Tale Of Unknown: Hero From Zero
24. A Warming Night
After successfully defeating [Bleidfyl], the demon beast that slaughtered the adventurers Daruth had hired, Riyan was able to drink as much as he could. As Riyan drank quietly, Daruth, Siel, the remaining slaves, and adventurers were astonished at this one young man.
'Who is this kid? Why would he be able to defeat a demon beast so easily, that even the adventurers I've hired run out in an instant?'
'Is he a knight so great that he can kill a demon animal without the slightest injury?'
Too cool to drink water, Riyan did not reveal a single curiosity they were all so visible. Actually Riyan was aware of this, but he preferred to pretend not to know because it would definitely be troublesome. Even though he was only stared at, he felt a little disturbed. Wh why? The reason is simple, he is not used to being the center of attention.
Satisfied with wetting his dry throat like a desert, Riyan returned a bottle of drinking water that he had finished looking at Daruth. When Riyan returns him empty, Daruth is annoyed and eager to speak harshly to him, but it is undeniable that he is a savior for them at critical times. Whatever happens, it is only natural that a savior is treated well.
"Huah, fresh!"
''Taste!!''
For some reason, they suddenly felt annoyed to get a slow reaction from their rescuers. For Riyan himself, he deliberately gave the reaction so that their attention was diverted from the tension and curiosity over him, so he breathed a little more freely. Well, at least for a while.
"Excuse me, sorry if I was presumptuous, are you a great knight?"
Being too curious and unable to stem the feeling, a slave from behind bars asked Riyan the question. Everyone present there was shocked at the question that suddenly arose amid this tension, moreover it came from a slave who should not even have the right to speak if it was not allowed. Hearing that, Riyan immediately turned his head and walked up to the slave who asked him earlier.
While in front of the slave cage, Riyan raised both eyebrows upon seeing a scene he had never seen before. Whatisit? Among all the slaves who had stayed away from Riyan to the farthest point, there was a slave who grasped the iron bars using both his hands looking at Riyan with his sparkling eyes. Even more surprising, the slave was a beastkind girl.
The beastkind was one of the races of the many living beings in this world. They are also one of the races that bear many similarities to the human race. Unlike the humans, the beastkind race had a characteristic that signified what kind of beastkind he was. For example, if he is a cat beastkind, his characteristics are cat ears above the head, a tail sticking out below the hips, and sometimes even a small mustache also grows.
The beastkind slave girl who was staring at Riyan with admiration was a wolf-type beastkind. This made Riyan both shocked and silent. Indeed he had known of the existence of a human race of half animals in this world, but this was the first time he had seen such a race directly.
The slave girl had thick white hair, ears, and tail, purple eyes, and a slim body that was almost perfect, plus a chest size that was quite impressive. Unfortunately, in her present state she cannot be said to be beautiful. Wh why? It cannot be seen because it is covered in various impurities all over the body and shabby clothes like slaves that he wears.
'So, like this is the half-animal girl who often appears in fantasy novels?'
Muttering that in her heart, Riyan put on her flat expression the moment their eyes met. Turning 180 degrees away from Riyan, the beastkind girl was really excited to stare at a young man who had just saved the lives of everyone here.
"Noel, watch your talk!!"
A few seconds later, Siel flinched and immediately yelled at the slave who seemed to be named Noel for being disrespectful towards Riyan. Hearing the warning from the slave trader, Noel realized his actions were indeed disrespectful. He also released his hand from the iron bars, then prostrated to Riyan in a makeshift position.
"Pardon s-me, s-s-I don't be-means less so-sopan."
Noel immediately apologized as deeply as possible when he realized that he was a slave. He had lost control of himself when he saw Riyan fighting against the demon beast earlier. Fortunately Siel was not a person who was too hard on slaves so he was not immediately beaten or other physical pain such as merchants and slave owners in general.
Siel immediately ran up to Riyan, then lowered his body slightly and apologized. As a slave trader, the actions and behavior of the slaves he sells are his responsibility, so he must also apologize for the actions of his slaves. On the other hand, Riyan was confused with these two people.
'Why are they apologizing?Did they do me wrong?'
Without understanding the rules and legal system of slavery in this world, Riyan asked that in his heart with a deep curiosity. Daruth and the surviving adventurers felt ignored by them and started to get annoyed, but they did not show it blatantly because they did not want to make Riyan, the one who saved them from the attack of this demonic beast, angrier.
After Siel explained at length about the rules of slavery, Riyan finally understood why Noel and Siel apologized to him. Riyan knew there was slavery in this world, but he had no idea what kind of system and law were binding on it. On the other hand, Noel put on a sad face because he felt guilty.
Riyan who remained flat expression as usual despite knowing the system and laws of slavery, made Siel a little surprised. Riyan quite often found some people in Lasfile who wore a typical black slave necklace around his neck, there was even a slave merchant who paid a visit to the palace while carrying a dozen chained slaves to offer to Alestein.
"I understand. So, you're a slave trader who wants to sell them to another city, then join this group to feel safe?"
"Y-yes, that's how it is."
