Year 7442, Month 6, Day 2

Accompanied by Zenom and Ralpha I tried heading towards the slave trader. The first one is "Tani's Slave Company". This store deals only in combat slaves for

exploring the dungeon and that's the part where it differs from the other places. I think that something like a combat slave exclusive store would probably only be

able to survive in this town? However, since it's a specialty store I think we can hold our hopes up for the quality of the goods.

The appearance of the store "Tani Company" was a lot more compact than I imagined. Though it's compact that's just compared to the large inns like the one I'm

staying at or the huge stores opened up near the center of one of the eight roads. The owner of the store is an old gnome man who's name is just like the store Tani.

When I showed the Marquis Webdos plate while telling him "I came to find one combat slave" he got close while rubbing his hands together. It seems he has a stock of

12 combat slaves right now. I can choose whatever I please.

I was humming to myself about a mysterious bird, water G.o.d, and black panther running the land while sitting on the sofa waiting for the slaves to be prepared and

the other two were looking at me with a weird face. I'm sure a high-school girl wouldn't get it.

After a short while I guess the preparations were done since Tani returned. We followed after Tani and were allowed into a different room. It was a wide room the

size of about 20 tatami and the slaves were lined up against the wall inside. I guess he means to choose from the 12 slaves lined up here.

Hmm, you can't really say the clothes they're wearing is very good but they all have good builds. For the time being I need to Identify the men and check what their

level and abilities are. If I don't accurately understand the abilities of my own possessions then I'll end up troubled when the time comes that I need to use them.

But I'm sure the combat abilities of the women are low so I'll skip them. The first one. A human woman. Her face is decent but I'm sure she's weak since she's a

woman so I don't need her. It's not as if I think it's a waste of MP. If there's no one among the men that seems useful then I'll put her into the potential options

though.

The second one is a human male. His level is 9. His age is 32 years old. Hmph.

The third one is a human male. Level is 8. Age is 27 years old. Considering the growth of their age I think this one should be better than the last? For now he's

candidate one.

The four one was a male dwarf. Level is 10. Age is 34 years old. Hmn.

The fifth one is the same a male dwarf. Level is 9. Age is 31 years old. Mwu.

The sixth is a female dwarf this time. Pa.s.s.

The seventh is a female gnome. Pa.s.s.

The eight is a wolf-person male. Level is 8. Age is 27 years old. Wolf-people have the racial Special Skill as the dog-people race that is "Super Sense of Smell".

For the time being I'll change this guy to the temporary first candidate.

The ninth one is a Bunny-man male, his level is 7. Age is 29 years old. Though "Super Hearing" might be useful. I'm sure it's no good.

The tenth one is a female elf. She's beautiful but pa.s.s.

The eleventh one is the same female elf. This one is beautiful as well but pa.s.s.

The twelfth one is a Tiger-man male.

His level is 10. Age is 28 years old. Both of his racial skills {Night Vision} and {Strength} might be useful. Going off of his

level and age he might be the best choice.

Hmn, if there was a Panther-race person with black fur then it would be good to name him Rodem but I don't know if that sort of race exists when my limited info.

It's my fabrication. I go in front of the tiger-man and observe him once again. His condition is Good. Obviously he's not missing any limbs or fingers. I wonder what

I should do~ Incidentally, none of them could use magic. The women? Even if they could use magic I'm sure it's nothing great so I'd prefer someone who can fight. I'm

pa.s.sing on the women until I'm rich. Ah, I didn't ask the price.

"How much is this guy?"

And as I asked Tani is still rubbing his palms together. Zenom is just standing there watching with his arms crossed. I don't get what Ralpha is doing but she's

saying "open your mouth and show me your teeth" in an arrogant voice. What is she saying?

"As expected you have a good eye, just as you can see he's a non-human but he's powerful and can move quickly. Since he's also trained with the sword he can

immediately be included as combat potential."

and he said that. Since they're combat slaves if they weren't capable of fighting right away then wouldn't it be fraud? I think that this guy would be good but I

somehow feel like this guy doesn't touch my heartstrings.

