Chapter 43: In the city
They’re raring to fulfill their new purpose. They might even break their slave collars and ignore Denver’s orders. Interesting. Let’s see how competent they’ve become.
"How would you rate those Demi-Humans?" Han asked Denver.
The merchant thought for a few seconds. "They could trouble above-average Acolytes, even those with Seven Spells about to break into the Initiate Stage. But right now? I’m not so sure."
Han nodded and turned to Hanna. "How strong are the nearby monsters?"
"We’ve only spotted Rank One monsters without special skills, such as Parasite Bears. They’re the kind humans with weapons can handle. I believe all the slaves here can take them, with minor wounds at most, maybe moderate," Hanna explained.
Monsters didn’t have intricate power systems like humans. They used simple names with numbers that lined up with those systems. A Rank One monster was equivalent to an Acolyte-level Dark Practitioner or a Knight, and it could threaten average Acolytes. Some monsters, even at the same rank, had special grades like Special Grade Rank One, but that was rare in lands strictly controlled by the Order Of Law and Dark Families.
In Demi-Human territories, where life was more tribal, monsters had more freedom to grow.
"That means our three boys should dominate the monsters around here. Find me a group or lure some into one spot, and we’ll have them face the lot. Bellatrix, make sure they don’t die, but they can suffer even life-threatening wounds. Understood?"
"As you wish," Hanna said, bowing low.
Bellatrix gave a curt nod. "Yes."
"I’ll wait here," Han added.
Five minutes later, Hanna returned with news. She and the other maids had lured ten boars into a clearing. Han nodded, praised their quick work, and told Denver to follow him. A few maids stayed to guard the carriages.
Soon, Han waited in the shadows, overlooking the agitated boars. Nothing special: long tusks, tough hides. One breath of fire would wipe them out with little mana, but that wasn’t why he’d come.
If you can’t handle this, you’re dead weight.
"Fulfill your purpose," Han said.
At his command, the three slaves burst from the bushes and charged. The orc moved first, quicker than the rest, masking his presence from most of the boars. The ogre’s heavy steps sent small tremors through the ground and helped the orc’s approach. The troll trudged behind the ogre, unbothered.
Once the orc slipped into the front line, he unleashed a flurry of blows, dropping a boar with one strike. He slid to the side and kept up the pace.
Denver blinked. What? Were orcs always this fast?
Meanwhile, the ogre drove his fist into a boar’s muzzle, shattering bone and turning it to pulp. He grabbed a tusk and slammed the carcass into the ground a few more times before other boars cut him off. He hurled the body into their ranks, then leaped after it, howling.
The troll was different. He ripped through a hide to the soft flesh, dipped his head in, and started eating the raw meat. Other boars struck him, but he didn’t budge. His defenses seemed higher.
Denver stared, stunned.
This changes everything. I can sell this—no, build on it.
Han smiled. "The troll has an innate bloodline power that makes him harder than stone as he absorbs nutrients. He’s using it instinctively. The ogre’s fallen into bloodlust, and the orc’s leaning on speed and greed: fast strikes and sleight of hand to steal their tusks. I wonder where he’ll hide those tusks, though."
"Up his ass," Xena said.
"Yeah, funny joke," Han chuckled.
He remembered women on Earth who smuggled drugs through airports in their vaginas and asses and laughed even louder.
Denver tuned them out. He’d heard of a troll’s innate bloodline, but it rarely showed in weak variants like the slaves he’d bought. That meant the man beside him could awaken latent abilities usually unlocked only later, even from the lowest stage.
Amazing! This is going to be such a great haul! I must hug this man’s leg and never disappoint him! Nevolnik might bring us into their main branch and send us to far more profitable lands, like Demi-Human territories!
And with that, Denver fell fully into Han’s claws.
—
A few days passed, and the journey neared its end.
Han’s carriages hit the main road to Steeferce City, where traffic thickened with merchants and the occasional noble carriage. A few were unmarked and dark, so he suspected they belonged to the Nevolnik Household. They operated there, after all.
Finally, the Steel Fortress rose on the horizon. Ivory towers pricked the skyline. Thirty minutes later, they loomed larger, and he could see the huge walls the towers were built against.
Thick walls rose like apartment blocks, covered in weapons and magic circles, making Han wonder how much money and resources had gone into the city’s defenses.
Denver pointed ahead. "As you can see, there are two lines at the checkpoint by the main gates. Dark Families use the left line, and all the guards there are corrupt and aware of The Underworld’s schemes. You can get your ID there. It works in both Steeferce City and The Underworld."
Han nodded. "Convenient."
When Han’s turn came, he made Denver handle all the paperwork. With smooth business talk, Denver helped Han and the others create their new IDs. Unlike the badge he’d received from his Father, these IDs were less convenient, like Earth IDs. He could lose one at any time.
"Keep it on you wherever you go," Denver said.
"Sure." Han nodded.
Once the formalities were done, Han headed straight into the city. He’d expected it to be gloomy and dark. Instead, he saw crowded streets, shops and businesses, and plenty of people, from commoners to nobles, going about their lives. Few smiled, but life went on as usual.
Knights in white armor and capes patrolled, making sure everyone followed the law.
The main thoroughfare stretched wide, flanked by prominent three-story buildings housing everything from stores to blacksmiths.
"You want to head straight to The Underworld?" Han asked.
Denver nodded. "Yes."