A warm ray of light slipped past my heavy eyelids, teasing me awake.
I couldn't remember anything from last night… only that I drank way too much. Maybe I collapsed in the street… or passed out right there in the tavern.
"Damn this cursed headache…"
I muttered in annoyance, forcing my eyes open slowly. The room was dark, save for a thin crack in the wall where that stubborn ray of light crept in.
"What the hell? Is this a prison? Did they lock me up for drinking too much?"
Cursing, I pushed myself up—only to freeze.
My hands… my hands had shrunk. My legs too. No, this was insane. Had I become some kind of human lab rat? Was this a hallucination?
Before I could piece my thoughts together, a sharp wave of pain tore through my battered body. My shirt was torn, covered with bruises and stains as if I'd been kicked around. I groaned, rubbing my temples and forcing myself to breathe deeply.
The place was nothing short of miserable. Cracked walls lined with cobwebs, a filthy puddle dripping from the ceiling, a rusted metal bed shoved into the corner, and iron bars sealing the only exit. The stench made me want to throw up.
Gripping the cold bars, I felt a chill run up my arms. Too real. Too sharp.
"Why does this feel so real… what kind of dream lets me feel cold metal?"
Frustration boiled over, and I shouted,
"Is anyone here?! Hellooo?!"
Silence.
"Of course, you idiot. You're dreaming. Who do you expect to answer?"
I sighed—until the sound of metal being struck echoed through the silence.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Footsteps followed, heavy and deliberate.
"Shit… it's getting closer…"
From the shadows emerged a middle-aged man, wrinkles carved deep into his face, his brown eyes dull but filled with something vile. His greasy grin made my stomach turn. With slow, mocking steps, he approached the bars.
Then—clang!
The stick in his hand slammed against the bars right beside my fingers.
Cold sweat trickled down my forehead, but I forced myself to remain calm.
"Relax, Jake… it's just a dream… just a dream?"
Then his words shattered whatever courage I had left:
"Oh, you're awake? Good. Don't worry, you'll fetch a high price for your new master."
My jaw dropped. Sell me? What kind of lunatic dream was this?!
Two hulking men stepped out from behind him, both cloaked in black. The insignia on their robes froze my blood—two crossed swords behind a skull that wept crimson tears.
"No… no way. That's not a dream…"
The cell door creaked open, and the brutes dragged me out, blindfolding me with surprisingly soft cloth—too soft for a nightmare.
Dragged across cold stone, I soon heard the murmur of countless voices, swelling louder with each step. A crowd? No—something bigger.
My heart pounded. "Where the hell am I? What did I get myself into?"
The ground shifted beneath me—stone turning into polished wood. The murmurs became a roar. And then—blinding light.
When the blindfold came off, my eyes widened in horror.
A human auction.
Hundreds—maybe thousands—of people filled the hall. Men, women, even children stood in chains along the walls. Some weren't even human. Pointed ears. Dwarven beards. And that boy with black horns—
"Shit… is that a demon?!"
I wanted to deny it. Pretend I was hallucinating. But everything screamed otherwise.
Aristocrats sat in the stands, their jeweled robes glittering under the chandeliers. Their greedy eyes burned with desire as slaves were dragged onto the stage, sold off one by one.
And then…
A voice rumbled beside me.
"You seem awfully calm for someone about to be sold."
I turned, stiff as stone, and nearly choked.
Golden eyes. Burning, sharp, and faintly sinister. Not a man. Not even a demon. Something far worse.
My lips curved in a smirk I didn't feel.
"…What do you expect me to do? Cry?"
The air went cold. The entire hall seemed to freeze. The boy's glare could have crushed mountains.
"Crap. I'm dead. I just screwed myself…"
But then the announcer's voice cut in, drawing the attention away.
"And now—our grand surprise of the evening! The heir of the Dragonblood line—Valerion Kaerith!"
A thunderous silence fell. Gasps. Panic. Even I went pale.
"Dragon…? Don't tell me I just mocked a goddamn dragon!"
As the auction went wild, prices skyrocketing into madness, my stomach dropped. Whatever this place was… it wasn't a dream.
And when they finally dragged me onto the stage, the announcer's cheery smile vanished. His eyes gleamed with a strange, almost fearful madness.
"Ladies and gentlemen… I present to you—
Aaron Visedvidia."
The entire hall went dead silent. Cups dropped. Faces went pale. Even the dragon boy's golden eyes widened in disbelief.
"…Wait. Why is everyone staring at me like that? …Who the hell am I supposed to be?"