Ren opened his eyes. "…This feels refreshing," he muttered, stretching like a cat as the last remnants of exhaustion melted away. It was like waking up reborn, leaving all the chaos of yesterday behind.
He glanced to his side. Lucia was still sleeping, arms curled around him, soft breathing barely audible.
Ren's hand drifted to her head, fingers brushing through her hair. He murmured under his breath, "…Adorable…" A small smile tugged at his lips.
He turned his gaze forward. The screen floated silently, waiting. "Oh! Totally forgot about this," he said, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin.
He pushed himself up from the bed, squinting at the floating interface. "Alright, let's see what we got."
[ Skill - Grim Reaper Of Death ]
[ Description - Can reap a soul of any creature as long as it is infected. The soul can be used to possess an object with that soul completely controlled under the user as long the user is dominant. Chances of reaping a soul depend upon how much the target is damaged, the more the better. Can be used once. The special traits will be transferred with the soul. ]
[ USE ]
[ STORE ]
"…WTF!?" he exclaimed, eyes wide.
"Who made this a bronze skill? This is straight-up gold rank!" A mix of shock and excitement danced across his face. Jackpot. Pure, unfiltered jackpot.
He shrugged, tapping the "STORE" option with casual confidence. The skill card shimmered and vanished into the air.
[ 1/2 skill card stored ]
Ren leaned back, smirking. "…Who cares about ranks anyway? It's mine now. And that's all that matters."
He dressed quickly, the motions almost automatic, when suddenly a card slipped from his pocket.
He caught it mid-fall, eyes narrowing. "…What's this?" he murmured, staring at the black card. It was the same one the old man had handed him when he first entered the city. Bold letters read: Throne's Slave & Beauty.
Shrugging, he slid it back into his pocket. I don't have any plans today… he thought, and I've got way too much money burning a hole in my pocket. Why not check this out?
He reached for the door, pushing it open with a confident motion.
CREAK—!!
But at the last second, he froze. His eyes flicked toward Lucia.
He exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. "Phew… looks like she didn't wake up," he murmured, easing the door the rest of the way open.
Stepping into the hallway, he moved with calm purpose, leaving the hotel behind and following the address scribbled on the card.
[ Where are you going? ]
"Oh… it's you again," he said, irritation creeping into his tone for a moment before he smoothed it over.
"Going to check out some slaves," he said, expression flat, voice casual as if it were the most mundane thing in the world.
[ Why slave store? Isn't that girl enough for you!? Hehe ]
"SHUT UP! Your damn mouth," Ren snapped, irritation clear in his voice.
"I just said I'm checking out, not buying anything," he added, tossing a glare over his shoulder.
[ Same thing. ]
"Why you—" Ren growled, half-raising a hand as if he could actually smash Trash, even though that was impossible.
They moved down the road, footsteps echoing against the cobblestones.
CLACK-CLACK—!! CLACK-CLACK—!!
Ren kept his eyes forward, ignoring Trash's teasing while Trash muttered under his breath.
They passed a small street vendor, and Ren stopped. "Hmm… snacks?" he said, glancing at the display.
He picked a few up, tossing one in his mouth.
CRUNCH—!!
[ …Ugh, seriously? ] Trash muttered, a hint of envy in his tone.
Ren smirked. "What's the matter, jealous?" He popped another snack into his mouth, crunching loudly.
CRUNCH-CRUNCH—!!
[ …You're horrible, you know that? ]
"Of course I am. You love it." Ren said with a grin, tossing a third snack into his mouth.
MUNCH—!! MUNCH—!!
They kept walking, Trash grumbling in the background, Ren munching happily, seemingly oblivious to the system's silent envy.
After a few more blocks, Ren finally stopped, glancing at the destination in front of him.
"Here we are," he said, eyes glinting with curiosity. "Let's see what we've got."
Ren pushed the door open. The place wasn't grand by any means—tables scattered unevenly, bottles filled with strange, murky fluids lined the shelves, some with odd shapes floating inside. The air smelled faintly of alcohol and chemicals, mixed with something faintly metallic.
Ren murmured, "…Is this really a slave store… or something else?" His voice carried confusion.
From behind a dark curtain, a man stepped out. "Oh! Look who we have here," he said, a grin spreading across his face as he eyed Ren.
The man had blonde hair, striking but not exaggerated, a good physical build—not bulky, not skinny. His face was handsome, sharp, with tan skin and a casual cap pulled low, a Hawaiian shirt open at the collar. He looked like he'd stepped out of some magazine, mid-twenties at most.
Ren internally groaned. Who is this handsome brat…?
[ Do you know him? ]
He murmured, "Do you think I'd know a handsome blondy in my life?"
[ I guess I know the answer. ]
Ren straightened, eyes narrowing. "Who are you!?" He wanted answers fast—this guy talking like they were old friends? Not happening.
The man blinked, feigning shock. "What!? Did you forget me, my friend? Don't you remember? We met at the city entrance."
Ren's face remained deadpan. "I never met a tan, handsome blondy in my life. And I'm damn sure about it."
The man twitched slightly, his grin faltering. "…Ah! I see." He pivoted, moving toward a pile of boxes in the corner, rifling through them with precise, practiced motions.
[ What is he doing? ]
Ren muttered, "Like I would have an idea!"
RUSTLE—!! CLINK—!! THUMP—!!
Soon, the man's hands held a thin gray beard near his face with one hand, a cane in the other.
Ren's eyes widened. "Wait—!? That's a cane and that beard… I know it!" he muttered, already guessing who it was.
"So… you finally know who I am, right?" the blondy said, smirking.
Ren crossed his arms. "You're the rich old geezer right!?"
The blondy grinned, tossing the beard and cane aside. "Indeed I am… that rich old—whatever." He paused, shaking his head to stop before insulting himself further.
He leaned forward slightly. "Now, let me introduce myself properly. You can call me Julius. And if you're here… smirk forming… do you want to buy a slave?"
Ren raised an eyebrow. "I'm still curious why you were cosplaying back then, but that's for later. Right now, I'm just here to check your goods—see if anything catches my interest."
Julius's grin widened. "Ah, so looks like I was right. You need something… interesting. Can I know your preference?"
"Preference?" Ren frowned, clearly confused.
"I mean… battle-oriented, support, something just for show… or perhaps… something good in bed," Julius added with a teasing grin.
Ren flinched, hands raising slightly. "Stop! Stop! I just want something that can support me in battle."
He thought to himself, Never imagined they'd be used like this… whatever. I don't really need help in battle, and I'm definitely not looking for a sex slave.
I'm just here to check things out—but if I can get backup in a fight, that wouldn't hurt.
Julius chuckled softly. "That's exactly what I expected from you." His tone carried a faint trace of disappointment beneath the laugh.
Ren looked around the small store, unimpressed. "But… you don't look like you have anything here."
[ Definitely not even worth checking… ]
Ren thought, eyes deadpan . Just… what the hell? Is Trash actually thinking?
Julius held up his hands apologetically. "Sorry about that. I don't have anything here today—for a good reason."
Ren shrugged, already heading for the door. "Alright, I'm leaving." He wasn't fazed by Julius's words. Maybe I'll check other places…
Julius panicked slightly, stepping forward. "Wait! I said I don't have anything here today for a reason!"
Ren glanced back with a carefree smirk. "And that's why I'm leaving."
Before he could step fully out, Julius pressed something into his hand—a thick, elegant invitation. "You can get something more interesting if you come tonight, my friend," he said, smiling.
Ren flipped the invitation once in his hand, smirk forming. "You should've said that sooner," he said, grinning as he walked out.
WHOOSH—!!
CLINK—!!