The guard yawned as he loosened his belt a little bit. His fellow guard jester.

“Looks like junior can’t hold it back anymore, huh.”

“It’s been four days since I pump that girl.”

“So, you’re gonna make a move on her right now, do you?”

“Don’t tell the boss about this, he will be pissed and might kill me.”

“Relax, I know the rules. Besides, I have already made my move on her too. All of us are.”

“For real? I guess I’m not the only dead one, huh.”

The two of them laugh, echoing at the end of the extension of the dungeon. When they entered the prisoner’s room. They greeted him with a whip on his face. He played with his baton and lashes him again. The elf just stands aside as they continued to batter him up. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again.

She could feel it again – those mocking, lustrous eyes creeping behind her.

“So, did you learn your lesson?”

He slowly lifted his head. “What lesson?”

The guard’s brow met his forehead wrinkles.

“Oh, I’m damn sure you know what I am talking about.” He whips again.

His jaw turns purple as he spat out blood.

“Did you know what I found out on his pocket?” The other guard said.

He showed to him a totem, a gift that Linda left for him.

The guard gave him a mocking look.

“I see, so you’re the weakest in the litter.” He smirks. “I wonder how did you survive longer than the other men or rather how did you even become a mercenary. You must’ve fooled those people who you’re working for, faking your prowess possession by some artifact.” He spat in disgust.

“I heard he can conjure barriers.”

“So, you’re a ‘Mana Folder’?” he steps back, thinking “But still, you look weak, that must be the reason they left you behind.”

It is now he realized what’s the use of the artifact, he thought that it was a souvenir but if you look at it, you can feel a radiant – emitted by magic. He feels like a fool for not noticing this. What he knows about totems is that – a specific magic symbol was engraved on it, elemental magic that lends its power to the user – only if its element is compatible with the holder.

Alastor was enlisted as a ‘Mana Folder’ user because he couldn’t conjure any kind of elemental magic. He only knows the magic that did not require any kind of elements but only pure incantation or some requires imagination with the use of mana just like the barrier he used previously and also, he can heal himself without relying on some herbs but there are instances that his healing abilities cannot deal with, like poison, hallucination or any kind of symptoms that is based in the arts of chemistry.

He regains his composure – calming his tensing nerves.

“I guess there’s no need for me to tell you, but – you’re gonna die here. Instead of being hard to yourself, you can tell us everything and stop being a useless cunt.”

What she sees to him right now – is not the silent man, but a different one, a sinister one. He lifted his head, slowly. His blood pulsated hard in his system, and his darkened eyes met his mocking gaze, glowering them.

“Fuck yourself.”

She tried to shook off the feeling but it was getting stronger and more resistant. She sees it now, beyond those playful words – a predator is sleeping within. The blood lust was overtaking his sanity.

The guard was taken back with his glare. He punches him trying to tame the prideful lion and when he’s finally satisfied – he lurched back, breathing heavily.

“You’re a dead man.”

Those are his last words before he turned his attention to her.

“And you. Someone is going to buy you, so might as well enjoy the remaining time before they take you away.”

The other guard held her. She didn’t resist and let them drag her outside. She threw a glance at Alastor and he nodded.

Holding her, she was led into a room. It was the room where they tried to make a move on her. In the corner, there’s a bed made of wood with only a single old pillow.

When they start to unbuckle, they feel dizzy. A glistering light had showered them as their body slowly drifts – floating as if the light itself is guiding them on the bed.

She walked – cautiously, thinking if it is the best choice to trust that man. Even so, she has no choice, the Hoarder already found a buyer, if this should happen – she would’ve failed her mission and she would fail to save the other slaves she had sworn to protect.

The two of them start to work after that night. She would’ve come once or twice a day with an excuse to tidy his wounds. Whenever the guards would leave them out, she would’ve collected and shared the information about their whereabouts. It turns out that they’re in between the outskirts of Aethenarenfe and Vesoga Plain – so what she had heard. They made a camp outside of the abandoned dungeon, which turns out – this is one of their stations for exporting slaves and other merchandise.

If he remembered correctly, Aethenarenfe is near to the border of the Leafol Region – where the green scenery steeped high under the cloudy skies. The gust of wind would flush to his face and dry his spores – shooting down his temperature.

It is stunningly breathtaking whenever he imagined back then when they’ve traveled to Kayon, looking down on top of the mountain he witnessed the vast land. Besides that, it is also dangerous, flying monsters from the Vesoga Plain would sometimes nest in there if ever they feel that they feel threatened by other gruesome monsters, after all, that is a place is not friendly. They would also sometimes inspect at the main road before they pass – hoping to find prey if there’s any chance.

“Aethenarenfe is near, maybe we could make a run in there and take shelter before we move on?” She suggested.

“No, that would be too obvious. They would look at that town first and would wreak havoc, hence, killing innocent people. Do you think they would waste time to spare us? Even if they would go the other way, we don’t have enough resources to pay for the inn.”

Her serious face turned into a scowl, she grinds her lips, “Then how about we go to Vesoga Plain, that place you mentioned earlier?”

“Only an idiot would go to that place.” His voice flares. “Consider yourself as a dead man if you ever set your foot in there. That place is full of dreadful monsters, they wouldn’t hesitate to kill those kids and you, no matter how charming you are.”

“You said before, that mountains at the border of the Leafol Region are flocked of flying monsters would that buy us enough time to-to, you know, make to the next town.”

“I’m sorry if you haven’t noticed, I’m bruised, tired, hungry, and weak. Do you think that I can protect all of you while I’m in this condition?”

She again grinds her lips, harder this time. She continued to wash his face and to his naked body.

“What choice do we have?”

Alastor kept his gaze on the wall, “Are there any other slaves that are capable of fighting?”

“There is none.”

He fell into a silence, his thought is racing, “Have you seen the other person besides me when I got here?”

“I never saw you when they dragged you here. The first I met you are here when they beat you up.”

“And there’s no one that was added on your ranks?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

He let out a sigh that made a small puff visible for a second, “There is another one, she will be useful, I think. It would be helpful if you find her for me.”

“I’ll give it a shot, by any means necessary.”

A hard knock rumbles the door, the low voice of the buff man shouts at them.

“Hey! What’s taking so long?”

“I’m finished!” She shouted back at him.

“You better not suck his cock. I’m gonna beat you if I ever find out.” He warned.

Before leaving, the elf looked back, “There is someone you must worry about. He called himself the Timber. He is strong, but we shouldn’t worry about him for now. He is been given a task by the Hoarder.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because I want you to be careful. He’s not liked any other men I have seen.”

She’d noticed that the knob is slowly turning, when it was unlocked, she places everything back to her first-aid kit and made her way opening the door, the guard slips off and stumble, his face kissing on the ground. She continued without looking back.

“Damn bitch.” He swore as he stands up. Alastor looked at him, he smirks.

“What are you looking at?!

Alastor avoided it. He doesn’t want to take another beating again, he had enough for this day.