Siel nodded in response to a question he could not avoid from Riyan. But what is the power that is indeed lacking in costs to hire adventurers who can take care of him and his slaves to reach their destination. Getting out of the city and traveling will certainly be high risk in this world because there are many wild monsters and criminals who are ready to attack. In that pinch, Siel meets Daruth at Lasfile.
"By the way, if I may know, what's your name?"
"Before asking others' names, wouldn't it be better to introduce yourself first?"
Getting a sharp reply from Riyan, Siel could say nothing but feel ashamed. Daruth and the adventurers were surprised to remember they did not know the name of their savior.
"My name is Siel, Siel Ravensel."
"Well, I already know."
Before introducing himself, Riyan mustered [Appraisal] first to Siel so that he knew it without the need for introductions. At that very instant, Siel put on a puzzled expression as to why Riyan had triggered the sentence.
---
Name: Siel Ravensel
Race : Human
Class : Traders
Level 7
Life: 80/80
Where :20/20
Physical Strength: 55
Magic Power: 20
Resilience: 60
Attribute: Wind
Skill: Fast Counting, Throwing Knife, Slave Seal, Chain
---
Riyan was not surprised to see that Siel's status was of course much inferior to him, even though it was stronger than he used to be. For an ordinary human who possessed a common class, the status that Siel possessed was quite reasonable among other adults. Riyan gave a small nod knowing why he became a slave trader. Yes, it was because of the existence of the [Slave Seal] skill.
[Slave Seal] is a magic or skill that can give a slave mark to someone. When a person is exposed to this magic or skill, he will become the slave of the user. The ability of this skill is extraordinary and includes ranks of magic and skills that are quite rare, but of course there are its own limitations that cannot be violated by users when they want to use it.
Usually, the limit for the users of this [Slave Seal] is in the form of levels. The higher the level of the person he wanted to turn into a slave from him, the more difficult it was also for the slave mark to be attached to the target. In the case of Siel, he could tie someone who was ten levels above him easily, the rest was extremely difficult or even impossible for him.
In addition to giving the slave marks as a form of contract, the [Slave Seal] could also remove or remove the slave marks from a person. Therefore, the [Slave Seal] was a skill or magic suitable for slave traders without having to use magic tools.
As the name suggests, a magic tool is an object that has magic power. How can we know the magic content of things? Of course using a kind of magic [Appraisal] that can judge anything. Objects that have an effect on their status are magic tools, for example Glayster and Garantia, both Riyan weapons are one of the magic tools.
"W-how can it be?"
"I have an appraiser skill."
Siel, Daruth, and the adventurers were quite surprised to hear Riyan's reply, while the slaves locked their mouths and tried not to hear their conversation. Why are they surprised? Well, the news of the hero being summoned from another world by the Alivonian kingdom has been widespread to the corners of the world, and also the rumor of every hero having [Appraisal].
"J-so, are you one of the group of heroes from another world called the king of Alestein?"
"Called from another world, yes. The group of heroes, once."
""What!?""
They all came back shocked and cried out hysterically once they knew this young man who was among them was one of the group of heroes from another world called by Alestein, once.
"M-impossible!"
"Ti-can't be trusted!"
Along with those two sentences, two of the adventurers who had been sitting beside Daruth, now simultaneously stood up and pulled out their swords simultaneously. They unsheathed their swords towards Riyan without further ado. Seeing that, Daruth and the others were again surprised, except for Riyan who remained sitting quietly beside Siel.
"What's wrong?"
"Fraud! Mr. Daruth, this man is a con man who used the name of the Alivonia hero group to blackmail you!"
"That's right!"
"Calm down, you two. Master hero is not a con, I know."
"Where do you know that?"
"I'm a merchant. If I were so easily fooled by a swindler, I would definitely not have brought this precious wagon, would I?"
Hearing Daruth's reply, the two adventurers looked shaky at their estimation of Riyan being a con man. Siel nodded and did not say anything in support of Daruth's statement, as he was also a merchant. A fooled merchant is a foolish merchant.
Therefore, the two adventurers again sat in the horse carriage with the other adventurer who did not protest. Riyan just put on a flat face as usual, he did not care what they told him, because he quite often received insults and insults from others.
"I'm sorry for my impoliteness, hero sir."
While slightly bowing, Siel again apologized to Riyan. On the other hand, the person who was apologized by him was confused as to why this slave merchant woman apologized to him. A moment later, Riyan recalled that the summoned heroes from another world had authority on par with the nobles. At the same time, he put on a sour look.
"You don't have to apologize. I'm not one of the group of heroes you call that."
""Eh?""
Siel, Daruth, and the others were again taken aback. Their expressions looked funny hearing that Riyan was not one of the heroes. On the other hand, Riyan felt annoyed that it seemed like they had a problem with hearing.
"Why? Why did you give up your hero title?"
"I don't want to deal with them anymore. Enough up here to talk about me, I won't answer any more than this."
""B-good.""
Siel and Daruth answered Riyan reflexively due to the pressure exerted by Riyan. The three adventurers sitting on the horse carriage also felt the pressure that made their courage shrink so they did not dare to say anything.
