Arad stood in front of the slave market, "Let's get in and try our luck."
He reached the massive brown door. Knock! Knock! The door immediately opened, and a middle-aged man looked out.
"What are you looking for?"
"A slave that is obedient and can fight," Arad replied immediately.
The man glared at him for a moment, "I don't think we have anyone that you can afford,"
"Isn't it rude to just assume that?" Arad stared back at him.
"We usually get orders through letters. Since we opened up, no one who showed up in person could afford anything." The man said smiling, "The cheapest we have is 90 silver. Can you afford that?"
[We can't afford that right now.]
Arad sighed, "Guess I can't. Sorry for bothering you."
"You can come in and check what we have. We can offer you a deal or send you a letter when a suitable slave for your needs and price range has appeared." The man opened with door and called Arad.
The inside is a large hall with a wooden floor, white painted walls, and luxurious furniture.
"This place is different than what I expected." Arad looked around.
"On the rare occasion of a client arriving in person, they are of high class, and we must treat them with care." The man said gently, waving his hand toward the center of the room.
Arad approached the couch, "I doubt this is the place I get to look at what you have."
"It depends. When the customer is of high class, we prepare the slaves and create a show for him, hoping he will pick one." The man said with a smile.
"But you can't do that for me. I understand that it's a hassle." Arad looked at the man.
"Sorry for that. We can take you around the cells to check directly." The man suggested.
"That seems more interesting to me. Let's see what you hide inside." Arad smiled and followed the man.
As they descended into the cellar, Arad was surprised to see the hallway was well-lit. As they passed by the empty cells, Arad only got more confused.
The rooms were clean, with a stone floor, painted white walls, a simple bed, and a study table.
It was far better than the room in the guild's dorm. The only inconvenience is the large steel bar wall facing the hallway. But even that had a curtain.
"I expected something different," Arad said while looking at the rooms.
"Most people say that," The man nodded, "Slaves are the merchandise. We need to make sure they stay in top condition."
He pointed toward one of the cells, "This used to belong to an elf woman who got sold recently."
"What's so special about it?" Arad asked.
"The woman wanted to get sold to a noble, so we had her take care of her look. You can still see the care kit she had on the table." The man pointed.
"Are you saying the slave has a say in the matter?"
"Of course they have. This place is like an adoption facility but for adults. But I wouldn't say it was like this forever." The man sighed.
"What do you mean?"
"This line of work used to be darker than you can imagine. But that changed a few years ago when the king decided to buy a slave for entertainment." The man looked a bit scared, "He almost sentenced all of us to execution after she told him how she got treated. So as you see, we're regulated to make our slaves comfortable."
"I heard this place was full of criminals." Arad glared at the man.
"Of course, that woman I told you about earlier, she took a massive bribe to put poison in a nobles food. And the man died." The man explained.
"I see. How about dangerous criminals?" Arad asked, and the man stopped.
"I can show you, but it's not pretty." The man replied.
After that, they took a short detour to show Arad how dangerous criminals get treated.
"Before we see him, make sure you remember that he killed over thirty people, including children and the elderly. He also has a long record of robbery, blackmailing, forced sexual abuse, and lots more."
Arad nodded, "Why is he a slave? I think he should be dead."
"He cursed the women he abused; they will die with him. We can't kill him." The man said, frowning, "We're hoping some experienced mage could buy him and break the curse or find a way to kill him safely. Those are the condition for buying him."
Inside the room, A man sat strapped to a steel chair with his limbs nailed in. a long metal rod clogged his mouth so he won't bite his tongue.
"He's quite strong. So this is the only way to keep him restrained." The man said, "Let's go; I have just the one for you."
After they walked back toward the regular cells and proceeded a bit, Arad started seeing the cells fill up with people. Humans, elves, orcs, and strange races that he didn't recognize. All stared at him.
"Here she is. What do you think?"
Inside a cell, a blond elf girl with green eyes glared back at them. "Is he the one?" She asked.
"He might be a starting E-rank adventurer, but he fought the S-rank Alcott and stood his ground. His fire magic is also unmatched," The man said, and Arad glared at him.
[How did he know?]
The man looked at Arad, "Words of you have spread across the city. I wouldn't have let you in otherwise."
"As a person, what do you think of him?" The girl asked.
The man scratched his chin, "I don't know beyond that he is hardworking. He just started living in the city."
The girl started thinking while staring at Arad.
^Why do I feel like she is the one buying me?^
[She has to make sure she ends up with a suitable person. But I will say it. She is suitable.]
"What will I be doing?" She asked, looking at Arad.
"Hunting monsters with me, adventuring," Arad replied with a passive face. What did she expect?
"Manager, I will take him." She said with a smile, and Arad stared at her, "I'm taking you."
[Ask about the price first. Nothing will go before that.]
"How much is she?" Arad asked, "I know she's expensive."
The manager scratched his chin. "She is one gold coin and fifty silver,"
"Too expensive. I better look for someone else." Arad immediately replied, and the elf girls stared at him with a sad face.
"I can help with that." the manager said, "How about we split the payment?"
Arad turned toward him, "Ten silver coins per week, and you can take her now. You have a week to bring me the first payment."
[That sounds shady.]
"So, what's your catch?" Arad stared back.
"We won't be keeping her here. That's our win." The managed smiled, "Elves are a pain to keep, and we have profitable people coming in and want the space." The manager said with a smile.
"And the part you're not telling me?"
"Her crime is a bit unique."