episode_0019

I spent a whopping 12 years in this game.

Considering that all of it amounts to time as an adult, one could say it’s an experience level equivalent to about 20 years in reality.

As a result, I gradually sense myself becoming assimilated into this world.

Among them, the biggest change is undoubtedly the caste system.

The reason I couldn’t immediately recall slaves just now wasn’t due to unfamiliarity with the caste system; rather, it was because I had become too accustomed to it.

Due to my casual regard for slaves as mere objects, I couldn’t instantly think of them as “protected individuals.”

It’s perplexing even for me.

Of course, I have never directly treated anyone as a slave before.

Not only did I not feel the need to do so, but as a modern person, I harbored a strong aversion to it.

However, for the first time, I found myself in need of a slave.

And by the 13th round, which also happens to be the final round, my reluctance towards owning a slave had disappeared to my surprise.

“This path feels unfamiliar.”

I delve from the bustling streets of the empire into narrow alleyways.

Warmly colored streetlights bathe the area, and the once pristine streets devoid of any litter quickly vanish, replaced by dirty alleys covered in graffiti on the walls.

Hostile gazes seem to pour in from all directions towards me.

Dressed neatly, it’s clear that I don’t quite fit in here right now.

But those stares soon diminish.

Even people like me, with clean clothes and faces, start to look dirty compared to them.

Deep within the slums.

As I emerge from the narrow alley, a bright red light greets me.

“Even though I’ve been to the slums several times, it’s my first time coming all the way to the Red Light District.”

Embarrassing scenes unfold in every direction.

Women dressed provocatively engage in solicitation, while dashing nobles with stylish mustaches whisk women away in carriages on the spot.

Yet, such visual stimuli are merely commonplace here.

Despite being fully clothed, I seem more appealing than those who are not.

Perhaps living with heroines and extras makes me so.

Although my mind may have spent 12 years here, my body has only been in the game for three days as of today.

While I may have spent 12 years here, I have never formed relationships with anyone.

Even if I were to take a brief stroll outside, the heroines would suspect me of betrayal and throw a tantrum.

Moreover, reaching such a level of relationship where they cannot resist such actions would automatically clear the game with a success rate exceeding 100%.

Nevertheless, I can endure it.

Because each time I regress, my body returns to the past.

So, although my desires may be accumulating, they are in a subtle state of not having accumulated yet.

Currently, I have freed myself from the constraints of the main heroines, allowing me to visit the Red Light District at will, but I have no intention of indulging my desires in a place like this.

If possible, I want my first experience to be with a lover.

After enduring for 12 years, giving up in the final round would be anticlimactic.

“Is this the place?”

After fending off numerous solicitations, I arrive at a store.

Although it presents itself as a toy store filled with childlike innocence on the outside, considering the nature of the “goods” sold inside, it’s somewhat eerie.

Throughout the 12 rounds, I’ve heard plenty of rumors about this store.

As famous as it is, there are likely exaggerated rumors, but what sticks in my memory is the rumor that no matter what you seek in this store, you will find the toy you desire.

“Welcome, customer.”

“… ”

Upon entering, a slightly uneasy atmosphere greets me from the attendant.

With heavy makeup and a wide-brimmed hat making it difficult to gauge her true face, she exudes a scent that wrinkles the nose.

Not keen on lingering, I decide to swiftly address my business.

“I need a cheap slave. They should be able to move without difficulty and understand commands, even if they can’t read. It doesn’t matter if they can’t read. It would be good if they were obedient.”

“The price must be low. That way, I won’t hesitate to discard them later. It would be troublesome to regret buying an expensive one and then discarding them. Besides, attachment is fleeting.”

“Hmm. What will their purpose be?”

“They will be taken into the dungeon. They need physical abilities to navigate rough terrains.”

“Do you prefer support types who can use magic or frontline tanks?”

“You misunderstand. Their purpose is not for combat. It doesn’t matter if they don’t know how to fight. As long as they can follow behind me obediently, that’s enough.”

“Please follow me.”

The shopkeeper nods and leads me into the inner underground area.

I soon identify the source of the unpleasant smell that has been lingering since earlier—a mixture of sewage stench and strong perfume used to mask it.

“Ahaha, sorry about that. I try to keep things in order, but it gets overwhelming by myself.”

“… ”

Indeed, the place is vast. The size of several large supermarkets combined.

Despite feeling like my mouth could gape open, I shut it tightly due to the smell and briskly walk on.

“These are the ones suitable for taking into the dungeon… Do you see any that you like?”

The shopkeeper points to a cage.

Various slaves with bulky muscles and different races are inside. When our eyes meet, they quickly look away, seeming lethargic and resigned.

“How much for this one?”

“There might be some variation, but you can consider these ones here to be around 2,000 gold.”

“Aren’t the non-combatants cheaper?”

“That’s true.”

“I truly want a slave that is utterly useless, with an absurdly low price.”

“Ahahaha, I’ve never seen a customer like you before. Come this way.”

The shopkeeper leads me further inside.

It’s been quite entertaining browsing through the various slaves. The most numerous are the beastfolk, followed by humans. Elves are rare and kept in clean, spacious cages, indicating special care due to their high value.

