Chapter 27

Leylin wandered through the market, carefully observing the flow of people and the goods being traded, he even bought a few vials of blood of some beasts and other creatures from a potion shop.

His previous encounter at Gandor's Grocery Shop had given him much to think about, but for now, he was focused on something else—finding better opportunities.

As he walked near the entrance, a group of children clamored around the passersby, their eyes hopeful.

"Sir! Do you need a guide? I only require one magic crystal!" a thin voice called out.

Leylin turned his gaze toward the source. A small girl in a white dress stood before him, her eyes bright yet cautious.

"Yes, quite in fact. I was waiting for you," Leylin replied smoothly.

The girl blinked in surprise before her face lit up with joy. "Ahh… Th-Thank you! Sir, I am extremely familiar with this place!"

Leylin tossed a magic crystal to her, his expression neutral. "Take me to the upper-tier area."

The girl hesitated for a moment, glancing around as if to check if anyone had overheard. "You mean… the second level?" she asked softly.

"Obviously," Leylin said, his tone unyielding.

He had spent enough time in this market to understand its structure. Despite the variety of goods available, it always felt like something was missing. Certain rare and valuable resources were entirely absent, and he suspected that the real trade happened in more exclusive places—places that weren't accessible to just anyone.

The girl nervously clutched the hem of her dress. "Since you know about the second level, then you should also understand that if you don't have an item worth over 1,000 magic crystals or a guarantor, you will be denied entry."

Leylin's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Lead the way."

The girl lowered her head and quickly began walking, her small figure darting through the streets with practiced ease. Leylin followed without hurry, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings.

Eventually, they arrived at a narrow, deserted alley. The girl approached an old, cracked wall and bent down, picking up a small stone. With a practiced motion, she knocked it against a specific corner of the wall.

Bang!

The wall shifted, revealing a dark underground passage leading below the market.

"Here it is," the girl whispered. Her voice carried a trace of fear.

Leylin remained silent and stepped inside. The girl hesitated for a moment before following, leading him down the dimly lit stairs. The deeper they went, the heavier the air became, thick with an ominous presence.

Minutes later, they reached a heavy metal door guarded by two men in blood-red robes. Their energy waves pulsed with restrained menace, and their bodies carried the faint scent of death, both were probably level 3 acolytes, and they each carried magic artifacts.

The girl approached them hesitantly, whispering something before stepping back. She curtsied to Leylin. "Most respected Sir, I can only lead you this far."

Then, without waiting for a response, she turned and fled, disappearing back up the stairs.

Leylin watched her go with mild amusement. 'Afraid, are we?'

One of the red-robed acolytes stepped forward. His voice was cold and devoid of emotion. "An item of proof, or an item worth at least 1,000 magic crystals."

Leylin could feel something lurking behind their words—an unseen force that carried the weight of countless deaths. It reminded him of Abyssal Bone Forest Academy.

'It's best not to reveal my identity.' he thought. Even within the academy, factions clashed in secret despite the dire situation of the academy, and an exposed identity could invite trouble.

Instead, he tossed over a small sack containing 10 high-grade magic crystals.

The acolyte caught it, inspected the contents briefly, then tossed the sack back to Leylin. Without a word, he pushed open the heavy door behind him.

Leylin stepped inside.

As the door closed behind him with a metallic thud, he finally took in his surroundings.

This underground marketplace was much smaller than the one above, consisting of a single street. The air was thick with a strange mixture of scents—incense, blood, and something darker. Unlike the crowded upper market, there was an eerie quiet here.

Magi moved with careful precision, their energy waves barely restrained. The weakest among them were level 3 acolytes, each one exuding a dangerous aura. And scattered among them were fully-fledged Magi, their very presence commanding a different level of attention.

Leylin inhaled deeply, his lips curling into a smirk. Now this… this is the real market.

His eyes swept across the various stalls and shops lining the street. Unlike the common wares above, the items here were far more sinister. Bottles of bubbling, unknown liquids. Cursed artifacts humming with barely contained power. Preserved limbs of strange creatures, their origins best left unknown.

What caught his attention most, however, were the slaves.

Suddenly, Leylin heard noisy clamouring voices. He tracked these voices and found—"Slave market?"

What Leylin saw in front of him was a large fenced area. Many stark naked slaves were standing behind fences. Their faces showed either numb indifference or extreme humiliation as they let the acolytes and Magi take their pick.

In one corner, a row of cages held various figures—humans, beastmen, and even a few humanoid creatures with unnatural features. Their eyes were empty, their spirits broken. Some Magi stopped to inspect them, poking and prodding as if examining livestock.

Leylin exhaled slowly, his fingers tracing the pouch of magic crystals at his waist.

'I love this world. As long as you have the money to buy slaves, you can do whatever you want with them. No one cares…'

The slaves were all raised or controlled by Magi. This ensured their absolute obedience and functionality, making them reliable assets rather than liabilities.

"Sir! What do you think? Do you need a female slave for your bed?" A grinning slaver stepped forward, his voice oozing with enthusiasm. "Look at these! Good quality, some even of noble birth!"

