My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 13

Attention focuses on me. This mask is definitely causing some recognition interference, right?

“What’s with that person?”

“How much money do they have?”

“To casually pay 1,100 gold, they must be of quite high nobility.”

It’s a useless delusion, but even their gaze could play into a psychological battle.

My maximum bid was 1,300 gold.

Bumping it up by 100 was just a show-off bet.

It was a way to establish the pressure that I have more money than you.

Had I not spent money on buying a slave, it wouldn’t have worked, but right now he had already spent around 3,000 gold.

Thanks to the waste born from his arrogance, I could initiate a mental warfare.

He glares at me while holding up a sign.

“1,110 gold!”

“1,200 gold.”

I’m just raising the bid out of stubbornness, but the increments I’m making are on another level.

“That bastard…!”

He growls at me. My body trembles from his killing intent, but my entire being does not respond.

A skill that even an S-Class Adventurer can’t break.

At this point, it’s absurd enough that I can’t even laugh.

“Ugh! You bastard!”

You don’t have money, do you? I know everything.

“1,250!”

“1,300.”

I grinned as if saying “go ahead, keep raising it.”

By the time I realized I had an expression of surprise on my face, Golden Sun stood up.

“Is that bastard smiling at me?!”

He looked like he was about to pounce at any moment. That’s when it happened.

“Bidder number 21! Violence inside the auction house is strictly prohibited!”

“Shut up! That bastard is right now—”

His excitement couldn’t be contained, and goblins wearing masks swiftly surrounded him.

“Causing a ruckus here would be a great inconvenience to ‘that person.’ Please calm down.”

It was a different feeling from the pressure of overwhelming strength.

A chilling sensation that started at my toes crept up. A dread that froze the auction house.

“…Damn it! You, we’ll settle this later.”

The provocation was successful.

Whether due to excitement or a lack of funds, he didn’t lift his sign again.

I inwardly sighed in relief.

For me, whose limit was 1,300 gold, raising it further might mean I’d have to sell another artifact.

‘Phew, that’s a relief.’

“Ugh. Is that all?”

I mumbled with a stiff chuckle.

Oh dear, my mouth…

What could have gone well was all messed up by my tongue.

I had prepared an artifact just for this, but there hadn’t been a scenario in the game to fight an S-Class Adventurer.

It wasn’t a hardcore or frustrating game that set you up to face an S-Class Adventurer right from the start.

But with my skill, it seems like it would turn into a hardcore and frustrating game.

“That bastard. Does he want to die—”

“Bidders number 87, may I proceed with bringing the slave to you?”

The auctioneer cuts him off and swiftly asks me.

“Alright.”

I achieved my goal. There was no reason to stay here anymore.

“Is that so? Then please follow me to the back of the platform.”

The goblin mask that had approached me a while ago said softly, “Let’s go.”

I stood up, pulled my hood low, and followed the mask.

That was when Golden Sun also stood.

“I’m done too. Let’s settle up.”

“…What kind of whim is this?”

“Mind your business. I’ll pay for all the slaves I won, so just bring them right now.”

“Very well. But please ensure there’s no damage to Wyrang’s Indulgence.”

Please ensure there’s no trouble.

That’s what the auctioneer said, anticipating a clash between him and me.

Honestly, I had expected it too.

I had scratched his pride, so how could he let it slide?

So what should we do now?

It’s still the early game, am I going to die? Will crying help me get forgiven?

“…I’ll tear your limbs apart.”

He spits out a terrifying threat, radiating killing intent towards me.

Yeah. This is definitely going to get me killed. Damn it.

When I accidentally killed someone, I was let off for only 50 gold; does an S-Class Adventurer not even have that much?

If I had the status of a noble, there might have been room for negotiation, but as a commoner living in a backwater town, there’s nothing to catch me on.

A sigh escaped my lips.

While pondering how to overcome this situation, a creative idea struck me.

Since it’s come to this, how about I unleash my killing intent at full force?

