Ren stood alone in the street, lost and trembling.
Suddenly, an old woman appeared in front of him.she wore tattered clothes, back hunched, skin wrinkled with age. She looked at him with soft, pityful eyes.
"Are you lost, kid? Where are your parents?" she asked.
He flinched at her voice. Her words struck something inside him. His lips quivered. His eyes welled with tears.
He spoke in a broken, crying voice, "I... I don't know."
The woman extended her hand gently. "Come with me kid. Let's get you something to eat."
Ren hesitated, 'I should not go with her. I don't know her.'
She smiled and took his hand.
"Let's go," she said softly and moved forward.
They walked through crowded markets. she kept glancing around with uneasy eyes. When she saw a knight coming toward them, her grip tightened. He winced, and she turned quickly into a side alley, continuing on without pause.
Past the alley, the streets grew silent, lined with crooked buildings—the slums. Minutes passed in silence. Then twenty.
They turned down a crumbling path and stopped in front of a small, cracked wooden house.
"This is my home," she said.
He stared at the building. Its walls were damaged and broken, the roof sagging. I don't want to go in.
She gave him a gentle push from behind. "Come now. Don't be afraid."
He stepped inside. The floor creaked under his feet. The furniture was broken, the walls cracked, water leaking from somewhere.
"You can take a bath," she said. "I'll leave clean clothes outside the door."
Ren nodded slowly. "Okay..."
She pointed to a small door. "There. Go ahead."
He walked with slow, frightened steps. Inside the tiny bathroom was a wooden tub with some cold water.
He took off his clothes, picked up a tin mug, and slowly began pouring the water over himself.
As the water touched his skin, he stared blankly at the wall, whispering to himself:
'What is happening...? Where am I…?'
Ten minutes later, Ren stepped out, now dressed in simple, oversized clothes.
The old woman sat at a wobbly table.
"Sit down," she said. "Eat."
There were a few slices of bread. Ren sat. His stomach growled.
He devoured the bread without a word. It tasted stale, dry, but still heavenly to his starving body.
"When you're done, I'll show you something. A nice place nearby."
He nodded, still chewing.
When he finished, she stood, grabbed her black cloak, and moved to the door. He followed her. She closed it behind them.
They walked again, this time deeper into the city.
"Where are we going?" Ren asked.
"To a nice place," she replied, smiling. "You'll be safe there."
Fifteen minutes later, they reached an abandoned-looking building.
She knocked and whispered something. The door creaked open.she looked at him and smiled. "Come on , Let's go in."
He hesitated but stepped inside. 'This place doesn't feel right.'
A tall, scarred man stood by the door, watching silently.
They moved deeper inside. Ren clung close to the old woman.
She entered a dim room where a massive man sat, broad and muscular, wrapped in a leather coat. A long scar ran down his face.
Beside him stood a young girl, around Ren's age. She had long green hair and glowing emerald eyes.
The old woman stepped forward. "This is the boy."
The large man grinned. "Let's see if he's in good condition."
The green-haired girl stepped toward Ren and suddenly grabbed his arm, trying to pull him forward.
Ren panicked and grabbed the old woman's robe.
But she pulled away.
The girl examined him as if he were an object. "No scars. Good skin. Strong limbs. This one's high quality."
The man smiled. "Excellent. You've brought nice goods. Your debt is forgiven."
She bowed deeply. "Thank you."
Then she turned to leave.
His eyes widened. "W-wait... Where are you going?" he cried.
She paused in the doorway.
"Thank you for your help," she said softly. "Now I'm debt-free. I sold you. I'll pray your suffering is short."
His throat ripped as he screamed, words breaking apart into raw, desperate sound. "NO! NO, PLEASE!"
He tried to run, but the girl grabbed him by the neck and threw him against the wall.
He hit hard and gasped in pain.
"Be careful!" the large man snapped. "You'll damage him."
He crouched in front of Ren, a fake smile on his face.
"Listen, kid. Name's Skarith. I'm a slave trader. That girl is Keva. She helps manage this place."
Ren stared at him, tears falling from his wide eyes.
"You've taken good care of your body. That means nobles will pay well for you. You might become a servant... or something else."
Ren's voice shook. "What... What's going to happen to me?"
Skarith stood and turned to Keva. "Make sure he's disciplined. We want top price."
She grabbed Ren's hand.
"Come on, kid."
He tried to resist, but she yanked him forward. He was dragged into a room where a strange lift powered by a glowing mana stone waited.
She shoved him inside, then stepped in and shut the chain gate.
They began to descend.
As the lift creaked downward, he saw the cavern open below them—a massive underground pit. Children moved like shadows, working in chains, silent and tired. It looked more like a prison than a home. His body trembled. What is this place?
The lift touched down.
She pulled him through the crowd, ignoring his cries.
They stopped in front of a black iron door. She opened it and threw Ren inside.
He stumbled, landing hard on the floor.
As he scrambled to his feet, Keva said quietly: "Calm down. This place will make you calm."
She slammed the door shut.
"WAIT, NO, PLEASE!" Ren shouted, pounding on the door. "LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!!"
But there was no reply.
Three hours passed. His screams grew quieter. His voice grew hoarse, then broke.
He sank to the floor, trembling, sobbing.
He pressed his forehead to the cold iron door, whispering until his throat rasped,
"Please… please let me out…"
No answer came. Only the hollow echo of his own voice, weaker each time, until even that vanished.
His body gave way at last. He slid down against the door, curling into himself, arms locked around his knees. The darkness wrapped around him, heavy and patient, as if it had been waiting all along.
A broken thought slipped from his lips:
"This has to be a dream…"
But the silence pressed closer, smothering the words. And in that silence, he wept himself into a restless, tear-stained sleep.