-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: The Timid Sword-Tooth Boy
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Leyzon, who had safely exited the black market, was mentally quite fatigued.
He hadn't expected to come face-to-face with the Bloodless Sovereign alone.
On top of that, he'd had to keep Syria in check whenever she showed signs of aggression in between.
'Her loyalty toward me is sky-high, which I'm grateful for, but...'
The problem was that she went berserk if anyone so much as touched Leyzon even a little.
[Leyzon, it seems they've noticed me a bit over there too. Should I gouge their eyes out?]
When Syria subtly asked, Leyzon shook his head.
"They'll be intrigued, but they won't make a move."
No matter how bold the Bloodless Sovereign was, she wouldn't poke a beehive.
She was the type to observe until she confirmed the hive was empty.
'Though if she's lost her mind, who knows.'
Leyzon pondered for a moment.
Then he lifted his head.
"Syria, if you spot anything suspicious, kill it."
Better to kill than be killed.
That was Leyzon's conclusion.
[Yes, I'll kill them right away!]
Her unwavering cheerfulness was a relief.
Leyzon rolled his stiff neck.
By now, the sky had darkened.
He'd lost track of time buying various items at the auction house.
That meant there had been plenty of good stuff.
He'd made the most of the day.
'And...'
Leyzon glanced back.
There stood the Sword-Tooth Clan boy he'd just bought.
Slavery was technically illegal in the Niflheim Empire.
But that only applied to human slaves.
Soldiers wouldn't mobilize if you enslaved members of other races.
At most, they'd give a warning for excessive behavior.
So no one batted an eye at Leyzon walking around with the Sword-Tooth boy.
"Let's start with introductions."
Leyzon decided to exchange names with the boy first.
"I'm Leyzon. What's yours?"
"...H-Hanok Wilbria."
Hanok answered, shrinking back.
His tail curled behind him.
'A scaredy-cat, huh.'
"U-Um..."
Then Hanok spoke up first.
"Are you going to eat me now?"
What kind of nonsense was this?
"Why would I eat a slave I just bought?"
"B-Because Sword-Tooth Clan folk have this rumor that boiling us in water is good for your health..."
What horrific nonsense.
Hanok trembled like a kitten meeting a stranger for the first time.
'More delicate than I thought.'
Wonder if he could hold his own in combat.
Sword-Tooth Clan were supposed to be battle maniacs.
Looking at Hanok, Leyzon doubted it.
"No plans like that."
"R-Really?"
Leyzon nodded once more.
Only then did Hanok's face relax a bit.
"Anyway, Hanok, are you registered as a Pioneer?"
"Pioneer?"
Hanok blinked his big eyes.
Then he slowly nodded, puzzled.
'Bloodless Sovereign, you madwoman.'
Kidnapping a registered Pioneer and selling him at auction.
Truly the craziest woman in Dungeon Replay.
Guess that's what it takes to be properly insane.
Lesson learned.
"Good. From today, you're my party member. Nice to be working with you."
Hanok seemed timid.
But he was still a Sword-Tooth who'd achieved six Ascensions.
He had to be killer in a fight.
Leyzon smiled, banking on that.
Hanok's face turned pale.
"...Meat shield?"
How'd he jump to that?
[He knows his place.]
Syria agreed for some reason.
Not even close.
"Nothing like that. You're a party member."
"...Then why not just recruit a normal party member?"
'Hits the nail on the head.'
Hanok eyed Leyzon suspiciously.
Timid, but sharp as a tack.
"Hanok, things are really tangled up for me right now. I can't trust just anyone."
Couldn't explain it in a crowded street.
So he brushed it off vaguely and led Hanok onward.
"I don't expect you to trust me yet. First, we'll get you geared up. Pick whatever you need."
Leyzon resolved to raise Hanok as a full-fledged Pioneer companion.
Opportunities to snag a six-Ascension Sword-Tooth didn't come often.
No way he'd pass this up.
So first, polish the goods.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
On the main street.
Hanok trailed obediently behind Leyzon.
He stared at him curiously, like he was some oddity.
'He's a real weirdo.'
He knew full well how slaves were treated.
Ever since the Bloodless Sovereign captured him.
She'd told him:
«If you can't handle slave life and start rampaging, the Shadow Warlord might show up, right? »
Shadow Warlord.
The hero of chaos born from the Sword-Tooth Clan.
And he was Hanok's older brother.
Not by blood, technically.
Back in infancy.
After his parents died in an accident.
The Shadow Warlord's parents had raised him, forging that bond.
Ironically, that's why.