It was a gamble, but if it’s killing intent that even knights fear, it should be effective against even an S-Class Adventurer.

I thought they might even give up if I performed well.

“Ha!”

I took a deep breath.

“Uh? Why are you stopping suddenly?”

Ignoring the attendant’s words, I turned my head. I locked eyes with him, committing focus to my gaze.

[Skill “Killing Intent” activated.]

He stepped back in surprise, and at the same time, goblins wearing masks approached me, presenting their swords.

“What are you doing?”

Even the tone sounded heavily laced with anger.

I hadn’t even blinked, but when did these people get so close? I didn’t even see them.

“…It was a return gift.”

“A return gift, you say?”

“It’s a return for the killing intent you showed towards me.”

“Cut it out and take your slave and leave this place! No fighting is allowed here!”

You can draw your swords and hold them to my body, can you?

I wanted to argue about that, but as the weakest of the weak, I had no fight left in me. I just nodded my head obediently.

‘I’ll leave as you say, but first, can you put those swords away?’

“Put them away.”

The goblins exchanged glances and slowly lowered their swords. I turned my feet away and headed behind the tent.

*

The golden-tanned muscle guy’s name is Inkuro.

One of the seven S-Class Adventurers even in the Phisis continent.

He had a ruthless personality that would overturn everything if things didn’t go his way, and a lecherous side that would drool over any woman, making him a polarizing figure to many.

However, that was strictly in terms of his human traits; no one could deny the strength he possessed.

His ability to have slain numerous demons was known to most in the Empire by now.

But now, he was feeling tension against a man he hadn’t even clashed swords with.

He felt a pressure akin to being forced to kneel by a shoulder hold and instinctively took a step back.

‘I… flinched…? Against someone who looks that scrawny?!’

Inkuro was outraged.

‘I didn’t get nervous in front of that crafty Knight Commander or other S-Class Adventurers! Why the heck am I flinching in front of that guy?!’

Unknowingly, he opened his tightly clenched hand. It was drenched in sweat.

Feeling a killing intent from Praus lasted barely a second. And yet, Inkuro’s whole body was twitching, pouring out cold sweat.

His body reacted faster than his mind could process.

Inkuro believed that, in battle, instinct and feeling were vital, and it was that instinct that had allowed him to escape countless perils.

And now, once again, his body was sending him signals.

If he fought, he was certain to die.

‘Has a guy like that been in the Empire? Where has he been hiding?’

Recalling the unimaginable aura he had felt in that instant, he steadied his breath.

‘Even among S-Class, no one can exude such an aura. This level should belong to a demon general… No, at least the Demon King.’

Demon King. The king of demons.

A being whose title of absolute ruler was absolutely fitting.

He swallowed hard at the thought of him.

‘Even so—’

“If I let him go like this, I won’t be able to vent my anger.”

His pride would not allow him to be intimidated by someone he hadn’t even exchanged a single blow with.

The magic power rising from him caused everyone in the auction house to tense up.

“Please calm your anger. He’s not here anymore.”

“Where did he go?!”

Inkuro exploded with fury. The auctioneer sighed and pointed beyond the tent.

“He went to receive the slave he won. He’ll just come back.”

“I’m going too!”

“Take your time.”

“Why not?!”

“Because we cannot allow violence here.”

He took a deep breath and calmed himself.

‘Don’t go far. Even if you run away, I’ll search the entire Empire and find you to kill you.’

*

“Did that work? I hope it did.”

It did feel like I put pressure on him. Yet, since I can’t feel killing intent, I wouldn’t know.

Scratching my head, I headed toward the slave holding area. Next to me was the warrior wearing the restraint device, following me listlessly.

The place we arrived at had a strange aroma wafting in the air.

“Welcome.”

A woman’s voice came from within the goblin mask.

“This is where the slave brand gets updated and payment is made. Is your money ready?”

“No problem.”

I laid down my pouch of gold.

At the heavy thud, the goblins exchanged grins.