He patted the ample breasts of a group of female slaves behind him, sending ripples through their exposed flesh. The dozen women behind him were completely naked, their bodies flawless, their skin smooth, and their figures exquisitely maintained. Despite their degradation to mere merchandise, their noble lineage was evident in their dignified bearing.

"Nobles?" Leylin raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Please don't worry, these women are the remnants of fallen houses. Their families have been executed, their fiefdoms seized. They are legally considered dead, so no one will come looking for them." The trader's smug expression grew even more pronounced.

Leylin's gaze drifted toward a young noblewoman being dragged away. She was trembling but remained silent, unwilling to let even a whimper escape her lips.

"How about it? Buy a few, and you can do whatever you want with them!" The trader chuckled. "Keep them for pleasure or use them for experiments. No one will care, even if they die!"

Leylin shook his head. "I'm not interested in these. I need guards—preferably Grand Knights. Also, a butler to manage daily affairs."

The slaver scratched his chin. "Grand Knights, eh? Now that's a tough request. Even Magi covet them as personal guards."

"Is it not possible?" Leylin's voice grew colder.

"It's possible," the trader quickly reassured. "But Grand Knights are premium stock—hard to capture and easy to sell. Their prices won't be cheap." His voice carried a hint of greed. "Still, if you're willing to pay, I have a friend who deals in such goods. Follow me."

Leylin followed the slaver through a row of cages. Within them, men, women, and even children huddled together, fear glistening in their eyes. Magi occasionally approached to inspect them, sometimes pointing at a particular individual before making an offer.

A few Magi surrounded a group of beastmen and marine species, bidding fervently. Their interest in exotic slaves was evident.

The trader led Leylin to a large tent, where he greeted a rotund man with a greasy smile. "This is my friend, Dylan. He's the one you want to talk to."

Dylan exchanged a few whispered words with the trader before turning to Leylin with a polite bow. "Most esteemed guest, I understand your requirements. We recently received a fresh batch of premium slaves. Please, follow me!"

Inside the large white tent, an incense-like fragrance filled the air, masking the unpleasant scent of unwashed bodies. Unlike the slaves outside, the ones here wore thin garments that barely covered them.

Dylan gestured toward a muscular man with a bald head. A scar ran from his brow to his chin, and his right eye was missing. (Image)

"He was badly wounded in battle," Dylan explained. "Only his extraordinary vitality kept him alive. Though his strength has waned, I guarantee that ordinary knights wouldn't stand a chance against him."

Leylin studied the man closely. Strength didn't concern him—he only needed the Grand Knight's blood.

'With him, my physical stats should rise to that of a high-level knight, perhaps even a peak knight… but for a true breakthrough to Grand Knight level…'

His thoughts were interrupted as he noticed a strange dullness in the Knight's eyes.

"He's been affected by something," Leylin observed.

Dylan nodded, offering a practiced smile. "Knights are naturally resistant to control, so we had to take extra measures. Standard branding isn't effective on them, so we use brainwashing and physical subjugation. Additionally, they are kept under the influence of certain drugs. While they might not be as sharp as before, they can still follow orders."

Leylin understood the logic. Branding the consciousness was something only official Magi could effectively perform. Acolytes lacked the power to do so, making this method the next best alternative.

"Not bad. What's the price?"

"Three hundred magic crystals for the Grand Knight," Dylan replied smoothly. "A regular knight costs one hundred. Normally, a Grand Knight would go for four to five hundred, but since this one is… slightly damaged, I'm offering a fair price."

Leylin nodded. He selected the Grand Knight and an additional Knight, paying the required amount without haggling.

Dylan handed him a small wooden box. "This contains a Desert Scorpion. Its sting secretes a unique poison, which was used to mark your new slaves. If they don't receive the antidote within ten days, they will die in agony."

Leylin took the box without a word.

"Of course," Dylan added, "this is merely a last resort. They have already been conditioned to obey you. Their lives are now in your hands."

Leylin merely nodded. "I also need a butler—someone capable of assisting me in experiments."

Before the dealer prepared everything, Leylin continued to stroll in the second level market, buying a few rare items for his experiment as well as luckily finding Two-Headed Leopard's blood, unfortunately the amount was limited but he gladly bought them.

Afterwards Leylin exited the market, his two new Knights and an elderly butler followed closely behind.

"Ellinel Market has designed this level well," he mused. "Premium customers can even choose their exit points. A useful feature."

Instead of appearing in the small village where he had entered, Leylin and his group emerged near the outer walls of a massive city.

The city was far larger than the previous one, at least ten times its size. The entrance was bustling with carriages and merchants.

Leylin turned to his new subordinates. "You," he addressed the Grand Knight. "Go purchase a carriage. I'll wait here."

He tossed the man a purse filled with coins.

"Yes, Master!" The Grand Knight bowed and departed.

Leylin watched him leave before looking at his butler and other Knight.

Over the past few months, Leylin had rid himself of excess baggage. He had read and destroyed all the spell books he acquired, sold off excess runes, and converted his wealth into higher-quality magic crystals. His possessions were now few, easily carried in a knapsack.

Previously, he had abandoned his carriage for easier travel. But now, with reliable servants, a carriage would be more convenient.

Leylin exhaled softly, his fingers tapping against the small wooden box containing the Desert Scorpion's sting.

'With these new assets, things should proceed more smoothly…'