Regina, human-dragon hybrid, born with divine strength and a powerful constitution.
Unfortunately, being different, she'd been ostracized basically her whole life.
Only low-level dragons could produce offspring with human women, because high-level dragons were easily tens of meters to hundreds of meters in size. Expecting those big guys to do certain unspeakable things with humans, well, let's just say that's very difficult.
That's common knowledge.
So as a low-level dragon, possibly even the product of some ugly giant lizard and a human woman, Regina naturally received disgust and rejection from most people.
From what the audience shouted after losing money, you could tell that the so-called Black Dragon Valkyrie was just a gimmick. Nobody acknowledged the status of these warriors and mages in the dark arena.
They were just tools for people to watch and vent their emotions on.
Of course, beast tamers were excluded from this.
Beast tamer dark arenas only held beast tamer competitions. The costs and equipment weren't something ordinary small capitalists could afford.
Besides, the prestige of beast tamers in dark arenas wasn't affected at all.
Beast tamers who fought in dark arenas basically didn't do it for anything else but one thing: money.
The returns were extremely, extremely high. Nothing like these exploitative dark arenas where people fought people or people fought beasts.
Beast tamer dark arena contracts were employment cooperation, while warrior and mage contracts were basically no different from indentured servitude.
A week ago, right after arriving here, after watching a match where Regina fought three opponents and won, Leon noticed this mixed-blood warrior woman.
A four-star warrior who could display combat power comparable to a five-star warrior.
After observing for a few more days, especially after today's match, Leon made his decision.
She was the one.
….
"Boss, a customer wants to see you. Says he has a big deal for you."
"Big deal? What's his name?"
"He didn't say his name, but he said he's a beast tamer."
A beast tamer?
Buck, who was sitting in his chair reviewing documents, thought for a moment and still decided to have his secretary show the person in.
"Hello, owner of the Black Thorn Arena. My name is Leon. I'm here because I want to make a deal with you."
After entering the room, Leon got straight to the point about his purpose.
At the same time, he opened a faint spatial rift, proving his identity as a beast tamer.
Though he didn't recognize this black-haired young man, Buck was a businessman with excellent people skills. He immediately smiled warmly.
"Oh? What kind of business do you want to do with me?"
"The Black Dragon Valkyrie. I want that woman."
Huh?
Leon's blunt, somewhat domineering personality made Buck pause.
This young man seemed composed and unhurried. Probably a noble from some major family.
But what did he want with that dragon woman? Did this guy have some kind of special fetish?
Given Regina's lowly status, Buck naturally couldn't guess Leon's true intentions. He even started thinking the wrong way...
But looking at how loaded the guy seemed, money not taken is money wasted.
"You're interested in that dragon woman? But Regina is the signature attraction of our Black Thorn Arena. What kind of price are you thinking?"
Though Regina was indeed strong and had good draw, she wasn't irreplaceable. Warriors and mages in dark arenas could kick the bucket any time. They had no fan loyalty.
More like three-minute wonders. Yesterday's champion is tomorrow's nobody.
So Buck wanted to make this deal.
"Ten thousand."
"What!?" Buck's eyes went round as saucers, his face full of disbelief.
But seeing the other party's casual manner, not seeming to be joking at all, he actually laughed in anger.
"Are you here to mess with me?"
If not for the beast tamer status and not knowing the guy's background, Buck would've already had someone "escort" Leon out.
A million and he might've agreed on the spot. Ten thousand was obviously bullshit.
"Don't misunderstand. Ten thousand is just a little token gesture. What's important is, I'll give you a condition you can't refuse."
That confident look made Buck's heart skip.
"What exactly do you mean?"
While speaking, he also gave his bodyguard a look.
He thought the other party was going to get rough.
But Leon didn't react. He calmly stood up, walked in front of Buck, leaned down, and whispered a few words in his ear.
"What? You can really...!?"
As if realizing something, Buck excitedly stood up, steadied his emotions, and waved his hand, actually sending everyone else out of the room.
"Can you really... cure my condition?"
"We can do the treatment right now. Immediate results."
Half an hour later, Leon was respectfully escorted out of the office by Buck.
"Alright, I'll come back tomorrow. If there are no problems, just prepare the relevant contract documents for me."
"Rest assured, I'll definitely have them ready. But... that Regina, she's got quite a temper."
Buck's face was now glowing red, like he'd encountered some great fortune. His respectful attitude left the secretary and bodyguards stunned.
"I have my ways."
After saying that, Leon left.
Before coming to negotiate, he'd already spent some money collecting important information.
Money was a good thing, but for certain people, perhaps some things were more valuable than money.
Like this Buck, who was disabled and had sought medical help for years without results. This was basically his biggest worry.
And having learned the Supreme Clarity Restoration Arts, Leon naturally found this entry point.
A few acupuncture techniques plus elixirs, and Buck finally felt some effects!
This arena owner nearly cried from excitement.
Of course, he still needed to go back and see if he was cured, so the two agreed to meet again tomorrow.
A day later, Leon arrived as promised. Seeing Buck, glowing with health and coming out to greet him personally, he knew it had worked.
"My benefactor, you're too amazing. Last night I... heh heh."
With an admiring thumbs up toward Leon, everything was understood without words.
The so-called ten thousand token payment naturally wouldn't be collected. This deal, Leon completed without spending a dime.
…..
Knock! Knock! Knock!
After the knocking, nearly ten seconds passed before a cold voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Seeing the unfamiliar young man push the door open, Regina, who'd been lying on the bed, immediately sat up with a start.
"Who are you?!"
As she spoke, the large halberd by the wall was already gripped in her hand, instantly entering combat mode.
When Regina first heard the knocking, she hadn't reacted, because staff members who came to her place were never this polite.
She didn't expect an actual stranger to come in.
Leon didn't mind her cautious demeanor and looked around with interest at everything.
The room was only about four hundred square feet, but it had the necessary facilities. Though simple, it was clean and tidy.
Since Regina was a signature fighter for the Black Thorn Arena, she had her own private room. Compared to those cannon fodder fighters, her conditions were pretty good.
After scanning the surroundings, Leon placed his gaze, without any hesitation, on this Black Dragon Valkyrie before him...