66 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

# Chapter 66: The Freed Slaves Become Obsessed "The hell was that just now..." Yuhwa, lying underneath Rin, gazed blankly at the air, muttering words devoid of meaning. I still don't understand why she's suddenly like this or what exactly happened. It felt like I was in a daze, like dreaming, and when I snapped back to reality, everything had already resolved itself. Maybe Santa left a gift because I've done so much good in my life. It's the Beast Kingdom, so maybe even Rudolph is a beast form here? Following this stream of consciousness, I calmed my mind. "What will you do, Sacred Fox? Are you still not willing to become Rin's teacher?" Focus returned to Yuhwa's dazed pupils as he looked up at me. "Are you asking me to go against destiny...?" "Instead of following the unseen will of the heavens, shouldn't we as humans care for the poor child right in front of us? Even a slaver like me knows that." "In the end, many innocent people will suffer. Are you not concerned about the harm they will face?" "Haha, the only future I see is one where everyone lives happily. Maybe clairvoyance isn't all it's cracked up to be." "......" Yuhwa closed her mouth and lowered her gaze, contemplating deeply on what was the right choice. After some time, Yuhwa looked back at me. "What do you wish from me?" "Nothing but this: teach Rin magic." "If someone is harmed by the misfortune of the Nine-tailed Fox, what then?" "I'll prevent such a thing from happening, but if it does, I'll take responsibility. Covering the mistakes of a slave is what a master does." "...Fine." Finally, a word of agreement slipped from Yuhwa's lips, bringing a warm color to my face. "Then..." "But there is a condition." What is this foreboding feeling? "What is the condition?" "You must pass the test I give you." "Ah." Of course. Of course, there's a test. Why was I hoping otherwise? "I dislike it. I'm the one in charge now; why should I take a test?" "If you refuse, I guess there's no choice. Send the Nine-tailed Fox to tear my throat out. I've lived long enough; I'm past caring." Old people who say things like that usually cling to life the most. With a little pressure, they'll cry, "I'll hand over the shop, the magic, just spare me!" and fold. "I don’t know what scheme you’re plotting, but there must be a crucial reason for raising this child into a Nine-tailed Fox. So I can't say I'm the absolute one either." No, this old lady has made up her mind. Her cunning is unrivaled, quite fitting for the Sacred Fox Yuhwa. "Fine." I can't refuse, not even this. Besides, this was part of the original plan, so it doesn't matter much. "Now, can you release me?" "What are you talking about? We have to write a contract." "A contract...?" "Oh, come on, aren't you above pretending not to know?" Yuhwa looked at me with wavering eyes, but there's no way. An oral agreement between traders? Unheard of! "I trust slaves but not people." We drafted the contract. It felt a bit like elder abuse to contract with her while she was lying on the ground, but I had no choice. I might trust her now, but who knows if she'll suddenly turn on me. Things miraculously worked out this time, but I don't count on luck to help me again. "Will this suffice?" Yuhwa handed over the contract, created using her magic. The contract states: no harm to us, teach Rin magic upon passing the test, renegotiate details once the test is passed, divine retribution if breached. "This should do. Rin, let her go." "Old lady, if you pull any more tricks, I'll yank your neck! Understand?" Rin, who had been gripping Yuhwa's arm, stepped back, making a gesture slicing her neck as Yuhwa stood up, brushing herself off, staring at Rin with complicated eyes, then shifted her gaze to me. I did my best too. Please, don't give me that look. "Now, about this test. What exactly is it?" "It's simply to determine if you have the minimum qualifications to raise a Nine-tailed Fox." To qualify for raising a Nine-tailed Fox. Yuhwa's test. "You're a trader, right? Then make a name for yourself as a trader in Vestia." A tycoon. *** "What, what? You say you met the Sacred Fox?" "Things just turned out that way." "How was she? Still young and beautiful, isn't she?" "No comment." I exited the Sky Tower and organized a small gathering. Seira and Bolt were present. Bolt kept asking for details about Yuhwa's appearance, but I didn't answer. I’m cruel, but I won't shatter his illusions with the harsh reality. "So, what happened? Will she help you?" "Not exactly, I got a test." "A test?" "She said to succeed in business in Vestia. If I pass, she'll help." [Yuhwa’s Test: Gain Yuhwa’s recognition through business.] Time limit: 30 days Reward: Yuhwa's assistance. If this were a game, such a message would appear. Why is business Yuhwa's test? It seems outlandish, but in a way, it's not. This is inherently a tycoon game. Run a shop and earn a certain profit and reputation within the time limit to succeed. - "By observing merchants, you learn many things: ability, wit, adaptability, human relationships. Moreover, with the Nine-tailed Fox by your side, it won’t be as easy as usual. The test aims to confirm whether you possess the ability to overcome any adversity." That's precisely the reason. Playing a tycoon with Rin is generally more challenging than usual. Due to the nature of tycoons, where everything must run like a well-oiled machine, if there's an issue in one area, it affects others. With Rin, three or four cogs would break. All possible hurdles are happening. "You look unsure. If you don't want to, you don't have to. Of course, you’ll fail the test, though." "No, I'll do it. Just smooth out your wrinkles and wait." This is my area of expertise. I can't back down now, especially after being provoked. "But suddenly focusing on business... It's nearly impossible to gain the Sacred Fox's recognition in just 30 days without any capital. Besides, you..." "Because I'm human. It's even less easy." Beastfolk are wary of humans. But there's no need for approval from the beastfolk. "I'm thinking of doing business in District 6." "District 6, you mean Edenbar. Certainly, most humans residing in Vestia live there." Just as there are places like Chinatown in Korea and Koreatown in the USA, there is a place in the Beast Kingdom, Vestia, where humans gather. My primary target audience is not the beastfolk but humans. I'll trade with humans. "Seira, those street catfolk were troublesome, weren't they?" "They were, but why bring them up?" "They'll