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

A goblin took the pouch and poured the gold coins into an unknown device. As they cascaded into the machine, it began to move.

Before long, the gold coins were neatly organized and presented.

“The total comes to 1,336 gold coins.”

I received back 36 gold coins. I felt like a real beggar now.

“Alright, payment has been received. Now, I will proceed to update your slave brand.”

“No. Remove it.”

“Excuse me? But…”

“I purchased her with my money. Whatever I do with her is my freedom, isn’t it?”

As I subtly revealed my displeasure, the goblins flinched. Two of them made eye contact and nodded.

“Understood. We will proceed as such.”

They followed the same procedure as the slave dealer and began to remove the branding. As the mark embedded in her chest disappeared, she bit her lower lip tightly.

“Ugh!”

With every scream she seemed to have a trauma from, she desperately held back her moans.

After the slave brand was successfully removed, they also took off the restraint devices binding her neck and limbs.

It was a complete liberation.

“What’s your name?”

“…Slaves do not have names.”

She replied emotionlessly.

“You’ve just been liberated from the slave brand. You no longer have the restraining devices. If you still consider yourself a slave after all this, you will live your whole life as one.”

For the first time, she locked eyes with me. I said calmly once more.

“Tell me your name.”

“…Maria.”

Maria. Matching the name of the Third Hero.

The Third Hero, who would later become an Archmage.

A legendary magician capable of sweeping away entire armies with a mere gesture was now in my hands.

I finally gathered them all. I’m touched. Really.

If I could express emotions, I would be jumping for joy right now.

With this, I could confidently say I had taken my first successful step.

“Got it. I’ll remember that.”

“…”

“Well then, since the procedures are all completed, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Thank you for your esteemed visit. I hope to see you again during the 4th slave auction.”

I glanced at the goblins bowing towards me with disdain and walked away wordlessly. Maria looked around cautiously before following me.

It seems she realizes that I’m the one who purchased her.

“Maria.”

“…Yes.”

“We’re heading to the inn where I’ll be staying from now on. Follow me.”

“…”

She didn’t respond. The slave brand was gone, and she might be contemplating escaping.

“Do you want to run away?”

“N-No! Absolutely not…”

Her panicked denial showed it struck a chord.

“You’re too young to try and escape. Use me until you’re old enough to safely get away.”

“Yes?”

I didn’t say anything more.

I took off my robe and draped it over her body. It trailed way too long for her size, but I couldn’t let her go around looking like a beggar.

“Let’s go.”

“…Yes.”

As we stepped out through the back door of Wyrang’s Indulgence, the attendant handed me the sword I had left behind. The “Unbreakable Glory of the Past.”

“Were you comfortable?”

“Yeah.”

I responded while fastening the sword to my waist.

“Please visit again next time.”

Again, I remained silent.

Am I crazy enough to come back here again?

Since I have gathered all the heroes, I just need to return to Secul and think of raising them. No more struggle from here on.

I opened the back door of Wyrang’s Indulgence.

As soon as I emerged, the chilly night air enveloped us. The fresh air felt purifying to my mind.

“This way.”

Just as I stepped towards the inn, I heard a voice from a man I didn’t want to listen to.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“…Why are you here?”

I said as I faced the S-Class Adventurer, Inkuro.

“Did you think you could send me killing intent and get away with it?”

He was wielding his favored greatsword, the Zweihänder. I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

I barely just stepped out, and he’s trying to kill me again. This game really sucks.

“I’ll kill you right here.”

I sighed.

Maria, frightened by Inkuro’s presence, stealthily hid behind me. I glanced at her quietly and started rummaging through my inner pocket.

“Just take this and stay away.”

“…”

Her lifeless gaze turned towards the dried meat. She promptly obediently bit the end of the jerky.

“Dried meat is high in calories, making it a perfect food for someone weak like you.”

I said as I pulled out my sword.

“I’ll end this before you finish eating that.”

[Equipped “The Unbreakable Glory of the Past.”]

[Skill “Absolute Defense” can be used temporarily.]