Chapter 39 No Chance

Talong and Eznho rode in a carriage heading towards one of the back alleys of the outer district. Slave trading was known to everyone but it is not done in the open. The duo got out of the carriage and went to one of the steel doors.

Knock Knock Knock

Talong knocked in a unique pattern then a small rectangular opening opened showing to a pair of intimidating eyes.

“The night is dark” A husky voice came from the inside.

“And full of terrors,” Talong answered back casually.

It was a form of password for selected people only. The door was unlocked and opened, Talong entered while Eznho followed timidly. A hairy tall guy was standing guard and looked at them trying to size them up. Talong just ignored him and continued walking while Eznho was bowing his head and trying to observe the place at the same time.

The inside was far wider than he expected it was like a large open marketplace, stalls were erected selling different kinds of goods. Most of them were from suspicious origins, if one is not careful he might buy a fake item or even mistakenly take stolen items from great backgrounds bringing disaster to oneself. This place is just one of the black markets inside the city.

The place was crowded, only a handful showed their faces, most of them were concealed with masks, cloth, conical bamboo hat and the like. Some even emitted bloody and terrifying auras. This was a haven for people with bad reputations.

They walked further and the items slowly turned into living creatures such as young beasts, insects, some even were halflings, a mixed breed between a human and another species, such as beasts or elves but the most common in the continent were beast halflings.

You can’t deny the fact that discrimination was apparent unless one has power or backed by a great background. The most affected ones were the ones who could not fully transform into a human and maintained their beastly appearances.

Eznho had complicated feelings when he made yet another discovery. He could only sigh and wish them well, just like Talong said, one person cannot save everyone. Talong suddenly stopped making Eznho bump his back. He looked around and saw young girls with varying age standing in line with downcast faces.

“I’m here to sell,” Talong nonchalantly spoke with one of the guards.

“Who are you?” The guard spoke in a displeased manner.

“A lowly dog like you doesn’t have to know,” Talong retorted back.

“You!” The guard was furious and wanted to draw his saber.

“What do you think you’re doing?” A middle-aged man with a mustache walked out the door wearing striped robes reprimanded the guard.

“Milord, I was...” The guard was scared and tried to explain himself.

“Shut up!” The middle-aged man glared making the guard bow his head.

“Brother, I am sorry for that, did I hear you correctly? You are selling that exquisite beauty?”

The man amicably smiled at Talong while glancing at Eznho.

“I am indeed, but it seems I am not welcomed here,” Talong answered in a lazy manner and even started to turn back.

“Wait, brother, that was just a misunderstanding, why don’t you come inside and let’s talk business. By the way, my name is Alibaba, may I know brother’s name?” Alibaba tried to smoothen things out.

“Since you insist, I will not make it hard for you, you can call me Brusko,” Talong answered.

“So, it’s brother Brusko, may I invite you for a drink?” Alibaba did not care whether it was his real name or not. It was common here to use nicknames anyway.

“I have to decline, my time is limited so I want to make the deal as soon as possible,” Talong refused straight away.

“That’s too bad, come inside and we’ll talk business then,” Alibaba maintained a smile and led the way.

The room was not that wide but it was designed in luxury with paintings, vases and sculptures.

“I’ll be direct then brother Brusko, how much do you want for her?”

Alibaba was also in a rush, his invitation a while ago was just to show his good intentions.

“Three thousand gold coins,” Talong answered firmly.

Alibaba was shocked by the price but still composed himself.

“Brother, you must be joking that is too much for a slave, how about one thousand five hundred?”

“No can do, this young gal is from another merchant family so she was well-taken care off while growing. His family owed me and gave her to me as a form of payment. In fact, she is still a virgin, you can check it if you want,” Talong spoke but was trying hard to conceal his amusement.

Alibaba furrowed his brows and checked Eznho from head to toe. He could not deny the fact that the ‘young girl’ in front of him has her own unique charm and beauty. The other girls were ordinary compared to this one, he needed a merchandise to please the fatty and this girl was suited for the role, she was the cherry on top of the cake.

“Two thousand five hundred and that’s it, take it or leave it,” He gritted his teeth and offered his last price.

“Forget it, I’ll find other people,” Talong was not moved and stood up.

Who the hell does he think he is?

Alibaba was furious inside but he did not want to provoke a person with an unknown background and just coldly looked at the departing Talong.

“Wait,” He suppressed his anger and spoke as calmly as he could.

You think you can haggle with the great Talong? Dream on!

“Changed your mind?” Talong turned around showing a bashful smile.

“Three thousand it is, how do you want the payment?” Alibaba asked with a forced smile.

“Bank card,” Talong answered.

“Wait a moment,” Alibaba called for a servant and ordered something to him. A while later he came back with a brown bank card.

“Here, that’s a blank card, it contains the price you asked, you can check if you want,” He handed a bank card to Talong.

“No need, I trust you and thank you, nice doing business with you,” Talong received the card and put it on his chest pocket without bothering to inspect it making Alibaba surprised.

