009 RETURN TO GOMORA, CITY OF SLAVES AND SIN

009 RETURN TO GOMORA, CITY OF SLAVES AND SIN

"I go there to make friends," Leo shot back defensively.

"Sure, I'll just take your word for it, Black Rooster," Dassa replied, rolling her eyes.

Before Leo could respond, she pointed ahead. "Look, we're at the gates of Gomora!"

After a long, perilous ride, they finally reached the city's entrance, eager to step inside.

"Stop right there! You can't enter Gomora without valid papers," a guard barked, blocking their path.

"We just returned from the forest and lost our travel documents," Dassa explained quickly, but the guard silenced her with a dismissive wave.

"Women have no right to speak to us, the only use for your mouth is under my pan..", he retorted coldly before Leo interjected.

"Damnit, what kind of fucking law is that?" Leo exclaimed, incredulous.

"Where have you been? That's always been the law in Gomora. Women aren't allowed to speak in public unless they're Noblewomen. And she doesn't look like one—she resembles a common whore from the Bagnio," the guard sneered.

"Fuck, your mother is a whore?" Leo said, anger flaring as he struck the guard while Dassa watched him with interest.

Dassa had never had anyone protect her like that. This was an unknown side of Leo's character.

The guard went flying, crashing into the wall on the opposite side, wounded.

This was the strength of an awakened mage—at Cakra Mula Tier 1, Leo possessed the power of five to ten men combined. Although his magic was premised on Lust and tinkered by the System, he was the equivalent of a Cakra mage in this world.

The benefits of a Cakra mage also accrue to Leo.

"A mage!" another guard shouted in terror, his eyes wide as he registered Leo's overwhelming strength.

It was an unthinkable feat for a mere human to possess such power, except for awakened mages. In an instant, the other guards scrambled to bow before Leo like dogs greeting their master.

Mages were held in high esteem in Gomora and were respected throughout the realm.

"We didn't expect such an esteemed mage to pass through our city. We are deeply sorry," a captain approached to apologize.

"Now can I enter my fucking city?" Leo asked, irritation lacing his tone while the guards knelt in obeisance.

Dassa shot Leo an unimpressed look, her expression unamused by his exaggerated gestures.

"And how exactly do you suggest we get into the fucking city if I didn't deal with them?" Leo asked, his tone half-defensive.

Dassa smirked, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Oh, I don't know. I could always flash my boobs to get us through," she said with a mock seriousness.

Leo groaned, rolling his eyes as he reached for her hand. "Shut up," he muttered, striding toward the city gates with purpose, Dassa in tow.

He glanced back at her, a sly grin creeping onto his face. "Although… feel free to flash me anytime you want."

Dassa laughed, her voice ringing out as they disappeared into the bustling streets.

"In your fucking dreams."

"Who is that guy? I don't recognize a mage like him in our city," one guard whispered after Leo and Dassa had moved past them.

"Wait a minute, I know him! That's the useless heir of the Gullee family, Lilleo Gullee. How in the world did he become a mage?" another guard replied in disbelief.

"He must have used a ton of magic potions and pills. He's rich, and that's something we'll never be," the first guard added as the shadows of Leo and Dassa vanished into the city.

"What about him?" they asked pointing at the broken guard in the wall.

"He'll be rich because of today."

-----

The streets of Gomora were chaotic and desperate, a stark contrast to order and cleanliness.

Prostitutes called out to passing customers while the poor begged for scraps, and orphans wandered aimlessly, at risk of abduction and slavery. The old and sick, particularly the destitute, were often ignored, left to die alone on the streets.

Yet Gomora thrived on contrasts.

Amidst the stench of decay, market stalls offered luxurious perfumes, their sweet aromas a cruel irony in a city steeped in suffering.

The architecture resembled a chaotic maze, with buildings piled haphazardly and rubbish strewn about, creating a lawless atmosphere where danger lurked at every corner. Scammers, con artists, thieves, and robbers thrived, as survival in this city often meant bending or breaking the rules.

Amid this chaos, one law reigned: the strict hierarchy between masters and slaves.

Gomora was built on the institution of slavery, with slaves visible everywhere—either laboring under their masters' watchful eyes or confined in cages, awaiting sale. This stark divide between the powerful and powerless defined life in Gomora.

"I remember this place all too well, yet it sickens me to walk these pathetic streets again," Leo said to Dassa as they navigated the main thoroughfare.

"I feel the same way every time I pass through, although it is rare to hear it from a noble," Dassa replied, her eyes scanning their surroundings.

Suddenly, a boy of about sixteen stumbled before them, collapsing at their feet.

Hot on the boy's heels was a large man, an enforcer for one of the wealthy families in the city—a bouncer in every sense of the word. Wielding a hefty whip, he struck the boy with brutal force, sending him crashing to the ground, barely able to speak or move.

The boy looked at Leo with an expression of hopelessness hoping for him to be his savior.

"I'll ignore these NPCs," Leo muttered to himself.

"Argggghhhh!" The boy cried out, wincing as the bouncer struck him again, his face twisted in pain.

Despite himself, Leo felt a pang of pity.

Though he knew there was a possibility this world could be built from codes and thus not real, this world was too real for him. He couldn't help but see its people as real humans rather than just NPCs.

"Are you seriously thinking of saving this slave boy?" Dassa asked Leo, watching him closely.

Before answering, Leo turned to the bouncer, his expression hard. "What crime has this boy committed to deserve this fucking treatment?" he demanded, his voice unwavering.