Before the fat man in front could say anything, he was hit with brick fragments on his throat, chest, and forehead, which sent him crashing to the ground.
The girl standing nearby looked bewildered, unsure of what had just happened, as she stared at the fallen man and then at me. Realizing what had occurred, she wore a frightened expression and fled.
To be precise, I almost struck her. The man had passed out but still tightly clutched the girl’s collar. A child who looks like they haven’t eaten in days wouldn’t have the strength to break free.
If only I could tell her to calm down. Since she didn’t understand my words yet, I approached her step by step, placed my palm on her head, and spoke as clearly as possible:
“Stay here. Wait. I’m not dangerous. Moving is dangerous.”
Since I was already in a bad mood, seeing something unpleasant made me want to wreck things. But it wasn’t a bad deed, so even if Myungho asks later, I won’t feel guilty. Freeing slaves is good, right?
Just in case the man wakes up, I manipulated the floor to bind his hands and feet, sharpening the insides so that any movement would sever his wrists and ankles.
If the thing around his neck isn’t decorative, he won’t dare move recklessly. I patted the crying girl’s head gently and headed toward the door.
Why would someone cry this much? Looking at her, it was clear she was still young enough to be coddled by her parents. It hurt my heart to leave her behind.
Akashi? That’s an exception. His kind is all insane. Even if it’s a girl, those types are better off gone for the world’s benefit. It’s unfortunate to lose someone skilled in cooking, though.
I stomped my foot hard to create vibrations, checking for hidden escape routes or exits. Finding two, I destroyed them completely, eliminating any chance of escape.
As the building shook from the collapse, I could sense people rushing to investigate.
And some were heading this way. Quite a crowd is gathering. I removed a step from the staircase, curved it, and kicked it down, letting it roll.
It should injure without killing. Screams echoed as the vibrations shifted from ascending to descending.
The difference now is that instead of footsteps, there are rolling, colliding sounds. Calmly, I detached more stone fragments from the stairs and walls and levitated them.
Using magic in such a confined space isn’t ideal, but if I could, it would be devastating.
Attacking recklessly might be dangerous, but with my cloak creating confusion for 30 seconds, it should work. Thirty seconds isn’t short, right?
At least half of them will be down before they can react.
Descending further, I noticed fresh red stains on the walls and heard panicked voices. Channeling pre-prepared mana into my cloak, I felt it ripple from my fingertips.
Thirty seconds starting now.
I ran down the stairs, trampling those sprawled on them, and gathered more stones along the way.
Finally reaching the bottom, I entered a slightly larger room.
There were figures shrouded in dark cloths, murmuring about what to do next; guards aiming weapons up the stairs; and captives inside iron cages, staring blankly as if all hope was lost.
“Come on, everyone! Calm down! The guards are clearing a path, so we’ll be safe! Damn it, dig through even if your arms fall off!”
The pebbles under my control turned invisible upon activation, though I could still sense them. They were small but effective.
I considered targeting fingers instead of wrists—it seemed fair—but time was running out, so I decided to revisit that thought later.
Carefully aiming each pebble, I channeled mana and fired them simultaneously.
Guards, customers, auctioneers—more than half fell unconscious after being struck in the head or vital spots. Some bled profusely, but…
What mercy should I extend to humans involved in such a place? Just as my cloak’s effect ended, revealing me, I didn’t care.
“Shit, is that her?! Charge her! She’s gold-ranked, but she’s alone!”
Grabbing the blade of an attacking guard with my bare hand, I slammed his head into the ground while swiping another attacker away with my tail.
Lifting the unconscious guard, I swung him around to knock back others, then threw him aside.
Their cheap weapons seem somewhat affected by my abilities, though not enough to float like rocks.
While I can’t toss them around, I can still destroy them.
I shattered the weapon held by a distant commander, incapacitating him. If he’d been armored, I’d have crushed it entirely.
Though successfully neutralized, I stopped destroying weapons because fragments might endanger the captives in the cages.
The remaining guards, foolishly, continued charging despite their dwindling numbers.
If they want death, so be it. Each one I personally slammed into the ground or pinned against the wall.
Some didn’t get up again. Too bad.
With the immediate danger over, I surveyed the now quieter room. Cornered customers trembled, while freed captives stared at me.
Surely they’re not considering fighting with just those daggers. Ignoring the auctioneer, I twisted and broke open the cage locks.
One… and another. Even opening the doors, none came out willingly, so I had to pull them out individually.
“You’re safe. I’m here.”
Hopefully, they understood. I wanted to reassure them, but I didn’t know how to say “calm down.”
So, I stood straight and pounded my chest with my fists. Would they get it?
Maybe I’ll try that later. Rolling my foot, I built a wall at the only exit—the staircase—to seal it off completely.
In case anyone tries to sneak away. Some still held onto the captives’ collars, so I had to untie all of them.
Approaching, the captives scattered like flies, making it easier to retrieve the collars. Those resisting got a punch, and their collars were taken anyway. Some handed them over willingly, allowing me to quickly collect them all.
The auctioneer glared at me with bloodshot eyes but held his dagger, seemingly too scared to attack.
He must be smarter than the rest. At least he wants to live.
Should I let him live? If I release these people now, might he just start another slave shop?
Perhaps it’s better to ensure no future trouble by rendering them infertile. Though, wiping them all out myself feels excessive since they aren’t resisting.
Ah, I’ve got it. Pushing the freed captives toward the stairs, I temporarily dismantled the wall to help them escape, then rebuilt it.
The exit isn’t fully blocked, so if they cooperate, they can break through together.
If they trust and work together, they’ll survive.
Otherwise… they’re just typical humans who deserve their fate. Without looking back, I pushed the captives upward.
Seeing people lying around unmoved filled me with pity.
Maybe I see myself in them. As a child, I was helplessly swept along by life’s currents.
Damn. Wasted energy on unnecessary thoughts.
When I returned upstairs, the man was still immobilized, squawking until I silenced him with a light blow to the chest.
Quiet suits him. After severing the girl’s collar and freeing her, I also released the man’s limbs.
He’ll figure out survival on his own when he wakes.
“Tell me the way out.”
I asked the girl if she knew the way outside. This should be simple enough for a toddler to understand. Though frozen, she questioned me back in an incomprehensible language.
Nodding vaguely, I followed behind her.
The freed captives seemed slightly happier, talking amongst themselves.
Their expressions remained somber, but brighter surroundings might improve that. Gently pushing the girl’s back to indicate guidance, she hurried somewhere.
Walking barefoot like that will hurt, but unlike me, she lacks protective mana.
Indeed, she winced with every step but pressed on desperately. Following her, the surroundings grew lighter.
Ah, we’re definitely heading outside.
Chasing the fleeing girl, she suddenly screamed loudly.
Running over, I saw her clinging to Akashi and Myungho.
Hmm?
