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The heavy wooden door of the Whispering Willow Inn's secret basement room clicked shut, blocking out the noise of the busy streets above.
Alex stood near the center of the dimly lit room, crossing his arms under his chest, with his hood removed, exposing his flawless beautiful face and sharp eyes.
"I'm sorry, Boss." Leo wiped a thick bead of sweat from his forehead, looking nervous.
"Because of the explosion at the altar, the city guards flooded the upper levels."
"I didn't have the time to handpick the ones with the best skills. I just broke the locks on the slave cages and dragged out whoever could still walk."
Behind Leo, ten figures knelt on the cold stone floor, bound by thick iron chains.
They were all barbarians from the outer wasteland tribes.
Three women and seven men. They were covered in dirt, dried blood, and fresh bruises from the hands of the colosseum's guards.
Even though the slaves were exhausted and beaten, the men were already breathing heavier.
Their chests heaved as their primal instincts reacted to Alex's intoxicating pheromones that were still slightly leaking, as he wasn't able to control them yet.
The three barbarian women kneeling in the back looked up at Alex, their green and brown eyes wide, completely mesmerized by his flawless pale skin and dangerous, seductive aura.
"It's fine, Leo."
"You did a good job getting them out alive," Alex said. His voice was incredibly soft and melodic, carrying a natural, sultry purr that echoed in the quiet basement.
At the sound of that voice, the largest man in the center of the group jerked his head up.
It was Abu, he was still covered in nasty frostbite scars from their battle in the arena.
Abu's dark eyes widened as he stared at the breathtaking woman standing in front of him.
"It's you..." Abu's deep voice rattled in his throat like broken glass. "... the ice demon from the pit?"
"Demon?" Alex let out a soft, mocking giggle.
He took a slow step forward. "I prefer the term 'Master' from now on."
He stopped right in front of the giant, looking down at him.
A tiny sliver of golden light flashed in her dark pupils.
[Skill Activated: Feral Gaze]
The temperature in the room instantly plummeted. A wave of freezing, terrifying Yin mana crashed down on the slaves, forcing their heads toward the floor.
Abu gritted his teeth, his large body trembling as the powerful pressure released by Alex combined with the slave mark forced him to submit.
"Let's see what you all are actually worth," Alex whispered to himself.
He focused his mind, activating the system.
[ Appraisal Eye Activated ]
A series of pale blue, transparent screens popped up in the air, hovering over the heads of the kneeling barbarians.
Alex scanned the men first. Most of them had standard warrior profiles.
[ Name: Kael | Race: Human (Barbarian) | Level: Rank D | Talent: Iron Skin (C-Rank), Strong Physique(D-Rank) ]
[ Name: Boros | Race: Human (Barbarian) | Level: Rank E | Talent: Heavy Strike (D-Rank), Strong Physique(D-Rank) ]
…
"Good... With a little healing and proper training, they can become solid frontline guards," Alex thought, swiping the screens away.
He moved his gaze over to Abu.
[ Name: Abu]
[ Age: 28]
[ Race: Human (Barbarian Variant)]
[ Level: Rank B (Injured) ]
[ Profession: Armored Jaguarnut]
[ Professional Talent: Block (B rank]
[ Gene Talent: Blood Rage (A-Rank) ]
[ Skills:…]
Alex nodded slightly. "This one's talent is better than others."
Once he was healed, he would become a perfect bodyguard.
Finally, his glowing eyes shifted to the three women huddled at the back.
Two of them were ordinary E or D-Rank fighters, tough, tall, and slightly muscular… like female Vikings.
But when the blue screen appeared over the third woman, a young, athletic girl with long, messy light blue hair and fierce, glowing amber eyes, Alex's breath hitched slightly.
[ Name: Thalia ]
[ Race: Human (Barbarian / Spirit-Kin) ]
[ Level: Rank C ]
[ Profession: Totem Shaman ]
[ Professional Talent: Primal Blessing (A-Rank) & Soul Oracle (B-Rank)]
[ Gene Talent: Spirit Insight (Growth type), Enhanced Mental Power (E-Rank)]
[ Skills:…]
[ Description: A rare bloodline mutation. She can channel her mana to rapidly heal physical wounds and cast stamina-boosting buffs on her allies. Extremely sensitive to surrounding spirits... ]
"A Shaman..." Alex murmured, stepping closer to the red-haired girl.
