nurturing. Why would they end up here waiting to be discovered?
Seeing his young master unable to find a satisfactory candidate after so long, Arcaso couldn't help suggesting: "Young Master, perhaps we should check the neighboring territory?
After all, our fief only has a few thousand people—the slave selection is naturally limited."
Just as Jonas was about to nod in agreement—
Suddenly, a cacophony of noise erupted from the street.
A grayish-black figure dashed out from an alleyway, sprinting past Jonas.
She moved so fast that several market stalls were knocked over in her wake.
In the chaos, the black cloth cap on her head was caught by a stall and torn off, revealing snow-white hair that glittered strikingly under the sunlight.
Even covered in grime, her beauty was undeniable.
Despite stumbling from colliding with the stalls, she didn't slow down at all, continuing her desperate sprint down the street.
"Damn it! That damned Albino is stealing Black Toxin medicine again!
After her!
This time she's dead meat!!" an enraged voice shouted.
A group of men wielding clubs gave chase, hurling their weapons at the slender fleeing figure.
The clubs struck her back heavily, nearly making her fall.
...
Watching this scene, Arcaso shook his head slightly. "Tsk tsk, typical Albino behavior—nothing but thievery and skulduggery."
In the Empire, Albinos were universally seen as omens of misfortune.
Their completely white hair and tendency to fly into violent frenzies during full moons led to their persecution, leaving most to be sold as the lowest class of slaves.
But while Arcaso lamented, Jonas grew excited. "Chase after that person! We must protect that Albino!!"
"Eh? But that's—"
"No backtalk! Go now! If anything happens to her, say goodbye to this month's gold coins!"
"Yes yes yes!"
The threat to his wages made Arcaso stop hesitating. He immediately sprinted in the direction the girl had fled, with Jonas close behind.
No wonder Jonas was so thrilled.
After searching for so long, he'd finally found a genius—how could he not be excited?
[Olivia]
[Race: Albino]
[Sword Talent: S]
[Strategy Talent: A]
[Cooking Talent: B]
[...]
[Cultivation: Unranked]
[Hobby: Food]
...
This talent panel was absolutely top-tier.
His sister, despite their father's meticulous training, was only rated B in sword talent despite being renowned as a prodigy.
But this Albino girl had S-rank sword talent!
If he could recruit her, Jonas believed the ability feedback would let him surpass his sister and even become the greatest swordsman.
This thought made Jonas quicken his pace eagerly.
An omen of misfortune?
Hah!
This was the starting point of his rise to power!
...
Meanwhile, the white-haired girl Olivia found herself cornered in a narrow, dim alleyway.
Her chest heaved violently as she eyed her surroundings warily.
Ahead, club-wielding thugs advanced menacingly.
Behind, the panting pharmacy owner pushed through the crowd.
"Finally caught you, you little rat! How dare your wretched kind steal my precious medicine!
Speak! Where did you hide the previous batches?" The owner glared hatefully at Olivia.
Olivia bit her lip and remained silent, only stuffing the medicine in her arms deeper into her clothes before bending down to grab a wooden stick from the ground.
She gripped it tightly with both hands, holding it horizontally before her chest.
"Damn brat still wants to fight! Grab her!"
The thugs charged.
Olivia swung her stick with remarkable agility.
The two in front were caught off guard, struck by the stick and forced to retreat in pain.
But her frail body was no match for so many grown men. Soon she was pinned firmly to the ground.
She struggled desperately, but couldn't break free from the adults' grip.
Meanwhile, the pharmacy owner snatched back the medicine.
Holding it, he glared at Olivia:
"I'll ask one last time—where are the other medicines?"
"I... used them..."
"Used them?!
Wait—you gave that medicine to your wretched little sister?
Damn you!!! Kill her and strip her naked in the streets!"
Previously, Olivia had brought her sick sister to the pharmacy seeking help.
...
Just as the thugs raised their clubs to strike—
Arcaso arrived just in time.
"Hold it!!!"
"What now?" The pharmacy owner turned irritably, but his expression instantly shifted from anger to fawning when he saw Arcaso's noble guard uniform.
"Honorable guard, what brings you here?"
"Leave this girl to me. My young master wants her."
"Your young master?"
"Young Master Jonas."
"What?! Young Master Jonas himself?
Of course we must oblige!
But this Albino stole multiple doses of Black Toxin medicine, you see..."
Before he finished, Jonas stepped forward.
Casually flicking a gold coin with his fingers, he sent it arcing beautifully through the air to land perfectly in the pharmacy owner's palm.
"You may leave now."
Receiving the coin, the owner beamed:
"Right away, Young Master Jonas!"
To him, trading a lowly Albino—worth less than a slave—for a gold coin was like manna from heaven.
Even the most valuable Oxen-Horse hybrid slave wasn't worth a full gold coin.
As he left, the owner recalled the Black Toxin disease and felt compelled to warn:
"Young Master Jonas, this Albino's sister has Black Toxin disease. You must be careful!
Don't get infected—it's extremely hard to treat."
Glancing at Olivia, he thought to himself how beautiful she was—Jonas's intentions in buying her were obvious.
But if the city lord's son caught Black Toxin because of this, he'd be in deep trouble.
Jonas just said: "Noted! Now scram."
"Right away~"
The owner left hastily with his thugs.
...
Soon, only Jonas, Arcaso and Olivia remained in the alley.
Olivia peeked around cautiously, looking for an escape route.
In her experience, real life didn't have fairytale rescues where nobles saved beauties out of kindness.
More likely, this noble wanted her as a plaything.
She and her sister had escaped nobles before—she knew exactly how vile and cruel they could be. Especially someone like Jonas, who had an awful reputation.
Jonas looked at the wary Olivia.
[Loyalty: -20%]
Jonas: ????
What the hell? He saves her and gets negative loyalty?
Negative meant not only would she not serve him, but might even betray him.
Loyalty affected ability feedback—if he bound her now, would he even get any abilities back?
He'd originally planned to directly invite her as a retainer.
But now his words came out differently:
"I know what you want..."
"You don't want your sister to keep suffering, do you..."
...
Cultivation Ranks: Common, Bluestone, Blackiron, Bronze, Frostsilver, Moltengold, Starvein, Jadeite, Voidiamond, Saintmark, Heavenlight, Immortal, Oblivion.