"About the price but how about 9,700,000 Z?"

Expeeensive! If I buy his equipment as well then it exceeds 11,000,000 Z. If I buy this guy then it would be a pain until I make the profits back. But, there's still

two more slave traders. It's fine if I don't rush. It's not too late to go and confirm if there's a slave that interests me more at the other two places I'm sure.

"Hmn. Can I reserve him for today?"

I tried asking.

"Reserve..huh? I guess that's fine. I'll keep him reserved for today. However, if I don't get any contact today then he might be sold by tomorrow."

Tani said that with a sullen face. That can't be helped. It can't be helped showing a good face to a slave trader.

"Zenom, Ralpha, we're going to go to the other places...Hey, Ralpha, let's go."

After saying that we left "Tani Company". Next up we'll try going to "Riggus Company" I guess.

By the way when I tried asking Ralpha "Why were you looking at their teeth?" she said "In the past, I saw something somewhere. When you buy a slave you check their

teeth to make sure they're healthy." Do you really get it? I'm not a dentist so even if I look I wouldn't know. I've never heard of anyone getting cavities as well.

They don't just deal in combat slaves at "Riggus Company" but also in slaves of all normal uses. It's meaningless looking at the extras so I said to just show me the

combat slaves and they were lined up again. There were five of them but among them four were women and the remaining one was a 40-ish old man. I don't need one who's

abilities have started to decline from age. This store is no good.

Finally we tried going to "The Slave Store, Ronslail". This store deals in general purpose slaves as well. But, there's an expression that there's a fortune in the

leftovers. I'm sure I can't hope for too much but, it's fine, I'll take a look. We entered "Ronslail" and called out to the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper was a female elf. She seems to be in her early 40s. Just as expected from and elf her appearance is still that of a s.h.i.+ning beauty and it gives her an

appropriate presence for her to be called madam. After the madam closely looked at my plate,

"I just received a good combat slave."

And after saying that she went into the back but quickly came back out and said to follow her. I guess she's going to line them up and show us again.

After going into another room just as expected the slaves were lined up and waiting again. There's eight of them but they're all women. How useless. But, I guess as

expected it's easy for female combat slaves to be leftover. Just when I was starting to think it's already fine if it's a woman another one was added. It's a man.

When I got right to identifying him and,

【Dadino.Zulu/28/5/7442 Dadino.Zulu/20/7/7422 】

【Male/24/5/7421 ・ Lion-People Race ・ Ronslail Family Owned Slave】

【Status：Normal】

【Age： 21 Years Old】

【Level： 6】

【HP： 100(100)　MP： 5(5)】

【Strength： 16】

【Speed： 17】

【Dexterity： 11】

【Endurance： 15】

【Special Ability： Small Magic】

【Special Ability： Instant Speed】

【Special Ability： Night Vision】

【Experience： 37082(43000)】

Hmm, a Lion-People race {Lios} huh? His level is reasonable but it's good that he's young. His build is good as well. What the, his name isn't leon? or lion? or

something. I thought he was the disciple of Kas.h.i.+n Koji*.

"Instant Speed" is a skill that increases your strength and speed for the same amount of points as your level for an instant. There's no level for the skill itself

but the duration is the same number of seconds as your body level and has a recast time of the same amount as your body level in hours. You can't use it in

succession and while it gets more powerful as you level the amount of time you can't use it increases as well. However, it could be considered an advantageous skill

when it's needed in close combat. It wasn't written on the identify window whether or not HP is also increased during the time the abilities are increased. Well,

even if it did increase it would be for only a few seconds so I'm sure it's meaningless. I intentionally squinted while scrutinizing and looking at him,

"Can he speak in the {Common Language}?"

And tried asking the madam.

"Yes, but of course. This man is a prisoner that was captured in the conflict with Devas Kingdom the other day. Since it seems he was a soldier for Devas Kingdom he

should be able to use a weapon as well."

