MERCHANT

I looked several times to the map I was holding, which Calix had placed in the pocket of the clothes he had given us. It's a lengthy cloak that covers our entire body, with a large hood to conceal our heads and cover up our faces. I simply wrapped my face with a red handkerchief. Even if they don't complement the color of my attire, they're sufficient to conceal my identity.

The mortal behind me is dressed similarly to me. When I looked at the map again, I realized we only needed to walk straight down the icy path we were on. The Goddess is reclaiming her throne in the sky, and I have no desire to be invaded by darkness in this forest. I could clearly see the large trees covered in ice, and the grass and flowers have turned white due to the snow.

Despite their pitiful appearance, these are trees and plants that have thrived in this climate. They will perish unless they grow in this harsh cold. I could see the houses a few miles away, but Mino and I both came to a halt when we heard the footsteps of a running horse. "Hide!" I said coldly, and we both proceeded to walk over to a frozen clump of tall grasses.

I immediately noticed a bamboo carriage drawn by a black horse. I appear to be ingested by pity because I noticed the scars on its' back, which were a result of his mistreatment. I noticed a creature dressed similarly to us controlling the carriage. He, too, is a merchant. The noise of items inside the carriage indicated that he was carrying a large amount of goods.

When it passed our hiding spot, I was startled to see what appeared to be a box-shaped object drop from the carriage. It made a loud noise, capturing the attention of the man running the carriage. He stopped his panting horse before he got too far.

Mino and I both glanced at what appeared to be a box still wrapped in a white cloth stained with blood. I don't seem to like the content of the large box, which I assume. A few seconds later, the merchant got off and began walking toward the box. He promptly removed the cloth, and what was inside began to cry out loudly. My heart instantly prickled because my suspicion was accurate.

On his tiny frame, coagulated blood has been on his fur, while fresh blood was on his neck as an indication of the wound he had just obtained. Terror caused him to push his body against the cage's edge. His trembling and difficulty breathing are palpable to me. Because of the dirt and blood, his white fur was barely visible.

Because of his state, I seemed to want to hold back the tears that were welling up in my eyes. His blue eyes beg for help, and I can see a serious cut beneath his left eye. I was also aware of Mino's apparent desire to save the small creature we were witnessing. "You really want to get hurt, huh?" The merchant immediately kicked the little wolf's cage, causing it to shake and causing him to break down in tears again.

I quickly grabbed Mino's wrist because he was about to stand. We cannot act lightly because we must exercise caution. "What if I just kill you, you stupid wolf!" exclaimed the merchant, threatening the trembling young wolf. Because of what he said, my jaw immediately clenched. What a jerk! Ruthless!

A few minutes later, he picked up the large cage and hurled it onto the icy path, where it landed loudly. He booted the cage numerous times after landing, which made the wolf squeal, especially because he was rattled and his weak body was hitting the iron cage harshly.

I couldn't endure it any longer, and with my gesture, a large tree fell behind the merchant, drawing his attention. "Just act numb!" I immediately said to Mino, and using my speed, I took the cage while the wolf screamed in pain. When the merchant glanced back again, he saw me standing in front of him, carrying the cage.

"Entrante! Return my pet!" he snorted angrily at me, but I stayed silent. "It is illegal for traders to take a wolf belonging to another trader," he stated unequivocally.

In this world, merchants can permanently possess a pet wolf they bought. That's how low they regard the wolves who live in this world. When you own a wolf, it appears to be a status symbol, especially if it is a different breed.

They believe that owning a wolf is a social statement of their wealth and power. "I intend to buy this wolf!" I was cold towards him, but his laughter made me furious. "That wolf is a son of an alpha! I went through hell just to get that dumb wolf!" He seemed pleased with himself. "I will pay no matter how much," I vowed firmly. "Why do you appear to have such a strong desire to obtain that wolf?" he inquired.

"It's simple! I just want to be good at whipping!" I was cold, and I could feel the wolf in the cage shaking. I understand his apprehension as a result of what I've said, but this is the only way I can gain the merchant's trust. When wolves are mistreated, I knew very well how content they are. Because of my statement, he immediately laughed, and I just stopped myself from using magic to end everything.

I know somebody will identify me when they see the merchant's corpse because the bodies of those I kill always leave a floral scent.

"I won't make you pay anymore-" even though he couldn't see it, my eyebrows immediately raised in response to his statement. "-I want you to whip him hard right in front of me," he slyly laughed. I immediately tried to stop shaking as a result of what he had told me, but I mentally prepared myself.

The wolf became unsettled on his cage, as if he wanted to flee from me. He let out another loud cry. "SHUT UP!" I yelled loudly to appease the merchant, and the wolf immediately became quiet and trembled in fear. I appear to want to console and apologize to him, but he must go through this in order to escape the clutches of his cruel master.

A few moments later, I saw myself beating his helpless body as it lay motionless on the cold road.

I appeared to want to seriously injure myself because of what I was doing, but I just made sure that none of my strikes hit the lethal part of his body. While the merchant's loud laughter almost echoed in the forest, I could clearly see his body's frailty.

My tears were harshly escaping from my eyes as his fur became progressively coated in blood. Fortunately, my face is hidden. My heart is breaking, and I almost beg the merchant to tell me I'm doing enough.

"That's enough! I'm completely satisfied," he exclaimed happily, with a demonic laugh. "He's yours!" he exclaims, lighting up his ring finger and revealing what appears to be a ring-shaped light with a long string connected to the wolf's glowing neck. The light ring vanished from him at his prompt and was transferred to me, indicating that I was the new owner of the wolf.

My knees were trembling as I glanced at the unconscious wolf. I had to stop myself from hurrying over to soothe him. A few seconds later, the merchant cheerfully returned to his carriage and commanded his horse to run.

He swiftly left us, and at the same time, I felt a powerful force shove me, which is why I fell into the snow dazed. Mino was plainly glaring at me, as if he intended to rebuke me. Shaking, I looked at the whip in my palm and violently hurled it away.

"WHY DO YOU HAVE TO HURT HIM SO BADLY?" Mino shouted, turning his back on me and hastily picking up the wolf's frail and bloodied body. As he trembled and patted the wolf's unconscious body, I could see tears welling up in his eyes. He softly caressed its face, and it merely made a low accented sound, indicating that he's in agony.

"YOU ARE MONSTERS!" he exclaimed loudly and emphatically while staring at at the wolf intently. I had no choice! To legally possess the wolf, I must comply with the merchant's terms. The ring of light indicates who owns the wolf. If I murder the merchant who does not transmit the ring of light to me, the wolf will actually stay at his corpse until he dies as well.

I wanted to tell him, but my heart was torn and I couldn't speak. I noticed how, while holding the wolf, he carefully wrapped a thick cloth around it to keep its' body warm. We both looked at the rapid illumination of the little wolf's physique, and my heart nearly broke since it had transformed into a young boy.

His small body was riddled with wounds. "Father?" his demeanor seemed to be on the verge of tears. "Don't be afraid! I'm your new father," Mino murmured weakly, appearing to cry as he tenderly embraced the boy's body.