“Okay, you can have her now,” Talong pushed Eznho towards Alibaba.

“How do I know she does not carry trouble with her?” Alibaba inquired.

“You just gotta have to trust my words I guess,” Talong grinned and walked out the door.

Alibaba had a darkened face when Talong left.

Damn! You think you can toy with me?

He was furious and ordered two servants to follow Talong but of course, it would yield him nothing in return.

“Go give her a bath and a new dress, we will depart in thirty minutes,” He was busy right now and could not bother on other things, his focus was making sure to deliver the girls in time.

.....

Eznho was cleaned up by a maid and was dressed in pink, he felt awkward the whole time. He was given a light makeup and a red lipstick while his hair was tidied up and was coiled above his head using a jade hairpin.

A total of ten girls squeezed inside a carriage including Eznho, fear and terror could be seen on the young girls, some of them were on the verge of crying but endured, afraid that the adults would hurt them. Eznho was clenching his fists the whole time, he could not tolerate such thing but he could do nothing except complete the mission and hope that these girls will find safety after.

Approximately an hour after, the carriage stopped making the other girls more nervous. A guard opened the door intimidating the girls even more.

“Don’t make a noise and fall in line,” He commanded.

Eznho and the group obeyed and got out then formed a line, Eznho was at the very back.

“Go inside and don’t make me lose face, you hear?” Alibaba instructed with a strict face and opened a door then went first inside followed by the girls.

They walked in a corridor dimly lit by torches then after ten minutes of walking they entered another door. They were met by a wide hall, it was wider than Eznho’s house, a fat man was sitting at the main chair while a little version of him was standing on his right side who was trying to measure the girls.

“Here are the girls as promised,” Alibaba spoke in a respectful but not a subservient manner.

“Good, good, you have impeccable taste as always,” Butchog was in a good mood and praised Alibaba.

“This humble one just happens to know what suits your taste,” Alibaba answered with a proud face.

“Alright, alright, enough of that, I am in a good mood right now and need to celebrate. I would like to have a toast with you but can we have it next time?” Butchog spoke while licking his lips.

“Naturally, this humble one would be waiting for the invite,” Alibaba did not mind and maintained a pleasing smile.

“That is perfect then, I hope this is to your satisfaction,” Butchog ordered a maid and brought a card to Alibaba.

Alibaba’s pupil shrunk when he saw the blue card.

Jackpot!

He tried to calm down and received the card without hesitation.

“Thank you,” He bowed sincerely, this trade has been profitable for him. Aside from receiving Butchog’s support, the money he spent purchasing those girls had multiplied.

“There is fifty thousand in there, is that enough?” Butchog spoke in a casual manner as if giving away fifty thousand was nothing to him.

“Of course, of course, it is more than enough,” Alibaba nodded several times.

“Then I hope you don’t mind if I don’t see you out,” Butchog could not hold his excitement and wanted the guests to leave already.

Naturally, Alibaba could see this so he bowed once more and left while smiling from ear to ear.

.....

“Little Taba, anyone to your liking?” Butchog spoke when Alibaba left.

“None, for now, I am still quite happy with my toy,” Taba shook his head.

“Alright then, more for me,” Butchog grinned and stood up from his chair.

The girls were lined up and he wanted to scrutinize them one by one. He started from the opposite side of Eznho. Holding their chin, Butchog was nodding constantly while making his hand wander all over the girls’ trembling body.

“Not bad, not bad,” He was licking his lips while checking the merchandise.

His eyes lit up when he saw Eznho.

“What have we got here, a feisty one,” His blood was boiling when he saw Eznho’s uniqueness and fierce eyes.

“I like it,” He laughed and suddenly raised his hand.

Pak!

A resounding slap reverberated throughout the hall. Eznho was taken by surprise and got stunned by the event, he was focused on trying to control his emotions and did not see the slap coming. His cheek became red after that. He turned his head and glared at Butchog fiercely.

“Hahaha,” Butchog just laughed it off and slapped Eznho once more.

“Do you like it? Show me more!”

Eznho was trembling due to humiliation and anger, he wanted to attack but his guts told him not to. He had a faint feeling that an expect far stronger than him was watching, besides, he still had no idea where his target is being held.

Pak!

The slapped continued every time Eznho showed resistance, blood was already flowing from his mouth and his cheeks were glowing red. The other girls were scared stiff and did not dare to move an inch.

Ten more slaps came and Eznho did his best to control his emotions, after the last slap, he bowed his head and showed a defeated look. Butchog held his chin and moved it up,

“Already done? That’s too bad,” Butchog showed a disappointed look and shook his head.

“Hans, get them to the basement, I want that feisty girl first,” He let go of Eznho and instructed Hans who was standing guard.

“Let’s go!”

Hans barked and together with another guard they led the group to another part of the house. Another five-minute walk and they arrived at a black door. Hans opened it showing a flight of stairs going down the basement.

The girls became scared and showed hesitation.

“Hmph! Follow me down or you will not have a good end,” Hans smirked and started to descend the stairs.