Hanok had avoided the Empire discovering his connection to the Shadow Warlord until now.
Except for one person.
The Bloodless Sovereign had sniffed it out.
'I don't want to be a burden to my brother.'
Hanok clenched his fist.
He'd stood against the Empire for the Sword-Tooth Clan and other non-humans.
The Empire called it treason.
But Hanok knew the truth.
So he'd kept quiet through all the slave treatment.
Even with his timid, trembling nature.
He figured he could endure wherever he was sold.
But now.
He'd heard the last thing he expected.
'If one more of my tails grows here, I can break the slave magic.'
The slave magic on Hanok was cast by a seventh-Ascension mage.
It could be broken once he reached eight Ascensions and grew another tail.
Hanok carefully gripped the bone necklace around his neck.
Of course, he'd have to shatter the precious necklace his brother gave him.
The Bloodless Sovereign was vile.
She must have known and used the slave seal on it.
But Leyzon wouldn't know that far.
'Does he not know I can break the slave seal upon Ascension?'
No, he had to know.
The faint scent wafting from him screamed mage.
'Or maybe he has no intention of letting me Ascend.'
That was possible too.
Still, this was a chance.
He'd have to break the bone necklace.
But if the opportunity arose, he had to seize it.
'Brother would tell me to do it.'
Leyzon and Hanok soon arrived at the gear shop.
"Pick whatever you like."
True to his word, Leyzon told him to go wild.
Hanok looked around the shop.
Lots of expensive gear.
He was Sword-Tooth Clan.
They had a knack for weapons.
Naturally, he lusted after gear too.
Drool pooled in Hanok's mouth.
Leyzon had said pick freely.
'You'll regret giving me a choice.'
He swiftly grabbed the flashiest gauntlets and leather armor.
To survive dungeons, you needed proper gear.
So Hanok boldly chose the priciest, best stuff.
Gear he'd only drooled over as a Pioneer.
"Hmm."
That's when his eyes met Leyzon's.
Seeing Leyzon's subtle look, Hanok rolled his eyes.
Cold sweat beaded on his back.
Had he overstepped with the price?
Guess meat shield it was.
Hanok's brows drooped, tail drooping too.
"That's fine, but swap it for this one."
With that, Leyzon picked something else.
Hanok reluctantly took the black leather armor Leyzon chose.
Then his ears and tail perked up.
'Light.'
And the armpits and vitals were reinforced with chains, better than before.
Clearly pricier.
"Layer this on top."
He handed over shoulder guards, couters, greaves.
For shoulders, elbows, legs.
"These boots are better. And a helmet."
Leyzon added agile boots and a helmet.
Vision might narrow a bit.
But better than a cracked skull.
Loaded with gear, Hanok stood dumbfounded.
No wonder—these were dreams he couldn't touch as a Pioneer.
"Shopkeep, how much for this?"
"Hmm, about 330 gold."
Three times his own sale price.
Hearing it, Hanok's fur bristled.
He froze stiff, creaking.
Astronomical sum to him.
'H-How many meals is that money...'
Too many to count on his fingers.
"Check the fit? We can swap if it doesn't."
"Sure."
"Hanok, go try it on."
What was this guy?
Some noble?
Hanok wandered inside with the owner, dazed.
Soon he emerged fully armored.
Surprisingly light, he clenched and unclenched his fists.
No joint discomfort.
His tail swished happily.
"Mithril-made—light and tough custom gear. You have an eye, sir.
Even Pioneers can't tell steel from mithril."
"Heh, I've got a good eye."
Leyzon grinned, baring teeth.
"Hanok, you know how to use a shield?"
He scanned the shop's shields.
Anticipation lit Hanok's eyes.
Like a kid awaiting Santa on Christmas.
"I can handle anything physical!"
Hanok shouted eagerly.
"Blunt or one-hand spear—which do you prefer?"
"Blades feel better!"
Leyzon picked the shiniest one.
Handed it over.
"Weight okay?"
"A-Amazingly light."
"Haha, mithril shield too!"
The owner beamed ear to ear.
Selling off his pricey unsold stock.
Expected reaction.
"Cash here."
Leyzon paid swiftly.
No hesitation spending.
Like a loaded tycoon with vaults of gold.
Hanok increasingly saw Leyzon as classy.
He reeked of money.
"Oh, honored customer."
The owner caught on, rubbing hands as they wrapped up.
"Pioneers traded these potions instead of cash. Take 'em as a bonus."
"Thanks."
But twinkling at bonuses? Maybe not total tycoon.
Leyzon dragged Hanok out after the quick deal.