Dwarves seem unpopular, even less so than elves.

“This one here. A slave no one wants, with no strength, charm, or anything else, just dirt cheap. In fact, we’re spending more to keep him here, so we were considering disposing of him.”

In the deepest corner of the interior, a cage.

Red eyes gleam in the darkness.

Unlike the others, he stares directly at me without averting his gaze.

As I approach the bars slowly, he gradually reveals himself from the shadows.

“… ”

A small humanoid boy.

Though he simply watches me without speaking or moving, a faint resentment can be sensed in his gaze.

Yet, he doesn’t seem inclined to challenge me, perhaps aware of his own powerlessness.

More pretty than handsome, with fair, almost pallid skin.

If he grows up like this, he’ll likely become a charming parasite.

He’s a vampire. All fangs have been removed, so rest assured.”

Ah, I see.

He’s a stunted grower.

A vampire.

The term ‘vampire’ used as a race name is actually the name of a disease.

Those afflicted with the disease lose their reason and exhibit high aggression solely to suck human blood, hence the name.

In reality, they’re hardly recognizable as human, as their hearts stop beating.

Those bitten by a vampire’s fangs also turn into vampires.

Ordinary people turning into bloodsuckers gain superhuman strength. Once the disease spreads, a whole village can turn into ruins in an instant.

Hence, it’s common for bloodsuckers to be discovered and promptly eradicated village by village.

However, very occasionally, among the bloodsuckers, individuals who retain a hint of reason appear.

This fellow belongs to that category.

He probably escaped the chaos and ended up being captured by slave traders, who then extracted all his fangs.

So, how is such an individual usually utilized?

Mostly as a pastime toy.

Bloodsuckers have good endurance and are cheap enough to kill with a single stroke.

Since they were never human, there’s no reason for them to be expensive.

This fellow is truly nothing more than an ‘object.’

“Can this one speak? It doesn’t need to understand complex instructions. Just knowing ‘come,’ ‘go,’ ‘eat’ is sufficient…”

“…Speak.”

A hoarse voice resonates from behind the iron bars.

Though slightly unclear, it’s evident that he understood my words accurately and responded.

There’s no need for high intelligence.

Just retaining this much reason is adequate.

“How much?”

“I’ll just give it to you.”

“What?”

“I said we were going to dispose of it anyway. Even just covering the cost of corpse disposal would be profitable.”

“…”

The shopkeeper smiles slyly before opening the bars and fastening the chains around the boy’s neck.

The boy hesitates momentarily even after the bars open, but when the shopkeeper pulls the chain firmly, he has to reluctantly crawl out, dragged forward.

“Cough! Clink! Krrrk…!”

Even as his throat is choked, his face remains devoid of any change in color.

Evidence that his blood isn’t circulating.

Proof that he’s not a person but an object.

“Don’t handle him so roughly.”

“It’s fine. Bloodsuckers are tough; they don’t get hurt easily…”

“You were really eager for that corpse disposal, huh.”

“…”

She warns the shopkeeper by gripping his wrist tightly, and she quickly releases the chains.

With the key handed by the shopkeeper, she unlocks the restraints around the boy’s neck.

The boy looks up at me with a puzzled expression.

Mixed emotions flicker in his eyes, faint gratitude included.

But there’s no need for him to be grateful to me.

[Stats]

[Strength: 9(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

[Endurance: 7(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

[Magic Power: 12(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

[Agility: 18(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

[Luck: 14(x5) *Guardian Knight effect applied]

Merely pretending to guard to check if the Guardian Knight activates.

I didn’t help out of goodwill.

The activation has been confirmed.

“A perfect fit.”

A free servant who, if he escapes, faces only death, understands commands adequately, and obediently triggers the Guardian Knight.

Furthermore, treated as a real ‘object’ rather than a living person.

With this, I, a modern human, won’t feel guilty no matter how I exploit him.

There’s no reason to hesitate any longer.

“It was a good deal.”

“Get in.”

“Okay.”

I push the boy through the opened door.

As he steps inside, he stands still, quietly observing me.

Showing no curiosity, making no demands, just stiffly standing there.

At times like this, the realization hits hard that he’s a body devoid of reason.

Except for a slight language ability, his memories seem completely erased.

Even the aggressiveness typical of bloodsuckers seems wiped away along with his fangs.

It’s like looking at an empty robot without the necessary software.

Since it’s late, I’ll postpone dungeon conquests until tomorrow.

Today, I must install some software into this fellow.

Nothing too complex, just a basic program will do.

“Just stick close behind me in the dungeon, follow when I say come, and go when I say go. Simple instructions to follow.”

“Mm. But first, let’s clean up.”

“······Okay.”

With each step he took, footprints kept appearing on the dusty floor.

Can’t have that dirtiness.

Gotta get cleaned up properly first.

I grabbed his hand, which reflexively gave a dry response, and led him to the bathroom.

Now, what should I call this guy?

Naming is quite a task.

Not urgent, so I’ll leave the name undecided for now and focus on getting cleaned up.

But soon enough, I found myself facing an unexpected situation.

“Uh, what?! Who are you!”

“······Me. A vampire.”

This guy.

Was a girl.