"Oh yes, this is a small secret, so never talk about this in front of others. You can guess what happens if you do that, right?"
With a bit of killing intent and heavy pressure, Riyan threatened everyone who was there. They all just nodded slowly accompanied by the fear that raged due to the threat. Of course, who would not be afraid of the threat from someone who could kill a demonic beast as easily as flicking a finger?
After that, Riyan received 20 pieces of gold coins from Daruth as promised. Of course Riyan accepted it with pleasure, who was not happy to receive money? Big anyway. Then, because it was getting dark, they decided to set up camp around so they could rest as quietly as possible, of course, after Riyan introduced himself.
Amidst the darkness of the night, Riyan, Daruth, Siel, and the adventurers gathered around the campfire while devouring the dinner that had been prepared by some slaves. Cooking, washing, and cleaning were the basic abilities that slaves should have to serve their masters in the future, at least according to Siel.
Different from slave traders in general, Siel treated his slaves more humanely. Sometimes most slave traders would abandon their slaves for granted, but Siel preferred to train them so as to help his master in the future. In addition, by possessing skills or abilities that slaves normally did not possess, their prices were also slightly more expensive than other slaves.
"Siel, huh?"
"Hm? What's the matter, mister Riyan?"
"How much is that wolf beastkind slave worth?"
Siel was silent at once upon hearing the question that Riyan was asking. He was a little surprised as he recalled what he wanted to give to Riyan in return for his actions that saved his life and his slaves.
"Ah, on that matter, I want to give a slave to you in return for saving my life and these slaves."
This time it was Riyan's turn to be silent. He never thought that Siel also wanted to give rewards like Daruth, even in the form of a slave. In retrospect, the reward of slaves was natural for slave traders. But, Riyan said something unexpected to him.
"I asked, how much is it?"
"Eh?"
"I asked, how much is it?"
Asking the same question up to three times, it made Riyan slightly upset. But, as a customer, he must be patient in order to get a cheap price. True, Riyan wanted to buy the white wolf beastkind slave as a customer, as he was confused about the money he was holding right now. According to Riyan, 37 pieces of gold coins and 8 pieces of silver coins were already too much for him.
"Eighteen pieces of gold coins."
After knowing the price, Riyan immediately reached into his pocket and took out 18 pieces of gold coins, then gave them to Siel. The slave trader was surprised not to play and began to misbehave when Riyan gave 18 pieces of gold coins without bargaining first. Regardless of Siel's reaction, Riyan walked up to the cage that locked the slaves inside.
There, quite a number of sleeping slaves were covered in straw and a large blanket. Noel and several other beastkind slaves were still awake from sleep because they had to monitor the surroundings in order to reduce the risk of ambush from monsters and criminals. Like animals, beastkinds have senses and instincts equal to their kind. For Noel who is a wolf-type beastkind, his sense of smell and hearing is very sharp.
"Hey, that white wolf over there."
"Hm?"
Feeling himself being called, Noel immediately turned his head towards Riyan. For a moment, Noel was surprised when the one calling him was Riyan, the young man who had saved his entourage. Fortunately, he does not jump and can behave like a slave in general.
"What's your name?"
"N-Noel..."
Right after Noel introduced himself, Riyan deployed [Appraisal] to the wolf girl and looked at her carefully. He was not too surprised to know Noel's status was quite high, it was because beastkind had a slightly higher status than the human race. But, what surprised him was his skill.
---
Name: Noel Luwolf
Race: Beastkind
Class : Killer
Level 12
Life: 140/140
Where :80/80
Physical Strength: 130
Magic Power: 70
Resilience: 80
Attribute: Water, Ground
Skill: High Sense, Auala Vave, Valea Vae, Owl Vision, Sneak, Throwing Dagger, Image Armor, Silent, Howling
---
'Oh, the status is better than I thought.'
Riyan was delighted to see Noel's column of skills that were the basis of his murder class. Assassin classes required agility, speed, as well as sneak abilities like the thief class. The difference is, the killer class is devoted to fighting, while the thief class more often choose to run than fight.
[High Sense] : evolution [Sense]. This skill has ten times the sensitivity compared to [Sense].
[Throwing Dagger]: a skill that strengthens the owner's knife throw.
[Sneak]: a skill that reduces the presence of the user.
[Image Armor]: a skill that allows making a armor using mana in a certain duration.
[Howling]: this skill allows the owner to unleash a mysterious wave that attracts the attention of almost all kinds of monsters.
Slowly, a smile fell on Riyan's lips as the slave he bought was very useful to him in the fight. Using the [Image Armor] and [Howling] together, Noel was able to make the monsters around gather as well as restrain him, then Riyan could finish them off at the same time. Plus the [Auala Vave] and [Valea Vae] that [Dark Rabbit] generally possessed, Noel could escort monsters towards Riyan.
"Noel, I bought you, come with me."
"Eh?"
Hearing the words of the young man behind the bars, the wolf girl widened her eyes in surprise, followed by joy and disbelief. The gust of the night wind that should make every creature shiver, for Noel it is the wind that warms himself and his heart.
