I stared through the bars the entire trip through the forest. I don't know what my destiny is. As if my life wasn't already fucked up enough, now I'm living inside a virtual world or something. I snapped out of my thoughts when I saw that we were no longer in the forest, but had entered a kingdom. People seemed very busy, and others were simply asking me for money or food. It was chaos. I imagined the situation of more than one person, desperate to get out of here and not being able to. Now they're trying to survive and find anything to eat in a strange world where you don't know what's dangerous and what isn't.
"And where are they taking us?" My question was short and concise. Everyone there seems unwilling to say it, but the gentleman from before is speaking."
Sir
"Well, we'll be sold as slaves. As I said, the situation in all the kingdoms is difficult, as it's practically the birth of the world, and we've had the terrible luck of ending up in Arayamuki... If I didn't misread the forums before the "game" came to light, Arayamuki is a city of bandits, smuggling, and chaos. It's one of the most dangerous, which is why chaos attacked here first..."
I listened carefully, my expression hardening as I knew what I was destined for. Now I must lick the feet of someone who will pay for me? Society seems to have slowed down instead of advanced.
The cart stopped, and the men driving it pulled us all out, forcing us to move toward a hidden alley until we reached a dark area full of cages with people inside. Our captors spoke with a man with golden hair and a thin body, apparently the one who Oswold and Jerry made their deals, received some golden chips like those in a casino. I imagined that's what money is in this world or something like that. Then we were locked in different cages. As I walked, I saw all the cages praying not to see my sister in this place, and I sighed in relief at not seeing her here.
I was locked in a small cage and stared at the ground.
Ban
"Damn... I can't believe I ended up like this... I think it was better to stay in the woods and wait for my death..." I looked around at many cages, full or empty. But the one next to me is inhabited by a woman who seems to be somewhat mature, she looks scared and shy, it's obvious she's not being properly cared for here.
Hey!... How long have you been here?
Woman
"Hmm? Are you talking to me?.... M-me, I've been here for two days, I was kidnapped in the same city."
Her gaze is sad, her hands are shaking, and her torn clothes cover very little of her body.
Ban
"I know this isn't the time for this, but... what's your name?"
She saw me, and although the atmosphere wasn't at all pleasant, she smiled a little at my question.
Koukova
"I-I'm Koukova... Koukova Calasty." Her tone is quite low and almost imperceptible, as if she's afraid of attracting the attention of the people who kidnapped us.
Ban
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ban, Ban Lennox..." Her gaze reflects fear and uncertainty. But at the same time, she seems calm, as if talking to someone as calm as me would relieve her. But in reality, I'm just like her, I just don't show it as much.
"Hey, how did you end up in this world?" My question was something simple. But it seemed to make her uncomfortable, and I quickly realized that it might not be something pleasant. It's a reminder for her.
Koukova
"II... a few days ago I..." I noticed her stuttering and despair. The tears forming in her eyes were a sign that she's really been having a hard time here, so I tried to calm her down, speaking gently.
Ban
"Hey, calm down... Don't say anything. I understand, it must have been difficult... I promise you something? I'll get you out of here, I'll get you out of here, and I'll help you in any way I can. Does that sound okay?"
My words seemed to take her by surprise. She stared at me, her cheeks flushed, playing with what remained of her dress.
Koukova
"How... How can you say that... we're caged, and in the end, no one will help me. Since I fell in here, everyone has been horrible. I've been sold three times." I was surprised to hear her say that. She seemed to have lost all hope in these cages.
We fell silent when noises were heard in the back. I turned around and saw what it was. The owner of this place is beating a man out of his cage. He seems to be injured and very thin. The beatings only make him look more miserable. Before they left and locked the door, I thought of a way to get out of here. There's not much I could do. But I flicked my wrist to check my windows.
[USER WINDOW]
Name: Ban Lennox
Energy: 500 EV
Title: None
Grade: E
>> Skills <<
>> learning experience <<
>> Inventory <<
[Tap on the learning window]
Passive
—Novice Survivor
Active
—None
I don't see anything that helps me, so I decide to open the inventory window.
[ INVENTORY WINDOW ]
—Virgin Scroll (1)
—Rinelia Flower (1)
—Robario Flower (1)
"Damn, I have practically nothing that helps me as much as an item or as a skill." Looking at the items, I suddenly remember what Anri confessed to me when I started in this world: scrolls would become somewhat expensive or something like that. To clear up any doubts, I decide to turn to the woman next to me.
Ban
"Hey, since you've been in the city longer than me, haven't you heard how much a scroll costs?" She turned to look at me with a raised eyebrow and a hint of curiosity on her face.
Koukova
"Well, since day one, there have been complaints about the prices. Those who sell items sell them very expensive, no matter how easy they are to obtain. So something like a scroll that hasn't yet been found or crafted must be worth at least 40 million gold tokens in this kingdom."
What he said surprised me, just thinking I have so much money... Or "Tokens for a piece of paper is something I never thought I'd have, but this gives me hope. I have to get out of here and sell this thing so I don't have to be a slave and be able to find my little sister."
Ban
"Haven't you seen any exits or any routes that might be useful for escape?"
She shook her head.
Koukova
"No... the only way out is the door. There aren't even windows in this place, and anyone who tries to protest gets beaten until they say nothing more." I look around. But I see he's right. There isn't much. But I manage to see something that catches my attention.
Ban
"But what about those walls? They look damp and covered with wooden planks, you can escape through there." She looks at where she pointed and sighs. It seems Acer was so distracted by her inner suffering that she didn't notice.
Koukova
"But, it's useless, how could you get there if we're caged?" She stares at me, and I busily think of something, and quickly I have an idea and decide to open my inventory again.
[ INVENTORY WINDOW ]
—Virgin Scroll (1)
—Rinelia Flower (1)
—Robarium Flower (1)
"I can't believe I'm doing this shit again." I take the Robarium Flower out of my inventory. The last time I ate this plant I was poisoned for a couple of seconds, so it might help me escape.
Koukova
"Wait, is that it?"
Ban
"I'm going to need your help, okay? I'm going to eat this flower and you're going to call one of our kidnappers when I see that I'm really bad, is that okay with you, thanks?" I didn't even let her answer and I swallowed the flower with a certain grimace of disgust and I waited a few seconds in the ye I felt my stomach turn and my nose started to bleed and I felt the need to vomit and fall to the ground but I didn't do it yet, although she should just call she started screaming for help she looked very scared despite being just a stranger.
[POP-UP]
You have improperly consumed an item, acquiring poison.
Robario Poisoning: Ends in 25 seconds.
Koukova
"Help! Please help! A prisoner is dying! He needs help, please!" Her screams didn't stop, and when one of the guards came in to silence her, seeing me now fall to the ground, vomiting and bleeding, he approached my cage.
Guard
"What the hell? What's wrong with this guy? Damn it, we can't accept losing a slave".
He ran outside and came back with a key, removed the padlock, and opened the gate. He barely did so when I swung my entire body to gain momentum and punched him in the jaw, causing him to fall to the ground while I barely stayed on my feet.
Ban
"Damn, I hope he at least falls asleep for a while." My vision isn't helping. I walk over and kneel next to the unconscious man. I search for the keys. But my vision isn't helping at all. When I take them, I go to Koukova's cell. All the other prisoners are making noise and yelling for my help.
"Please don't scream... I'll help you all, but I need you all to be quiet, or more of those guys will come." Despite my intentions, they don't calm down. My hands search for the padlock on Koukova's cell as best they can. She's looking at me with concern and surprise as I try to open the gate, but my vision is making everything difficult.