The Birth of a New Yuji
Chapter 11: The Birth of a New Yuji
Yuji took the bag of coins.
No more crying.
No more weakness.
He turned away from the burning mansion.
He had lost everything.
The city was still in chaos—soldiers running toward the mansion, citizens hiding in fear, buildings collapsing in the distance. But Yuji's eyes remained fixed on the ground, his mind spiraling in the emptiness of disbelief.
Was this reality?
Each step he took felt heavier, yet his body moved on its own.
He walked.
He walked.
And he kept walking.
Until his legs gave out.
His body hit the cold ground, pain spreading through him like wildfire. His breathing was ragged. His chest ached—not just from exhaustion but from something deeper, something he could not name.
Lifting his head, he saw them—merchants selling slaves in a hurry, desperate to flee the city before the chaos consumed them.
Yuji's hollow eyes fixated on them.
A deep rage boiled within him.
His fists clenched.
Before he even realized it, he was already standing.
Then—he ran.
---
The Transaction
Yuji grabbed the nearest slave merchant by the collar.
"Hey."
His voice was cold, laced with barely contained fury.
The merchant flinched, fear creeping into his eyes. "G-Gentleman, what are you doing? I have done nothing wrong!"
Yuji's grip tightened.
"Show me your best slave."
The merchant hesitated, glancing around nervously. "W-What kind of slave are you looking for, sir?"
Yuji's expression was unreadable. "A sex slave."
A moment of silence.
Then—
"S-Sir, we don't sell those kinds of slaves. You have to accept the conditions of the—"
Yuji didn't let him finish. He shoved the entire bag of gold coins into the merchant's hands.
"Show me the best."
The merchant's eyes widened at the sight of gold. His fear faded, replaced by greed.
"O-Of course, sir! You are our most valued guest. Please, come with me."
Yuji released him.
The merchant straightened his clothes and gestured for Yuji to follow.
They entered a secret chamber hidden behind stacks of crates.
Inside—
Rows of caged girls.
Different races. Different ages. Different backgrounds.
All of them broken.
Some had vacant stares. Others flinched at the slightest movement.
Yuji walked past them, examining each one. Their statuses appeared in his vision—fighters, maids, alchemists, healers… But none of them satisfied him.
His voice was firm.
"Give me the ones with the most tragic past."
The merchant's smirk faltered. "Ah… Sir, those slaves are not meant for pleasure. They are typically war offerings, sacrificial lambs with no hope for freedom."
Yuji didn't hesitate.
"I'll choose from them."
The merchant sighed. "Very well. Follow me."
---
The Chosen Ones
Yuji stepped into a separate chamber.
Chains rattled.
The air smelled of sweat, blood, and despair.
Unlike the previous slaves, these ones had fire in their eyes—burned-out flames, but flames nonetheless.
Yuji scanned them carefully.
Then—
Two girls caught his attention.
The first—a tan-skinned elf with silver hair and emerald-green eyes. Her status read: [Novice Assassin].
The second—a human girl, delicate in frame but with heterochromatic eyes—one gold, one deep blue. Her status was unique.
[Sage's Guide]—a rare class that could evolve into [Sage's Eye].
Yuji smirked.
"I'll take these two."
The merchant nodded. "You may purchase them—if they agree."
Yuji turned to the elf's cage first.
She glared at him, her shackles clinking as she adjusted her position.
Yuji crouched down, meeting her eyes.
"I know your class," he said.
Her emerald eyes widened. "H-How do you—?"
He chuckled. "If I told you I could make you the best assassin in the world, would you swear loyalty to me?"
She scoffed. "You're spouting nonsense—"
Yuji reached through the bars and clamped his hand over her mouth.
"Shhh."
Her body tensed.
"Accept me as your master," he whispered.
She stared at him, hatred burning in her gaze.
Then—she swallowed her pride.
"…What's your condition?"
Yuji's smirk deepened.
"Sex."
Her expression twisted with rage.
"I will never—"
Yuji shrugged. "Then stay a slave forever. Be a sacrificial pawn. Rot in these chains while your enemies laugh at you."
Silence.
Her body trembled.
Her fists clenched.
Her jaw tightened.
Finally—she exhaled.
"…If you make me the best assassin, I'll do whatever you want."
Yuji's grin was cruel.
"Deal."
The elf lowered her gaze, swallowing her pride.
Yuji turned to the second girl.
Before he could speak—
"I accept," she said.
Yuji blinked. "I didn't even say anything yet."
She smiled softly.
"I already know."
He smirked.
"Well, that makes things easy."
---
Their Names
Yuji leaned against the doorway, crossing his arms.
"Your name?" he asked the elf.
She hesitated.
Then—
"Ariana Silvershade."
Yuji nodded, then turned to the other girl.
"And you?"
The human girl's smile never wavered.
"Emma."
Yuji exhaled.
"Alright, Ariana. Emma."
His eyes darkened.
"From now on, you belong to me."