12 Slave

"500 for the life of that bitch!"

"550!"

"600!"

Everyone was eager to buy the young slave mostly because she's a survivor of the Black Petal Clan. Slaves at such age and condition would only be sold around 100-120 Gold coins but this one is an exemption.

"700! I don't think anyone could go any higher!"

Clenching his fist, Ai couldn't take this anymore. Being powerless and have nothing, he couldn't even save his people from being slaved. This realm sure is cruel to anyone related to him.

'Wait... where is Nin?' Nin somehow disappeared from his sight.

"Hohoho! We just got a new special item for today. Make sure you guys save enough for the special item!" The announcer seems to have something that everyone might want to get.

"750! Is she even worth this money?!" Even so, they still want to spend more to get her.

"1000!"

Everyone was surprised after hearing the bid. 1000 gold coin is too much money for a single slave, even for a survivor of an enemy clan.

At that point... a long silence break the atmosphere of excitement. With the announcement earlier about a special item, most of them can't spend more considering it might be a really important item.

"Any more bids? I guess that's it! Sold to 305!"

'305? Isn't that Kin's number?' Before they enter, the leader of the Auction House handed them two numbers, it's 304 for Ai and 305 for Nin.

Then he saw someone walking towards him and looking closely, it says number 305 on the shirt. Without the number, there's no way he could recognize her.

"Why did you buy the slave?" Ai, knowing that she doesn't have any connections to his clan, is pretty curious why she did that.

"Aren't you her young prince? Then she must not serve anyone else other than you." She couldn't imagine what the other people would do to her as a slave and she doesn't have a choice but to save her. Knowing her brother, she will be in good hands.

"But with thousand gold coins, I can gather mercenaries to fight for me and I could-" That was his plan all along. Using the money for revenge.

"I've heard your story from Mr. Duno, but do you really think, a bunch of mercenaries could do something against Tanti? If revenge is what you desire the most, then do it properly."

Ai snapped and then grabbed Nin's shirt with his hands pulling Nin up slightly.

"You don't know what I've been through all these years. I've got nothing and even if I save a single soul, what do you think would that do any good to my revenge?!" Anger and guilt are troubling him. He has a choice between his revenge and the life of a young lady.

"And who said I will be using your money? Do you what you must but I will be saving her using my own. Lower your hand or I swear, it doesn't matter who you are, I will rip that hand off." Without even realizing that he raised his hands to a young lady, not even knowing that it's his sister...

"I... I'm sorry, I lost my cool. It won't happen again..." He shouldn't have done that and whatever the reason, it's not enough to act that way.

"Calm down, jeez. There's always a right time for everything." Little did he know that she was aiming for the same goal.

"I know... it's just that, I can't just wait... I need to do something." As young as both of them, the burden is pretty heavy.

"Who said you're not doing anything? Aren't you a student of the academy? You have to make yourself stronger. Train harder, twice as much or even more. If that's what you must then do it yourself instead of depending on others." Somehow, Ai can say that she's right.

"You... I hate to admit it but you sound convincing. I will wait for now and... that girl you just saved, she might come in handy after all." Somehow, Ai's heart felt relieved. Being swallowed by anger and revenge... there will be no way out.

"Our next Item is a "4-Star Beast Core!". Those who need to break through the peak of being a Master Rank and advance to Grand Master, this is your chance! They say a 4-Star Beast requires 10 Master Rank warriors to defeat one! The bid starts at 1000!" Then there's a long silence... it's as if it's a matter of life and death.

Yes, a magic treasure sure is something but unlike a beast core, once used, others cannot use it anymore. So that means, a magic treasure is something that can last forever while a beast core can be only used once making it so precious. As stated by the announcer, it's a requirement for a breakthrough and there are lots of cultivators who are stuck to the peak of Master Rank and this is a rare opportunity.

"1500!"

"Wooh! That one sure needed the core."

"1600! Whoever you are, give up now! I will take-"

'That guy sounds familiar.' Ai somehow recognize the voice of the person, he just can' tell.

"1700! Shut up, you idiot!"

'That woman... sure is even more familiar as well. I thought she's going to have a nap time..." That, he sure knew who it is.

"1800! You, bitch! I've got more money than you-"

"Oh, really?! 1900! And kiss my ass!"

"2000! I swear! I will cut that tongue-"

"2100! I can't hear you!"

"Come on! 2200!"

...

-After a couple of minutes-

Both Ai and Nin are now back to Deboko's room.

"What the hell are you smiling about? I can say we got a good business but make sure that it's really not stolen items or I swear I-"

"Yeah, yeah, we heard you. So where's the money?" Cutting to the chase, Ai sure is excited about the money.

"Well, it seems you got a good profit today. You earned 1080 gold coins from selling those 6 books-"

"Wait... why is it only 1080? I thought I earned 1200 for all of it?" Ai seems to be forgetting something.

"Well, Auction fee would be 10% of the profit. That's the rule of the Auction-"

"That's absurd! I demand that-"

"Take it or leave it. It's not negotiable, you idiot." Deboko is getting serious. He doesn't really have time for this kind of argument with a fool.

"Fine..." Finally, the idiot stopped.

"Here is an Interspatial Ring or what we just call a magic ring. It's a storage treasure, pretty common to alchemist and traders, for storage purposes. Just using your thoughts, the items will come out of the ring. 1080 gold coins are a bit too much and we can't let you go out carrying something like that so this is the safest way. Not to mention, you might be able to come across valuable items later on so this will help us a lot." He sure is betting on the kid this time considering it sure was a good profit for him.

"I heard of those magic rings before and I really wanted to have one. Thanks and I'm sure I would! Wait, how about the slave? I think we owe you 1000 gold right? Thankfully, the books sold well-"

"No need for that, young Ai. your girlfriend got it covered." Somehow, Ai sure got baffled by Deboko's words, not with the girlfriend part.

"I don't get it? What do you mean?" And so Deboko prepared another ring for Nin, making the young petal more curious.

"Here's your magic ring as well, young lady, and there are 1000 gold coins inside, already calculated with the cost of the slave and the other thing that you requested, from your profit of selling the 4 Star Beast Core-"

"Pffffft!" Ai somehow burst something out of his mouth out of shock. She sure got him good but she even mentioned that she will be using her own money in the first place.

"Let's keep it a secret, Mr. Deboko. Maybe I can get one or two for you once again one of these days." She sure got some tricks up her sleeves.

'To be able to obtain something like that... I am still far away from even reaching her.' Ai sure doesn't know what she's capable of. Knowing to beat a 4-Star Beast, you need at least 10 Master rank to defeat it and based on her being alone with her master, there are no other people to help her.

"It's really a good pleasure of doing business with you. The slave is being prepared as of the moment as you requested. Kindly wait a little longer, young miss." Today was really profitable for Deboko, and he thought that the Magic Treasure was the only thing that can give him a good profit. He sure was wrong.

Finally, they went outside and are now together with the young girl they saved.