Chapter 6

During the day I started preparing for tonight. Since Ben was always outside during the day, it was impossible to even get out of the forest. I wondered if he stood there in purpose just in case I try to go out or if he os actually doing work.

In my bag, was a small notepad that had all the things I planned on buying.

-Mana Potions

-Herbs

-Tools

-Mana Stones

I wasn't so sure just how much these items would cost, knowing that Region 5 gets all the magical items they have from other regions. I've tried looking around the cabin for some items, but either Ben and Sally had already hid it or they didn't have any in the first place.

Night was soon coming, I felt a bit guilty leaving the cabin without their permission so i've spent the rest of the day helping the two around the cabin.

I opened the door to my room slowly trying not to make any sudden noises, I then peeked a little in the small space on my door, seeing that no one was in the living room, I tiptoed my way out of the cabin.

However. Before I could even make my way onto the forest,

"Sal, Where are you going?"

It was Ben.

I shot my head towards the direction of the voice and I saw Ben sitting on the tree log he had always used to chop wood, he stared blankly at me, as if he already knew everything.

"I-It's not what you thi-"

"Are you going to the Village?"

"…"

Realizing that he already knew far much about my plan, I stood there dejected and also scared.

Ben saw the guilt and shame that flashed on my face as I lowered my head. He simply sighed deeply and stood up.

"Follow me."

He then started walking into the woods, not knowing what else to do, I followed closely behind him.

A few minutes had already passed, yet we were still walking, and Ben was unusually more quiet. He would at times give me advice about certain things we came across, but now, it was total silence between the two of us and I did not dare breaking that silence.

As I awaited our destination, Ben suddenly stopped from his tracks and turned his head a little bit to the right,

"Do not let Sally know I showed you this."

I looked at him confused and to what was now in front of us, it was just a bunch of leaves, now that I look carefully, the placed leaves seemed too organized to be natural.

Before I could even think of what that meant, Ben pushed the leaves aside and on the other side was a site I truly did not expect to see…

It was an auction.

A masked man stood on top of a wooden stage, dressed quite formal despite being in the woods. In front of the stage were hundreds of also masked men and women, unlike the man on the stage the people in the audience had unique designs and patterns on their masks. They were all dressed in Elegant clothing that stood out in these woods even more.

My eyes were distracted by the out of place individuals that I did not even notice that certain person also on stage. Unlike the people in the audience, this person only wore ragged clothes, when my eyes laid upon what was on this person's neck, I could feel a shiver crawling up my spine.

A chain, and the end of this chain was held by the person talking on the stage. I wished I could hear what they were all saying.

Ben then placed both of his hands on my ears, I then felt a sudden flow of something into my body, and before I knew it I could already hear the voices closely, I turned towards Ben, ready to ask what he just did but as I saw him completely focused on what was in front of us, I too focused.

From the audience in front of the stage I heard various shouting from the people, they all yelled out big numbers to the man who held onto the chain who was blistfully smiling pointing what seemed to be a stick to whoever would yell out an even bigger number. The saif person on the chain in the other hand, looked empty. But for me, I could see the slight jolting of this person was the numbers being yelled out keeps getting bigger and bigger.

I felt disgusted, I've heard of these said "auctions" even back in my world, but to see it upclose is a whole other experience. Perhaps hearing it is truly too difference than seeing it with my own eyes.

My entire focus is was completely on the person chained, this person's appearance was unique, their skin was tanned yet their eyes were as blue as the day sky, their curly hair only further making their appearance unique.

A thought flashed through my mind, as a certain fear now developed into me.

What if I was the chained person on that stage?