play a big role this time." I had already set the groundwork upon arriving in Vestia. A notorious breed known for inviting trouble. But a species that avoided extinction due to its cuteness. "I'm going to open a cat café." *** "So you're telling us to work, meow?" I headed straight to the alley where the catfolk congregated. Despite explaining the situation to them, they responded coldly. It's only natural for the freeloaders who eat and lounge all day to reject work. "Originally, when we first contracted, you, human, said we didn't have to do anything, meow. This is a breach of contract, meow." For a furball to argue terms of the contract, it's quite something. I thought all they knew how to do was groom themselves and eat fish. Impressive. "That's correct. I did say during the contract you didn't have to do anything." "So then..." "But the contract is void now, isn't it? So, you can't claim breach of contract no matter what I demand. What I propose is a deal." Mirabel's envoy severed the catfolk's shackles. The contract was single-use. Recontracting was impossible. I tried experimenting when I first contracted with a slave to see if I could copy the points, so I’m aware it doesn't work. This is why I exercise extreme caution when it comes to liberating main slaves. Because once they're free, it's final. That Mirabel’s situation was unusual. In essence, they are no longer my slaves. However, I have been supplying fish steadily regardless. "If you don't want to, you don’t have to. I’m no longer obligated to give you fish anyway. I’m not some volunteer, after all." "What do you mean by being stingy, meow!" "That's right, meow! If you start something, you need to see it through to the end, meow!" The catfolk yelled in unison. They were used to comfortably eating without resorting to theft. Animals accustomed to human care never return to the wild. Living comfortably has become their norm. Now, I drive the nail in. "Responsibility? I'll take it. But I can't accommodate everyone. First ten come first served." There are roughly thirty catfolk here. That means twenty will miss out. "Don't fall for it, meow! It's a trap, meow!" "That's right, meow! Let's show them our unity, meow!" The catfolk banded together in solidarity. "I forgot to mention, work at my shop includes a full course of three fish meals a day and lodging—" "Nyaaan!" "You traitor! Do you have no pride as a street catfolk?!" "What pride do street catfolk have? Those who keep their pride are all dead, meow!" There was internal strife among the catfolk. Even the smallest crack in solidarity shatters the rest in an instant. "Okay, we already have one spot filled. Next. Nine to work at my shop. Hands up." # Chapter 66: The Freed Slaves Become Obsessed All sorts of unreasonable challenges arise. "You look like you're doubting yourself. If you don't want to do it, that's fine. Naturally, you'll fail the test." "No, I will. Just keep your wrinkles smooth and wait for me." This is my main area of expertise. After being provoked, there's no way I can back down. "But suddenly starting a business? Gaining the Sacred Fox's approval in just 30 days without any capital is nearly impossible. Plus, you're..." "I'm human, so it'll be even more challenging." The beastfolk are wary of humans. But there's no rule stating I must impress the beastfolk. "I'm planning to do business in District 6." "District 6 refers to Edenbar, right? Certainly, most humans residing in Vestia live in Edenbar." Just like there are Chinatowns in Korea and Koreatowns in the USA, there is a place in the Beast Kingdom, Vestia, where humans congregate. My primary target customer base shouldn’t be the beastfolk, but humans. I’ll target humans in my business venture. "Seira, weren't those street catfolk troublesome?" "They certainly were, but why bring them up?" "They're going to play a major role in this plan." I laid the groundwork as soon as I arrived in Vestia. A breed notorious for inviting aggression. Yet a species that survived extinction due to its cuteness. "I'm going to open a cat café." *** "So you're saying we should work, meow?" I headed straight to the back alley where the catfolk lived. I shared my plans with them, but their reaction was tepid. It's expected for freeloaders who laze around all day to resist the idea of working. "You, human, were the one who originally said during the initial contract we wouldn’t have to do anything, meow. This violates the contract, meow." A furry critter pointing out contract specifics, that's impressive. I assumed all they knew was grooming and eating fish. "That's correct. I did indeed say during the contract you wouldn’t need to do anything." "So, then..." "But the contract is void now, right? So, you can't claim a breach no matter what I ask for. What I'm proposing is a transaction." Mirabel's envoy severed the catfolk's shackles. The contract was a one-time deal. Recontracting is not possible. When I first contracted with a slave to see if I could copy the points, I learned firsthand this wasn't the case. This is why I practice extreme caution in liberating the main slaves. Once freed, it's final. Mirabel’s situation was an unusual case. In essence, this means they are no longer my slaves. However, I've been supplying fish consistently regardless. "If you don't want to, you don't have to. I’m no longer obligated to provide fish. I'm not some volunteer, after all." "There's nothing more shameless than that, meow!" "Exactly, meow! If you start something, you must see it through, meow!" The catfolk protested in unison. They had grown accustomed to comfortably eating without resorting to theft. Animals who've known human care can never return to the wild. They’ve lived far too comfortably. Now, I drive the nail in. "Responsibility? I'll take it. But I can't accommodate everyone. It's first come, first served for only ten." There are about thirty catfolk here. This means twenty will miss their chance. "Don't fall for it, meow! It's a trap, meow!" "That's right, meow! Let’s show our unity, meow!" The catfolk banded together in solidarity. "I forgot to mention, working at my shop includes a full course of three fish meals a day and lodging—" "Nyaaan!" "You traitor! Do you not have any pride as a street catfolk?!" "What pride does a street catfolk have? Those who kept their pride are all gone, meow!" There was internal strife among the catfolk. Even a small crack in their solidarity can shatter it all in an instant. "Okay, we already have one spot filled. Next. Nine to work at my shop. Hands up."