The Receptionist (Part 1)

Several voices called out, promoting their items, "COME HERE! Check this out! It can make you invisible for 2 seconds!", They all held their stalls in an eerie street. Several peddlers, traders, and even gamblers were available in this area.

As locals stared at the two strangers who stood in the middle of the street, clueless. The duo didn't know where to go because they couldn't read the map.

Wherever Han looked around, he was intimidated by every individual. They stared at him like an animal at the zoo.

All Han saw were robust men; their muscles bulged through their clothes. It seemed normal until you saw the vast weapons on their backs! This made him realize he should be extra cautious with the locals here and get out when he finishes his task as soon as possible.

Understandably, Han spotted a few hooded men, and since they were underground, it made sense. Seeing them, he regretted not wearing one himself; it was convenient.

After staring at the map for a while, the duo still couldn't find their destination. Considering it was taking too long, Han ordered Blade to ask around, and finally, a kind old man who was a peddler gave them guidance toward their destination.

The old man didn't find the duo odd and helped them since this was common for him. He saw a noble and their servant entering the underground market for those goods.

Anyhow, After a few minutes of traveling and meeting dead ends. Han and Blade finally arrived at their destination.

The duo stood before a broken-down building with spider webs and insects crawling everywhere. There were also damaged cages thrown outside of the building. Though to Han, the building seemed more like a deep cave. Looking at how horrendous the exterior was, imagine how horrible the interior would be. Can people even live there?

While raising his eyebrows, the trader stared the duo down before approaching them with a fake smile. "I'm the trader in this center, please tell me your requirements before we choose the product," the man said to Han, ignoring Blade.

Before coming to the trading center, Han had explained all his requirements to Blade, such as being literate and knowing how to handle documents. Preferably someone who has worked as a clerk before. Knowing all the essentials, Blade explained them to the trader.

The trader nodded, "Let's head inside. I only have 2 products based on your requirements in this branch. If these 2 can't satisfy you then you can take a look at other branches".

Han nodded, feeling uncomfortable as soon as he entered the deep cave building. The darkness inside grew his anxiety.

As the trader walked further down, he blazed a fire on the stick through magic. Han almost gasped, seeing magic but controlled himself by remembering what Sophie said about reaching level 10.

The trader moved the stick as the fire continuously burned. Finally, the trio could see rows of cells and cages which held lifeless bodies or slaves about to die of starvation.

Seeing the fire blazing, all the slaves inside their cells came to the front to see who had come. They tried to appeal, but the trio walked past them, not even glancing at them.

Han's 21st-century doctor instincts told him to save these people with a large amount of money he had committed. Seeing their hopeless eyes wavered him, but Han would never act on them regardless of these thoughts. 'Money is superior to all' was ingrained in his mind. This concept will not be erased easily. After all, who wouldn't prefer money over justice?

And Yes! Slaves! Han had come to buy slaves! Since the small mistake Blade made got Han thinking that he needed someone of utmost loyal, especially in this kind of world. Plus, he didn't want extra drama in the clinic; dealing with the patient's family was too much.

Walking past the cells, the trio walked further down towards the end. The trader suddenly stopped and moved his fire stick toward the two products in the cell. The fire's brightness showed the 2 product's appearances.

"These are the only literate ones we have. They are 2 of them, Gen and Elora", said the trader.

Two ladies sat in the cell. One's clothes were tidied up, and her face brightened, showing her innocent beauty. She tried her best to appear more innocent so she could get out of this hellhole. While on the other side, a frail middle-aged lady with dark blue hair sat in the back, leaning against the wall, about to fall asleep in her messy state.

"The left one is Elora; we caught her in a ship crash. The 2nd one is broken goods, as you can see, her name is Gen, her husband died, and she is a widow. Both of them are literate as they came from merchant families" The trader introduced each of the slaves to them.

Han narrowed his eyes as he looked at Elora, she may seem all pretty and innocent, but she harbors other intentions and seems like trouble. When the trader told him how they caught her from a shipwreck, her eyes shone with hatred that didn't go unseen by me. Compared to the troublesome brat, Gen seems more usable since she's a middle-aged lady. I don't think she would pose a problem for me and be diligent at her work.

"I'll choose Gen," said Han. Both the trader and Blade freeze in shock at his decision. Even Gen in the cell, who was overhearing this conversation, was shocked that someone chose her. But hearing such a thing brought back some energy in her body so she could get up from sleeping.

"Are you sure? Gen…is a little quirky", advised the trader.

Gen scoffed upon hearing his comments.

Han nodded. He can deal with quirky but not with someone who has double personalities.

The trader reluctantly nodded. He didn't know why he advised the client to think again, but since he chose Gen, he would finally be free of the nuisance. He quickly took out the keys and unlocked the cell.

**CREAK**

The cell door opened, and Gen happily walked to the front. The trader couldn't believe his eyes. Did he see Gen walk herself? Usually, she would throw tantrums, but I guess she wants to leave here as well.

As the trader was unlocking the shackles around Gen's hands, Elora tried crawling from the small gap of the opened door beside them. Did she think she could go unnoticed?

The trader pushed her back inside, and Elora sobbed, knowing her last chance of escape was cut off. The greedy trader would hand her to some other corrupted nobles if she couldn't leave today.

Han didn't let the states of any slaves get to him, and he started to count how much money he would pay for Gen mentally.

"After you pay the amount then we can make a Servant-Master Bond," advised the trader leading them to the counter to receive the payment.

The trio followed behind him quietly, except for Gen….