"Won’t you let me tame you?"

The voice echoed through the darkened background. Irene furrowed her brow at my proposal.

"…What?"

Perhaps because of the extreme situation she had been in just moments ago, the girl glared at me with fierce eyes, but I smiled understandingly. Gaining her trust was the priority now—after all, she would soon be one of my people.

"I’ll take you in. I’ll help you escape from this hellish place."

"Take us in? I don’t understand what you mean."

"Exactly what it sounds like."

"You’ll help us escape… from here?"

"That’s right."

I nodded reassuringly, trying to convey that she could trust me. Irene's face was a mixture of confusion and wariness, her black eyes still filled with tension. It made sense; after all, the person who had just been radiating killing intent was now suddenly acting friendly. It must have been unsettling. Maybe I overdid it with the fear earlier.

"Please forgive my earlier rudeness."

I offered a brief apology. Irene flinched slightly, then asked a few more questions.

"I still don’t get it. Why are you helping us?"

"Let’s just say… personal interest."

"Interest?"

Irene let out a dry laugh. She displayed open hostility, moving to shield the unconscious children behind her.

"So, you want to make us your slaves, huh? You’re just like the scum running this auction house."

"Not quite. Slavery’s not really my thing."

"Then… what? Taxidermy?"

"Whoa there, that’s a dangerous thought."

I denied it lightly.

"I’m simply looking for friends."

A sly smile crept across my face. I was trying my best to hold back, but it seemed the traits of my power were stronger than I thought. I already looked like the perfect villain.

To others, this must have seemed like the image of a boy reaching out to a future hero, tempting a noble soul with the primordial darkness. Irene hesitated, as if she sensed something was off, unsure how to respond.

"Being cautious is good, but unfortunately, we don’t have much time."

"What do you mean by that?"

"The soldiers guarding the auction house will be coming soon."

I had only temporarily dealt with the guards. It wouldn’t be long before the auction house realized something was wrong. We needed to get out before things got more complicated.

"The choice is yours."

"…"

"You can stay in this pit of despair, or you can take my hand and escape."

Though I gave her the illusion of choice, in reality, there was no option. Fate had been cruel to her. This place was the Empire’s worst auction house, the *Apple Tree*. No matter how much potential Irene had as a future Sword Saint, she was still just a seedling. To fight off all the guards while protecting the children was nothing short of suicide.

"…Ha."

Irene let out a hollow laugh. It seemed she had come to terms with reality. Without choosing me, only death awaited her.

"It’s not really a choice, is it?"

With a resigned sigh, she cautiously reached out her hand, accepting my offer.

"I don’t trust humans. I know how vile and cruel your kind can be."

"Oh? Is that from experience?"

"…It’s a past I’ve long since buried."

Irene bit her lip, as if recalling painful memories, her eyes filling with a venomous aura. Deep-seated hatred lingered within her. Though she was controlling herself, aware that her life was in my hands, such intense emotions were hard to hide.

I wasn’t surprised by her reaction. In the early stages of the original story, Irene was tormented by deep distrust of humans. So, I wasn’t holding any grudges against her for not fully trusting my kindness now.

"You can keep being wary of me."

After all, taming someone takes time.

I was willing to wait. Irene, still stiff with suspicion, grasped my hand while muttering quietly.

"I hope you won’t regret this… your choice right now."

"I’m sure I won’t."

What I live for is your dawn.

As your star grows brighter each day, we’ll build our connection in the vast fields ahead. I made a silent vow.

I gently clasped her trembling hand. Though her grip was weak now, one day it would be the hand that could slice through the sky.

"You really won’t hurt the children?"

"I’m someone who keeps his word."

"And if that’s a lie…"

"If it’s a lie?"

"I’ll make sure you regret it. I’ll dedicate my life to revenge."

"Haha! Now that’s something I’d look forward to!"

I laughed playfully.

As we exchanged lighthearted banter, the sound of clanking armor echoed from the corridor outside. The soldiers were coming.

"It’s time to leave."

"How are we going to escape? I know you’re strong, but breaking through all of them…"

"Shh."

I cut off her question, giving her a mysterious look before winking.

"It’s a secret."

If I reveal too much too soon, she’ll get bored quickly.

