Chapter 3

003 – <Another World Slave, Mr. Hassan>

“Alright, Hassan. Go up that platform and bring that thing over here. It’s a simple task.”

“Uh… What?”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said bring it over here. Don’t make me repeat myself three times.”

The vast underground ruin was illuminated by torches blazing on the walls. At its center stood a raised platform, on which rested an antique staff.

Anyone could tell this object was highly valuable by the extraordinary aura it exuded. Adorned with gems and made from golden material, it was clear even to me, a layman of this world, that this staff was both extremely expensive and precious.

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and fetch it.”

Elpride was urging me on, but I couldn’t shake off the strange feeling of discomfort and unease in my heart.

It’s common knowledge that underground ruins, especially those containing treasures, are often rigged with traps. After accompanying Elpride through several ruins, I had become all too familiar with this fact.

“Move faster, will you?”

This brat… She clearly intends to use me as a guinea pig for these traps. But what choice do I have? As a slave, I couldn’t refuse even the most unreasonable demands. Therefore, hiring slaves was also a common practice for somewhat successful adventurers.

d*mn it…

Sure enough, things were going too smoothly.

I set down my bag filled with supplies and stretched my shoulders and limbs. The sound of my joints cracking filled the air, releasing a refreshing sensation throughout my body.

Since I didn’t know what kinds of traps awaited me, it was best to ensure my body was as flexible as possible.

“What’s taking so long? Do you want to stay stuck in this ruin forever?”

Elpride poked my back with her finger after I had finished my warm-up. I took a deep breath and moved forward.

Each step I took felt heavy. Fortunately, it seemed there were no traps set into the ground.

I managed to reach the platform without any issues.

“Huh.”

Standing in front of the towering platform and the elegant staff, I couldn’t help but open my mouth in awe. Upon closer inspection, the staff was carved with beautiful designs and embellished with expensive gems. The shape of several intertwined snakes at its head, each one holding a gem in their mouth, suggested an exorbitant value.

“Hurry up and grab it!”

Elpride was yelling at me from afar.

Though it seemed perfectly positioned as if it were placed there just for me, I hesitated to touch it. There was a very real possibility that taking it would trigger a trap.

Still, I had no other option.

The risk of the trap killing me instantly was outweighed by the possibility of Elpride’s incoming fireball hitting my back.

“Whatever…”

With that thought, I firmly grabbed the staff.

Ding!

[‘First Grabber’ achievement unlocked: You were the first to secure the legendary artifact Clepios’ Staff.]

[‘Task Value + 100’]

[‘Accumulated task results have unlocked a divine boon.]

Huh? Achievement? What is this about accumulation? Boon?

While I was momentarily distracted by the sudden text appearing before my eyes,

Whooshhh!

The serpent-like mouths on the staff suddenly discharged a gas-like substance that splashed all over my face. Of course, a trap was bound to happen, dammit.

“Ugh! AAAAH!”

Intense pain surged through my eyes and nose, akin to rubbing raw chemical substances into them without a gas mask. Tears streamed uncontrollably.

“sh*t! This fucking hurts! My eyes! My eyes are-!”

“Hey! Hassan!”

“Huh? Elpride, it’s dangerous over there!”

“What? What?”

“Uhgh! It’s collapsing!”

Blinded and disoriented, I could feel everything around me shaking violently as if collapsing. Unable to even open my eyes due to the searing pain, I flailed my arms and accidentally hit my head on something hard, causing me to lose consciousness.

“…”

I woke again to total darkness.

I cautiously moved my eyes, noticing the faint glow of a lantern nearby, dimly illuminating my surroundings.

Groping my face, I soon realized it was wrapped in a pungent-smelling medicinal plaster covering my chin to my forehead.

“Ugh…”

As I peeled it off, a searing headache surged through my temples, as if someone was violently stabbing my skull with an icicle.

“Uaaah…”

I had no way to relieve the pain but to clutch my head in agony. The only option I could think of was an amateur acupressure trick I vaguely remembered.

Where was the pressure point for headaches again?

Right as I was frowning while examining my palm,

Swoosh…

The middle joint of my middle finger suddenly glowed with a mysterious red light, perfectly visible even in the darkness.

I instinctively pressed it with my thumb on my other hand.

Pfft!

Suddenly, a peculiar snapping sound followed by a stream of bl**d gushing from my nose.

“What the…?”

Coinciding with the bl**d, the throbbing headache that had been plaguing me miraculously vanished, leaving a sensation of cool freshness as if my skull had been washed clean by a waterfall.

[‘The Curse of Slavery has been lifted.’]

[‘Task Value + 50’]

What?

The floating letters in front of me were revealing the unimaginable. The ‘Curse of Slavery,’ which had been the object of my constant hatred and resentment, had been broken.

“Long live chaos…”

As I murmured those odd words, more lines appeared in front of my eyes.

[‘Name: Hassan, Level 7

Strength: 2

Agility: 2

Vitality: 3

Tasks: 287

Boons: Blessing of Chaos, Clumsy Hands’]

Indeed, something was different from before. My task value had increased, and the status listed changed to include a mysterious section under ‘Boons.’

Boons?

I couldn’t help but marvel at the incredible reality.

This world is inhabited by countless gods, each with countless followers. Some of these followers are blessed with boons from their gods that enable them to perform magic or miraculous acts that surpass human comprehension.

Could it be related to grabbing that staff? I recalled the mention of ‘boons’ when the text appeared earlier.

Regardless, it was clear that the curse had been lifted.

I closed my eyes and envisioned soft, warm flesh with inviting warmth, and I could feel my sense of pride surging painfully as my lower body responded.

“d*mn, it’s good to see you again!”

I couldn’t suppress my joy at recovering this long-lost ability, and I immediately wanted to test its functions.

However, after two years of life as a slave, I had to make do with imagining the sight lines offered by Elpride’s occasional revealing outfits: the glimpse of white thighs, slender ankles, and the occasional deep cleavage.

“Elf b*tch – All that big chest is good for…”

Still, this was enough to provide satisfying relief for the frustrations I had endured, calming my mind and causing my body to tremble with pleasure. The inevitable climax of a sage’s time soon followed, and I welcomed even this fleeting happiness.

“Now, what to do?”

With my mind clearer and wiser now, I reflected on my future.

The money I painstakingly saved was surely stolen by the ruthless Elpride. How long would it take me to save that much again, if I even had the courage to try, and how long would it take?

Should I flee instead?

The curse of slavery was gone, after all. I could disappear and hide somewhere where no one would find me.

No, that won’t work.

I remembered the bounty hunters who chase runaway slaves. Most people who employ slaves, like Elpride, are either wealthy adventurers or nobles who hire specialized adventuring groups to capture or k*ll escaped slaves.

If it were Elpride, she’d surely capture me and torture me.

In any case, until I can officially buy my freedom, I will always be either a slave or a fugitive living in hiding.

“Ah, you’ve woken up.”

At that moment, someone approached and spoke to me, causing me to jump in surprise and turn around.

[Author’s Afterword] Three more chapters will be uploaded by this afternoon!