Chapter 97: Negotiations (1)

"A slave mark like that can only make them follow orders, yet they still could betray their master, but it would also notify their master as well with their location." Tanya elaborated a little.

"Ahh," Wrik nodded in understanding. He thought for a moment before asking Tanya again. "Is this mark some kind of item you can buy from the Omega store?" 

Tanya nodded. "It's available on the store that was specially opened before the test, and the funny thing is that this slave brand only costs a thousand omega credits." 

"So the Omeganet approves of this type of practice," Wrik commented that was the reason he asked Tanya about the slave mark. He wanted to know if the Omeganet supports this type of practice or not, the answer would change a lot of things like how he goes onto the test. He was making a plan on how to use these things when he heard Tanya. 

"The shopkeeper said it would only last till the test."

Wrik nodded. "Did you buy any?"

Tanya looked at him silently for a moment before saying. "Just because it will cease after the test does not make it right." She said in a firm voice. "I will not change my belief and do horrible things just to win a silly game."

Wrik's lips hung open hearing that, and something inside him shook up. Lucas said the Tower changes people, and now found out it started to change him too, but not in a way he would like. If not for Tanya awaking him, he might go on with this horrible practice. 

Wrik wetted his dry lips as he said to Tanya. "Thank you, Tanya." 

Tanya nodded. 

"Is there some way to lift off the slave brand?" Wrik asked.

"Not that I know of, the shopkeeper only mentioned that the enslaver could only break the seal." Tanya thought for a moment before adding. "And participants could not disqualify themselves when they were enslaved."

"Gosh, why do they have to make it so complicated? It's just the first floor." 

Wrik sighed as he moved to the slave again. "Are you going to open up your mouth?" His voice was not so threatening now, yet it still had its sternness. "I can promise you, your life would not be any better if you stayed here with me."

The slave looked hesitant. His lips were shaking. He could not decide.

Wrik sighed, as he thought fears overwhelm them, but he did not have much time to waste either. The slave had mentioned they were given a task here. 

"God damn. Just say yes or no, will you?" Wrik asked again loudly and threateningly, gripping the slave on the shoulder.

"I'll say. . . I'll say. .. " The slave stepped back on his bottom a few inches away in fear.

"Good, open it up quick, I'm really busy here." 

"Ohh, why don't you ask me then? I can answer better than him." 

A voice rang into the cave as Work noticed the arrival of three newcomers. The frightening expression on the slave's exterior proved one among them was none other than the slaver. It was probably the woman who said the phrase. 

She was a tall woman almost as tall as him, wearing animal fur like clothes over armour, while her face was not as wild as the dresses, still quite rigid in the cold weather. Her exterior was of more handsome to call a pretty lady. A tall black spear stood behind her, as the other two men were as obedient soldiers. 

Those two should be slaves as well. They had the similar look in their eyes, only fear, and the instinct for survival no matter what.

"This Big sis will answer all your questions, pretty brother. Just ask," the wild-looking woman asked sweetly as she walked closer with the other two. "No need to other with the lowly slaves."

Wrik furrowed his brows. He lifted the sword on his right arm while gesturing to Tanya with the left, behind his back. Tanya got up, shouldering the unconscious Byul, while she brought out her staff as well, even though she was in no condition to cast.

"Woh, Pretty brother, there is no need to use violence with this fragile big sis."

Wrik's expression did not change, but he could tell dealing with this woman would be harder than he could achieve.

"Alright. What do you want then?" Wrik opened his lips, there's no anxiety in his voice nor in his posture. He held onto the hilt of the sword as if he had nothing to fear.

"Well, the answer is simple." The woman was still smiling sweetly. "All I want is you, and your two little misses."

"Oh," Wrik was not surprised, nor was he alarmed. His left arm was still in his back, gesturing to Tanya to run when the situation became worse. "But I'm afraid you can't have it. I'm too precious for you to have. "

The Smile on the wild lady did not cease. She was about to continue the conversation when Wrik said again. 

"How about I make a counterproposal for you?" 

"Pretty boy, you dropped me into a pickle," the lady contemplated for a while before saying. "Usually I don't negotiate with anyone, nor stronger or weaker, but I can make an exception for you. Say what you have in your mind."

Wrik did not mind the words from the woman, or he did not show on his face. One thing you should always remember about Wrik was that he is too good at hiding.

"The deal is simple," he said with a straight face. "You three in addition to these three on the ground will work under me from now on, Or I'll make sure none of you would be in any condition to any work. How's that?"

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