With a playful grin, I snapped my fingers.

*Snap!*

Immediately, the shadows that had been lurking in the corridor began to twist and writhe. Like living creatures, the dark shadows coiled around us, engulfing us in a thick, inky blackness.

In the next instant, the snake and the foxes were gone.

All that remained in the corridor was a faint trace of shadow.

The escape had been a success.

---

The tense night eventually passed, as all nights do.

At the end of the night comes a new day. By the time the sun had risen high in the sky, I was sitting comfortably in a chair.

"Hmm."

The familiar sight before me was the room I had stayed in for the past few days while preparing for the academy exam. It was spacious, almost as large as a mansion, and comfortable. The same as always.

"Uuugh…"

Except for one thing.

"S-sister… I’m scared."

"Are we going to be sold to bad people? Are we… going to die?"

"Sniff, sob…"

In the corner of the room, a group of fox children huddled together, trembling in fear. They had been like that since they woke up.

"What’s the problem? They looked like angels while they were asleep."

When we returned to the lodge after the escape, all of the children had fallen asleep almost immediately. I assumed it was because of the exhaustion from their harsh lives in the auction house. Even Irene, who had held out the longest, eventually passed out.

They must have been through a lot.

*Though, I’m a little disappointed.*

I had personally moved each of them to a bed and even tucked them in with blankets. And yet, as soon as they woke up, they were on high alert. The children who made eye contact with me looked ready to burst into tears.

*Do I really look that shady?*

I felt a little hurt.

Judging people by appearances… what a filthy world.

"…Sorry. The kids are making a fuss. I’ll quiet them down soon."

Irene tried to calm the children, her voice shaking slightly as she glanced nervously in my direction.

It seemed she was still wary of me.

Getting close to her wouldn’t be easy.

"Why are you trying so hard to comfort them?"

"If they keep crying… you might kill them out of annoyance."

"Huh? What do you think I am?"

"A psychopath."

The directness of her answer stung a little.

Well, I guess I couldn’t really argue after what I’d shown her yesterday.

I smiled bitterly.

"Just let them cry. They’ll calm down on their own."

Suppressing emotions only makes things worse.

Since emotions don’t work that way, I stopped Irene from scolding the kids.

*Poor children.*

They were stars that should have shone brightly, but the greed of adults had dimmed them. They had walked a thorny path for far too long.

Now that they were free, I wanted them to cry to their heart’s content.

"If you wait a little longer… they’ll tire themselves out."

"Okay."

Irene quietly backed off.

She seemed confused by my kindness, furrowing her brow as if she couldn’t figure out my intentions.

"Hehe."

I chuckled softly.

As I waited, the sound of sobbing began to fade, replaced by another noise.

*Growl.*

The sound of empty stomachs.

The children were starving. It made sense; after all, the auction house probably hadn’t given them proper food in months. They hadn’t eaten decent food for at least three months.

"Sister… I’m hungry."

"Me too…"

"What should we do? I’ll go out and find something to eat."

"Isn’t that dangerous…?"

"I don’t want you to get hurt…"

Even in their hunger, the children worried about Irene. They were sweet kids.

I smiled and decided to intervene.

"Looks like we need a meal, huh?"

"…Yeah. They’ve been starving for too long."

Irene flinched but nodded.

Behind her, the children were slumped over, exhausted and weak.

"Hmm…"

I stroked my chin, thinking for a moment before flicking my finger nonchalantly.

"Maybe I shouldn’t have brought them."

"What…?"

"I mean, kids like this… they’re a bit annoying."

As I casually spoke, the air around us grew cold.

"I might need to… deal with them."

"What are you trying to do?"

Irene tensed up, glaring at me, her body on high alert. The children, sensing the tension, held their breath, trembling.

I smiled meaningfully

.

"I didn’t want it to come to this, but… it’s your fault for making me go through all this trouble."

It was perfect timing. I was bored anyway.

Maybe I should play around for a bit.

I muttered to myself as I opened a nearby drawer.

Slowly, I pulled something out with deliberate care.

"…!"

"…?!"

The foxes stared in shock and horror at what I had taken out.

But even in the face of their terrified reactions, I simply smiled cruelly.

"Don’t be scared. This will be fun, I promise."

The snake whispered softly.