"Hanok, too late for dungeon today. Let's eat first."
Then to a restaurant.
Leyzon told him order what he wants, quizzed the waiter on everything.
Slipped a tip; answers flowed politely.
Meanwhile, Hanok ordered.
Hesitant at first, peeking at Leyzon.
No objections, so he got everything he craved.
Food arrived fast.
Hanok shoveled it in busily.
His ears stayed perked.
Leyzon's questions were varied.
Especially lots on worldly knowledge.
'Really some noble's kid?'
But Leyzon was Half Dark Elf.
And, sorry to say, rough-looking even for an elf.
No non-humans were Empire-recognized nobles.
Maybe dark elf chieftain's son?
Ears pricked, Hanok munched the next plates brought.
By the end, belly full.
Hanok slumped in his chair.
Tail slipped out, swishing lazily.
Haven't eaten this well in ages.
Not even as a Pioneer.
'I was always broke.'
Few Pioneers partied with Sword-Tooth.
Risk of Shadow Warlord ties.
So they avoided.
Hanok soloed dungeons mostly.
Low-tiers fine.
But mid-tiers? Soloing all Phantasmal Beasts? Tough.
Kept getting wrecked, armor shattered.
Earnings vanished on repairs and potions.
Once even went in naked.
But now?
Mithril gear, stuffed belly.
Fur felt fluffy from all the good eats.
'Never felt this abundant.'
Hanok's tense face softened.
"Good eats?"
Leyzon asked; Hanok nodded vigorously.
His three tails swished.
'...Leyzon's a good guy.'
Anyone who outfits you and feeds you full is good.
In Hanok's heart, Leyzon was already good people.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Leyzon smiled at Hanok.
'Looks like the first impression stuck.'
Even if the game became reality.
Winning favor anywhere was simple.
Be kind, buy meals.
People show more goodwill than you'd think.
Leyzon knew from experience.
Grew up poor, moved by such gestures often.
Put those lessons to work.
Experience is gold.
"Glad you enjoyed it."
One look at Hanok told him.
His life hadn't been far from poverty.
Unlike reality, here Leyzon was rich.
'Gear and food investments? No sweat.'
Endgame gear would change that.
But way off.
'Bonus: Learned about Shadow Warlord from the staff.'
While Hanok ate, Leyzon grilled the waiter.
One thing confirmed.
'Just make sure Shadow Warlord doesn't show over Hanok.'
Build solid party bonds—no issue.
Shadow Warlord targeted anti-Sword-Tooth folk.
'Stack favor with Hanok right, and Shadow Warlord might view me positively too.'
Could even build positive ties with him.
Great buy, Hanok.
So treat him well from now.
'Favor's easiest to build at the start.'
Leyzon didn't know Hanok was Shadow Warlord's brother.
But ironically, his positive approach.
Was unknowingly forging ties with the Warlord.
"Let's head out. Early start tomorrow."
Exchanging secrets neither knew.
Hanok rose at Leyzon's word.
More kid than slave now, obeying readily.
Trailing Leyzon, Hanok kept flexing his new gauntlets.
Brand new gear had him giddy, grinning.
Leyzon halted abruptly while watching.
Then parted his lips.
"Hanok."
"Y-Yes?"
Hanok looked up; Leyzon stared ahead.
"Three guys tailing us right now."
Hanok froze.
At the same time, he noticed Leyzon's shadow ripple oddly.
An eerie, ominous shadow.
"Don't turn around."
Leyzon stayed calm despite tails.
"The three on us—can you judge their type by scent?"
"Gimme a sec, eyes closed."
Hanok averted from the shadow, chin up.
Walked with Leyzon, eyes slowly shut.
His nose twitched.
Eyes snapped open.
Leyzon caught the shift in Hanok's gaze.
Timid until a second ago.
Now? No trace of frailty.
[Atmosphere's changed.]
As Syria said, total shift.
Those were a hunter's eyes.
"Black market guys."
Hanok's voice rang clear.
Leyzon eyed him steadily.
'Maybe...'
Hanok might be more of a jackpot than thought.
"Same scent as the woman who handed you over earlier?"
Hanok shook his head.
"No, not that scent."
Leyzon's expression eased.
"Got it?"
Thought the Bloodless Sovereign had gone senile.
Good, she hadn't.
Worried for nothing.
Leyzon cracked his neck.
"Hanok."
He drew the Fierce Poison Fang from his thigh sheath.
Grinned sharply.
"Wanna work off that meal with some exercise?"
Teach those fearless thieves a lesson.
And test Hanok's skills.