Volume 1 Chapter 7-2 Port Town Shinnit
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hey, Boit. Got yourself in trouble again? Need me to help smooth things over?”
”Huh? Oh, it’s you, Klock! Didn’t think I’d see your face around here!”
Boit’s rough voice rang out across the dockyard.
It was already loud with all the cargo noise, but his voice blasted over everything—way too much. Even the guy he was arguing with looked like he wanted to shrink into the ground.
”W-we’re really busy, so I’ll just get going. But please move your stuff soon!”
The guy muttered fast and walked off, like he was running from a wild dog. He knew Boit would just steamroll over him if he stayed.
”Tch. That little brat thinks he’s better than me now.”
”No, man, you brought this on yourself. What’s with this mess?”
Each ship had a marked unloading spot. But Boit’s cargo was so spread out, even I could tell it was too much.
”Ah, well… things happened. I’ve decided to pull out of this town. All this stuff is for the next shipment.”
”You’re leaving? Why?”
”Eh, lots of reasons. Nothing you need to worry about. Anyway—what’s up with you? You finally start liking young girls?”
Boit was into human trafficking. That line was his way of asking if I wanted to buy a slave girl. But I already had one. Not that I planned it.
…Wait. There’s no way there’s someone inside that box, right? Nah. I should stop thinking about that.
Sure, I’ve done some dirty work, but even I have limits. Some stuff’s just better not to ask.
I looked away from the box and got straight to the point.
”…Boit, I need your help. Get me out of the country.”
I dropped my voice low. I wasn’t joking.
For a second, Boit’s shady face froze. But then he grinned and said, “Let’s talk in my office,” like he already knew what I was gonna say.
* * *
”Hey, I’m back.”
I pushed open the door to the old house.
She was lying on the floor, wrapped in a blanket. When she heard my voice, she sat up fast.
”We’re going into town. Hold on to my clothes when we’re outside. And from now on, your name is… hmm. Adelina.”
I made it up on the spot. It was the name of a dog I used to have.
Not knowing her real name was dangerous, especially in crowds. If something happened, I’d need to call her out loud.
Honestly, if she gets grabbed or lost, I’ll probably just run. But I gave her a name anyway.
”Keep your hood up. And no matter what I say to people, don’t act weird. Got it?”
She blinked, confused, then gave a slow nod.
That was enough.
She slung her bag over her shoulder, and we stepped outside.
I had one thing on my mind now: find a woman.
The western sky was turning orange. Night was coming fast. But I had no cash for a room.
Sure, I could sleep in some shady alley. But I wanted a bed. A real one.
So I went with Plan A: flirt my way into one.
Third time walking this street today. The crowd still bustled, and I felt Adelina behind me, lightly holding the hem of my shirt like I told her.
”…Hey, pretty girl.”
I spotted one. My voice switched to sweet mode.
Adelina froze. She must’ve thought she grabbed the wrong guy by accident.
”Wow… you have beautiful eyes.”
”Oh, thank you. Yours are quite nice too.”
”Really? That makes me so happy. You’re very kind. If you’re free later…”
”I’m sorry, my husband’s waiting at home.”
She smiled bright and walked off without looking back.
Strike one.
Yeah, my go-to move for a soft bed was hitting on women. It might sound risky, but I’ve done this enough times to feel confident. I knew the odds.
Adelina stared at me like I’d grown two heads. She clearly had no idea what I was trying to do.
* * *
Ugh. No good today.
I’d hit on maybe ten women by now. All of them married. All of them shot me down.
Truth is, with Adelina walking behind me, it made everything harder. Even if she was a slave, I looked like a guy who was already with someone.
And even if I tried for single women, who’s gonna trust a guy dragging a quiet girl around?
The ideal target was a woman who lived alone, maybe whose husband worked far away. Someone bored and a little lonely. Those women were rare—and they weren’t out this late.
I sighed.
Guess I’ll sleep in that dump tonight.
The sky had gone dark. The streets were quiet. Even in a safe town like this, women vanished fast after sunset.
Yeah, it was time to give up.
When I got back, I’d make Adelina clean the room. Was the well still working? Probably not. That’d be a pain. Maybe I should swing by Boit’s again…
That’s when I saw her.
…Oh. A widow?
She wore all black—mourning clothes. Young too. Probably early twenties. She was beautiful.
What a waste, staying loyal to a dead guy.
My eyes narrowed.
Target locked.
Character Notes:
• Boit – A merchant involved in human trafficking, with a villainous face and a loud, obnoxious voice. He is pragmatic and willing to help Klock escape the country in exchange for something. His relationship with Klock is business-like, though both are aware of each other’s illicit activities.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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