Madam.Ronslail said that while smiling.

I see, so this guy became a slave after becoming captured as a war prisoner. I guess they didn't pay for his ransom. Judging off of the date on his last naming

ceremony it's only been a few days since he became a slave. I guess this area is where I should negotiate.

"Is it fine if I test him out a bit? Ah, in the case that I injure him I'll heal him."

After saying that I looked at Madam.Ronslail.

"Please do, test him out as much as you please."

Madam.Ronslail said that consenting to it. I guess that means I don't need to hold back. I look at Madam.Ronslail while using the spell {Ice Gravel} sending some

small rocks of ice flying at the Lios slave. The ice rock hit the slaves left arm. I was aiming for the pit of his stomach on his body so I guess that means he was

able to react. Hmm, this is plenty. The slave made a face that he was surprised I suddenly used magic to aim at him but immediately made a face that he was

displeased. Alright this is good.

"Since it seems I injured him I'll heal him."

After saying that I approached the slave and used healing magic to immediately fix his injured left arm. This time I didn't try to surprise them but took my time

pretending to slowly use magic on him. Even after being healed the slave continued to make a displeased expression. Hmhmm. I turn around and look at Madam.Ronslail

and,

"Come to think of it, I haven't asked what the price was yet."

after saying that, this time I pretended to show interest in the female slaves this time.

"His price is 8,000,000 Z. Since he was a soldier and can use a weapon after all."

A bit of impatience appeared in the madam's tone of voice.

"What's going on with his discipline? It seems that he's displeased?"

and said that. Even then the madam said, "Of course, he's been disciplined as a slave" without panicking but her tone has gotten a little faster.

"I see, then, what's the price of her over there?"

I say that while pointing at the 30 year old or so woman who seems like she has the most power among the ones lined up.

"She's 6,500,000 Z. Of course she's been properly disciplined as well."

It's only a bit but I can see the madam is starting to hurry. Around here should be good.

"Hmn, I guess so. Since I want to maintain a good relations.h.i.+p with your store from now on.."

After I said that I knew that the madam swallowed some saliva.

"I guess I'll buy at the asking price here. I'll go with him the Lios."

The madam's face suddenly got more cheerful. And then,

"Thank you very much. We'll take care of the small formalities in this room over here. Furthermore, if you intend to do the naming ceremony after tomorrow then we

can make the request from this store, is there a time you want to set it for?"

And asked me that.

"I understand, I'll try asking. Hey, Ralpha, try asking him as much as you can think to ask."

After saying that I followed after the madam into a different room and we produced the contract. After finis.h.i.+ng the procedures and making payment, we returned to

the original room and Ralpha and the Lios man were talking about something. Hmm, it seems she's properly obeying what I said. How admirable. It seems that Zenom is

talking about the latest news with the female dwarf. Well, I'm sure they have plenty to talk about among the same race. I call out to them and tell them we're

leaving this store then turned around. We need to go and prepare the equipment for the Lios after all.

After we left the store I asked Ralpha.

"And, what was his weapon?"

"Eh? I don't know."

She said it completely carelessly.

"Huh? Eh? What were you talking about?"

"Umm you know, that Lios said he likes sweet things!"

She says while laughing out loud. Something like that doesn't matter at all!

"Also, it seems he was a commoner in the Kingdom of Devas. He was captured in the conflict the other day. His father died and it seems his older brother was returned

with ransom though. He has bad luck as well right."

I think my luck is pretty bad having to accompany you as well... Just as expected of a mysterious bird, you're bird-brained.

"Al, I asked him about things like that. It seems he uses a two-hand sword. Since I'm sure we can't prepare armor for a while either way he's fine without it for

now, is what I guess it will be."

Oh~ as expected of Posei, Zenom. Guys that are actually reliable are different.

"I see, got it. Then let's head to the blacksmith."