Healers and buffers were incredibly rare, strictly controlled by the big noble families and the Church.
To find an A-Rank support talent thrown in a slave cage was like finding gold in the mud.
Alex reached out his pale, delicate hand and gently caught Thalia's dirty chin, lifting the girl's face.
Thalia gasped softly. Up close, Alex's sweet, heavy scent was stronger than before.
The young barbarian woman's amber eyes dilated slightly, her cheeks flushing a deep, sudden pink.
Her chest heaved against her torn leather top as she stared helplessly at Alex's soft, pink lips.
"You have a very special gift, Thalia," Alex whispered, his thumb slowly brushing a streak of dirt off the girl's warm cheek.
"From today onward, you all belong to me," Alex announced while secretly using his silent whisper talent, looking back at the rest of the group. "Here on, you will not be treated as slaves…"
"You don't have another choice, as long as you're branded with those slave marks." He continued, with a slight pause to let them know their current situation.
"Serve me well, and I will help you remove your slave marks and make you stronger than the assholes who threw you in those cages."
"However, if you ever try to betray me, I will make you suffer the worst punishment you will ever imagine."
Alex slowly released Thalia's chin, letting his soft, pale fingertips trail lightly down her dirty jawline before pulling away.
The young girl gasped quietly, shivering as if an electric current had just passed through her skin.
She remained completely entranced, staring up at him with wide, helpless amber eyes.
Alex pivoted gracefully, his movements fluid and mesmerizing, and turned his sharp gaze back to Leo.
"Leo," Alex said, his voice dropping low but powerful, which seemed to vibrate in the cramped space of the basement.
"Y-Yes, Boss?" Leo stammered, swallowing hard.
Even though he worked for Alex, the heavy, sweet pheromones filling the room were starting to make him sweat all over again.
"Break their chains." Alex didn't notice this but just ordered simply. "Once they are free, I want them washed clean."
"Get them hot water, proper clothes, rooms, and as much warm food as they can eat. Let them sleep and heal. They are absolutely no use to me half injured."
Leo nodded rapidly, quickly pulling a heavy set of iron keys from his pocket. "Right away, Boss. I'll get it sorted."
Alex let his gaze sweep over the kneeling group of barbarians.
With a mental command, he slowly pulled back the terrifying pressure of his mana.
As the oppressive weight vanished, it was immediately replaced by the warm, intoxicating wave of his natural scent.
The men inhaled deeply, their chests heaving as a glazed, hungry look returned to their eyes, while the women looked on with quiet, flushed faces.
If not for the fact that they were overwhelmed by Alex, they would have already let loose themselves in their own sexual desires.
"Listen well," Alex said, his tone turning gentle. "This place is your home now."
"You are free to walk around as you please; there are no cages here."
"But while I am gone, you will listen to Leo's commands just as you would mine."
He let a small, breathtaking smile curve his lips, watching the tension slowly melt out of their battered bodies.
"I will let you all have some rest for now," Alex continued. "Sleep well."
We will talk tomorrow morning again about your new roles and responsibilities. Prove your worth to me, and your lives will be better than you could ever imagine."
He stepped back toward the back of the group, looking down at the blue-haired girl who was still trembling slightly.
"Thalia," Alex called out softly.
"Y-Yes, Master?" she answered breathlessly, her cheeks burning a deep pink.
"Use your abilities to heal the others once the chains are off," he instructed, locking his dark, alluring eyes with hers. "If your mana runs low, or if you need any recovery potions, ask Leo. He will buy whatever you need."
Thalia nodded eagerly, gripping her torn leather top. "I will... I will do my best for you, Master."
Alex finally pulled his hood back over his head, casting a soft shadow over his beautiful face.
Even hidden, it did little to mask his presence.
"Take good care of them, Leo," Alex ordered, stepping toward the heavy wooden door leading back upstairs. "I have other matters to attend to tonight. I'll be back tomorrow."
"Also keep an eye on the news outside… about the Windrake family."
He pushed the heavy door open, but paused in the doorway, glancing over his shoulder at Abu, who was kneeling in the center of the room.
"And Leo?" Alex's lips curled. "If anyone comes snooping around looking for trouble while I'm gone... ask Abu to deal with them."
Abu jerked his head up, nodding in submission.