The Rule of the Black Market

"Bring her here!" The old man said to two men wearing horned helmets. They were buff and had countless scars over their shoulders and upper body.

They were currently holding down the Kitsune with chains and forcefully bringing her over to us.

"Hey! Be careful with her!"

I'd yell, scolding the two knuckleheads. She's already in a state where you could break one of her bones so she needs to be handled gently.

The Kitsune kneeled in front of us and I looked at the old man. The old man looked at me and handed me a pill. I'd take it and take off my left glove. Eventually, a mark appeared on my left forearm. It was a black symbol of a serpent. Commandment Crests take the appearance of one's inner spirit. So mine is a snake huh?

The old man then handed me a knife and a saucer. I used the knife to cut a little bit of my finger, letting a few drops on the dish which was mixed with ink.

After that, he coated a metal rod with a crest shape at the end. That crest would then slowly morph into one similar to my commandment crest; a serpent. This process was to enchant the crest that would be branded on the slave to belong to whoever blood was fused with, and link with the commandment crest. It's a simple but efficient spell.

The old man placed the rod in a raging fire and when he took it out, it was glowing and gave off an insane amount of heat.

Now... the painful process.

The old man gave me the rod and I looked at the Kitsune.

"Hold her still, but don't hurt her."

The knuckleheads beside her grabbed her shoulders and held her still. The Kitsune struggled and thrashed around to no avail. I then pressed the iron above her left breast.

Sizzle~!

"GYAAAAAAAAAH!!"

She'd roar in pain and my ears began ringing. Crap, I forgot, Kitsunes have a powerful cry that can shatter one's eardrums if they don't have the required resistance.

I'd hold my ground after 3 seconds and then I threw the rod aside while holding my ears. The old man went to pick up the rod, then he tossed it into lava.

Quickly I put 8 stat points into strength and technique as technique also means my resistance to magic and the remaining into agility.

[Strength 22 --> Strength 30]

[Technique 11 --> Technique 19]

[Agility 23 --> Agility 28]

Eventually, the cry didn't affect me and the Kitsune soon passed out. That outta do it.

I'd get up on my feet and took deep breaths.

[Skill Obtained: Mark of Fidelity]

[Mark of Fidelity: If one pledges their loyalty to the host, they will receive the host's insignia of fidelity| Effects: Marks one as a subordinate and added to the party]

[New Function Unlocked!]

[Party Management]

[??? has joined the party]

Hmm, interesting. Since I don't know her name, she'll just be marked as question marks.

As I regained my composure, I turned towards the old man.

"Guess that's done."

"Yes indeed."

The old man then brought out a piece of paper and placed it on the table. It was a contract to never speak of this business. There is a serious rule in the organization of black markets, once you are associated with them, you can never speak of them or reveal any of their locations. If you ever do reveal them to a person that has absolutely no relationship of the black market, they have two choices. Either become associated with them, or die knowing that they've been found out and with a bonus to that, eliminate me.

I'm good at secrets so this wasn't much of a problem to me. However, I'll have to sign this contract in order for me to be trusted.

I'd stamp the contract with my blood and the old man took a quick look at it. Then he faced me and bowed.

"Thank you for your business."

I'd smile and turned towards the unconscious Kitsune which was now under my control.

***

After that, we were back on top. It had already gotten dark so the shop was pretty much empty. I was carrying the Kitsune in my arms and I was now walking back towards the inn.

When I entered, I quickly passed the counter and went to my room.

Since the Kitsune was unconscious right now, I placed her on the bed and covered her in a blanket as she was half-naked.

She had bruises all over her body. Must've been from the torturing methods they attempted on her.

I heard there was a pharmacy nearby that sold healing potions. I should also get some clothes for her.

Luckily, I don't have to run now. I asked for some regular coins from the old man and he gave me enough to get myself a mansion. There are 4 coins that are used as currency in this world, not including the royal coin. From least value to the most, copper, silver, gold, and platinum. 100 copper coins equal 1 silver, 100 silver coins equal 1 gold coin, and so on. As of right now, I have 6 platinum coins, 42 gold coins, 69 silver coins, and 101 copper coins on me.

I ran out of the inn to go to the pharmacy and got myself some potions. I got some for myself and some for the Kitsune.

When she wakes up, I'm gonna have to ask her name because I don't want to name someone who already has a name. After all, it would mean completely taking their freedom.

My plan is to get her trust so I don't have to refer to her as a slave. I only bought her because she has the strength to protect me, for now.

After getting the clothes, I stopped by a bakery and got some bread I can feed to her, along with some milk. I then returned to my room.

The Kitsune was still unconscious, so I guess I can hang around for now.

I should feed her the potion but she's asleep right now. If I waited till she woke up, she might not accept anything from me since... well, she probably already bears hatred for me.

I should just give it to her mouth to mouth.

I'd walk over to her and pop the potion, then poured it into my mouth. I also poured a sleeping potion which I bought as well, mixing it with the healing potion. It won't affect the drinker until they swallow it so I'm safe for now. She must be tired after everything she did this afternoon.

I gently picked her up and placed my mouth against her, pouring the liquid into her mouth and feeding it to her.

Quickly after I did that, her eyes suddenly flung open and when she saw what I was doing, she swiftly pushed me back and swung her claws. I used my arm and blocked her claws, only leaving a faint scratch mark on my sleeve.

With the commandment crest, I spoke a command.

"Stay still."

I felt energy depleting from my body and even my mana.

[Mana: 59/405]

The Kitsune immediately stopped but gave me an intense glare. That's when I realized that the collar around her neck glowed dimly. Hmm, gonna have to find a way to remove that.

But anyway, it's a good thing I upgraded my agility and perception. If I didn't I would've gotten an eye gauged out.

Even the Kitsune looked weak and she was about to fall. I ran and caught her, then laid her back on the bed.

She's probably in a bad mood right now considering all that she's gone through. She'll be better the next morning though... I think.

For now, I should go grind some levels. There are more monsters during the night anyway.

I'd cover the Kitsune in the blanket and headed out, locking the door behind me. I can trust this inn as the only people in here are stupid drunk people. I doubt they would be able to pick a lock.

Walking over to the forest, I encounter more wolves and with my new dagger and bow, I was able to shred them to pieces and snipe some of them for afar.

[Leveled up!]

[Leveled up!]

[Leveled up!]

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After that, I was now level 21. It seems that the more creatures I kill, the less I level up. I killed more than 20 of them and I only leveled up 9 times. Well, it would make sense since they are weak.

I also learned a few skills as well. A passive skill, Daggers arts, a regular skill, Flash step, and Charged Arrow.

Here are their descriptions.

[Dagger Arts: The host will understand and gain all knowledge with the dagger| Effect: Proficiency with the dagger]

[Flash Step: Concentrating mana into the feet, the host will be able to move from point A to point B faster than the speed of sound| Effects: Teleport anywhere in a 5-meter radius| Conditions: Consumes 100 mana per use]

[Charged Arrow: By concentrating mana into an arrow, the damage output will be raised and the arrow will fly faster| Effects: +20% damage(Can be charged up to 3 times; Maximum output: +60%)| Conditions: Consumes 100 mana per use]

I can now use the dagger like a professional. Even though I've never used it, my body acts on its own, but according to my will. Flash step is like a teleportation spell. However, with that range, it will just be useful for dodging. Charged arrow, by consuming 300 mana, it can inflict 60% more damage. That can actually be useful. It can also fly faster as well.

[Status: Fatigued]

Well, I am getting tired. I guess I should get back.

Tomorrow, I should start getting her information and her trust, and maybe help her with some other stuff, as long as it is within my power that is.

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