After saying that I started walking towards the blacksmith. I was safely able to buy a two-hand sword for 1,200,000 Z and while we were at it we also went and bought

some cotton string as well. The string was cheap at 540 Z per 100 M roll or so. It was a pain so I bought 10 reels.

I ate dinner together with the two of them and we started plotting out our actions and positions in the dungeon when we go after tomorrow, probably the day after

tomorrow. We made the decision of going to the edge of the town after we go to the temple early in the morning and finish his naming ceremony, then we'll check out

his combat abilities and do a bit of training in terms of cooperating with each other. After that I decided to return to my inn right away and sleep for today.

As I lay down in bed I suddenly realized. What should I do about the inn for that Lios bro? Well, I guess the same inn as Ralpha and Zenom would be fine. Thinking

that way it's convenient that they're staying at a cheap inn.

Year 7442, Month 6, Day 3

In the early morning I went to "Slave Store, Ronslail" and along with the Lios slave and a servant of the store we went to the temple. I thought there was something

special to the naming ceremony of slaves but it wasn't any different from the normal naming ceremony.

【Dadino.Zulu/3/6/7442 Dadino.Zulu/28/5/7442】

【Male/24/5/7421 ・ Lion-People Race ・ Viscount Greed Family Owned Slave】

After confirming that his status was safely changed I handed him the sword. When I asked him if this would be good and after playing around with it in his hand and

checking the balance he replied "This seems to be durable so it's plenty." He's not making the displeased expression he was yesterday. Then I talked with Zulu as we

started on our way towards the leather craftsman store in order to make adjustments for some armor for him.

Rather than his name it's easier to call him by his family name, since it's like the phonetic code.

"I'm sure you already know about me but I'll introduce myself once again. My name is Alan Greed. I'll be working together with you from now on."

And then he was a bit surprised but immediately replied to me.

"My name is Dadino Zulu. I'll be in your care from now on. Master."

Oh, so he comes out with the master. Yeah, it's not half bad.

"Yeah, same here. By the way, is it fine to call you Zulu? Somehow your family name has a better sound than your name. Ah, if you don't like it then feel free to say

it."

"Ah, yes. There's no problem. I'm happy since I am proud of my family name."

I see, that's great.

After ordering some leather armor at the leather craftsman's shop, he picked out some that was close to his size and then started measuring Zulu's body to check his

sizes. He's pretty tall and his height is close to 190 cm. Lining up with the Tiger-man, Lios is a race with large builds. Though that means he'll use lots of

leather to cover that area so I wonder if it'll be more expensive? I was a bit worried about it but even if the price changed a bit at most it's probably a few ten

thousand Z. I realized it would be idiotic to get stingy at this point over this amount as I watched the artisan take Zulu's measurements.

After that we headed towards the gra.s.sland at the edge of the town where I promised to meet Zenom and Ralpha yesterday. In order to check Zulu's abilities and

confirm our ability to cooperate.

Zulu's abilities matched up just right to his level. I guess it's because he trained for quite a while as soldier, he seemed one step behind Ralpha who was used to

live combat but if we follow-up with him then I'm sure he'll be fine.

By the way, about Ralpha but before I realized it she's learned Void Magic. Since there was no experience in the Special Skill I don't know if she's realized it

herself or not. It seems the chances are high that she learned it between last night and this morning. Since she was injured while I noticed it when it was necessary

to use identify on her. I indirectly told her to try using magic and she was able to make a small fire without problem. But, since there's the problem of exhausting

her MP so I told her to limit it to once per day for now. I told her that once her Void Magic level goes up and she's learned a new elemental magic skill she should be fine using

it a few more times per day.

Author's note: Since it's Xmas Eve I gave Al a slave as a present. (Though he had to buy it so it's not a present.) The reason the Identify of the females wasn't done is a secret for now. Also, here's the stats of the sword for Zulu:

【b.a.s.t.a.r.d Sword】

【Iron】

【State:Good】

【Manufacture Date:19/10/7441】

【Value:119000】

【Endurance:820】

【Ability:140-230】

【Effect:None】